The Definitive Hi-Fi Glossary of Terms

Phil Hawkins puts together the definitive glossary of terms that all audiophiles should know...
8K
The amount of money you dropped on a new projector or large-screen TV before you realised you had nothing left for an amplifier and speakers.
BANANA PLUG
A method of advertising fruit by constant praise and mentions, especially on TV or radio.
BASS
In a band, the instrument played by the person who translates for the drummer.
CAPSTAN
A former Soviet republic in Central Asia.
CHIPSET
An accompaniment to a parmigiana.
CHROMA
One who inhales solvents. Not recommended.
CODEC
An old brand of photographic equipment from South Africa.
COPPER WINDINGS
Being chased by the police on a mountain road.
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
The number of times a politician votes against his or her own party.
DIPOLES
Something to do with the Indian Ocean and rainfall in Australia.
DISPERSION
What happens when you start explaining the features of your new receiver to people who aren’t interested.
DISTORTION
An intentional misrepresentation, for example, by a politician. (See “Crossover Frequency”)
EQUALISER
A late goal at the soccer.
ELECTROSTATIC
The feeling of profound excitement caused by buying a new piece of electronic gear.
FLAC
Strong criticism about the way you download or rip music files.
FLAT RESPONSE
The usual reaction from your partner when your friends suddenly descend on your house with numerous bottles of wine and heaps of vinyl.
GAIN
The psychological and very personal effect of spending twice as much as you needed to after originally setting a budget. It may or may not be logarithmic.
HDMI
An abbreviation for Hydroxydesipramine: a chemical created when using the antidepressant Norpramin, administered to people with Cable Overload.
HERTZ
A German physicist who saw no practical application for electromagnetic radio waves.
HYBRID LOG GAMMA
A fraternity house in one of those screwball American college movies.
INFINITE BAFFLE
The lingering effect of reading a 128-page instruction manual written by people with engineering degrees.
JITTER
The feeling of nervousness after parting with a lot of money on one new device that you thought you needed. (See 8K)
LEGACY CONNECTIONS
The obscure family members you meet up with after the death of a wealthy relative.
LENS SHIFT
When you can’t find your reading glasses.
LIGHT BLEED
Just a scratch.
MATRIX
A computer-generated virtual reality designed to keep human beings under control. Also known as Netflix.
NATIVE RESOLUTION
Any form of agreement with the original inhabitants.
OVER EAR
An invitation to join a geezer for a drink in a London pub.
POWER BOARD
A collective of people who preside over big companies.
REFLEX PORT
A fortified drink that you naturally turn to during a long night of music after the wine has run out. (See Flat Response)
SLEW RATE
How quickly a vehicle loses control on an icy road.
SOUNDBAR
An intimate space serving alcohol and either live or prerecorded music.
SOUNDSTAGE
The raised bit at one end of the soundbar.
SPEAKER SENSITIVITY
A condition where criticism or feedback on what you say to others is always unwelcome.
SPIDER
A small creature that lives behind the subwoofer. Very skilled web designer.
STEREO SEPARATION
A trial period apart from your beloved due to your obsession with hi-fi equipment.
SUBSAMPLING
What the Australian Government and Department of Defence have been doing for the best part of a decade.
SWEET SPOT
The best aisle in the supermarket.
TIMBRE
The focus of Irish carpenters.
TONE ARM
A sequence of exercises directed at the biceps and triceps.
TRANSFORMER
A Japanese toy that spawned more movies than Rocky Balboa.
TWEETER
A rampant social media junkie.
UHD
User Help Desk. The department that you call if the instructions for setting up your TV / display device are too complex. (See Infinite Baffle)
VOLUME KNOB
The bloke next door who continually complains about noise levels from your home theatre system.
WATT
The inventor of the steam engine. He was satisfied at the time there was no need to explain how many of his surname it produced.
WOOFER COVERS
Protection for your dog during these cold winters.
More funnies ... Joke of the Day Discussion Thread

StereoNET
StereoNET is an independent global publication delivering the very latest news, reviews and information related to Hi-Fi, Home Cinema, Headphones and consumer audio-video technology to nearly 2 millions readers per month.
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message
Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Trending
applause awards
Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.
Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.
The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.
We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.