LATEST ADDITIONS

Loudspeakers based on the Lowther full-range driver have a considerable following—our own Art Dudley included—but most will admit that the driver has its limitations, including some midrange resonant peaks and less-than-impressive bass response. These have been addressed in The Second Rethm by a set of modifications to the driver and the availability of an extension to the cabinet that produces better bass response. I heard a couple of the Rethm speakers (I don’t remember which models) a few years ago at CES, and was not too impressed, but I quite liked the sound of The Second Rethm with the cabinet extension. The extension adds $2000 to the $7500/pair price, but I suspect it’s worth it.

Ted Denney at Synergistic Research has come a very long way in a very short time. In the past I've enjoyed and commented on his Resolution Reference interconnect and speaker cable. Great stuff, but I'm picky. Then, not too long ago, boxes of his new, top-of-the-line Designers' Reference interconnect began raining down upon us (liveried, I might add, in an extremely vivid shade of green!).

I find it astonishing that two products built on completely opposing engineering principles can both have musical merit. Design goals exalted by one company are considered anathema by another, yet both components produce superb sonic results.

<i>From left to frustrated: Tari's BF, Carlton; online sales manager, Tari; me. Photo by hippie, Jon Iverson.</i>

We're also told that magnets can't possibly affect human athletic performance or relieve joint and muscular aches and pains. This, too, has been "scientifically" proven. Never mind that professional athletes swear by magnets, and that the disabled and the elderly have been helped as well. "Science" has proven them wrong, but medical magnet sales are exploding. Must be mass hysteria.

<a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060306royleland/">Leland Leard</a> of Music Hall is a pair of spectacles the color of Jenny Lewis' dress. My eyes grew large and happy when I saw the Watson Twins vinyl propped up beside White Stripes and <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/051806shatter/">Gnarls Barkley</a> discs.

Take this one seriously, kids! Here's more hot poop on the <A HREF="http://www.copyright.gov/docs/regstat051606.html">Section 115 Reform Act of 2006 (SIRA)</A>, courtesy of IPac. Don't let this stand&mdash;the only way Congress will oppose this is if it hears that its constituents don't want it, otherwise they'll suspect we won't even notice. Make some noise!