Typically, most people consider the speakers to be the most important part of a sound system, and the only part worthy of spending hours to choose the right ones. What most don't realize is that the amplifier is just as important in terms of sound quality and getting the most out of your speakers. Or, perhaps more importantly, that the wrong amplifier can damage or destroy your speakers. And it's not just about having the best amplifier, it's about having an amp that is fully compatible with your speakers. 

You may often hear the debate for receivers versus amplifiers. They are both essential components of a home theatre or hifi audio system – but what is the difference? Why do we need them, anyways?

Microphones are used to record audio in a variety of different settings, from professional music production in a studio to podcasts to simple video calls at home. As you probably know, not all microphones are built the same way, and different types of mics are designed for different purposes. Each kind has its own advantages and limitations, and it’s important to learn about the major differences if you’re interested in buying a microphone.

Just as with all hifi audio equipment, proper maintenance and upkeep of your turntable is essential for protecting the sound quality and lengthening its lifespan. Record players in particular are sensitive pieces of equipment and can be easily damaged by normal amounts of dirt and dust. And if you think that you don’t get your turntable dirty, think again. When a turntable needle hits the grooves of a record, it produces a small amount of static electricity which actually attracts dust to it. Beyond that, dust will collect on the turntable naturally, so even if yours sits idly on the shelf, it still needs to be cleaned. Worry not – just a little upkeep and cleaning goes a long way to prevent damage that is expensive to repair and help your turntable last as long as possible.

If you’ve looked into high quality headphones at all, you probably noticed that there are many, many different kinds. Picking a brand is hard enough, but each brand has a plethora of models to choose from. And it’s not just about price and specs – the most expensive pair is not necessarily the best for your needs. Beyond external design, different models actually have distinct purposes and are designed for specific uses. Generally, there are three main categories of headphones: consumer, studio, and gamer.

High quality cinema from home is becoming increasingly popular with the rise of online streaming services and as we all spend more time at home during the pandemic. Movie theatres may never again exist as we once knew them, so now is a better time than ever to start watching hi-def movies from home.

A home theatre doesn’t have to be extravagant or an entire room dedicated to watching movies. It can even be as simple as having a surround sound system that mimics the experience of a movie theatre right in your living room. If you’re considering investing in a home theatre, or you just want to level up your at-home TV experience, these are the basic components you may need:

Soundbars and centre speakers are similar pieces of equipment. They both are meant to sit right under the TV in a home audio setup, producing sound from the centre of the room. So, are they interchangeable? Can you use a soundbar as a centre channel speaker in your surround sound system?

What is a Preamp?

A preamplifier is used for recording audio; it boosts an audio signal by increasing the signal gain. The signal that comes from an instrument, such as a guitar, bass, synthesizer, or microphone, is too weak to be processed by a DAW. This is why these signals are referred to as ‘mic-level’ or ‘instrument-level’. Processing gear requires audio at a higher volume, or line-level signals. To raise the volume of a signal, a preamp takes the audio through a process known as “gain staging”. This means it increases a signal volume while minimizing the noise level to help you achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio.

Proper placement of your home speakers is essential to getting the full hifi audio experience. If you've invested a significant sum of money into your speaker system, you want to be able to hear the full capabilities of your equipment, and placement can have a large effect on sound quality, especially when it comes to music. There are a variety of factors to consider during speaker placement to get a full, crisp sound from your hifi speakers.

Why go multiple subwoofers?

There has been a lot of discussion on AV forums about the concept of running multiple subwoofers with a bit of confusion created about the reason why.

We all know that one friend that just loves having their big sub turned up loud and thumping throughout their house, which isn't a bad thing if you're really into your bass.
For those looking to get the best from their home theatre or Hi-Fi set up, having multiple smaller subwoofers can be a great upgrade to consider.

Last week we talked about the role of Front Speakers in your set up. Today we would like to give you the simple run-down on the role of Rear Speakers. What is their function, and how important are they in achieving excellent sound. By understanding the role each speaker plays in surround sound, it will make it easier for you to get the best possible result.

So last week we talked about the role of a Centre Speaker in your set up. Today we would like to give you the simple run-down on the role of Front Speakers. What their function is, and how important are they in achieving excellent sound. By understanding the role each speaker plays in surround sound, it will make it easier for you to get the best possible result.