Vanatoo Blog

The new Transparent Zero Plus is the third generation of Vanatoo’s powered speaker systems (along with the also new Transparent One Encore Plus). They are refinements of what were already award-winning designs. Refinements based on our daily interaction with you, our users. The T0+ keeps the unconventional shape and look of its predecessor, which is one of its coolest, funkiest … Read More

One of the great things about being a small company is that it allows us to be close to our users. The people who answer the phone when you call, and reply to the email you send, are the same people who design the speakers you buy. We hear from you, directly, every day. You tell us what you like … Read More

I’ve been using the recently announced Chromecast Audio for the past few days. I never tried the original Chromecast with the HDMI connection as I already had a multitude of video streaming options. But the new Chromecast Audio is focused on AUDIO! This merits a closer look… The specs for Chromecast Audio (CA from now on) are online and don’t bear … Read More

Streaming seems the be the hot trend in the music business right now.  Apple has finally unveiled their offering, Apple Music, which joins a crowded field.  Spotify is the market leader, with companies like Pandora, Rdio, Slacker, Tidal, Rhapsody (my family’s choice, which I find underappreciated), and a host of others also vying for listeners ears.  The “any music, any time” convenience of these … Read More

What, exactly, does MP3 compression do to music? I’m not asking how MP3 works, as there are volumes of mostly incomprehensible texts written on that subject.  And I’m not asking whether MP3 sounds great, or is the purest form of evil ever foisted on mankind.  The flames of those wars are still burning bright.  I’m just innocently asking a question: … Read More

In the previous entry in this blog series I described how I go about designing for good sound.  The design process involves the three key elements of modeling , measuring , and listening.  So far, so good.  But what exactly should you model or measure?  And what are you trying to hear when you listen?  In short, what actually matters? … Read More

We have received a number of questions recently about the best way to connect a subwoofer to a set of powered speakers.  First off, we always recommend if you are in the process of purchasing a set of powered speakers that you set up your speakers and listen to them a while before you decide to invest in a subwoofer.  … Read More

There has been a rather contentious debate within the audio community for years between the subjectivists, who like to listen, and the objectivists, who like to measure.  The argument goes that the  pure music listeners hear what they hope to hear, whether it’s real or not, and that the scientists apparently can’t hear at all, and don’t know good sound … Read More

As I walked through the door of the restaurant with my friend Paul I thought “cool, this place has live music.”  I looked into the back of the room and then around the sides as we took our table.  My mind was in a bit of a tizzy.  The music had just stopped, but what had been playing was live.  But … Read More

With today’s modern audio equipment many times you have choices of which technology to use to transport music from one piece of music equipment to another ( e.g. analog, coax, optical and USB).  The obvious question to ask is “Is there a difference between them?” and if the answer is yes then “What is the best one to use?”.  Well the simple … Read More