Test & measurement equipment for speakers for sale

As part of an effective and consistent design process, analyzing and reviewing drivers, constructing crossovers, and testing cabinet design all require quantitative engineering results. Once the speakers are built, it is time to test and measure them. Therefore, a measurement microphone or a complete measurement system, and a computer are required. Here at SoundImports, you can shop for testing & measuring products from widely known manufacturers such as Audiomatica, Dayton Audio, IMG Stageline, MiniDSP, and Monacor.

Measuring speakers

Merely putting a microphone in front of a speaker and clicking ENTER on the computer will still not generate a measurement that effectively estimates how the speaker will perform in a room. Furthermore, a measurement software that extracts test signals at various frequencies and then uses the microphone attached to the device to read back these tones is needed. One of the most popular microphones one can order at SoundImports is the legendary UMIK-1. It is a calibrated measurement microphone with USB plug&play connectivity. Moreover, miniDSP released the big brother – the UMIK-2. The UMIK-2 is an improvement of the popular UMIK-1, one of SoundImports's best selling products.

T/S parameters role in testing speakers

One might ask themselves – of all the T/S parameters, which ones are the best predictors of the speaker's quality and listeners' preference? As one can read in our T/S parameter blog, the ideal parameters used for measuring and testing speakers are the small-signal parameters F_s, all Q-factors, and V_as. To measure those parameters, SoundImports offers a great variety of testing and measuring equipment for everyone, from beginners to professionals. Another bestseller of our assortment is the latest version of the audio test system from Dayton Audio, the DATS V3. The computer-based test and measurement system is easy to use and has many features to acquire the correct data of loudspeaker systems.

Why measure speakers?

However, what does one measure and why? Several parts of a speaker's performance can be measured. Therefore, one can ask themselves a great number of questions. Regarding the musical and technical accuracy, for example. How good is it? How accurate is the measured speaker in replicating overall audio that will persuade the listeners that authentic sounds are present? Another part of the speaker's performance that can be measured is its frequency range. So, how great are the bass and treble extensions? Does the speaker have its full balance at both frequency extremes? Speaking of balances – how neutral is the frequency balance? This means that if you play someone's voice clip, does it even sound like the voice of that person? The list of performance parts and the question about them is endless.

However, it is essential to point out that none of the parameters in the first paragraph appears to bear any direct correlation with one of the subjective attributes in the second paragraph. Performance indicators correspond significantly with the measured low-frequency extension, such as the perceived bass extension. It is crucial to highlight that there will still be other elements of calculated success that apply as well. What one can hear always is based on more than just one measurement.

What is the difference between acoustic and electric speaker measurements?

Acoustic measurements are made by placing a microphone at a specific distance and angle from the speaker, and then measuring the sound that is produced by the speaker. Acoustic measurements provide information about the actual sound that the speaker produces, including its frequency response, distortion, and sensitivity.

Electric measurements measure the electrical properties of the speaker, such as impedance, power handling capacity, and resonance frequency. These measurements are made by sending an electrical signal through the speaker and measuring the resulting electrical response. Electric measurements do not directly provide information about the speaker's sound quality, but they are important for ensuring that the speaker is compatible with the amplifier and other components in the audio system.

Acoustic measurements are particularly useful for evaluating the speaker's sound quality, while electric measurements are important for ensuring that the speaker is compatible with the other components in the audio system. Some of the measurement equipment we offer is able to make both acoustic and electric measurements. For example the Audiomatica CLIO 12 and Audiomatica CLIO Pocket 2.1 speaker measurement systems.