Introduction The sound produced by loudspeakers has become so common and integrated into our daily lives that it is often taken for granted. Living with inventions like televisions, telephones, and radios, chances are you will rarely have days with anything but natural sounds. Yet few people know the physics involved in the technology that allows us to listen to music in our living room even if the band is miles away. This article will investigate and explain the physics and mechanism behind speakers, both electromagnetic and electrostatic. The physics of sound To understand how speakers work you need to know some basics of the physics of sound. Sound is essentially a wave produced by a vibrating source. This compression and rarefaction of matter will transfer to surrounding particles, for example to air molecules. This creates rhythmic variations in atmospheric pressure which are detected by the ear and perceived as sound. The frequency of a sound wave is the number of these oscillations that passes through a given point every second. It is the compression of the medium particles that actually constitutes a sound wave and that classifies it as longitudinal. Unlike transverse waves (e.g. light waves), in which case the particles move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's motion, medium particles move in the same or opposite direction as the wave (Russell, D.A., 1998 ).Compression and rarefaction of the particles that form sound waves. Retrieved 02/23/14 from Popular Science Monthly Volume 13What distinguishes sound waves from most other waves is that humans can easily perceive the frequency and amplitude of the wave. Frequency governs the pitch of the note produced, while amplitude is relative to the sound le...... middle of paper ......a large range of motion and will therefore have shorter and more frequent excursions, it is not very effective in generating low frequency waves. A woofer is therefore often needed to cover the entire sound spectrum. Additionally, speakers must be connected directly to power, making placement in the room more difficult (HowStuffWorks.com, 2001). There are also other advantages and disadvantages with both types of speakers, but they tend to be too technical and require too much experience to explain briefly here. Regardless of the price, it can be assumed that electrostatic speakers coupled with a woofer would be the first choice for audio quality-oriented consumers. Lightweight, diffuse diaphragm ensures clearer, more precise sound reproduction with greater surround effect than you would get from standard electromagnetic speakers.