Tech Glossary
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Sealed Enclosure - A type of speaker enclosure that does not allow the pressure generated by the back wave of the speaker to leave the enclosure.
Sensitivity - The sound pressure level a speaker produces when fed by a given input power, measured at a specific distance on axis directly in front of the speaker. Typically specified in dB SPL at 1 meter with 1 watt of input signal.
Separates - A speaker system with more than one type of driver. The most common type of separates system is a set containing two high frequency drivers (tweeters), two lower frequency drivers (mids or woofers), and two crossover networks (filters).
Separation - The degree to which left and right channels in a stereo signal can be kept apart.
Series Circuit - A circuit configuration in which a single current path is arranged among all components. Connecting the positive speaker output of an amplifier channel to the positive terminal of speaker # 1, connecting the negative terminal of # 1 to the positive termin
Shield - A metallic foil or braided wire layer surrounding conductors, which is designed to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic interference from external sources.
Signal - Any electrical transmittance that conveys data.
Slope - The rate of boost or attenuation expressed in decibels of change per octave.
Sound - A wave propagated in air producing an auditory sensation in the ear by the change of pressure at the ear.
Sound field - The total acoustical characteristics of a space, such as ambience [number, timing, and relative level of reflections (ratio of direct to reflected sound).
Sound Pressure Level (SPL) - An acoustic measurement of sound energy, typically expressed in dB SPL.
Sound stage - The area that appears to be occupied by sonic images. As with a real stage, a sound stage should have depth, height, and width.
Speaker - A transducer, which converts electrical energy into acoustical energy (sound).
Standing Waves - Created when two waves in opposite directions interfere. When a reflected wave reinforces a reflection of the original waveform, the sound waves reinforce themselves, increasing in altitude.
Stereo - Consisting of two or more audio channels in an audio system during recording and playback to give a more natural distribution of sound.
Sub harmonic - The result of the division of the fundamental frequency by the desired number harmonic. The sub harmonic of 1000 Hz is 500 Hz.
Sub-woofer - A loudspeaker made to reproduce the lowest of audio frequencies, approx. 25 Hz to 125 Hz.
Supertweeter - A high frequency driver designed to reproduce very high frequencies, typically over 10 kHz.