Sound reproduction method and sound reproduction system

A sound reproduction system includes low frequency speaker units for reproducing low frequency sounds by receiving audio signals on low frequency channels among a plurality of channels, and a holder for holding the low frequency speaker units so as to be disposed in the vicinity of both ears of a listener without being mounted on baffle boards so that sounds from front and back surfaces of diaphragms of the low frequency speaker units are added.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2005-140515 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on May 13, 2005, and Japanese Patent Application JP 2005-368996 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Dec. 22, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sound reproduction method and sound reproduction system suitable for use in playing back audio signals including a low frequency audio signal in multichannel sound reproduction such as 5.1-channel sound reproduction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Video-and-audio playback systems, called “home theater systems”, are coming into widespread use. In the video-and-audio playback systems, by using relatively-large-screen displays to display video playback from, for example, DVDs (digital versatile discs), and, by recently employing 5.1-channel sound reproduction as multichannel reproduction for audio playback, exciting video and audio can be played back.

A 5.1-channel sound reproduction system needs four types of speakers, that is, front speakers, a center speaker, rear speakers, and a subwoofer. The subwoofer, which is used for low frequencies, originally reproduces a frequency range of 100 Hz or less. The other speakers reproduce frequencies from 100 Hz to 20 kHz.

Speaker arrangement of the related art in the 5.1-channel sound reproduction system is as shown inFIG. 21. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 21, in front of a listener1, a front left channel speaker2FL is disposed on the left side, a front right channel speaker2FR is disposed on the right side, and a center channel speaker2C is disposed opposing the listener1.

Behind the listener1, a rear left channel speaker2RL is disposed on the left side and a rear right channel speaker2RR is disposed on the right side. In addition, a subwoofer2SW for an LFE (low frequency effect) channel (only for low frequencies) is disposed at an appropriate position.

These six speakers2FL,2FR,2C,2RL,2RR, and2SW are disposed at their positions, with them provided in speaker boxes. In general, in many cases, the six speakers around the listener1are disposed so that each (indicated by “ds”) of distances between the listener1and the six speakers is, for example, approximately two meters.

In a sound reproduction system of the related art, speaker boxes each having a volume of, for example, approximately 15 liters, are used for left and right speakers. The speaker boxes have changed to small boxes each having a volume of approximately one liter. Left and right speakers for which such small boxes are used are also called “satellite speakers”. Obviously, the left and right speakers do not reproduce any low frequencies. Accordingly, a speaker called a “subwoofer” only for low frequencies is additionally used in order to supplement the reproduction. As described above, when small boxes are used for the speakers other than the subwoofer, it is common that a cross-over frequency of an audio signal supplied to the subwoofer2SW is 150 Hz, which is slightly higher than the frequency of 100 Hz. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the frequency of 150 Hz is considerably low.

By using a speaker system having the above-described arrangement to play back 5.1-channel audio signals from a DVD, obviously, sufficiently low frequency sounds are reproduced. In addition, since a reproduction channel is specially provided only for low frequency sounds, when a movie sound or the like is used as a sound source, uncommon deep bass resonates across an entire room, thus enabling the listener to have exciting realistic sensation.

In general, high frequency sounds are easily insulated. Accordingly, a single wall or door can considerably attenuate most of the high frequency sounds. However, sound insulation is not easy for low frequency sounds having, for example, 100 Hz or less, which are to be reproduced by the subwoofer. In many cases, in small houses, it is difficult for a room to have a size for insulating the low frequency sounds. In addition, in order for common 5.1-channel speaker arrangement to reproduce exciting sounds when enjoying DVD video and audio, a sound volume of approximately 90 dB or greater is necessary. In this reproduction, in particular, low frequency sounds, such as 50 Hz and 40 Hz, reproduced by the subwoofer, resonate to propagate in a wide range.

Therefore, there is a possibility that, when sounds are reproduced from the subwoofer in a room, the reproduced sounds reach not only the next room but also even upstairs and downstairs rooms, thus causing trouble. In particular, as the sounds have lower frequencies, it is more difficult to insulate the sounds. Using the subwoofer is a big problem in the housing situation in urban areas, so that it is actually difficult to sufficiently utilize the 5.1-channel sound reproduction system.

To solve this problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 05-95591 discloses a sound reproduction system in which intermediate and high frequency sounds are reproduced by using small speakers and low frequency sounds are reproduced in the vicinity of listener's ears by using a pair of low-frequency-sound headphones or bone conduction.

According to the sound reproduction system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 05-95591, sound reproduction is performed, with low frequency sounds reproduced in the vicinity of listener's ears by using low-frequency-sound headphones or bone conduction. Thus, although the reproduced sounds can be heard as loud, the reproduced sounds can be prevented from being conducted to a neighboring house.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the sound reproduction system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 05-95591, for reproducing low frequency sounds in the vicinity of listener's ears, speakers are not used, but headphones or a vibrating object using bone conduction are used. It seems that low-frequency-sound audibility through the vibrating object other than the speaker is not so natural as to be generally accepted, though the audibility depends on each person. In addition, the listener needs to wear headphones or a headset for bone conduction, and this is a cumbersome.

In view of the above points, it is desirable to provide a sound reproduction method and sound reproduction system which use a speaker even for low frequency sound reproduction and which suppress conduction of low frequency sounds to a neighboring house, even if sounds are reproduced with a large sound volume.

To solve the above problems, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sound reproduction system including at least one low frequency speaker unit for reproducing a low frequency sound by receiving an audio signal on a low frequency channel among a plurality of channels, and holding means for holding the low frequency speaker unit so as to be disposed in the vicinity of an ear of a listener without being mounted on a baffle board so that sounds emitted from front and back surfaces of a diaphragm of the low frequency speaker unit are added.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the low frequency speaker unit is held so as to be disposed in the vicinity of the ear of the listener. Thus, for the listener, reproduced sounds can be heard with a large sound volume.

Since the low frequency speaker unit is not mounted on the baffle board, reproduced low frequency sounds are emitted from the front and back surfaces of the diaphragm of the low frequency speaker unit. The sounds emitted from the front and back surfaces of the diaphragm of the low frequency speaker unit are reverse in phase. Thus, the sounds emitted from the front and back surfaces cancel each other, so that they are attenuated. In particular, as the reproduced sounds have lower frequencies, they have larger attenuation, so that low frequency sounds propagated to a neighboring house are remarkably reduced.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, even if a speaker is used even for reproducing a low frequency sound and sounds are reproduced with a large sound volume, the low frequency sound, which is propagated to a neighboring house, etc., can be remarkably reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A sound reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention is described by exemplifying a case in which multichannel audio signals in accordance with the 5.1-channel system are played back, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is an illustration of speaker arrangement in the sound reproduction system according to this embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 1, also in this embodiment, similarly to the case shown inFIG. 21, in front of a listener1, a front left channel speaker11FL is disposed on the left side, a front right channel speaker11FR is disposed on the right side, and a center channel speaker11C is disposed opposing the listener1.

In the example shown inFIG. 1, the speakers11FL,11FR, and11C are formed such that front surfaces of small speaker boxes12FL,12FR, and12C each having, for example, one litter, are used as baffle boards and corresponding speaker units13FL,13FR, and13C are mounted on the baffle boards. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the speakers11FL,11FR, and11C, each of them is hereinafter referred to as the “front speaker”.

In addition, behind the listener1, a rear left channel speaker11Rl is disposed on the left side and a rear right channel speaker11RR is disposed on the right side. When it is necessary to distinguish each of the speakers11RL and11RR, each of them is hereinafter referred to as the “rear speaker”.

In the example shown inFIG. 1, the speakers11RL and11RR are formed so that front surfaces of speaker boxes12RL and12RR which are smaller than the small speaker boxes12FL,12FR, and12C for the speakers11FL,11FR, and11C are used as baffle boards and corresponding speaker units13RL and13RR are mounted on the baffle boards.

Accordingly, three front channel speakers11FL,11FR, and11C and two rear channel speakers11RL and11RR may be similar in configuration and arrangement to those in the case of the related art. In this example, the configuration of a subwoofer greatly differs from that in the case of the related art.

In other words, in this embodiment, in the vicinity of the left and right ears of the listener1, two subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are disposed with the head of the listener1provided therebetween so that their diaphragms oppose the ears but out of touch with the ears and head. The two subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are not accommodated as speaker units and are not mounted on baffle boards so that sounds emitted from the front and back surfaces of the diaphragms can be mixed.

The two subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are supplied in common with a low frequency signal on an LFE (low frequency effect) channel, and, from the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, low frequency sounds on the LFE channel can be emitted from the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2.

As the result of the above arrangement, the low frequency sounds on the LFE channel are emitted in the vicinity of both ears of the listener1, and are heard by the listener1with a large sound volume. However, at a position away from the listener1, sounds from the front and back surfaces of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2differ 180 degrees in phase and cancel each other, so that the sounds can hardly be heard. This can prevent occurrence of a situation in which low frequency sounds propagate to a neighboring house, causing a trouble, as in the case of the related art.

In order to confirm attenuation in low frequency sound, in an anechoic room, as shown inFIG. 2, a sound from a subwoofer speaker unit11SW having a diameter of, for example, 17 centimeters, was collected by a microphone12at a distance d from the speaker unit11SW, and frequency characteristics of the sound pressure level of the sound were measured. Results of the measurement are as shown inFIG. 3. In this case, the speaker unit11SW was not accommodated in a box and is not mounted on a baffle board.

The four frequency characteristic curves21,22,23, and24shown inFIG. 3were respectively obtained when d=10, d=20, d=40, d=80 (centimeters), where d represents the distance between the speaker unit11SW and the microphone12.

As is clear fromFIG. 3, it is confirmed that, when the speaker unit11SW is not provided in a speaker box, sound equal to 1 kHz or less considerably attenuates, and it is confirmed that, as sound has a lower frequency, attenuation of the sound is greater.

In this embodiment, each (indicated by “dsw”) of distances between two subwoofers11SW1and11SW2and the left and right ears of the listener1is a distance in which low frequency sound can be traveled to the ears of the listener1without being so attenuated. In this example, the distance dsw is approximately 20 centimeters.

For example, in the case of the related art described with reference toFIG. 21, the distance between the subwoofer2SW and the left ear of the listener1is 2 meters. Unlike that, in the embodiment inFIG. 1, each distance between the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2and both ears of the listener1is 20 centimeters. Accordingly, compared with the case of the related art, in this embodiment, the distance is 1/10.

Therefore, in this embodiment, energy necessary for the listener1to feel the same sound pressure may be 1/100 compared with the case of the related art. In other words, if the case of the related art needs a 100-watt amplifier, in this embodiment, by using even a 1-watt amplifier, the listener1can feel the same sound pressure.

This embodiment has small sound diffusion due to only a difference in audio signal output supplied to the speakers. Furthermore, regarding low frequency sounds having, for example, 20 Hz, 30 Hz, and 40 Hz, they cancel mutually in phase, so that sounds can hardly be heard except the vicinity of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2. Nevertheless, exciting sound effects included in DVD video can be obtained by recording large energy in a low frequency range. Thus, an advantage of sound insulation is enhanced.

In the above-described configuration, a sufficient advantage is obtained when low frequency sounds are noted and only the low frequency sounds are attenuated. However, in this embodiment, not only for low frequency sounds reproduced by the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, but also for overall frequency sounds, the advantage of sound insulation can be obtained.

In other words, by decreasing the distances of the other speakers other than each subwoofer to either ear of the listener1, emission energy in the overall frequency sounds can be decreased, thus contributing sound insulation.

In particular, it is effective to dispose also the rear speakers11RL and11RR in the vicinity of the ears of the listener1. As a sound source for the rear speakers11RL and11RR, a reverberant sound or the like from behind the listener1is originally used. Thus, by disposing the rear speakers11RL and11RR on the left and right sides behind the head of the listener1in a form in which each small speaker unit is accommodated in a small speaker box, localization and energy saving can be achieved.

In addition, although the arrangement of the front speakers11FL,11FR, and11C needs consideration, by disposing each of the front speakers11FL,11FR, and11C so as to be at a minimum distance of, for example, 50 centimeters from each ear of the listener1, a total sound volume can be lowered, thus suppressing sound diffusion to the periphery.

In the above example, each sound pressure from the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2decreases 20 dB in such a manner that the distance dsw between each of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2and the listener1is set to 20 centimeters from 2 meters in the case of the related art. This also applies to the rear speakers11RL and11RR. In addition, regarding relationships with the other front speakers11FL,11FR, and11C, by setting the distance df between each of the front speakers11FL,11FR, and11C and either ear of the listener1to 50 centimeters from 2 meters in the case of the related art, the sound pressure can be decreased as much as 12 dB.

Techniques in which the above points are considered and which dispose all the seven speakers so as to be close to the ears of the listener1include a technique in which a chair having, for example, a massage chair structure, is provided with the speakers.

FIG. 4is an illustration of an example of the technique, and shows a sound reproduction system according to another embodiment of the present invention which has a structure in which the above seven speakers11FL,11FR,11C,11RL,11RR,11SW1, and11SW2are mounted on the massage chair.

In other words, in this example, for example, a chair20has an airplane-business-class-sheet structure. At a top21aof a chair back21of the chair20, a speaker holder22is mounted. The subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, and the rear speakers11RL and11RR are mounted and held by the speaker holder22.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare illustrations of an example of the speaker holder22. The speaker holder22is formed of, for example, a pipe221made of metal such as aluminum. As shown inFIG. 5B, the pipe221is formed in a flat ring. In a space formed by the ring, the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, and the rear speakers11RL and11RR, and auxiliary subwoofers11SW3and11SW4are fixedly held.

The auxiliary subwoofers11SW3and11SW4are disposed beside the ears of the listener1. Since only the use of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2may cause a case in which low frequency sounds are perceived as powerless in auditory sense, the auxiliary subwoofers11SW3and11SW4are used to supplement the insufficiency of power. Accordingly, auxiliary subwoofers11SW3and11SW4are not extremely important and necessary.

The pipe221is formed in a flat ring, and, as shown inFIG. 5A, the ring-shaped portion is formed so as to surround sides (opposing both ears) of the head and a back side of the head, excluding a front side of the face of the listener1.

Setting legs222aand222bfor setting to the chair back21of the chair20are bonded to the pipe221. The setting legs222aand222bare used to set the speaker holder22, for example, in a removable manner. Specifically, the top21aof the chair back21of the chair20is provided with long holes (not shown) into which the setting legs222aand222bare inserted and fitted. The setting legs222aand222bare inserted and fitted into the long holes of the chair back21, whereby the speaker holder22is fixed.

At positions of the pipe221which oppose both ears of the listener1when the listener1sits on the chair20, the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are held with them fixed to the pipe221. In addition, behind the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, the rear speakers11RL and11RR whose speaker units are accommodated in speaker boxes are held with them fixed to the pipe221. At positions of the pipe221behind the head of the listener1, the auxiliary subwoofers11SW3and11SW4are held with them fixed to the pipe221.

In this case, the speaker arrangement is configured so that, when the listener1sits on the chair20, each of distances between each of the subwoofers11SW1to11SW4and the rear speakers11RL and11RR and the head (each ear) of the listener1is approximately 20 centimeters.

In this embodiment, also three front speakers11FL,11FR, and11C are mounted on the chair20.

In other words, the speaker11FL for the front left channel is mounted at an end of a mounting arm24L mounted on a left armrest23L, for example, in a removable manner. In this case, the armrest23L is provided with a mounting portion (not shown) on which the mounting arm24L is removably mounted. The mounting arm24L, with the speaker11FL fixedly mounted at its end, is mounted on the mounting portion, whereby the speaker11FL is set for the chair20. In this case, the position of the speaker11FL is placed so as not to hinder the listener1from viewing video displayed on a display screen.

Similarly, also the speaker11FR (not shown) for the front right channel is fixedly mounted at an end of a right mounting arm, and the mounting arm is mounted on a mounting portion of a right armrest of the chair20, whereby the speaker11FR is set for the chair20.

Similarly, also the speaker11C (not shown) for the center channel is fixedly mounted at an end of a mounting arm, and the mounting arm is mounted on a mounting portion provided in either armrest, whereby the speaker11C is set for the chair20.

In this case, the mounting arms and their mounting portions are configured so that the positions of the speakers11FL,11FR, and11C after they are set do not hinder the listener1from viewing video displayed on the display screen.

Corresponding channel audio signals for the speakers11FL,11FR,11C,11RL,11RR, and11SW1to11SW4are supplied from an audio signal processing device30provided under the chair20through signal lines (speaker cables). After receiving a multichannel audio signal from, for example, a DVD player, the audio signal processing device30separates the received audio signal into audio signals on channels, amplifies the audio signals, and supplies the amplified signals to corresponding speakers on the channels.

In this case, the audio signal processing device30can be also configured to receive the signal from a multichannel-audio-signal supplying source, for example, a DVD player, through a signal cable. Accordingly, the DVD player and the chair20are connected by the signal cable. In this embodiment, by providing the DVD player with a functional unit that uses radio waves or emission to transmit a multichannel audio signal in a wireless manner, and providing the audio signal processing device30with a receiver that receives the wirelessly transmitted multichannel audio signal, the need for the signal cable between the DVD player and the chair20is eliminated.

FIG. 6is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the audio signal processing device30in this embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 6, the audio signal processing device30includes a wireless receiving unit31, an audio signal processing unit32, and output amplifiers33FR,33FL,33C,33RL,33RR, and33LFE for channels.

The wireless receiving unit31receives a multichannel audio signal transmitted in radio waves from, for example, the DVD player, and supplies the received signal to the audio signal processing unit32. The audio signal processing unit32separates the supplied signal into audio signals on channels, and supplies the output amplifiers on corresponding channels.

In this case, after the multichannel audio signal transmitted from the DVD player is decoded by, for example, the DVD player, to restore audio signals on 5.1 channels, when the 5.1-channel audio signals are transmitted in multiplexed form, such as time division multiplexing or frequency multiplexing, the audio signal processing unit32performs multiplexing decoding to separate the multiplexed form signal into audio signals on channels.

When the multichannel audio signal transmitted from the DVD player is prior to channel decoding, the audio signal processing unit32performs channel decoding to extract audio signals on channels.

The separated audio signals on the channels are supplied to the speakers11FR,11FL,11C,11RL,11RR, and11SW1to11SW4for corresponding channels through the output amplifiers33FR,33FL,33C,33RL,33RR, and33LFE for the corresponding channels. In this case, the audio signal on the LFE channel is supplied in common to four speakers SW1to SW4through the output amplifier33LFE.

In the audio signal processing unit32, delaying considering difference in distance to each speaker may be performed on the audio signals on the channels.

According to the sound reproduction system according to the embodiment in which the multichannel speakers are mounted on the chair20shown inFIG. 5, the listener1in a state sitting on the chair20can enjoy realistic multichannel sounds with a large sound volume, and leaks of sounds to the periphery can be considerably reduced.

In particular, in this embodiment, by disposing each subwoofer in the vicinity of the ears of the listener1without accommodating the subwoofer in a speaker box, leaking of deep bass to the next room can be considerably attenuated. In addition, as described above, by disposing the speakers on channel other than the subwoofer channel in the vicinity of the listener1, the levels of audio signals supplied to the speakers on the channels can be lowered, whereby, for not only bass but also the entirety, the level of sound leaking to the periphery can be lowered. Accordingly, for example, even if DVD video is viewed at midnight, it can be enjoyed with a sufficient sound volume without worrying about the other.

In addition, since the low frequency speaker (subwoofer) is disposed in the vicinity of one ear of the listener1, audio signal output power can be set to approximately 1/100 compared with the case of the related case, thus enabling energy saving, and the cost necessary for hardware (output amplifiers) can be considerably reduced. A feature in which small power is sufficient for outputting the audio signals also provides an advantage in that, as the above speakers, thin, light, and inexpensive speakers which do not need any large strokes can be used. In addition, reduction in audio output power decreases generated heat, and can achieve reduction in size of devices such as a power supply. Thus, each speaker can be also battery-driven, so that the speaker can be embedded in a design of a chair or the like.

In addition, as described above, by using radio waves or light to transmit audio signal outputs from a source, such as a DVD player, of a multichannel audio signal, the DVD player or the like and the sound reproduction system have no wires provided therebetween. Accordingly, an advantage is obtained in that the chair20in a state provided with the sound reproduction system can be freely moved.

Therefore, advantages are obtained in that power saving in the sound reproduction system can be realized in the entirety, and in that a sound reproduction system for reducing noise to the periphery without decreasing satisfaction of a listener can be provided.

If an ordinary soundproof window has performance of attenuating 45 dB at 5 kHz, the performance decreases 36 dB at 1 kHz and 20 dB at 100 kHz. Moreover, the attenuation is much less at a frequency equal to 50 Hz or less. Thus, the soundproof effect of the subwoofer in this embodiment is remarkable. Considering that playback of video and audio is enjoyed by performing even room soundproof construction, cost effectiveness caused by the saving is very significant.

In the above embodiment, the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2for reproducing low frequency sounds are provided at positions opposing the ears of the listener. Thus, low frequency sounds efficiently reach the listener. However, the positions of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are not limited to the positions opposing the ears of the listener. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, each subwoofer may be provided at any of positions within a sphere having a radius that is, for example, dsw. It is not preferable to dispose each subwoofer in a space anterior to the face of the listener1. As shown inFIG. 7, it is preferable to dispose the subwoofer in a space posterior to the face of the listener1.

Other Embodiments

In the above embodiment, as front speakers, in addition to the speakers for the front left channel and the front right channel, the center channel speaker11C is also provided. Since the center channel speaker11C is disposed opposing the listener1, it may hinder the listener1from viewing video on the display screen.

Accordingly, as indicated by the broken line shown inFIG. 8, the center channel speaker11C is not provided and this embodiment is configured so that, on the basis of sounds emitted from the front left channel speaker11FL and the front right channel speaker11FR, a virtual sound from the location indicated by the broken line can be perceived by the listener1. In the example inFIG. 8, the auxiliary subwoofers11SW3and11SW4are not shown.

FIG. 9is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the audio signal processing device30in this embodiment. In the example inFIG. 9, the audio signal processing device30includes no audio signal output amplifier33C for the center channel since the center channel speaker11C is not used.

Instead of the audio signal processing unit32shown inFIG. 6, an audio signal processing unit34is provided. The audio signal processing unit34is similar to the audio signal processing unit32in up to processing that separates or extracts an audio signal on each channel. However, the audio signal processing unit34differs from the audio signal processing unit32in that center-channel audio-signal component SC is mixed in front-left-channel audio signal SL and front-right-channel audio signal SR in the same phase and with the same level.

In other words, in this embodiment, signal SA supplied to the output amplifier33FL and signal SB supplied to the output amplifier33FR are represented by
SA=SL+αSC
SB=SR+αSC
where 0≦α<1.

In this manner, the front left channel speaker11FL and the front right channel speaker11FR can emit the sounds in the same phase and with the same level for the center channel. Thus, the listener1hears as if there were a sound source in the location indicated the broken line inFIG. 8.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the center channel sound can substantially be reproduced even if the center channel speaker11C is not used, the listener1can view video in the front direction without being hindered by the center channel speaker, while hearing 5.1-channel sounds.

In the above embodiment, not only each speaker for the low frequency sound reproduction channel but also speakers for other channels are mounted on the chair. However, if leaking of only the low frequency sound is treated as an issue, only the speaker for the low frequency sound reproduction channel may be disposed in the vicinity of either ear of the listener1in a form mounted on the chair without being mounted on the baffle board as in the above embodiments.

In this case, the sound reproduction system may have a configuration including only the speakers for low frequency sound reproduction channels, and the speakers other than the speakers for low frequency sound reproduction channels are separately provided and appropriately disposed, thus forming a multichannel sound reproduction system.

Although the above embodiment has a configuration in which each speaker for the low frequency reproduction channel is disposed in the vicinity of either ear of the listener1in a form mounted on the chair, obviously, the configuration for disposing the speaker in the vicinity of either ear of the listener1is not limited to the form mounted on the chair.

Example of Other Subwoofer Holding Configuration

In the above embodiment, each of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2is held in the speaker holder22fixed to the chair20in a so-called “bare state” without being accommodated in a speaker box and being mounted on a baffle board. The speaker holder22may not be fixed to the chair20.

In each of the examples shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, similarly to the above embodiment, speaker holders for two subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, which are formed of aluminum pipes, are removably mounted on a chair51.

In the example inFIG. 10, the two subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are mounted at opposite ends of a T-shaped mounting arm52A of a speaker holder52. Both subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are mounted on the speaker holder52so that their diaphragms oppose each other, with a predetermined distance provided therebetween.

Also in this case, the distance between the diaphragm of the subwoofer11SW1and the diaphragm of the subwoofer11SW2is set so that, when the head of the listener1is inserted between both subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, a distance between each of both ears of the listener1and each of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2is the distance dsw described with reference toFIG. 1.

A central arm52bof the T-shaped mounting arm52A of the speaker holder52serves as a portion for mounting the speaker holder52on the chair51in such a manner that the portion is inserted into a speaker holder mounting hole51aprovided in the chair51.

The speaker holder mounting hole51aof the chair51is formed in a central portion in a shoulder-width direction of the listener1on a back board of the chair51when the listener1sits thereon.

In the example inFIG. 10, when the listener1listens to music by using the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, the central arm52bof the speaker holder52is inserted into the speaker holder mounting hole51aof the chair51, whereby the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2can be mounted on the chair51.

In the example inFIG. 10, when the listener1sits on the chair51, each of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2is disposed, in the vicinity of either ear of the listener1, that is, at a position at a predetermined distance of dsw to either ear, so that the low frequency sound is reproduced with a sound volume sufficient for the listener1, even if the original sound volume of the low frequency sound is small, and the low frequency sound is heard as noise to the periphery.

In the example inFIG. 11, the subwoofer11SW1is mounted on a speaker holder531and the subwoofer11SW2is mounted on a speaker holder532. In an end portion, in a backboard of the chair51, of a shoulder width of the listener1when the listener1sits on the chair51, a speaker holder mounting hole51bfor inserting the speaker holder531in an engaging manner is formed. In the other end portion, in the backboard of the chair51, of the shoulder width of the listener1when the listener1sits on the chair51, a speaker holder mounting hole51cfor inserting the speaker holder532in an engaging manner is formed.

In the example inFIG. 11, when the listener1listens to music by using the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are mounted on the chair51by inserting the speaker holder531into the speaker holder mounting hole51band inserting the speaker holder532into the speaker holder mounting hole51c.

The distance between the diaphragm of the subwoofer11SW1and the diaphragm of the subwoofer11SW2, obtained when the speaker holders531and532are mounted on the chair51, is set so that, when the head of the listener1is inserted between the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2, a distance between each of the ears of the listener1and each of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2is the distance dsw described with reference toFIG. 1.

Accordingly, also in the example inFIG. 11, when the listener1sits on the chair51, each of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2is disposed, in the vicinity of either ear of the listener1, that is, at a position at a predetermined distance of dsw to either ear, so that the low frequency sound is reproduced with a sound volume sufficient for the listener1, even if the original sound volume of the low frequency sound is small, and the low frequency sound is heard as noise to the periphery.

In the examples inFIGS. 10 and 11, when the chairs51, which are of an ordinary type, are used, the speaker holder52, and the speaker holders531and532can be removed from the chairs51. Thus, the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are not hindrances, thus providing good usability.

The subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are not limited to a form mounted on a chair, as described in the above examples.

In the example shown inFIG. 12, a speaker holder54on which the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are mounted so as to oppose each other having therebetween a distance similar to that in each of the examples inFIGS. 10 and 11is suspended by a suspending member55from, for example, a ceiling.

In the example inFIG. 12, for example, the length of the suspending member55from the ceiling is adjustable, which is not shown. On the basis of the length adjustment, as shown inFIG. 12, each of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2can be disposed, in the vicinity of either ear of the listener1when the listener1sits on the chair51, that is, at a position at a predetermined distance of dsw to the ear.

In addition, in the example shown inFIG. 13, a speaker holder56on which the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are mounted so as to oppose each other having therebetween a distance similar to that in each of the examples inFIGS. 10 and 11is in the form of a holding stand.

Similarly to the example inFIG. 13, in the example shown inFIG. 14, speaker holders are in the form of a holding stand. In the example inFIG. 14, the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are respectively mounted on independent speaker holders571and572of a stand type.

Therefore, in the example inFIG. 13, by installing the speaker holder56in a predetermined location to the listener1, the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are correctly disposed similarly to the above examples inFIGS. 10 and 11.

However, since, in the example inFIG. 14, the speaker holders571and572are completely separate, each of the speaker holders571and572needs to be appropriately disposed by the listener1.

In the example shown inFIG. 15, a speaker holder58on which the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are mounted so as to oppose each other having therebetween a distance similar to that in each of the examples inFIGS. 10 and 11is designed to be mounted on a wall59.

In the example inFIG. 15, similarly to the example inFIG. 13, the distance between the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2is fixed by the speaker holder58. Accordingly, the listener1may place its head in the center between the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2.

FIGS. 16A and 16Bshow another example of removably mounting a speaker holder on a chair. In the example inFIGS. 16A and 16B, an iron sheet62is embedded on a back side of a backboard portion61of the chair51.

In addition, a magnet portion64is mounted by, for example, screw cramping, on a speaker holder63on which the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2are mounted so as to oppose each other having therebetween a distance similar to that in each of the examples inFIGS. 10 and 11. The speaker holder63is fixed to the backboard portion61of the chair51in such a manner that the magnet portion64is attracted by the iron sheet62on the backboard portion61of the chair51by magnetic attraction.

In the example inFIGS. 16A and 16B, in a state sitting on the chair51, the listener1may place its head in the center between the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2.

Although, in the foregoing description, examples of subwoofer arrangement for the listener1alone have been described, an embodiment of the present invention is also applicable to a case in which a plurality of listeners simultaneously enjoy music.FIGS. 17 to 20Billustrate examples of subwoofer arrangement for a plurality of listeners when they simultaneously enjoy music.

FIGS. 17, and18A to18C show an example of a sound reproduction system in which subwoofers are disposed in the vicinity of either ear of each of two listeners1A and1B. This example is an application of the example inFIGS. 16A and 16B.

As shown inFIG. 17, two subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A for a listener1A and two subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B for a listener1B are mounted on a speaker holder65including, for example, an aluminum pipe.

A magnet portion66(seeFIG. 17) that is attracted in magnetic attraction by an embedded iron sheet (not shown) similarly to that shown inFIG. 16Ais mounted on the speaker holder65by, for example, screw cramping.

Obviously, the arrangement of the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A to the listener1A and the arrangement of the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B to the listener1B are similar to those in the above examples. However, in this example, as shown inFIG. 18B, diaphragms of the subwoofers11SW2A and11SW2B do not oppose diaphragms of the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW1B, whereby both subwoofers are disposed to emit sounds from behind the listeners1A and1B.

In other words, the subwoofers11SW2A and11SW2B are disposed so that directions of acoustic wave emission from their diaphragms are perpendicular to those of acoustic wave emission from the other subwoofers11SW1A and11SW1B.

Accordingly, assuming lines perpendicular in central position to the diaphragms of the subwoofers11SW2A and11SW2B, the positions of the subwoofers11SW2A and11SW2B are determined so that the positions of the lines oppose ears of both listeners and a distance between one ear of each listener and each line is the above distance dsw.

Therefore, a state in which both listeners1A and1B sit on a bench64is as shown inFIG. 18A. The subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A provide reproduced low frequency sounds to the listener1A, while the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B provide reproduced low frequency sounds to the listener1B.

In this case, subwoofer audio signals are input to the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A so that acoustic waves from the diaphragms (front sides of subwoofer speaker units) of the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A reach both ears of the listener1A in the same phase. Similarly, subwoofer audio signals are input to the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B (seeFIG. 18B) so that acoustic waves from the diaphragms (front sides of subwoofer speaker units) of the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B reach both ears of the listener1B in the same phase. InFIGS. 18B and 18C, the symbols “+” and “−” indicate acoustic wave phases, and acoustic waves are reverse in phase between the symbols “+” and “−”.

InFIG. 18B, low frequency acoustic waves provided from two subwoofers are shown so as to be in the same phase between the listeners1A and1B. However, as shown inFIG. 18C, when the distance between the listeners1A and1B is relatively large, low frequency acoustic waves provided from two subwoofers may be in reverse phase.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 19A, obviously, by providing the diaphragms of the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A for the listener1A so as to oppose each other, the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A may be disposed so that the head of the listener1A is located between both, and, by providing the diaphragms of the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B for the listener1B so as to oppose each other, the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B may be disposed so that the head of the listener1B is located between both.

In the example inFIG. 19A, it is preferable that the subwoofer11SW2A (for the listener1A) and subwoofer11SW2B (for the listener1B) between the listeners1A and1B be disposed so that acoustic waves emitted from the backs (opposite to the diaphragms) of both cancel each other. Accordingly, in the example inFIG. 19A, subwoofer audio signals are supplied to corresponding subwoofers for the listeners1A and1B so that acoustic waves from the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW2A for the listener1A are reverse in phase to acoustic waves from the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW2B for the listener1B.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 19B, a subwoofer11SW5that is common to the listeners1A and1B may be provided between the listeners1A and1B. The example inFIG. 19Bis preferable when the distance between the listeners1A and1B is small.

As shown inFIG. 19B, the subwoofer11SW5is provided behind the listeners1A and1B at the middle position between the listeners1A and1B. The position of the subwoofer11SW5is set so that, when assuming a line perpendicular to the diaphragm of the subwoofer11SW5in center position thereof, the position of the line opposes ears of the listeners1A and1B and each of distances between the ears of the listeners1A and1B and the line is the distance dsw.

The common subwoofer11SW5is disposed so that a direction of acoustic wave emission from its diaphragm is perpendicular to each of directions of acoustic wave emission from the diaphragms of the other subwoofers11SW1A and11SW1B.

Therefore, in the example inFIG. 19B, the arrangement of the subwoofers11SW1A and11SW5for the listener1A and the arrangement of the subwoofers11SW1B and11SW5for the listener1B are similar to the arrangement of the subwoofers11SW1and11SW2for the listener1in, for example, the example inFIG. 10.

In this case, as shown inFIG. 19B, subwoofer audio signals are input to three subwoofers11SW1A,11SW2A, and11SW5so that acoustic waves from the diaphragms (on the front sides of the subwoofers11SW1A,11SW2A, and11SW5) of the subwoofers11SW1A,11SW2A, and11SW5reach ears of the listeners1A and1B in the same phase.

Next,FIGS. 20A and 20Bshow an application of each of the examples inFIGS. 17 and 19B, and shows an example of an sound reproduction system in which, for three listeners1A,1B, and1C, subwoofers are disposed in the vicinity of ears of the listeners1A,1B, and1C.

In the example inFIGS. 20A and 20B, four subwoofers11SWa,11SWb,11SWc, and11SWd are held by a speaker holder68similarly to the example inFIG. 17. A magnet portion (not shown) that is attracted in magnetic attraction by an iron sheet (not shown) embedded similarly to the example inFIGS. 16A and 16Bis mounted on a backboard portion of the bench69shown inFIG. 20A.

In this example, two subwoofers for the listener1A are subwoofers11SWa and11SWb, two subwoofers for the listener1B are subwoofers11SWb and11SWc, and two subwoofers for the listener1care subwoofers11SWc and11SWd.

In other words, the subwoofer11SWb is shared by the listeners1A and1B and is provided behind the listeners1A and1B in the middle position therebetween. The subwoofer11SWc is shared by the listeners1B and1C and is provided behind the listeners1B and1C in the middle position therebetween.

The common subwoofers11SWb and11SWc are disposed so that directions of acoustic wave emission from their diaphragms are perpendicular to directions of acoustic wave emission from the diaphragms of the other subwoofers11SWa and11SWd.

The arrangement of both common subwoofers for each of the listeners1A,1B, and1C is similar to that in the example inFIG. 19B.

In this case, as shown inFIG. 20B, subwoofer audio signals are input to the subwoofers11SWa,11SWb,11SWc, and11SWd so that acoustic waves from their diaphragms (front sides of them) reach ears of the listeners1A,1B, and1C in the same phase.

In other words, the subwoofers11SWb and11SWc are disposed so that directions of acoustic wave emission from their diaphragms are perpendicular to directions of acoustic wave emission from the other subwoofers11SWa and11SWd.

The examples of the sound reproduction system shown inFIGS. 18A to 20Bfor a plurality of listeners each have a form in which a speaker holder is mounted on a chair by using a magnet. However, obviously, the sound reproduction system may have various forms such as a type having a speaker holder suspended from a ceiling as in the example inFIG. 12, a type having a speaker holder held with a mounting stand as in the examples inFIGS. 13 and 14, and a type having a speaker holder fixed to a wall.

In addition, although, in each of the examples inFIGS. 10 to 20B, subwoofer mounting has only been described, a rear speaker or the like may be mounted on the speaker holder in each example, if necessary, similarly to the above-described embodiments.

Other Embodiment and Modification

Mounting of low frequency reproducing speaker units so that sounds from the front and back surfaces of their diaphragms can be added is not limited to a case in which the speakers are mounted on a pipe as in the above-described embodiments. For example, a form may be employed in which the low frequency reproducing speaker units are mounted on a board having therein a large number of relatively large holes formed, and the holes can add sounds from the front and back surfaces of the diaphragms.

In addition, although, in the above-described embodiments, the case of a system that plays back audio signals on 5.1 channels has been described, an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the 5.1-channel system, but is applicable to all sound reproduction systems in which audio signals on a plurality of channels other than a low frequency sound channel are played back.