From the May 2002 issue, Michael Fremer positions the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?951">Odeon La Traviata loudspeaker</A> in his listening lair, writing, "Interest in super-efficient, horn-loaded, compression-driver loudspeakers has grown in the past few years." But as MF finds, horns may not always do the trick.
<B>MAHLER: Symphony 10 <I>First Performing Version by Deryck Cooke</I></B><BR> Eliahu Inbal, Frankfurt RSO<BR>Denon CO-75129 (CD only). Yoshiharu Kawaguchi, Richard Hauck, prods.; Detlev Kittler, eng. DDD. TT: 70:59
Loudspeakers are all about balancing conflicting variables: accepting that you can't have electrostatic transparency <I>and</I> horn dynamics; finding something to suit the size of your room <I>and</I> credit rating; and picking the best all-around compromise to suit your particular taste. Goldilocks had the right attitude for loudspeaker reviewing. All that too-soft/too-hard, too-hot/too-cold merely sets the scene; "just right" goes straight to the heart of the matter.
Now that we know how often you attend classical music events, how often in the past year have you attended live jazz concerts?
<B>HAYDN: Symphonies 99 & 102</B><BR>
Frans Brüggen, Orchestra of the 18th Century<BR>
Philips 434 077-2 (CD only). Sieuwer Verster, prod.; Jaap Bogaart, eng. DDD. TT: 48:57<BR>
<B>HAYDN: Symphonies 100 & 104</B><BR>
Frans Brüggen, Orchestra of the 18th Century<BR>Philips 434 096-2 (CD only). DDD. TT: 53:35
Mirage is a good name for a speaker manufacturer; it suggests that their products produce realistic illusions. A 1934 dictionary I've got supplies a definition for "mirage" that might also be apt: "An optical atmospheric illusion by which the image of a distant object is seen as if inverted." I don't mean that the Mirage OM stands Harry Belafonte on his head, or make him sing "O-Day"—instead, certain tenets of cones-in-a-box loudspeaker design and usage are turned turvy-topsy by Mirage's Omnipolar concept.
<I>Stardate:</I> 3087.6. <I>Location:</I> somewhere in the 4th quadrant. In response to Captain Kirk's orders, Mr. Sulu throws a few well-chosen levers and sliders—not much different in design and function from those used by Flash Gordon and Captain Video—to redirect the Good Ship Enterprise where no man has boldly gone before. New adventures begin immediately after the bridge crew pick themselves up off the deck and nonchalantly resume their stations.
The plumber's here, and he says we need a new hot-water heater because the one we have now isn't maintaining the correct water temperature, and because it's been in use for nine years. "And the thing is, this is a five-year heater." I responded by repeating his last six words, only louder, and with decorations. And I couldn't help thinking: <I>I've had phono cartridges that lasted longer than that.</I> And none of them have attacked me in the shower when my wife flushed the toilet, either.
This month, <I>Stereophile</I> brings you the Internet's largest community of qualified audio and video buyers and sellers, powered by industry leader Audiogon. Visitors to Stereophile.com will find a new "<A HREF="http://marketplace.stereophile.com">AV Marketplace</A>" link that connects directly to the most robust venue for buying and selling used and new audio and video equipment on the Web. Services also include an online Bluebook for quick evaluation of used equipment prices, online used equipment forums, member product reviews, information on manufacturers, and a member feedback system.
Every autumn, the <A HREF="http://www.CE.org">Consumer Electronics Association</A> (CEA) publishes its "Five Technologies to Watch" list of "technology trends poised to shape the consumer electronics industry" in the year ahead. Most of the choices may seem obvious, but the final entry on the list this year may be a surprise for audiophiles.