Hi-Fi Wiki
Master the language of high-fidelity audio and advanced home cinema. Explore clear, professional definitions of acoustic concepts, AV technology, and audiophile terminology.
Unbalanced Audio Connection
A signal connection using one signal conductor and a shared return or shield, commonly implemented with RCA connectors in consumer Hi-Fi equipment.
UPnP / DLNA Audio
Network standards commonly used for discovering media servers and playback devices and streaming music libraries across a local home network.
Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA)
The vertical angle of the cartridge and stylus assembly during playback, influenced by tonearm height, cartridge geometry, and record thickness.
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Vertical Tracking Force (VTF)
The downward force applied by the cartridge stylus to the groove, set to the manufacturer’s range for stable tracking and controlled wear.
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Vinyl Record
An analog disc medium storing audio as microscopic variations in a spiral groove, read mechanically by a stylus and phono cartridge.
Viscoelastic Damping Compound
A damping material applied between rigid building layers to dissipate vibration as heat and reduce structure-borne sound transmission through walls or ceilings.
Vorbis (Ogg Vorbis)
A lossy, open-source audio format that offers efficient compression and is free from patent restrictions.
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WAV (Waveform Audio File Format)
An uncompressed audio format developed by Microsoft and IBM, commonly used for storing high-quality audio on PCs.
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Wireless Earbuds
Compact, cable‑free in‑ear devices that deliver personal audio via Bluetooth, combining convenience with quality sound.
Wireless Headphones
Headphones that connect without cables (typically via Bluetooth), providing convenience and freedom of movement with quality audio.
Wireless Speakers
Speakers that connect via Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, or other protocols, providing flexible, cable‑free audio streaming.
WMA (Windows Media Audio)
A series of audio codecs and their corresponding audio coding formats developed by Microsoft, includes both lossy and lossless compression.
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Woofer
A loudspeaker driver designed primarily for low frequencies, using a relatively large diaphragm and excursion to reproduce bass with useful acoustic output.
Wow and Flutter
Slow and fast variations in playback speed that cause audible pitch instability; turntable and tape specifications often report them as a combined percentage.
XLR Connector
A robust locking connector developed from Cannon’s X series, commonly used for balanced analog audio and AES3 digital connections in professional and high-end systems.
