In the age of technology, we are constantly surrounded with electronic devices: computers, phones, tablets, TVs -- the list goes on. Many people nowadays spend more time looking at screens than any other activity. We use them to work, to relax, to play, and to learn. They are an integral part of everyday life, and we rack up thousands of hours using electronics.
Vinyl records have been a popular listening format since their development almost 100 years ago. The 33 1/3 rpm speed vinyl we are familiar with today was first introduced in 1948. Since then, vinyl records have gone through multiple waves of popularity, and are actually gaining traction again today. Even with the modern listening formats we have now, people love the experience of vinyl. Details like putting the needle on the record and reading lyrics or liner notes on the record cover create an intimate and nostalgic experience. Many vinyl fans argue that vinyl simply sounds better than other playback methods.
A popular speaker option for hi-fi audio systems is in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. Often times listeners want hi-fi surround sound but don't have the space for bookshelf or floorstanding speakers around the TV or living space. If this is the case, concealed speakers are a great alternative. They are also perfect for outdoor sound solutions or permanent installations in home theatre rooms.
In-ear headphones nowadays offer an extremely immersive audio experience packed in a tiny bud. Although they are small, the quality they can offer is comparable to that of on-ear and over-ear headphones. Many models from hi-fi audio brands like Onkyo and Sennheiser offer impressive noise cancellation features and a balanced range of frequencies for hi-fi surround sound listening.
HDMI has become a staple in all of our home electronic systems -- we use it for our TVs, gaming consoles, monitors, DVD players, and more. Because so many devices rely on HDMI connections these days, we often find that we have too many HDMI cables and not enough ports to plug them in. This problem calls for HDMI splitters and switches. Although these devices are often referred to interchangeably, they serve different purposes. So, what's the difference and how do you know which one you need?
You're probably all too familiar with high definition jargon: HD, 4K, high resolution, 1080p, pixel scaling -- the list goes on. These terms are always thrown at us when shopping for a TV, but what do they actually mean? What's the science behind high definition?
If you are considering buying a projector, it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for you. If you think you can order any projector within your budget and hope for the best -- think again. There are many different kinds of projectors with different specifications for certain uses and environments. There are a few things you need to determine before you shop for a projector, such as:
It's no surprise that the world of hi-fi audio and surround sound is complicated. There are many popular beliefs about surround speaker systems that are misleading, or are simply not true. As experts of the craft, we're here today to break down these hi-fi myths and uncover the truth:
We all love our electronics – we use them every day, from smartphones, to laptops, to speakers, to smart watches, to gaming consoles, and everything in between. We also love upgrading our electronics, and unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Our devices break or become obsolete. When an electronic device is no longer useful or wanted, this is known as e-waste.
Typically, when you think of cables, you probably think of pre-cut cables with connectors already attached, ready to be plugged in straight out of the box. For speaker cables, this most often means a stereo RCA cable to connect a speaker to an amplifier or receiver. But this is not the only way to buy cables! When it comes to full hi-fi audio systems, a popular alternative is DIY speaker cable. This means purchasing bare wire by the metre or by the roll and customising it yourself.
The days of analog are over. Now, almost all audiovisual electronic devices can produce hi-def sound or picture quality. And, in order to transfer HD data, you need an HD-compatible connection. That is why we have HDMI!
While we all love our furry friends, we know that they can be troublemakers. You're probably all too familiar with the dreaded feeling of finding out that the cat chewed through a TV cable, or the dog got hold of your new headphones. This is no infrequent incident -- pets cause an estimated $3 billion in damage to electronic devices each year! This, of course, is not just damaging to your electronics, but puts your pets in danger, especially when it comes to cables running electricity or swallowing batteries.
