Articles Index
THX Steerable Line Array
The THX Steerable Line Array is an innovative speaker design in which two small speakers are positioned so that their cones face each other and then placed in a "brick". A slot is cut to pass the air generated by the speaker assembly. Now, take one or more of these slot speaker assemblies, line them up, and power them with individual analog amplifiers. The final touch is software control so that the sound coming from the slots can be beamed in any direction. For all the details, read more...
Subwoofers - What You Need To Know
Subwoofers have emerged as a critical element of a home theater system. What is a subwoofer and why is it necessary for a full home theater experience? Find out in this informative article.
CEA Study Explores Consumer Perceptions of Audio Quality
In a recent study, the CEA (Consumers Electronics Association) claims that results reveal that consumers are concerned about audio quality, and that a good listening experience is important. I had the opportunity to discuss some of the study results with Ben Arnold, Senior Research Anaylst for the CEA. Check out the details.
Home Theater Systems - Easy and Inexpensive With A Home Theater-In-A-Box System
You've been hearing a lot about Home Theater; your neighbor has this huge big screen TV, DVD Player, powerful surround sound Receiver, huge speakers, and a sub-woofer that you can "feel" when you are trying to sleep. The question is; how can you a own home theater system without spending all that money and having all the hookup hassle? Find out this and other options in the following article.
Dolby Pro Logic IIz - What You Need To Know
Dolby Pro Logic IIz processing is an enhancement that extends surround sound vertically and fills the space above and in-front of the listener. Dolby Prologic IIz offers the option of adding two more front speakers that are placed above the left and right main speakers. This feature adds a "vertical" or overhead component to the surround sound field (great for rain, helicopter, plane flyover effects). For more details, check out my article: Dolby Pro Logic IIz - What You Need To Know.
SRS Circle Cinema 3D Audio
3D has made a big splash at consumer electronics and home theater trade shows, and while consumer adoption is not as fast and some observers would like, it appears that 3D video is here to stay. Also, with emergence of 3D video, there is also movement to change change the way surround sound is currently utilized. Current surround sound formats are "speaker centric" and "channel centric", but that is about to change. For details, read: Overview of SRS Circle Cinema 3D Audio (CC3DA).
The 3D Audio Alliance - Taking Audio Reproduction to the Next Level
3D video has put the spotlight on how we also think of audio. Surround sound is always referred to in terms of the number of channels and speakers used in the playback system. This places limitations on the sound mixer and listener. It is being proposed that a royality-free agnostic algorithm be developed that would allow soundtracks to mixed according to the location and movement of objects in 3 dimensional space rather than for a specific number of speakers in a particular playback setup.
Wireless Speakers and Home Theater
Consumers are attracted by home theater systems that tout wireless speakers as way to solve the problem of unsightly speaker wires. However, don't get sucked in by the term "wireless." Those speakers might not be as wireless as you expect.