Baffles, Transistor Radios, and the Ear
Louis R. Weber · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1972
With a direct radiator loudspeaker, one has essentially an acoustic doublet, the energy from the front and back, differing in phase by 180°. It can easily be shown that the response spectrum depends on the length of the baffle. Because most transistor radios are small, the physical dimensions of the baffle must be small also. How does one account for the apparent presence of these lower frequencies in these small radios? By using three or four audio-oscillators, it can be easily demonstrated that these lower frequencies are supplied by the asymmetry of the ear and are not actually in the transistor radio radiating system itself. A similar situation in optics will be demonstrated. Thus, the ear has been created almost with a prior knowledge that man would need help in imperfect radiating systems so that an acceptable reproduction of a symphony orchestra would be possible.