Walk the Walk: Audio and Video Terms

From AAD to Voice Coils (we don't have any "Z" terms yet), this glossary will break-down the alphabet soup and "audiophile-speak." Credit for some terms: TheWhippinpost, Aaron Miller, Audio Concepts

Hearing Sensitivity
 The human ear is less sensitive at low frequencies than in the midrange. Turn your volume knob down and notice how the bass seems to"disappear". ...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:46 PM
Hertz (Hz)
A unit of measurement denoting frequency, originally measured as Cycles Per Second, (CPS) 20 Hz = 20 CPS. Kilohertz (kHz) are hertz measured in multiples o...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:46 PM
High Mids
 The upper midrange between 2kHz and 4kHz can mask the important speech recognition sounds if increased, introducing a lisping quality into a voice and maki...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:47 PM
High-Pass Filter
 A circuit that allows high frequencies to pass but rolls off the low frequencies. When adding a subwoofer it is often desirable to roll-off the low frequen...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:47 PM
Hiss
Audio noise that sounds like air escaping from a tire.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:48 PM
Home Theater
 An audio system designed to reproduce the theater sound experience while viewing film at home. Minimally consisting of a Dolby Pro Logic® surround sound re...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:48 PM
Honky
 Like cupping your hands around your mouth. A bump in the response around 500 to 700 Hz.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:49 PM
Hum
 Audio electronic noise that has a steady low frequency pitch.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:52 PM
Imaging
 Listening term. A good stereo system can provide a stereo image that has width, depth and height. The best imaging systems will define a nearly holographic...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:53 PM
Impedance
 Impedance is a measure of electrical resistance specified in ohms. Speakers are commonly listed as 4 or 8 ohms but speakers are reactive devices and a nomi...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 1:53 PM