ALMA Student Loudspeaker Design Competition

ALMA, the International Loudspeaker Association, is trying to reach out to students (DYI-ers) by holding the first-ever Student Loudspeaker Design Competition.

Entrants must be full-time students at an accredited college or graduate institution.  Students will be invited to submit their designs and measurements for a pair of loudspeakers by mail.  Finalists will be selected by an ALMA judging panel and will be invited to display their speakers and design data at the ALMA International Winter Symposium in Las Vegas Jan 4-5, 2011, two-days before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  The finalists will receive free admission to ALMA International’s two-day Winter Symposium; and one free night at the Orleans Hotel and Resort.  The final awards will be presented at the ALMA 50th Anniversary Gala event during the Symposium.

Contest details will be posted by the ALMA Education Committee, chaired by Matt Lyons, adjunct professor at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, on the ALMA website starting June 1, 2010. Educators are encouraged to contact Matt Lyons through the ALMA web site for more information.  Design submissions will be due to ALMA in late October.

The ALMA Symposium theme “Loudspeakers: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” celebrates the 50th anniversary of the founding of ALMA, the only international trade association dedicated to improving the design and manufacture of loudspeakers.  The 2011 program will highlight the 50-year legacy of ALMA and the loudspeaker industry.  Stu Lumsden, President of ALMA and Vice President of Engineering at Polk Audio saidys, “The creation of this student design competition is an excellent opportunity to involve students in the real practical challenges of loudspeaker design today and highlight ALMA’s 50th anniversary. This industry is one of the most interesting, fun and dynamic fields in which students can apply their engineering skills.  We need the best and the brightest, and as an industry we want to extend a hand to new talent.”

The ALMA Winter Symposium is the largest event in the world entirely dedicated to both the intellectual and practical aspects of the loudspeaker industry.  It attracts visitors and attendees from around the world, and is an opportunity for loudspeaker engineers to expand their education in classes, seminars and discussions led by some of the foremost experts in the world.  It is where manufacturers of components, materials, test equipment and consultants to the industry meet with designers to unveil and discuss the latest loudspeaker products and ideas. It is also a great opportunity for loudspeaker OEMs to meet with senior engineers, purchasers and decision-makers from loudspeaker brands who will be attending the CES.