Feasibility report on portable speaker in

Ethiopia

By Mahder Habtu

Date: April 2018

Table of contents
What are speakers?..............................................................................3

Understanding How Speakers Work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,5

Components of speaker........................................................................5

Import procedures................................................................................7

The main speaker importers in Ethiopia..............................................10

Different brands of portable speaker....................................................14

Speaker specifications..........................................................................15

Conclusion............................................................................................22

2
What are speakers?
Speakers are devices that convert electrical signals amplified by the amplifier, into vibrations
of air that can be heard by humans as sound. Speakers come in various shapes and sizes,
types and models.

Speaker types, based on amplification method

There are two main types of speaker; based on where the signal is amplified. The
characteristics of each type is described below.

(1) Passive speakers

Speakers that only feature basic speaker functionality can be called "passive" speakers. These
speakers require a separate power amplifier in order to produce sound.

(2) Powered speakers

Speakers that contain an internal power amplifier can also be called "active speakers". Since
these speakers contain a built-in power amplifier, they can be directly connected to a mixer,
which reduces the number of cables required.

A speaker is an electro acoustic transducer which converts an electrical audio signal into a
corresponding sound. The most widely used type of speaker is the dynamic speaker, invented
in 1925 by Edward W. Kellogg and Chester W. Rice .The dynamic speaker operates on the
same basic principle as a dynamic microphone, but in reverse, to produce sound from an
electrical signal. When an alternating current electrical audio signal is applied to its voice coil,
a coil of wire suspended in a circular gap between the poles of a permanent magnet, the coil
is forced to move rapidly back and forth due to Faraday's law of induction , which causes a
diaphragm (usually conically shaped) attached to the coil to move back and forth, pushing on
the air to create sound waves . Besides this most common method, there are several
alternative technologies that can be used to convert an electrical signal into sound. The sound
source (e.g., a sound recording or a microphone) must be amplified or strengthened with an
audio power amplifier before the signal is sent to the speaker.

Speakers are typically housed in a speaker enclosure or speaker cabinet which is often a
rectangular or square box made of wood or sometimes plastic. The enclosure's materials and
design play an important role in the quality of the sound. Where high fidelity reproduction of
sound is required, multiple loudspeaker transducers are often mounted in the same enclosure,
each reproducing a part of the audible frequency range. In this case the individual speakers
are referred to as "drivers" and the entire unit is called a loudspeaker. Drivers made for
reproducing high audio frequencies are called tweeters , those for middle frequencies are
called mid-range drivers, and those for low frequencies are called woofers. Smaller

3
loudspeakers are found in devices such as radios, televisions , portable audio players,
computers , and electronic musical instruments . Larger loudspeaker systems are used for
music, sound reinforcement in theatres and concerts, and in public address systems

Understanding the Statistics

All speakers will come with a list of specifications describing their basic characteristics.
These statistics are highly important to the consumer who sees these numbers as the only
form of measurement from one speaker to another so it is vital to understand them. The
following is the standard list of specifications normally associated with speakers.

Standard Specifications
System Type: Bass Reflex

Frequency Response: 35Hz-22 KHz, +/- 3dB

Tweeter: 1 (25mm) Dome

Midrange: 5.25 (130mm) Polypropylene Cone

Woofer: Two 8 (203mm) Polypropylene Cones

Crossover Points: 3 kHz

Room Efficiency: 91 dB

Impedance: 8-ohms

Recommended
Amplifier Power: 10 to 200-watts RMS/Channel

Inputs: Gold-Plated, 5 way Terminals

Weight: 51.7lb (23.5kg)

Dimensions (H x W x D): in. 39 3⁄8x 9 7⁄8x 13 13⁄16cm. 100 x 25 x 35

Finishes: Cherry, Beech, Black As

4
Understanding How Speakers Work
There are a variety of different types of speakers boasting various types of technologies,
though their ultimate function is the same displace air to create sound. Whether the speaker is
of dynamic driver design, the most popular speaker design, or planar, meaning electrostatic or
ribbon design, their common goal is to move the air and make music.

• A dynamic driver speaker uses the traditional driver array of woofers for low frequencies,
tweeters for high frequencies, and perhaps midranges in a three-way speaker design.

• An electric signal from the amplifier travels to the speaker through the speaker wire.

• This signal creates a magnetic field around the voice coil.

• The voice coil is located within the ring of the driver’s magnet.

• The signal flowing through the voice coil creates another magnetic field.

• This created field forces the driver to move back and forth.

• The movement of the driver creates the sound.

Components of speaker
Magnet- The donut shaped magnet surrounds the pole piece to create a magnetic field.

Voice Coil- The voice coil is made of two parts: The cylinder or former, which fits over the
pole piece, and the copper wire wound around it. It is the driving element of a
dynamic driver. Electrical current through the wire creates a magnetic field that
interacts with the fixed field of the magnet, causing the voice coil assembly to
move.

Pole Piece- Part of the magnet assembly, the voice coil fits over the pole piece.

Spider- A ridged, material suspension that holds the voice coil in place and provided alinear
motion.

Cone- The conical shaped diaphragm that physically moves the air to produce sound. It is
suspended at its periphery by a surround and at its neck by a spider.

Surround- The compliant suspension at the outer edge of a cone that permits it to move.

Basket- The framework of a dynamic driver.

5
Speaker or Amplifier Power?
the power specification that you will see for speakers (measured in watts) is referring to how
much power the speaker is designed to safely receive from an amplifier before it will start to
distort.

If a speaker is driven too hard it distorts and gets very hot, then you may permanently damage
the speaker and it could become unusable.

Amplifiers are not all made equal, and so you need to check the watts per channel that the
amplifier can output. If the amount of power it can output is well within the capabilities of the
speaker, then you can be confident that you won't ever damage the speaker by driving it too
hard.

Speaker Minimum Power Ratings

When you are looking at the speaker specifications, you may see a minimum value for the
power. If there is a minimum figure, then this is the minimum power level required to drive
the speaker to make any noise at all and so your amplifier will need to deliver this amount of
power at the very least. This shouldn't ever be a problem, and so you don't need to worry
about this figure unless you're trying to do something extreme (driving 1000 watt speakers
with a 10 watt amplifier).

Maximum Power Ratings of Speakers

More common is the maximum figure, and this is the power level the speaker can take before
it starts to distort or clip. bear in mind that many figures you see in the specifications are
often quite conservative and in reality you could exceed them for short periods without
having a problem. So, if the speaker specification says maximum power of 130 watts, then
you don't really want to hook them up to an amplifier which is rated at 1000 watts output
because it probably won't take much to get that amplifier to send more than 130 watts and
potentially damage the speaker.

RMS or Peak Values

Another important thing to look for are RMS (average power) and peak (maximum power)
values.

If the 130 watts maximum power is average (or RMS), then the speaker would probably
comfortably handle a peak power signal from the amplifier of around 300 watts. However, if
the 130 watts value is a peak value (sometimes called peak music power), the average power
it can handle would be more like 70 watts. So RMS and peak values are completely different
things.

6
Import procedures
Information on import procedures in Ethiopia in relation to the pre-shipment inspection on
goods; applications submitted to commercial banks in Ethiopia to obtain import permit;
modes of payment allowed for import, documentation requirements to effect payment and
document checking and verification.

Pre-shipment Inspection
Goods imported are not required to be inspected prior to shipment except when they are
imported from China or if the importer and the supplier have an agreement for pre-shipment
inspections.

Pre-shipment Inspection on goods imported from China:

The Ministry of Trade has made arrangements with China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau
(CIQ) so that the latter would carry out the inspections prior to shipment and issue the quality
certificates.

Requirements ,
1. Pre-shipment Inspection requirement on all goods purchased from China implemented in
effect since January 1, 2007

2. Pre-shipment inspection certificate is one of the documents required to effect import

payment from China.

3. Pre-shipment Inspection certificate requirement is mandatory for all import purchases

made from China.

4. Banks are required to insert requirement in the LC and also to insure that purchase order
transmitted clearly depict to have CIQ inspection requirement.

5. Banks cannot accept documents without CIQ certificate if goods are imported from China.
Import Payment
Foreign exchange can be availed by banks to any importer provided they can present one of
these

1. Import License issued by Ministry of Trade

2. Industry License issue by Ministry of Industry

3. Investment License issued by Investment Agency

Applications submitted for import should be accompanied by the Pro forma Invoice /
7
contracts from suppliers stating

1. The type of commodity

2. Quantity of the commodity

3. Price per unit

4. FOB amount

5. Freight if any

6. Other charges

7. No insurance payment is allowed for payment in Foreign Exchange, so the importer should
make insurance arrangement locally.

Mode of payment allowed for import

1. Letter of Credit

2. Cash against document

3. Advance payment

Documentation requirements to effect payment:

It is important that the required sets of documents that should be presented by the supplier to
demand payment should be mentioned in the LC or Purchase order. The following are
mandatory for payment and always mentioned in the LC or Purchase order:

1. A final invoice (commercial invoice) attested by the chamber of commerce of the country
of the supplier

2. Original sets of Bill of lading, Airway Bill, Truck way bill, Railway Manifest (depending
on the mode of transportation)

3. Country of origin invoice attested by the chamber of commerce of the country of the
supplier

4. Packing list

5. Certificate of quality where appropriate

8
Importers who wish to import using CAD
1. Should first get approvals of the their Bank on the purchase order they wish to pass to the
supplier

2. The purchase order should clearly sate document requirements and certificate to be
attached.

3. Shipping documents normally required for import payments

4. Payment can only be released on CAD provided the importers get the prior approval from
its bank.

9
The main speaker importers in Ethiopia
ABC TRADING

Overview
For over 35 years, ABC Trading has been recognized as a market leader synonymous with
providing quality Sound + pro light products, and service excellence to a wide customer base
in Ethiopia. From humble beginnings in the consumer accessories industry, the company
grew rapidly, and today represents some of the world’s most exclusive and sought after
brands. There brand is different such as HARMAN KARDON & JBL, MONTARBO,
YAMAHA, SHURE, PEAVEY and much more.

It is now one of the leading companies in Ethiopia that offers high quality instruments and
sound system at reasonable prices. It has also given birth to other small business like abc
studio, universal and meeting point that are all thriving in their respective fields.

Services of ABC Trading

Sales of different sound equipment such as / speakers, amplifiers, mixers/ Sales of different
musical instruments such as/ Keyboard, Microphones, Guitars, flutes/ Selling different kind
of solar lights. Sales of Construction machinery equipment, Rental of sound, stage & light
equipment for different occasions. Rental of Booth and interpretation equipment for
conferences. Rental of projector and screen with different sizes. Giving a service of event
management for different occasions, Meetings, Product launch, concert, conferences &
wedding.

Location
Bole Road, Mega Building, Ground Floor and on the road from Olympia to Bambis, ABC
Building

Phone +251 115 520621

+251 911 693381

Fax: +251 115 543939

10
UNI SOUND GENERAL TRADING
Uni sound General trading is a big sound system importer company in Ethiopia. They
imported different types of products for a long time. Some of the products are,

Sound equipment

 Speakers
 Amplifiers ,
 Mixers

Musical instruments

 Keyboard
 Microphones ,
 Guitars
 flutes

Location
 Phone+251 111 557223
 Fax+251 111 557226
 Mobile+251 911 808080

11
EBBA ENGINEERING PLC
Overview

EBBA Engineering PLC, is an Ethiopian company supplying a range of electrical

equipments such as uninterruptable power systems UPS, surge suppressors, TVSS, batteries,
voltage regulators or stabilizers, power factor correction, conference & simultaneous
interpretation systems, video projection systems, public address systems, MATV systems,
rental services of PA & Conference Systems, security & safety systems such as fire alarm
systems, X-Ray screening systems, security Walkthrough and hand held metal detectors,
vehicle search mirrors, voice evacuation system, closed circuit television (CCTV, access
control systems, anti-intrusion alarm system, fire suppression systems and traffic barrier
systems.

Audio & Video

Conference & Simultaneous Interpretation Systems including electronic voting integrated
witness camera system, Video projection systems, Public Address Systems, MATV System,
Rental services of PA & Conference Systems

Security & Safety

Fire Alarm System X-Ray Screening Systems, Security Walkthrough and Hand Held Metal
Detectors, Vehicle Search Mirrors, Voice Evacuation system, Closed Circuit Television
(CCTV) Access Control system, Anti-intrusion Alarm system, Fire Suppression Systems,
Traffic Barrier Systems.

Electro-Mechanical
Electrical power installation for commercial & industrial facilities, Interruptible Power
Systems (UPS), Surge Suppressors (TVSS), Batteries, Voltage Regulators, Stabilizers,
Standby generators, Air conditioning units, Power Factor Correction.

Location
Adwa Dildiy, at the beginning of the road to Zerihun Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone +251 11 6186061

+251 91 1211769

Fax: +251 11 6186082

12
Pulse General Business PLC
Pulse General Business PLC, is a multi-disciplinary engineering service provider company in
Ethiopia. The Company was established in 2001 Ethiopian Calendar to deal mainly with but
not bounded to provision of electromechanical services in electrical power system, industries,
commercial companies, IT services & telecom services.

Pulse General Business PLC aspires to become a major electromechanical service provider in
East Africa by maintaining world class standards.

Some of the services

1. Power Sector Service

Supply & Erection of Micro hydro power plants, Supply & Erection of Diesel power plants,
Supply & Erection of Substation & Switchyards, Supply & Erection of Over Head
Transmission Lines, Supply & Erection of Distribution Systems, Supply & Design. Supply &
Install Air conditioning system, Supply & Security and fire alarm installation. Supply &
Renewable Energy Projects which includes: Supply System Design & installation of solar PV
Systems, Installation of wind turbines. Design & Construction of Biogas system. etc

2. Industrial Services

Design, Supply & Installation of Electrical systems [Residential, Commercial & Industrial]
Designing. Manufacturing & assembling of Electrical System Units like: -Different Capacity
Main and Sub Distribution/Control Board. Compact substation Single & three phase step
up/step down transformers, Automatic Transfer switch, Low Voltage
Switchgear Synchronization Panels, Power factor correctors, Motor starters, Automatic
Voltage regulators, Impedance transformers Programmable Logic Controllers[PLC],
Generator.

3. IT Services

Supply & configure server design. Supply & Install LAN & WAN design. Supply & Install
Sound Systems for Conference Hall, etc

Location
Kebele 03, House Number 448, Kirkos Sub City, Debreziet Road, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone+251 91 1519042

+251 91 1244017

Fax+251 11 4671121

13
Different brands of portable speaker
There are different brands imported to Ethiopia. Most of them are imported from china. In
merkata we can get different types of speakers in different brand and specification.

 GEEVOX
 AHUJA
 JBL
 Montarbo
 SHURE
 YAMAHA
 AiMAX
 MAX
 KOKIR

14
Speaker specifications
300 watt speaker
300 Watt Outdoor Indoor Wireless Bluetooth Portable, Subwoofer Sound System with USB
SD Card Reader, Rechargeable Battery, Wired Microphone, FM Radio, Remote

Prices
The price is different from shop to shop so this is the average price for 300W speakers 2400-
2650 birr.

Specifications
Battery type – 7Ah/12V

Music playing time up to 20 hours

Rated power 300w

USB charge out 5V

Frequency Range 20Hz-20kHz

Rated impedance 800 ohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio >80dB

Bluetooth transmitted modulation

Power supply 5V

The picture is for GEEVOX 300W speaker

15
600 watt speaker
 Wireless Bluetooth Portable,
 Subwoofer Sound System
 USB
 SD Card Reader
 Rechargeable Battery
 Wired Microphone
 FM Radio
 Remote control

Prices
The price is different from shop to shop so this is the average price for 600W speakers 3400-
3600 birr

Specifications
Battery type -7Ah/12V

Music playing time up to 20 hours

Rated power 600w

USB charge out 5V

Frequency Range 20Hz-20kHz

Rated impedance 800 ohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio >80dB

Power supply 5V

The picture is for MAX 600W speaker

16
800 watt speaker
300 Watt Outdoor Indoor Wireless Bluetooth Portable, Subwoofer Sound System with USB
SD Card Reader, Rechargeable Battery, Wired Microphone, FM Radio, Remote

Prices
The price is different from shop to shop so this is the average price for 300W speakers is
3500-3700 birr

Specifications
Battery type - 7Ah/12V

Music playing time up to 20 hours

Rated power 800w

USB charge out 5V

Frequency Range 20Hz-20kHz

Rated impedance 800 ohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio >80dB

Bluetooth transmitted modulation

Power supply 5V

The picture is for KOKIR 800W speaker

17
1000 watt speaker
1000 Watt Outdoor Indoor Wireless Bluetooth Portable, Subwoofer Sound System with USB
SD Card Reader, Rechargeable Battery, Wired Microphone, FM Radio, Remote

Prices
The price is different from shop to shop so this is the average price for 1000W speakers 5200-
5500 birr.

Specifications
Battery type - 12Ah/12V

Music playing time up to 20 hours

Rated power 1000w

USB charge out 5V

Frequency Range 20Hz-20kHz

Rated impedance 800 ohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio >80dB

Bluetooth transmitted modulation

Power supply 5V

The picture is for AiMAX 1000W speaker

18
40000 watt speaker
40000 Watt speaker which is both right and left having Wireless Bluetooth Portable,
Subwoofer Sound System with USB SD Card Reader, Rechargeable Battery, Wired
Microphone, FM Radio, Remote

Prices
The price is different from shop to shop so this is the average price for 40000W speakers
8500 birr

Specifications
Battery type - 18Ah/12V

Music playing time up to 20 hours

Rated power 40000w

USB charge out 5V

Frequency Range 50Hz-20kHz

Rated impedance 900 ohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio >90dB

Bluetooth transmitted modulation

Power supply 5V

19
80000 watt speaker
80000 Watt portable speaker which is both right and left having lighting on it and Wireless
Bluetooth Portable, Subwoofer Sound System with USB SD Card Reader, Rechargeable
Battery, Wired Microphone, FM Radio

Prices
The price is different from shop to shop so this is the average price for 80000W speakers
10000 birr

Specifications
Battery type - 24Ah/12V

Music playing time up to 20 hours

Rated power 80000w

USB charge out 5V

Frequency Range 50Hz-20kHz

Rated impedance 900 ohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio >90dB

Bluetooth transmitted modulation

Power supply 5V

20
 Note that most of them have the amplifier at the back as shown in the finger

21
Conclusion
 Us we know for the next two or three month the solar market will be cold or we will
stop selling our products so its better to start importing another electrical materials
which is related to sola
 the market is very good because at this time the market of speaker is getting higher So
it is recommendable to start selling it.
 Most places like churches, mosque, coffee shops, restaurants are using portable
speakers so its demandable.
 The portable speakers have all things together like radio, flash player, SD card and so
on so it’s simple and good to use.

22