How-Tos & Guides | Arendal Sound

How-Tos & Guides - Knowledge Base

If you don't find what you are looking for please contact us.

Adjustment of the SpikesKit

Supplied with The Tower and Monitor Stands, The Spike kit is there to ensure a firm stable mounting of your loudspeaker, with the ability to adjust tilt to suit listening seat height and uneven floors. We recommend optimisation of speaker positioning prior to fitting the spikes to prevent damaging floors and floor coverings. Due to […]

1723 Wall Mount Brackets

The 1723 Wall Mount flush bracket fits the following products:  1723 Monitor & 1723 Center, 2 brackets required  1723 Monitor S, 2 required 1723 Center & 1723 Center S, 2 required for horizontal placement 1723 Surround & 1723 Surround S, 1 required. Included in the box! 1723 Bookshelf S, 1 required Pricing is €20 each.  […]

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 […]

What Speakers Are Best for My Room Size?

The Greatest Gift Is Room Volume In audio, the bigger the room the better. This is because sound waves need space to travel and properly attenuate. Sound waves that have not decayed before hitting a surface can reflect in a different direction, several times before finding their way back to your ears. These reflections can […]

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 […]

Speaker Placement & Setup

Too often, calibrating a home cinema is a task that is often entirely left to the AV Receiver/Processor and an ‘Auto Setup’ or ‘Auto EQ’ feature. However, by taking steps to choose and set up your equipment properly, you reduce the requirement for EQ and less is always more with audio. EQ should be thought […]

Placement of the TriAxial surround back-speakers

Our TriAxial surround speakers have side drivers, where the one firing backwards in the room, is out of phase with the other drivers.  Therefore when mounting as the surround back channels in a seven-channel system, the in-phase drivers should be mounted pointing at each other in the center of the rear wall.   Meaning, the Left […]

Connecting 1723 speakers

All Arendal Sound 1723 Speakers offer the possibility of Bi-amp & Bi-wire, as well as normal single wire operation. In all cases, the tweeter (High) crossover is electrically separated from the mid/bass (Low) crossover, by removing the external jumper plates that come fitted between the top and bottom pairs of speaker input terminals. If using […]

Vented vs Sealed Subwoofers

Sealed box All Arendal subwoofers start with an optimally damped, low Q sealed box design. Low-frequency performance is accurately damped delivering a tight impulse response – the time the driver takes to stop moving after the signal has passed is very short – and rolls off at the natural sealed box rate of 12dB/octave below […]

A Guide to Positioning Dual Subwoofers

The benefits of multiple subwoofers are becoming common knowledge in home audio. In this guide we will cover the best locations to place your subwoofers in order to leverage the maximum benefit. Corner Placement In a typical room, it is best to hide your subwoofers by placing them in corners. In a rectangular room, you […]

Subwoofer 1S / 1V – Which Way Should the Driver Point?

Normally we suggest using our subwoofers with the logo facing the listening position. That means the driver will face the right side of the room. We find that this typically couples best with the room in the lower frequencies, although the wavelengths at the usable frequency range will distribute in a 360-degree pattern all around […]

Adjusting the Parametric Equalizer – Pro Tips

First of all; the best place to start is not the PEQ at all, but rather by moving the subwoofer around, moving the seating position and doing acoustic measures such as adding absorbers or diffusers in your room – changing the EQ is not magic and should be viewed as the last step in achieving […]

Which Subwoofer is Right for My Setup?

When it comes to subwoofer choice, the decision is can be made based on the variables below. Usage Arguably the most important factor when considering a type of subwoofer. We recommend vented subwoofers for those who primarily watch movies. Our vented subwoofers have more output below 40hz, i.e., they sound louder when playing deep bass; […]

Cleaning Speakers

All our speakers and subwoofers have a premium high-quality painted finish. Here is how to clean them. You will need: Soft duster, like a Swiffer e.g. Two soft microfiber towels  Water   First step Dust off any loose dust particles. If you have a small blower for cleaning PCs you can use that as well. […]

What Can I Check If My Subwoofer Is Humming

Subwoofer hum is a potential issue that can be caused by a variety or combination of sources. Finding the solution is usually a complex game of trial and error, depending entirely on the root cause.  In order to save yourself some initial headache, please try the troubleshooting guide below: Grounding Issue The ground current is […]

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 […]

What Are Transient Responses?

Do you need a speaker with a good transient response? We have all heard the terms and catchphrases in home theater: dynamics, details, imaging, and transient response. But, what are transient responses and should you care? Should a speaker’s transient response factor into your purchasing decision?  Transients are quick changes in amplitude that occur in […]

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: Time-Alignment between Speakers and Subwoofer

Time-alignment is crucial to a high fidelity experience but is definitely intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with the process. With this short guide, we hope to make the time-alignment process much less painful, and for some, even fun. Basic Time-Alignment Formula Professional software typically measures time-alignment/delay in milliseconds, but some software makes it easier […]

My New Subwoofer Is Weak

Your new Arendal Sound subwoofer has arrived! You eagerly unbox it and plug it into your setup. Most customers’ first impressions are beyond expectation, but for a small percentage there is a disappointment; the output is weak. If you find yourself in the latter group, fear not, it is almost definitely a settings issue that […]

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 […]

A Simple Guide to Positioning One Subwoofer

Subwoofer advice often starts with the phrase “subwoofer placement is critical”, and in our experience, this is absolutely true. So how do you figure out the best location? See below:   Experiment Our subwoofers sound better than most, and this is before factoring in the value to cost ratio. But if you want to take […]

What Speakers Blend Well with Yours?

Timbre matching has always been a top priority when designing our speakers. For home theater, an all Arendal Sound setup will naturally provide the most cohesive surround experience. But what if you must build your Arendal Sound system piece by piece and will be blending with other brands in the meantime? We can give some […]

The Benefits of Our Bookshelf Design

Most people consider our bookshelf speakers when space is a concern, but there are a few other reasons you should put them on your shortlist. 2-Channel Music Our bookshelves sound wonderful in 2-channel setups because they couple extremely well in-room, surrounding you in music. Credit must be given to the custom waveguide and tweeter, allowing […]

What Happens If I Disconnect the Bars on My 1723 Surround or 1723 Surround S?

For normal usage of the 1723 Surround S and you must have the bridges connected.  By removing the bridges you disconnect the side drivers on the 1723 Surround and 1723 Surround S. This can be done if you want to use the Surround speakers as Atmos channels to get a more direct sound from the […]

Recommended In-Wall/In-Ceiling Speakers

While we do not currently make custom-install products, it is definitely a future option.  The Alternative For those with limited floor space, our non-tower speakers can all be flush mounted to a wall via our brackets. Just make sure and use two brackets for our larger, reference 1723 Monitor and Center. Furthermore, we always insist […]

Can I Place Monitors/Center on My Subwoofer?

The search for the right monitor/center stand can be tedious, as is finding the space for a subwoofer in a non-dedicated room. But can you place your monitors on your Arendal Sound subwoofer? We are happy to say that you definitely can. Non-Slip Just make sure to place a non-slip material between the speaker and […]

Why Not More Speakers Like 9.2.4?

Some customers seek advice on speaker layout for their space, and are disappointed when we recommend a 5.1 or 7.1 setup. Keep reading for some insight as to why we sometimes recommend a more conservative number of speakers.   Why So Few? We all know that speakers that are ideally placed in relation to the […]

Are Your Vented Subwoofers Ok for Music?

You like movies and listen to music as well, but only have one room. Can you get away with using one of our vented subwoofers for both? We suspect you already know the answer, but continue to understand why.                          Better Is Not Easy […]

The Benefits of Dual Subwoofers

This is a common question that is well researched. Let’s break down when you can get by with a single subwoofer, and why you most likely want two. One Seat If you are only worried about low-frequency sound at one seat, you are most likely fine with one subwoofer. With the help of ideal placement […]

One Large Subwoofer or Two Smaller Subwoofers?

The optimal number of subwoofers depends on your room and needs. Let’s break it down below. Bigger Is Better? When it comes to subwoofers, which are low-pressure frequency devices, there is no replacement for displacement. A larger enclosure makes everything a subwoofer is trying to do easier.  Build quality and design being equal, translates 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 […]

Dual Source With Two Stereo Systems

In addition to our two guides for dual-source; 1961 Amplifier settings – Best practice for Dual Source 1723 Amplifier settings – Best practice for Dual Source We go through the specific case of using two stereo systems in dual-source mode on our 1961 and/or 1723 subwoofers. 1961 Subwoofers Since the 1961 Subwoofers only have a […]

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 […]

What Is a Subsonic Filter

A subsonic filter is a component on your subwoofer that reduces the intensity of notes which come through at lower frequencies. It decreases the amplitude of those low notes that you feel more than you hear. In other words, it’s what we know as a high-pass filter: a filter that lets through signals above a […]

What Does “Number of Subs” in the Menu on the Subwoofer Mean?

What does “Number of subs” in the menu on the subwoofer mean?   This setting is only enabled if you have chosen Reference level On, in the level menu. This setting will enable 1, 2, or 4 subwoofers to have reference level in room, for ease of adjustment from an AVR or similar source. It […]

Calibrating Multiple Subwoofers

Calibrating multiple subwoofers can be a daunting task that can take a lot of time.  We came across this well-structured and easy-to-understand tutorial, that is definitely worth watching.In his video, he is using the miniDSP to do all the settings, but you can actually do a similar setup with our 1723 Subwoofers, as they have […]

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 […]

How to Get Great Sound in a Small Room.

Great sound in a small room is possible. Listening to music or watching movies in a dedicated listening room can be a great way to enhance the overall experience. However, choosing a small room for this purpose can present some unique challenges. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of having a […]

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 […]

Toed-in Speakers Can Make All the Difference.

I’ve heard the term ‘toe in’ but what does it mean? With so many different terms in the audio world, it can be hard to keep up and understand what they all mean. So let’s demystify this one and get you one step closer to better-sounding audio.Toe-in refers to the angle at which a pair […]

Can You Use Our Center Chanel Speakers Vertically?

Horizontal or Vertical does it make a difference? Typically, the orientation of center channel speakers is horizontal to fit under projector screens or TVs but from time to time we get the question can it be used vertically. Perhaps you are building a baffle wall or would like to use our center channel speaker behind […]

Setting Subwoofer Phase in a Stereo System

Setting the correct phase on an active subwoofer is an essential step in achieving optimal sound quality in your stereo speaker system. This article will guide you through the process of setting the correct phase on your subwoofer and ensure that it is working in sync with your main speakers. First, let’s define what we […]

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 […]

One Of My Speakers Is Louder Than The Other, What Gives?

Placement Sometimes, the slight difference can be linked to placement differences where one of the speakers is slightly closer than the other. A different degree of toe-in can also have this effect, so make sure they are the same distance away from the listening position, and that they have the same amount of toe-in. Walls […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Subwoofer Placement and Setup – Updated Guide

Everyone loves good quality bass as it makes the reproduction of sound feel natural and full. Bass rhythm and timing are critical foundations of music and movie soundtracks. The subwoofer, (bass speaker) is a low-pressure inducing device that radiates low-frequency sound (bass) within your system.  Arendal Sound subwoofers sound better than most, and this is […]

Spikes Kit Installation Guide

Content of Spikes Kit: 2 aluminium bars 4 aluminium spikes Spikes nuts Spikes washers 4 rubber pucks 8 bar screws (6 for 1961) 8 spring washers (6 for 1961) 4 metal discs Hex key Step 1: Begin by placing the loudspeaker upside down to facilitate the mounting of the Spikes Kit.   Step 2: Align […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

What Are the Angles of the 1961 Height and 1723 Height S?

The 1961 Height speakers The 1961 Height speakers have an angle of 10 degrees. They can either be placed on top of our 1961 tower speakers with rubber pads (included) or on-wall (1961 wall mount not included).   The 1723 Height S speakers The 1723 Height S speakers have an angle of 20 degrees. They can […]

How Do I Connect My Subwoofer To My Receiver or Stereo?

Receiver and home theater If you have a surround system and would like to connect our subwoofer to your receiver, this is how you do it: On the back of your receiver, you have multiple inputs and outputs. Locate the one(s) that says “subwoofer”. These are outputs where the signal is controlled by the AVR. […]

How to Differentiate Left and Right 1961 Surround Speakers?

You’ve received your new speakers and you want to set everything up. But you can’t distinguish the left surround from the right surround speaker as they are identical speakers! Well, not exactly identical, on the back of the speakers the label will tell you which one is right and which left as seen in the […]

Why Is My AVR Reducing My Subwoofer Level After Calibration Process?

You have been doing some runs of the calibration process with AVR and the AVR is now reducing the subwoofer level by 10 dB (or X dB). But… you bought a subwoofer to have more bass, not less! Why is the AVR doing this? And is this an issue? Most modern AVRs aim to calibrate […]

Using Speakers in a Hybrid System: Home Theater and Hifi

Disclaimer: Do NOT ever connect two amplifiers directly to the same speakers if you don’t know what you are doing. Bad things would happen. Reach out if you have any questions. In the world of audio systems, the quest for the perfect sound often leads enthusiasts to create a hybrid system that combines the immersive […]

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 […]

How High Do My Stands Need to Be to Match the 1723 Tower S Height With the 1723 Bookshelf S?

You’re looking to buy a pair of 1723 Bookshelf S to go with your 1723 Tower S and you’re wondering what stand height to get. There are two ways to think about it: Aesthetically, you want the Towers S and the Bookshelves to have the same total height. Acoustically, you want to have all the […]

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 […]

Can I Use Banana Plugs With the 1723 Speakers?

Yes, you can. Our speakers will accept banana plugs, spades, and bare wire. Please have a look at this article if you want to check How to Connect a Speaker Cable?Also see this guide: Finding the Right Banana PlugsIf you have any issues connecting your speakers, please reach out to sales@arendalsound.com  

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 […]

Do I Need Balanced Cables for a Short Cable Run?

To XLR or not to XLR?  Balanced cables (XLR) are generally recommended for longer cable runs.  This is done to minimize the potential for noise interference. The longer the cable run, the more ideal an XLR cable becomes. However, for short cable runs, the differences are nominal – the difference in performance between balanced (XLR) […]

What is ULF?

Ultra Low Frequency When we watch movies, we all want that room-shaking bass.  We search for scenes with the lowest and deepest bass response because…. it’s fun.  In the context of movies, ultra-low frequencies (ULF) are often used to enhance the audio experience by adding those deep and powerful bass tones. ULF frequencies are typically […]

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 a Phantom Center?

Should you watch movies in stereo?  We are all told that we “need” a 5.1 (or even higher) channel surround system to enjoy TV and film content. Though the center channel is one of the more important pieces in a HT system, we sometimes can’t have them. There are various reasons why we might add […]

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 […]

Does Atmos Work With All Ceilings?

Are overhead speakers “right” for your room?  The idea of Dolby Atmos is exciting for all of us – who wouldn’t want to experience the sound and imaging that overhead speakers provide? The problem is that not all rooms are suited for this type of speaker configuration.  Though movie theaters have had Atmos for years, […]

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 […]