Thin-ply carbon fiber enhances speaker cones, diaphragms

Thin-ply carbon diaphragm (TPCD). Source (All Images) | TeXtreme and Composite Sound

TeXtreme (Boras, Sweden and the U.S.) is presenting its next-level thin-ply carbon material through a speaker technology developed in collaboration with Composite Sound (Boras). The resulting technology, a speaker diaphragm, is designed for enhanced clarity, efficiency, precision and highest sound performance in order to make high audio quality accessible to the mass market.

TeXtreme thin-ply carbon is produced by spreading carbon fiber yarns into ultra-thin tapes and weaving them into high-performance fabrics. This process results in a lightweight yet ultra-stiff material, optimized for automated, large-scale production. TeXtreme says its minimal weight enables the layering of multiple thin plies to adjust diaphragm properties without significantly increasing mass, offering precise control over diaphragm characteristics.

Speaker with integrated TPCD.

Martin Turesson, head of Thin-Ply Carbon Diaphragms (TPCD) at Composite Sound, adds that the TeXtreme material gives Composite Sound the ability to “focus on engineering properties rather than just material characteristics,” becoming a key enabler to achieve speaker diaphragms with controlled resonances, high stiffness and low mass improved sound clarity. The company has already released such products across high-end audio, home cinema, studio reference, pro audio and now aims to bring this sound performance to a broader audience.

Traditional speaker diaphragms, often produced from uniform materials with consistent thickness, depend entirely on material properties, limiting resonance management. These designs generally focus on minimizing the effects of unwanted resonances rather than addressing their causes.

Composite Sound’s method focuses on preventing undesired resonances from the start. Through the optimization of thickness, stiffness and damping in different parts of the diaphragm, modal behavior is controlled. This approach enables a balance between stiffness and low mass while maintaining stable resonance characteristics and high-quality resonance characteristics.

Resonances are the main cause of coloration and degradation of the sound quality. By controlling resonances, Composite Sound enables loudspeaker and headphone companies to design audio products with improved clarity, enhanced control and a premium sound experience — all while making it accessible to the masses.

This collaboration targets the transformation of the audio industry. TeXtreme aims to show how material science and engineering can democratize elite sound quality, offering new possibilities in audio design.

Visit TeXtreme at Booth F05 in Hall 6.