In our Audio ABC, we offer you easy-to-understand glossary articles on key terms and topics from the world of hi-fi - compact, informative and ideal for deepening your knowledge of sound, technology and devices.
H
The Haas effect, describes a psychoacoustic phenomenon in which the human ear perceives two similar sound events as one if the second signal arrives within about 40 milliseconds of the first. If two similar sound sources are played with a minimal time difference, the earlier source is perceived as the main source, while the later source only expands the sound spatially. This effect is often used in audio technology to create a wider and more spatial sound.
The reverberation radius is the point at which the direct sound and the reflected sound are equally strong, and it influences how clear or "washed out" the sound is perceived in a room.
"High Definition Multimedia Interface" is an interface for transmitting audio and video signals in high quality via a single cable. It is used to connect devices such as televisions, AV receivers, games consoles, Blu-ray players and computers.
Unit of measurement for the frequency of an oscillation or signal. It indicates how many oscillations occur per second. One Hertz corresponds to one oscillation per second.
HiFi, or high fidelity, means "high sound fidelity" and describes audio devices that reproduce music and sound recordings in the best possible quality and as faithfully as possible to the original. HiFi is often appreciated by audiophiles and music lovers who are looking for an immersive and detailed listening experience.
Special piece of furniture designed to organize and support audio equipment such as amplifiers, CD players and speakers. It provides a stable platform to safely place the equipment while allowing cable management. Increasingly replaced by All-In-One and smart receivers.
Music files that offer a higher sampling rate and bit depth than conventional audio CD format (44.1 kHz/16 bit). Typical Hi-Res audio formats include 96 kHz/24 bit or even 192 kHz/24 bit, resulting in a significantly higher sound quality. This results in a clearer and more realistic sound that comes closer to the original. However, such files also require many times more storage space.
Speaker driver specifically designed to reproduce high frequencies (typically between 2,000 Hz and 20,000 Hz). Tweeters are often used in combination with woofers to cover a wide frequency range and achieve a balanced sound reproduction.
A horn speaker is a type of speaker in which the sound is directed through a funnel-shaped horn to amplify and distribute the sound more efficiently. This design increases the sound pressure so that less amplifier power is required to achieve high volumes. Horn speakers are often used in professional sound reinforcement systems and PA systems to achieve high volume and good directivity.
Refers to the location of the listener in relation to the speakers. It can influence sound perception and quality. An optimal listening position, often referred to as the "sweet spot", enables balanced stereo imaging and a precise sound stage.
An amplifier that combines both tube technology and transistor technology to utilize the advantages of both systems. Tube amplifiers are known for their warm sound characteristics, while transistors provide reliability and efficiency.