The Sound of music — Inbuilt and external Speakers

We live in a world driven by sound, from the entertainment industry to the music industry, sound seems to be the driving force that makes for a richer world today. The more natural ways by which sound is produced is through that produced by both animals and human beings alike, it is heard in singing, in talking, in the crowing of a cock, how be it, since we live in a world of computers, we need our computers also to make a sound. Thankfully a device serves this main purpose, the speaker.

A speaker is a device that generates sound through the sound card (in a computer) when an electrical input from another device passes through its components.

Basically, the major components of a speaker include: a magnet, iron coil, housing and a cone. The working principle of speakers is based on the constant movement of the cone which eventually generates sound waves picked up by our ears.

There are basically two (2) types of speakers, built-in and external speakers. While the former (built-in speakers) produces sounds that can complement the other components of the device in which it is built, the later, (external speakers) is usually a function of budget and user’s reasons for purchasing. Built-in speakers can be found in the internal environment of a computer, they generate sounds usually enough for the owner/user and to some extent, the audience within close proximity to enjoy. External speakers on the other hand produce better, louder and quality sound for larger audiences. These types of speakers range in classes, from the 2.0 system audio device housed with just an amplifier (no subwoofer), to desktop speakers that have subwoofers and produce louder and quality sound with bass. External speakers can either be connected to computers through Bluetooth (for Bluetooth speakers) or through any of the USB ports available on the computer.

There are three (3 ) major factors to consider before purchasing a speaker, they are:

1. Total harmonic distortion

2. Frequency response

3. Watts

1. Total harmonic distortion: This referred to the number of distortion created by amplifying a sound signal
2. Frequency response: This is the measurement of the highs and lows of the sound produced by the speaker.
3. Watts: This is the available amplification amount for the speaker.

Basically, for the basic use of a PC, the inbuilt speakers suffices, but for the more musically inclined and sound enthusiasts, an external speaker is the best option when trying to delve into in depth analysis of sound production, music producers can attest to the need for an external speaker.

Reference

1. techbii.com

2. soundguy.com

3. computerhope.com

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