A new speaker system developed at the University of Nottingham creates audio effects by manipulating sound waves around the listener rather than modifying only the electronic signal. The solid-state design recreates aspects of a classic rotary speaker without motors, belts, or other moving components, offering a new approach that sits between mechanical and digital audio effects.

Researchers in the university’s Faculty of Engineering built the system from a circular array of speakers. Instead of physically rotating a horn or other sound source, the device electronically shifts the audio signal around the array, producing the acoustic impression of movement. The work has been published in the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society.

To read more, click here.