In the world of audio, there has been a subtle revolution, with analog technology progressively shifting towards the digital realm. As the creator of TiFi, which stands for Timing Aligned speakers (www.tifi.ee/en/), it has been possible to navigate this path rapidly.
TiFi Speakers are all 3D printed. 3D printing offers unprecedented freedom in designing speaker cabinets but encounters a challenge when it comes to the required volume for bass. The best solution, without creating additional problems, is to use DSP to control each loudspeaker separately and assist a little in reproducing the lower end of the bass.
Facing reality, all major speaker manufacturers include smaller active speakers and even more soundbars in their portfolios, with very low-frequency bass and linear SPL where the entire sound profile is assembled through digital processing. Additionally, devices capable of controlling each loudspeaker are already available on the market with very good price-to-quality ratios. Currently, these are sold under the name "AV receivers", but if we delve into the possibilities, using the same hardware to control loudspeakers separately is only a matter of programming.
I have not witnessed an industry where digital control is introduced and then completely recedes. It is always the case that digital control is introduced, and then it proliferates even more rapidly and more affordably.
The development of TiFi's next models now stands at a crossroads. Should time and resources be dedicated to developing analog-crossover, timing-aligned speakers (such as smaller bookshelf speakers, multi-channel speakers, etc.), or will these options become obsolete within a couple of years, and each loudspeaker will be controlled separately during sound reproduction?
So, my conclusion is, it will happen anyhow. However, I have no clue whether it will be a few years or a few decades. Any discussion on the matter is welcomed. Is there point at all to introduce some analog crossover time-aligned speakers to the market or there is no point?
TiFi Speakers are all 3D printed. 3D printing offers unprecedented freedom in designing speaker cabinets but encounters a challenge when it comes to the required volume for bass. The best solution, without creating additional problems, is to use DSP to control each loudspeaker separately and assist a little in reproducing the lower end of the bass.
Facing reality, all major speaker manufacturers include smaller active speakers and even more soundbars in their portfolios, with very low-frequency bass and linear SPL where the entire sound profile is assembled through digital processing. Additionally, devices capable of controlling each loudspeaker are already available on the market with very good price-to-quality ratios. Currently, these are sold under the name "AV receivers", but if we delve into the possibilities, using the same hardware to control loudspeakers separately is only a matter of programming.
I have not witnessed an industry where digital control is introduced and then completely recedes. It is always the case that digital control is introduced, and then it proliferates even more rapidly and more affordably.
The development of TiFi's next models now stands at a crossroads. Should time and resources be dedicated to developing analog-crossover, timing-aligned speakers (such as smaller bookshelf speakers, multi-channel speakers, etc.), or will these options become obsolete within a couple of years, and each loudspeaker will be controlled separately during sound reproduction?
So, my conclusion is, it will happen anyhow. However, I have no clue whether it will be a few years or a few decades. Any discussion on the matter is welcomed. Is there point at all to introduce some analog crossover time-aligned speakers to the market or there is no point?
Of course majority of them are about shaping waveguides or other specific issues.
