Glossary
Active: Uses electrical power.
Amplifier: An electronic device that increases the cur- rent and/or voltage of a signal, providing power to the loudspeakers (i.e. power amplifier, integrated amplifier, receiver).
Bass: The range of audio frequencies below 180Hz, characterized by low pitch.
Crossover: An electronic circuit that divides an audio signal into different frequency ranges.
Distortion: Any deviation from the original signal.
Driver: The moving part of a loudspeaker, which radiates sound energy.
Dynamics: Variations in loudness of sound.
Frequency: A rate of vibration, which corresponds to musical pitch, expressed in Hertz (Hz).
Full Range: A signal encompassing the entire audible frequency spectrum.
Hertz (Hz): A unit equal to one cycle per second, used to measure the frequency of a signal or sound.
Impedance: A measure of the total opposition to current flow in an alternating current circuit, measured in ohms. In Phase: The polarity of an audio signal when connect- ed as follows: (+) to (+) and
Integrated Amplifier: A preamplifier and amplifier built into one chassis.
Interconnect Cable: A length of shielded wire with plugs at both ends for feeding signals from one electronic device to another.
L.F.E.: "Low Frequency Effects"; The .1 channel of infor- mation recorded on most multichannel digital sound for- mats.
Load: A term used to describe the impedance that a speaker presents to an amplifier.
Main Speakers: Front L & R channel speakers, some- times referred to as satellites.
the back of a receiver, integrated amplifier or power amplifier.
Midrange: The frequency span in the middle of the audio range, roughly 180Hz - 3000Hz. Also used to describe the driver that reproduces these frequencies.
Ohm: A unit of electrical resistance. That which opposes an electric current in a conductor. In audio, a measure of the load presented by a device to an electrical source.
connected as follows: (+) to
Passive: Uses no electrical power.
Phase: An expression of the relative polarities of two sig- nals.
Power Handling: The ability of a loudspeaker to operate without large increases in distortion when given varying amounts of input power.
Preamplifier: An electronic device that selects sources and passes
Satellite: Front L & R speakers when used with a sub- woofer. Also referred to as "main speakers". Sensitivity: A ratio of voltage across the speaker load to the acoustic power output, measured in decibels.
Sub Out: An line level output for connection to a sub- woofer or subwoofer signal processor.
Subwoofer: A driver designed to operate over the low bass portion of the audio range. Also refers to a system consisting of a woofer and its enclosure, which are phys- ically separate from the upper range loudspeakers.
Surround Speakers: Speakers located in the side or rear for surround channel effects.
Treble: The upper part of the frequency spectrum, con- sisting of frequencies above about 3000Hz.
Tweeter: A small driver designed to reproduce high fre- quencies.
Watt: A measure of electrical power, combining the volt- age with the electrical current required to drive the loud- speaker.
Weight: Low frequencies below 50Hz.
Woofer: A driver designed to operate over the bass por- tion of the audio range.