Technology / Home Audio Glossary

Compression Wave: A wave propagated by means of the compression of a fluid, such as a sound wave in air. To create sound, the opposite state of rarification alternates with the crest of every compression.

Compressor: A type of dynamic range processor which reduces the gain of audio signals which are over an adjustable 'threshold' level, therefore reducing the dynamic range. Generally allows the operator . . . View Full Definition

Concert Pitch: A standard for the tuning of musical instruments, internationally agreed in 1960, in which the note A above middle C has a frequency of 440 Hz.

Condenser Microphone: A mike that depends on an external power supply or internal battery to electrostatically charge capacitor plates, one of which is subjected to sonic motion. Also called a 'Capacitor' microphone.

Conductor: Materials along which electrons will flow, making them suitable for use as connecting links in electrical circuits. Also, persons who guide symphony orchestras or streetcars.

Cone: The cone-shaped diaphragm of a speaker. This is directly attached to the voice coil motor which actions produces the pulsation's of air that the ear detects as sound. Also useful for holding . . . View Full Definition

Connectors: There are several different ways to connect the cables from your receiver or amplifier to your speakers. Bare wire connections are acceptable, especially with 'spring clip' terminals. Howeve . . . View Full Definition

Constant Directivity (Cd) Horn: A horn-loaded high frequency driver that exhibits more or less constant distribution of high-frequency sound in the horizontal direction. This is done by using one of several special dual sh . . . View Full Definition

Coulomb: An amount of electrical charge which contains 6.24 x 1018 of electrons. So there!

Counter Firing: A method for reducing harmonic distortion at low frequencies that involves the use of a secondary coil in a woofer or mid bass driver to cancel non-fundamental wave elements not found in the . . . View Full Definition

Cross Talk: 1. Undesired capacitive, inductive, or conductive coupling from one circuit, part of a circuit, or channel, to another. 2. Any phenomenon by which a signal transmitted on one circuit or chan . . . View Full Definition

Crossover: A circuit that divides the frequency spectrum into two or more parts. A crossover acts as a filter, allowing certain frequencies to pass through to the speaker while blocking others. It's th . . . View Full Definition

Crossover Frequencies: The frequencies at which a passive or electronic crossover network divides the audio signals, which are then routed to the appropriate amplifiers or speakers.

Crossover Network: A unit which divides the audio spectrum into two or more frequency bands (Also see Crossover Frequencies).

Crossover Slope: The rate at which a crossover circuit attenuates the blocked frequencies. Slope is expressed as decibels per octave. A 6db per octave crossover reduces signal amplitude level by 6db in every . . . View Full Definition

Current: The volume or quantum of the flow of electrons through a conductor, as opposed to voltage, which is the measure of the intensity or velocity of the electrical flow.

Custom File: A feature package that provides intuitive and safe source management for an audio and A/V system. Examples include Disc Memo, Selection, Station Memo, and Memo List.

Cutoff Frequency Filters: The frequency at which a signal falls off by 3 db (the half power point) from it's maximum value. Also referred to as the -3 db points, or the corner frequencies

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30