The Ten Commandments of Audio

[toxcrusadr]

I got to thinking that there are so many details about audio that we can easily lose sight of the big picture. The fact that there are forty-eleven forums on this site alone where we endlessly discuss audio is evidence of that.

Obviously you can’t distill all of that down to a short list. But if you were going to make such a list of basic facts that should be paid attention to, what would they be?

This list may end up having more than ten things on it. In fact there may be more than one list. There could be topics, or levels of lists for newbies just starting out vs. solid upper mid-fi owners wanting to upgrade.

Post your thoughts. And let’s try to concentrate (if we can, I know you people!) on making them clear and concise one-liners rather than getting off into debates about which ones ‘should’ be important or whether they are right or wrong.

 

[toxcrusadr]

I'll start:

The room is important, and becomes more and more important the more you upgrade the equipment.

 

[toxcrusadr]

Everyone’s ears are different, and only you know what sound you like the best.


Always listen to gear before buying, especially speakers.

 

[KDAC]

Excellent thread topic, toxcrusadr. I'll play:

Rule x of 10: Use of an equalizer is not sacreligious.

In an ideal environment, e.g. the listener has perfect hearing, in a perfect room, with a perfect setup, the sound would be reproduced as close to humanly possible as what the artists(s)/engineer(s) subjectively "intended" for it to sound like. The ultimate and obvious flaw with this line of reasoning is that any particular listener anywhere on Earth at any given moment is listening to what most likely is a very unique mix of components in a less than ideal listening environment - which, incidentally dovetails the starting post you made above. Even the most ideal setup is going to sound different in the midst of:

- plaster, drywall, concrete, wood (floors or walls), glass
- openings in the room
- atmospheric conditions
- distance/position in relation to the loudspeakers
- the hearing acuity of a particular listener

And I haven't even mentioned the subjective desire of what the listener thinks the material "should" sound like. Are they a fiend of superb midrange? A hardcore bass head? Or are crystal clear, non-sibilant highs a must? All three? Since 99+ percent of listeners do not know the artist(s)/engineer(s) personally, they can only surmise in regard to the quality of the sound intended to be reproduced and take a crack at approximating it in their listening environment. An equalizer, in my opinion, permits one to attempt to do so in their particular space in light of acoustics of their room.

 

[maxhifi]

Choose your speakers first, to suit the room, and then the amplifier to suit the speakers.

I see lots of people buy a low power tube amp, then they look for non-existent small efficient speakers, because they don't have space for big ones.

 

[the skipper]

A few things to keep your equipment happy and healthy. There are probably more but I think these are the most important.

1) Always power down or unplug all related gear when kerfutzing with wires

2) If it starts to sound bad, turn it down immediately.

3) Don't leave drunk, or otherwise wasted, people around your kit unattended.

4) People's fingers seem to be attracted to dust covers on speakers. Speaker grilles can prevent harm.

 

[twiiii]

50% for the speakers,30% for the electronics, 20% for the source or sources. is what we thought in the 60's.

 

[g..v]

It's easier to connect 2 sets of speakers to one amp than two amps to one set of speakers.

 

[quiet]

Don't put the speakers in the corner on the floor.

 

[Omegaman]

Do not be tempted to dust your turntable while it is playing

you will inevitably snag the stylus

 

[faber12]

One good sub is worth more than all the crappy ones combined.

 

[goodolpg]

99% of the time there is "no best".

Like, what is the best widget to use with my thingamajig?

 

[toxcrusadr]

This is great, keep em coming!

I'll go out on a limb with this one:

Most agree that 99 cent cables are not very good, and that very expensive cables will, at best, yield improvements only if the rest of the system is also that good.

 

[toxcrusadr]

99% of the time there is "no best".

Like, what is the best widget to use with my thingamajig?

I love that one! It is more likely there will be a range of widgets that are suitable.

 

[toxcrusadr]

It is not critical that the maximum wattage rating of your speakers match the maximum output rating of the amplifier.

Speaker sensitivity ratings are important in determining how powerful the amplifier should be.

Woofers with deteriorated foam surrounds can almost always be refoamed rather than replaced, and shouldn't be used until repaired.

Upgrading speakers by replacing all the drivers with better ones is far more complicated than it may appear, and it almost never works the way you thought it would.

Woofers interact with the cabinet much more than the other drivers, and replacement of a woofer with anything other than a matching original is a complicated business.

Woofers are woofers, and subwoofers have a different name because they are a different thing.

 

[toxcrusadr]

Of the following three characteristics of speakers - small size, high sensitivity, and extended bass capability - you can generally have only two at a time.

When it comes to bass, there is no replacement for displacement.

 

[BOUXY]

Don't forget your Ears! Proper cleaning etc

 

[harman/kardon]

Never drink and operate your valuable turntable.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

Turn down -- or at least check -- the volume before you turn it on.

 

[toxcrusadr]

An underpowered amplifier driven to distortion, is just as dangerous for speakers as a high powered amp.

Boosting bass with tone or loudness controls at high volumes puts tremendous demands on the amp, which can lead to distortion and speaker damage.