STACK #249 July 2025

TECH FEATURE

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The audio space is full of acronyms, initials, and terms related to sound tech that can be baffling. From AAC to WAV, this handy glossary deciphers many of the more common terms you might encounter when shopping for new audio gear. Compiled by Scott Hocking A Z AUDIO TECH THE OF

C Cartridge – The component of a turntable that holds the stylus and converts the mechanical vibrations into a signal to be amplified and played through speakers. Channel – A single path of audio output in a sound system: Common configurations include mono (1), stereo (2), and surround (5.1, 7.1, etc). Closed-back headphones – Have sealed earcups for better noise isolation. Compressor – Reduces dynamic range to even out volume levels. D DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) – Converts digital audio into analogue signals. Digital – An audio signal used in CDs, streaming, Bluetooth, and HDMI. Dolby Atmos – Object-based surround sound format for 3D spatial audio. Driver – The component inside headphones or speakers that vibrates and produces sound. DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) – Sony’s proprietary tech that restores compressed audio files in real-time, enhancing detail and clarity. DTS (Digital Theater Systems) – An audio codec used for high-quality multi-channel audio in home theatre systems. DTS:X – Object-based audio format developed by DTS, that enables sound to move freely in 3D space. Similar to Dolby Atmos. Dynamic range – The difference between the quietest and loudest sounds in playback.

A AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) – A lossy audio compression format widely used for Bluetooth audio streaming. ADC (Analogue-to-Digital Converter) – Converts analogue input into digital audio. AI (Artificial Intelligence) – Enhances the user experience via features like adaptive sound control, noise cancellation, and personalised audio tuning. Amp (Amplifier) – Boosts audio signals to speakers or headphones. Analogue – An audio signal generally used in vinyl records, cassette tapes, and older stereo systems. ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) – Reduces unwanted ambient sound by using an inverse sound wave to cancel it out. aptX – Bluetooth audio codecs developed by Qualcomm that deliver better sound quality than the standard SBC codec.

B Bass – The lower end of the audio spectrum for deep, low-frequency sounds like drums and bass guitars. Beamforming Microphones – Headphone and earbud tech that focuses on sound from a specific direction while minimising ambient noise, for clearer voice pickup. Bitrate – The amount of data per second in an audio file; affects sound quality. Bitstream – Transmits digital audio where encoded data (like DTS) is sent as-is to a device such as an AV receiver, which then decodes the signal. Bluetooth Codecs – Audio encoding used over Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC. Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) – A version of Bluetooth designed for low power consumption, enabling longer battery life. Bone Conduction – Sound transmission where vibrations are sent

E eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) – An advanced version of ARC that supports higher-bitrate audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. EQ (Equalisation) – Adjusts frequency balance in an audio signal. F Frequency response – The range of frequencies (bass to treble) a device can reproduce.

directly through the bones of the skull to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum.

ARC (Audio Return Channel) – An HDMI

feature that enables audio to be sent from a TV back to a soundbar or AV receiver.

10 JULY 2025

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