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SECRETS Q&A WITH JOHN SIAU OF BENCHMARK MEDIA SYSTEMS

by Benchmark Media Systems January 07, 2022 1 min read

SECRETS Q&A WITH JOHN SIAU OF BENCHMARK MEDIA SYSTEMS

SECRETS Q&A WITH JOHN SIAU OF BENCHMARK MEDIA SYSTEMS

- Sumit Chawla, PH.D., January 6, 2022

"Benchmark Media Systems is a small but accomplished audio manufacturer headquartered in Syracuse, New York...

They have built their reputation over the last almost 40 years on designing and producing audio equipment of exceptional transparency and performance...

Secrets contributor Sumit Chawla recently caught up with Benchmark’s VP and Chief Designer, John Siau to get a little more in-depth on several subjects."

John Siau, VP Engineering, Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

Q: "Benchmark is one of the few companies that publishes an extensive set of measurements, but you also balance that with subjective testing. Can you talk about the equipment, the listening room, and the process for subjective testing?"

Q: "Was there ever a time where you learned something from a subjective test that was not captured by measurements?"

Q: "You conducted some listening tests to determine whether distortion in the “First Watt” was audible. What test material did you use for this, and what did you find?"

Q: "The AHB2 amplifier incorporates THX Audio Achromatic Amplifier technology. When and how did the partnership with THX come about?"

Q: "Linear power supplies have been and remain quite popular in high-end devices. You favor switch-mode power supplies. When and why did you make this switch?"

... and more!

Read the full interview here 

 



Also in Audio Application Notes

System Performance Calculations
System Performance Calculations

by John Siau March 02, 2023 13 min read

If an audio system is composed of multiple components, we may have detailed specifications for each component, but we will not know the performance of the combined system without doing some calculations. You may have questions such as these:

  • Will my audio system produce audible noise?
  • Will my audio system produce audible distortion?
  • How will my audio components work together as a system?
  • How loud will my audio system play?

Use Benchmark's online audio calculators to find answers!

For example, if we know the output power of an amplifier, as well as the sensitivity and impedance of our loudspeakers, we can calculate the maximum sound pressure level that our system can produce.

PEAK SPL CALCULATOR
Speaker Sensitivity: dB SPL (2.83 V, 1 M)
Amplifier Power Per Channel into 8 Ohms: Watts
RESULTS
Peak Output Level (at typical listening position): dB SPL

 

This application note provides interactive examples that help to answer the questions listed above.

Read More
Audio Calculators
Audio Calculators

by John Siau November 29, 2022 1 min read

We have added an "Audio Calculators" section to our webpage. Click "Calculators" on the top menu to see more like these:

 

THD % to dB Converter
% THD
RESULTS
dB THD
THD dB to % Converter
dB THD
RESULTS
% THD
Read More
Listening vs. Measuring
Listening vs. Measuring

by John Siau November 09, 2020 8 min read

At Benchmark, listening is the final exam that determines if a design passes from engineering to production. When all of the measurements show that a product is working flawlessly, we spend time listening for issues that may not have shown up on the test station. If we hear something, we go back and figure out how to measure what we heard. We then add this test to our arsenal of measurements.

Benchmark's listening room is equipped with a variety of signal sources, amplifiers and loudspeakers, including the selection of nearfield monitors shown in the photo. It is also equipped with ABX switch boxes that can be used to switch sources while the music is playing.

Benchmark's lab is equipped with Audio Precision test stations that include the top-of-the-line APx555 and the older AP2722 and AP2522. We don't just use these test stations for R&D - every product must pass a full set of tests on one of our Audio Precision test stations before it ships from our factory in Syracuse, NY.

Read More