sources to learn science behind sound and audio equipment

Hello,

This is my first post here but Ive been browsing head fi and then changstar for many years, I first became an "audiophile" or audio enthusiast when I heard a pair of Grado SR-60s back in high school only having heard cheap dollar store headphones before then.

Im in my final year in engineering school studying Facilities Engineering, which is basically mechanical engineering but with more of a focus on large industrial power plants and energy management. I'm not sure I like it as much at this point, but that could change when I start working. I do know I want to do something technical related to engineering, and I've really been thinking about acoustical engineering. Something like the graduate program at penn state, where they do both mechanical acoustics and electronic. I've always been fascinated with all things sound, but never really delved deep into the science behind it.

Before I think about doing something like graduate school, I'd like to do some reading beforehand on my own. I was wondering if anyone here had any good books or sources to learn the science behind sound and audio equipment. Like how transducers work, amplifiers, acoustics in speaker housings etc. I've heard good things about the "Art of Electronics" for understanding electronic equipment which I would need to learn, since I am mostly from a mechanical background. I am pretty comfortable with math (calculus, differential equations etc) so I wouldn't mind any theory/math heavy books, as well as some practical ones. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Doug Self's power amp book is also top rate, though a relatively good grasp on electrical engineering principles comes in handy when reading Self.

As purrin states, though, hands on will be of much more use than just book learnin'. There's no better learning than failing.

 

I will post my own vote against the Self books, because avoiding indoctrination by a dogmatic master of "everything I do is right, everything everybody else does is wrong," is worth any amount of money. Seriously, Self has gone as far as to say that there is no better audio preamp circuit than the NE5532 and that you shouldn't be "allowed" to make Class A amps. Stick to Bob Cordell's amp book as a good starting place instead, and avoid the indoctrination.

Oh, and tubecad.com. John Broskie has more groundbreaking ideas before breakfast than Self ever imagined in his life. Not that they are all the way baked (the solution is left as an exercise to the student.) And diyaudio.com--pay attention to the designs that the community says, "Whoa, that's really interesting." Lots of noise there too as well, though.

And, as Purrin says--BUILD THINGS. Listen to them. Make your own decisions as to sonic correlation or lack thereof. It's the only real way to learn.

 

Yes, got to meet Cordell a few years ago when he did a very enlightening demo/seminar at RMAF. Had to do with the real life short term power needed to properly reproduce peaks in music. Way more than I thought.

cool writeup is here

 

I highly recommend reading Nelson Pass's various articles. In addition to being a DIY god he is also very personable and a decent writier.

 

As Jason said, diyaudio is a great forum with tons of information. Lots of opinionated/abrasive folks there so keep that in mind as you browse. Very unmoderated, decentralized, wild-west of a forum. But there's a lot to learn about every aspect of audio there.

 

This is true. I guess anyone who in their book only covers class B amps because "anyone else who wants class A is foolish" and calls their amp "blameless" should perhaps trip some triggers. From a purely technical perpective (ignoring his dogma) they are very helpful.

 

Mr. Pass may be godfather of diy and some kits, I had one. But let's not forget some of the Grandfathers, like the Dystrom / Schlumberger company "Heathkit" who had some really neat stuff way back and of course who can forget David Hafler and Ed Laurent of Dynaco in the late 50s. Still Dynaco is decent sounding stuff.