Technology / Home Audio Glossary

Bridged Power: Bridging an amplifier, combines the power output of two channels into one channel. Bridging allows the amplifier to drive one speaker with more power than the amp could produce for two speak . . . View Full Definition

Btl: Bridged, Transformer Less. A circuit design wherein two small Integrated Circuit (IC) amplifier channels are bridged together to provide a single, larger output circuit. These circuits are l . . . View Full Definition

Built-In Crossovers: Frequently used to limit the high-frequencies reaching a subwoofer, a low-pass filter crossover allows only frequencies below the crossover point to be amplified. A high-pass crossover allow . . . View Full Definition

Bullet Horn (Tweeter): A type of tweeter in which the radiator has a large passive, bullet-shaped device above its center that extends the nominal dispersion angle of the sound, thus allowing it to cover a greater . . . View Full Definition

Bumped: A method of woofer construction in which the rear suspension system is anchored a little further back by designing the back plate so that it is press stamped, or cast, outward. This allows g . . . View Full Definition

Bumped and Vented: See discussion of Bumped above. Many higher power speakers have a vent hole in the center Pole Piece of the magnet. When viewed from the back, there is usually a screen over the hole to prev . . . View Full Definition

Buss: A signal-carrying conductor or electrical pathway designed to carry multiple signals. A mixing console auxiliary bus may carry signals derived from several channels on that console. The term . . . View Full Definition

Butterworth Crossover: A type of crossover circuit utilizing low-pass filter design characterized by having a maximally flat magnitude response, i.e., no variation in the amplitude response in the domain of the passband.

Butyl: A type of rubber used for speaker surrounds. Butyl has very good damping characteristics and is resistant to UV contamination from the sun.

Cabin Gain: A low frequency boost normally obtained inside a vehicle interior when woofers are optimally in phase, and with the proper enclosures.

Canon Or Cannon: Brand name of multipoint connector used for professional audio equipment. Also known as XLR connectors.

Capacitance: The property of an electric device that permits the storage of energy as a result of electric displacement when opposite surfaces of conductive plates are maintained at a difference of poten . . . View Full Definition

Capacitor (Power Audio): Power stabilizing capacitors store the necessary power amplifiers need to punch larger bass notes while limiting clipping. They store energy during intervals when it is not required, which i . . . View Full Definition

Cardioid: Heart shaped pickup pattern characteristic of some microphones which reduces sensitivity to sounds from the sides and back.

CD Changer: Separate units that may allow the user to hear any of 3 to 120 discs, or more in whatever order they wish to program them, or to skip from one track to another, or from one disc to another. . . . View Full Definition

CD Controller: This is a device that can exist either incorporated into a car stereo receiver (head unit) or as a separate module. In either case in contains the operating controls necessary to use a CD pl . . . View Full Definition

CD Head Unit: Is usually a single disc player installed as a separate unit (not including a radio receiver). These are increasingly uncommon.

CD Receiver: Multiple function receivers are most commonly configured with radio and CD player capabilities in standard car receiver (head end) units. These may include cassette tape decks as well, and m . . . View Full Definition

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