Case Study: L-Acoustics optimizes loudspeaker design with COMSOL simulation

L-Acoustics predicts acoustic losses within 1 dB using Comsol

L-Acoustics, a global manufacturer of high-performance sound systems for arenas and concert halls, faced a challenge in optimizing its bass reflex speaker designs. The company needed to understand how enclosure and vent designs affected acoustic output and linearity, but traditional prototyping with wooden models and smoke visualization was slow and failed to pinpoint exact sources of turbulence and acoustic loss. To overcome this, they turned to simulation with COMSOL Multiphysics®.

Using COMSOL Multiphysics, acoustical engineers at L-Acoustics developed a multiphysics model to simulate fluid motion and turbulence within speaker vents, predicting nonlinear acoustic losses. This solution allowed the team to test design ideas daily without building physical prototypes. The simulation predictions proved highly accurate, deviating less than 1 dB from measured test results. Furthermore, the team used the COMSOL Application Builder to create a simplified simulation app, distributed via COMSOL Server™, empowering more engineers to use simulation and confidently achieve working prototypes on the first try.

L-Acoustics