Advanced home audio system with various audio and video components
Home audio refer to audio consumer electronics designed for home entertainment, such as integrated systems like shelf stereos, as well as individual components like loudspeakers and surround sound receivers.
The evolution of home audio began with Edison's phonograph, transitioning from monaural to stereophonic sound in the 1950s and 60s when the term "hi-fi" emerged, highlighting sound accuracy and minimal distortion. Audio equipment evolved from large wooden cabinets to compact units. The 1970s introduced enhancements like quadraphonic sound and technologies like Dolby Pro Logic. This era also saw the rise of component-based stereo systems, and cassette decks too became a staple. Integrated systems, termed "music centers" gained popularity in the 1980s. Table systems and compact radio receivers emerged as entertainment devices, with some offering features like cassette players and CD functionalities. Audiophile systems prioritize high-quality music formats and specialized equipment like premium turntables, digital-to-analog converters, and other high-end devices, with some enthusiasts preferring the unique sound characteristics of vinyl records and vacuum tubes. Modern systems often emphasize home cinema applications to enhance the audio experience beyond standard TV speakers.
Home audio dates back before electricity, to Edison's phonograph, a monaural, low fidelity sound reproduction format. Early electrical phonographs as well as many other audio formats started out as monaural formats. In addition to playing records on phonographs, consumers in the 1930s and 1940s listened to radio programs on separate radio receivers, often large wooden consoles.[1][2]
Home audio devices containing both a record player and a wireless radio receiver were usually called radiograms or stereograms in British English, and consoles in American English. Very often these were designed as items of household furniture, with a large wooden cabinet on legs. These units were monaural, and featured a single integrated loudspeaker in the main body of the cabinet.[3]
The 1950s and 60s marked the transition from mono to stereophonic sound. Before the widespread adoption of stereo technology, the home audio landscape was dominated by mono systems. The term "hi-fi," an abbreviation for high fidelity, was coined during this era to describe audio systems that aimed to reproduce sound with high accuracy and minimal distortion. The vinyl LP became popular during the 1950s, and the availability of affordable components such as turntables, speakers and amplifiers enhanced the sonic realism of music playback in homes. This period was characterized by home audio enthusiasts emphasis on achieving the highest quality sound reproduction possible, and the term "hi-fi" became popular shorthand for this pursuit.[1]
Home audio component system with separate components.
By the early 1960s, stereo had become the new standard, offering listeners an immersive experience with left and right channels, as well as a phantom “center” channel. This two-channel system introduced concepts like imaging, left-right panning, three-dimensionality, and depth, creating a lifelike soundstage that mono systems couldn't replicate. The transition from low-powered, high-distortion vacuum tubes to early solid-state transistors and later, to more reliable silicon transistors, marked significant milestones in the evolution of audio technology during this time.[1][2]
The necessity of having suitable separation of the speakers meant that the single cabinet designs evolved into three-box designs, and the main box could become much smaller. By the beginning of the 1970s systems were starting to be made of plastic and other materials rather than wood.[2]
With the evolution of technology and the emergence of diverse home audio formats, younger audiences shifted from integrated systems and opted for expansive modular units or "component systems" comprising amplifiers, speakers, radios, turntables, and devices for tapes and later CDs. While audiophiles had been handpicking individual components to craft premium audio setups since the 1950s, it was during the 1970s and 1980s that these component-based stereo systems became a household staple. During this era, aesthetically appealing but sometimes average-sounding pre-assembled systems were commonly sold.[2]
The 1970s saw the inclusion of a deck for playing cassette tapes in addition to the turntable and receiver components. The cassette deck was either a top-loading unit beside the turntable or a front-loading unit mounted on a deeper front panel.[4]
"Midi" system, circa 1980s.
Quadraphonic sound was released in 1970 and never gained much popularity. It was a four-channel reproduction system, which is considered to be the origin of surround sound. It was recorded on phonograph, tape, and a few CDs, and required a quadraphonic player for playback.[5]
Surround sound formats became available to consumers in the late 80's. Dolby Pro Logic is one of the oldest processors, creating four channels, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx is one of the newest, creating seven or eight discrete channels. Competing technologies have complicated the purchasing decisions of consumers.[6][1]
The term music centre came into common use when all-in-one integrated systems, also known as shelf stereos or mini component systems, became popular. "Midi"-style systems (mimicking the appearance of a stacked component-based system) were popular during the 1980s. These typically included a record deck, tuner, dual cassette deck, amplifier and separate speakers. Some later midi systems also included a CD player in the main unit in addition to the turntable.[7][4]
The compact disc first appeared in the early 1980s, and because they were small, they were increasingly integrated into cheap all-in-one systems. As CD rapidly overtook vinyl in the early 1990s, the addition of a bulky record player (common in midi-style systems) was discontinued. Resulting bookshelf-sized "mini" systems became more compact, which helped popularize the integrated hi-fi system.[1][2]
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) emerged in the mid-1980s and 1990s, envisioned as the next step after cassettes, just as CDs were seen as the successors to vinyl records. While DAT gained some traction in countries such as Japan and was used as a computer storage format, it didn't achieve widespread acceptance, mainly due to the dominance of CDs. MiniDisc was created for sound aficionados seeking a compact design with the ability to record, similar to cassettes, but its success was limited due to the appearance of writeable CD technology.[2]
Streaming music stereo, smart speakers, and wireless speakers emerged in the 1990s and 2000s with the popularity of streaming platforms such as Spotify and YouTube surpassing MP3-centric platforms. These systems have shifted the traditional central stereo setup to multiple individual speaker units distributed across homes, all manageable through computer and mobile applications.[2]
Magazines
Beginning approximately in the 1950s, a number of magazines devoted to hi-fi enthusiasts and aficionados seeking to assemble an ideal home audio system arose, such as High Fidelity, Audio, Gramophone, The Absolute Sound, Stereophile, and The Boston Audio Society Speaker. Among these, Stereo Review was notable for its lab test reports, listening evaluations, and new equipment reviews by Julian Hirsch.[8] Buying guides such as What Hi-Fi? focus on news and reviews of stereo speakers, TVs, amplifiers, headphones, soundbars, projectors, tablets and turntables.[9]
Stereo receiver: Combines a preamplifier, amplifier, and often a tuner into one unit. Receivers often have built-in support for streaming services and multi-room audio.
AV receiver: Also known as a home theater receiver, connects to a TV and decodes multiple audio channels to power a multi-speaker surround sound system.
Preamplifier: It takes the weak audio signal from the source component and sends a stronger signal to the amplifier. Controls and selects audio sources, adjusts volume, and may offer tone adjustments.
Amplifier: Boosts the audio signal from the preamplifier and sends it to the speakers.
Electroacoustic transducers
Speakers: Most high fidelity speaker systems include tweeters capable of reproducing the highest audio frequencies, mid-range drivers for middle frequencies, and woofers for low frequencies.
Headphones: Headphones let a single user listen to an audio source privately.
The shelf stereo, also known as a mini component system, is a compact stereo system that is generally small enough to fit on an average shelf and sold with all necessary components packaged together. They may accept various media or connect to other systems. The systems are usually both small enough to fit on an average shelf (hence their name) and sold with all of their necessary components packaged together, if not outright integrated into the same physical enclosure.[12]
Shelf stereos may accept different types of media. Many stereos come with or have the ability to connect to other systems. These can feature media inputs and external connections for radios, cassettes, CDs, MP3 players, Bluetooth devices, USB flash memory drives, Satellite radios and turntables.[13]
A table radio is a small, self-contained radio receiver used as an entertainment device. Most such receivers are limited to radio functions, though some have compact disc or audio cassette players and clock radio functions built in; some models also include shortwave or satellite radio functionality. High performance table radios such as the KLH Model Eight were introduced in the 1960s, and followed in the late 1990s and early 2000s by table radios that offered AM/FM stereo reception and CD player functions, such as the Kloss Model 88 and Bose Wave radio.[14][15][16]
Audiophiles often prioritize high-quality music formats and specialized equipment over more convenient but lower quality options, such as MP3s or low-cost headphones. The term "high-end audio" is used to describe the playback equipment favored by audiophiles, which can be purchased from specialized retailers. This equipment can include turntables, digital-to-analog converters, equalization devices, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and techniques such as the optimization of room acoustics. Audiophiles also play music from diverse sources, including vinyl records, CDs, and lossless compressed digital audio files. Audiophiles debate the merits of analog vs. digital sound, and despite the digital age, vinyl records and vacuum tubes remain popular among audiophiles due to their unique sound characteristics. While many audiophile techniques are grounded in objective criteria, the perceived sound quality is subjective, leading to some techniques being based on pseudoscientific principles.[17][18][19][20][21]
Modern home cinema systems typically augment the audio output from a DVD player or Blu-ray player with a multi-channel power amplifier and anywhere from two speakers and a stereo power amp (for stereo sound) to a 5.1 channel amplifier and five or more surround sound speaker cabinets (with a surround sound system). Whether home cinema enthusiasts have a stereo set-up or a 5.1 channel surround system, they typically use at least one low-frequency subwoofer speaker cabinet to amplify low-frequency effects from movie soundtracks and reproduce the deep pitches from the musical soundtrack.[22][10]
Related Research Articles
High fidelity is the high-quality reproduction of sound. It is popular with audiophiles and home audio enthusiasts. Ideally, high-fidelity equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, and a flat frequency response within the human hearing range.
Vehicle audio is equipment installed in a car or other vehicle to provide in-car entertainment and information for the occupants. Until the 1950s, it consisted of a simple AM radio. Additions since then have included FM radio (1952), 8-track tape players, cassette players, record players, CD players, DVD players, Blu-ray players, navigation systems, Bluetooth telephone integration and audio streaming, and smartphone controllers like CarPlay and Android Auto. Once controlled from the dashboard with a few buttons, they can be controlled by steering wheel controls and voice commands.
An audio power amplifier amplifies low-power electronic audio signals, such as the signal from a radio receiver or an electric guitar pickup, to a level that is high enough for driving loudspeakers or headphones. Audio power amplifiers are found in all manner of sound systems including sound reinforcement, public address, home audio systems and musical instrument amplifiers like guitar amplifiers. It is the final electronic stage in a typical audio playback chain before the signal is sent to the loudspeakers.
An audiophile is a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction. An audiophile seeks to reproduce recorded music to achieve high sound quality, typically in a quiet listening space and in a room with good acoustics.
A cassette deck is a type of tape machine for playing and recording audio cassettes that does not have a built-in power amplifier or speakers, and serves primarily as a transport. It can be a part of an automotive entertainment system, a part of a portable mini system or a part of a home component system. In the latter case it is also called a component cassette deck or just a component deck.
Home cinema, also called home theaters or theater rooms, are home entertainment audio-visual systems that seek to reproduce a movie theater experience and mood using consumer electronics-grade video and audio equipment that is set up in a room or backyard of a private home. Some studies show that films are rated better and generate more intense emotions when watched in a movie theater, but convenience is a major appeal for home cinemas. In the 1980s, home cinemas typically consisted of a movie pre-recorded on a LaserDisc or VHS tape; a LaserDisc Player or VCR; and a heavy, bulky large-screen cathode ray tube TV set, although sometimes CRT projectors were used instead. In the 2000s, technological innovations in sound systems, video player equipment and TV screens and video projectors have changed the equipment used in home cinema set-ups and enabled home users to experience a higher-resolution screen image, improved sound quality and components that offer users more options. The development of Internet-based subscription services means that 2020s-era home theatre users do not have to commute to a video rental store as was common in the 1980s and 1990s.
A boombox is a transistorized portable music player featuring one or two cassette tape players/recorders and AM/FM radio, generally with a carrying handle. Beginning in the mid 1990s, a CD player was often included. Sound is delivered through an amplifier and two or more integrated loudspeakers. A boombox is a device typically capable of receiving radio stations and playing recorded music. Many models are also capable of recording onto cassette tapes from radio and other sources. In the 1990s, some boomboxes were available with MiniDisc recorders and players. Designed for portability, boomboxes can be powered by batteries as well as by line current. The boombox was introduced to the American market during the late 1970s. The desire for louder and heavier bass led to bigger and heavier boxes; by the 1980s, some boomboxes had reached the size of a suitcase. Some larger boomboxes even contained vertically mounted record turntables. Most boomboxes were battery-operated, leading to extremely heavy, bulky boxes.
Nakamichi Corp., Ltd. is a Japanese consumer electronics brand that originated in Japan and gained a name from the 1970s onwards for original and high quality audio cassette decks. Nakamichi is a subsidiary of Chinese holding company Nimble Holdings.
Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction is sound intended to be heard as if it were emanating from one position. This contrasts with stereophonic sound or stereo, which uses two separate audio channels to reproduce sound from two microphones on the right and left side, which is reproduced with two separate loudspeakers to give a sense of the direction of sound sources. In mono, only one loudspeaker is necessary, but, when played through multiple loudspeakers or headphones, identical signals are fed to each speaker, resulting in the perception of one-channel sound "imaging" in one sonic space between the speakers. Monaural recordings, like stereo ones, typically use multiple microphones fed into multiple channels on a recording console, but each channel is "panned" to the center. In the final stage, the various center-panned signal paths are usually mixed down to two identical tracks, which, because they are identical, are perceived upon playback as representing a single unified signal at a single place in the soundstage. In some cases, multitrack sources are mixed to a one-track tape, thus becoming one signal. In the mastering stage, particularly in the days of mono records, the one- or two-track mono master tape was then transferred to a one-track lathe used to produce a master disc intended to be used in the pressing of a monophonic record. Today, however, monaural recordings are usually mastered to be played on stereo and multi-track formats, yet retain their center-panned mono soundstage characteristics.
Harman Kardon is a division of US-based Harman International Industries, an independent subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. Harman Kardon was originally founded in Westbury, New York, in 1953 by business partners Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon.
ReVox is a brand name, registered by Studer on 27 March 1951 for Swiss audio equipment.
McIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end audio equipment headquartered in Binghamton, New York. It is a subsidiary of McIntosh Group, which is under the ownership umbrella of Highlander Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm.
Denon is a Japanese electronics company dealing with audio equipment. The Denon brand came from a merger of Denki Onkyo and others in 1939, but it originally started as Nippon Chikuonki Shoukai in 1910 by Frederick Whitney Horn, an American entrepreneur.
Roksan is a British manufacturer of high fidelity audio products for domestic use, based in Rayleigh, Essex. It is best known for its influential and innovative design for hi-fi equipment, and in particular its Xerxes platform for playing LP records.
A home theater in a box (HTIB) is an integrated home theater package which "bundles" together a combination DVD or Blu-ray player, a multi-channel amplifier, speaker wires, connection cables, a remote control, a set of five or more surround sound speakers and a low-frequency subwoofer cabinet. Manufacturers also have come out with the "soundbar", an all in one device to put underneath the television and that contains all the speakers in one unit.
Musical Fidelity is a British producer of high-end audio equipment focusing on streaming music players, and its core product range of amplifiers of various types. Other products have included headphones, Digital-Analog Converters (DACs), CD players, Bluetooth Receivers, ‘all-in-one systems’. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1982, they are known for their unusual industrial design, Nuvistor tube use and Class-AB amplifiers.
An audio/video receiver (AVR) is a consumer electronics component used in a home theater. Its purpose is to receive audio and video signals from a number of sources, and to process them and provide power amplifiers to drive loudspeakers and route the video to displays such as a television, monitor or video projector. Inputs may come from a satellite receiver, radio, DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, VCRs or video game consoles, among others. The AVR source selection and settings such as volume, are typically set by a remote controller.
Luxman is a brand name of Japanese Luxman Corporation (ラックスマン株式会社) that manufactures luxury audio components. Luxman produces a variety of high-end audio products, including turntables, amplifiers, receivers, tape decks, CD players and speakers.
Optonica was a subdivision of Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp that made high-end hi-fi products and systems.
Technics is a Japanese audio brand established by Matsushita Electric in 1965. Since 1965, Matsushita has produced a variety of HiFi and other audio products under the brand name, such as turntables, amplifiers, radio receivers, tape recorders, CD players, loudspeakers, and digital pianos. Technics products were available for sale in various countries. The brand was originally conceived as a line of high-end audio equipment to compete against brands such as Nakamichi.
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