Informative


  • Boombox Bonanza: The History and Evolution of Portable Music Players

    In a world dominated by smartphones and wireless earbuds, it’s easy to forget the trailblazers of portable audio that paved the way. This journey through the history and evolution of portable music players is filled with innovation, cultural shifts, and technological marvels. Letโ€™s dive into the groovy history and evolution of portable music players, a…

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  • Deciphering a Stereoโ€™s Acoustical Measurements and Taking Corrective Actions

    In my previous article, entitled โ€œAnalyzing a Stereoโ€™s Frequency Response and Decay Timesโ€, I suggested measurement tips and the use of important variables to do with frequency response and decay times. This article begins with a measurement baseline of a 2-channel stereo with two subwoofers within a typical domestic living room (25โ€™ x 11.25โ€™ x 8โ€™)…

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  • Is Class-D Technology About As Good As Itโ€™ll Ever Get?

    As an audiophile on a journey of perpetually better sound, I was left slightly disconcerted by class-D trailblazer Bruno Putzeysโ€™s assertion, in my previous class-D article, that, as he put it, well-done class-D amplification was now so good that โ€œthe amplifier part is basically a solved problemโ€. I understood the gist of what Bruno meant…

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  • Making Speakers Smaller and Better With MEMS Technology: Talking With Moti Margalit of Sonic Edge

    “Sonic Edgeโ€™s driver is based on ultrasound, where ultrasound is generated from multiple speakers, each the width of a human hair.”

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  • The ABCs of Audio: Exploring the Hi-Fi Lexicon

    Welcome to “The ABCs of Audio: Hi-Fi Lexicon,” your ultimate guide to understanding the fundamental terms and concepts in high-fidelity audio. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this article breaks down complex audio jargon into simple explanations. We use two levels of simplicity: In the following sections, weโ€™ll cover essential…

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  • Analyzing a Stereoโ€™s Frequency Response and Decay Times

    Many of us use our listening rooms as a place to escape the world and its problems, so that we may decompress and recharge our batteries. One thing I, as an audiophile, discovered is that the better the sound quality in my room, the more Iโ€™ve been able to connect emotionally with my music. That…

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  • Festi Jazz Mont-Tremblantโ€”Why You Should Go

    I go every year to the Montreal International Jazz Festivalโ€”I love it. But if you donโ€™t like crowds, or you donโ€™t mind them and just like to go to outdoor music festivals in general, might I suggest a visit to Festi Jazz Mont-Tremblant, a smaller, cozier, more laid-back version of its Montreal cousin.

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  • Is Class-D Amplification Now Better than Class-A/B and Class-A?

    A couple of years ago, a designer of high-end tube equipment said something to me that left such an impact it eventually led me, now that the conditions seem right, to write this article. That mind-bomb was set off when I asked the designer if heโ€™d ever consider making a class-AB amp. Shaking his head,…

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  • Closing The Gap Between Analogue and Digital

    “I believe weโ€™re living in a golden age of digital, where the differences between digital and analogue playback are becoming vanishingly low.”

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  • How to Correctly Integrate Subwoofers Into a Stereo System, Part 3

    “In this last part, I’ll address subwoofer time alignment with the main speakers and compare 5 popular crossover strategies.”

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  • The Vinyl Frontier: A Spin Through Record Store Day

    Click here to jump to the highlights and special releases of the 2024 edition. On April 20th, vinyl enthusiasts and music aficionados around the globe unite for a celebration that spins beyond just a routine shopping spreeโ€”itโ€™s Record Store Day, the annual event thatโ€™s been putting the needle back on the beloved grooves of vinyl…

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  • Should You Get a Surround Sound System?

    “Thereโ€™s plenty of quality content available in surround sound for music and movies. Why not take advantage of it?”

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  • Streaming vs. Lossless: Understanding Audio Formats

    In the ever-evolving landscape of digital music, the quest for pristine sound quality amidst the convenience of digital formats has led to the creation of an array of lossless audio codecs. These formats serve as a beacon for audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike, offering a sanctuary where the integrity of sound is preserved in its…

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  • How to Correctly Integrate Subwoofers Into a Stereo System, Part 2

    “Relying only on one’s ears to find the ideal placement for a subwoofer, without the help of measurement software, is a bad strategy, in my opinion.”

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  • How to Correctly Integrate Subwoofers Into a Stereo System, Part 1

    “To achieve ultimate bassโ€”the deepest, most solid, most seamless bassโ€”requires getting many things right” This article will show you how to do it.

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