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Electrostatic loudspeaker
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==Disadvantages== Typical disadvantages include sensitivity to ambient humidity levels and a lack of bass response, due to [[phase cancellation]] from a lack of enclosure,{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} but these are not shared by all designs. The bass rolloff 3db point occurs when the narrowest panel dimension equals a quarter wavelength of the radiated frequency for dipole radiators, so for a Quad ESL-63, which is 0.66 meters wide, this occurs at around 129 Hz, comparable to many box speakers (calculated with the speed of sound taken as 343 m/s). There is also the difficult physical challenge of reproducing low frequencies with a vibrating taut film with little excursion amplitude; however, as most diaphragms have a very large surface area compared to cone drivers, only small amplitude excursions are required to put relatively large amounts of energy out. While bass is lacking quantitatively (due to lower excursion than cone drivers) it can be of better quality ('tighter' and without 'booming') than that of electrodynamic (cone) systems.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Phase cancellation can be somewhat compensated for by electronic [[equalization (audio)|equalization]] (a so-called '''shelving circuit''' that boosts the region inside the audio band where the generated sound pressure drops because of phase cancellation). Nevertheless ''maximum'' bass levels cannot be augmented because they are ultimately limited by the membrane's maximum permissible excursion before it comes too close to the high-voltage stators, which may produce electrical arcing and burn holes through it.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Recent, technically more advanced solutions for perceived lack of bass include the use of large, curved panels (Sound-Lab, [[MartinLogan]] CLS), electrostatic subwoofer panels (Audiostatic, Quad), and long-throw electrostatic elements allowing large diaphragm excursions (Audiostatic). Another trick often practiced is to step up the bass (20β80 Hz) with a higher transformation ratio than the mid and treble. This relative lack of loud bass is often remedied with a hybrid design using a dynamic loudspeaker, e.g. a [[subwoofer]], to handle lower [[frequency|frequencies]], with the electrostatic diaphragm handling middle and high frequencies. Many feel{{who|date=July 2017}} that the best low frequency unit for hybrids are cone drivers mounted on open baffles as dipoles, [[acoustic transmission line|transmission line]] woofers or [[horn loudspeaker|horns]], since they possess roughly the same qualities (at least in the bass) as electrostatic speakers, i.e. good [[Transient (oscillation)|transient]] response, little box coloration, and (ideally) flat frequency response.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} However, there is often a problem with integrating such a woofer with the electrostatics. This is because most electrostatics are [[line source]]s, the sound pressure level of which decreases by 3 dB for each doubling of distance. A cone speaker's sound pressure level, on the other hand, decreases by 6 dB for each doubling of distance because it behaves as a [[point source]]. This can be overcome by the theoretically more elegant solution of using conventional cone woofers in an open baffle, or a push-pull arrangement, which produces a bipolar radiation pattern similar to that of the electrostatic membrane.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} This is still subject to phase cancellation, but cone woofers can be driven to far higher levels due to their longer excursion, thus making equalization to a flat response easier, and they add distortion thereby increasing the area (and therefore the power) under the frequency response graph, making the total low frequency energy higher but the fidelity to the signal lower. An alternative is to enclose the electrostatic elements and operate them as "monopoles." This avoids the many disadvantages of dipole operation, most importantly a great reduction in room reflections and thus also in adulteration of the recorded ambiance. Since there's no attempt at making the speaker visually ''see-through'', it also allows the application of materials to the rear of the panel to impart full damping of the membrane resonance, which improves transient response. In addition, using relatively small elements with a relatively high crossover frequency, such as 500 Hz, has a number of advantages. It reduces directivity to a degree that offers a reasonably wide sweet spot. It allows more of the 3 dB/octave increase in SPL with frequency to be used, increasing the sensitivity.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} It does not act as a true line array, so woofers are easier to integrate. Lastly, most of the remaining 3 dB roll-up can be counteracted by filtering the high frequencies from the signal to half or more of the width, which coincidentally widens the dispersion and thus the sweet spot. JansZen speakers incorporate all these alternative features. They also use acoustic suspension woofers (sealed enclosures), which have the lowest group delay of all configurations and thus the best chance of seamlessly integrating with the electrostatics. The panels are also well protected from collecting airborne contaminants, avoiding the need for periodic repairs. The directionality of electrostatics can also be a disadvantage in that it means the 'sweet spot' where proper stereo imaging can be heard is relatively small, limiting the number of people who can fully enjoy the advantages of the speakers simultaneously. In 1992 Critical Mass introduced the first electrostatic speakers for use in the mobile environment (car audio). Critical Mass engineer and CEO Wayde Alfarone's design capitalized on the directional nature of electrostatics by creating separate sound fields for different seating locations in the vehicle.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Because of their tendency to attract dust, insects, conductive particles, and moisture, electrostatic speaker diaphragms will gradually deteriorate and need periodic replacement. They also need protection measures to physically isolate their high voltage parts from accidental contact with humans and pets. Cost-effective repair and restoration service is available for virtually every current and discontinued electrostatic loudspeaker model.
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