A

1. A crossover:
is an electronic circuit that directs which frequencies go to which speakers. For example, since subwoofers are designed to best reproduce only the lowest frequencies, a subwoofer crossover (a low-pass crossover) allows only the low frequencies to pass through to the subwoofer. Freed from the task of reproducing heavy bass, your other speakers will rejoice by performing better and playing louder. You need crossovers so that you don't send unnecessary signals to a speaker (which could damage it).

2. A is for amperes:-a measure of electric current. How much is enough? (We like to say that having too much amperage is like having too much money.) Your car's stock alternator probably provides enough amperage to power a basic car audio system. But if you want to add multiple high power amplifiers, you might require some additional current, and the installation of a new alternator or stiffening capacitors (see this link section with answers to your questions for more on alternators and stiffening capacitors). Ampere is commonly abbreviated as "amp" (not to be confused with amplifiers), but sometimes it's "I." Electricity is like that.

3. A-B Test
Definition:A TEST BY WHICH AN OBSERVOR SUBJECTIVELY COMPARES THE PERFORMANCE OF TWO COMPONENTS OF THE SAME TYPE; FOR EXAMPLE, A TEST BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT SPEAKIERS. FOR THE TEST TO BE SCIENTIFICALLY VALID, THE INPUTS, LEVELS, AND LISTENING CONDITIONS SHOULD BE MATCHED.

4. A-B Test:-A test between two components. For example, a test between two different pre-amplifiers. For the test to be scientifically valid the levels should be matched.

5. ABX Comparator
A device that randomly selects between two components being tested. The listener doesn't know which device is selected.

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B

74. Back Light:In receivers, a display may be lit from the rear to create better visibility under a wide range of ambient light conditions.

75. Back Plate:The part of the woofers metal Basket or frame on which the Magnet structure is mounted.

76. Baffle
A flat panel that divides the front and rear sound waves produced by a woofer. Sometimes baffle is used to mean an enclosure or the front panel on which the speaker is mounted .

77. Baffle:
A surface used to mount a loudspeaker.

78. Balance:
The condition of a stereo system in which both channels are reproducing the same level. (e.g., Whenever I adjust the balance control of my system, the source of sound shifts drastically to either side.)

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C

135. Cabin gain-The low frequency boost normally obtained inside a vehicle interior when subs are properly mounted.

136. Cabin Gain:-A low frequency boost normally obtained inside a vehicle interior when woofers are optimally in phase, and with the proper enclosures.

137. Canon/Cannon-Brand name of multipoint connector used for professional audio equipment. Also known as XLR connectors.

138. Capacitance
The property of an electric device that permits the storage of energy as a result of electric displacement when opposite surfaces of conductive plates are maintained at a difference of potential. In a capacitor, capacitance is the measure of the property (the amount of charge that can be stored) equal to the ratio of the charge on either surface to the potential difference between the surfaces. Capacitance is measured in Farads, and micro, or pico-farads for smaller units.

139. Capacitor:-A device made up of two metallic plates separated by a dielectric (insulating material). Used to store electrical energy in the electrostatic field between the plates. It produces an impedance to an ac current.

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D

210. D'Appolito:-Joe D'Appolito is credited with popularizing the MTM (Midrange-Tweeter-Midrange) type of speaker.

211. DAC
Digital to analog converter. An IC component or circuit that is used to derive or convert an analog signal from a digital one.

212. DAC:-A Digital to Audio Converter. Converts a digital bitstream to an analog signal. Can be a separate "box" that connects between a CD Transport or CD Player and a pre-amplifier.

213. Damper
Part of the suspension connected to the bottom of the speaker cone at the voice coil that centers the voice coil in the magnetic gap. It is sometimes referred to as the spider

214. Damping
Definition:The process of reducing or eliminating vibrations, reverberations and/or oscillations. (e.g., In car audio often add a heavy, sticky damping material to any panels that tend to resonate and rattle.)

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E

291. Earth-An electrical connection to the earth, which represents 0 volts or 'ground potential' by way of a metal or conductive rod.

292. Easter egg:-A surprise "extra" coded into DVD's, computer programs or web pages that is accessed by an undocumented keystroke combination or hidden link.

293. EBP:-Efficiency Bandwidth Product. A parameter that helps determine the suitability of a driver for a sealed or ported enclosure. An EBP of less than 50 indicates the driver should be used in a sealed box, 50 - 90 indicates flexible design options including bass reflex, over 90 indicates the need for a ported enclosure. EBP = Fs / Qes

294. EBP:Efficiency Bandwidth Product. A guide that helps a designer determine whether a driver is more suitable for a sealed or ported enclosure. EBP of less than 50 indicates the driver should be used in a sealed, 50 - 90 indicates flexible design options, over 90 indicates best for a ported enclosure. EBP = Fs / Qes

295. Echo
Definition:The effect of a sound and a delayed version of that same sound. A 'Slap-Back Echo' is the original sound plus a single repeat; "Multiple Echo" is the original sound plus several repeats with the identical delay spacing and decay times.

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F

321. F3
The roll-off frequency at which the driver's response is down -3dB from the level of it's midband response.

322. F3 (measured in Hz):
The frequency at which the acoustic power output from a system has fallen to one-half its reference value. Known as the systems 3dB down point. F3

323. Fader
Rather like the right to left balance control, however the fader moves the sonic position between the front and back speakers.

324. Fader:-The control that varies the amplitude of the front vs. rear sound. (e.g., When Susan moved the fader to full rear, the front speakers could no longer be heard.)

325. Fader:
The control that varies the amplitude of the front vs. rear sound. (e.g., When Susan moved the fader to full rear, the front speakers could no longer be heard.)

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G

366. Gain:
The difference in the amplitude of two signals. This is commonly used to compare the input and output of an electronic component. (e.g., Richard's tweeters were not loud enough, so he turned up the gain on his high-frequency crossover output.)

367. Gain-To increase in level. The function of a volume control.

368. Gain-An increase in volume or amplitude, usually measured in dB.

369. Gain
The difference in the amplitude of two signals. This is commonly used to compare the input and output of an electronic component. (e.g., Richard's tweeters were not loud enough, so he turned up the gain on his high-frequency crossover output.)

370. Gas Plasma:
Gas plasma emitters are a type of Horn Driver wherein a plasma or ionized gas field is developed and then propelled between two electrostatic grids. The onrushing gas is then compacted or dispersed in conformity to the frequency and level of the high voltage input signal. This type of driver, while very effective, is also extremely expensive, and so has not been commercially successful.

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H

385. Haas Effect:
Also known as precedence effect, describes the human psychoacoustic phenomena of correctly identifying the direction of a sound source heard in both ears but arriving at different times. Due to the head's geometry (two ears spaced apart, sometimes separated by a barrier) the direct sound from any source first enters the ear closest to the source, then the ear farthest away. The Haas Effect describes how humans localize a sound source based upon the first arriving sound, if the subsequent arrivals are between 25-35 milliseconds. If the later arrivals are longer than this, then two distinct sounds are heard. The Haas Effect applies even when the second arrival is louder than the first (even by levels as great as 10 dB.)

386. Haas effect-If sounds arrive from several sources, the ears and brain will identify only the nearest. In other words, if our ears receive similar sounds coming from various sources, the brain will latch onto the sound that arrives first. If the time difference is up to 50 milliseconds, the early arrival sound can dominate the later arrival sound, even if the later arrival is as much as 10 dB louder. The discovery of this effect is attributed to Halmut Haas in 1949.

387. Hard Dome (Tweeter):A characteristic of some Dome tweeters in which the dome is made of some light, hard metal such as neodymium, titanium, or some of the more rigid plastic compounds. The differences in reproduction between hard and soft dome tweeters, are distinctive, but very subtle. Pay close attention to how these sound before purchase.

388. Harmonic Distortion-A type of Distortion in which resonance or sympathetic ringing vibrations are added to the original sound to produce second and third harmonics of a fundamental tone in a way that was not present in the original signal. Choosing good Drivers and a well-made enclosure design is essential in overcoming this tendency in speakers.

389. Harmonics:-Also called overtones, these are vibrations at frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental. Harmonics extend without limit beyond the audible range. They are characterized as even-order and odd-order harmonics. A second-order harmonic is two times the frequency of the fundamental; a third order is three times the fundamental; a fourth order is four times the fundamental; and so forth. Each even-order harmonic

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I

424. IHF:-Institute of High Fidelity - the premier institution for high fidelity whose standards have come to be universally recognized in application to the operation and design of sound re-enforcement and reproduction equipment.

425. 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 re-creation of the original sound

426. Imaging
When two or more channels are reproduced in such a manner that our brains are tricked into hearing something that does not really exist. A phantom center is created when identical mono information is reproduced in two identical loudspeakers with a listener seated in between and in front of the two speakers. (e.g., Until Ronnie installed his speakers in pods on the floor, his system didn't image at all.)

427. Imaging
When two or more channels are reproduced in such a manner that our brains are tricked into hearing something that does not really exist. A phantom center is created when identical mono information is reproduced in two identical loudspeakers with a listener seated in between and in front of the two speakers. (e.g., Until Ronnie installed his speakers in pods on the floor, his system didn't image at all.)

428. Imaging:Imaging describes the extent to which an audio system reproduces the directional cues that enable the listener to locate the instruments and vocalists as they were positioned during recording and mixing (See also Soundstage below). Good imaging creates a listening experience that seems natural and lifelike. Since directional cues in sound come mainly in the higher frequencies, the key to attaining the best possible imaging is to have equal and unobstructed path lengths between the tweeters and the listener's ears. That's one of the reasons why matched component speakers, with their versatile tweeter placement, sound as good as they do.

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J

458. Jack
A receptical for a plug used to interconnect electronic devices.

459. Jet aircraft-140-180 dB

460. Jitter:A tendency towards lack of synchronization caused by electrical changes. Technically the unexpected (and unwanted) phase shift of digital pulses over a transmission medium. A discrepancy between when a digital edge transition is supposed to occur and when it actually does occur - think of it as nervous digital, or maybe a digital analogy to wow and flutter.

461. Joule:-A unit of energy equal to one watt per second.

462. Jump, Jumper:-To provide a temporary circuit around a component or other circuit A device that anables this action

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K

463. Kapton:
A voice coil design in which multiple layers are used on a Kapton coated coil form to create the rotor element in the speaker driver's linear motor. This allows greater power handling, and cooler operation.

464. Kevlar:Material developed by Dupont that is has an exceptional strength to weight ratio. Used extensively in bullet-proof vests, skis, sailboat hulls, etc. In audio, used in many variations for speaker cones.

465. Keypad:A panel usually made of metal or plastic with numbered push-button switches (like a touch-tone telephone) designed to provide access to certain types of control functions. Security, CD changers, and cellular systems represent typical examples

466. KHz (kilohertz):A frequency of one thousand (1,000) cycles per second

467. Kilohertz (kHz):
One thousand hertz.

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L

470. LCD-Liquid Crystal Display. Probably the most common way of showing visual information on non-computer electronic equipment.

471. Le-The inductance of a driver's voice coil, typically measured at 1 kHz in millihenries (mH).

472. Le (Measured in millihenries, mH)
The electrical inductance of a speaker's voice coil.

473. Limiter
Definition:An electronic compressor with a fixed ratio of 10

474. Line level
Definition:The signal output of a deck or component that is usually not run through the speaker amplifier stages. Therefore the signal is much cleaner and more suitable for amplification. (e.g., The signal line level output of a good quality deck will often exceed 3 volts.)

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M

503. Magnet Boot
A rubber or plastic cover for the magnet housing for protection or appearance, mostly the latter.

504. Magnet/Magnet Structure:
A combination of magnetic material and connected field concentrators that creates the magnetic field within which the voice coil interacts to produce sound. Magnetic materials have changed greatly over the years to produce much higher concentrations of magnetic fields (rated in gauss) with lighter and smaller volumes of material.

505. Magnetic Flux Density
The measurement of magnetic flux, in units of Gauss, inside the air gap in which a voice coil of a speaker operates.

506. Magnetic-Planar Speakers:A type of speaker that uses a flat diaphragm with a voice coil etched or bonded to it to radiate sound. If the magnets are both in front of and behind the diaphragm, it becomes a push-pull magnetic-planar.

507. MASH
Definition:An acronym for Multi-stage noise shaping. This is the name given to the digital advances that were introduced after the CD specification had been established.

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N

544. Near Field Sound:Typically, any point where the direct sound emission is measurably louder than the reflections of that sound. From a more accurate technical perspective, this is the point where the velocity of molecules emitted by the radiator is out of phase with the sound pressure wave. This is especially obvious when the listener is in close proximity to high frequency emissions.

545. Negative feedback:-The dynamic comparison of a fraction of the output signal to the input signal at the input to an amplifier in such a way that the amplifier regulates it's output signal for maximal conformity to the input signal. Negative feedback is frequently used in designing opamp circuits and audio power amplifiers.

546. Negative LCD-A liquid crystal display employing a dark backfield with lit elements. This results in a primarily dark display, which improves cosmetic integration with a dark colored headunit.

547. Neodymium Magnet:-A magnet material providing 7.5 times the magnetic strength of standard magnetic materials.

548. Net Volume:The amount of airspace that is enclosed within a speaker's enclosure. This does not include the airspace taken up by bracing, vents, or the speaker itself.

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O

565. Octave
Definition:An octave is a doubling or halving of frequency. 20Hz-40Hz is often considered the bottom octave. Each octave you add on the bottom requires that your speakers move four times as much air!

566. Octave-A doubling or halving of a frequency. (e.g., One octave higher than 100 Hz is 200 Hz and one octave lower than 100 Hz is 50 Hz.)

567. Octave
A doubling or halving of a frequency. (e.g., One octave higher than 100 Hz is 200 Hz and one octave lower than 100 Hz is 50 Hz.)

568. Octave
Definition:In audio, the interval between any two frequencies having a ratio of 2 to 1. One octave up from 100 Hz is 200 Hz, where one octave down from 100 Hz is 50 Hz. A harmonic is a doubling (2nd harmonic), tripling (3rd harmonic), quadrupling (4th Harmonic... etc) of a fundamental frequency. Musical instruments (with the exception of electronic synthesizers) do not create pure tones. The fundamental (main frequency) is combined with its harmonics at various levels to create the sonic signature, or timbre of that instrument.

569. Ohm-A unit of electrical resistance or impedance.

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P

588. Pad:
An electrical circuit used to attenuate or reduce the amplitude of an audio signal by a fixed amount, e.g a -15dB pad reduces the signal by a fixed 15 decibels.

589. Pan Pot
Short for panoramic potentiometer, this is a knob controlling a voltage divider that can send a signal to a combination of two busses, such as left and right. Always found on mixing consoles to set up (pan) a signal within the stereo field, it is also called a 'balance' control on domestic stereo amplifiers.

590. Parallel:-A circuit topology that connects multiple circuits to the same connectors. (e.g., We connected four 8 ohm woofers in parallel so that we could really load down our amplifier.)

591. Parallel:-A circuit topology that connects multiple circuits to the same connectors. (e.g., We connected four 8 ohm woofers in parallel so that we could really load down our amplifier.)

592. Parallel Wiring:A circuit in which two or more devices are connected to the same source of voltage, sharing a common positive and negative point, so that each device receives the full applied voltage.

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Q

661. Q:
The ratio of reactance to resistance in a series circuit, or the ratio of resistance to reactance in a parallel circuit.

662. 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 values around .5 are considered to be optimally damped, having a Bessel response. A Q of 1.0 is a Butterworth response. The lower the Q value, the better the transient response of the system, (less or no ringing), but the tradeoff is a larger required box size and the response begins to rolloff at a higher frequency. Another way to consider it is that the lower the Q, the more gradual the rolloff but the rolloff begins at a higher frequency.

663. Qes-The Q of a speaker driver at its free air resonance considering only its electrical losses.

664. Qms-The Q of a speaker driver at its free air resonance considering only its mechanical losses

665. Qtc
Definition:The total Q or resistance of a woofer and sealed enclosure at the system's resonance frequency, considering all resistive losses. A Qtc of .7 has smoothest response and the lowest resonant frequency response. A Qtc of above 1.1 should only be used by those who prefer a "boomy" response.

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R

673. Radio Data System (RDS):-RDS stands for Radio Data System. RDS tuners can automatically tune in stations according to the types of music (or talk) they broadcast. RDS also enables a receiver to display text messages and even graphics (usually call letters and format information) that many FM stations include on a subcarrier signal within their normal broadcast signal. Some RDS equipped tuners can even override with traffic alerts or emergency broadcasts, during playback of other media - CD MD, or cassette. There are other useful features too, many of which are offered by the growing number of RDS stations

674. Radio Frequency (RF)-An alternating current or voltage with a frequency (or carrier wave) above about 100kHz. It's called radio frequency because these frequencies have a capacity to be radiated as electromagnetic waves by radio ( and television) stations.

675. 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 electronic devices. RFI sometimes interferes with audio signals, causing noise and other distortions.

676. Random Code Encryption:(or Varicode2 Transmitting System) In auto security systems, these terms describe anti-code grabbing technology, a feature which prevents malicious persons who use a special receiver to intercept remote control codes, from using it to defeat the alarm.

677. Random Play:Also known as shuffle play. In CD players and changers, this function randomizes the order of selections during playback. Some CD players offer a "Random Play with Delete" feature that prevents a piece from being repeated once it has been played.

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S

715. SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc)
Definition:SACD is one of two main emerging new standards for high-resolution audio on compact discs. The other is DVD-Audio. It was developed by Sony and is based on a licensed technology called Direct Stream Digital, which was developed by Sony and Phillips and is theoretically capable of sample rates up to 2.8 MHz. The SACD format allows for playback of multi-channel audio and a bandwidth of 100 kHz at over 120 dB dynamic range while retaining compatibility with existing compact disc technology. There are several subformats in the works (single layer, dual layer, etc.) that are optimized for different tasks, but Sony claims that all SACD discs have fully uncompromised audio quality. That is, no data compression, and no computer generated surround mixes from stereo data or vice versa. The potential success of this format in the mainstream is currently under scrutiny amidst other developments such as DVD Audio, but there are a number of titles available on the Sony label with promised support from other record labels.

716. Satellite-A satellite speaker is usually fairly small, and does not reproduce the lowest frequencies. Usually meant to be used with a woofer or subwoofer.

717. Satellite Radio
Definition:Digital radio transmission system that utilizes satellites in space to broadcast directly to ground based and mobile receivers. Two existing networks, Sirius and XM offer hundreds of channels of diverse offerings for a subscription fee. Separate standards govern the reception of each, so a choice must be made prior to aquiring the system.

718. Scan
When a tuner stops at each programmed station for about five seconds to give the listener a chance to select that station. (e.g., John's old AM/FM/Cassette player doesn't even have a scan feature so he has to tune all his stations one at a time.)

719. Scan:When a tuner stops at each programmed station for about five seconds to give the listener a chance to select that station. (e.g., John's old AM/FM/Cassette player doesn't even have a scan feature so he has to tune all his stations one at a time.)

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T

797. Tape Equalization:
In tape decks, the best equalization response must be selected according to the type of tape — normal, chrome, or high-bias. In many decks, automatic sensors perform this function, in others, a switch must be set.

798. Terminal Cup:A plastic cabinet part that contains the terminal connectors that permits the wire from the amplifier to be connected to the speaker. Sometimes these parts contain the Crossover and protection circuitry as well.

799. THD:is total harmonic distortion, or how much a device distorts a signal. These figures are usually given as percentages. THD figures below approximately 0.1% are inaudible, but like bad karma distortion adds up.

800. THD-Total harmonic distortion is a measure of the how much a given audio device may distort a signal through the introduction of added harmonics or overtones. These figures are usually given as percentages. THD figures below approximately 1% are inaudible to most people. However, distortion is a cumulative phenomenon, so that if a receiver, equalizer, signal processor, crossover, and amplifier are all rated at "no greater than 1%THD", together, they could produce 5%THD, which may well be noticeable in the perceived sound.

801. Theile/Small Parameters:
The work of Neville Theile and Richard Small is considered to have the most impact on the loudspeaker design field. They discovered a method that could predict the frequency response performance, and other characteristics of a loudspeaker system, based on its physical parameters. For details on these parameters see Understanding Theile/Small Parameters.

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U

836. Ultrasonic:Having frequencies above the range of human hearing, commonly considered to be 20 kHz. Not to be confused with "supersonic," which means faster than the speed of sound. Ultrasonic frequencies in the signal path can sometimes cause harmonic distortion in audio components that are in the human hearing range and quite audible.

837. Unfused Wire
Any section of wire between the power supply and a load that does not include the protection of a fuse or circuit breaker.

838. Unison:
In music, unison is used to describe an identity of pitch. When two or more tones are sounding at the same frequency or pitch, they are said to be in unison with one another.

839. Unity gain
A circuit with unity gain will not increase or decrease the volume level.

840. Unity Gain:A device or setting which does not change signal level, neither amplifying nor attenuating the signal, is said to be at "unity gain." Many processors are set up for unity gain; that is, they can be plugged into a system without changing its overall levels. In practice, unity gain is often a desired setting for maintaining gain staging, and for optimizing operating levels and signal to noise ratios.

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V

843. V is for volts:
the measure of "electric potential." Voltages don't do anything, they simple measure stuff.

844. Variable LP/HP Filter:Crossover components which provide adjustable cut-off frequencies, and levels.

845. Vas:The equivalent volume of compliance, which specifies a volume of air having the same compliance as the suspension system of a driver.

846. VAS
Volume Acoustic Suspension. A volume of air in an enclosure that has the same resistance characteristic in acoustic terms as the speaker's suspension in mechanical terms. This is a factor taken into account when designing enclosures. It specifies the optimum internal volume of the enclosure.

847. Vas-Compliance
A measurement in liters or cubic feet of the volume of air that is equal to the compliance of the speaker's total suspension.

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W

867. W stands for watts-another measurement of electrical power. One watt is equal to one volt times one amp of energy per second. Don't be mislead by wattage specifications. All things being equal, a good, expensive 50W amplifier will outperform a cheap, marginal 75W amp. Here's why

868. Warmth:
A listening term. The opposite of cool or cold. In terms of frequency, generally considered the range from approx. 150Hz-400Hz. A system with the "proper" warmth will sound natural within this range.

869. Watt:
The basic unit of power. From Ohm's Law we learn that power (measured in watts) dissipated by a load is equal to the voltage placed across that load multiplied by the current flowing through that load. (e.g., Whenever a current of 20 amps flows through a resistor with 12 volts across it, that resistor will have to handle 240 watts of power.)

870. Watt:The basic unit of power. From Ohm's Law we learn that power (measured in watts) dissipated by a load is equal to the voltage placed across that load multiplied by the current flowing through that load. (e.g., Whenever a current of 20 amps flows through a resistor with 12 volts across it, that resistor will have to handle 240 watts of power.)

871. Wattage
Is the unit of power used to rate the output of audio amplifiers. For a wattage number to have meaning the distortion level and impedance must also be specified.

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X

887. X and Y axis:
In a graph or chart showing the realtionship of one acoustical phenomenon or measurement relative to another, it is common to plot the ralionship on a chart with intersecting vertical and horizontal axis (X and Y) that graphicly shows the interaction between two or more elements, such as frequency and power in a given situation.

888. XLR
Definition:A type of connector used for balanced lines. Used for microphones, balanced audio components and the AES/EBU digital connection.

889. Xmax
Definition:The maximum linear cone excursion of a driver, measured in inches or millimeters. Caution; this should be specified as linear excursion one way, but many manufacturers list the the total excursion both ways which falsely doubles the value!

890. Xmax:-A measure of a speaker cone's maximum Excursion (back and forth motion) in one direction while still maintaining a linear behavior (moving in a straight line with high precision). This factor is measured in inches or millimeters. Xmax is more precisely defined as the width of the voice coil that extends beyond the front plate plus 15%. This relates to how far the speaker can move in either direction without appreciable distortion.

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Y

891. Y Cable or Adapter:
A cable used to split a signal into two parts or combine two signals into one. The term, Y Cable is used because the cable has the appearance of the letter Y, where there are two parts joined into one, or one split into two, depending upon the purpose. Y Cables are common throughout audio as a simple and straightforward way to accomplish these two tasks.

892. Y-Adapter:
Any type of connection that splits a signal into two parts. An example would be a connector with one male RCA jack on one end, and two female RCA jacks on the other end.

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Z

893. Z:The designation of impedance, as High Z, - 47,000 ohms, or low Z, - 4 ohms

894. Zero Bit Detection-A circuit in a D/A converter that monitors the digital audio bit stream. upon encountering all bits low, or zero bits, the output of the D/A is disconnected from the preamp. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio specification.1

895. Zero Crossing-An analog waveform consists of two alternating voltage polarities (positive to negative to positive...etc.). The point where the polarity changes from positive to negative, or vice versa, is called the zero crossing. When looping a wave or editing two waveforms together, this is the ideal location for the splice as the levels of the two waves are both at zero. This eliminates the possibility of clicks or pops created by mis-matched levels, and makes for a smooth sonic transition.

896. Zero Output:
The absence of output signal or output power

897. Zobel Filter
A series circuit consisting of a resistance and capacitance. This filter is placed in parallel with a speaker driver to flatten what would otherwise be a rising impedance with frequency.

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