Featured Reviews & Articles

This article takes a broad look at center channel design and discusses the prior two articles we've already written on the topic and compromises associated with horizontally arranging drivers. The subject of proper center channel speaker design is not a simple one. There are many considerations—price, desired coverage area, aesthetics, and others. A manufacturer has a daunting task trying to balance many seemingly conflicting requirements, while for the consumer, education and information are the keys. Being aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the various design types gives the consumer the best opportunity to make the most satisfying choice.

Shopping for and auditioning speakers can be a daunting experience for newcomers to home theater, and even some veterans for that matter. There are a myriad of brands, styles, price points, and plenty of people willing to give their opinions. For many, the most exciting part of shopping for speakers is sitting down and demoing them. We have to agree. Unfortunately, walking into a HiFi shop and asking to listen to some speakers probably won’t get you very far. Sure, the sales person will be happy to crank up some Pink Floyd from their iPod to ear bleeding volume levels and ask if it is the most amazing thing you have ever heard (yes, this happens quite often), but how do you know what you are hearing is because of the speakers and not the receiver, room, iPod, etc. This article helps weed out the variables in hopes to help you achieve a good demo experience on the showroom floor or in your own listening space.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Based on our new Subwoofer Room Size Protocol for determining subwoofer room size capability, we went back to our 2010 Subwoofer Shootout and tabulated the data below to see how each model ranked. All of the subs in this shootout earned our Large certification except the mighty Rythmik FV-15HP which earned our Bassaholic rating. If an end user is considering any of these subs other than the Rythmik and wishes to reach the 123dB reference level in a very large room, they are advised to purchase two of their chosen subwoofers. Unfortunately this would make the purchase more costly than a single sub solution. However multiple subs are always a good idea if your objective is to ensure smoother and more consistent bass for every seat in your theater, NOT just the money seat.