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Gas Plasma: Gas plasma emitters are a type of Horn Driver wherein a plasma or ionized gas field is developed and then propelled between two electrostatic grids. The onrushing gas is then compacted or di . . . View Full Definition

Generator: A machine that produces AC electricity from a rotating coil interaction within a magnetic field. In automotive applications, a rectifier is used to convert this output to DC. Also, an electr . . . View Full Definition

Gig: Slang for job, engagement of musicians to play and perform.

Granulation Noise: A type of audible distortion resulting from quantization error in digital transmission modes.

Graphic Equalizer: A multi-band variable equalizer using slide controls as the amplitude adjustable elements. Named for the positions of the sliders 'graphically' illustrating the resulting frequency response . . . View Full Definition

Grill: A barrier meant to prevent damage to the Driver that it covers, or that creates a more attractive appearance.

Ground: A term that describes anything having an electrical potential of zero relative to other points in a circuit. Most modern vehicles are designed around a negative ground system, with the metal . . . View Full Definition

Ground Loop: The term given to the condition that occurs when a voltage potential exists between two separate ground points.

Haas Effect: Also known as precedence effect, describes the human psychoacoustic phenomena of correctly identifying the direction of a sound source heard in both ears but arriving at different times. Due . . . View Full Definition

Hard Dome (Tweeter): A characteristic of some Dome tweeters in which the dome is made of some light, hard metal such as neodymium, titanium, or some of the more rigid plastic compounds. The differences in reprod . . . View Full Definition

Harmonic Distortion: A type of Distortion in which resonance or sympathetic ringing vibrations are added to the original sound to produce second and third harmonics of a fundamental tone in a way that was not pr . . . View Full Definition

Harness: The universal name for a bundle or loom of wires that compose the wiring for a system.

Hatchback (Box Or Enclosure): An enclosure of such size and shape as to enable its efficient use in hatchback-style vehicles. Normally, these enclosures are somewhat deeper than standard angled enclosures and have either . . . View Full Definition

Headroom: A term related to the dynamic range of amplifiers, used to express in db, the level between the typical operating level and the maximum output level (onset of clipping). For example, a nomin . . . View Full Definition

Heat Dissipation: The function of transfering heat away from a component into the air to prevent damage to the output section of an amplifier or the voice coil of a speaker.

Heat Sink: Parts of an amplifier, typically heavy metal 'fins,' and a section of the frame of the speaker used to conduct and radiate heat away from the ponit of electrical consumption, or motor assembly.

Hertz (Hz): The measurement of frequency. One hertz is equal to one cycle per second, or the complete cycle of an alternating (AC) waveform. Higher frequencies are measured in kilohertz, (thousands of c . . . View Full Definition

High Fidelity: A method of sound reproduction that emphasizes the highest possible adherence to the exact character of the original sound. This is a principal that must be paramount in every stage of the r . . . View Full Definition

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