Myth - "Damping Factor Isn't Much of a Factor"

Myth - "A Damping Factor of 10 is High Enough"

Myth - "All Amplifiers Have a High-Enough Damping Factor"

Where did these Myths Originate?

These myths seem to trace back to a well-know paper written by Dick Pierce. His analysis shows that  a damping factor of 10 is virtually indistinguishable from a damping factor of 10,000 when it comes to damping the motion of a loudspeaker cone. This analysis has been examined and repeated in many more recent articles, such as a well-written post on Audiofrog.com by Andy Wehmeyer. Articles such as these are often cited as evidence that amplifier damping factor doesn't matter. The mathematical analyses are correct, but the conclusions are incomplete and misleading!

A Week Ago, Life was Normal

How fast things can change!

It is March 23, 2020 and we are currently battling the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

This application note will be a departure from normal. I will make a few observations about the current situation and then look at the nuts and bolts of how we reconstructed our operations in less than 48 hours. Benchmark is 100% operational, but nothing looks the same as it did last week.

- John Siau

As an engineer I like to use "rules of thumb" to make quick estimates that help to explain the physical world around me.

These rules of thumb are easy-to-remember approximations that eliminate the need for complicated and needlessly precise calculations.

If you feel discombobulated by the complexities of high school physics, there is hope! I encourage you to step back and take a fresh approach.

If you learn a few simple rules of thumb, you can unravel mysteries of the physical world, amaze your friends, and yourself.

In this paper I will present 15 simple rules that I find useful when working with music and audio.

- John Siau