K&W Audio has compiled this Terms and Definitions page to unveil the esoteric language of those aflicted with our disease! Tape for those broken glasses sir???
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Terms and Definitions |
| Hub | Hub is a central routing point, and looks like an electrical supply box. Usually located in the mechanical room in the basement. It houses IR routing engines, video amplification, audio switchers, and other devices. Connects with each zone. Distributes audio and video signal, when needed, through outgoing control cable that has been run to various locations. |
| LAN | LAN: (Local Area Network) Distributed Audio Pre-wire: "Stack line" to the gear location of your choice "Home run" to the utility room for ease of expansion, service access and possible future relocation Volume control in each zone in location of choice Pre-wire for I/R with CAT5 wiring in each zone Pair of speakers wired in each zone to location of choice All wiring used is FT4 rated All unused locations "blank plated" with white decora style plates |
| Switch | A two position mechanical device, usually wall mounted, which allows for interruption of signal from the source or hub to the device. |
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Cables |
| Bi-Wiring | (Does not refer to a person's sexual versatility) The ability of a loudspeaker to accept two sets of cables from an amplifier (or occasionally vice versa). One set is for the high frequency unit(s), the other set for the low. This increases dynamic range by preventing current fluctuations caused by power demands from the woofer. |
| CAT5 | Category 5 cable. A higher standard than CAT3, for example. The standard is related to the number of "twists" in the wires and the type of shielding used. Shielding determines how successful the cable will be in rejecting outside electronic interference (also known as "ingress"). |
| HDMI | One cable connection which carries complete digital audio, video and control connection between your HDTV and the other high definition video and highest fidelity audio equipment in modern home theatres today. |
| RG59 | Coaxial cable. Smaller dielectric (stinger) and lighter shielding. Used for transfer of video signal only. |
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Networking |
| Node | Any remote location at which a cable, or group of cables in a network are terminated, allowing that point to send or receive data. |
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Amplifiers |
| Class A | (Does not mean "Canadian made") Refers to the way current flows in an amplifier. Two output devices supply continuous current for the duration of a signal. Requires premium components (increases cost), creates heat as the amp runs at 100% output continuously, eliminates output switching noise making for smoother sound. |
| Class A/B | Current flows through each device for more than half the cycle time, while the other output is switched off for less than half the time. Best value in "sound dollars". Some heat, low switching noise, not expensive to produce. |
| Class B | Same as a Class A, except each output operates for half the cycle time, while the other output is switched off. Less expensive, low heat output, can introduce audible switching distortion. |
| Dynamic Headroom | (Does not refer to extroverts) The difference (in dB), between an amplifier's continuous output capability and it's ability to reproduce a quick change in volume at peak output. Once the holy grail of amps, some will now say it shows a potential for a poor power supply, which can veil the image. |
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Electronics |
| Current | Tasty morsel, measured in Amperes to denote the amount of electricity flowing along/through a conductive material. Used to describe an amplifier's ability to deliver power to a speaker. More is better, but also more money. |
| D to A | Digital to Analog converter. Every CD player has at least one (good to know, eh!) It takes the digital information from the CD and converts it into an analog wave, which can then be amplified and reproduced by speakers. Many different types, each with merits. |
| Watts | (Often used by those who do not understand Audio Jargon) Describes an amplifier's output to the loudspeaker. A swing gate, meaning the combination of several specifications (voltage and current) to arrive at one value. More voltage and less current or less voltage and more current can result in similar numbers. The music playing ability of similar rated amplifiers, can vary dramatically. The result of all this is that the wattage output number is of dubious benefit when comparing amplifiers of different manufactures, who likely employ differing measuring procedures. |
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Audio |
| anechoic | Echo free. An anechoic room has no reflected sound. This is accomplished by treating all of the room’s surfaces with sound absorbing material. |
| Bi-amp | A method of amplification (and cabling) in which the frequency spectrum of the signal to be amplified is split into low and high frequencies before it is amplified. This method produces a cleaner sound with less distortion. |
| dB | Symbol for decibel (deci or 1/10th, and Bel the scale for volume measurement, as in that Alex Graham guy). A unit denoting sound volume. Somewhere between one and three of these units lurks the smallest volume increment variation discernible to the human ear. |
| Dynamic Range | The distance in dB between the loudest and the quietest passage of sound, at a set volume level. |
| Frequency | (No comment) A sound wave. The faster the frequency the higher the sound, the slower the frequency the lower the sound. |
| Image | The realistic "Mirage" or sense of the recorded performance occurring between, behind and around the loudspeakers. |
| Oversampling | (Does not have anything to do with beverages) Refers to the frequency of a CD player's D to A while playing a disc. The number of times above the original recording's sampling rate indicates a faster processor. A benefit here is getting the sound generated by the sampling clock, high enough to prevent interference with the music, allowing us more choice for other components in the output stream. This should not be a deciding spec in choosing your next CD player (too many external variables). |
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Home Theatre |
| 1080p | 1080p represents 1,080 lines of resolution scanned sequentially - the P means progressive or one after the other. Currently the video state of the art in resolution capability. If the unit in question does 1080p (or higher) it's state of the art. |
| Dolby Pro-Logic | The Dolby laboratories consumer version of their surround processing designed originally for use in movie theatres. |
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General |
| Sense | (Sometimes found at K&W Audio) The ability to step back from clutter and confusion, without losing sight of an underlying goal, when buying an audio/video component, i.e. Does it do what I want, sound good, work well, play loud enough, heat the house, or get me evicted. Specs are wonderful things for the technically minded but if one is not careful one can end up on the slippery slope of listening to a system of component specs rather than simply enjoying a good tune or movie. In the final analysis, trust your ears. Don't lose sight of the real reason you have to have a High Current, 220 watt, class A/B, Bi-wireable amp with 6 dB of dynamic headroom. Because it's cool, of course, of course! |
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ResiNet |
| Cable | A bundle of separated wires wrapped inside a single jacket |
| CAT5E | The “E” stands of “expanded.” This is the highest grade of data cable available for residential applications and is our cable of choice for all infra-red and communication runs. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as “CAT6.” |
| Device | Any mechanical or electrical piece of equipment attached to the end of a cable or wire. |
| FT4 Rating | A type of jacketing around low voltage cable, such as speaker wire. FT4 jacketing is non-toxic and non-flammable and therefore will not act as a fuse or fire conductor in the event of an in-wall fire. Although it is technically not a requirement for low voltage wiring by the building code, many electrical inspectors will not approve any wire in a wall that is not FT4 rated. |
| RAN | Acronym for Resident Area Network. Also called LAN (Local Area Network) |
| RG6 | Coaxial cable. “RG” stands for “Radio Grade.” The current standard for coax is RG6 that allows for 2 gigabytes of bandwidth. |
| Stack | A collection of audio and/or video gear at an assigned location which offers control of and access to an entire system or network |
| Wire | A single or multiple twisted strand of conducive metal wrapped in a protective jacket, the jacket usually being composed of PVC or rubber |
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