How do BMRs provide improved off-axis performance?

BMRs create superior off axis performance over conventional, equivalently sized, drive units.

A fundamental challenge associated with conventional speaker technology is that when the wavelength of the sound becomes approximately the same as size as the cone circumference, the speaker performance starts to power beam. Beaming is a phenomenon where a mismatch in speaker size verses driven frequency causes a loss of 12dB of sound power per increasing octave. Because the wavelength of sound gets smaller with increasing frequency, power beaming effects will occur at and above a certain frequency. Power loss starts at the most off axis angles and moves inward. This means that multiple drive units are needed to deliver the full audible frequency spectrum in a typical room environment. Added cost and complexity are often the result of this.

BMRs use controlled breakup of the radiating diaphragm to elongate the usable pass band of the speaker. At frequencies with modes the diaphragm is segmented into smaller radiating areas. Smaller radiating areas reduce the effect of power beaming. Masses are placed at specific locations on the diaphragm to utilize the desirable impacts of modal behavior. This is the “balancing” at the core of the technology. Frequencies where piston motion of the driver would have beaming effects are now supplemented off axis from bending modes within the diaphragm.