How audio processing algorithms help improve sound from small speakers

Luca Cacioli, Portable Audio Marketing Manager, Texas Instruments
EETimes (8/25/2010 11:40 AM EDT)

Audio processing algorithms

A variety of algorithms are available today to process the audio signal and improve the listening experience.

Basic processing is given by equalization and filtering that change the amplitude of different frequency bands to overcome the shortcomings of speakers. By looking at the frequency response of speakers, we can determine what can and cannot be reproduced and set equalization curves accordingly. The goal is to obtain sound with pretty much constant amplitude, no matter what frequency is played through the speaker.

Basic equalization nowadays is pretty common; most audio converters available on the market have it. Unfortunately, in some cases this is not sufficient to improve audio quality. In fact, speakers have frequency responses that change with the intensity of the audio signal (Figure 1).

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