Numerical modelling of a loudspeaker sound radiation and its dynamic interaction with the host structure

Loudspeakers play a key role in defining the sound field and quality in various environments. Their mounting on structures with different dynamic properties affects acoustic radiation. This study presents an innovative approach that combines the equivalent sources method (ESM) with dynamic considerations to model the interaction between the loudspeaker and its support. The model decouples the loudspeaker's acoustic emission from the host structure's radiation, allowing simulations in different configurations without re-synthesizing the equivalent sources, a limitation of traditional ESM. The approach is tested on a loudspeaker mounted on a dedicated test rig with adjustable dynamic properties to measure acoustic emission under varying conditions. To contextualize its performance, the model is benchmarked against the widely used Thiele-Small model for loudspeaker simulation in complex environments. Results show that the proposed model outperforms traditional methods in predicting sound pressure and directivity, providing a reliable tool for simulating loudspeaker behavior in complex scenarios. Its simplicity and versatility make it suitable for various numerical simulation applications.