How to measure room acoustics with REW
A practical, step-by-step guide to measuring your listening room with Room EQ Wizard: choosing a microphone, taking sweeps, reading the graphs, and deciding what to fix.
Practical guides that connect you with the manufacturers, tools and services in the directory. Updated October 2026.
Studio monitors vs bookshelf speakers
What actually differs between studio monitors and hi-fi bookshelf speakers: amplification, voicing, inputs, placement and room size, with brands on both sides to research.
DIY speaker kits for beginners
A beginner’s guide to building your own loudspeakers from kits: kit types, tools, the build process, common mistakes, and established kit suppliers and designers to research.
How to buy used audio equipment
A practical checklist for buying used hi-fi: where to look, how to research prices, what to inspect on amps, speakers and turntables, and how to avoid scams.
Vintage receiver repair: what to expect
What a vintage receiver service involves, common faults, what drives repair cost, how to find and vet a qualified shop (local or mail-in), and what you can safely do yourself.
Active vs passive speakers
A clear decision guide to active (powered) versus passive speakers: how amplification and crossovers differ, which setup fits a desk, living room or home theater, and brands to research on both sides.
Speaker placement for stereo
How to place stereo speakers in a real listening room: equilateral triangle, toe-in, wall distance, seat position, first reflections, and when to measure with REW.
Acoustic treatment on a budget
How to improve a listening room without overspending: what to treat first, where panels go, what thin foam can and cannot do, DIY options, and when to measure.
Do I need a headphone amp?
How to tell whether your headphones need a dedicated headphone amplifier or DAC/amp: impedance, sensitivity, output power, signs your source is struggling, and what to compare.
Turntable makers worth knowing
A guide to 21 turntable, tonearm and cartridge makers listed on Audio-Atlas, grouped by where they fit, from first record players to high-end analogue.
Headphone amp and DAC makers
The headphone amplifier and DAC makers listed on Audio-Atlas, from affordable desktop stacks to high-end and electrostatic systems, with links to each listing.
American speaker brands
13 US-based loudspeaker companies listed on Audio-Atlas, from familiar home-theater names to flat-panel and high-end designs, with what each one makes.
Headphone and IEM brands
Headphone and in-ear monitor makers listed on Audio-Atlas, including planar-magnetic, dynamic and IEM specialists, with a short description of each.
Open-back vs closed-back headphones
Open-back vs closed-back headphones explained: how each design affects soundstage, bass, isolation and sound leakage, where each one works best, and how to choose for home, office, studio or travel.
How to clean vinyl records
A practical guide to cleaning vinyl records safely: everyday dusting, wet cleaning by hand, vacuum record cleaning machines and ultrasonic cleaners, plus stylus care, storage tips and what to avoid.