Tips丨Seven indicators to judge the quality of audio equipment

Nowadays, the market price of audio equipment is flying everywhere, ranging from tens of yuan as low to as high as 10,000 yuan. So how do you choose a suitable speaker? Many people think that expensive is the right one, but it is not.

The technical parameters of audio equipment can mainly be explained in terms of sound effect technology, frequency response range, sensitivity, power, signal-to-noise ratio, distortion, and impedance.

1. Sound technology

Hardware 3D sound effect technologies are now more common in SRS, APX, Q-SOUND and Virtaul Dolby. Although they implement different methods, they can all make people feel obvious three-dimensional effects, and one of them is common.

2. Frequency response range

In general, the frequency response range in audio equipment is the frequency range and frequency response. The former refers to the range between the lower effective playback frequency and the higher effective playback frequency of the speaker system; the latter refers to the output of a constant voltage When the audio signal is connected to the system.

This technical index is an important parameter to examine the performance of a speaker, and it has a direct relationship with the performance and price of the speaker, so you must pay special attention when buying speakers, but now many manufacturers have false standards, so you still need to hear Listening is believable, you must be careful.

3. Power

In audio equipment, the power parameters are also quite confusing. In general, power refers to how powerful the sound produced by the speakers can be. There are two kinds of labels for this power, rated power and maximum withstand power (instant power or peak power PMPO).

Under normal circumstances, in order to cater to consumer psychology, businesses usually set a large standard for music power, so the rated power shall prevail when purchasing multimedia speakers. It is hereby explained that it is not that the greater the power, the better, the fit is good, and it is calculated based on the area.

4. Sensitivity

The sensitivity index of audio equipment refers to the sound pressure level measured one meter in front of the vertical central axis of the speaker plane when a 1W/1kHz signal is input to the speaker input terminal. The unit of sensitivity is decibels (DB).

For every 3dB difference in the sensitivity of the speaker, the output sound pressure will double. The sensitivity of ordinary speakers is in the range of 85-90dB, below 85dB is low sensitivity, and above 90dB is high sensitivity, and the sensitivity of multimedia speakers is usually slightly lower.

5. Impedance

The impedance index in audio equipment refers to the ratio of the voltage to the current of the input signal. The input impedance of a speaker is generally divided into two types: high impedance and low impedance. Generally, high impedance is higher than 16 ohms, and low impedance is lower than 8 ohms. The standard impedance of speakers is 8 ohms.

The nominal impedance of speakers on the market is 4 ohms, 5 ohms, 6 ohms, 8 ohms, 16 ohms, etc. Although this indicator has nothing to do with the performance of the speakers, it is recommended not to buy low-impedance speakers. The recommended value is standard. 8 ohms, this is because when the power amplifier and the output power are the same, a low-impedance speaker can obtain a larger output power, but if the impedance is too low, it will cause under-damping and bass degradation.

6. Signal-to-noise ratio

The signal-to-noise ratio index in audio equipment mainly refers to the ratio of the normal sound signal and the noise signal played back by the speaker.

The signal-to-noise ratio is low, and the noise is serious when a small signal is input. The sound in the entire sound range will obviously become muddy and unclear. I don't know what sound is being sent, which seriously affects the sound quality. Therefore, it is recommended not to buy speakers with a signal-to-noise ratio below 80dB (including subwoofers below 60dB).

7. Distortion

The definition of distortion in audio equipment is basically the same as that of amplifiers. The difference is that the amplifier inputs electrical signals and outputs electrical signals, while speakers input electrical signals and output acoustic signals, so the distortion of speakers Refers to the distortion of electro-acoustic signal conversion.

The allowable range of sound wave distortion is within 10%, and the general human ear is not sensitive to distortion within 5%. Don't buy speakers with distortion greater than 5%.