This is the second article about the choice of audio system. Here we will clarify all the nuances and understand the "pitfalls" of all this.
Package contents
This is a key parameter, as it is the composition of the speaker set that determines the suitability of the system to your needs.
Why do you need an audio system?
If you are an avid music lover, collecting a collection of rare discs or vinyl with "beats" and Michael Jackson, then you can use a traditional stereo pair (or triphone set - two front speakers and a subwoofer). Also, this option is yours if you like to "chase the battles" or CS and want to fully immerse yourself in the game world. If you love movies, plan to install a big screen or a projector (or maybe you already have one) and want to enjoy deep-diving while watching movies, it's better to choose a set of speakers 5.1 (6.1, 7.1, etc.) The same advice can be given to the most sophisticated music lovers, audiophiles, fans of classical music and electronics.
- If you need a universal variant, you can choose any of two variants: both good stereo pair and system 5.1 will cope with necessary loading. But keep in mind that a good 5.1 kit will be much more expensive than a good stereo pair.
Floor and shelf mounting
One of the most important differences between columns is their size. Small, shelf-mounted loudspeakers can also be placed on the table (but still better on a special stand), large, floor-standing loudspeakers stand on the floor.
If you know the basics of physics, then most often (first of all, in the bass range) it is true that the bigger the speaker, the better the sound. Of course, it all depends on the task and your room. But don't jump to conclusions. First, floor-standing speakers are much more expensive. Second, if you're planning on installing a loudspeaker system in a standard single loudspeaker, the size of the room is simply not big enough to unlock the full potential of the floor loudspeakers - they need more space.
Therefore, for a small room we take "shelves" (it will be better if you put them on special racks), and for the big - "floor". But still, it is not necessary to buy too small frontal columns.
Loudspeaker sensitivity
This characteristic is the sound pressure level that the system will create when it receives a signal from an amplifier, measured in dB/W*m. At the same power, the higher the sensitivity of the loudspeaker system, the louder the sound it can produce. A high-sensitivity loudspeaker will sound louder with a louder amplifier. But a loudspeaker with little power coupled to a powerful amplifier will produce a louder sound than a high-sensitivity loudspeaker. Also, remember that a powerful amplifier can damage sensitive speakers.
Frequency range
Sound is a phenomenon which is the propagation of mechanical waves in the form of elastic waves. The human ear can hear sound vibrations in the range from 16 Hz to 20 kHz. If we talk about this range, it is conditionally divided into bass, medium and high frequencies. Bass - 10 - 200 Hz; medium - 200 Hz - 5 kHz; high - 5 kHz - 20 kHz.
The frequency range is one of the most important parameters. The closer the frequency range of the loudspeaker system is to 16 - 20000 Hz (perceived by humans), the better. For comparison, the average shelf life is 60 to 20,000 Hz and the floor temperature is 40 to 20,000 Hz. But there are exceptions, so it is better to pay special attention to this characteristic.
By the way, many models of medium and high price categories have the highest frequency range limit above 28000 Hz. Do not hesitate to rush to such speakers: do not forget about the range perceived by the human ear.
Number of stripes
Ideally, an audio system should consist of a single broadband speaker with a full frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. But in practice this is very difficult to implement, so speakers are broken into lanes, usually two or three.
Mid-range loudspeakers usually have two bands: low-frequency (also responsible for mid-range frequencies) and high-frequency. In more expensive loudspeakers, another midrange band is added.
If you listen mainly to vocal music, two-way systems will be enough for you. The same applies to those who are looking for speakers for games and work on the computer.
For listening to electronic or classical music and watching movies in your home theatre, it's better to buy a three-way system.
Resistance (impedance)
This characteristic means the total electrical resistance of the system. The most common values are 4, 6 and 8 ohms. Most importantly, this parameter is used to select the amplifier: the impedance parameter must be the same. A mismatch between the impedance of the loudspeaker and the amplifier can cause serious problems. If the impedance of both devices is higher than the rated impedance of the amplifier at the same power level, the speakers will sound quieter. If the impedance of the speakers is lower, the amplifier may burn. So if you already have an amplifier, it will make it easier to choose the right loudspeaker system: choose from a range of impedances.
Maximum power
This is the maximum possible electrical power available with a certain normalized non-linear distortion factor. Many people think that this parameter means how loud the speakers will sound. But that's not entirely true. A power reading indicates that a dynamic head or loudspeaker system will not fail when the specified power is applied. Therefore, it is very important that the power of the loudspeaker matches or exceeds the power of the amplifier.
When choosing an amplifier and loudspeaker system, it is desirable that the actual maximum power of the loudspeaker system exceeds the power of the amplifier by 30 percent or more. In this case, you will be protected from damage to the loudspeaker due to an unacceptably high level of signal strength. If you choose an option for your home, more than 100 watts is enough. It's unlikely you'll ever hear anything at maximum volume.
For larger rooms, however, it is worth paying attention to higher power ratings - depending on the room area.