Sound Advice

Whether you have an intimate history with audio or you’re acoustically curious and just beginning your relationship with high fidelity sound, taking care to properly set up your system and space is the foundation for a full soundscape.
We’ve collected some best practices and tips below. Feel free to drop us a line at info@wafaudio.com if you have any gear or setup related questions, we’d be happy to chat.
Equipment — every audio setup relies on an uncomplicated series of essential components:
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Speakers
Our SP-01 speakers, like most home stereos throughout history, are “passive,” meaning they receive their signal through wires from an external source. You can flip through different amp and sound source options over time without worrying whether your speakers are compatible.
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Sound Source
Vinyl, CD’s, streaming platforms and digital libraries all have their pros and cons, and depending on your habits you might switch between them during your day. The quality of your music source is the biggest determining factor in the quality of your sound, so if possible, use the highest settings in your streaming platform and invest in a quality stylus for your turntable.
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Cables
While it might seem like a small detail, the quality of your speaker cable can have a noticeable impact on the sound. Higher quality cables can enhance clarity and reduce signal loss. Your speakers have a pair of universal binding posts on the rear faceplate. One is positive (red) and one is negative (black). Both unscrew to expose a hole in the middle post and will accept all common formats of speaker wire connection: banana plugs (simply inserted in the hole in the end), pin connectors (unscrew the post, insert into the hole screw down to tighten), spade or lug terminals (unscrew the post, insert into the hole screw down to tighten) and bare wire (also inserted into the hole in the post). Custom finished, high quality speaker wire is available on our website with your choice of connector. If you’re sourcing your own, we recommend 16 gauge or thicker.
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Amplifier / Preamplifier
A basic amp will reproduce the signal it’s receiving from your sound source. A preamp allows you to connect multiple sources and select between them. An “integrated” amp combines both. If listening to vinyl, make sure there is a Phono channel since a turntable needs an extra stage of amplification. If not, you can purchase a small dedicated Phono Preamp. While there’s an infinite amount of choice in either new or used models, we recommend selecting something with a power rating of 150 watts per channel or more to get the most out of the SP-01. This capacity ensures that your speakers receive enough power to perform at their best, reducing the risk of distortion and damage that can occur with an underpowered system. See the Recommendations section for our suggestions.
Setting up your speakers
