If you're into audio, you probably know that the materials a speaker is composed of impact the quality of sound reproduction. One of the strongest examples of this is the speaker diaphragm, or cone.
Going by the name, one would think that home audio is all about the audio. But we know better. The aesthetics of audio tech have always been important, although the look that's considered desirable has changed over the years.
Soundbars have quickly become extremely popular hi-fi audio options for the casual home entertainment system. They offer a great way to improve the audio quality of your TV without investing in a multiple speaker system. While soundbars are no replacement for surround sound systems, they offer excellent audio quality at an affordable price. The role of the soundbar should never go under-appreciated, and we've already discussed the process for finding the right soundbar that suits your needs. Here we'll talk about what goes on inside a soundbar that makes it able to produce such high quality audio in such a compressed package.
We've all heard the terms "surround sound" and "stereo" in reference to types of sound systems, and along with them, loads of accusations about quality and their ability to create the clearest, most realistic sounds. But what do these terms actually mean? What is the difference between stereo and surround sound, and how do they correlate to sound quality?
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.
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:
