LATEST ADDITIONS

In the last issue we published a rather enthusiastic "Quickie" report on a small, $190/pair speaker system from a new company—the FMI Model 80. It was virtually devoid of low end, even as a stereo pair (pairing effectively doubles bass output), and slightly rough as well as a shade soft at the high end, but it had a quality of "aliveness" to it that almost defied belief. Was it a breakthrough in design? A new transducing principle? No, it was neither. In fact, the Model 80 looks like any one of those hundreds of little bookshelf systems that clutter, the pages of Stereo Review's "Hi-Fi Directory" in tedious profusion.

Billy Preston, the keyboard player, singer, and songwriter frequently credited as "the fifth Beatle," died June 6 in Scottsdale, AZ from respiratory complications from improperly treated pericarditas he experienced in an LA hospital visit on November 21, 2005.

On June 6, as we traveled back from <A HREF="http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/">HE 2006</A>, we received near simultaneous press releases from Genesis Advanced Technologies and Arnie Nudell describing the same event.

Myrna Blyth has a sweet reminiscence of the Beatles on the occasion of Sir Paul's 64th birthday.

This article from <I>Technology Review</I> discusses a device marketed by Northstar Neuroscience that uses electric stimulation of the cerebral cortex to "enhance the brain's natural neuroplasty"&mdash;the ability of the brain to "reorganize" itself to effect repairs.

Huckleberry imitates a contemplative kitty. This only works with a still camera. Fact is, he put the <I>me</I> into meow.

According to <I>The Independent</I>, at any rate. Myself, I'm not so sure I need to know how to buy a diamond, but 19 out of 20 ain't bad.