The profile of the unique C3 (pronounced ‘C-cubed’) Continuous Curved ConeTM is the result of a Q Acoustics multi-disciplinary team research project to investigate a new, multi-radius complex curve contour cone profile. The goal was to design a profile that would exhibit ‘best of both’ benefits with the bass characteristics of a straight conic profile, and with the mid frequency control of a flared profile. At the outset, the project began by computer-modelling a sample drive unit with a spherical cone driven by a large coupler. This is the ‘anchor model’ shown in Figure 1. The anchor model and its respective measurements form the starting point for any kind of new development. To start the development process the anchor-model’s simulation results must accurately predict the measurements of the sample. Therefore the geometry and the material properties of each soft-part (cone, coupler, surround, spider, voice-coil) have to be identified and adjusted to achieve an accurate alignment between the measurements and the simulation results.
