Simple Explanation

A driver is the part of a speaker that actually creates sound by moving air—like the woofer (bass), tweeter (treble), or midrange unit.

Concise Technical Definition

A driver is the electromechanical component of a loudspeaker that converts electrical signals into sound by vibrating a diaphragm to move air. Drivers are classified by frequency range (woofer, tweeter, midrange, etc.).

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Think of a driver like the engine inside a speaker—it’s the part that actually makes the sound happen.

Industry Usage Summary

In speaker design, the term “driver” refers specifically to the moving part of the speaker, not the entire cabinet. Speakers may contain multiple drivers (woofer, tweeter, mid) to handle different parts of the frequency range.

Engineering Shortcut

Transducer element that vibrates to create sound; core of speaker output.

Full Technical Explanation

A driver is a transducer within a loudspeaker that converts electrical audio signals into mechanical motion to produce sound. It typically includes a diaphragm (cone or dome), voice coil, suspension, and magnet. Drivers vary in size and function—woofers handle low frequencies, tweeters handle high, and midrange drivers cover the in-between range. In multiway speaker systems, different drivers are used in combination with crossovers to divide and route appropriate frequencies. The term “driver” is distinct from “speaker,” which refers to the complete enclosure including cabinet, crossover, and all drivers.