Technology / Home Audio Glossary

Dac (D-A): Digital to analog converter. An IC component or circuit that is used to derive or convert an analog signal from a digital one.

Damper: Part of the suspension connected to the bottom of the speaker cone at the voice coil that centers the voice coil in the magnetic gap. It is sometimes referred to as the spider

Damping: As Newton observed, an object once set in ,motion will keep on moving unless a restrictive counterforce is applied. Damping is that force at work in the mechanical resistance that is applied . . . View Full Definition

Damping Factor: The ratio of rated load impedance to the internal impedance of an amplifier. The higher the value, the more efficiently an amplifier can control unwanted movement of the speaker coil. A high . . . View Full Definition

Dc: Direct Current.

Dc Converter: Since 12 volts limits the amplitude of an audio signal, a group of components within an amplifier converts battery voltage (DC) into AC so that it can be increased by swetching devices and a . . . View Full Definition

Decay: The time of reduction of the level of a signal immediately after its cessation .

Decibel (Db): One tenth of a Bel. This is a measurement of the comparative strength of two powers, and can be applied when measuring any signal in the audio, video, and electromagnetic spectrum. If two po . . . View Full Definition

Delay: A signal processing device or circuit used to delay one or more of the output signals by a controllable amount. This feature is used to correct for loudspeaker drivers that are mounted such . . . View Full Definition

Destructive Interference (Phase Cancellation): A phenomenon that occurs when speakers are 180 degrees out of phase, i.e., what one speaker is trying to produce, the other speaker is fighting to cancel. One speaker's wave is in the positi . . . View Full Definition

Detachable Face: Occasionally referred to as 'Removable Panel' or 'Theft Deterrent Faceplate', or some variation. This is a physical method for foiling receiver thieves. The idea is that you take just the fr . . . View Full Definition

Diaphragm: The part of a speaker driver that moves, producing the sound. Each diaphragm is directly connected to a voice coil. The diaphragm for a woofer is a cone, while for a tweeter, it's often a dome.

Die Cast (Basket): A type of speaker basket or frame that is cast as a single piece of relatively thick, rigid metal. This contrasts with a Stamped frame that is shaped by pressure, much like a car body fender . . . View Full Definition

Diffraction: A change in the direction and velocity of a wave front that is caused by the wave moving past an obstacle.

Diffuse: Widely spread out or scattered; not concentrated.

Diffuser: A commercial device like a lens or grillwork that diffuses, or scatters sound

Diffusion: The scattering of sound. Diffusion reduces the ability of a listener to pinpoint the actual location of a speaker, a useful quality in surround speakers. Diffuse surrounds create a wraparoun . . . View Full Definition

Digital Amplifiers: See article on 'amplifier classes'

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