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<B>High Fidelity Audio/Video Systems: A Critical Guide for Owners</B><BR> by Howard Ferstler <BR><I>253 pages, $23.50 softcover. Published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640. Tel: (919) 246-4460.</I>

"Like many audiophiles I have often sped home from a concert to fire up the audio system, and then, to the sore vexation of my wife and guests, spent the rest of the evening plunged in the morbid contemplation of what, exactly, was missing."

<I>"Phonograph, </I>n<I>. An irritating toy that restores life to dead noises."&mdash;</I>Ambrose Bierce (in <I>The Devils's Dictionary</I>, Dover, 1958)

Room acoustics, and their importance, may not be subjects which we ponder daily here at <I>Stereophile</I>, but they are never far from our consciousness. Two recent events served to spotlight them yet again: the setting-up of our first-ever panel listening test of moderately priced loudspeakers (Vol.14 No.7), and a letter from a reader requesting advice on room problems. Both reminded us---if a reminder was needed---that although the perfect room does not exist, there are things that can be done to make the most of even an admittedly difficult situation. That reader's letter, in particular, brought home the fact that we cannot really discuss this subject too often. It's easy to forget that comments made here months (or years) ago are beyond the experience of newer readers. A new audiophile's most frequent mistake is to overlook the significance of his or her listening room, while the experienced listener will too often take the room for granted.

"But I Thought You Were My Friend!" (Footnote 1)

<I>In Xanadu did Kubla Khan<BR> A stately pleasure dome decree...</I>---Coleridge