The journey from vinyl to portable speakers, sound and its transmission has been evolving through the years in terms of quality, volume, portability, and affordability. To understand how we’ve arrived at choosing between the sleek column or the hidden ceiling speakers for the audio system for the conference room today, we shall go back to its sapling stage.
Tracing back to 1877, when Ernst Siemens revealed a more advanced version of a loudspeaker after Graham Bell patented a similar one in 1876, Siemens’ name was adopted as the SI unit of electrical conductance. He then went on to form a conglomerate company of his name, which is worth billions today.
AUDIO SPEAKERS THROUGH THE AGES
· Horn Loudspeaker
Using an acoustic horn to enhance overall efficiency, it consists of a compression driver that produces sound waves through the vibrations of a small metal diaphragm with the help of an electromagnet.
The main issue with horns, however, was they weren’t loud enough. Electrical Amplification was necessary for more audible sounds, ideal for significant public announcements, which now remains a collectible piece of art.
· The Electrodynamic Loudspeaker
This commonly used device used an electromagnetic copper coil and a diaphragm to create sound. On induction, the coil connected to the cone diaphragm vibrates, allowing the sound to be amplified.
· Siemens Loudspeaker- 1877-1921
· Radiola Loudspeaker- E.W.Kellogg and C.W.Rice- 1925
· First all-electric home phonograph with a dynamic loudspeaker- Balke Collender Company- 1924
· First ribbon loudspeaker using diodes- Walter H. Schottky and Dr. Erwin Gerlach- 1924
· Duplex drivers and the 604 speakers- Altec Lansing “Voice of the Theater”- 1943
The Sherer Horn System was the birth of high-fidelity sound (otherwise known as Hi-Fi), which is still current technology!
SOUND GOES PARTIALLY PORTABLE
After publicising public audio, it was time to bring music to our homes. For the golden time jam sessions, Edgar Vilchur invented acoustic suspension for duplex drivers in 1954, which produced a better bass response in smaller cabinets. In the ’80s, this became the heavy boombox on your shoulders, the Walkman clipped to your belt around the ’90s, and the wireless Bluetooth speakers, car radios, or music on our phones today.
Meyer Sound Laboratories with the active 2-way system in 1980, was also a sound-at-home invention with tweeters for high-frequency sounds, woofers for low-frequency sounds, and crossover circuits.
HISTORY OF SPEAKERS IN INDIA
Thriving in the late 60s,70s, and through the 80s, several audio manufacturers like Cosmic, Arphi, Sonodyne, Norge (Eastern Electronics), Bush, Ahuja, Nova Audio, Bolton, Capital, Salora, Dhawni, Dhakshin flourished before being succeeded by brands like Peerless, Pandam, Telome, Skyking, and Pulz with the increment in ease and entertainment in one.
Shifting onto taking music on the drive, Contessa was popularised as the “Made in India” Car stereo system.
BRONX- THE REVOLUTION AFTER EVOLUTION
In the 21st century era of speakers for audio and video conferencing and for our basement parties, Bronx is the go-to brand successor of all the iconic brands that have left their imprints behind. From Indoor LED to the Shure Conferencing system, we got all you want.
Bring in the revolution of this evolution, and elevate every listening experience!