Advice Articles

Expert advice on choosing, buying and setting up your home audio or home theater system.

Home Audio Articles

Speaker Types
The pros and cons of the different kinds (not brands) of speakers available.
The Truth About Power Ratings
There are games being played with amplifier power ratings, so you better watch out, you better not cry.
Surround Formats
Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, DTS, THX and DSP - What does all this gibberish mean?
Choosing Electronics
What to look for when shopping for electronics.
Home Theater System Overview
All the parts you'll need to assemble a system.
How to Use Product Reviews, Part I.
Make a More Powerful Buying Decision.
How to Use Product Reviews, Part II.
Exploring a relatively new, Internet fueled issue: the role and value of consumer written reviews and review sites.
Bigger is Not Always Better
Advantages of multiple small drivers over fewer large drivers
Speaker Wire & Connectors
Recommendation on speaker wire length and various connectors
5-Way Binding Posts
More Contact Equals Better Sound
Choosing Home Audio Speakers
General advice on what to look for when shopping for speakers.

General Home Theater Setup
This Is System Setup 101
Home Audio Speaker Placement
OK, now that you have all these boxes, where ya gonna put them?
Optimizing the Sound of Your Room
A few simple techniques will make your room, and your equipment, sound much better.
Surround Processor/Receiver Set-Up
Dolby Digital surround processors have adjustments you may not be familiar with
Bass Management & Subwoofer Connections
A further examination of some of the topics covered above.
Subwoofer Positioning & Adjustment
Tips on how to get the best bass performance.
Polk's World Class Customer Service
Personal Help When You Need It: Polk's World Class Customer Service
Bi-Amping
The two sets of binding posts, on the rear of your speakers, enable the Bi-Amplfication of your speakers.
Bi-Wiring
The two pairs of 5-way binding posts enable bi-wiring the speaker system.
Troubleshooting Simple Audio/Video Problems
You have a friend in the audio industry. Troubleshooting Simple Audio/Video Problems.

How to Read a DVD & BR Label
Know what you're getting before you buy DVDs & Blu-Rays. Secrets revealed!
How Do I Prevent Damaging My Speakers Again?
There are many reasons why speakers malfunction.
Troubleshooting Simple Audio/Video Problems
You have a friend in the audio industry. Troubleshooting Simple Audio/Video Problems.
How Polk Builds Superior Audio Products
Forty Years of Quality Assurance: How Polk Builds Superior Audio Products

Choosing the Right Woofer/Enclosure System
Choosing the Right Woofer/Enclosure System
To Install or Not to Install
DIY or go with a pro?
Power Up!
How much power do you really need?
Car Audio Glossary
How to talk like a 12V pro. What all that jargon means.
Little-known Secrets of the Soundroom
How to listen smart when buying car audio speakers.
The Basics of Car Audio
The basic parts of a system, what they do and why you need them.
More Toys
More in-depth explanations about all kinds of important stuff.
A Crossover is not a Puzzle. Well, sort of.
But they're vital to creating great sound. Here are some basics.
Some Mistakes to Avoid
Lot's of people make them when choosing speakers. Read this first.
How Car Speakers Work
How they work, the different types and how to choose.

Polk's World Class Customer Service
Personal Help When You Need It: Polk's World Class Customer Service
Quick Guide for Sub Box Construction
Quick Guide for Sub Box Construction

Tips on Cleaning Your Car's Sound System
Some simple, though very important, things to do when you clean up your act.
The Care & Feeding of Tweeters
Give tweeters the respect they deserve.
How Not to Wax Your Speakers
Sometimes what you don't do makes your speakers live longer.
Dealing with Noise
Defeating distortion and stifling hum in your system.
How Car Speakers Work
How they work, the different types and how to choose.
How Polk Builds Superior Audio Products
Forty Years of Quality Assurance: How Polk Builds Superior Audio Products
Interpreting Subwoofer Technical Data
Interpreting Subwoofer Technical Data