Abstract:
The invention relates to a speaker enclosure comprising at least two channels, wherein a first and second channel are respectively dedicated to separate and adjacent first and second frequency bands, each of said channels including a filtering stage supplied by the control signal and a speaker unit, wherein said speaker enclosure is characterized in that said channels also include means for simultaneously: disconnecting the first channel from the control signal; and modifying the filtering stage of the second channel so as to modify the frequency response thereof.

Description:
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of speaker systems. It more specifically aims at a type of speaker system including arrangements enabling to use them for several types of sound rendition, to simulate a listening on various types of equipment. 
       DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Generally, in recording studios, or more generally when audio tracks are mixed for the production and the playing of audio works, the best listening quality is desired. This is why high-performance speaker systems or studio monitors are used, to have as faithful as possible a sound rendition, since it will be, in a way “set” in a physical or computer support before the playing. 
         [0003]    To be as close as possible to absolute fidelity, speaker systems most of the time have several channels, each including one or several drivers specific to each frequency band to be reproduced. There are at least two channels generally dedicated to the reproduction of low and high sounds. In certain systems, the number of channels may rise up to six, with a frequency spectrum segmentation which may be broken up as follows: subwoofer (frequencies lower than 50 Hz), woofer (&lt;150 Hz), low midrange (&lt;600 Hz), midrange (&lt;2,500 Hz), tweeter (&lt;20,000 Hz), and supertweeter (&gt;20,000 Hz). 
         [0004]    Such speaker systems have a highly detailed transmission, similar to those that may be heard by users equipped with high-end equipment. 
         [0005]    It is however important for a sound engineer or, more generally, the person performing the mixing, to be able to verify that the sound rendition will also be of good quality when it will be played via sound equipment having a different sound rendition, and in particular on systems only having two channels, or even a single one. As an illustration, one of the aims of the mixing is to provide a sound rendition of a musical work which is acceptable whether it is played on a high-fidelity system with advanced four-way speakers, or played on a multimedia system connected to a computer, or by the audio system of a vehicle, or again by a simple clock radio driver. 
         [0006]    Thus, a simple way of verifying that the signal emitted by a three-way speaker also has a sufficient quality on two-way speakers is to install these two types of speakers in the listening room and to successively connect one or the other of the two speakers. This solution is of course bulky and unpractical. In other words, to verify the quality of the transfer on different types of speakers, that is, speakers differing in terms of number of channels, of tonal balance, and of reproduced frequency band, it is necessary to install as many pairs of speakers and to successively connect each of the pairs. 
         [0007]    Another solution comprises inserting an equalization in the filtering portion of the speaker, which modifies its tonal balance and thus gives a perception of another sound rendition. However, this type of speaker always emits on all its channels, which does not enable to take into account the specificities of a speaker having a smaller number of channels than the studio monitor used. Such specificities are among others the group delay in low frequencies and the Doppler effect due to a large-amplitude motion of the woofer membrane disturbing the midrange. 
         [0008]    Document US 2008/0170722 describes a two-way speaker which may operate according to two modes, that is, a mode where the two channels are active and a specific mode where only the low frequency channel is operational, the high-frequency channel having been disconnected. Such a speaker does not provide a sound rendition of the entire audible spectrum when it operates in this specific mode. 
       DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A problem that the invention aims at solving thus is to be able to obtain several type of different sound renditions by means of a single speaker system, by especially obtaining a rendition identical to that of a two-way speaker by means of a three-way speaker to implement a so-called “voicing” mode. 
         [0010]    The invention thus relates to a speaker system comprising at least two channels, wherein a first and a second channels are respectively dedicated to a first and to a second different adjacent frequency bands, that is, bands having a common or close border. It may for example be the frequency band dedicated to low frequencies and the band dedicated to low medium frequencies, or again to medium and high frequencies. 
         [0011]    Each channel especially comprises a filtering stage powered by the control signal, as well as a driver, and possibly an amplifying stage. This speaker comprises means for disconnecting the first channel from the control signal. 
         [0012]    According to the invention, this speaker system characterizes in that it also comprises means for, simultaneously to the disconnection of the first channel from the control signal, modifying the filtering stage of the second channel to modify its frequency response, and displacing the cut-off frequency of the second channel towards the frequency band of the channel which has been disconnected. Such a modification of the frequency response may also come along with a modification of the tonal balance. 
         [0013]    In other words, starting from a multi-way speaker system, the invention enables to disconnect one or several drivers dedicated to specific frequency bands. Simultaneously, the filtering of the channels remaining active is changed, for example, to take charge of part of the frequencies reproduced by the disconnected drivers, and at least partially compensate for these disconnections to generally cover most of the audible spectrum. Thereby, the sound rendition of the channels remaining active is modified to make it closer to that of a sound system which is desired to be emulated. 
         [0014]    Thus, in the specific case of a three-way speaker, the invention enables to disconnect the woofer, which is absent in two-way speakers, so that no sound is emitted by this driver. Complementarily, the midrange filtering is modified to take into account part of the low frequencies conventionally reproduced on the woofer. 
         [0015]    In other words, a playing by the tweeter and the midrange driver only is provided, due to the powering off of the woofer. This powering-off is however performed by integrating, in the power supply signal of the midrange driver, frequencies which would originally be reproduced by the woofer. 
         [0016]    The modification of the filtering of the remaining channel(s) may be performed by combining multiple functions such as high-pass, low-pass, all-pass filterings, or functions of “low-shelving” type, or again actions on the phase. Such combinations may be varied according to the desired sound renditions. In the case where the filtering is modified with no modification of constant cut-off frequencies, but with a modification of the tonal balance, “accidents” may be introduced in the frequency response, at specific locations of the spectrum, defined to obtain a sound rendition identical or similar to that of the sound system which is desired to be emulated. 
         [0017]    In a specific embodiment, when the speaker operates with its three active channels, the filtering stage of the second channel, that is, generally, the midrange channel, may comprise a high-pass filter, having a low cut-off frequency F OFF . When the speaker is used in the mode only comprising two channels, this filtering stage may be modified to comprise a high-pass filtering with a low cut-off frequency F ON  smaller than F OFF , advantageously combined with a constant attenuation at a frequency F LS  smaller than F ON . 
         [0018]    In other words, the filtering frequency of the stage dedicated to midrange frequencies sees its low cut-off frequency decreased when the speaker operates in “voicing” mode. Complementarily, the filtering stage, modified when the voicing function is activated, comprises a constant attenuation from a frequency F LS  smaller than F ON . Thereby, midrange frequencies are somewhat attenuated to the benefit of low frequencies which, on the contrary, should be slightly amplified to have a satisfactory sound rendition thereof, through the driver dedicated to the medium frequency. 
         [0019]    In certain cases, according to the extent of the bandwidths of the concerned channels, it may be useful to modify the filtering slopes of the drivers which keep on emitting, which enables to obtain a different sound rendition. Indeed, modifying the filtering slopes results (among others) in modifying the power present in the cut-off band, but also in modifying the directional lobes of the speaker, and in modifying the group delay of the system, around and below the crossover point. This takes part in the modification of the general acoustic behavior of the speaker in “voicing” mode, with respect to its original behavior. The modification of the filtering slopes is obtained by the addition or the removal of high-pass and/or low-pass filter cells to the filtering cells already present. It may further also be advantageous to combine them with one or several all-pass filter cells to adjust the phasing of the two drivers at the crossover point. 
         [0020]    The like principle may be symmetrically adopted in the case where the first channel, which is cut off in “voicing” mode, corresponds to a higher frequency band than the channel which is modified to compensate for it. In this case, the low-pass filtering of the second channel is modified by raising its high cut-off frequency F′ ON . It is also possible to add a “low shelving”-type filtering stage providing a frequency attenuation below a reference frequency F′ LS  located above the high cut-off frequency of the modified low-pass filter. 
         [0021]    According to a specific embodiment, each channel which is not disconnected when the “voicing” mode is active may comprise two different filtering circuits supplied at their input with the same signal and having their outputs alternately connected to the driver of the concerned channel, according to the state of a switch enabling to activate or to deactivate the “voicing” mode. In practice, such a switching may occur in different ways, that is, either mechanically, electromechanically, or, in preferred fashion, by actuating static switches associated with the filtering stages and manually or electronically controlled. 
         [0022]    In other words, the speaker comprises electronic circuits ensuring the different filtering functions dedicated to the stage of the driver integrated to the channels which are not disconnected in active “voicing” mode, which are alternately actuated, excluding each other according to the activation of a member provided for this purpose on the speaker, or an offset electronic control. 
         [0023]    The invention may be generalized to cases where the speaker is capable of providing more than two sound renditions, in which case each channel then comprises as many filtering stages as there are possible modes, similarly switchable. 
         [0024]    In practice, the filterings of each channel may be performed by using passive, active circuits, or digital filtering techniques, or a combination of these different modes, if needed. The filtering stages may be implanted in the very frame of the speaker, or in a secondary package, without departing from the context of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The way to implement the present invention, as well as the resulting advantages, will better appear from the description of the following embodiment, based on the accompanying drawings, among which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a simplified electric diagram of a speaker according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are diagrams illustrating the frequency responses of each of the channels of a speaker according to the invention, shown when the “voicing” function is respectively deactivated and activated. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 4 to 7  are simplified electric diagrams of speakers according to different execution modes of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , speaker  1  formed according to the invention has three channels  2 ,  3 ,  4  intended to each power a driver, that is, a first driver  20  dedicated to the reproducing of low-frequency sounds, a second driver  30 , of smaller diameter, dedicated to the reproduction of midrange frequencies, and a third driver  40  or tweeter assigned to the reproduction of high sounds. 
         [0030]    Each of these channels  2 ,  3 ,  4  is supplied with input signal  6 . Signal  6  is applied to each of the channels, which each comprise their own filtering circuit. 
         [0031]    Thus, tweeter channel  4  has a filtering stage which comprises a bandpass filter  45 , and a conventionally-designed amplifier  46 . In the form illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tweeter channel comprises a second optional filtering stage  47 , which is operative when the “voicing” mode is active. Filtering  47  has a frequency response different from filtering  45 , to decrease the sound rendition quality, in order to simulate a sound system of lower fidelity, when the “voicing” mode is active. 
         [0032]    Woofer channel  2  also has a filtering stage, which comprises a bandpass filter  23 , having a low cut-off frequency on the order of a few tens of Hertz and a high cut-off frequency approximately ranging from 100 to 200 Hz, intended to avoid the overlapping with the frequency band dedicated to midrange frequency channel  3 . 
         [0033]    Downstream of filtering stage  23  is contact  11  of a switch  10  which enables to connect the output of this filtering stage to amplifier  21 , or to disconnect filtering stage  23 , as shown by open circuit  22 , and more generally by making channel  2  of the woofer inactive. 
         [0034]    The filtering circuit assigned to second channel  3 , or midrange channel, comprises two stages  32 ,  34  which are active when the “voicing” mode is respectively activated or not. The active stage when the “voicing” mode is deactivated comprises a filter of bandpass type, with a high cut-off frequency intended to avoid an overlapping with the frequency band assigned to tweeter channel  4 , which is typically on the order of several thousand Hertz. This filter has a cut-off frequency F OFF , enabling to avoid a frequency overlapping with woofer channel  2  when the latter is active, that is, when the “voicing” mode is deactivated. 
         [0035]    Filtering circuit  34 , active when the “voicing” mode is operative, comprises a low-pass filtering  37 , having a low cut-off frequency F ON  lower than frequency F OFF  of filter  32  active when the “voicing” mode is deactivated. 
         [0036]    Typically, cut-off frequency F ON  may be on the order of 100 Hertz, to be compared with a 200-Hertz frequency F OFF  when the midrange channel is nominally used. 
         [0037]    Filtering stage  34  also comprises an attenuator  36 , of low shelving type, having a critical frequency F S  enabling to attenuate the frequencies covering the midrange as well as a good part of the low frequencies, while keeping a predominance of the subwoofer segment. This takes part in optimizing the acoustic coupling of the channels. 
         [0038]    The two filtering stages  32 ,  34  are connected to two switch contacts  10 , to be alternately connected to a conventionally-designed amplifier  33 . Thus, when switch  10  enabling to select the “voicing” mode is in “off” position, woofer channel  2  is supplied and midrange channel  3  comprises a filtering stage formed of bandpass filter  32 . 
         [0039]    Conversely, when the “voicing” mode is activated, low channel  2  is disconnected and the filtering of midrange channel  3  combines bandpass filter  37  and “low shelving” stage  36 , which is connected to amplifier  33 . 
         [0040]    The frequency responses according to the two operation embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0041]    Thus, it can be observed in  FIG. 2  that each of the channels has a specific frequency response, the woofer channel being shown by curve  71 , the midrange channel being shown by curve  72 , and the tweeter channel being shown by curve  73 . The general response corresponds to curve  75 , which clearly extends in the low-frequency band. 
         [0042]    It should be noted that the −3 dB cut-off frequency for midrange channel  3  is at a frequency on the order of 250 Hertz. When the “voicing” mode is activated as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the midrange channel has a widened frequency response, shown by curve  81 . The tweeter channel keeps the same frequency response, shown by curve  83 . 
         [0043]    It can be observed that the frequency response of the medium channel has a much lower cut-off frequency, on the order of approximately 90 Hertz, due to high-pass filtering  35  of stage  34 , with a cut-off frequency F ON  on the order of 100 Hertz. This embodiment is advantageous for the emulation of “multimedia”-type two-way systems, which have a frequency response with a small extension at low frequencies. 
         [0044]    Of course, the different shown values and curves shapes have been provided as an indication only, and the invention encompasses other variations where these values and shapes are adapted according to the geometries and other characteristics of the speaker. 
         [0045]    The principle of the invention may be applied in other embodiments. Another example is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , where midrange channel  103  is disconnected (as shown by open circuit  134 ) when the “voicing” mode is activated. In this case, filtering stage  124  of woofer channel  102  used in “voicing” mode has a frequency response extending upwards, as compared with filtering stage  123  operative when the “voicing” mode is inactive. It is also possible for the filtering of high-frequency channel  104  to be modified, so that the low cut-off frequency of stage  147  is lower than that of stage  145  operative when the “voicing” mode is not activated. 
         [0046]    This type of speaker for example enables to emulate small sound systems, which are very demonstrative for low-frequencies, but which have a low definition in the midrange. 
         [0047]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the speaker has four channels, that is, a low-frequency channel  202 , supplying a woofer  220 , a channel  203  dedicated to the low-midrange, supplying driver  230 , a channel  204  dedicated to the midrange supplying driver  240 , and a channel  205  supplying a “tweeter”. In nominal mode, that is, when all channels are operating, each channel has its filtering stage  223 ,  291 ,  232 ,  245  enabling to make the best of the performance of the corresponding drivers  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 . 
         [0048]    When the “voicing” mode is activated, midrange channel  204  and woofer channel  202  are disconnected, as shown by the insertion of open circuits  224 ,  234 . Similarly, as in  FIG. 1 , filtering  292  then applied to low midrange channel  203  enables to take charge of part of the frequencies of woofer channel  202 , now inactive. Similarly, filtering  247  of tweeter channel  205  has a low cut-off frequency which is lowered with respect to filtering stage  245 , so that the tweeter channel emits part of the medium frequencies. 
         [0049]    This type of assembly especially enables to emulate vehicle audio systems. 
         [0050]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the speaker also comprises four channels  302 ,  303 ,  304 ,  305 . In nominal mode, that is, when all channels are operating, each channel has its filtering stage  323 ,  391 ,  332 ,  345  enabling to make the best of the performance of the corresponding drivers  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 . 
         [0051]    When the “voicing” mode is activated, midrange channel  304  and low midrange channel  303  are disconnected, as shown by the insertion of open circuits  334 ,  392 . Similarly, as in  FIG. 4 , filtering  324  then applied to woofer channel  302  enables to take charge of part of the frequencies of low midrange channel  303 , now inactive. Similarly, filtering  347  of the tweeter channel has a low cut-off frequency which is lowered with respect to filtering stage  345 , so that the tweeter range emits part of the medium frequencies. 
         [0052]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the speaker also comprises four channels  402 ,  403 ,  404 ,  405 . In nominal mode, that is, when all channels are operating, each channel has its filtering stage  423 ,  491 ,  432 ,  445  enabling to make the best of the performance of the corresponding drivers  420 ,  430 ,  440 ,  450 . 
         [0053]    When the “voicing” mode is activated, only midrange channel  404  remains operative, while the three other channels  402 ,  403 ,  405  are disconnected as shown by the insertion of open circuits  447 ,  492 ,  424 . In this case, the sound rendition is that of a single driver, which enables to emulate sound systems of small household equipment, such as clock radios, for example. Filtering stage  437  modified for the midrange channel may be selected to provide the sound rendition closest to that of the device to be emulated. This filtering can be deduced from filtering  432  operative in nominal mode according to several principles. In the case where the device to be emulated has a small bandwidth, only the tonal balance is adapted, while keeping the cut-off frequencies. “Accidents” may be added to the frequency response, to create a difference with the frequency response of filtering  432 , which has a relatively constant plateau between cut-off frequencies. It is also possible to widen the bandwidth, upwards and/or downwards according to the desired characteristics. 
         [0054]    As a result of the foregoing, the speaker according to the invention enables to switch between a nominal operation using all the available channels and a mode with a decreased number of channels, where some drivers dedicated to the maintained channels have a widened frequency response. Thereby, the result of the sound take or more generally of the sound reproduction may be assessed while verifying the quality of transfer on an system emulation comprising a decreased number of channels.