This project was proposed by John Grant, chair of SC-02-02. It was approved under our rules by Subcommittee SC-02 and assigned to the working group SC-02-02 on Digital Input/Output Interfacing, 2007-01-19.
TITLE
AES-X161 Digital interface for loudspeakers
SCOPE
To identify the different circumstances in which digital loudspeakers are used, arrange them into groups with similar requirements, specify those requirements, and identify existing standards that would be appropriate. A follow-on project could then develop any new standards that are needed, based on the specified requirements.
OUTPUT INTENT
Report.
RATIONALE
The interface between a loudspeaker and the rest of the system is frequently between units from different manufacturers, and it is therefore important it should be standardized. The industry is beginning to move toward the use of digital loudspeakers, so new interface standards are required. The interface potentially carries some or all of (1) audio (2) control (3) power, and different applications will have different priorities which will require different engineering solutions, in the same way that the analog world has both 100 V over long thin cables and 4/8/16 ohm over short(ish) thick cables.
WHO BENEFITS?
Manufacturers and users of active loudspeakers.
WHY AES?
AES standards is the appropriate standardization body to address this issue because the subject affects professional manufacturers and users. The benefits may also be transferable to consumer applications.
