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1. Cabin gain:The low frequency boost normally obtained inside a vehicle interior when subs are properly mounted.
Submitted on Friday, June 25, 2010 5:48:20 PM

2. Cabin Gain
A low frequency boost normally obtained inside a vehicle interior when woofers are optimally in phase, and with the proper enclosures.
Submitted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:48:20 PM

3. Canon/Cannon-Brand name of multipoint connector used for professional audio equipment. Also known as XLR connectors.
Submitted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 5:48:20 PM

4. Capacitance
Definition: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.
Submitted on Monday, June 21, 2010 5:48:20 PM

5. 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.
Submitted on Monday, February 08, 2010 5:48:20 PM

6. Capacitor (Power audio)
Definition:Power stabilizing capacitors store the necessary power amplifiers need to punch larger bass notes while limiting clipping. They store energy during intervals when it is not required, which is most of the time, and release it when demand exceeds what is available from the car's power system. The amount of capacitance to be used is half (.5) farad per 500 watts of available RMS power. Capacitors are not used with amplifiers that supply less than 300 watts RMS in total.
Submitted on Monday, June 01, 2009 5:48:20 PM

7. Cardioid
Definition:"Heart" shaped pickup pattern characteristic of some microphones which reduces sensitivity to sounds from the sides and back.
Submitted on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 5:48:20 PM

8. CD Changer-Separate units that may allow the user to hear any of 3 to 120 discs, or more in whatever order they wish to program them, or to skip from one track to another, or from one disc to another. Many of these come with separate controller units that allow for user operation and programming. Some are built to take advantage of controller systems built in to many receivers expressly for that model. Many also have a device called an FM modulator that permits connection to any standard FM stereo radio. The signal can be heard on whatever unused frequency the radio is tuned to. Most changers also permit direct audio outputs to any standard RCA high impedance, line level, input. This is the preferred input to avoid noise and distortion that may occur with radio usage.
Submitted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 5:48:20 PM

9. CD Compact Disc-The most popular format for conveying music and data currently available. It is among the first digital media to take over from the analog formats of phonograph records and tapes; coming to the market in the early 1980's. Developed by Phillips, Sony, and Pioneer, it records information on the now familiar shiny discs by deforming the inner metal foil on the disc with tiny micro pits burned in by a laser. These pits taken together, form a binary digital code, which when converted to bits, then bytes, can recreate the original information, such as audio. It's superiority as a format, consists of the fact that the process gets around such problems as
Submitted on Friday, January 02, 2009 5:48:20 PM

10. CD Controller:
This is a device that can exist either incorporated into a car stereo receiver (head unit) or as a separate module. In either case in contains the operating controls necessary to use a CD player or changer. This will usually include but is not limited to such favorites as
Submitted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 5:48:20 PM

11. CD Head Unit:Is usually a single disc player installed as a separate unit (not including a radio receiver). These are increasingly uncommon.
Submitted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 5:48:20 PM

12. CD Receiver-Multiple function receivers are most commonly configured with radio and CD player capabilities in standard car receiver (head end) units. These may include cassette tape decks as well, and may also have high power amplifiers (over 15 watts RMS) installed in them. Some units may even have mini 3 to 5 disc changers in them. Among common and desirable features are
Submitted on Friday, January 01, 2010 5:48:20 PM

13. Center Channel:in home theater, a signal sent to a speaker mounted in front of the listener, specially designed to enhance voices and sound effects associated with center stage action from a movie soundtrack. Sometimes used in car audio to help offset skewed stereo imaging due to seating positions in the automotive environment.
Submitted on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 5:48:20 PM

14. Center Channel:In home theater, sound decoded from the stereo signal sent to a speaker mounted in front of the listener, specially designed to enhance voices and sound effects from a movie soundtrack. Used in car audio to help offset skewed stereo imaging due to seating positions in the automotive environment.
Submitted on Friday, December 12, 2008 5:48:20 PM

15. Channel:-Common name for a complete amplifying stage in any audio amplifier. Most amplifiers are denominated as 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 channel units. Each of these is a discrete audio amp on its own, capable of taking a small line signal input and amplifying it sufficiently to be heard on an appropriate speaker. Some amplifiers are capable of bridging two channels together, to form one channel of double the power of each separately. The manufacturer's instructions differ widely on how to accomplish this, and each must be followed exactly.
Submitted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:48:20 PM

16. Channel:
One half of the electrical and acoustical requirement for a basic stereo system. When two channels are reproduced correctly, the stereo effect will reproduce images across a soundstage. (e.g., Hey Howard, one channel of my system is out.)
Submitted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 5:48:20 PM

17. Channel:One half of the electrical and acoustical requirement for a basic stereo system. When two channels are reproduced correctly, the stereo effect will reproduce images across a soundstage. (e.g., Hey Howard, one channel of my system is out.)
Submitted on Saturday, July 18, 2009 5:48:20 PM

18. Channel Balance:-In a stereo system, the level balance between left and right channels. Properly balanced, the image should be centered between the left-right speakers. In a home-theater system, refers to achieving correct balance between all the channels of the system.
Submitted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 5:48:20 PM

19. Chebyshev Filter-A filter that has some ripple in the pass-band but has an initial attenuation slope which is steeper than a Butterworth filter.
Submitted on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 5:48:20 PM

20. Chord
Definition:A combination of two or more notes played simultaneously
Submitted on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:48:20 PM

21. Circuit Breaker:A re-settable protection device that amounts to a fuse that never needs replacement. (e.g., My stereo shop got tired of replacing 50 amp fuses in my system so they went ahead and installed a 50 amp circuit breaker.)
Submitted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 5:48:20 PM

22. Circuit Breaker:
An electrical switch that automatically breaks a circuit if the current through it is higher than its rating. Once tripped it can be manually reset. Performs the same function as a fuse, but eliminates the need for replacement after activating.
Submitted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:48:20 PM

23. Circuit Breaker
Definition:A re-settable protection device that amounts to a fuse that never needs replacement. (e.g., My stereo shop got tired of replacing 50 amp fuses in my system so they went ahead and installed a 50 amp circuit breaker.)
Submitted on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 5:48:20 PM

24. Clipping
Refers to a type of distortion that occurs when an amplifier is driven into an overload condition. Usually the "clipped" waveform contains an excess of high-frequency energy. The sound becomes hard and edgy. Hard clipping is the most frequent cause of "burned out" tweeters. Even a low-powered amplifier or receiver driven into clipping can damage tweeters which would otherwise last virtually forever. Class A, Class A-B etc.
Submitted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 5:48:20 PM

25. Clipping
A signal that results from an amplifier that is either overloaded or underpowered relative to the signal Amplitude it being asked to generate. A clipped waveform is one in which the gently rounded peaks and valleys of the AC audio wave are instead sliced off or clipped, to yield what looks a lot like a square or alternating DC wave. When DC is applied to a speaker, the voice coil has no means of propelling itself relative to a constant magnetic field. Instead, it can only convert the incoming current to heat, and ultimately burns up. The effect of alternating DC on speakers is remarkable, irritating, painful, and short. If you are able to hear evident Distortion at high volume levels, or smell smoke, reduce the volume. It may already be too late for your speakers, but at least you may be able to save the amplifier.
Submitted on Saturday, October 23, 2010 5:48:20 PM

26. Cms:Mechanical suspension compliance of a driver, consisting of the spider and surround.
Submitted on Sunday, December 26, 2010 5:48:20 PM

27. CMS:referring to the compliance of the mechanical suspension of a speaker cone, consisting of the spider and surround.
Submitted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:48:20 PM

28. Co-axial-A speaker type that utilizes a tweeter mounted at the center of a woofer cone. The idea being to have the sound source through the full frequency range become "coincident".
Submitted on Saturday, January 24, 2009 5:48:20 PM

29. Coaxial Cable
A single copper conductor, surrounded with a layer of insulation, covered by a surrounding copper shield and finally, an insulating jacket. A constant-impedance unbalanced transmission line. In audio, this type is commonly used for low level, line signals terminated in RCA connectors.
Submitted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 5:48:20 PM

30. Coaxial Cable
The type of signal cable construction in which one insulated conductor is centered inside an outer cylindrical conductor. (e.g., You should use coaxial cable on CB radios and when wiring cellular phone antennas.)
Submitted on Saturday, October 02, 2010 5:48:20 PM

31. Coaxial Cable:-The type of signal cable construction in which one insulated conductor is centered inside an outer cylindrical conductor. (e.g., You should use coaxial cable on CB radios and when wiring cellular phone antennas.)
Submitted on Thursday, June 17, 2010 5:48:20 PM

32. Coaxial Driver:
a speaker composed of two individual voice coils and cones; used for reproduction of sounds in two segments of the sound spectrum. See also triaxial driver.
Submitted on Monday, November 02, 2009 5:48:20 PM

33. Coherence:Listening term. Refers to how well integrated the sound of the system is.
Submitted on Sunday, August 10, 2008 5:48:20 PM

34. Coloration:-A term used to describe levels of audio Distortion that cause serious departures from a true High Fidelity rendition of the original signal.
Submitted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 5:48:20 PM

35. Coloration
Listening term. A visual analog. A "colored" sound characteristic adds something not in the original sound. The coloration may be euphonically pleasant, but it is not as accurate as the original signal.
Submitted on Thursday, May 13, 2010 5:48:20 PM

36. Comb Filter Effect:-This acoustical and electronic effect occurs when two signals interact in such a way as to produce an irregular spiked and choppy response pattern. When graphed on paper, this pattern looks like the teeth of a comb, hence the name. This effect is frequently the product of overlapping outputs from the various drivers in the system. It can develop in either a single speaker between the individual drivers, or between unmatched sets of speakers. This same effect can also be produced by wall reflections and other room anomalies. The usual remedy for this, if it becomes objectionable, (not every instance is even perceived as such) is to make sure the Crossover set points are appropriate for the drivers being used, or that the crossover is operating correctly. Obviously, one should also use only compatible speaker sets.
Submitted on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 5:48:20 PM

37. Compliance
The measurement in liters or cubic feet of the volume of air that is equal to the compliance, or maximum extension of a speaker's total suspension.
Submitted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 5:48:20 PM

38. Compliance:
The relative stiffness of a speaker suspension, specified as Vas.
Submitted on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 5:48:20 PM

39. Component System:
This term is used in relation to speaker systems, to indicate a system in which separate mounting arrangements are provided for each component of the system. In a typical car system you might see a woofer in a box in the rear, midranges at the side and tweeters mounted on the dash panel. This compares to the typical integrated speaker enclosure in which all the Drivers are mounted in the same box.
Submitted on Thursday, December 30, 2010 5:48:20 PM

40. Compression
The process of packing digital data, such as computer files, more efficiently for the purpose of storage or transmission. Commonly referred to as 'stuffing' or 'zipping' a file.
Submitted on Friday, May 15, 2009 5:48:20 PM

41. Compression
In audio, compression means to reduce the dynamic range of a signal. Compression may be intentional or one of the effects of a system that is driven to overload.
Submitted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 5:48:20 PM

42. Compression:1. An increase in density and pressure in a medium, such as air, caused intermittently by the passage of a sound wave. 2. The region in either air or material in which this occurs.
Submitted on Monday, January 18, 2010 5:48:20 PM

43. Compression (Audio):The process of reducing the dynamic range of a given analog audio program by making the loud parts quieter and the quiet parts louder
Submitted on Thursday, November 20, 2008 5:48:20 PM

44. Compression (Audio/Video Files:A process of temporarily or permanently reducing audio data for more efficient storage or transmission. A temporary reduction in file size is called 'non-lossy' compression, and no information is lost. A permanent reduction in file size (such as with mp3 files) is called 'lossy' compression, and involves discarding (supposedly) unnecessary information which is irretrievably lost.
Submitted on Saturday, November 13, 2010 5:48:20 PM

45. Compression Driver
Definition:Compression drivers are usually dynamic; that is, with a magnet and interacting coil arrangement, and a small diaphragm as the main transducer. These are the motor parts, also known as the driver, of a compression horn tweeter or compression horn general-purpose speaker, such as those used for Public Address (PA) purposes. These drivers are usually coupled to the throat of an exponential horn. Such an arrangement enables this type of tweeter to have very high directional characteristics, which allows them to be especially effective in situations requiring a very wide sound field. In typical home and car stereo near-field applications, large horns can be a bit too narrowly directional to be practical. For this reason, compression horn systems are usually found only in special purpose speakers used in mid and wide field applications such as PA systems or the sound systems installed in large theaters. However, some specialized horns have small apertures and very shallow horns, and can be quite suitable for close spaces.
Submitted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 5:48:20 PM

46. Compression Wave
A wave propagated by means of the compression of a fluid, such as a sound wave in air. To create sound, the opposite state of rarification alternates with the crest of every compression.
Submitted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 5:48:20 PM

47. Compressor:-A type of dynamic range processor which reduces the gain of audio signals which are over an adjustable 'threshold' level, therefore reducing the dynamic range. Generally allows the operator control over threshold, ratio, attack and release times. Both analogue and digital types are available.
Submitted on Friday, July 10, 2009 5:48:20 PM

48. Concert Pitch:

Submitted on Monday, November 24, 2008 5:48:20 PM

49. Condenser Microphone
Definition:
Submitted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 5:48:20 PM

50. Conductor:-Materials along which electrons will flow, making them suitable for use as connecting links in electrical circuits. Also, persons who guide symphony orchestras or streetcars.
Submitted on Friday, July 31, 2009 5:48:20 PM

51. Cone

Submitted on Friday, June 05, 2009 5:48:20 PM

52. Cone:
The sound-making part of a dynamic loudspeaker that moves back and forth in the air. (e.g., Harry's little brother poked a hole in the cone of Harry's woofer, so now the bass is really whimpy.)
Submitted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 5:48:20 PM

53. Cone
Definition:The sound-making part of a dynamic loudspeaker that moves back and forth in the air. (e.g., Harry's little brother poked a hole in the cone of Harry's woofer, so now the bass is really whimpy.)
Submitted on Thursday, April 23, 2009 5:48:20 PM

54. Constant Directivity (CD) Horn:
A horn-loaded high frequency driver that exhibits more or less constant distribution of high-frequency sound in the horizontal direction. This is done by using one of several special dual shaped horn designs created to solve the traditional problem of horn-loaded driver output varying with frequency. All CD horns exhibit a high frequency roll-off of approximately 6 dB/octave beginning somewhere in the 2 kHz to 4 kHz area.
Submitted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 5:48:20 PM

55. Controller:
The component or device that remotely operates the changer. (e.g., A great feature for an in-dash installed deck is the changer/controller function so that the trunk installed changer can be remotely accessed.)
Submitted on Friday, January 22, 2010 5:48:20 PM

56. Controller
Definition:The component or device that remotely operates the changer. (e.g., A great feature for an in-dash installed deck is the changer/controller function so that the trunk installed changer can be remotely accessed.)
Submitted on Sunday, August 29, 2010 5:48:20 PM

57. Coulomb
Definition:An amount of electrical charge which contains 6.24 x 1018 of electrons. So there!
Submitted on Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:48:20 PM

58. Counter firing-A method for reducing harmonic distortion at low frequencies that involves the use of a secondary coil in a woofer or mid bass driver to cancel non-fundamental wave elements not found in the original signal. The signal from the coil is used by the amplifier to refine it's damping control over the cone motion. This proprietary servo-feedback technology was originally developed by Velodyne in the early '90s.
Submitted on Thursday, August 07, 2008 5:48:20 PM

59. Cross Talk
1. Undesired capacitive, inductive, or conductive coupling from one circuit, part of a circuit, or channel, to another. 2. Any phenomenon by which a signal transmitted on one circuit or channel of a transmission system creates an undesired effect in another circuit or channel. Note
Submitted on Sunday, March 07, 2010 5:48:20 PM

60. Crossover:A device or passive circuit used in systems with separate tweeter and/or midrange Drivers. It Rolls Off frequencies above and below certain points in the range, to allow the sound to be tailored for the specific driver to which it is sent. Most speakers have crossovers that consist of passive elements such as capacitors, coils, and resistors to separate the various frequencies. In a bi-amped or multi-amped system, the crossover is an active device that feeds the various frequency bands to the inputs of the amplifiers that operate the individual drivers.
Submitted on Tuesday, June 02, 2009 5:48:20 PM

61. Crossover
A frequency divider. Crossovers are used in speakers to route the various frequency ranges to the appropriate drivers. Additionally, many crossovers contain various filters to stabilize the impedance load of the speaker and or shape the frequency response. Some crossovers contain levels controls to attenuate various parts of the signal. A passive crossover uses capacitors, coils and resistors, usually at speaker level. A passive crossover is load dependent (the transition may not be very smooth or accurate if a different speaker is substituted for the one the crossover was designed for). An active crossover is based on integrated circuits (ICs), discreet transistors or tubes. An active crossover is impedance buffered and gives a consistent and accurate transition regardless of load.
Submitted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 5:48:20 PM

62. Crossover Frequencies
Definition:The frequencies at which a passive or electronic crossover network divides the audio signals, which are then routed to the appropriate amplifiers or speakers.
Submitted on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:48:20 PM

63. Crossover Network:
A unit which divides the audio spectrum into two or more frequency bands (Also see Crossover Frequencies).
Submitted on Sunday, October 24, 2010 5:48:20 PM

64. Crossover Point-The frequency at which a crossover delivers equal power to each of its outputs. (e.g., A subwoofer crossover point of 40 Hz passes only the lowest frequencies.)
Submitted on Thursday, March 11, 2010 5:48:20 PM

65. Crossover Point
The frequency at which a crossover delivers equal power to each of its outputs. (e.g., A subwoofer crossover point of 40 Hz passes only the lowest frequencies.)
Submitted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:48:20 PM

66. Crossover Slope:
The rate at which a crossover circuit attenuates the blocked frequencies. Slope is expressed as decibels per octave. A 6dB per octave crossover reduces signal amplitude level by 6dB in every octave starting at the crossover point. This means that every time the frequency of the audio signal is changed by a factor of 2 (one octave), the level of the audio signal is attenuated by 6dB. For example, if a low-pass crossover is set at 60Hz with a 6dB slope, you'll see a drop in level of 6dB at 120Hz. With slopes of 12dB and higher, the output beyond the crossover point will be reduced to below the level of audibility.
Submitted on Monday, November 15, 2010 5:48:20 PM

67. Crossover Slope
High and low pass filters used for speakers do not cut-off frequencies like brick walls. The rolloff occurs over a number of octaves. Common filter slopes for speakers are 1st through 4th order corresponding to 6db/oct to 24db/oct. For example, a 1st. order, 6db/oct high pass filter at 100hz will pass 6db less energy at 50Hz and 12db less energy at 25Hz. Within the common 1st through 4th filters there is an endless variety of types including Butterworth, Linkwitz-Riley, Bessel, Chebychev, etc. Salesmen and product literature will sometimes make claims of clear superiority for the filter used in the product they are trying to sell. Since the subject fills books, suffice it to say that there is no one best filter, it depends on application and intended outcome. Good designers use the filters required to get the optimum performance from the system.
Submitted on Monday, September 20, 2010 5:48:20 PM

68. Cross-talk:-Unwanted breakthrough of one channel into another. Also refers to the distortion that occurs when some signal from a music source that you are not listening to leaks into the circuit of the source that you are listening to.
Submitted on Saturday, December 13, 2008 5:48:20 PM

69. Current
Definition:The volume or quantum of the flow of electrons through a conductor, as opposed to voltage, which is the measure of the intensity or velocity of the electrical flow.
Submitted on Sunday, August 08, 2010 5:48:20 PM

70. Current (I)-The flow of electrical charge measured in amperes.
Submitted on Saturday, November 28, 2009 5:48:20 PM

71. Custom File:-A feature package that provides intuitive and safe source management for an audio and A/V system. Examples include Disc Memo, Selection, Station Memo, and Memo List.
Submitted on Monday, August 11, 2008 5:48:20 PM

72. Cut
Definition:A reduction in the level or amplitude of a signal. (e.g., Why don't you cut your 3 kHz passband by lowering the 3.1 kHz slider on your equalizer?)
Submitted on Monday, September 21, 2009 5:48:20 PM

73. Cut
Definition:A reduction in the level or amplitude of a signal. (e.g., Why don't you cut your 3 kHz passband by lowering the 3.1 kHz slider on your equalizer?)
Submitted on Thursday, July 02, 2009 5:48:20 PM

74. Cutoff Frequency Filters
The frequency at which a signal falls off by 3 dB (the half power point) from it's maximum value. Also referred to as the -3 dB points, or the corner frequencies
Submitted on Friday, September 04, 2009 5:48:20 PM

75. Cycles per second
See Hertz
Submitted on Monday, March 30, 2009 5:48:20 PM

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