Here is a list of books that we at AudioReview.com and our forum users have used, that we have found to be helpful in stereo and multi-channel audio system set-up, how acoustics work, and how electronics work. And lastly how pyscho-acoustics work.
$250,000 hifi system can be ruined by bad set up, and $2,000 system can shine when some time is committed to correctly setting up the system for your room and listening space. So take some time and set up your system correctly. All it cost is a little effort and you are likely to have a huge pay off.
Hey we know there a lot books out there. Â If you have found one to be very useful please let us know and we’ll add it to the list. Â Just send a note to adam@audioreview.com with a little blurb about why it has helped you. Â Or post a comment below.
| System Set Up – Tips and Tricks | ||
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Get Better Sound by Jim Smith. Jim Smith has written up a wonderful reference style book, in other words you don’t have to go cover to cover but can instead flip around and try tips that seem interesting to you.  The book is filled with wonderful ideas.  I’ve used it a lot and when I have a spear time on Sunday mornings I’ll flip to a page I’ve not been to yet and try something new.  Not everything has applied to me, but heck I’m not everyone.  Easy to read, great diagrams, and just requires (for the most part) a little elbow grease. – AudioReview Editor | |
| How Acoustics Work | ||
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“The Master Handbook of Acoustics†by F. Alton Everest. This is a fairly easy read and a great first reference.  (It covers such topics as – editor) symmetric ceilings are far LESS problematic than are non-symmetric ceilings, i.e. an example of a non-symmetric ceiling is a ceiling that is flat but sloped so that one end is higher than the other end. – Tom Mashey | |
| How Electronics Work | ||
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“The Art of Electronics†by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill. This is a book of moderate challenge; there is some math. If you understand it you should be ready to develop your first dream system. – Tom Mashey | |
| Your Brain on Sound | ||
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Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics And Psychoacoustics Of Loudspeakers And Rooms – Floyd Toole, a leading expert in the field of sound reproduction, explains how to design the best possible listening experience for recording control rooms and home entertainment systems. This comprehensive work considers the whole sound reproduction chain from multi channel audio configurations and the loudspeaker/room system to acoustics and psychoacoustics and the evaluation process. – book description | |
Mr. Smith’s Book is VERY good. The two owners of the late and greatly missed Pro Musica of Urbana, ILL and later of Madison, WI were masters at setting up systems in real space. They sold systems comprised of GREATLY modified Dynaco gear, assembled turntable systems (Ariston, Linn or the last AR turnables topped with a modified Grace G-707 tonearm/Shure V-15 type III-G set-up), FMI (Fulton) 80s, 100s, Js and the GREAT LS3/5a loudspeakers. They recommended their in-house-made inteconnects and speaker wires (2 awg or larger). I can honestly say that I have NEVER heard a system so true to the music. I bought the top of the line system (FMI-100 based) in 1977. In the fall of 1978, I upgraded to a pair of Chartwell LS3/5as (15 ohm). The Pro Musica Preamp and Power amp were further modified by them as the years went by. The last time in 1999. I trued have never heard another stereo system that does such a good job of translating the SOUL of the music better. As an aside, I was never comfortable with CDs until I recently purchased two Denon products used: DCD-1560 and DVD-3910 (SACDs and DVD-Audio only). I’ve tried tokeep my ears (& mind) open but this is still the BEST I’ve heard.