Audio

Sound is how a product speaks to the person using it — a buzzer to alert, a speaker to reproduce, a microphone to listen. Audio components turn electrical signals into sound and back, across two jobs: simple indication and full reproduction. The range covers speakers for quality sound in equipment and alarms, sounders and buzzers for tones, beeps and warnings, and microphones to capture sound as a signal.

Choosing audio components

Do I need a sounder or a speaker?

They do different jobs. A sounder or buzzer is built to make one clear, attention-getting tone from a simple drive signal — ideal for alarms, status beeps and warnings, where being heard matters more than fidelity. A speaker reproduces whatever signal you feed it, so it suits voice, music and quality audio, but needs an amplifier and more care over the drive level. If you only need to signal that something has happened, a buzzer is simpler and cheaper; if the sound carries information or has to sound good, use a speaker.

How do I match a speaker to a circuit?

Match impedance and power first. A speaker's impedance — commonly 4 or 8 ohms — has to suit the amplifier driving it, and its power rating must exceed what the amplifier delivers, with margin. Then size and mounting, whether panel, chassis or free-standing, and the frequency response for the job — a full-range speaker for audio, or a small transducer for a tone. For microphones, match the type and connection to the input, and check whether it needs powering.

What else goes into audio equipment?

Audio equipment pulls in more than the transducers. Potentiometers provide the volume, tone and fader controls; audio and video connectors — jack, XLR, phono and DIN — carry signal between units; and ready-made audio and video leads save wiring them by hand. For building or repairing gear, the soldering range covers the irons, solder and tools the job needs. Sourcing the transducers, controls, connectors and tools together keeps an audio build or repair on one account.