STACK #249 July 2025

TECH FEATURE

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continued A Z AUDIO TECH THE OF

Mono (Monophonic) – Sound from a single channel. MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) – Common lossy audio compression format used for music downloads and portable media players. Multipoint – A Bluetooth feature enabling headphones or earbuds to connect to two or more source devices at once, enabling seamless switching between them.

Soundstage – The perceived spatial location created by audio playback. Spatial audio – Creates a 3D audio experience that replicates how we perceive sound in real life, for greater immersion.

H HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) – Transmits high-definition audio and video via a single cable. Head tracking – Tech that enables headphones and earbuds to adjust the direction of sound based on the listener's head movements. Hi-res audio – Audio that has higher-than-CD quality specs.

SPL (Sound Pressure Level) – How loud a speaker or headphone can get (measured in dB). Spotify Tap – Enables compatible wireless headphones or earbuds to instantly resume Spotify playback with a simple tap or button press. Stereo (Stereophonic) – Two-channel audio (left and right) that creates a sense of direction. Stylus – The needle on a turntable that sits in the record groove and reads the vibrations to produce sound. Subwoofer – A speaker designed specifically for reproducing very low bass frequencies. Enhances deep sounds in music and home cinema. Surround sound – Multi-channel audio that surrounds the listener (e.g. 5.1, 7.1.2 channels). T

Multi-room audio – Speakers that play synchronised or separate audio in different rooms using Wi-Fi. O Object-based audio – Advanced audio tech that treats individual sounds as distinct objects that can be placed anywhere in a 3D space. Used in formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. On-ear headphones – Rest on the ears and are smaller and more portable than over-ear designs. Open-back headphones – Enclose the ears to deliver better sound isolation and comfort. P PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) – Standard method of converting sound waves into digital format. Powered Speakers – Have a built-in amplifier, meaning they can be connected directly to an audio source without needing a separate amplifier. Preamp (Preamplifier) – Boosts low-level signals before processing. S Smart speakers – Speakers with built-in voice assistants, such as Alexa or Google, and network connectivity to control smart home devices. Soundbar – A compact speaker system designed to enhance TV audio. Have open earcups for a more natural soundstage, but with less isolation. Over-ear headphones –

I In-ear headphones – AKA earbuds, which deliver sound directly into the ear canal. IP (Ingress Protection) – A standardised measurement of how resistant a device is to dust and water – e.g. IP67 means fully dust tight and water-resistant to 1m. L Latency – The delay between input and output of an audio signal. LDAC – A high-res Bluetooth codec developed by Sony, offering higher bitrate options for better quality sound on compatible devices. Line-in/ Line-out – Standard analogue audio input/output for connection. Lossy – Audio compression that reduces file sizes, making them easier to transmit or store. Lossless – Audio compression that preserves all of the original audio data for playback, with the same fidelity as the original recording. M Mid-range – The frequency range between bass and treble. Mid-range drivers in speakers handle vocals and most instruments.

Transducer – Converts one form of energy to another (in microphones and speakers).

Transparency mode – Lets in external sound in headphones and earbuds for situational awareness. Turntable – A device for playing vinyl records using a stylus, cartridge and platter.

Tweeters – Small speaker drivers designed to reproduce high-frequency sounds (treble). TWS (True Wireless Stereo) – Earbuds that have no physical cable between them and connect using Bluetooth. W WAV – Uncompressed audio format for high quality and large file sizes.

12 JULY 2025

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