In general, sound is emitted from the center of the cone diaphragm. The sound emitted interferes with each other inside the cone, causing air resonance, which can result in frequency response distortion and time differences in reproduced sound due to the mortar shape, which can lead to muddiness and distortion. On the other hand, with a planar diaphragm, all frequency bands are radiated evenly from the entire area without delay, eliminating problems such as time differences and interference in the sound. It is because of these superior characteristics, such as the ability to reproduce sound more faithfully, that flat speakers were developed by various companies.
On the other hand, it is difficult to ensure the rigidity and durability required for the diaphragm, which makes the diaphragm heavier and the structure more complex to solve the weight problem. The weight of the diaphragm became heavier and the structure became more complicated to solve the weight problem.
Today, some manufacturers continue their own research and development to produce and sell advanced planar speakers. At our store, we deal with two manufacturers, FAL and Teragaki Labo. Although the structure, materials and manufacturing methods of each company are different, the basic concept of the planar diaphragm is almost the same.
Click here for the product page of FAL speakers
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=16
Click here for the product page of Teragaki Labo speakers
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=35
FAL is Japan's leading manufacturer specializing in planar speakers and has been researching and developing planar diaphragms with excellent phase characteristics for more than 40 years. In order to obtain sufficient power for the all-surface-driven planar diaphragm, we use N48, the most powerful type of neodymium magnet, which is the most powerful type of permanent magnet. The DuPont voice coil bobbin is double hand-wound with silver wire on the outside and inside. The diaphragm is made of lightweight and highly rigid Styrofoam (as strong as concrete!). The front and back edges are double-edged, sandwiched between two layers of Ecsaine man-made leather. The frame is made of die-cast aluminum, which is both lightweight and strong, to maximize the response and driving force.
The above structure enables FAL to achieve both linearity and high efficiency, as well as high input resistance. The square unit shape is said to have better directivity than a circular one.
While a typical cone speaker has a sound radiation angle of about 60°, the FAL flat driver has more than 120°. Therefore, the sound field expression is wider and the stereo area is vast. Another significant feature is that stereo localization is not easily biased even when the left and right speakers are positioned off-center. The entire diaphragm is used for reproduction, so that even a small size speaker can reproduce sufficient bass; the 148 x 128 x 55 mm FLAT-C60 is comparable to a woofer of 30~40 cm in size. The accurate phase characteristics and spatial expression with excellent localization reproduce the texture and depth of each instrument and voice in an orchestrated performance with a rich sense of presence, making it very popular among classical and jazz enthusiasts. The high efficiency also makes it a good choice for energetically handling small-power single tube amplifiers.
In the 1980s, Sony and other major manufacturers offered quite a few speakers with planar diaphragms.
In general speakers, sound is emitted from the center of the cone diaphragm. The sound emitted interferes with each other inside the cone, causing air resonance, which can result in frequency response distortion and time differences in the reproduced sound due to the mortar shape, which can lead to muddiness and distortion. On the other hand, with a planar diaphragm, all frequency bands are radiated evenly from the entire area without delay, eliminating problems such as time differences and interference in the sound. It is because of these superior characteristics, such as the ability to reproduce sound more faithfully, that flat speakers were developed by various companies.
On the other hand, it is difficult to ensure the rigidity and durability required for the diaphragm, which makes the diaphragm heavier and the structure more complex to solve the weight problem. The weight of the diaphragm became heavier and the structure became more complicated to solve the weight problem.
Today, some manufacturers continue their own research and development to produce and sell advanced planar speakers. At our store, we deal with two manufacturers, FAL and Teragaki Labo. Although the structure, materials and manufacturing methods of each company are different, the basic concept of the planar diaphragm is almost the same.
Click here for the product page of FAL speakers
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=16
Click here for the product page of Teragaki Labo speakers
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=35
FAL is Japan's leading manufacturer specializing in planar speakers and has been researching and developing planar diaphragms with excellent phase characteristics for more than 40 years. In order to obtain sufficient power for the all-surface-driven planar diaphragm, we use N48, the most powerful type of neodymium magnet, which is the most powerful type of permanent magnet. The DuPont voice coil bobbin is double hand-wound with silver wire on the outside and inside. The diaphragm is made of lightweight and highly rigid Styrofoam (as strong as concrete!). The front and back edges are double-edged, sandwiched between two layers of Ecsaine man-made leather. The frame is made of die-cast aluminum, which is both lightweight and strong, to maximize the response and driving force.
The above structure enables FAL to achieve both linearity and high efficiency, as well as high input resistance. The square unit shape is said to have better directivity than a circular one.
While a typical cone speaker has a sound radiation angle of about 60°, the FAL flat driver has more than 120°. Therefore, the sound field expression is wider and the stereo area is vast. Another significant feature is that stereo localization is not easily biased even when the left and right speakers are positioned off-center. The entire diaphragm is used for reproduction, so that even a small size speaker can reproduce sufficient bass; the 148 x 128 x 55 mm FLAT-C60 is comparable to a woofer of 30~40 cm in size. The accurate phase characteristics and spatial expression with excellent localization reproduce the texture and depth of each instrument and voice in an orchestrated performance with a rich sense of presence, making it very popular among classical and jazz enthusiasts. The high efficiency also makes it a good choice for energetically handling small-power single tube amplifiers.
