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

Ported Enclosure
A type of speaker enclosure that uses a duct or port to improve efficiency at low frequencies.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:02 PM
Power (P)
The time rate of doing work or the rate at which energy is used. One equation for Power:P = Volts^2 / Impedance
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:02 PM
Pre-amplifier
 Or Pre-amp is a device that takes a source signal, such as from a turntable, tape-deck or CD player, and passes this signal on to a power-amplifier(s). The...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Presence
 A sense that the instrument in present in the listening room. Synonyms are edge, punch, detail, closeness and clarity. Adequate or emphasized response arou...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Puffy
 A bump in the response around 500 Hz.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:04 PM
Punchy
 Good reproduction of dynamics. Good transient response, with strong impact. Sometimes a bump around 5 kHz or 200 Hz.
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:04 PM
Push-pull
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:05 PM
Q or Quality Factor
Is a measure of damping. Modern home speaker systems have Q values ranging from < .5 to approx. 2.0. Q values < .7 have no peak in the response. Q val...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:06 PM
Radio-frequency interference (RFI)
Radio-frequency sound waves can be caused by many sources including; shortwave radio equipment, household electrical line, computers and many other electron...
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:06 PM
RCA Connector
Phono plugs, used primarily as low-level connections between Phonographs/CD players/Tuners/Recievers/Amplifiers
Tue, 14 Oct, 2014 at 9:07 PM