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.

We are thrilled to announce that Bowers & Wilkins are now available from Selby including the new 600 series and 700 series!

We're pleased to announce that we can now offer Express Post to more of our customers... and at better value rates!

We continue to offer Regular Post for free. But customers who want their orders faster can choose to upgrade to Express Post.

"Selby Acoustics has established itself in the Australian market thanks to our relentless dedication to customer service and communication. With customers traveling across Melbourne to our Hallam store, we realised the demand for another outlet to better serve Melbourne's inner suburbs.

Shaun O'Brien, Managing Director and Founder of Selby Acoustics

With that in mind, we are excited to announce our expansion with a third retail store, in Thornbury Victoria on 3^rd July 2018. Taking over the previous Hitek Audio Visual location, the Thornbury store at 594 High Street will see much of the Selby range available over the next few weeks. Hitek Audio Visual will be closing down on Saturday 30^th June, and Selby will open on the Tuesday.

There are great benefits to mounting your television on the wall. Not only will you have more space in the room, but you can also avoid the expense of buying furniture just to sit your television on.

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.

Getting your speakers set up right can be tricky, and knowing where and how to place the different types can sometimes be challenging. Pedestal stands are ideal for placing bookshelf speakers on, because they allow your speakers to be lifted off the floor. Often used as the rear speakers in a 5.1, 7.1, 9.1 or alternate setup, pedestal stands position these speakers at a height better suited to your listening experience.

While using bare wire is a perfectly acceptable way to connect your equipment, banana plugs are simple and convenient adaptors which make it quick and easy to connect and disconnect your speaker cable with your receiver/amplifier. As well as being an easy way to connect, installing banana plugs can also improve the connections between your equipment.

So you’re thinking about setting up a 5.1 Surround Sound system? There is a lot of information available about speaker types and speaker placement which can be overwhelming. Over the next few weeks we would like to focus on the types of speakers which are part of a 5.1 system, and their role in giving you excellent sound. By understanding the basics of the “job” each speaker has, it will make it easier for you to get the best possible result. Today we'll talk about the "Centre Speaker".