Featured Articles

Revealing Flaws in the Loudspeaker Demo & Double Blind Test

Manufacturers will often try to sell you the line that their speakers are as good as speakers many times their price. They'll even run their own tests to prove it. This is why they are wrong.

Basic Subwoofer Setup Guide NOT for Dummies

This is a basic setup guide to learn how to place and configure your sub and A/V receiver in layman's terms to ensure you get the most out of your A/V system.

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Audioholics Subwoofer Measurement Data Compilation & Report
Gene DellaSala — last modified February 03, 2012 16:01

By now you’ve seen the numerous subwoofer reviews we’ve published using our new Powered Subwoofer Test and Room Size Rating protocol. Audioholics.com has invested a great deal of resources measuring and analyzing subwoofers over the last few years. As a result we have created the industry’s most comprehensive testing procedure and database of tabulated measurement results. Our tests adhere to our strict testing methodology which is also compliant to the CEA-2010 Subwoofer Measurement Standard whenever practical. In this article, we will take you on a tour of our Excel Spreadsheet measurement results called “Audioholics CEA-2010 Subwoofer Measurement Data”. It is our hope that the reader can achieve a better understanding of what all the data means for a more informed purchasing decision by making objective apples-apples comparisons between various tested products.

A Detailed Look at the Importance of Proper Loudspeaker Cabinet Bracing
david — last modified January 02, 2012 23:28

A recent Audioholics article about loudspeaker cabinet bracing posited that one measure of quality is in a well-braced cabinet. Poorly or improperly braced loudspeaker cabinets vibrate unduly, coloring the overall acoustic output and lowering fidelity. In this article, we will explore the reasons that a stiff cabinet is a desirable feature of a well-designed loudspeaker based on established engineering mechanics using Finite Element Analysis to illustrate modal behavior of a cabinet under load with and without bracing. We will also discuss how improper understanding of this subject matter and a limited amount of measurement of a test mockup could falsely lead one to believe that using fewer braces, thereby lowering the panel resonance of a cabinet, is desirable. Simply adding more braces to a cabinet may not be the most effective way to reduce vibration IF those braces are not stiff enough to force higher modal behavior in the panel under time varying loads, such as music. As you will see in this analysis, the stiffer the cabinet, the lower the resonances become which will greatly reduce unwanted colorations of sound.

Identifying Legitimately High Fidelity Loudspeakers: Myths & Facts about Crossovers
Gene DellaSala — last modified January 19, 2012 22:02

The loudspeaker crossover can be considered the brain of the loudspeaker. It directs the bandwidth of frequencies each driver is optimized to reproduce while it also level matches each driver and can help to stabilize the load impedance the amplifier will see. No matter how much science a loudspeaker company may tout leading them to certain design choices, without careful observation of their "science" one cannot be sure of its accuracy. It's easier and often more profitable to justify using cheaper parts or less elaborate design practices than to take the time to do it right. This article explores some of the myths and facts about crossover design. It also discusses some of the mistakes often made by loudspeaker manufacturers done either as cost savings or design incompetence. It is our hope that the reader will gain a better understanding of the mechanics of loudspeaker crossovers so they can make a more informed purchasing decision.

Why are TVs Typically Brighter than Front Projectors?
Clint DeBoer — last modified November 09, 2011 07:53

A front projection system is very different, fundamentally, than a flat panel TV. A front projector is sending light to a passive screen from the front. This has two very important implications: 1) the only way you can get "black" is by the absence of light, and 2) any light hitting the screen also reflects back into the room and causes the potential for true 'black' to decrease. On top of that, a third factor would be that you are also measuring light output from a reflected surface, rather than from the emitted source itself.

Identifying Legitimately High Fidelity Loudspeakers: Myths & Facts about Cabinets
Paul Apollonio , Gene DellaSala — last modified December 30, 2011 12:47

The cabinet is a big expense in the total budget of a loudspeaker system. Cost cutting is an easy area for some manufacturers to rationalize by using pseudo science and also knowing most consumers won't take a peek inside the box to see what’s going on. This article explores some of the common myths we've uncovered and discusses how poorly executed decisions can ultimately compromise the quality of the product. The sum of the parts really does matter in loudspeakers, as does the engineering behind making all of the parts work together as one unit. Take the time to research the mechanics of the enclosure if the manufacturer is willing to espouse the information. Pay close attention to our reviews where we often dissect the speakers to give an inside look and analysis. If you are seeking out truly high quality loudspeakers, don't settle for mediocre or even average build quality, especially if the price tag doesn't justify it.

The High Instantaneous Current Spec
Dan Banquer — last modified October 18, 2011 19:51

We've all seen amplifier companies tout that their amps are "high instantaneous current". Using the very basic principle governing electricity called Ohm's Law (V=I*R), how could it be possible that 100 watt amp has "higher current" than another 100 watt rated amplifier? This very subject has come up on numerous audio forums including the Audioholics forum, and this article explores that topic as well as the history of how the term "high current" became popularized by some manufacturers. We do some basic calculations to illustrate just how nebulous this specification often really is.

Summit Wireless Technology Affordable Wireless Solution Could Revolutionize the Industry
Gene DellaSala — last modified September 10, 2011 07:47

Summit Wireless has announced a low cost speaker module design and companion amplifier targeting entry level home theater systems with its Summit Wireless technology. The new speaker module design is said to represent a 53% reduction in size over the current implementation, while still retaining the robust high definition link performance with built-in four antenna diversity allowing placement of a speaker anywhere in a room without signal loss or interruption. An OEM manufacturer can implement this technology into their speakers to provide a fully amplified and wireless hi-definition experience to their consumers. Summit Wireless is working on dongle that can connect directly to USB to pull audio from all sources attached to an HDTV display for surround decoding wirelessly to Summit enabled speakers. We saw a demo and and like of their prior demos, we were most impressed.

Audioholics Subwoofer Room Size Rating Protocol
Gene DellaSala — last modified November 14, 2011 16:36

As part of our new powered subwoofer measurement protocol, we will be offering a room size recommendation for each subwoofer tested based on the data gathered from our exhaustive CEA SPL vs frequency and distortion output testing. It is our hope that the methodology we chose in determining the room size capability for subwoofers can be a useful general rule of thumb for an end user attempting to determine which model is right for their listening space. Of course we always recommend multiple subwoofers for more overall output and smoother bass response from seat to seat. The goal for a great A/V system is lots of clean output and a similarly good listening experience for all listening seats in the room, NOT just the money seat. See what "Bassaholic" rating recommendation your favorite subwoofer will earn or how many identical subs you will need to add in your room to achieve it.

Identifying Legitimately High Fidelity Loudspeakers - the Economics of Cost Cutting
Paul Apollonio , Gene DellaSala — last modified December 29, 2011 17:23

This article explores the economics behind the speaker business and some of the cost cutting approaches loudspeaker companies make to maximize profits while still keeping the products affordable to the consumer. It is our goal to help the reader decide if loudspeakers from their favorite manufacturer are built for serious sound or serious profit. Speaker building, especially during the design phase, is, if nothing else, an effort in compromise for all but those most expensive systems. A good designer must weigh every choice in light of its cost, as well as its relative contribution to the overall performance of the system. It does so with a historical perspective considering what has come before, and the changes which have occurred in the marketplace over the last three decades. We will briefly delve into the shortcomings that arise resulting from these cost cutting techniques used, especially when poorly applied.

Technical Article : 2010 Subwoofer Shootout Room Size Recommendation Comparison Gene DellaSala — last modified September 28, 2011 10:24

Technical Article : Powered Subwoofer Testing: Outline and Procedures Overview Josh Ricci — last modified February 03, 2012 16:02

Technical Article : Interview with Aperion Audio on Loudspeaker Design Philosophy Gene DellaSala — last modified July 06, 2011 17:53

Technical Article : Interview with Atlantic Technology on Loudspeaker Design Philosophy Gene DellaSala — last modified July 04, 2011 11:56

Technical Article : Audio Power Cables & Cords - Do they really make a difference? Kurt Denke (Blue Jeans Cable) — last modified May 04, 2011 12:37

Technical Article : Audio Measurements: The Useful vs. the Bogus in Consumer Audio Gene DellaSala — last modified April 11, 2011 13:37

Technical Article : Wolfson WM8860 HD Audio with S/PDIF Transmitter Clint DeBoer — last modified January 06, 2011 08:49

Technical Article : LED vs LCD TVs Clint DeBoer — last modified December 30, 2010 06:50

Technical Article : Audioholics 2010 Subwoofer Shootout Measurements Overview paul — last modified July 22, 2011 17:12

Technical Article : Basic Amplifier Measurement Techniques Gene DellaSala — last modified October 09, 2010 11:55

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