Dämpfungsfaktur

Dämpfungsfaktur, also known as damping factor, is a dimensionless quantity used in electrical engineering and acoustics. It describes the ability of an amplifier to control the movement of a loudspeaker cone. It is defined as the ratio of the load impedance (the impedance of the loudspeaker) to the amplifier's output impedance. A higher damping factor indicates that the amplifier has a lower output impedance relative to the loudspeaker's impedance, allowing it to exert greater control over the speaker's diaphragm motion.

In practical terms, a high damping factor is generally considered desirable for audio amplifiers. It helps to minimize unwanted cone oscillations after a signal has ceased, leading to a tighter and more accurate bass reproduction. This is because the amplifier can more effectively "brake" the speaker cone, preventing it from continuing to vibrate freely due to its own inertia. For example, if an amplifier has an output impedance of 0.1 ohms and is connected to a loudspeaker with an impedance of 8 ohms, the damping factor would be 8 / 0.1 = 80. This would be considered a relatively high damping factor. Conversely, a low damping factor suggests that the amplifier has a higher output impedance, resulting in less control over the speaker cone and potentially a less precise sound, particularly in the lower frequencies.