Loudspeaker Impedance Meter


Also suitable for Headphones

Operates in conjunction with a DVM


Circuit diagram:

Speakers Impedance Meter

Parts:

P1_______________4K7  Linear Potentiometer

R1______________12K  1/4W Resistor
R2_______________2K2 1/4W Resistor
R3_______________1K  1/2W Trimmer (Cermet)
R4_______________1K5 1/4W Resistor
R5_______________4K7 1/4W Resistor
R6_______________3K3 1/4W Resistor
R7_____________100R  1/4W Resistor (See Notes)
R8_______________1K  1/4W Resistor (See Notes)
R9_______________1K  1/4W Resistor (Optional)

C1______________22nF  63V Polyester Capacitor
C2_____________330nF  63V Polyester Capacitor
C3______________22µF  25V Electrolytic Capacitor

D1,D2_________1N4148  75V 150mA Diodes
D3_______________3mm  Red LED (Optional)

Q1,Q2,Q3_______BC550C 45V 100mA Low noise High gain NPN Transistors

IC1____________78L05   5V 100mA Regulator IC

SW1,SW2_________SPDT Toggle or Slider Switches
SW3_____________SPST Toggle or Slider Switch

B1________________9V  PP3 Battery

Clip for PP3 Battery

Comments:

A simple Impedance Meter can be useful to measure the actual impedance a loudspeaker or headphone is presenting @ 1kHz standard frequency.
The circuit, designed on request, relies on an earlier design (Spot-frequency Sine wave Generator) to obtain a stable, low distortion 1kHz sine wave avoiding the use of thermistors, bulbs or any special amplitude-limiting device. The sine wave output, after some amplitude setting obtained by means of P1, is sent to the device under measurement through a resistor.
A regulated supply is necessary to obtain a stable output waveform. D1 and D2 force IC1 to deliver 6.2V output instead of the nominal 5V.
The measurement is done in two stages: as a constant current supply of the device under test is necessary, this can be set at first by adjusting P1 and measured across the series resistor (R7 or R8, depending on the impedance value to be measured); then, the meter is switched across the device under test and the actual impedance will be read directly on the meter display.

Circuit set-up using an oscilloscope:
Connect the oscilloscope in place of the DVM and rotate P1 fully clockwise.
Short the speaker output and adjust R3 to obtain a sine wave of about 2.2V peak-to-peak amplitude.

"By ear" circuit set-up:
Connect a small loudspeaker or one of the two earpieces forming a pair of headphones to the circuit output and rotate P1 to obtain a moderate output sound level.
Carefully adjust R3 until the output sound will stop; then turn back the trimmer very slowly and stop adjusting immediately when the sound will start again.

Measurement:

Notes: