Speaker system for television set

Abstract: A sound A is emitted from left- and right-hand front speakers which are provided on a television set, in a front direction, while, regarding respective side speakers which are provided respectively on left- and right-hand sides of the television set, reflectors each having substantially a semi-conical shape are provided so as to face to a forward direction of one sides of respective speaker diaphragms, to radiate a sound B due to the side speakers to the front direction. In other words, in addition to the sound A in the front direction which is emitted from the left- and right-hand front speakers, the sound B due to said side speaker is radiated in the front direction at a position where a sound radiated position is different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from the sound A . Moreover, the arrangement is such that a radiated sound C from the other one sides of the respective speaker diaphragms of the left- and right-hand side speakers to which said reflector does not face is radiated to left- and right-hand outward faces, the television set as it is. Thus, it is possible to improve separation performance of the left- and right-hand sounds, and it is possible to generate sounds having a cubic sound feeling, an expanding feeling and a stereophonic feeling.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention: The invention relates to speaker systems for television sets and, particularly, to a speaker system for a television set, aiming at reproduction of a sound which is superior in stereoscopic or stereophonic separation and which has a feeling of three-dimension. Description of the Related Art: In recent years, almost all audio systems for television sets are a stereophonic system so that one can enjoy sound quality which is superior in right- and left-hand separation. Generally, however, since much space is taken by an installation space of cathode ray tubes, there are many cases where establishment locations where speakers in the television set are installed are on both sides of an image plane of the cathode ray tube, or on both sides at an upper part or a lower part thereof. For this reason, a distance between the left- and right-hand speakers cannot be taken in relation to the fact that a lateral-widthwise size of the television set is short and in relation to the above-described installation space of the above-described speakers. The right- and left-hand stereophonic separation (the right- and left-hand separation characteristics) is remarkably deteriorated. Right- and left-hand movement feelings, an expansion feeling and right- and left-hand separation performance were under a bad or inferior state, also as compared with a stereophonic acoustic system or the like. Further, in order to improve the right- and left-hand separation performance, there conventionally also was a television set whose form was such that, as shown in Figs. 11(a) and 11(b), left- and right-hand speakers 3 and 4 are arranged respectively on left- and right-hand both sides of a cabinet 2 of a television set 1. Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view, and Fig. 11(b) is a front elevational view thereof. Nets 5 and 6 are arranged respectively on cabinet sides which are opposed against respectively forward faces of respective diaphragms of the left- and right-hand speakers 3 and 4. In a case of the television set shown in Figs. 11(a) and 11(b), the left- and right-hand expanding feelings are improved. However, in a case where the sound is heard or listened at the front of the television set, since the sound is not directly heard, the sound became unclear sound quality. Moreover, in a case where the sound is heard at a location which approaches either one of the left and right from the front, a person who hears the sound at the left hears only the left-hand sound. Furthermore, a person who hears the sound at the right hears only the right-hand sound. Accordingly. there is a problem or the like that left- and right-hand audio signals cannot be heard as a reproducing sound of stereophonic audios which are different from each other. However, in accordance with the fact that large-sizing and long-sideways widening of the television set progress, various kinds of improvement methods have been exemplified and merchandised to improve these problems. Fig. 12 shows a speaker system for a television set of the other prior-art example. The present system has been described in the specification of Patent Application No. HEI 5-70169 (70169/1993) (Patent Unexamined Publication No. HEI 6-284486 (284488/1994)) which the present applicant has filed for patent to Japanese Patent Office on March 29, 1993. In Fig. 12, the front speaker units 5 and 6 for radiating sound to a front direction of the television set 1 are arranged on the right and on the left of the front, and reflection-type speakers 7 and 8 for emphasizing directionality, which respectively have directionality reflectors 7a and 8a for radiating the sound forwardly obliquely of the television set 1 are arranged respectively on the left and right of an upper face of the television set 1. This enables stereophonic sound-field reproduction to be executed as compared with an arrangement in which only the front speaker units 5 and 6 are established. Thus, sound quality and performance are considerably improved. However, in the case of the system illustrated in Fig. 12, in order to radiate the sound obliquely forwardly of the television set 1, it is necessary to design such that sound radiating mouths of the respective reflection-type speakers 7 and 8 which are arranged respectively on the left and on the right of the upper face are located or positioned at a location upper than an upper end of the front cabinet of the cabinet 2. Thus, there were such problems that a design was limited or restricted, and commodities such as VTRs and the like become difficult to arrange or install on the upper face of the television set. As described above, the prior art has problems. It is difficult for the system shown in Figs 11(a) and 11(b) that the stereophonic audio is heard as reproduced sound, depending on a hearing position. Alternatively, the system shown in Fig. 12 is a system which is superior in both sound quality and performance. However, the prior-art system is not preferable in outer appearance. EP 0 492 919 relates to a loudspeaker system for a television receiver. Two speakers are provided, one on each side of the cathode-ray tube at the back of the screen surface. Reflectors are provided in order to reflect the sound in a forward direction from the television screen surface. An object of the preseent invention is to provide a speaker system for a television set which is superior in left- and right-hand separation characteristics and left- and right-hand movement feelings and which can reproduce a sound having a stereophonic 'feeling. The other object of the invention is to provide a speaker system for a television set, which is capable of making a good appearance. The present invention provides a speaker system for a television set, the set having a screen provided on its front surface, the speaker system comprising: a first speaker assembly comprising a speaker, the assembly being configured to emit sound in a forward direction with respect to the said television set; characterised in that the television set further comprises a second speaker assembly comprising a second speaker and a reflector, the second assembly being located at a side of said television set with respect to the screen and being configured to emit sound in a generally forward direction, wherein the first and second speakers are each located at different depths from the front of said set and the first and second speaker assemblies are configured to emit sound from different vertical positions with respect to said screen. The first speaker is used to radiate the sound in the front direction, the second speaker radiates the sound in the side direction which is perpendicular to the sound radiated direction, the reflector radiates the sound in the front direction. The second speaker assembly is arranged respectively at the position which is different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from a sound radiated position of the first speaker. Accordingly, in, for example, a case where the same audio signal is inputted to the first speaker and the second speaker and is attended on the side of a front of the television set, two audios having a time difference from each other enter ears of a user. Thus, it is made possible to hear the television audios having a cubic sound feeling. Preferably, the first speaker is located within said television set and said first speaker assembly further comprises an acoustic waveguide for guiding sound emitted from said first speaker in a forwards direction. In this arrangement, the acoustic waveguide is mounted to the first speaker, and the sound radiating mouth of the acoustic waveguide can be designed relatively slim. Accordingly, this is useful when there is less space for arranging the first speaker which has a relatively large aperture or caliber, and where the outer appearance of the television set has to be designed compact. The first speaker may be provided on a front face of said television set for emitting sound in a forwards direction. The reflector preferably has a substantially conical form. The reflector may be configured to reflect only a fraction of the sound emitted from the second speaker in a generally forward direction. the remainder of the sound emitted by the second speaker being emitted from the side of the television set. In the above arrangement, the first speaker is used to radiate sound towards the front, and the second speaker for radiating the sound towards the side (which is perpendicular to the sound radiated direction). The second speaker is arranged at the position which is different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from a sound radiated position of the first speaker. Furthermore, the reflector is provided so as to face to the one-side face of the diaphragm of the second speaker, to radiate the sound in the front direction. The sound from the other side face of the diaphragm of the second speaker is radiated to the side direction as it is. Accordingly, for example, in a case where the same audio signal is inputted to the first speaker and the second speaker and is attended on the front side of the television set, three sounds having a time difference from each other enter the ears of the user. Thus, it is made possible to hear the television sounds having a cubic sound feeling in addition to an expanding feeling. The reflector may have a substantially semi-conical shape. A speaker system for a television set, the television set having a screen provided on its front surface, may comprise two of any of the above described speaker systems, one system located on a left side of the screen and the other system on the right side of the screen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set, according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of the speaker system in Fig. 1 with the arrangement modeled; Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view showing an arrangement example of an external cabinet in Fig. 1; Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view showing a reflector which is mounted to an inner face of the external cabinet in Fig. 3(a); Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set, according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of the speaker system .in Fig. 4 with the arrangement modeled; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set, according to a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of the speaker system in Fig. 6 with the arrangement modeled; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along a line x - x in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of the speaker system in Fig. 9 with the arrangement modeled: Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view showing a conventional speaker system for a television set; Fig. 11(b) is a front elevational view of Fig. 11(a); and Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the other conventional speaker system for a television set. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set, according to a first embodiment of the invention, while Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a modeled arrangement of the speaker system in Fig. 1. In this connection, in Fig. 2, in order to make understanding easy, the arrangement relation between an external cabinet 22 and a speaker 20 is under a state in which the speaker 20 draws apart from the external cabinet 22. In Fig. 1, the reference numeral 11 is a television set. A cathode ray tube 13 is arranged within a cabinet 12 of the television set 11. Left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15 are arranged respectively at left- and right-hand positions on both sides of the cathode ray tube 13. Acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 are mounted respectively to forward faces of the left- and right-hand respective front speakers 14 and 15. The left- and right-hand acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 have respective sound radiating mouths 16a and 17a thereof which are arranged on a front panel (a forward frame) of the cabinet 12. In this connection, the acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 are mounted respectively to forward faces of the front speakers 14 and 15 which are relatively large in aperture or caliber under a form in depth and under a lengthwise form. The sound radiating mouths 16a and 17a also have lengthwise slim forms. The sound radiating mouths 16a and 17a are so arranged as to be connected respectively to unshown sound radiating holes which are provided respectively at left- and right-hand positions of the front panel. Accordingly, the arrangement is such that the left- and right-hand sounds from the respective diaphragms of the left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15 are led forwardly by the left- and right-hand acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 and are radiated to a front direction of the television set 11 through the sound radiating mouths 16a and 17a. In connection with the above, rear cabinets 18 and 19 for shielding the sound which is emitted from rears of the respective speaker diaphragms are mounted respectively to rears of the left- and right-hand respective speakers 14 and 15 in order that the sound which is radiated from the rear of the diaphragm of each of the speakers is not radiated to the outside through an unshown ventilation hole from a rear 12A of the cabinet 12, and the sound is not mixed with the sound which is radiated to the front of the television set, so as not to give an unclear sound to the user. Further, in the present embodiment, the left- and right-hand side speakers 20 and 21 (refer to Fig. 2) are arranged respectively on left- and right-hand sides of the rear 12A of the cabinet 12 of the television set 11 under a state in which diaphragm faces are faced toward their respective sides. A pair of reflectors 24 and 25 each having a generally semi-conical form are arranged so as to face to the forward direction of a portion corresponding to a half face of each of the diaphragms of the respective left- and right-hand side speakers 20 and 21 (hereinafter, referred to as "one-side face of the diaphragm"). Moreover, the external cabinets 22 and 23 for holding respectively the reflectors 24 and 25 to an inner face thereof are mounted respectively to left- and right-hand outward faces of the rear 12A of the cabinet 12. The external cabinets 22 and 23 are arranged substantially into a box-like form. The external cabinets 22 and 23 are provided respectively with sound radiating mouths 22a and 23a for radiating the sound to a front direction of the television set 11 and are provided respectively with the aforesaid reflectors 24 and 25 for radiating the sound forward direction of the television set 11 by facing to the forward direction of the one side of each of the diaphragms of the respective side speakers 20 and 21. On one hand, radiating holes 22b and 23b are provided for radiating the radiated sound from the other sides of the diaphragms to which the reflectors 24 and 25 do not face, outwardly of the left- and right-hand sides of the television set 11 as it is. As shown in Fig. 2, the left- and right-hand side speakers 20 and 21 are arranged respectively on both the sides of the teleslslon set. However, the arrangement is such that their respective sound radiating positions (that is, positions forwardly of the diaphragms) are arranged respectively at positions which are different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from each other with respect to the sound radiating positions of the left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15 (that is, positions forwardly of the diaphragms), as viewed from the front of the television set. In the speaker system arranged as described above, the arrangement is such that, for example, the front speaker 14 and the side speaker 20 are connected to each other electrically in parallel to each other, and the audio signal of the left-hand channel is supplied simultaneously to the left-hand front speaker 14 and the left-hand side speaker 20. The arrangement is such that the front speaker 15 and the side speaker 21 are connected to each other electrically in parallel to each other, and the audio signal of the right-hand channel is supplied simultaneously to the right-hand front speaker 15 and the right-hand side speaker 21. Accordingly, since the left- and the right-hand side speakers 20 and 21 are provided in addition to the left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15, left- and right-hand sound radiating parts are expanded or widened laterally on appearance. Thus, it is possible to exhibit such superior advantages that left- and right-hand separation performance is improved. Furthermore, the arrangement positional relation between the left-hand front speaker 14 and the left-hand side speaker 20, and the arrangement positional relation between the right-hand front speaker 15 and the right-hand side speaker 21 are different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from each other as viewed from the front of the television set 11. Accordingly, in a case where the user hears the sound on the front side of the television set 11, in the left channel sound from the left-hand front speaker 14 and the left channel sound from the left-hand side speaker 20, the same left channel sound is generated from positions which are different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from each other, and enters the ears. Similarly, in the right channel sound from the right-hand front speaker 15 and the right channel sound from the right-hand side-face speaker 21, the same right channel sound is generated from positions which are different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from each other, and enters the ears. For this reason, regarding each of the sounds from the left and right channel sounds, the sounds in which a time shift occurs on the same sound enter simultaneously the ears. Thus, it is made possible that a cubic sound feeling and a movement feeling occur in the sound. In this manner, in the television set according to the present embodiment, a time difference (that is, a phase difference) occurs on the same sound which is radiated from the front speaker and side speaker. This is heard to the ears of the user as a thickness of sound. Thus, there are advantages that a cubic sound feeling and a movement feeling in a before and behind direction occur in the sound. Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to the sound A from the front speakers 14 and 15, regarding each of the speakers including the side speakers 20 and 21, the reflectors 24 and 25 each having a generally semi-conical form are provided for radiating a sound B forwardly of the television set 11 by facing to the forward direction of the one side of the speaker diaphragm, while a radiating sound C from the other one side of the speaker diaphragm to which the reflectors 24 and 25 do not face is radiated to the outside of the side of the television set through the sound radiating holes 22b and 23b in the external cabinets 22 and 23 as it is. Accordingly, regarding the left and the right, the same signal is radiated from three sound radiating parts. Thus, it is possible to improve the separation performance of the left- and right-hand sounds, and it is possible to cause the expanding feeling to occur in the sound in addition to the cubic sound feeling and the movement feeling. In this connection, there are advantages that the radiating sound C which is radiated from both the sides of the television set 11 impinges against a wall face within a room and is reflected thereby so that the expanding feeling and the stereophonic feeling occur in the ears of the user. Fig. 3(a) shows an arrangement example of the external cabinet 22. In this connection, the other external cabinet 23 has also the similar form or shape. The external cabinet 22 shown in Fig. 3(a) is formed to have such an outer appearance form thereof that an area of a portion of the sound radiating mouth 22a is large, and an area of the sound shielding part 22c which is opposite in face thereto is small. Moreover, the reflector 24 having substantially a semi-conical shape as shown in Fig. 3(b) is anchored by anchoring means (adhesives, a latching screw or the like) at a position on an inner face of the external cabinet which is scheduled such that the one side of the diaphragm of the side speaker 20 (refer to Fig. 2) confronts thereagainst. A plurality of sound radiating holes 22b open respectively at the positions on the inner face of the external cabinet which is scheduled such that the other one side of the diaphragm of the side speaker 20 (refer to Fig. 2) confronts thereagainst so as to pass through to the outside. In this connection, it is of course that, when the external cabinet 22 in Fig. 3(a) is mold-formed by synthetic resin or the like, the reflector 24 having substantially the semi-conical shape can integrally be formed by mold forming or shaping simultaneously with the external cabinet 22. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set, according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an arrangement in which the speaker system in Fig. 4 is modeled. In this connection, also in Fig. 5, the arrangement relation between the external cabinet 22 and the speaker 20 is shown under a state in which the speaker 20 is drawn apart with respect to the external cabinet 22. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a point which is different from the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is such an arrangement that the faces of the respective diaphragms of the front speakers 14 and 15 are directly mounted to an unshown opening portion which is formed in the front panel of the television set 11 without the fact that the acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 are mounted respectively to the forward faces of the respective diaphragms of the front speakers 14 and 15. In this connection, in this case, the rear cabinets 18 and 19 of the front speakers 14 and 15 may be mounted. In the present example, however, an arrangement in which the rear cabinets 18 and 19 are removed is shown. The other arrangement is similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, it is possible to raise a sound pressure level in a front direction of the television set due to these front speakers 14 and 15 since there are no acoustic waveguides respectively on the forward faces of the diaphragms of the respective front speakers 14 and 15, as compared with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Moreover, similarly to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sound from the side speakers 20 and 21 is reflected by the reflectors 24 and 25 each of which has substantially the semi-conical form and is released or emitted to the front direction of the television set, while being emitted to each of the left- and right-hand side directions from the sound radiating holes 22b and 23b. Accordingly, it is possible to produce a thickness feeling and a cubic sound feeling of the sound. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set. according to a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an arrangement in which the speaker system shown in Fig. 6 is modeled. In this connection, also in Fig. 7, the arrangement relation between an external cabinet 31 and the speaker 20 is shown under a state in which the speaker 20 is drawn apart with respect to the external cabinet 31. In Figs. 6 and 7, a point which is different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is that a sound radiating hole is not formed in the external cabinets 31 and 32 which are faced respectively against the diaphragms of the left- and right-hand respective side speakers 20 and 21, and reflectors 33 and 34 each of which has substantially the conical form are provided respectively on the inner faces of the respective external cabinets 31 and 32 so as to confront against the whole of the diaphragms of the respective side speakers 20 and 21 corresponding respectively thereto. In Fig. 6, the cathode ray tube 13 is arranged within the cabinet 12. At left- and right-hand positions on both sides thereof, left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15 (refer to Fig. 7) which are provided respectively with the acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 are arranged respectively. The sound radiating mouths 16a and 17a of the respective left- and right-hand acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 are arranged on the front panel (forward frame) of the cabinet 12. The sound radiating mouths 16a and 17a are connected respectively to unshown sound radiating holes which are provided respectively at left- and right-hand positions on the front panel. In this connection, the rear cabinets 18 and 19 (refer to Fig. 7) are mounted respectively on rears of the respective left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, on respective left- and right-hand sides of the rear 12A of the cabinet 12 of the television set 11, left- and right-hand side speakers 20 and 21 (refer to Fig. 7) are respectively arranged under a state in which diaphragm faces are faced respectively against respective sides thereof. The reflectors 33 and 34 each of which has substantially the conical shape are arranged so as to face to the forward direction of the diaphragms of the respective left- and right-hand side speakers 20 and 21. Moreover, the external cabinets 31 and 32 for holding the reflectors 33 and 34 against inner faces thereof are mounted respectively to left- and right-hand outward faces of the rear 12A of the cabinet 12. The external cabinets 31 and 32 are formed substantially into a box-like shape, and are provided with sound radiating mouths 31a and 32a for radiating the sound to the front direction of the television set 11. Fig. 8 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along a line x - x in Fig. 6. The side speaker 21 is mounted to an opening portion which is provided in the rear cabinet 12A. The external cabinet 32 is anchored onto the rear cabinet 12A such that the reflector 34 comes up at a position which is faced against the diaphragm of the side speaker 21. The left- and right-hand side speakers 20 and 21 are arranged respectively on both sides of the cabinet 12 of the television set, as shown in Fig. 7. However, their sound radiating positions (that is, positions in front of the diaphragm) are arranged respectively at positions which are different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from sound radiated positions (that is, positions in front of the diaphragms) of the left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15, as viewed from the front of the television set. In the speaker system in Figs. 6 and 7, arranged as described above, the audio signal of the left-hand channel, for example, is so electrically wired as to be simultaneously supplied to the left-hand front speaker 14 and the left-hand side speaker 20. The audio signal of the right-hand channel is so electrically wired as to be simultaneously supplied to the right-hand front speaker 15 and the right-hand side speaker 21. Accordingly, since the left- and right-hand side speakers 20 and 21 are provided in addition to the left- and right-hand front speakers 14 and 15, it is possible to exhibit advantages which are superior in separation performance of left- and right-hand channel audios. Further, the arrangement positional relation between the left-hand front speaker 14 and the left-hand side speaker 20, and the arrangement positional relation between the right-hand front speaker 15 and the right-hand side speaker 21 are different from each other in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction as viewed from the front of the television set 11. Accordingly, in a case where the user hears the sound on the front side of the television set 11, the same left-hand channel audio is emitted from positions which are different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from each other, and enters the ears, regarding the left-hand channel sound from the left-hand front speaker 14 and the left-hand channel sound from the left-hand side speaker 20. Similarly, regarding the right-hand channel sound from the right-hand front speaker 15 and the right-hand channel sound from the right-hand side speaker 21, the same right-hand channel sound is emitted from positions which are different in vertical direction, and in backward and forward direction from each other, and enters the ears. For this reason, regarding each of the sounds of the left- and right-hand channel sound, sounds in which a time shift occurs in the same sound simultaneously enter the ears. Thus, it is possible to cause the cubic sound feeling and the movement feeling to occur in the sound. In this manner, in the television set according to the embodiment, a time difference (that is, a phase difference) occurs regarding the same sound which is emitted from the before and behind speakers (the front speaker and the side speaker). This is heard to the ears of the user as becoming a sound thickness, and is advantageous in that the cubic sound feeling and the movement feeling in the before and behind direction are caused to occur in the sound. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, in addition to the sound A from the front speakers 14 and 15, the sound B from the side speakers 20 and 21 which are located respectively at positions which are different in before and behind direction (and vertical direction) from the front speakers 14 and 15 are superimposed thereupon and are heard. In this connection, in the present embodiment, differentiated from the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is no sound which is radiated from the side speakers 20 and 21 to left- and right-hand side directions of the television set 11. Correspondingly thereto, a sound pressure level which is radiated in the front direction of the television set 11 increases at each of the reflectors 34 and 35. Accordingly, sound which shifts in time due to the same signal from the side speakers 20 and 21 is added with respect to the sound in the front direction from the front speakers 14 and 15. Furthermore, the addition is executed by a larger sound pressure level as compared with a case of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is possible to output the sound in which the cubic sound feeling in the before and behind direction is emphasized. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a speaker system for a television set, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an arrangement in which the speaker system shown in Fig. 9 is modeled. In this connection, also in Fig. 10, the arrangement relation between the external cabinet 31 and the speaker 20 is shown under a state in which the speaker 20 is drawn apart with respect to the external cabinet 31. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, a point which is different from the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is that the face of each of the diaphragms of the front speakers 14 and 15 is so arranged as to directly be mounted to an opening portion which is provided in the front panel of the television set 11 without the fact that the acoustic waveguides 16 and 17 are mounted respectively to the forward faces of the respective front speakers 14 and 15. In this connection, in this case, the rear cabinets 18 and 19 of the respective front speakers 14 and 15 may be mounted. In the present example, however, an arrangement in which the rear cabinets 18 and 19 are removed or unfastened is shown. The other arrangement is similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, it is possible to raise the sound pressure level in the front direction of the television set due to these front speakers 14 and 15, because there are no acoustic waveguides at the forward faces of the diaphragm of the front speakers 14 and 15, as compared with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Moreover, it is possible to raise the sound pressure level in the front direction of the television set due to the front speakers 14 and 15, as compared with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Further, the sound from the side speakers 20 and 21 is reflected by the reflectors 34 and 35 each of which has substantially the conical form, whereby it is possible to raise the sound pressure level in the front direction of the television set, and it is possible to produce the thickness feeling and the cubic sound feeling of the sound, similarly to the other embodiments. In connection with the above, in the embodiments of the invention which have been described above, a case has been described in which the left-hand front speaker 14 and the side speaker 20 are connected in parallel to each other, the left channel signal from the same left channel amplifier is supplied to both the speakers 14 and 20, and the right-hand front speaker 15 and the side speaker 21 are connected in parallel to each other, and the right channel signal from the same right channel amplifier is supplied to both the speakers 15 and 21. However, it is of course, the arrangement may be such that respective speakers including the front speaker 14 and the side speaker 20 are driven respectively by separate amplifiers, respective speakers including the front speaker 15 and the side speaker 21 are driven respectively by separate amplifiers, and outputs from the respective amplifiers can be regulated. If doing so, or with such arrangement, it is possible to change the sound pressure levels of the respective speakers individually so that attention can respectively be executed. Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, description has been made such that the sound is radiated in the front direction of the television set by the reflectors which are arranged in front of the side speakers 20 and 21. However, the arrangement may be such that the directions of the sound radiating mouths 22a and 23a of the external cabinets 22 and 23 are changed, or the orientation and the shape of the reflectors 24 and 25 are changed, whereby the sound radiating direction is made to a direction different from the front direction, for example, in a oblique forward (an oblique outward) direction. In this manner, the radiating direction of the sound is partially changed whereby it is possible to attend the sound in which balance among the sound pressure levels of a plurality of sounds which enter the ears of the user is changed. Further, similarity is applied to the external cabinets 31 and 32 in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 9. As described above, according to the present invention, it is made possible to reproduce the stereophonic sound which is superior in stereophonic separation and which has the cubic sound feeling, the expanding feeling and the movement feeling.

Claims: A speaker system for a television set (11), the set having a screen (13) provided on its front surface, the speaker system comprising: a first speaker assembly comprising a speaker (14, 15), the assembly being configured to emit sound in a forward direction with respect to the said television set (11); characterised in that the television set (11) further comprises a second speaker assembly comprising a second speaker (20, 21) and a reflector (24, 25), the second assembly being located at a side of said television set (11) with respect to the screen (13) and being configured to emit sound in a generally forwards direction, wherein the first (14, 15) and second (20, 21) speakers are each located at different depths from the front of said set (12) and the first and second speaker assemblies are configured to emit sound from different vertical positions with respect to said screen (13). A speaker system according to claim 1, wherein the first speaker (14, 15) is located within said television set (11) and said first speaker assembly further comprises an acoustic waveguide (16, 17) for guiding sound emitted from said first speaker (14, 15) forwards with respect to the television set (11). A speaker system according to claim I, wherein the first speaker (14,15) is provided on a front face of said television set (11) for emitting sound forwards with respect to the television set (11). A speaker system according to any preceding claim, wherein the reflector (24, 25) has a substantially conical form. A speaker system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reflector (24, 25) is configured to reflect only a fraction of the sound emitted from the second speaker (20, 21) in a generally forwards direction (B) and wherein the remainder of the sound emitted by the second speaker is emitted from the side of the television set (11). A speaker system according to claim 5, wherein the reflector (24, 25) has a substantially semi-conical shape. A speaker system for a television set (11), having a screen (13) provided on its front surface, the system comprising two speaker systems in accordance with any preceding claim, each system being located on either side of said screen (13).

Inventors: SAITO HITOSHI, SAITO, HITOSHI
Applicants: TOSHIBA KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H04R5, H04N5, H04R1