Comparison audio Systems

- Music Center. Music centers are stationary audio systems, including a player, amplifier and acoustics; Their distinctive feature is the speakers, made separately from the main unit. Some models may provide mounts for installing speakers on the main unit, but these mounts are quick-release, and the length of the wires allows you to place the speakers separately.

- Minisystem. Minisystems are relatively small devices made in one-piece housings; Despite their small size, they are usually designed for stationary use, although they may have independent power supplies (see below). The functionality of mini-systems can be different: some models, in fact, are speakers with slightly expanded capabilities, in others these capabilities can be comparable to full-fledged music centers and even have wireless charging.

— Radio tape recorder. The radios have a distinctive design reminiscent of cassette recorders; and some of them are even capable of working with cassettes, see "Media". Like the music centers described above, such devices have everything you need for listening - a player, an amplifier and acoustics; however, the speakers are made non-removable, and the functionality of radio tape recorders is usually more modest. On the other hand, such models are portable and can even be used to play music on the go - almost mandatory f...eatures of radio tape recorders are the presence of a handle for transportation and the ability to be autonomously powered (see below) from replaceable batteries.

— Floor system. The purpose of audio systems of this type is already clear from the name: they are initially designed for installation on the floor. This installation allows you to create fairly large devices with powerful acoustics; in fact, most floor-standing audio systems are actually a set of speakers with a built-in player. However, there are also quite compact models of this type that allow desktop or wall installation with the stand disconnected.

- For parties. Audio systems for organizing incendiary musical parties with friends and family. Such models are capable of sounding a vast space both indoors and on the street dance floor. Often, audio systems for parties are complemented by built-in lighting effects to create a disco atmosphere; microphones can also be connected to them, which karaoke lovers will appreciate. Alternative names for such audio systems are Party speaker or PartyBox.

— For musicians. Advanced speakers without light and music with good sound quality, especially for musicians who give performances on the street or participate in outdoor events. Such models are not intended for full-fledged concerts, but rather for “live” performances in public places. Audio systems often include the ability to connect musical instruments, and they are often equipped with a suitcase-type handle for ease of carrying the equipment. If it falls under the above, but there are lighting effects - For parties.

— Smart speaker. Audio systems in the form of relatively small single speakers with “smart” control electronics. For such devices, four key features can be distinguished: Internet connection (usually via Wi-Fi), synchronization with a smartphone or tablet (usually the same), support for voice commands and advanced functionality. In fact, smart speakers are not classic audio systems, but universal “assistants” with speakers for playing music; and the voice control capabilities in them go far beyond the “musical” functions. Thus, many models allow you to set a timer or alarm on a smartphone, control smart home components, receive help on a variety of requests, etc. At the same time, contextual recognition of commands is often supported, with the ability to process complex requests like “put on the band I listened to yesterday In the evening".

The maximum number of audio channels that the audio system can reproduce through its own acoustics.

— 1.0. One channel of audio allows only monophonic sound — enough to hear the sound, but not providing a surround effect. The advantage of this option is compactness, because For normal operation, it is enough to equip the device with one speaker. The single-channel format is found mainly in inexpensive models, as well as in the most compact audio systems, where small size is more important than "fancy" sound.

— 2.0. Two channels is the minimum required to play stereo sound. This format already allows you to achieve a sense of spaciousness without requiring too many speakers and complicating the entire system. Therefore, he is very popular.

— 2.1. Modification of the 2.0 format described above, supplemented by a subwoofer — a specialized speaker for low frequencies. The use of a subwoofer improves sound quality by delivering rich bass sound.

— 2.2. A further extension of the 2.1 format described above, providing for the presence of two subwoofers — this improves the reliability of the transmission of low frequencies.

— 3.1. An extended version of the 2.1 standard, in which two classic stereo speakers are complemented not only by a subwoofer, but also by a thi...rd, centre speaker. This allows you to improve the sound quality — in particular, due to a richer surround sound.

Note that 2.0 models that do not have their own subwoofer may be equipped with a subwoofer output (see below).

The total sound power provided by the audio system at maximum volume, in other words, the total power of all the speakers provided by the device (including the subwoofer).

The higher the power, the louder the system will sound and the larger the area it can cover. On the other hand, high power significantly affects the price, dimensions, weight and power consumption of the device. In addition, when evaluating and comparing according to this indicator, it is worth considering some nuances. Firstly, some manufacturers go to the trick and give in the characteristics not the average, but the peak sound power; such numbers can be quite impressive, but they have very little to do with real loudness. So if it seems to you that the claimed power is too high, it's ok to clarify what exactly is meant in this case. Secondly, when comparing, it is worth considering the presence of a subwoofer — it plays an auxiliary role, but it can account for more than half of the total system power. Because of this, for equal total power, a device with a subwoofer may be quieter than a model without a subwoofer: for example, a 2.0 40W system will have 20W per main channel, while a 2.1 40W model may have 20W per subwoofer, and only 10 watts for the main speakers.

Nominal sound power (see "System power") on each of the main channels of the audio system. This indicator is most often indicated in models with a subwoofer (see "Number of channels"); knowing it, you can estimate the power distribution between the main speakers and the subwoofer.

The subwoofer power rating is a bass driver used in 2.1 and 3.1 systems (see "Number of Channels"). For rated power in general, see "System Power"; and in the case of a subwoofer, this indicator allows you to evaluate the volume and richness of the bass produced by the audio system, as well as the ratio between the power of the main channels and the “subwoofer”).

The number of distinct frequency ranges (bands) into which sound is divided when played through the acoustics of an audio system. For each such band, a separate speaker is provided, and sometimes several.

The simplest option provides 1 lane; it is very popular in modern audio systems, because. requires a minimum number of speakers, and the sound quality can be quite good. More advanced options provide 2-3 bands (low and high frequencies, or bass, treble and medium), and in high-end models, the number of bands can be up to five. Note that, in addition to integers, models are also produced with a fractional number of stripes — for example, 2.5 or 3.5. This marking indicates the presence in the design of a speaker responsible for two bands at once: for example, model 2.5 has separate speakers for bass and treble plus a combined bass + midrange (similar in design to bass, but also loaded with mid frequencies).

Anyway, the abundance of bands, usually, indicates a high class of acoustics: the more separate frequency ranges, the narrower the specialization of each speaker, the more accurately it is able to reproduce its part of the signal, and the more complex the system is.

Sensitivity determines the intensity of the acoustics response to a signal of a certain level; Simply put, the higher this figure, the higher the volume of the speaker system will be at the same signal level. Note that in the case of audio systems, this parameter plays a secondary role: it is important for selecting acoustics for an amplifier, and here both of these components are in most cases optimally matched by the manufacturer to each other.

The total frequency range reproduced by the acoustics of an audio system. Measured from the lower threshold of the lowest frequency speaker to the upper threshold of the highest frequency: for example, in a 2.1 system with main speakers at 100 – 22000 Hz and a subwoofer at 20 – 150 Hz, the total value will be 20 – 22000 Hz.

In general, the wider the frequency range, the fuller the reproduced sound will be, the less low and high frequencies will be lost due to insufficient acoustic capabilities. On the other hand, do not forget that the actual sound quality also depends on a number of other parameters — primarily the frequency response. In addition, human audible frequencies range from 16 Hz to 22 kHz; deviations from these values are very small, and the upper limit also decreases with age. Therefore, from a practical point of view, it does not make sense to provide too large a frequency range; and impressive performances like 10 – 50000 Hz, found in top-class models, are usually more of a kind of "side effect" of high-quality speakers (and at the same time — a marketing ploy) than a really significant moment.

The phase inverter is a tube installed in the column housing and having an outlet to the surrounding space. The length of the tube is chosen so that a signal comes out of the outlet, inverted in phase relative to the signal from the front of the diffuser. This enhances the sound pressure and improves the sound of the speakers, including at low frequencies. Note that such audio systems should be placed at a certain distance from walls, furniture, etc. — otherwise, a hum may occur due to the movement of air through the phase inverter tube.

A similar function in some models is performed by a passive radiator (see below).