Expert Advice RSS
Keep it Cool - Protect your electronics from overheating with these tips
Bluetooth & Airplay: Pros & Cons
There are many different wireless audio systems available, using both open and proprietary standards. The two most common standards today are Bluetooth and AirPlay. Bluetooth is universal and comes with almost every phone, tablet, and computer currently made. AirPlay is a proprietary Apple format that works over Wi-Fi with iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. There are important differences between the two. Bluetooth Bluetooth is a near-field standard, which limits communication between a mobile device and the speakers to no more than 30 feet apart (the ideal distance is 15 feet or less). Consequently, if you leave the room with your smartphone, the music...
Boost Music Quality with DACs
The Truth about 24-Bit Audio
Gizmodo recently published a controversial article claiming that the coming of 24-bit audio to iTunes "will be bad for users." We immediately went to Brian, president of Gramophone, for a response, and here's what he has to say: "This ain’t so simple. At first glance 16-bit should be more than enough. There are 65,536 gradations of volume (just like gradations of color across the spectrum) possible with 16-bit audio. That’s a whole lot. 16-bit audio (what we currently have) is reported to have a dynamic range of 96 decibels. Once again, that’s a lot. Who can possibly hear that many gradations? No one. But there’s a...
Open Back Headphones for the Ultimate Sound Quality
By Lauren Dragan Music lovers looking for the ultimate headphone listening experience have more options today than ever. Many high-end audio aficionados prefer the sound of open-backed headphones above all others. What makes open-back so special? How do you know if they’re right for you? Here are a few pointers to get you acquainted. First, a word on what open-back means: open-backed headphones have exterior shells that are not made of solid material in the way that most headphones are commonly designed. Whether it’s mesh or fabric, open-back headphones allow air into (and some sound out of) the space between...