Directional sound technology is, according to Techopedia, a technology of aiming the sound in a particular directional field, rather than spreading it naturally according to traditional sound engineering principles. This blog post will give you the basic informations about this unconventional targeted sound technology.
TECHNOLOGY
Directional sound is the technology of using various devices to produce a sound that spreads out less than most conventional speakers. Moreover, ultrasonic loudspeakers modulate audible sound to high-frequency ultrasound resulting in high directivity. The higher frequency sound waves do not propagate as quickly. Therefore, the resulting directivity of these devices is much higher. For additional informations about this technology, click here.
(DIS)ADVANTAGES
First of all, sound is targeted to a certain listening position without sounding the entire area. That can also be seen as a disadvantage but let’s not forget that the main use of this technology is keeping sound focused to specific zones. Furthermore, this technology is also reinforcing targeted sound. Lastly, it provides excellent microphone speech intelligibility and low feedback tendency.
APPLICATION AREAS
A directional speaker selection depends on the environment in which it will be used as well as the content to reproduce. There are two most common directional sound system technology application areas – sound shower and background music.
SOUND SHOWER
Sound shower is one of the most common applications. In this type of installation, the directional speaker is about 3.5 m from the audience to avoid reflection of sound from the floor. For it is possible to save space in the room by placing several directional speakers at a distance of 1 m. They’re typically in a vertical setup, with the listener(s) standing directly underneath the speaker. This type of installation is perfect for museums, galleries or libraries.
BACKGROUND MUSIC
This type of installation enables waves to radiate throughout the room so it’s almost impossible to identify the source of the sound. A focused beam of sound pairs especially well with digital signage. This use is popular in retail stores, restaurants and wellness centers.
INTERESTING APPLICATION EXAMPLE
UCLA has created an exceptional collaborative learning environment by replacing the use of headphones with Brown Innovations directional speakers. At the center of the installation is a directional speaker that lets students listen to a lecture and simultaneously share content with others in their group. The directional speakers provide discreet and convenient audio. Click on the photo to find out more about this project.
DIRECTIONAL SPEAKERS MANUFACTURERS
Below you can see some directional speakers brands and also main content sources for this blog post. Click on the brand name to find out more about their products.
