The cone, also known as a paper cone, is one of the important components in a speaker.

When an audio signal is input to the speaker, the voice coil vibrates in the magnetic field. Because the voice coil is fixed on the paper cone, the paper cone will vibrate along with it. The vibration of the paper cone forces the air to resonate, making a sound.

Therefore, different sound basin materials will produce different sound quality effects. The following is a list of common cone materials, and the main characteristics of each material cone.

Speaker classification
The materials used in the tweeter and woofer cones are different.

Treble unit is divided into hard dome, soft dome and composite unit

Hard dome diaphragms are made of light metals such as aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, beryllium alloys, and magnesium alloys. They are formed from ultra-thin alloy platinum and the surface is chemically treated. Its high-frequency sensitivity is high, the sound is bright and clear, often with a metallic feel, and has high resolution. The hard dome is suitable for playing pop music, film and television music, and effect music. It can also perform classical music and vocals well.

Aluminum dome tweeter
Soft dome diaphragm materials include silk film, silk film, rubber film and bulletproof cloth film. In terms of hearing, the sound of the music played by the soft dome tweeter is delicate and soft, and naturally expressive. When expressing classical music and vocals, the expressive power of the soft dome tweeter is even better.

Silk dome soft dome
The composite film dome is a composite film made of several materials, such as “Sijuan + aluminum film”. The advantages of this tweeter are obvious. It can combine the advantages of the hard dome and soft dome tweeter, that is, it can have the bright sound quality and high resolution of the hard dome, and the natural smoothness and clear structure of the silk dome. Sense of hearing.

Common sound basins for mid-bass speakers include paper basins, bullet-proof cloths, polypropylene (PP), ceramic basins, wool basins, etc., all of which have their own characteristics.

Paper cone, the most common, most widely used, and most mature sound cone.

Paper cones are light in weight and have high energy conversion efficiency; paper cones are intertwined due to their internal fiber structure. During the transmission process, energy can be absorbed quickly, so its damping characteristics are very good. The timbre is more natural, smooth and earthy, and the bass is fuller. The sound produced by the paper cone diaphragm is generally not particularly sharp, which is in line with public taste. At the same time, compared to other materials, the cost of paper cones will be lower, so most speakers on the market use paper cones.

The disadvantage of the paper basin is that it is more sensitive to temperature and humidity. If it is placed in a high temperature or humid place for a long time, the paper basin is easily deformed or its function is weakened.

Paper cone
Bulletproof cloth basin (woven basin), a sound basin made of bulletproof fiber material, usually with a rubber edge or foam edge, used to improve the bass effect of the speaker. The bulletproof cloth basin can withstand large power and wide frequency response range, so it can show the deepness and power of the bass well, and it is the first choice for bass lovers. However, the weight of the bulletproof cloth is relatively heavy, and the sensitivity is not high. At the same time, the manufacturing process is more complicated and the cost is higher.

Bulletproof cloth basin
PP (polypropylene) basin

, That is, the plastic diaphragm. Such as plastic characteristics, polypropylene basins have good toughness, and audio signals can be absorbed quickly during transmission. In other words, polypropylene basins have good damping characteristics. In the sense of hearing, the distortion is low and the sound is soft and natural. Another advantage of polypropylene basins is better moisture resistance. At present, some high-end speakers use polypropylene cones.

Polypropylene (PP) basin
Ceramic basin

, Relatively good at performing bass, can express the shocking and expressive power of film and television music. This is a kind of sound basin material that the niche group likes. Those who like it will feel the sound of the ceramic basin is delicate, full and powerful; those who don’t like it will think the sound is too cold and hard.

Ceramic basin
Wool fiber basin is a material made by mixing wool fibers with pulp. The wool fiber basin combines the characteristics of wool fiber. The sound basin material is soft and light, and it is excellent at expressing soft music, such as symphony, which will give you a feeling of immersive sound. However, the wool fiber basin has a poor performance on bass, lacking strength and shock, so it is not suitable for listening to rock music and marches.

Wool fiber basin
Paper basins and polypropylene basins are two commonly used materials. Bulletproof cloth basins and wool fibers are mostly used in high-end products, while ceramic basins are relatively rare.

When selecting a speaker, you cannot say which material you must choose, because the speaker is a whole, and the matching of each component is just right to ensure the quality of the output sound of a speaker. For example, some three-way coaxial speakers, paper cones or PP cones for bass cones, bulletproof cloth cones for midranges, and soft silk dome for treble. So good matching is important.