I have been interested in transmission line loudspeakers for almost 25 years. However, for a long time the lack of a proven mathematical model prevented me from actually pursuing and building this style of loudspeaker enclosure. Over the past 15 years, I have built a number of closed and ported box loudspeakers based on the equivalent circuit models descibed by Thiele and Small. About 15 years ago, I decided to try and develop my own mathematical model to simulate transmission line loudspeakers using the MathCad computer program. This decision set off the chain of events that eventually resulted in this website.

My first two quarter wavelength style enclosures were designed mathematically, built, and then final acoustic and impedance measurements were performed. During the process of completing these two loudspeakers, the MathCad models went through a continuous evolution which produced more accurate calculated results leading to better correlations between the predictions and the measurements.

Recently, I started building a third type of quarter wavelength enclosure that is difficult for me to classify. From the outside it would appear to be a bass reflex enclosure. But acoustically, quarter wavelength standing waves inside the enclosure are used to produce the bass response emanating from the port. Is this project a mass loaded transmission line design or a bass reflex design? I am not so sure, the differences are starting to get very fuzzy. Some information on this type of speaker is also included in the projects section of this website.

The newest versions of the MathCad worksheets are based on a calculation algorithm that is proving to be extremely flexible. This flexibility has allowed me to extend the original transmission line models to simulate a wide variety of enclosure styles. In the process, it became clear that the direction my work was headed made it difficult to continue to classify it as strictly transmission line theory and design. I felt that the best way to present and maintain this ongoing study of quarter wavelength enclosure design was to construct my own website.

I have also decided to start two Facebook Groups for the discussion of the Theory, Design, and Building of Transmission Lines Speakers and Open Baffle Speaker Systems that will be used to notify interested individuals of major revisions to the web site and allow discussion of the sites content and the latest MathCad worksheets. I will not notify the group of every minor change, addition, or revision but I will send out an occasional notification if something significant is being added. If you are interested in quarter wavelength designs, I hope that you will consider joining one of these Facebook Groups.

My intention is for this website to become a dynamic entity that will grow and change as I continue to learn and extend the mathematical modeling methods described in the preceding sections. I welcome any and all comments, suggestions, or questions. Please feel free to join the Yahoo Group and discuss quarter wavelength loudspeaker design with myself and other members.