Understand
Learn how audio equipment works and how the parts of a system fit together.
Articles tagged Understand
Audio sound terms explained: describe what you hear
Bass, brightness, imaging and dynamics become more useful words when you attach them to a particular sound and listening condition. This guide groups common descriptions by tonal balance, space and changes over time. Use them to explain an observation or preference clearly, while keeping the possible cause separate from what you actually heard.
Room acoustics basics: direct sound, reflections and bass
What you hear from a speaker includes sound that travels straight to you and sound shaped by the room. Reflections and low-frequency resonances explain why moving a speaker or your seat can change the balance. Learn to distinguish these mechanisms, identify useful checks and understand what placement, physical treatment and electronic correction can each do.
Phono vs line: which input should your turntable use?
A magnetic cartridge’s phono signal needs suitable gain and playback equalization before feeding a normal line input. A turntable set to LINE has already applied its built-in phono processing. Match the output mode to the receiving input, and match the phono stage to the actual cartridge. Identical RCA plugs do not establish compatibility.
Lossless vs high-resolution audio: what each means
Lossless describes whether encoding preserves the digital audio samples supplied to it. High-resolution describes audio specifications, usually beyond the CD reference of 16-bit, 44.1 kHz PCM. These are separate properties. A lossless file can use CD resolution, while a higher-resolution label does not establish the original master, the playback route or an audible improvement.
Speaker specifications: what the numbers tell you
Speaker specifications become useful when you keep their measurement conditions attached. Frequency limits need a tolerance; sensitivity needs an input and distance; impedance changes with frequency. Power handling, maximum output and recommended amplifier power describe different things. Use a specification sheet to identify requirements and unknowns, then check the amplifier and intended installation separately.
Integrated amplifier, receiver, preamp and power amp: explained
A preamp selects the source and controls the signal level; a power amp supplies the output that drives passive speakers. An integrated amplifier combines those jobs. A conventional stereo receiver adds reception, traditionally a radio tuner. Digital inputs, streaming, phono processing and headphone outputs are separate features to check. You need the required functions, but they can share a box.
What do you need for a hi-fi system?
A hi-fi system needs a music source, a way to control listening level, amplification suited to the output, and speakers or headphones. Digital and record sources also need the appropriate conversion or phono processing. These are functions, not a required number of boxes: a computer, integrated amplifier or powered speaker system can already combine several of them.