Audio 101


  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Understanding Music Streaming: A Guide for Beginners

    No time to read? Click here to access our easy-to-understand grid covering what you need to know. Welcome to our beginner’s guide to understanding streaming. This guide is designed to help individuals with little to no knowledge of the streaming industry understand which service best caters to their needs, without delving too deeply into technical…

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  • Treating your room right

    โ€œTreating your room rightโ€ is a new series dedicated to acoustic treatment. Rarely, if ever, do audio magazines broach the subject of acoustic treatment, to your detriment. The simple truth is room treatments will help you get the most from your audio system. In fact, unless your roomโ€™s acoustic anomalies are addressed, it doesnโ€™t matter…

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  • Listen now: hereโ€™s how to set up your speakers

    Nothing is more important to the sound of your system than speaker placement. Gerard offers sage advice on getting it right. To get the best sound from your purchase and the biggest bang for the buck, you have to consider two main factors: One, is the room you place them in; you donโ€™t hear just…

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