How Do Component Speakers Work?

Component Speakers Connect to a Receiver

In order to receive the signal they need to reproduce sound, component speakers must connect to a central unit known as a receiver. The receiver, as the name implies, receives data on what sounds need to be created from sources such as a TV, radio signal, CD player, phonograph, DVD player, MP3 player, or almost anything else capable of producing sound. The receiver then translates this data into electrical impulses ready to send to the speakers.

Sounds Travels Down Two Wires

Once the receiver has received and processed the sound, it creates electrical impulses designed to correspond to the sound signal.These electrical impulses are sent to the receiver's speaker connections; these connections serve as terminals for two wires (positive and negative, usually color coded as red and black) which lead to terminals on the speakers themselves. These wires are generally made of copper, though some high-end speaker wire may be made of gold for better conductivity. Regardless of the wire composition, speaker wires are almost always shielded to prevent outside interference.

Speakers Vibrate to Reproduce Sound

When the electrical impulses are received by the speakers, an electromagnet inside the speaker is used to turn the impulses into vibrations. These vibrations are at the precise frequency to reproduce the sound processed by the receiver; since sound waves are nothing more than vibrations in the air, the frequency of vibration created by the speaker and its electromagnet are received by the human ear as accurately reproduced sound.

Quality Matters

Component speakers are widely available in a variety of qualities and prices. There seem to be an almost limitless selection of off-brand speakers, but these speakers are not known to produce highly accurate sound reproductions. Because the frequency of vibrations created by the speakers must be highly precise in order to reproduce sound with clarity and accuracy, lower speakers that skimp on quality control may produce distorted, tinny, or other undesirable sounds.