Bose vs Harman Upheld
The use of elliptical plastic ports in some loudspeakers has proven expensive for <A HREF="http://www.harman.com">Harman International Industries</A>.
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Sam Tellig triggered a hailstorm of comment with his original review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/480/">RadioShack Optimus CD-3400 portable CD player</A>. After Tellig suggested that the modest player just might be a cheapskate audiophile delight, writers Corey Greenberg, Jack English, John Atkinson, Barry Willis, and Robert Harley each added his two cents. Some revealing but hitherto unpublished measurements are also included.
It Was 40 Years Ago Today
Writing 30 years ago, in the November, 1971 issue, J. Gordon Holt tried to anticipate the cries of <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//asweseeit/483/">Sellout!?</A> as <I>Stereophile</I> began taking its first ads from dealers. Holt wrote, "Before you throw your hands up in horror . . . bear with us for another couple of paragraphs while we explain why this decision on our part need not prompt you to cancel your subscription immediately."
Bad Year for Music Biz
The year 2001 was a bleak one for the music industry. Of the major labels, only <A HREF="http://www.umusic.com">Universal Music Group</A> managed to turn a profit.
Home and Car Audio Connect
Imagine this: You're a modern kind of audiophile, and your music library is loaded and sorted (without any compression, of course) onto a hard-disk–based audio system which is networked throughout the house. You've also got a hard-disk–based audio system in your car.
Who is the most important (to you) musician you've ever personally met?
We've all seen dozens, if not hundreds, of great musicians play live. But who have you personally met who you would rate as a great musician or composer?
The Fifth Element #14
The custom of giving presents at Christmastime recalls the Magi, or wise men, of the Nativity story (Matthew 2:1-16), who were most likely not "kings" but astrologers. Paintings usually depict three wise men presenting gifts to a newborn in a stable. However, a persnickety reading of Matthew's text reveals that the precise number of Magi, although it must have been at least two, is not stated. The text specifically mentions a house rather than a stable, and implies that Jesus was a toddler. So much for the great Renaissance painters doing their research, or even reading carefully. The text, however, does specify three gifts, and it is that inventory—of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—which has given rise to the common (but not necessarily commonsense) inference that the number of wise men was three.
Against the Dying of the Light: the Second Cantus CD
<B>Part 1: Wes Phillips on the CD's genesis</B>
Last week's Soapbox delved into the subject of musical preferences. Do you think your musical taste is something you were born with, or was it shaped by your environment?
Where did your taste in music come from? Please explain.
Copy Restriction Alliance
Although some record labels have scaled back plans to add restricted-use technology to all CD releases, efforts continue to find the protection formula that consumers, and in particular record labels, will accept.