Designing High-End Loudspeakers with Martin J. King’s Mathcad Worksheets
For decades, Martin J. King (often referred to as MJK) has been a seminal figure in the loudspeaker DIY community, particularly regarding , transmission lines (TLs) , and open-baffle (OB) speakers . His approach shifted the community from empirical "rule-of-thumb" design to accurate, physics-based simulations using Mathcad software.
The worksheets are built for PTC Mathcad , a software platform for engineering calculations. Unlike a "black box" program, the worksheets allow users to see the underlying equations and perform "what-if" analyses. Quarter Wavelength Loudspeaker Design martin j king mathcad worksheets
The story of Martin J. King's Mathcad worksheets is a remarkable example of how one person's passion can serve as the catalyst for an entire community's progress. By taking the mystery out of a complex acoustic design, King empowered thousands of hobbyists to build better-sounding speakers. His work transformed transmission line design from a "black art" into a legitimate, predictable science that could be practiced in a spreadsheet.
This was King's most groundbreaking contribution. The worksheets feature highly accurate algorithms to model how different densities of stuffing material absorb high frequencies and artificially "lengthen" the acoustic profile of the box. Visual Outputs Designing High-End Loudspeakers with Martin J
You can manipulate driver placement, stuffing density, port diameter, and length to achieve a flat response and optimal damping.
Note: The worksheets are generally designed for private, non-commercial, and educational use. Conclusion Quarter Wavelength Loudspeaker Design The story of Martin
The worksheets show how different designs affect the "baffle step" response or how to mitigate undesired cabinet resonances. How to Use Martin J. King Worksheets
Freeware programs that incorporate similar quarter-wave calculations. Conclusion
Open-source acoustic simulation libraries utilizing King's equations.
After many years of study, King decided to take a rigorous mathematical approach. He chose to write his own computer simulations using , a program renowned for its ability to handle complex engineering calculations. His goal was to create a universally applicable mathematical model for transmission lines, similar to the well-established models for sealed and ported boxes.