Advertising is not marketing any more than a shoelace is a shoe. Words have meaning, though some skew meaning to exaggerate.Consider the exaggeration of the term marketing. For example, Mailchimp brands itself as a marketing platform.They promote their email automation services as marketing.This claim is an exaggeration that may enhance their image but skews the…

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Are you baffled by speaker baffles? What is a speaker baffle? A speaker baffle is the front face of a speaker cabinet.The speakers (woofers, mid-range drivers, and tweeters) mount to the front baffle. Accurate audio reproduction relies on the speaker baffle to fulfill two critical cabinet functions.1 – Minimize unwanted mechanical vibration/resonance.Unwanted resonance distorts the…

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Audio and video systems offer sanctuary from the harsh-noisy-daily grind. An AV system delivers music and movies, relieves stress, recharges energy, and soothes the soul. It’s a promising shared space that can also bring family and friends together. Elevate the experience A better/best audio & video system elevates the sanctuary experience.A floor-standing or bookshelf floor-stand-mounted…

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Our consumer electronics industry stands on the shoulders of those who came long before us.Shoulders that include but are not limited to Edison, Bell, Tesla, Marconi, Farnsworth, and Alan Blumlein. Wait, Alan Who? Alan Blumlein was an electronics engineer and war hero who perished at age 38 in a 1942 airborne radar test flight. Blumlein’s…

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Should you apply equalization to your audio system? I have long argued to avoid active equalization.Passive equalization is my lead choice. However, active equalization has evolved.It’s time to give active equalization a listen. Before we do, let’s confirm we’re on the same page.Please review these terms: high fidelity, equalization, active, and passive. High fidelity refers…

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TV technology has transformed the video landscape view via 5G cellular networks, NextGen TV broadcasts, and UltraHD HDR streaming video. But navigating their promotional buzzwords can seem overwhelming. It takes effort and time. And you have more pressing concerns. I aim to cut through the hype, get you to your comfy chair with your remote…

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I am a semi-retired reluctant to hang up my spikes audio/video old-timer. As a gray-hair, I have ridden many economic up and downs since the 1970s. Whoa! Do you feel that disturbance in the force?It’s signaling yet another economic slip-and-slide recession.And it will continue until at least 2026.Others may disagree with my timeline.But it’s clear;…

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The Online Etymology Dictionary states that the term audiophile was coined in 1951 by High Fidelity magazine. The suffix ‘phile’ is derived from French, Latin, and Greek, related to ‘loving.’ In this case, audio lover with a passion for music. Let’s begin by answering the question in the title of this blog.Mocking the audiophile is…

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SandTrap Blog Notifications > Sign Up Here What is an Architectural Speaker? An architectural speaker refers to a speaker installed in the ceilings or walls of your home. I often refer to an architectural speaker system as car audio for your home; Both cut a hole and insert a speaker into a wall/panel boundary.The car…

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SandTrap Blog Notifications > Sign Up Here Jensen Napa CA sidewalk monument. Locals and tourists pass by this Napa California sidewalk monument daily. Like many ignored sidewalk/roadside monuments, it marks a historical figure. This concrete and metal fixture pays homage to the history of audio pioneer Peter L. Jensen. Peter Jensen is much to audio…

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