Are electrostatic speakers still made?

The only active, full range electrostatic loudspeaker currently in production is the Audiostatic DCA-5.

What do electrostatic speakers do?

Electrostatic loudspeakers make use of a large, thin metal plate between two parallel screens. An amplified audio signal is impressed onto the screens, polarizing the metal sheet, and the resulting electrostatic force creates a motion of the sheet, producing a sound wave.

What is a planar speaker?

The term planar means that the speakers have roughly rectangular flat surfaces that radiate in a bipolar (i.e., front and back) manner. Planar magnetic loudspeakers with wide diaphragms, such as woofers and midranges, usually have vertical rows of magnets with each row alternating between north and south poles.

What is an electrostatic loudspeaker?

A practical electrostatic loudspeaker. By Akilaa (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. A practical electrostatic speaker uses a flexible film that is as thin and light as possible as its moving component.

What is the best material for an electrostatic speaker?

Any thin flexible plastic film can make a noise in an electrostatic speaker, but for best performance the thinner your film, the better. 5 micron thick Mylar seems to be the preferred choice. Once you have your film, it needs a slightly conductive coating.

What is the difference between electrostatic motor speakers and conventional speakers?

Also, because of the very way the electrostatic motor works, the diaphragm is driven over it’s entire surface, while in a conventional speaker the diaphragm is driven in it’s center and depends on the stiffness of the cone and the surround for damping and physical support.

What are the advantages of full-range electrostatic loud speaker systems?

The main inherent advantage of the full-range electrostatic loud speaker system is that it allows a single diaphragm to embody the conflicting attributes needed for optimal performance at both extremes of the audio range.