Home Audio

When you play music on a CD stereo system, a compact disc is rotated at high speed while the information imprinted on it is read by a laser beam that produces an electric signal. The signal is...

The LED (light emitting diode) is a solid state light source. Although LEDs require a DC power source and cost more than fluorescent lights, LEDs have become popular because of their low...

If you appreciate good sound in your home, you know how important the combination of a good set of speakers and a good receiver is -- it's at the heart of your audio system. To make sure you get a...

An uninterruptible power supply used to be considered a luxury item for personal computers. However, this improving technology and the lowering of prices of computer component, an uninterruptible...

Although installing a 4-channel amplifier may seem like a daunting task at first, it's actually a straightforward process as long as you plan out the installation. The high volume of wires and...

Battery backup systems for home theater applications are distinct from line conditioners, although the two functions are sometimes combined in the same unit. Most power conditioners available...

In this article I'm going to walk you through connecting your car audio amp to your home theater system. I had an extra one in my basement and just recently hooked it up to my DJ mixer to see if...

Component speakers upgrade the sound to your stereo because the woofer and tweeter complement each other by focusing on low- and high-end sound, respectively. However, wiring the two is a slightly...

Power amplifiers are a key component of an audiophile's home audio system. They run the gamut in styles and prices and can be used in a variety of applications. McIntosh amplifiers were used to...

Connecting a DJ system requires only a basic understanding how audio works. As long as you understand which cords go with specific components, and can read the words "in" and "out," then setup...

A subwoofer for home theater delivers deep, room-rattling bass to enhance concerts, boost the impact of action films and add a dramatic dimension in sound to the theater experience. These...

Each product that uses an AC or DC power source is equipped with a voltage regulator. Let us assume that the desired power need of a laptop computer is 5 watts. When you plug your laptop to an...

Power adapters (or power supplies) are a ubiquitous part of our electronics-laden lifestyle. A power adapter takes the output of one power source, like a 120-volt AC wall socket, and converts it...

The receiver is at the heart of a home stereo system. It combines several key elements. There's a tuner for receiving radio signals, a preamplifier with connections for outboard audio sources and...

In most car and home audio applications, a mono amplifier is used to deliver power to a single channel speaker, such as a subwoofer. The mono amp produces a single power signal which is ideally...

A silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) is a conditional diode. When forward-biased (i.e., positive charge to the anode and negative to the cathode), it will operate like a normal diode, passing...

Bridging amplifiers means using more than one power source to drive a load, which is typically a loudspeaker in audio applications. Bridged amplifiers are a setup for producing greater output...

Stereo power meters, also known as volume-unit meters, monitor and then display in various methods the power level reaching and transmitting through each stereo speaker. The purpose of the meters...

All electronic devices, from TV sets, to steros, to computers, have numerous voltage and current requirements needed to supply to their circuits. However, the power delivered to our homes' wall...

Condenser microphones are designed to receive sound as if they were a drum; you can have more distance from the actual microphone and still pick up a good audio signal. This makes them an...

Pretty much all batteries use DC power to charge, but most convert it from an AC power supply. In most cases, 120-volt AC current is run from a wall outlet into a power supply that converts it...

There are several things to consider when picking a home theater system. Price is usually the most important consideration but other important factors are the size of the room, the quality of the...

If you're just beginning your study of electrical circuits, you've probably become familiar with direct current (DC) circuits such as those created using battery power. While DC is straightforward...

The transformer is one of the key inventions fundamental to creating the electrified world. The AC electric model, with its high voltage power transmission, is completely dependent on transformer...

Modern civilization would be impossible without the technology of transformers. The very concept of AC electricity does not work without them, so in a world without transformers, many of our...

Wire is used through out our daily lives in our modern world. In fact without it, you would not be able to read this article or even turn on the light above your head. The process of power being...

Computer speakers operate like regular speakers but on a lower level. They are equipped with a low-power internal amplifier. Instead of speaker wire they use a standard 3.5mm stereo jack plug...

Most people don't think about the electricity that powers their homes. Flipping a switch and having appliances jump to life is an assumption in the modern world. Inexpensive electric power is easy...

If you've got a lot of electronic gear, you may want to consider adding more power outlets to your home. Here's a step-by-step primer on how to wire two power receptacles.

Wiring a switch is a simple process that comes in handy around the house. While there are many different types of switches, the basic steps for wiring are the same.

Learn What to look for when choosing power conditioners and protectors for your home theater in this free home electronics clip from our expert on stereos, televisions and dvd players.

Hearing aid batteries need to power up. Learn how long to wait before using a hearing aid battery from an audiologist in this free instructional video.

A power amp—amp is short for amplifier—comes a set of ratings. The series of numbers explains how the machine operates and what to expect. Read the rating to determine the fit of the amp with its...

An amp, or amplifier, in audio systems is what controls a large amount of energy by using a smaller amount of energy. This function serves to increase the overall power signal. There are many...

Today's laptops and desktop computers are more user-friendly. As more people start use computers, operating systems, software and hardware accessories are coming with better instruction manuals...

The life of a pro audio power amp can be prolonged extensively with periodic cleaning. Units with fans are particularly vulnerable to collecting dirt and grime internally, especially if the pro...

When most people purchase a home theater system, they decide to power all surround-sound speakers with the same amplifier. How does it affect the sound quality? More important, is this safe? Some...

Home theater systems can get pricey. If you have a decent set of speakers, you can use them as the front left and right speakers of your home theater's audio system. Here's how to save money using...

A power amplifier combined with a separate pre-amplifier generally provides the best possible sound quality in a stereo system, and the separate components provide a flexible upgrade path.

A pre-amplifier combined with a separate power amplifier generally provides the best possible sound quality in a stereo system, and the separate components provide a more flexible upgrade path. A...