Linkwitz LX521 plays Mancini's Pink Panther

Siegfried Linkwitz Open Baffle Concept
The drivers are mounted on a flat baffle, allowing the rear sound waves to propagate freely. This helps minimise the reflections and standing waves that typically colour the sound in traditional box speakers. The result is a more natural and spacious soundstage.
1. Dipole Radiation Pattern: Linkwitz speakers operate as dipoles, radiating sound equally from the front and back. This dipole radiation pattern helps to create a more immersive and realistic listening experience, as it more closely mimics how sound is produced and heard in natural environments.
2. Active Crossovers: Linkwitz designs often use active crossovers, dividing the audio signal into separate frequency bands before amplifying. This allows for more precise control over the crossover points and better integration of the drivers.
3. Equalization: To compensate for the lack of an enclosure and the resulting dipole roll-off at lower frequencies, Linkwitz employed sophisticated equalisation techniques. This helped to extend the bass response and maintain a flat frequency response across the entire audio spectrum.
Compensation for Phase Cancellation
One of the challenges with open baffle designs is phase cancellation, where sound waves from the rear of the speaker can interfere with those from the front, especially at lower frequencies. Linkwitz addressed this in several ways:
1. Baffle Size and Shape: The size and shape of the baffle are carefully designed to minimise phase cancellation. By optimising the baffle dimensions, Linkwitz reduced the frequency at which phase cancellation occurs.
2. Driver Placement: The placement of drivers on the baffle is also critical. Linkwitz's designs often feature carefully calculated driver positions to ensure the best possible integration and minimise destructive interference.
3. Electronic Equalization: Active equalisation boosts the lower frequencies most affected by phase cancellation. This electronic compensation helps maintain a balanced frequency response despite the open baffle design.
4. Cardioid or Dipole Patterns: Cardioid or dipole radiation patterns help direct sound energy more effectively and reduce rear wave interference.

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