Hypersonic Sound by American Technology CORPORATION
(also known as HSS)
Comparisons with other Directional Sound
Relevant Technologies such as sound domes and sound arrays
| |
Hypersonic Sound by American Technology CORPORATION (also known as HSS) |
Comparisons with other Directional Sound
Relevant Technologies such as sound domes and sound arrays |
Outline for Concept of Sound Zones
Drawing
Color Key:
Standard speakers are marked in Blue
Audio Spotlights are Red
Sound wave from standard speaker represented by Blue arc
Sound zones are denoted by green
Concept Introduction
The concept is to create zones of sound using a combination
of standard speakers and Audio Spotlights. Audio Spotlights were chosen for
2 reasons over Hypersonic Sound (HSS Units) for this application. 1) The Audio
Spotlight provides a larger beam of sound, providing for a larger boundary for
each sound zone. 2) The Audio Spotlight has a richer, more natural sound so
that the music specified will sound better than if reproduced using the Hypersonic
Sound system.
Applicable Physics –
Inverse Square Law
For this application we will take advantage of the performance characteristics of a conventional speaker, where the loudest sounds are produced at the speaker, but the level of these sounds diminishes rapidly, following the ‘inverse square law’ where sound level is reduced by half for each doubling of the distance from the sound source.
Applicable Physics –
Linearity of the Beam of Sound
The audible part of the sound beam from an Audio Spotlight or HSS unit requires about 2.5’ of distance from the transducer (speaker) to get to full strength. This is because the air is what really acts as a speaker, so a certain volume of air is required for the audible part of the signal to form. This beam remains full strength (almost zero dissipation) for the next 2 meters or 7’.
How do the Zones of Sound Work?
Sound from the standard speakers will be used to fill the zones. The sound level from these speakers will dissipate by half for each doubling of the distance from the speaker. As a result at the transition areas, the “standard” sound level will be much lower and quieter than in the centers of the zones, nearest the speaker.
At the edges of each zone we will use 3 Audio Spotlights to create borders for the zone. Note: the diagram only shows two Audio Spotlights for each sound zone. The signal from the Audio Spotlight will not spread, so it can be running full strength to match the dissipated signal from the standard speaker in the center. Each zone, when put up against its neighbor zone will appear to be fairly seamless.
Audio Spotlights “beams of sound” may be run right next to each other with no audible overlap of the beams. The zones will be “partitioned” by beams of sound projected in close approximation. There is no danger in crossing the beams. However, we will avoid overlap in order to add Girth to each partition. While stepping from one zone into another, the music will seemingly change with one stride forward from zone to zone.
Music Signal Source
The music or source signals will be provided by standard CD music players or perhaps an outside source such as Muzak or DMX. The music signals will be split and sent to the standard sound systems and Audio Spotlights via standard signal cables or mixing boards.
Other Considerations
Each 24” Audio Spotlight is a complete unit, with transducer, amplifier, signal cable and power cord. The covers for the transducers are sublimation printable so for an additional cost, we can make them blend in with any ceiling tile or background color.
Conclusion
When crossing from one zone to another the Audio Spotlight signal will delineate the edge of the zone, and the standard speaker will create a signal to fill the zone between Audio Spotlights. There will be some spill into the areas where there is no sound or artificially created background noise, but almost no perceivable spill from one zone to the other as long as there is a sound being produced in each adjacent zone.
The sound zones could be created using Audio Spotlights alone with just about no spill anywhere. However, this method would require 100s of Audio Spotlights, and the resulting price would prove too high for a practical solution at this time.
Audio Spotlights by
Exhibit and Display Consultants Inc • PO Box 6625 • Providence RI
02940 • 508-695-0544
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