https://www.audioholics.comWhere audio and video equipment undergoes rigorous objective and subjective tests by our staff, ensuring that marketing slogans aren't the only guidelines for your home theater choices.Sat, 30 Jun 2018 04:00:00 -0000https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/atmos-enabled-speakersA frequent question we get asked is if Dolby Atmos add-on speaker modules work well enough to be a viable alternative to discrete ceiling mounted speakers. We discuss the trade-offs in using Atmos-enabled speakers to help you determine if they are right for you.Sat, 30 Jun 2018 04:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/atmos-enabled-speakersFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/upgrade-home-theater-gearWe are constantly getting bombarded with emails from our readers asking about what and when to upgrade components of their home theater systems. This is especially true when one of their favorite manufacturers comes out with a replacement model to a component they own claiming to be "new" and "improved". But do these new models really offer better performance, or would you be better served tweaking your speaker placement, room acoustics and set up before plunging more money into the next "miraculous" generation product? Read on and be sure to watch our related Youtube Video on this topic BEFORE upgrading your home theater components.Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/upgrade-home-theater-gearFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/set-up-and-equipment-advice-for-home-theaterWe gathered up some of the most frequently asked questions on our Facebook and YouTube pages over the last month and answered them in our YouTube video along with written responses in this article. Questions ranged from set up / configuration issues causing performance problems, to surround speaker and Atmos/DTS:X processor recommendations. Chances are if you're in the market for a new home theater system, you may have similar questions on your mind that we covered. So take a look and feel free to submit unanswered questions in the related forum thread.Wed, 09 Nov 2016 05:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/set-up-and-equipment-advice-for-home-theaterFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/youtube-listening-demosTo the regular reader of this site it may sound crazy that we have to write an article on why we don't do listening demos on our YouTube channel. But, we get this question all the time from our YouTube followers who want to "hear what we're hearing". To find out the reasons why we don't do these demos, you're going to have to read this article and watch our related YouTube video discussion. We also discuss the best way to demo equipment to help you make wise purchasing decisions.Fri, 29 Jul 2016 04:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/youtube-listening-demosFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/can-i-use-regular-speakers-as-dolby-atmos-upfiringWe've received numerous emails from our readers asking if they could repurpose ordinary speakers they have laying around as Dolby Atmos Upfiring units as opposed to purchasing specific Atmos-enabled speakers. We talk about what is in a Dolby Atmos-enabled speaker and whether or not they are better suited for the task than regular speakers. Of course we always recommend direct firing speakers for height channels, but as a last resort, what should one do? Read on to find out and be sure to watch our related YouTube video on Atmos-enabled speakers.Mon, 25 Jul 2016 16:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/can-i-use-regular-speakers-as-dolby-atmos-upfiringFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/should-i-spend-that-much-on-exotic-cablesWe seem to get more emails about cables than virtually any other topic in audio. A particular email caught our attention when one of our readers was concerned about spending as much money on interconnects as their AV processor. These type of situations may sound absurd to the uninitiated but sales and marketing are very powerful tools often used to dupe consumers into parting with their hard earned cash for some promised miracle fix to allegedly improve the sonics of your hi-fi system. See how we advise the concerned reader on buying expensive exotic cables.Sat, 16 Jul 2016 05:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/should-i-spend-that-much-on-exotic-cablesFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/enough-power-for-speakersThis week's FAQ question deals with AV receiver power and if it's sufficient to drive a full home theater speaker system. We suggest taking our power rating quiz as a starting point and to consider purchasing an AV receiver with built in multi-channel preamp outputs in case you want to add external amplification down the road.Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/enough-power-for-speakersFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/analog-inputsSo you're getting ready to purchase a new AV receiver when you look on the back and realize there are no multi-channel analog inputs on it to play multi-channel SACD files in native DSD. Are you out of luck? Read the following FAQ article to give you your options and see.Mon, 13 Jun 2016 01:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/analog-inputsFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/bookshelf-vs-tower-speakersA common question we often get asked by our readers is “which should I get,a bookshelf or floorstanding speaker?” There is no absolute answer as it really depends on many variables (ie. budget, listening habits, bass management, room size, aesthetics). We break this down for you in this article and accompanying YouTube video discussion to help you make a better educated decision. Get what you need and want in a speaker system!Mon, 31 Aug 2015 11:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/bookshelf-vs-tower-speakersFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/faq-review-request-dolby-atmos-speaker-placementThis week we take on a few interesting questions received from our YouTube Channel pertaining to DIY speaker kits vs finished products, Wi-Fi network stability issues, Dolby Atmos speaker placement and subwoofer purchasing decisions. Can you place a main channel higher than a height channel for Dolby Atmos? Find out how we answer that question and more...Tue, 19 May 2015 12:30:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/faq-review-request-dolby-atmos-speaker-placementFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/faq-converting-a-room-to-a-home-theaterThis month's FAQ comes from a new subscriber to Audioholics and he asks how best to convert a regular room to a home theater listening space. We discuss running 20A dedicated lines for power amplifiers and subwoofers and if they are really needed, passing cables through walls, as well as types of passive room treatments (if any) needed for bass frequencies.Thu, 07 May 2015 12:05:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/faq-converting-a-room-to-a-home-theaterFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/dts-x-ported-and-stacking-speakersAs you could imagine, we get bombarded with questions from readers of our website. While we can't always answer all of the emails in a timely manner, we do try to occasionally formerly answer the ones that seem most relevant to our readers in the form of an FAQ. In this FAQ, we answer questions asked by various readers about DTS:X Blu-ray compatibility, the differences between front vs rear ported speakers and the issues of speaker stacking and whether or not it should be done. Thu, 30 Apr 2015 12:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/dts-x-ported-and-stacking-speakersFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/the-difference-between-biamping-vs-biwiringRecently a reader of Audioholics asked us about the differences between bi-amping and bi-wiring, and what kind of effect each could have on his system. We discuss the various forms of bi-amping, including passive vs active, vertical vs horizontal along with potential trade offs of each connection methodology. Is bi-amping worth it? What about bi-wiring? Read our article and let us know how you connect your main speakers in our forum thread. Check out our recently added YouTube video where we discuss the differences and whether or not they are audible.Tue, 24 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/the-difference-between-biamping-vs-biwiringFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/best-amplifiers-worldIf you have a thirst for power, you might just be in luck. Today Audioholics takes a peek at some of the best power amplifiers on the market, including a few models that are affordable by mere mortals. To make this list, the amplifier in question must offer power and finesses and be a model we have direct experience with either on our test bench or demos at various trade shows. Of course, this isn't meant to be a comprehensive list of all the great amplifiers on the market. As such, if you have a favorite amplifier that you think deserves an honorable mention, make sure to let us know on our forums!Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/best-amplifiers-worldFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/how-to-buy-a-subwooferToday Audioholics goes over how to make an educated purchasing decision when buying a subwoofer for your home theater system. We've created a handy checklist of items that need to be considered and balanced, including cost, size, aesthetics, and output. We also touch on the pros and cons of going with a sealed subwoofer versus ported. Last but not least, other factors like warranty, customer service, and return policy need to be accounted for. Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/how-to-buy-a-subwooferFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/how-to-manually-level-match-speakersToday Audioholics walks through the process of manually level matching your speakers. Why bother when we've got advanced auto-calibration like Audyssey MultEQ on board? Even today's automatic setup systems make the occasional mistake, so it doesn't hurt to double-check their work. To start, you'll need to break out your trusty SPL meter, and head to your A/V receiver's trim settings / tone generator. Wonder why it's recommended to calibrate your speakers to a 75dB SPL reference? We discuss in detail in this must read article and recently added related YouTube Video tutorial. Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/how-to-manually-level-match-speakersFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/a-b-speaker-selector-comparisonsRecently, a reader asked us if it was possible to use the A/B speaker selector to compare speaker cables. The short answer: because the A and B binding posts represent the same amplifier connection, you can hook up two sets of cables to your speakers for comparison purposes without risking damage. However, you can do a lot more than just compare cables with the A/B switch. You can also run your very own in-home speaker comparison with nearly instant switching. Pretty cool stuff.Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/a-b-speaker-selector-comparisonsFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/bose-speakers-what-receiverToday a reader wants to know what A/V receiver to use with his Bose Acoustimass 10 system. We review the system's rated impedance and power handling to get an idea of how much amplification the system needs. From there, we discuss whether or not it's worthwhile to spend more than the bare minimum given the compromises imposed by the compact system. Want to see our analysis and recommendations? Click to keep reading!Sun, 17 Aug 2014 14:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/bose-speakers-what-receiverFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/using-an-old-a-v-receiverA reader wrote in asking whether it was possible to breathe new life into his aging Yamaha DSP-A1 Integrated Amplifier/ AV Processor. The Yamaha in question is a Flagship 5.1 model from the Dolby Digital/DTS era with two additional channels for proprietary DSP post processing effects. It lacks HDMI inputs and the latest TrueHD/DTS-HD decoding, networking and all of the other bells and whistles we've come to expect from modern AVRs. We outline the reader's options, including buying a separate pre/pro and treating the DSP-A1 as an amplifier only, or moving the Yamaha to a second system where it's shortcomings aren't an issue and its excellent amp section and DAC's can still be used for a high fidelity experience.Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/using-an-old-a-v-receiverFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/how-to-read-a-review-an-insiders-perspectiveWith the decline of Brick and Mortar stores, being able to read a review is imperative. Obviously, arming yourself with knowledge about the product you are buying is the key to your success. You won't be able to accurately gauge the veracity of a review without knowing a lot about the product. If you are shopping for in-ear headphones but expect them to fit like earbuds (or a minivan that you expect to handle like a Corvette), you can't know if a product is being misused. You also need to read a ton of reviews of all sorts of gear. This way you can identify the industry jargon and see past the backhanded compliments. In the end, you should trust your ears. And us. You can definitely trust us.Tue, 20 May 2014 13:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/how-to-read-a-review-an-insiders-perspectiveFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/shopping-for-headphones-which-are-right-for-youWhat is most important to you in a set of headphones? If it is sound quality, any of the options can sound very good, though over-ear models generally hold an advantage. If fit is your primary concern, then you'll need to look at how you use the headphone (on the go, at home, while exercising, etc.) to determine what will work best for you. We've assembled a Cheat Sheet to help you narrow down your choices along with a helpful guide on the different headphone types. Fri, 16 May 2014 12:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/shopping-for-headphones-which-are-right-for-youFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/dac-do-you-need-an-external-digital-to-analog-converterA Digital to Analog Converter, or DAC, takes your digital content and transforms it into analog so that your hifi system can amplify it and play it through your speakers. If you think you already have DACs in your system, you would be correct. So, if you already have DACs, why would you need an external one? More to the point, could you actually use it and would it make a difference? We walk you through the reasons you might need an external DAC and what problems you can expect it to fix.Wed, 14 May 2014 14:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/dac-do-you-need-an-external-digital-to-analog-converterFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/headphones-are-you-ready-for-an-upgradeLet’s be honest: if your headphones came with your player, you need an upgrade. But what if you have some newer, fancier headphones? This article discusses the various types of headphones and appropriate applications of each. Do you still need to upgrade? We help you out with a handy chart to fill out and a lot of information about what to consider when you are shopping. Sun, 04 May 2014 15:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/headphones-are-you-ready-for-an-upgradeFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/when-to-upgrade-your-subwooferWondering if it's time to upgrade your old subwoofer to a newer, more powerful model? Audioholics goes over what factors should play into your decision, including room size and listening habits. In addition, we give you a method so that you can personally determine whether more subwoofage is a worthwhile investment. If you're curious to find out if your subwoofer is holding your system back, click to keep reading! If you're a true Bassaholic, you probably already know the answer ;)Thu, 01 May 2014 22:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/when-to-upgrade-your-subwooferFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/when-to-upgrade-your-tvWe may be called "Audioholics," but we definitely watch our fair share of movies and TV. We love accurate images almost as much as we love bone-crushing bass. Sometimes it is hard to know when you are ready for a TV upgrade. We run through not only how large a screen you need, but break down the features manufacturers are convinced you want. We recommend you hide your wallet while you read this guide. We can't be held responsible for your impulse buying. Thu, 01 May 2014 02:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/when-to-upgrade-your-tvFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/receivers-vs-separatesIf you've ever spent much time browsing the Audioholics forums, the odds are good that you will find someone asking which is better: AV receivers or separates. Oftentimes, such a question brings about a fierce debate with solid arguments on both sides of the table. Ultimately, what's best for the end user depends on what he or she is looking for. Keep reading (and watching) as Audioholics analyzes the topic and gives you the skinny on what AV receivers and separate preamplifer/processors and amplifiers bring to the table. Mon, 24 Feb 2014 13:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/receivers-vs-separatesFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/dacs-recommendI am considering replacing my Marantz CD player SA300 with an Oppo BDP-95. I have an older but high quality system consisting of Levinson 23.5 power amp, Roland Consonance Pre, Sota Sapphire Table with SME 309 arm, Wilson Watt II/Puppy III and various cables and interconnects. The weak link in my system seems to have always been my digital component.I just replaced my Theta Transport and DAC with the Marantz player and the improvement in the sound was pretty nice. Now I want to go one strep further regarding digital playback. One of my friends suggested I use the Marantz as a transport and buy a new D/A converter. I live near Nashville, TN and there is no longer a high end store here, so I am relying on your suggestions/recommendations. What do you recommend?Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:15:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/dacs-recommendFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/why-tvs-brighter-projectorsA front projection system is very different, fundamentally, than a flat panel TV. A front projector is sending light to a passive screen from the front. This has two very important implications: 1) the only way you can get "black" is by the absence of light, and 2) any light hitting the screen also reflects back into the room and causes the potential for true 'black' to decrease. On top of that, a third factor would be that you are also measuring light output from a reflected surface, rather than from the emitted source itself.Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:40:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/why-tvs-brighter-projectorsFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/moving-overseas-voltages-and-format-conversionsImporting gear from other countries or taking your gear out of your home country requires a bit of patience and research on your part. It'll take a bit of time to figure out what will work with a plug adapter and what will require a transformer of some sort. You'll have to decide if importing the gear is worth the time and expense. If you move out of the county, you're going to find that a lot of what you have will work with little expense on your part. You may find that it is simply cheaper to sell what you have before you leave and re-buy it in the new country. Regardless, paying attention to the power required and a few other tidbits and you won't be throwing your money away on a piece of gear that won't work in your country.Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:05:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/moving-overseas-voltages-and-format-conversionsFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/too-many-hdmi-outputsJim from Iowa asks us how in the world he's supposed to make use of all the new HDMI-capable components he has when his TV and AV receiver don't have enough inputs. It's a good question, and one that many people are asking as more and more manufacturers place HDMI into their products. We tackle it a couple of ways to give you options for maintaining a great picture and also retaining the ability to get the best audio quality possible.Tue, 06 May 2008 13:35:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/too-many-hdmi-outputsFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/hdmi-output-componentA reader asks Dr. A why he can't view some of his material on the TV he bought. Lots of people run into this problem, so we figured we'd take it to Dr. A for a solution.Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:05:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/hdmi-output-componentFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/subjective-loudspeaker-reviews-priceWhen taking on the task of reviewing products for consumers there are different ways to get across the conclusions and experiences of the reviewer. Objective testing and subjective viewpoints are both presented, and price is also included in the evaluation process. But there are so many methodologies and considerations, how does Audioholics keep it all straight? Frank asks a very valid question and we thought it was good enough to include it for public consumption to outline just how Audioholics handles this issue.Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:40:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/subjective-loudspeaker-reviews-priceFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/speaker-cable-gauge-distanceIt's been a while since Dr. A answered a reader question so we pulled him away from his 4 month karaoke binge and tossed a new question at him. Seems like Dr. A has an addictive personality so we'll need to keep him a bit more occupied in the future for his own good. This question, from philophobos via our forums, has to do with speaker cable gauge, but we expanded it a bit in our answer to address some other related situations. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:20:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/speaker-cable-gauge-distanceFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/glossary-of-electronics-termsAudio terminology can be very confusing and ambiguous. We talk about things all the time that our readers may not be able to fully understand. Back by popular demand, we've reconstituted our Glossary of Electronics Terms (with some very important updates) and included it here for all to reference as needed. We'll try to keep it updated as we expand our vocabulary and horizons and as technology coins new terms and phrases.Fri, 25 May 2007 13:04:56 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/glossary-of-electronics-termsFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/hdmi-audio-transmission-for-blu-ray-and-hd-dvdEver wonder how the new surround formats are transmitted from the next generation DVD players to the receiver/processor? Our quick interview session with Craig Eggers from Dolby Labs helps shed some light on this subject. Check out this FAQ to learn about HDMI audio transmission and the future for HDMI ver. 1.3 enabled receivers and processors.Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:09:34 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/hdmi-audio-transmission-for-blu-ray-and-hd-dvdFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/why-wont-my-cable-box-video-work-with-my-receiverIn response to numerous threads about this issue we have developed this article to address the issue and let everyone know of productive workarounds and the status of various cable company fixes...Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/why-wont-my-cable-box-video-work-with-my-receiverFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/ask-dr-a-of-projectors-and-1080pI have been looking for a nice, affordable projector for some time and came across some reviews on Audioholics. The Sanyo Z4 seems like a real steal in terms of bang for the buck. With the dangling carrot of 1080P out there I am concerned that my investment in this projector may be short lived.Mon, 24 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/ask-dr-a-of-projectors-and-1080pFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/bass-management-for-sub-satellite-integrated-systemsWe have fielded several questions relating to how to handle bass management for integrated sub/satellite system where the subwoofer actually handles the crossover and feeds signal to the satellite speakers. Bose and Definitive Technologies both have systems that deal with this (though they function quite differently) and we received a recent question that prompted us to write up a brief FAQ to address this issue.Wed, 09 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/bass-management-for-sub-satellite-integrated-systemsFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/connecting-a-motion-actuator-to-your-systemI am using a Clark Tactile Transducer TST229 and I am trying to feed it an LFE signal from my Integra DTR 7.1. I do have the Adcom bridged but do not set the sub output on the Integra to more than +1 sometimes less depending on the type of music and or soundtrack I am listening to. Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/connecting-a-motion-actuator-to-your-systemFrequently Asked Questionshttps://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/adding-surrounds-or-notI currently have two good main speakers, a sub, and a good AV receiver. The listening room is 30 long by 10 wide opening to 15 wide 2/3 down at the speaker end. 9 ft. ceilings and hard plaster walls with absorbing furniture and rugs. The sound is quite nice, but I've wondered if adding another pair of speakers will enhance fullness, etc. or have a negative affect. Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/adding-surrounds-or-notFrequently Asked Questions