This page briefly explains the three classifications of speakers (SP).
Ceiling SP / BOX SP / Horn SP / Line array SP
This is not based on a clear definition, but it is likely the most user-friendly and designer-friendly classification.
Ceiling SPThese are speakers, as the name suggests, that are mounted on the ceiling. Because they are recessed into the ceiling, they have the feature of being less intrusive to the ceiling's interior design. Essentially, they are designed to produce lower volume and cover a wide area.
BOX SPThese are general term for box-shaped speakers (BOX SP). For example, if the ceiling is too high or nonexistent, BOX SP can be mounted on the wall. In rooms where speeches are delivered, the BOX SP may be installed at the front of the room. Depending on the application, there are speakers that produce various shapes and volumes of sound.
Horn SPThese are speakers equipped with horns. They are designed to project sound over long distances with a loud volume, especially suitable for public address. Horn speakers are specialized for voice sounds, so they may not excel in reproducing low or high frequencies, making them less suitable for music playback. They are often installed outdoors and designed to withstand rain and dust.
Line array SP
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Indoor / Outdoor
Whether speakers can be installed outdoors or are limited to indoor use is crucial. Outdoor environments pose various challenges such as rain, mist, sand, dust, and wind, requiring speakers to withstand these conditions. Installing indoor-only speakers outdoors can be dangerous, leading to issues such as sound failure, speaker and amplifier damage, or the risk of falling due to rust.
However, speakers designed to withstand all adverse outdoor conditions can be expensive, and not every speaker may need to endure all challenging environments. For dust and water resistance, there are Ingress Protection (IP) ratings indicating the level of durability. When selecting speakers for outdoor installation, it is essential to consider these IP ratings.
However, speakers designed to withstand all adverse outdoor conditions can be expensive, and not every speaker may need to endure all challenging environments. For dust and water resistance, there are Ingress Protection (IP) ratings indicating the level of durability. When selecting speakers for outdoor installation, it is essential to consider these IP ratings.
High Impedance (Hi-Z) / Low Impedance (Lo-Z)
There are high impedance (Hi-Z) and low impedance (Lo-Z) types of SP.
Differentiation based on impedance, which is relevant to amplifiers, is also crucial. This is related to the number of speaker connections. For details, please refer to this page.
Differentiation based on impedance, which is relevant to amplifiers, is also crucial. This is related to the number of speaker connections. For details, please refer to this page.