Wayne Parham Messages: 18789 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
"Break-up modes" are frequencies where the cone twists and has ripples across its surface instead of moving as a rigid piston in a single, unified motion. Some speakers get very loud and harsh in the breakup region, others are pretty controlled. Some designers try to avoid using the speaker in this mode for technical reasons, but others use the increased output to their advantage. Single driver designs, especially those with whizzer cones are an example of purpose-designed use of controlled breakup mode behavior.