01 May, 2021

3-D Printing Potential Use in Audio?

Letter from Shenzhen (21-9) 3-D Printing: Potential Use in Audio?

I imagine 3-D Printing likely has already been used in certain aspects of high-end audio, like making unusually shaped chassis. But the following news got me thinking...

This news reported that the Dutch (among others) have already 3-D "printed" homes. What is noticeable is 1) that the technique makes the walls sound-proof; and 2) the tenant has noted great acoustics even when he is just playing music on the phone.

That is indeed something. And I trust the tenant's observations. I think this has tremendous import for audio. Not so far into the future, when construction using 3-D technology becomes more common, it will have significant impact on the dedicated listening room. For those who have dough and stamina to tackle bureaucracy for permits, I can imagine custom constructing such a room in the backyard. One can have it with a tried-and-true golden dimension and, if it were me, a sloped ceiling (which yields better sound due to its horn effect, with loudspeakers near the lower end). Or, perhaps one can custom order such walls (which can be much thinner)which will fit into an existing room. At some point, someone is going to make some sound panels out of this kind of material and sell it for a princely sum as an audio tweak.

4 comments:

  1. 3D printing has already made a mark on the headphone DIY hobbyist world. I know of at least 3 firms currently selling headphones where most or all of the ear cups have been 3D printed and I have one of them in hand now. Very cool as it will allow the DIY hobbyist to iterate and experiment with acoustic design at a rate previously reserved for firms with access to industry.

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    Replies
    1. Great to hear! Write about this earphone if you have time.

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    2. I am maybe wrong but isn't some tonearms of VPI made this way with 3D printing ...? This one for example https://www.vpiindustries.com/store/p313/JMW-10-3D-UniPivot.html

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    3. You are exactly right. I remember this. I am sure it is used in many more ways than we commonly know. I fancy boutique capacitors with different layering can be made this way...

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