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Comparison Genius SP-HF160 vs Philips SPA20

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Genius SP-HF160
Philips SPA20
Genius SP-HF160Philips SPA20
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Main
USB powered. Compactness.
Speakerskit 2.0kit 2.0
Lines12
Specs
Sensitivity85 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio80 dB75 dB
Frequency range160 – 18000 Hz75 – 20000 Hz
Impedance4 Ohm4 Ohm
Speaker output4 W3 W
Front2 W/channel1.5 W/channel
Features
Connections
mini-Jack (3.5 mm)
mini-Jack (3.5 mm)
General
USB port powered
Volume controlrearrear
Speaker materialMDFMDF
Front speaker size (WxHxD)85x129x84 mm80х121х158 mm
Weight0.6 kg0.6 kg
Color
Added to E-Catalogfebruary 2016september 2013

Lines

The number of individual frequency bands played by the speaker. At least one specialized speaker is allocated for each such band.

The point of using multiple frequency bands is that for different frequencies, the optimal design of the speakers will also be different (for example, it is better to make tweeters small, and woofers large). Thus, dividing the sound into bands improves the sound. In turn, the advantage of single-way speakers are compactness and lower cost.

Models for 2(LF / HF) or 3 bands(LF / MF / HF) are considered classic options for multi-band computer speakers. There are also 2.5 acoustics — it has 2 separate speakers for bass and treble plus a combined bass + midrange.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity characterizes the loudness of the speakers when a signal of a certain power is applied to them. The higher this indicator, the higher the volume will be with the same characteristics of the signal source; simply put, on the same computer and the same volume settings, more sensitive speakers will play louder.

In general, an indicator of 85 dB is considered good, 90 dB and above is excellent. On the other hand, computer speakers rarely need a very high volume — they are usually located close to the user and are designed only for him. So in general, this parameter can be ignored.

Signal-to-noise ratio

The ratio of the level of the useful signal (actually reproduced sound) to the level of extraneous noise provided by the speaker amplifier in normal mode.

Any amplifier inevitably creates its own noise; You can't get rid of them, but you can reduce their level. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the clearer the sound will be, the less noticeable extraneous interference will be. In modern computer speakers, this figure can vary from 52 – 55 dB (the minimum figure so that the noise does not cause much discomfort) to 90 – 95 dB (comparable to fairly advanced Hi-Fi equipment). However, note that the signal-to-noise ratio is far from the only parameter that affects the sound quality, and its high value does not guarantee a pleasant sound from the speakers.

Frequency range

The range of audio frequencies supported by acoustics. The wider this range — the fuller the reproduced sound, the lower the likelihood that some of these details at low or high frequencies will remain “behind the scenes”. At the same time, the human ear is able to hear frequencies of the order of 16 – 22,000 Hz, and with age, this range narrows even more. In modern audio equipment, especially at the top level, there may be more extensive ranges, but from a practical point of view, this does not make much sense. In addition, it is worth noting that a wide frequency range in itself does not guarantee high-quality sound — a lot also depends on the frequency response.

Speaker output

Total speaker power rating — the sum of the power ratings of all components (front, rear, centre, etc.)

Rated usually means the highest average sound power that the speakers can produce without overloading and damage. Individual peaks of sound can significantly exceed this figure, but it is the average value that is key — in particular, it is it that determines the overall loudness of the acoustics. However it should be borne in mind here that in sets with a subwoofer, the latter can account for about half of the total power of the entire system, while the actual volume is determined mainly by the main speakers. In fact, this means that with equal total power, acoustics with a subwoofer can sound noticeably quieter than a model without a subwoofer: for example, a 2.0 system at 20 W will have 10 W per main channel, while in a 2.1 model at 20 W with 10- watt subwoofer on the main speakers will have only 5 watts.

As for specific values, in the quietest modern PC speakers, the power does not exceed 10 watts. An indicator of 10 – 25 W can be called relatively modest, 25 – 50 W — average, and values of 50 – 100 W and above are found mainly in sets with subwoofers, where a significant part of the power falls on the bass speaker (although there are also ordinary stereo speakers with similar features)....

Theoretically, the power of acoustics also affects its compatibility with a specific amplifier: speakers should not be inferior to it in terms of rated power, otherwise sound distortion and even equipment damage are possible. However, computer acoustics in the vast majority of cases are used with their own amplifiers, optimally matched to the speakers installed in the speakers. So this moment becomes relevant only in some very specific cases — for example, when replacing a complete external amplifier (see below) with another one.

Front

The power rating of each individual front speaker provided in the speaker system. This parameter can be specified for a system with any number of speakers (see above) — all sound formats used in computer acoustics provide a pair of front speakers.

In the most general terms, the higher the power, the louder the speaker is capable of sounding. For more information about this parameter, see "Total power" above. Also note here that for stereo systems without a subwoofer, the power of one front channel is half of the total power; in more advanced acoustics, the power ratio between the channels may be different.
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