Why do speakers have rear tweeters?
Posted 3 hours ago
Some loudspeakers feature rear mounted tweeters in addition to their front mounted tweets. What are these rear ones for and what advantages do they offer music lovers?
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Why don’t subwoofer have high pass filters?
Posted 1 day ago
If subwoofers were able to roll off the bottom end of the main loudspeaker, wouldn't there be advantages like greater clarity, lower distortion, and less power spent? And, if that's true, why don't manufacturers offer such filters with subwoofers?
Can we hear the differences between MP3 and FLAC?
Posted 2 days ago
MP3 files are lossy. This means they have lost information in an effort to reduce file size. Can we hear this loss? If we compare lossy files with lossless files, is there a difference?
How do designers know what to engineer if it cannot be measured?
Posted 3 days ago
So much of what we hear in audio cannot yet be measured. How then can engineers design circuitry around such unknowns and how do they know if they've succeeded or failed?
Is the loudness war over?
Posted 4 days ago
The loudness wars, or the war against dynamic range, is still alive and well and that is unfortunate. But, there's hope and Paul helps us understand the beginnings of the loudness campaigns and why they are so prevalent today.
Are vacuum tubes worth it?
Posted 5 days ago
Vacuum tubes are the original amplification devices. How do they stack up against modern solid-state transistors, especially in audio systems? Paul gives us the real scoop.
How are the IRS killers designed?
Posted 6 days ago
The late Arnie Nudell developed what he believed sonically killed his greatest creation, the Infinity IRSV and the Genesis 1. Did he do this? And if so, how do they work and will there ever be a commercial version available for sale?
Can CDs sound different?
Posted 1 week ago
Gold CDs, HDCD, XRCD. We read about all these different technologies and mediums yet CDs are CDs. Right? Paul explains the differences and why they matter.
Why doesn’t low THD equate to good sound?
Posted 1 week ago
You've said in the past that measurements cannot tell us how electronics sound. Please explain why this is true and how specifically, THD isn't a good indicator of sound quality.
Can amplifiers produce more power than what’s available?
Posted 1 week ago
Why do the ratings on the rear panel of amplifiers rarely match what their claimed output power ratings are? Is it possible to produce more watts at the speaker than the wall power can provide?
Voicing systems with amplified bass
Posted 1 week ago
When PS Audio voices its amplifiers for bass it is performed on the IRSV which itself has a separately amplified woofer section. How can you accurately voice bass on a system that has its own bass amplification system?
Does PS Audio scope out its competitors?
Posted 1 week ago
When PS Audio sets out to design then build and market new products is the first step in that process to gather together the competition? Do we try to keep up with the other manufacturers? The answers might surprise those unfamiliar with PS Audio.
Is there a high end conspiracy?
Posted 1 week ago
This customer's dealer keeps encouraging him to spend more money to eliminate listener fatigue and he asks Paul if perhaps it's all a conspiracy to separate him from his money. Paul lets us in on the ways to eliminate listener fatigue.
Do equalizers have a reason to exist in 2018?
Posted 1 week ago
The days of graphic equalizers and bass and treble controls on equipment have long since been replaced by better equipment that no longer needs these crutches. So, is there a place for them in today's world? Yes, and you might be surprised at what Paul has in mind.
The IRSV servo woofer system
Posted 2 weeks ago
The Infinity IRSV woofer system was one of the first servo systems in the world and for many years it was considered state of the art. What powers this mighty system and how does it connect?
Where are your dollars best spent in high-end audio?
Posted 2 weeks ago
We're all on some type of budget and this question revolves around how best to spend those dollars when building a high-performance audio system. From the under $1,000 killer system to the $100,000 killer setup, choosing how and when to spend money is an art.
How to identify the weakest link.
Posted 2 weeks ago
The weakest link in any system or chain is the point at which the greatest chance for failure occurs. Paul explains which components are the weakest links and has a few suggestions about what to do with them.
Are fewer components in the path cleaner?
Posted 2 weeks ago
If the goal of high-performance audio is to do as little harm as possible, wouldn't it make sense to have as few components in the signal path as possible? Makes sense, but Paul explains why that just might be flawed logic.
Should you stick with one manufacturer’s products?
Posted 2 weeks ago
Is it important to stay within the bounds of a single manufacturer's product for best synergy and performance or is mixing and matching equipment better?
Are inverted preamp outputs important?
Posted 2 weeks ago
Some preamp manufacturers insist their use of an inverted output is the right way to go and any products that do not invert are simply not as good. Is that true?
Do optical cleaning products enhance CDs?
Posted 2 weeks ago
Our snake oil award goes to this video but its content might just surprise you. Some will be horrified, while others may cheer. Paul talks about optical cleaning products for CDs.
What do audiophiles think about soundbars?
Posted 3 weeks ago
What do audiophiles think about soundbars designed for under the television sets? Their claims of high performance and sonic superiority are certainly wild enough to suggest they are likely God's gift to mankind. But, what's the truth?
What can be done to better recordings?
Posted 3 weeks ago
The three pillars of reproduced music are the recording, storage, and reproduction. Which of these pillars can be improved upon? Paul suggests the recordings themselves could be.
What is PRAT?
Posted 3 weeks ago
Pace, rhythm, and Timing are what PRAT means but how do you achieve that when designing an amplifier? Is it possible to control the PRAT of an amp that reviewers re
Can small amps power big speakers?
Posted 3 weeks ago
Can you take an amplifier rated for low wattages, like 30 watts, and use it effectively to power a speaker with a maximum input rating of 100 watts?