Silicon ChipVAF’s New Soundwall - June 2007 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Business energy use can be greatly reduced
  4. Feature: VAF’s New Soundwall by Ross Tester
  5. Feature: Turntables – Give ’em A Spin; Pt.2 by Barrie Smith
  6. Review: ADS Technologies "Instant Music" by Silicon Chip
  7. Project: 20W Class-A Amplifier Module; Pt.2 by Leo Simpson
  8. Project: A Knock Detector For The Programmable Ignition by John Clarke
  9. Project: Versatile 4-Input Mixer With Tone Controls by Jim Rowe
  10. Project: Fun With The New PICAXE 14-M by Stan Swan
  11. Feature: The Latest PICAXE Developments by Clive Seager
  12. Project: Frequency-Activated Switch For Cars by John Clarke & Julian Edgar
  13. Feature: A Flying Visit To CeBIT Australia 2007 by Ross Tester
  14. Vintage Radio: DC-To-AC Inverters From The Valve Era by Rodney Champness
  15. Book Store
  16. Advertising Index

This is only a preview of the June 2007 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 35 of the 104 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments.

For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues.

Articles in this series:
  • Turntables – Give ’em A Spin (May 2007)
  • Turntables – Give ’em A Spin; Pt.2 (June 2007)
Items relevant to "20W Class-A Amplifier Module; Pt.2":
  • Preamp & Remote Volume Control PCB for the Ultra-LD Mk3 [01111111] (AUD $30.00)
  • Speaker Protection and Muting Module PCB [01207071] (AUD $17.50)
  • 20W Class-A Amplifier Power Supply PCB [01105074] (AUD $20.00)
  • 20W Class-A Amplifier Module PCB, left channel [01105071] (AUD $15.00)
  • 20W Class-A Amplifier Module PCB, right channel [01105072] (AUD $15.00)
  • PIC16F88-I/P programmed for the Low Noise Stereo Preamplifier with Remote Volume Control (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • PIC16F88 firmware and source code for the Low Noise Preamplifier with Remote Volume Control (Software, Free)
  • Speaker Protector and Muting Module PCB pattern (PDF download) [01207071] (Free)
  • 20W Class A Low Noise Stereo Preamplifier/Remote Volume Control PCB pattern (PDF download) [01208071] (Free)
  • 20W Class A Amplifier Module PCB patterns (PDF download) [01105071/2] (Free)
  • 20W Class A Amplifier Power Supply PCB pattern (PDF download) [01105073] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • A 20W Class-A Amplifier Module (May 2007)
  • 20W Class-A Amplifier Module; Pt.2 (June 2007)
  • 20W Class-A Amplifier Module; Pt.3 (July 2007)
  • 20W Class-A Amplifier Module; Pt.4 (August 2007)
  • Building The 20W Stereo Class-A Amplifier; Pt.5 (September 2007)
Items relevant to "A Knock Detector For The Programmable Ignition":
  • Programmable Ignition System main PCB [05104071] (AUD $10.00)
  • Programmable Ignition System Trigger Module PCB [05104072] (AUD $5.00)
  • Programmable Ignition System Hand Controller PCB [05104073] (AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16F88-E/P programmed for the Programmable Ignition System [ignprgm.hex] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • PIC16F88 firmware and source code for the Programmable Ignition System (Software, Free)
  • Sample timing maps for the Programmable Ignition System (Software, Free)
  • Programmable Ignition System PCB patterns (PDF download) [05104071/2/3] (Free)
  • Programmable Ignition System front panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
  • Knock Detector PCB [05106071] (AUD $7.50)
  • Knock Detector PCB pattern (PDF download) [05106071] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Programmable Ignition System For Cars; Pt.1 (March 2007)
  • Programmable Ignition System For Cars; Pt.2 (April 2007)
  • Programmable Ignition System For Cars; Pt.3 (May 2007)
  • A Knock Detector For The Programmable Ignition (June 2007)
Items relevant to "Versatile 4-Input Mixer With Tone Controls":
  • Versatile 4-Input Mixer PCB pattern (PDF download) [01106071] (Free)
  • Versatile 4-Input Mixer panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Fun With The New PICAXE 14-M":
  • PICAXE-14M BASIC source code for "Fun with the new PICAXE-14M" (Software, Free)
Items relevant to "Frequency-Activated Switch For Cars":
  • Frequency Switch PCB pattern (PDF download) [05car051] (Free)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

VAF’s new Soundwall: by Ross Tester The speaker is history Spot the speakers in the above home theatre photo. Can’t see them? Think they’re Gone With the Wind? You’re right: they are! S cheduled to begin shipping in the USA very soon (and available here in Australia shortly after) is a revolutionary new product from Adelaide-based VAF Research. It’s difficult to describe it as a speaker, because that instantly evokes images of the ubiquitous box in the corner of the room or on the bookshelf. And those images would be plain wrong! But a speaker it most certainly is – it’s just not a “conventional” speaker. We’re talking about VAF’s new Soundwall. It combines art, interior design and architecture – along, of course, with some pretty advanced technology. For a start, there’s the size – each Soundwall module is 600mm square and just 120mm thick. It doesn’t sit on the floor or shelf; instead it (or more likely they) mounts direct to a wall, eliminating clutter and more than likely creating a visual statement in its/their own right. Second, each Soundwall module is powered by a digital 10  Silicon Chip amplifier rated at better than 150W RMS. Therefore in a simple, two-panel (stereo) installation there is more than 300W available; in a 7-channel surround-sound system that increases to more than 1000W! Both balanced and line-level inputs are provided, making the Soundwall compatible with “just about any” home theatre component available today or tomorrow. Soundwall performance is right at the “hi” end of hifi, with a response from 35Hz to more than 20kHz (±2dB) and, importantly, extremely wide dispersion – with ±3dB from on-axis out to 45° off axis (vertical or horizontal) over most of the frequency range. Incidentally, an unpowered version of the Soundwall, which can connect to almost all current hifi and home theatre amplifiers, is already available in Australia. Improves room acoustics Each SoundWall Acoustic Treatment Module contains siliconchip.com.au separate part of that immortal scene from the movie – and the result is simply stunning. It’s not just for home theatre use that the VAF Soundwall is finding willing new users: everything from the boardroom to clubs, indoor sporting venues, art galleries . . . in fact, the list is unlimited. Architects and interior designers are going ga-ga over them because they virtually become part of the wall (in fact, you can fill a wall with Soundwall modules if you want!). But more than that, the flexibility of being able to colour or even print the front “panel” of each Soundwall means that the designer can either match or complement existing colours and decors, or even make the speakers into the focal point of a room. VAF claim the Soundwall system is very easy to install due to a self-aligning mounting system, fewer connections and in-built cable management. If you decide later that you want to add to or modify your Soundwall, that’s simple too. Every Soundwall is packaged with a mounting system allowing installation on a timber, brick, plaster or SC plasterboard wall. For more information, contact VAF Research, 52-54 North Terrace, Kent Town SA 5067 Phone (08) 8363 9996; Fax (08) 8363 9997; or via their website: www.vaf.com.au The Soundwall basic colour is black or white but the front “panel” comes off, to be painted or printed with what ever you like! Here a 3 x 3 Soundwall has a plasma TV mounted in front. a combination of a “quadratic residue diffuser” and an “acoustic attenuator”. These provide the ability to both scatter room reflections and absorb them. Sophisticated response equalisation and active crossovers are used to ensure the best control possible and far greater freedom from distortion. Extended low frequency response ensures that substantial installations, including large-scale home theatre systems, can be created without the use of additional subwoofers. Any Soundwall combination is possible to suit virtually any application, from a single speaker module to act as a surround channel speaker, through to an entire wall surface combining ATM’s (Acoustic Treatment Modules) as well as Speaker Modules for stereo or surround sound. In VAF founder and managing director Philip Vafiadis’ words, the powered speaker module makes sound, while the acoustic treatment module fixes sound. It “repairs” room acoustics, making the Soundwall something that has to be experienced to be believed. Just imagine, if you will, a large-screen Plasma TV occupying centre-space of a home theatre system. Now imagine behind that Plasma TV, a whole wall of VAF Soundwall modules. Talk about a new meaning to “home theatre experience” – audio performance would arguably exceed that of the best theatres with banks of speakers mounted behind the screen. And even if you frankly, my dear, don’t give a damn, check out the photo of VAF’s “Gone with the Wind” Soundwall installation of 7 x 3 modules occupying a whole living room wall. Each Soundwall module is printed with a siliconchip.com.au This 5 x 3 Soundwall Module installation makes a real statement! And with more than 2kW of audio power available that statement is certainly going to be heard! June 2007  11