General - Knowledge Base

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What In-Ceiling Speakers do you Recommend?

Height Channels – The Last Frontier While there are audible benefits to mounting an enclosed height speaker to a ceiling like our 1961 and 1723 S series, we can point you in the right direction if you absolutely must use in-ceiling speakers for Atmos duties.                       […]

Recommended AVR / Amplifiers

One of the most common concerns we get from customers is “Can my entry-level AVR power my speakers properly?”  The answer is definitely yes! You do not need an expensive or even prosumer AV receiver to bring out the proper sound signature of Arendal Sound speakers. The difference will be clear after the recommended 50-hour […]

Atmos: In-Ceiling vs Ceiling Mounted

In-ceiling speakers look nice and blend into your ceiling well, so why would one opt for a mounted ceiling speaker?   Enclosed Height Speaker Pros Better mid-bass performance This is because most in-ceiling speakers are open-backed and once mounted in a wall, it will not create the amount of bass an enclosed design would. Even […]

How Close Can I Place My Arendal Sound Subwoofer to a Surface?

In general, we recommend that you have at least 10cm (4 inches) between your subwoofer’s driver and the closest surface, like a wall or sofa.    Placing your subwoofer near a wall/corner will better allow it to couple with the room, which will amplify the deep bass in your space. This is an efficient way […]

How Should I Budget My Home Theater?

The speaker purchases in your home theater can usually be broken into four stages. Stage 1 For most people, it is best to start with the LCR or left/right/center channels.  The left and right channels are important because they handle most of the musical scores and dynamic sounds like gunshots and explosions. The center channel […]

How to Connect Multiple Passive Speakers Wirelessly?

Connecting multiple passive speakers wirelessly involves a bit more complexity than connecting wireless speakers, as passive speakers do not have built-in amplification or wireless connectivity. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this: Required Components Wireless Audio Transmitter and Receiver System: You will need a wireless transmitter connected to your audio source and receivers […]

Does Price Matter in Hifi?

In the realm of high-fidelity (HiFi) audio, the decision on how much to invest often presents a dilemma for both enthusiasts and casual listeners. The influence of price on HiFi quality is multifaceted, encompassing factors such as component excellence, technological advancements, brand reputation, and even marketing and distribution strategies. The Impact of Price on Quality […]

Do I Need an Active Crossover?

Let us start with the definition: What Is a Crossover? An active crossover is especially useful when using smaller speakers and integrating a subwoofer.It gives you proper control of the crossover frequency and sets the high-pass and low-pass filters accordingly. It also helps you with proper time alignment, so the mains and subwoofer play in […]

How to Deal with Cosmetic Damage

Cosmetic damage, whether discovered at unboxing or self-inflicted, can be a heart-wrenching experience. On the bright side, your speaker performance is still world-class, so it is not the end of the world. Here are some ways to deal with cosmetic damage to your Arendal Sound speakers. Glam Nation Gloss speakers that are damaged tend to […]

Room Modes

  The Short Room modes are a collection of frequencies that exist in a room caused by a sound source like a subwoofer or loudspeaker. Those modal frequencies are directly related to the room dimensions. A room mode can cause both peaks and dips in frequency response. When two or more waves meet with reflections […]

Recommended Crossover Points

Setting the crossover, the blend between your speakers and subwoofer, will always depend on your room acoustics and your personal preferences.This is just a recommendation to get you started. From here you can experiment and listen to what effect it has on the sound. It is also divided into two categories we named AV and […]

Balance Output Levels of Channels in a Surround Sound System

Why Do I Need to Balance Output Levels for All Channels in a Surround Sound System and What’s the Best Way to Do So? Level balancing (using your AVR’s built-in test tone generator) makes sure that your system is precisely calibrated to match the acoustical properties of your room, just as technicians do when they’re […]

REW Tutorials

REW or Room EQ Wizard is a piece of software that every home theater or music enthusiast should know. It is a very powerful tool to analyze what is going on with your room and system. As we all know, room acoustics have the biggest impact on sound closely followed by the speakers, so having […]

What Equipment Do I Need For A 2.1 Desk/Office Setup?

Good sound at your desk, is it possible? The short and simple answer: Yes of course! The equipment you will need is: A pair of suitable speakers for your room An amplifier to power them An Arendal Sound subwoofer An audio interface you connect to your PC with 2 or 4 TRS or XLR outputs […]

Best Movies to Test and Show Off Your Sound System

So you just bought, installed, and calibrated your awesome sound system and you really want to experience great sound? No worries, we got you covered with a wide selection of movie titles that will leave you impressed.Enjoy! A Quiet Place 2018 Mad Max: Fury Road 2015 Blade Runner 2049 Gravity 2013 Interstellar 2014 Ford v […]

How Do I Remove the Foam Plug From the Port?

Products We have added foam plugs into all our vented products. Be it Subwoofers or Speakers. When you first unbox your new product, you will find that the foam plug is already inserted into the port.  How do I remove it? Simply pinch the foam with your fingers and gently wiggle it from side to […]

Electrical Phase?

In the context of a power outlet, the term “phase” refers to the specific alternating current (AC) waveform that is provided by the electrical utility. In many countries, the electrical power grid delivers AC power with multiple phases, commonly known as single-phase or three-phase power. It’s important to note that in residential settings, power outlets […]

Recommended Measuring Equipment

Understanding how your speakers and subwoofer behave inside your room is key to getting the most out of your system.Only with measurements, you can confidently make adjustments and set EQs, crossovers, phase, etc.Luckily measuring equipment got very good and inexpensive over the last few years. Microphones miniDSP UMIK-1 – the most commonly used USB microphone […]

Room Size Matters: How to Fit a Home Cinema in a Small Space

Understanding the Importance of Room Size in Home Cinema Setups The first step towards establishing a home cinema in a small space is acknowledging that room size plays a crucial role in the overall sound experience. Size not only dictates the positioning of your audio-visual equipment but also directly influences the quality of sound. This […]

Soundproofing your Home Cinema: Crucial Steps and Common Mistakes

The Basics of Soundproofing Your Home Cinema Creating an immersive home cinema experience is as much about what you hear as it is about what you see. A crucial part of that equation is effective soundproofing, a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. It’s essential to understand that soundproofing a room after it’s […]

Resolving Common Seating Problems in Your Home Theater

The Importance of Seating in Your Home Theater Experience The home theater experience goes beyond the screen and the sound system. It encompasses the total environment that allows for the immersion and enjoyment of cinematic art at its best. Key to this environment is comfortable seating. The importance of seating in your home theater cannot […]

The Hidden Challenges of DIY Home Theater Installations

In an era of technological advancements, the idea of setting up your own home theater has never been more enticing. From the thrill of assembling your dream audio-visual setup to the potential cost savings, the DIY route can seem appealing. However, as the saying goes, “not everything that glitters is gold.” Today, we’ll explore the […]

Overcoming the Challenges of Building a Home Cinema in a Basement

Building a home cinema in a basement can be a gratifying endeavor. With careful planning, a basement can transform into an enviable entertainment space. Here’s a deep dive into what makes basements appealing for this purpose and how to overcome the challenges they may pose. Going Down Under: The Appeal of a Basement Home Cinema […]

Solving Home Theater Aesthetics: How to Make it Look Good

The Eye of the Beholder: Why Aesthetics Matter in Your Home Theater To kick off, we delve into the importance of aesthetics in your home theater setup. Is it possible to truly enjoy a space if its design doesn’t sit well with you? While having a top-notch audio-visual system in place is crucial, how the […]

How to Navigate the Home Cinema Building Process: Common Challenges

I. Laying the Groundwork: Understanding the Home Cinema Building Process In the realm of home entertainment, constructing a home cinema represents an exciting venture. This complex process requires a deep understanding of various aspects, from sound proofing to electrical requirements. because sound loves to travel through solid materials, we recommend separating or decoupling your home […]

A Guide to Solving Power Supply Challenges in Home Cinemas

Setting up an efficient and effective home cinema isn’t just about choosing the right audio and visual components—it’s also about addressing power supply challenges. Power and electricity is crucial for the optimal functioning of your home cinema and, when handled properly, can prevent disruptions, reduce noise, and ensure the longevity of your components. Power Supply […]

Initial Steps: Overcoming Home Theater Planning Roadblocks

Setting up a home theater system can seem like an overwhelming task with various challenges and hurdles to consider. Yet, with the right approach and planning, you can design a space that delivers a cinematic experience right in your living room, that easily blows commercial cinemas out of the water. In this article, we’ll explore […]

Planning for Sound: How to Avoid Acoustic Errors in Your Home Theater Design

Importance of Acoustics in Home Theater Design Immersing in the world of aural pleasure at the comfort of your own home takes more than just setting up a sound system in your living room. In reality, without proper room acoustics, you won’t be able to experience the true audio depth as the sound engineer intended. […]

How Proper Lighting Can Transform Your Home Cinema Experience

Creating a home cinema experience goes beyond having excellent audiovisual equipment. One factor that could significantly affect your entertainment sessions is lighting. Your home theater’s lighting can set the mood, create ambiance, and highlight certain features in the room, enhancing your cinema experience. Here’s how to make the most of your lighting system. Understanding the […]

Understanding the Importance of Proper Ventilation in Home Cinema Rooms

Introduction Imagine settling into your home cinema room, ready to lose yourself in the rich sounds of your favorite music or the engrossing world of a new movie, only to be pulled back to reality by discomfort caused by poor air quality. This inconvenience could be due to overlooked ventilation in your home cinema room, […]

How to Set up Your Anthem Amplifier with ARC

You just put your hands on a new Anthem amplifier and you want to get the best out of it, here’s a step-by-step guide to use their house-made ARC software. It’s based on an in-house experience and may have more tips than the official guide. Step 1: Checking for firmware Update Be sure to have […]

When Should I Do Another Calibration Run?

Setting up a home theater system can be a thrilling experience, offering cinema-quality sound in the comfort of your own home.  To achieve the best possible sound quality, calibration of the AVR is essential. But when should you recalibrate? Let’s explore the critical moments that call for another calibration run. The Initial SetupThe first and […]

What Should I Do If I Have Kids Or Animals Around My Speakers?

Kids and animals are great, but sometimes their hands and paws can let curiosity get the best of them. The easiest measure to protect your gear is to simply use the included grilles to prevent them from touching the delicate drivers on the speakers. If you are scared the speakers might tip over, the 1723 […]

What Is an Audio Interface?

An audio interface is a device that bridges the connection between your PC, microphones or guitars, and your speakers. You simply connect the USB cable to your PC and your speakers or amplifier to the audio interface through the appropriate outputs (Balanced TRS in the picture below) Then you select your audio interface as your […]

How to Connect a Speaker Cable

When setting up a sound system, one of the fundamental tasks is connecting speaker cables. In this guide, we’ll explore different methods of connecting speaker cables, including banana plugs, spades, and using bare wire directly in the terminals. Banana Plugs: The Convenient Choice Banana plugs are a popular choice for connecting speaker cables due to […]

A Beginners Guide To Home Theater – What You Need To Get Started

Components To get started with home theater you need a receiver, speakers, TV or projector, and a subwoofer. You also need cables to connect everything: Your speakers need speaker cables to connect them to the receiver. You need an HDMI cable to connect your receiver to your TV. You will also need HDMI cables or […]

What Is Bass Management?

Bass management in home theater refers to the process of sending low-frequency audio signals (bass) from various audio channels (such as stereo or surround sound) to the subwoofer. This ensures that low-frequency sounds are reproduced accurately and effectively throughout the listening environment. Why? There are multiple reasons why you want to take advantage of bass […]

How to Remove Hum Using an Optical Cable

In the pursuit of pristine audio quality, enthusiasts and professionals alike constantly seek ways to eliminate noise and interference that can affect their listening experience. One effective solution that has gained popularity is the use of optical cables to connect streamers or PCs to Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs). This approach can offer significant improvement over traditional […]

What Does RCA (In RCA Cable) Stand For?

RCA stands for Radio Corporation of America. The term “RCA cables” refers to a type of electrical connector commonly used to carry audio and video signals. The design was introduced by the Radio Corporation of America in the 1940s and has become a standard for connecting audiovisual equipment.

What Does XLR Stand For?

Origin and Meaning The term “XLR” doesn’t stand for anything specific today, though it has historical roots tied to the connector’s design. Originally developed by Cannon Electric, the connector was first called the “Cannon X” series. Later versions with a Latch and Rubber compound were labeled as “XL” and “XLR” respectively. This design evolution was […]

What Is the Recommended Viewing Distance When Watching TV?

For 4K TV models When using a 4K TV, the recommended viewing distance is 1.5x the TV’s vertical screen size. Our naked eye can’t differentiate individual pixels when watching a 4K TV at this distance. This translates to pixels effectively disappearing when watching 4K images. This, in turn, creates the impression that we are watching […]

How Do Vacuum Tubes Work?

In the world of high-fidelity audio, vacuum tubes hold a revered status, revered for their ability to infuse music with warmth, depth, and character. Despite the dominance of solid-state technology in modern electronics, vacuum tubes, also known as valves, continue to captivate audiophiles with their unique sonic signature and undeniable charm. At the heart of […]

What Are Crowsons?

Elevate your HT experience! At this point in your home theater journey, you have probably heard people mention transducers, specifically Crowsons. So what are they?  Think of them as tactile motion – just because audible sound ends, doesn’t mean the frequencies end. Achieving very low frequencies is not only difficult for some subwoofers, but sometimes […]

What is BEQ?

Find your lost bass! You may have heard the term BEQ but wondered what it is. Well, Bass EQ (BEQ) is a process for altering the LFE/ULF EQ of content (mostly 4K/Bluray) that has it’s lower frequencies severely filtered. This is not just adding random noise or filler to the movie soundtrack –  it’s the real low-frequency […]

Understanding Phono Preamps

In the world of vinyl records, the phono preamp (or phono stage) plays a crucial role in ensuring that the music from your turntable reaches your speakers in the best possible quality. But what exactly is a phono preamp, and how does it work? Let’s delve into the details, including the RIAA curve, to understand […]