"reference"

[hejiraent]

I see the word "reference" being used fairly often. Reference speakers, Reference system etc... IN GENERAL What does it mean?

[F1nut]

It basically means whatever gear someone feels is the best they have or have heard (reference point) vs something else.

[fgr41]

Can also be the sound level at which you should calibrate your system. I think most consider reference level audio to be 75db, might be 80 I can't remember.