Measurement of nonlinear and Doppler distortion in Distributed Mode Loudspeakers

Distributed Mode Loudspeakers (DMLs), as other electroacoustic transducers with electrodynamic excitation, are susceptible to the occurrence of nonlinear distortion. The literature on nonlinear distortion in DMLs is scarce. The vibrations of the DML panel are very small in amplitude, thus the coil excursion of the exciter is low, which is a favorable condition for low nonlinear distortion. The scope of this paper covers investigation of harmonic and intermodulation distortion, occurring in the DML. The harmonic distortion was examined with two methods and the intermodulation distortion – with three, including one author’s proposed method. The result indicate, that nonlinear distortion in DMLs may be a bigger problem than those in diaphragm loudspeakers.