Two-Channel Hi-Fi: Building the Signal Chain in Order
How to spec a stereo chain from source to speakers: sensitivity, impedance dips, amplifier current, DAC output and seat geometry, with the failure case measured.
Maya Chen 3 min read
Author
Maya Chen
Lead acoustics editor. Maya has measured more than 400 in-room speaker responses and writes the calibration protocols used across the site. Previously a transducer test engineer.
6 articles
A 5.1.2 System Plan for a Small Living Room
A room-first plan for a 5.1.2 system under 20 m2: budget split, channel order, wiring runs, subwoofer placement and the measurements that decide each step.
Maya Chen 3 min read
Center Channel Dialogue Clarity: What Actually Changes
Measured effects of height, tilt and crossover on speech intelligibility, plus the placement error that costs 4 dB at 2 kHz in a typical living room.
Maya Chen 2 min read
Dolby Atmos Height Channels, Explained With Angles
What a height channel actually is, why elevation angle matters more than speaker count, and the ceiling conditions that make up-firing modules fail.
Maya Chen 2 min read
Subwoofer Room Calibration: Three Measurable Checks
A repeatable 30-minute routine: find the modal peaks, set phase with a two-seat sweep, then verify the 40 to 80 Hz spread. No golden ears required.
Maya Chen 2 min read
Home Theater Speaker Placement: A Measured Setup Guide
A numbered placement protocol for a 5.1.2 room: listening triangle, center height, subwoofer crawl and elevation angles, with the tolerances that matter.
Maya Chen 3 min read