http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9823/1211544660807.png]]>Mar 19th 2009 9:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
Go away and stop adding irrelevant comments.]]>Mar 19th 2009 9:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 20th 2009 8:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 11:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/O
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Static comes from the source, so if the source has static, then you cant have the auxiliary speaker remove it.

This auxilary speaker removes the physical limitations of the speaker. ie. not being able to accelerate in time for a square wave, not being able to stop instantly.

With good source equipment, the only distortion occurs in the physical reproduction of the waveform.

I hope this clears things up a bit.]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/IMO.]]>Mar 20th 2009 2:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
This is the same exact principle that is behind basically every noise canceling headphone out there.

I used to read this site because I thought remarks like that were witty, but it is getting kind of painful as of late.]]>Mar 19th 2009 9:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
Totally agree with you. This is not that difficult of a concept. And rather start a flame war like Tyanney wants to do, I will try to enlighten readers with a little knowledge.

First, there are two kinds of "noise canceling" headphones, Active, and Passive. Passive ones use materials and good design to keep out noise, while Active ones actually employ a microphone to detect outside noise, and then using fancy circuitry, modify the signal coming into the headphones to compensate for the outside noise. I might add that passive headphones really aren't noise "canceling" at all, but rather noise dampening.

What Toshiba's technology aims to do is more accurately reproduce the signal being sent to the speaker. When a speaker makes noise, its vibrating according to the signal being sent to it in the form of electricity. But when things vibrate, they tend to keep vibrating after the signal has said to stop (inertia). To compensate for this additional unwanted vibrating, Toshiba is going to add a second speaker vibrating "opposite" the first.

Engadget, if you don't understand how this "canceling" works, look at the picture. I bet you can figure it out. If not, look up superposition of waves.]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 20th 2009 1:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 20th 2009 6:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/This whole thing sound to me like those 'magic' things the chinese like but the rest of us know is worthless nonsense.
]]>Mar 20th 2009 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
I know this is pedantic and I know why you put "noise cancellation" in quotes. The term gets applied when really "passive attenuation" should be used. You can't exactly "cancel" anything passively. ]]>Mar 20th 2009 8:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
That doesn't always work. Even if your speakers have power conditioning, that doesn't mean your sound card does. I think they're trying to mask systemic problems with a 20 cent gadget tacked on the end. The down side to this is that it's going to sound bad on a good setup, but that's not what it's meant for, right?]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/]]>Mar 20th 2009 8:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 20th 2009 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 9:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
The technology is similar but the implementation and desired effect is very different.]]>Mar 19th 2009 9:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
]]>Mar 19th 2009 9:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 20th 2009 12:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Car manufacturers have used it for years to cancel out road/engine noise this is not a new idea.
Toshiba want to use it to cancel sound that laptop speakers shouldn't be making, the buzz and the hiss.

Yet again no-one at engadget really knows anything about technology.]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
You of all people should know that no matter how good the speakers are, they are the weakest point in any system and are hindered by the laws of physics.]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
Also, 'Simple solution provide quality components for the entire signal path and you don't need any noise canceling'...I am pretty sure that there aren't many speakers that are PERFECT no matter the quality of the components. $10,000 speakers with the system mentioned above would sound 'better'.
]]>Mar 19th 2009 11:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 20th 2009 12:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
Fixed!]]>Mar 20th 2009 12:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 20th 2009 2:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/Mar 19th 2009 10:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
Channel 1 (y) has the original signal/waveform (eg: y = x+1) *see 1st graph (Original Signal)
Channel 2 (-y) has the negated signal (eg: -y = -x-1)

Both of the signals are sent in phase (at the same time) with each other from the source (output of waveform generator). The transmission of signals from source to the input (speaker module) gathers noise. Noise can be attributed from your home power lines, running a blender, or turning on large machinery. Noise affects both channels uniformly, so:

Let's say noise = +2
Channel 1 with noise is now (y+noise = x+1+2 = x+3) *2nd graph
Channel 2 with noise is now (y+noise = -x-1+2 = -x+1) *3rd graph

Both channel 1 with noise and channel 2 with noise enter the speaker module. The speaker module decodes the original signal (y = x+1) by simple signal subtraction and amplitude reduction (by a factor of 2).

original signal = [(Channel 1 with noise) - (Channel 2 with noise)]/2
original signal = [(x+3) - (-x+1)] / 2
original signal = [x+3 + x -1] / 2
original signal = [2x+2] / 2
original signal = x+1 *4th graph

Now that the original signal is obtained, it is then sent to the speaker driver. The speaker driver powers the physical speaker to play the decoded waveform. That's it! It's quite simple actually!

I hope you enjoyed this,
Roman Sandoval
romansandoval.com]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/
See my above post.

the noise is a physical limitation of the speaker. And what you are talking about is re-active, this system would be calibrated and would be based on the input signal and knowing how the main speaker is going to react.]]>Mar 19th 2009 10:51PM