Categories: Primers

Introduction to the Primer

Most of our readers understand the basic differences between the various components that make up an audio or home theater system. So, it is time to deliver this content in greater detail.

In order to do that, we have converted the original descriptions of components into an encyclopedia of words, terms, and concepts. This will be an evolving library of information that includes our own definitions, but will eventually include definitions by you, the reader. You will be able not only to add your own information to the existing words in the encyclopedia, but also add new words that are not there now. All you have to do is log in (you have to register first though), add your comments to an existing definition, or submit a new word, term, or concept, along with its definition. The senior staff will read it and approve it for publication if appropriate.

The words, terms, and concepts explained in the Secrets Encyclopedia are cross-linked to other words in the encyclopedia and also to appropriate technical articles that we have published and will be publishing.

If you have a word or term that you do not understand and would like it explained in the encyclopedia, please contact one of the staff.

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Editor-in-Chief Emeritus. John E. Johnson, Jr. founded Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity in 1994, shortly after publishing a hardcopy book of the same title. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity until 2022. John has been involved in audio and video for more than 50 years, having built radio transmitters, amplifiers, turntables, and speakers from scratch. He was also one of the founders of the Northern California Audio Video Association, now The Bay Area Audio Society. John holds four university degrees, including a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, and has published numerous scientific books, along with dozens of scientific articles on biomedical research topics as well as imaging technology. He was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of two medical/scientific journals for 20 years. John holds several patents, including one on high resolution image analysis and one on a surgical instrument. He has been affiliated with NASA, The National Institutes of Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Stanford Research Institute, and The University of California at Berkeley. He is President of the consulting firm Scientific Design and Information, Inc., which is based in Redwood City, California. John resides in the San Francisco Bay area with his wife and multiple kitties! His daughter, Cynthia, who was an integral part of SECRETS for many years, resides in San Francisco.