Common speakers emit sound from the center of the cone vibration plate. The sound emitted interferes within the cone and generates air resonance, which can cause turbidity and distortion, such as disturbance of frequency characteristics, and time difference of playback sound due to the sliding pot type. On the other hand, in the case of planar vibration plates, problems such as sound time difference and interference are eliminated in order to radiate evenly all frequency bands from the entire area without delay. I think that planar speakers were developed by each company for excellent characteristics such as more faithful regeneration.
On the other hand, it is difficult to secure the rigidity and durability necessary for the vibration board, which makes it difficult to manufacture the vibration plate weight, and the structure to eliminate the weight problem become complicated It seems to have disappeared.
Currently, some manufacturers manufacture and sell planar speakers that have evolved through their own research and development. Our shop offers two manufacturers: FAL and Teragaki Lab. Each structure, material and manufacturing method are different, but the basic concept of flat vibration plate is almost the same.
The product page of the FAL speaker is here.
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=16
The product page of the speaker of Teragaki Lab is here.
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=35
FAL is a leading manufacturer of planar speakers in Japan, having continued research and development on full-drive planar diaphragms for over 40 years, excelling in phase characteristics. To achieve sufficient power from the fully driven planar diaphragm, FAL adopts the strongest type of neodymium magnet, N48, which is the most powerful among permanent magnets. The voice coil bobbin made by DuPont features dual winding of silver wire on both the inside and outside. The diaphragm is constructed with a lightweight and highly rigid polystyrene (with strength comparable to concrete!) covered with papyrus made from reeds, and the edges are sandwiched with artificial leather called Excelsior to form a double edge. To maximize the response and driving force, the frame is made of lightweight and sturdy aluminum die-cast material. FAL has uniquely addressed the issues that were once considered weaknesses of planar diaphragms.
This structure allows for high linearity, efficiency, and excellent power handling. It is said that the rectangular unit shape has better directivity than circular shapes.
In general cone speakers, the sound radiation angle is about 60°, but the FAL flat driver exceeds 120°. As a result, the sound field representation is wider, and the stereo area is vast. A notable feature is that stereo localization is not easily skewed even when positioned away from the center of the left and right speakers. By utilizing the entire diaphragm for sound reproduction, even a small size can produce sufficient bass. The FLAT-C60, which measures 148×128×55mm, can match a 30-40cm woofer. The accurate phase characteristics and excellent localization provide a rich spatial representation, vividly reproducing the texture and depth of instruments in ensemble performances and vocal music, making it highly popular among classical and jazz enthusiasts. Additionally, with high efficiency, it pairs energetically with low-output single vacuum tube amplifiers, making it a recommended choice.
This discussion is about speakers using planar diaphragms. In the 1980s, several major manufacturers like Sony had a good lineup of such speakers.
Common speakers emit sound from the center of the cone vibration plate. The sound emitted interferes within the cone and generates air resonance, which can cause turbidity and distortion, such as disturbance of frequency characteristics, and time difference of playback sound due to the sliding pot type. On the other hand, in the case of planar vibration plates, problems such as sound time difference and interference are eliminated in order to radiate evenly all frequency bands from the entire area without delay. I think that planar speakers were developed by each company for excellent characteristics such as more faithful regeneration
On the other hand, it is difficult to secure the rigidity and durability necessary for the vibration board, which makes it difficult to manufacture the vibration plate weight, and the structure to eliminate the weight problem become complicated It seems to have disappeared.
Currently, some manufacturers manufacture and sell planar speakers that have evolved through their own research and development. Our shop offers two manufacturers: FAL and Teragaki Lab. Each structure, material and manufacturing method are different, but the basic concept of flat vibration plate is almost the same.
The product page of the FAL speaker is here.
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=16
The product page of the speaker of Teragaki Lab is here.
https://www.exclusive-audio.jp/shop/products/list.php?category_id=35
FAL is one of Japan's leading planar speakers with over 40 years of R&D of all-sided driven planar vibration plates with superior phase characteristics. In order to obtain satisfactory power for a fully driven planar vibration plate, we adopt even more powerful N48 among the most powerful neodymium magnets in permanent magnets. DuPont voice coil bobbins are double hand wound with silver wire on the outside and inside. The vibration plate is made from reed on the surface of the lightweight, high-rigidity styrofoam (strength like concrete!), and the edges of the front and back are sandwiched by artificial leather exene, forming a double edge. To maximize the response and drive force, the frame is made of aluminum die cast with a lightweight and strong structure. FAL solves problems that were once said to be weaknesses in plane vibration plates using its own methods.
The above structure combines linearity with high efficiency and high input resistance. The unit shape of the square is more oriented than the circle
For common cone speakers, the sound radiation angle is about 60 °, but the FAL flat driver is more than 120 °. Therefore, the sound field expression is wider and the stereo area is vast. It is also a major feature that the position of the stereo is not biased even at the position outside the center of the left and right speakers. In order to play with the whole vibration plate, you can play enough bass even in small size. Even FLAT-C60 of 148 × 128 × 55mm size are comparable to woofers of 30 ~ 40cm. Spatial expression with accurate phase characteristics and excellent localization is very popular with classical and jazz lovers because it reproduces the texture and depth of each instrument and vocal music of the organization. Also, because the efficiency is high, it is recommended that the single vacuum tube amplifier with small output corresponds to the energy.
