Summary of Visaton Exciter – an exciting loudspeaker
Summary: Visaton Exciter is a membrane-free transducer designed to turn flat surfaces into loudspeakers. Intended for environments where exposed cones are impractical—traffic, industrial sites, kiosks, outdoor installations—it mounts to panels and uses electromagnetic action to vibrate the surface. The lightweight front plate moves against a heavier magnet assembly so the panel radiates sound while offering protection and aesthetic integration compared with conventional dust- and water-proof industrial drivers.
Parts used in theVisaton Exciter project:
- Visaton Exciter transducer (membrane-free loudspeaker)
- Front plastic plate of the Exciter
- Rear magnet assembly
- Flat panel or mounting surface (panel to act as radiator)
- Mechanical mounting hardware (adhesive or screws)
- Audio signal source and amplifier
Fans of HiFi sound and similar „audiophils“ usually don´t cover their loudspakers and surely not their membranes. Firstly, to cover a beautiful top-class loudspeaker is almost a sin 🙂 and naturally all that stands in a way of sound usually influences it in a negative way.
However, totally different situation is in traffic, audio bells, industrial conditions, in various kiosks (POS) and other applications. Here a loudspeaker is usually mounted behind various covers so as to be protected from mechanical damage. For these applications we can use various industrial loudspeakers which are available in dust- and water-proof versions.
If we go even further, applications where even a perforated loudspeaker cover is undesirable – weather from aesthetical or a technical point of view. For these purposes German company Visaton offers elegant solution – “Exciter”. Visaton Exciter is in fact a loudspeaker without a membrane optimized to be mounted on a flat panel, where by a mechanical connection with a given surface a final “loudspeaker” arises.
How does it function?
Do you remember the physics from a primary school and something about Newton´s law of action and reaction? This is exactly the same principle. Electromagnetic field in loudspeker´s coil acts by a force on a front plate of the Exciter and also on a rear part of the loudspeaker (the magnet). As a rear part with a magnet is much heavier than the front plastic one, the loudspeaker has sufficient “reserve”
For more detail:
Visaton Exciter – an exciting loudspeaker
- What is a Visaton Exciter?
It is a membrane-free loudspeaker transducer optimized to be mounted on a flat panel so the panel radiates sound. - How does the Exciter produce sound without a membrane?
An electromagnetic force moves the front plate against the heavier rear magnet, transmitting vibrations into the mounted panel which then radiates sound. - Where are Exciters useful?
They are useful in traffic, industrial conditions, kiosks (POS), outdoor or any application where exposed speaker membranes are undesirable. - Do Exciters protect the radiating surface like conventional covered speakers?
Exciters allow the loudspeaker function to be integrated behind or into panels, avoiding exposed cones and providing protection and aesthetic integration. - Are Exciters suitable for dust- and water-prone environments?
Yes; they are an alternative to industrial dust- and water-proof loudspeakers when a sealed or covered radiating surface is required. - What physical principle do Exciters rely on?
They rely on Newtons law of action and reaction where the electromagnetic force acts on front and rear parts, causing panel vibration. - Why is the rear magnet heavier important?
The heavier rear magnet provides sufficient reserve so the lighter front plate can effectively drive the panel vibrations.
