Stereo: Stereophonic sound, commonly named stereo, is the reproduction of sound using two or more independent audio channels through a symmetrical configuration of loudspeakers in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing. It is often contrasted with monophonic, or “mono” sound, where audio is in the form of one channel, often centered in the sound field (analogous to a visual field). -wikipedia
In short, stereo sound = sound coming out from 2 channel
2.0/2.1 Stereo System:
Refers to 2 loudspeakers (Left/Right) with an additional sub-woofer for bass for 2.1
Audiophiles:
An audiophile, from Latin audio[1] “I hear” and Greek philos[2] “loving,” is a hobbyist, identified by their love for music, or use of high-end audio electronics. Often underrated, many only claim to be audiophiles when they have crazily expensive equipments but to me it simply meant those who love their music the way the want the music to be like!
Speakers: Often known as loudspeakers with drivers to produce sound from your source
Monitor/Active Speakers: Self powered, does not require additional amplifier. Often used in recording studios to replicate music/sound the way it was suppose to be presented naturally. Sound signature normally claimed to be Flat, but often tweaked to the liking of the audio technician/researchers’ taste. Flat sound aren’t really favorable to everyone so please try it out before rushing to purchase!
Eg: Adam Audio A5s, Audio Engine A5s, Dynaudio B5 etc
Passive Speakers: as the term passive states, unable to produce sound on its own, thus requiring an amplifier to drive the speakers.
Eg: Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, Usher-S520, John Blue JB3 etc
Satellite Speakers: Term used for smallest speaker range, normally found in small Home Theatre System and multimedia speakers.
Bookshelves: A Tier larger than Satellite speakers.
Floorstanders: The largest speakers!! Normally standing about 1 metre tall minimum, has full range of drivers from bass to mids to treble.
Multimedia Speakers: Commonly used for PC/HTPC ( Hometheatre PC ) usually self powered/active, only required to connect to the soundcard. As many claim, this is the basic of the basic audio set up but with the likes of Logitech Z5500 and Creative T-20 speakers, they are giving some other brands a run of the money.
Sub-Woofer: A subwoofer is a woofer, or a complete loudspeaker dedicated to the reproduction of bass audio frequencies, from 150 Hz[1] down as far as 20 Hz, or in rare cases lower. A.K.A Sub. -wikipedia. In order to get more bass, sub is normally place at the corners of wall to reflect the bass out, this ensure a more powerful delivery of sound. In rare cases are the “down-firing” subs like the sub of Altec Lansing ATP3 or the old models of Sonic-Ear as well as the new AudioEngine S8.
eg. Wharfedale WH-208 / AudioEngine S8
DAC: Digital Audio Converter
Exists in all Soundcards and CD Players, even MP3 players. They convert the signal transmitted via CDs/MP3s/FLACCs etc into audio signal to the Amps/Speakers. This is rank no.3 importance to the whole audio system, it is definitely vital to have a DAC of a certain quality. A few examples that I’ve tested are:
Entry: Superpro DAC (<$200)
Super Entry: StyleAudio HD1V (<$250)
Mid-Tier: Citypulse da2.03e (<$650)
Top Tier: Benchmark Audio (<$2XXX)
Amplifier: An audio amplifier is an electronic amplifier that amplifies low-power audio signals (signals composed primarily of frequencies between 20 hertz to 20,000 hertz, the human range of hearing) to a level suitable for driving loudspeakers and is the final stage in a typical audio playback chain. -wikipedia
eg. Poppulse Amp does a wonder 60W per channel!
Speaker Cables
Interconnects
Powercord
Power Conditioner
tbc . . .
