| • |
Sabine - Unit of measurement for absorption. One sabine is equal to
the absorption of 1 square foot of surface which will absorb all incident energy. |
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Sampling - Measuring the analog signal at a fixed rate of speed (sampling frequency). |
| • |
Sd - Effective piston radiating area of driver, in square centimeters. "This is the actual surface area of the cone, normally given in square cm." |
| • |
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. |
| • |
Selectivity (alternate channel) - Similar to capture ratio, but deals with signals
which are broadcast on frequencies very close to the one selected. |
| • |
Sensitivity (loudspeaker 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 terminal of speaker # 2, and the negative terminal of # 2 to the negative output of
the same amplifier channel is a series connection. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N) - The ratio of the desired signal level to the
level of unwanted noise. Measured in decibels.
|
| • |
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. |
| • |
SPDT - Single Pole Double Throw. A relay that has only one pole or contact but whose contact can throw or make electrical contact with two separate stationary contacts. |
| • |
Speaker - A transducer which converts electrical energy
into acoustical energy (sound). |
| • |
Spectrum Analyzer - A device that displays a frequency response curve, in real time, as the curve, changes. |
| • |
SPST - Single Pole Single Throw. A relay that has only one pole or contact and can only throw or make electrical contact with one stationary contact. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
Stereophonic (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. |
| • |
Subcode - Data, other than music, which is stored on a CD, MD, or other
digital format. Used to indicate track number, index number, use of emphasis, and other
information. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
Switch - A switch is any form of mechanical, electronic, electromechanical, magnetic, or mercury device that either opens or closes a circuit |
