Which component is primarily responsible for converting electrical signals into sound?

The correct response is that the speaker is the component primarily responsible for converting electrical signals into sound. This process works through the principle of electromagnetism. When an electrical audio signal passes through a speaker's coil, it creates a magnetic field that interacts with a magnet in the speaker. This interaction causes the speaker's diaphragm (the cone) to vibrate, which then pushes against the surrounding air, producing sound waves that we perceive as sound.

In contrast, while an amplifier boosts audio signals for the speaker, it does not convert them into sound; rather, it prepares the signal for amplification. The microphone, on the other hand, performs the opposite function by converting sound waves into electrical signals for processing or recording. The receiver can also refer to devices that process signals but is not specifically tied to the conversion of electrical signals to sound in this context. Thus, the role of the speaker is uniquely essential for the direct conversion from electrical energy to sound energy.