Hello,
I have just purchased an Adafruit Wave Shield (Adafruit Wave Shield for Arduino Kit [v1.1] : ID 94 : $22.00 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits) for the Arduino and am looking to attach a Speaker that will play back the human voice as realistically as possible. I'm not an audio expert so was wandering if there were ay audio experts out there that could recommend the best speaker would be for the job.
Thanks
I'm not an audio expert either. For a low cost speaker with enclosure, you might look at the X-mini II speaker system. It sells on eBay for about $10 USD delivered. I am using one on a project now.
My circuit already has an audio amplifier, so I removed the internal amplifier and rechargeable battery and connected it directly to the 4 ohm 40mm speaker.
These speakers sound real nice
http://www.mpja.com/4-Ohm-Mini-Speaker/productinfo/14618%20SP
I drive them with a N-channel MOSFET and 12V source - high sensitivity, so it's loud too!
If you're doing something other than taking Arduino tone() output louder, will probably want to bias it differently than I did.
The easiest thing to use would be any computer speaker. Computer speakers are active (aka "powered") so you don't need a separate amplifier.
that will play back the human voice as realistically as possible.
That could mean different things to different people... Regular-cheapo computer speakers may be good enough, or you might want some nice Hi-Fi speakers and an amplifier for very-realistic high-quality sound.
These speakers sound real nice
http://www.mpja.com/4-Ohm-Mini-Speaker/productinfo/14618%20SP
I drive them with a N-channel MOSFET and 12V source - high sensitivity, so it's loud too!
If you're doing something other than taking Arduino tone() output louder, will probably want to bias it differently than I did.
No! That won't give you good quality... A single MOSFET is not a linear amplifier. It will work fine with PWM but it won't work with true analog audio from a WAVE shield.
Possible circuits - single MOSFET not typically used.
http://www.redcircuits.com/Page123.htm
Having more than 5V and a 4 ohm speaker is usually necessary to achieve
higher power.
P=IV = V^2/R
5V5V/4ohm = 6.25W.
Having a low Rds MOSFET is the only way to actually get 5V across the
speaker, so actual power out is usually less.
12V12V/4ohm = 36W Big increase!
Numerous single chip solutions also exist
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/integrated-circuits-ics/linear-ampl
ifiers-audio/2556583?k=audio%20amplifier
How much power do you want out?
