Hi-Fi Glossary of Terms

[admin_exported]

A Hi-Fi glossary of terms created by forum members would be useful and interesting to me, but not using any copying and pasting from dictionaries, Wikipaedia etc, they have to be proposed and agreed upon by forum members.

First up (I think) is ABX Test for which I propose the following - go easy, I'm new to this hence why I think would be useful and input/corrections and proposals much appreciated:

ABX Test:
A test designed and conducted to minimise the potential for subjectivity and expectation bias from a comparison of 2 or more differing components and often utilising blind-testing where the listener is unaware which component is being utilised at that time.

 

[nopiano]

Would WHF's sister mag be good enough?

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/editorial/an-a-z-of-audio-and-some-video-terminology

I suspect most (or all) of this is the work of the esteemed Mr Everard.

We just need to add ABX to it!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi nopiano, thanks for that and no intention to criticise that or any other existing glossary of terms, but why not have a members version with our own definitions?

There are a few terms not captured in that list as yet, such as ABX, amplifier (particularly different classes such as class A, class D, tube etc although valve is defined there), blind testing, imaging, rip, soundstage and streamer.

Is my understanding of ABX about right?

 

[Anonymous]

Or it might be more interesting to have an alternative glossary of terms. I’ll start with a few As:

A

AAC – Apple’s Attempt to Capture you

ABX – Abbreviation used to lock a thread, often used in conjunction with the word EDITED

ACTIVE – Speaker design in which the crossover is used to split opinion

AIFF – Apple Ignores Free use of Files

AIRPLAY – Wireless streaming of Apple music files – equivalent to being released on condition of wearing a tag

ANALOGUE – The only audio format which wont prompt a 100 post argument at its very mention

 

[edplaysdrums42]

Can anyone tell me what PRAT means in hifi terms......of course

I've seen it mentioned many times but i have no idea?

Cheers, Ed

 

[nlanks]

DAC - Digitally Altered Cat (from dog of course)

 

[edplaysdrums42]

Can anyone tell me what PRAT means in hifi terms......of course

I can answer my own question, PRaT apparently means pace, rhythm and timing

 

[CnoEvil]

BASS REFLEX - Jumping out of your skin when the Sub thunders in unexpectedly

CROSSOVER - What you do when you hear an Active speaker for the first time.......apparently

DIGITAL - Don't worry about it, as it doesn't make any difference.....apparently

FLAC - It's what you get from the O/H when upgrades are mentioned

HERTZ - Related to Flac.....It's the feeling you get when the O/H says "Absolutely Not".

IMPEDANCE - The aesthetic guidelines (stipulations) imposed by the O/H.....so goes hand in hand with Flac and Hertz

KBPS - Strange little fellows, that the more you have, the more you argue about whether you can hear them or not

LEAD - A piece of well meant advice from a fellow forumite, that often takes you up the garden path

MIDRANGE - Sits between Budget and Highend

OHM - Short for "Ohmygod", which is used as an expletive by the O/H at something you've tried to sneak in unsuccessfully.

TUBE - A certain type of forum member (present company excepted of course!)

WATT - It's the word you say most, if you've played your music too loud for too long

 

[DIB]

SUBTLE - an alternative word for NO when describing the difference between a perfectly good, reasonably priced cable with the newest flavour of the month more expensive cable.

.

 

[noogle]

My favourite acronym (sadly, now dying out) is SCART - Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs

I do have the sad habit of expanding acronyms to their original forms e.g. Kentucky Fried Chicken, British Home Stores, Mullard Furniture Industries (RIP)...

 

[Anonymous]

REPEAT: A function, particular to the digital domain, which enables continuous repetition of either an entire selection of a subject matter, usually of a similar theme, or repetition of exactly the same singular subject matter time and time and time again.

 

[Anonymous]

REPEAT: A function, particular to the digital domain, which enables continuous repetition of either an entire selection of a subject matter, usually of a similar theme, or repetition of exactly the same singular subject matter time and time and time again.

 

[Anonymous]

REPEAT: A function, particular to the digital domain, which enables continuous repetition of either an entire selection of a subject matter, usually of a similar theme, or repetition of exactly the same singular subject matter time and time and time again.