Schallwandler

Schallwandler is the German term for devices that convert sound energy from one form into another. In acoustics and audio engineering, the word is used as a general label for transducers that either transform acoustic pressure into an electrical signal (receivers) or convert electrical energy into acoustic pressure (emitters).

Common examples include microphones, which translate sound waves into electrical signals; loudspeakers and earphones, which produce sound from electrical signals; and other transducers such as piezoelectric, capacitive (electrostatic), and magnetostrictive devices used in sensors, actuators, and ultrasound equipment.

Operating principles vary. Dynamic microphones and loudspeakers rely on electromagnetic induction between a moving diaphragm and a coil in a magnetic field. Piezoelectric and electrostatic transducers exploit the deformation of crystals or the attraction between charged plates to generate or sense signals. Schallwandler are characterized by their frequency response, sensitivity, impedance, and distortion performance, reflecting how effectively they convert energy and reproduce or detect sound.

Applications span consumer electronics, professional audio, telecommunications, medical imaging, and nondestructive testing. The term Schallwandler emphasizes the broad function of converting sound energy rather than referring to a single device such as a microphone or loudspeaker, highlighting its role as a foundational component in acoustic systems.