How can one speaker driver reproduce multiple frequencies?

It seems next to impossible that a single speaker driver can simultaneously reproduce so many frequencies. How does that work? Have a question you want to ask Paul? www.psaudio.com...
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[@wayfarin]

i knew the answer to this and have a engineering degree, but i still finished the video for the sheer joy of hearing good teaching. love it

[@trikki69]

I think this calls for PS Audio to make a speaker with 50 thousand divers in it so each if them can be dedicated to a specific frequency. ;)

[@mannymore_music]

I think about 19980 would be enough 😂

[@brucegarethgeorge]

@@mannymore_music yes but you will induce is comb filtering

[@MuminovicGoran]

and we will put them all in your room :)

[@artkulak9802]

The answer to this lies with the Danley Sound Labs Synergy Horn. Multiple drivers, each group best suited to their operating bandwidth, all acting together as one if they were one single driver - full range broadband, controlled directivity, linear phase, single point source.

[@techno_magnus]

That would be actually sick...

[@gregmorris2022]

Great video. I’ve been wondering this for 30 years. Can’t believe I never thought to ask Paul. 👍

[@jaxnean2663]

no, THANK YOU! I've always wondered about this issue. great explanation

[@seanmangan2769]

What is the Xmax of that woofer?

[@TheErow44]

This video has literally made me a better mixer!! I now think about how my Eq decisions are affecting the movement of the speakers, rather than just what sounds better, and the results are better translation!! Thank you 🙏

[@harriglnola7655]

GREAT explanation!!! I never really thought about that in detail. I appreciate the person who asked the question AND I appreciate you for elating it. Awesome! I'm less ignorant on that matter. 😁.

[@0richbike]

Excellent explanation! So when is the PS Doppler defeating driver going to be available?

[@Peter_S_]

Another way to answer the question is that according to mr. Fourier, ALL sound is made of lots of simple and perfect sine waves at different frequencies all piled on top of each other.

[@StrongFives]

SynthSchool on youtube has a nice demo showing Overtones, harmonics and Additive synthesis. Also, another youtube channel - Project studio handbook, has an excellent video for Complex sounds - sound theory.

[@PeteRoyJackson]

Yes, but they’re all flattened and combined into 1D numeric data. See latest comment above.

[@patricj951]

Interesting question! Fascinating that a woofer can reproduce low and high frequencies at the same time. And everything between. But actually the answer on this question is the same for why our ears can hear different frequencies at same time.

[@Darshil-P]

Wow, that's the exact question I was here for, glad I found the video!

[@VamsiMohanKrishnaVadrevu]

I understand that the larger drivers (which have a movement range in inches) have doppler distortion.. But do dynamic driver headphones also have doppler distortion? Their range of motion is so very small (less than 2 or 3 millimetres, isn't it?)

[@joesmith389]

I’ve always had this question. Great explanation.

[@Parasite743]

This is the kind of man i want to be when i'm older! peppy and running like a machine. 😂🤣🤣

[@TheCrowl33t]

Just sub'd to your channel! Love the videos you make! p.s. plz dont say such things ;) 1:23

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

I agree. While we do try to take care of ourselves to some extent we also have to live like we're going to live forever at some levels, certainly not all. When you get into the upper echelons of age deaths in the news become a bit more noteworthy. Tom Petty's passing for example actually kind of shook me a bit. Trying to not be a "death downer" in our chronological advancement may be the final major social skill to learn. And by the way if you haven't seen Paul speak to a live audience and have only seen these little videos that he does you haven't "met" Paul. While I haven't met him personally I get a much more well rounded take by watching him in various circumstances and he's awesome to watch in those places. This is where he goes from Mr. Rodgers to CEO. Dude is razor sharp at least compared to myself.

[@SJMessinwithBoats]

I agree too. Paul's ability to hold a straight line while he's busting up inside is a skill like no other.

[@psyvientx7407]

InsideOfMyOwnMind this is crazy

[@psyvientx7407]

This is where the spider, diagfram “voice coil” and the Surrounding rubber quality comes in guys , better quality = accurate vibe response

[@mikedupree832]

Isn't what you hear the combination of many frequencies? So unless a test Freq, don't we hear the combination, not a single Freq?

[@rich1051414]

We can hear multiple frequencies at the same time, if we couldn't, we would not be able to have a conversation while others were talking.

[@johnyang799]

Our concha is essentially a FFT our hair cells are responsible different frequencies.

Haha.. yes you end up hearing the combination but they don't blend to a mud - when analyzed , you can see clear differences - The blending of frequencies and soundstage such as Stereo to how it's processed in the brain, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys kind of looked at it how you are thinking and how he made music. He felt we ended up hearing it as 'summed' ultimately, but the phenomena he missed out on being deaf in one ear is spatial (stereo) which requires 2 ears to decode :)

[@ThinkingBetter]

Our hearing involves many hair cells that vibrate as tuned to different frequencies allowing us to sense multiple frequencies in parallel: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Anatomy_of_Human_Ear_with_Cochlear_Frequency_Mapping.svg

[@ThinkingBetter]

naibafabdulkobor My point is that the mechanical Fourier analysis done in the ear allows nerve pulses to be frequency specific. Of course our hearing is much more than a spectrum analyzer but the main topic was about how multiple waves combine. You can argue if you should interpret any wave form as a sum of sine waves or not but it’s the view of science making us able to design and create stuff from audio filters to RF antennas.

[@cpselvam1]

Hi Paul I want to be part of your team. I am an audio enthusiastic and I just started as a hobby when I was just 13 years old. I have assembled many solid state amplifiers and tube amplifiers. I am 55 years old now, but ready to work hard. I am from India and currently a VICE PRESIDENT in one of the company in India which is in to IT services. But my passion is audio amplifiers and speakers. I am a diploma Engineer in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Hope you will read my comment.

[@russputin6294]

Paul has this incredible knack of making extremely complex concepts absolutely understandable to oafs like me. Well done and thank you! ;0)

[@carldel444]

Have you ever worked with The Slow Mo Guys. Their high speed camera could capture what you described in this video.

[@geoffreygawler598]

Great vid Paul! Explained a few things I've been wondering about for a long time

[@lundsweden]

A single driver causes doppler distortion: KEF speakers just entered the chat!

[@AuroraColoradoUSA]

Actually a visual of the waveform is a critical part of that explanation...

[@Enemji]

In a live situation, if two drums are played in opposite phases, will I hear nothing?

[@jimolson9671]

It is possible if you were in the exact location where the frequencies were 180° out of phase with no time shifting. But that is very difficult to postulate in reality.

[@Laykun9000]

@@jimolson9671 You can get this to happen with tuning forks. In this case it would represent reality accurately as those frequencies would cancelled out in real life (negative pressure cancelling out positive pressure). This is something usually demonstrated in high school physics.

[@jimolson9671]

Flüg I understand he can readily demonstrate this in a controlled environment. But to live drums that is not a controlled environment in my opinion. That is why I answered the way I did

[@Enemji]

Flüg - I can see that happen in speakers. I was curious how it actually applies in a live setting such as a stadium setting.

[@Enemji]

LD Blake - But it will still be cancelling to a good extent?

[@carlosbauza1139]

Multiple frequencies playing at the same time on the same speaker diaphragm can be explained on the basis of the waveform stimulated by the input. Same applies to the eardrum. Multiple frequencies stimulate it as a "waveform" at each instant in a continuous stream of different changing waveforms over time. waveforms

[@lundsweden]

So I guess all waves sum and are actually just one wave (per channel).

[@davegongwer106]

i am using analog presently - what can i add to get DAC???

[@Invictus96vid]

Each ear has one tympanum. That tympanum is analogous to a speaker diaphragm. If our ears are able to use one vibrating sheet (tympanum) to transfer various and multiple frequencies to the rest of our auditory systems, speakers should be able to do the same thing.

[@WitzyZed]

Invictus96vid same as a microphone, too (dynamic mics at least)

[@rotaks1]

Good one!

[@disnaess]

Great example.

[@anthonynicholson5523]

engineer the reverse a living human ear that grows to the size of a volkswagon bug and play music through it

[@justinmallaiz4549]

Invictus96vid : politely refuting the Doppler claim?

[@n_ogu0198]

where comes the part where he's explaining?

[@EminBastea]

what if you play 2 hz and 3 hz simultaneously?

[@mu_on]

Paul you are so funny and pleasant to watch, even on subjects I already know / understand, I enjoy listening to your explanations. Keep it up, and long live to you.

[@madmanjoe]

Best answer to this particular question I have heard. Makes it easy to understand.

[@hasanyalki6669]

how about the "tone"? frequency & amplitude I can understand, but the tone, how it has been generated? cannot be explained with only pressure in air I guess.

[@johnpluta2666]

Of course the other problem depends on what music you listen to, how loud and the room size. That's why you see so few finished loudspeakers with one driver for sale.

[@etoilemondiale]

The real question is how can one single speaker reproducing all frequencies in the same time and the answer is NO why because you can't driving your car 20 mph in the same time 50 mph why I talk about that because the frequency is variation of speed and bass is lower frequencies ( 20 Hz or 20 beat per sec ) and So you can not heard low and high in the same time on single speaker I don't say It's not read Talk about differencies between read and heard When you get sounds kit you have a great sound because you have maestro giving 20-250 Hz to your bass speakers 250-2500 Hz for medium size speakers and 2.5-20 KHz for higher speakers Looks like simphony from theater but what's gonna do for one single speaker It's crash like plane crash Ok you have a segment sounds in one Let's me explain When you watching your TV the word can be used is animation Your picture is changing every time like the sound reading 52 Hz 300 Hz and 5 KHz at this time and one sec later reading another frequencies So one single speakers can read 52 Hz 300 Hz and 5 KHz and what can you heard ( 52 + 300 + 5000 ) / 3 = 2702 Hz All in one nice very nice Shit and fuck Sorry you cannot use one single speakers

[@davidmessa1419]

Hey Paul, Love your videos, I understand that this more or less off the cuff and this approach can demonstrate ones true understanding of a subject. However your explanation of the Doppler shift is incorrect. Distance has nothing to do with pitch change, it's the speed of something coming toward or away from us or us moving toward or away from a sound that produces the perception of pitch change.

[@jegr3398]

Your ear can pick up multiple frequencies at the same time even though it's a single device that is reacting to the sound pressure wave. All of those multiple noises are baked into the soundwave, it's just how sound works, it's actually quite mindblowing when you think about it.

[@reelsportrd]

Awesome, thanks for the easy to understand explanation! This is a question I had last year and couldn't find the way to express it to get an answer, but you made it very clear to me.

[@Gar136]

This is exactly the answer I was looking for, I had this exact same question and could not get a simple answer, thank you very much!!!!!

[@cobraofearth]

I searched youtube specifically to find the answer to this question, and this exceeded my expectations. Thanks for the beautiful explanation.

[@jkoorts]

Is the wave form through speaker cables called AC (5V to 0V to -5V)? or is it a wave form from 0 Volt to some positve Volt?

[@Mongoose8326]

I am a professional drummer for 45 years so subwoofers are my thing ill tell you each piece of my new budget av system. My net text i just cant get enough of ask Paul i take notes each show

[@00bikeboy]

This question has been at the back of my mind for literally decades. I still don't get it. Clearly they do produce multiple frequencies at the same time, but when I think about the voice coil moving up and down with a frequency of 10Hz, I just don't understand how it can simultaneously move up and down with an 80Hz frequency [insert brain exploding emoji here].

[@bobidderis3880]

That brings to another level of question. I think speakers don't play the exact separate sounds from the source. I mean it didn't play musical instruments separately apart. They just play the harmony of the sound that's been recorded from the source (mixed). Sometimes something we think so simple turns out to be underlyingly complicated yet amazing.

[@ashtongrist]

IVE ASKED THIS IN SO MANY FORUMS. MIND BLOWN What is inside a tube of stripy toothpaste? I tried everything to mess up the stripes.

[@DileepaRanawake]

Absolutely love this explanation. Was perplexed too. Thanks Paul

[@palmspar]

Nice explanation!

[@darinb.3273]

It is VERY EASY to have a visual using Audacity Just as Paul was explaining, think of the higher pitched tones riding voltage of the lower frequencies, naturally each is riding the lowest. Think of it like a surfer riding a wave on his surf board and jumping up and down at the sametime. Of course that would cause the surfer to fall off but anywho. Not the same concerning the electrical signals that the woofer, mid and tweeters deal with hopefully that gives a different explanation in addition to Paul's.

[@gexoll]

Thank you for the video! What I wanna know is more like when it comes to mixing music, focusing on just one speaker. When you you are listening to a song in head phones and you hear let's say the vocals and they feel like they are coming from the center of the speaker and you also hear background vocals that feel like they are coming from a wider ring on the speaker, what is that? and how can you control that?? (Panning doesn't always work using one speaker)

[@DjMikeWatt]

This is a great example, but I think you missed an opportunity to tie it all together at the end by providing the "a-ha!" moment. That being the fact that, ultimately, the speaker is simply mixing all of these freqs together into a new waveform that represents the summation of all the other waveforms present.

[@PeteRoyJackson]

The problem is, there can be thousands of oscillations, overtones, timbres over time t, and they are combined into one parent aggregate shape over time t, as represented by the speaker. This parent shape is simply dimensionless binary data of voltages. There is not a drum hit, a keyboard stab, a reverb, a cough, and every other infinite possible combination all happening as just a function of that wave’s shape, or numeric profile over time. A 1D microphone diaphragm flattens the multi-source signal into 1 wave. The shape is numeric metadata only. In the same way, light carries 2D imagery information and the wave does not at all resemble the 2D information. Yet when the light hits a sensor or surface it magically turns into the 2D image it is representing as just 1D voltages. Where is the 1D->2D transform function and spatial info stored here?? There is zero explanation for this metaphysical phenomenon currently. The information itself is not in the wave, it is in the 5D, as Des Cartes, Newton, or Leibniz may tell you. The speaker is 1D, and it is simply representing a parent wave stream of 1D oscillating voltage; these are the latch-key to a database with all of the embedded constituent wavelings within the being that can identify what the dozens of embedded sounds are in its 3D spectra at every moment. Electromagnetic waves of all kinds are mobile “numeric metadatabases.” It is metaphysical, as is information, reality, and consciousness itself.

[@VamsiMohanKrishnaVadrevu]

If we were able to record on a dynamic mic and be able to reproduce the sound on the same dynamic driver then we wouldn't have doppler distortion right? because while recording, the dynamic membrane is going to record the desired frequencies at those different distances while moving.. and while playing back the dynamic driver with similar characteristics is going to faithfully reproduce it back..thereby nullifying the doppler distortion.. Is this true?

[@johnb1010]

To some degree the Questioner was right, just a typical speaker doesn't produce all the frequencies at one time, they miss huge chunks of the signals. This is the premise of Hi Fidelity, the engineers and designers that make these systems have overcome huge challenges to bring audio reproduction to life.

[@MichelJosephCardin]

Before watching any further then you mentioning it not making sense; I think it's simple; as it does anything else; any other energy modifies constantly the energies as a whole; thus shall have highest frequencies' movements within the others that would not; or be as corresponding to their respectful forces upon and includes that at times the syncing would fall at same times for example: 100 hz should fall 1 third of at same times as 33 hz(I would imagine); where instabilities occur. I think.. Ideally would be to have if three way system; slipping of three tubes within each other with each their own coiling(maybe not) but stick out beyond reach of it's lower frequency forward movements and so on or whatever what nots that one can imagine. There are so many possibilities that could be done with drivers; .... imagine having constant electromagnetics pulls in both directions where so even that it hovers; then have those on L and R of a balance knob off an amp; now control your knob with a regular voice coil; now if only one source feeds the left and right of that balance control; well then as moves towards left for instance; then the right gets it's regular force plus the amount of the left's none use. that knob can in fact be modified also. Imagine using scrapyard crane magnets to do what I'm saying here; lol a couple of years ago I explained that to my brother and he couldn't stop laughing. One can control two magnets like that with a diaphragm between the two; huverring. Anything can be tweaked. Similar to how Electrostatic ones work; with the difference that constant energies are used instead of magnets and shifting of charges at proper frequencies are implemented. Those scrapyard magnets could likely drive a 200 foot or more woofer. Cheers.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

What Paul doesn’t say is that a speaker being driven by an amplifier is reproducing all frequencies at the same time is the best it can do. Does it sound like live music, no. We humans can always tell that it’s a reproduction. A speaker trying to reproduce every instrument is doing the best that it can, buts it’s not nearly enough for our ears. Our eyes are just as good as our ears, we can discern between a photograph or HD TV as opposed to viewing real life. We humans can hear that’s it’s a reproduction and not real voice and real drums and horns. Speaker designers place woofers, midrange and tweeters in a box to make it sound better with a crossover tuned to allow each speaker to do it’s shared part. In a more accurate scenario you could have one speaker for each instrument and each singer in the band. But how much would that cost ?

[@ianmichael5768]

Thank Superposition. Or Fourier. And... thank you Paul!

[@Reflectiveness]

I loved hearing your explanation. I must confess I had no idea how it worked.

[@Synthematix]

So basically all the frequencies are combined together up to the point where the driver cannot produce them any further.

[@mynamesjudge]

I remember getting high about 20 years ago and thinking about this. The best explanation I could think of is aliens. I still want to believe but I think that this is a better explanation.

[@marcusm5127]

What decides the optimal speaker size? Is it the power of the system that decides how big cones you need to make sound of it? Meaning that bigger is better if you just have the electronics to play it?

[@SJMessinwithBoats1]

@Marcus M, It's always been said to start at mid-range. Human voice is what we want to be correct. Standard is the 4" cone. It's light weight, can cover say 100 cycles to 3khz. That's a little out on the lower number, but let's just say it's the same as Paul's IRSV's. So we know that tones are best if played over the widest range on one driver. Everything looks the best when it's a single driver doing most of the range. But this isn't headphones, this is SPL in air. Next is how loud is the music naturally? I got about 85db at 15th row on a 7th and 8th grade school concert. What is your music generally speaking and do you play at live levels?

[@justinmallaiz4549]

Marcus M ... simply answer: size of room, desired volume , and consider other sacrifices willing to make. (Like :frequency response or efficiency) .. Its all about vibrating the air .. how much, how far, how quick, how accurate and with how much power

[@CubicIronPyrite]

I'd upvote this video 10 times if I could, just for the explanation of Doppler distortion.

[@MichelJosephCardin]

One of these days; I'll solder outputs on each of my 10 band eq and use ten amps and 20 drivers and that will be awesome.

[@AndrewDInSydney]

Would it not be possible to make a software algorithm that modified the higher frequencies to compensate for the Doppler shift going into the speaker driver?

[@Sjonat716]

Love your channel but a bit of constructive criticism. Perhaps if you wrote down the answeres or bullet points you would answer the questions in a more cohesive and understandable way instead of going off on a bunch of unrelated stuff.

[@blackdaan]

But if 15000 frequencies are produced at the same time how can a frequency be not so disturbed that there is noting left of the wave.. its hard to get around in my head.. Even some waves are sine some aquerewave some saw etc

[@rashidsiraj1960]

Your explanation for the use and understanding speakers are very good I want to know the roll of Damper in Diffrant speaker

[@PLFORTE1]

I've always wondered this myself! Great video, keep it up and live forever :)

[@DavidB-tw9tp]

Very nice video! I'm 17 and I find you super funny, keep it going! :)

[@techno_magnus]

I'm 15 and I think he's very informative and HILARIOUS

[@lahattec]

To be technically correct regarding the Doppler distortion, it is related to acceleration, not distance. I stationary train whistle at 1 mile away has the same pitch as it would if right in front of you. it is the change in distance over time that makes for the Doppler effect, and a slower change in distance has less Doppler effect than does a fast change in distance.

[@heavyferrum397]

WOW! This explanation is really good! I'm mind blowned.

[@JonathanDFielding]

Great question, but why didn't you illustrate it!? This is so easy to show with graphs, or something visual. Show a sign wave, then superimpose another on top of it. Then look at the wave of music or voice. Easy.

[@mostirreverent]

Thank you Paul, I just posted this question on some other clip this week

[@kylestreicher2161]

thank you for the wonderful explanation - this has been a true mystery for my entire life

[@shrodingersman]

The frequencies are nested like a Russian doll with low frequencies containing the higher frequencies

[@stevemcstevens]

Ive often wondered about this n been baffled. Thank you for a great explanation!

[@TheRuffusMD]

of course the air waves , enter yore ear, and push against another flattish membrane called the ear drum ... then this through a lever system is amplified and stimulates the cochlea which looks like a harp strings or piano sound board shaped in a snail shaped circle , when that happens it send a electrical current to the brain and sound is perceived . and yes , the cables are insulated !

[@kamathln]

@2:24 .How many of you remembered "Winamp"'s sample music?

[@garymoore3497]

look..... the simple answer , is Fast Fourier Transform..... . . . .

[@rubickon]

although i will never buy or hear your companies speaker, it a pleasure seeing your videos sir

[@azmike1956]

Like sine waves superimposed on a scope but using sound instead. Cool!

[@Whitefox-pc7lp]

what about an audio software/hardware solution to where each instrument is ran to its own set of speakers?

[@ea6427]

you did a great description and demonstration thank you so much

[@deankim6687]

This has been my favorite Q&A so far. I’ve always wondered this myself.

[@sillyninja65]

frequencies and how they create multiple sounds it blows my mind. i feel the answer is so simple that is too good to be true

[@mikelnw102]

Nice and clear explanation. I really love it, Awesome

[@masterleafcnc]

Looks like you weren't alone this time :) Great videos by the way. Very informative.

[@tinetannies4637]

You remind me of an audiophile version of George Kennedy

[@iMagic16]

you certainly see way more than 15 times a second... or else 144hz, 240hz monitors would be unnoticeable when they are clearly noticeable

[@paulffake]

Magic you can’t see more than 24 FPS and perceive individual frames. It looks like fluid motion at that rate. That’s why movies are projected at that rate. 240 FPS looks like smooth motion, too.

[@fludeball]

Looks like Paul got into the edibles before taping this one.

[@sekanto1]

I love this man so much. I think I'm just gonna binge these videos, learned a lot from this one.

[@仲其宇]

I just like to listen to those shit talking with his deep voice.

[@waltercalderon1993]

Just say thank you to the Fourier's Transform!

[@hourglassindependent5176]

I finally understand. Thanks!

[@TheRealAudioDidact]

Did these woofers end up in the FR30?

[@johnkostyrka80]

Good to know I am not the only one who has been wondered about this 🤯

[@AndyU96]

Appreciate the video, I got your point at 4:41

[@Mongoose8326]

I am putting together a home theatre system thanks to you i am getting into stereo love your show your like my stereo college professor love ps audio and you Paul

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Thanks. I am honored.

[@HayterwaveMedia]

me from toledo ohio having the same question

[@jimshaw899]

Dear lord, Paul. If only you had studied engineering, rather than building static yachts for living rooms. ;)

[@SJMessinwithBoats1]

That's an idea. Custom made audio that looks like Sculptures! That would be "high hi End."

[@chrisjakob25]

Our eyes have about 22-25fps

[@NYCBoomBap4Life]

I've been wondering this myself. Great video, Paul.

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed and had a chance to watch it.