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There's a certain commercial symbiosis between audio companies and public performance spaces. Tokyo has its Yamaha">http://www.yamaha-hall.co.jp/">Yamaha Hall; New York has its Avery Fisher Hall (1http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/abram/abram.html">1;, 2http://www.lincolncenter.org/visitor/halldescriptions_afh.asp?ws=">2;), named for the hi-fi pioneer whose products were among the best available in the early 1960s.

Jack English noted in March 1994, "I lobbied ProAc designer Stuart Tyler tirelessly to take a crack at a truly full-range speaker which would preserve the strengths of the Response lineup. My wish came true in mid-1993, with the release of the monstrous ProAc">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/394proac">ProAc Response 4 loudspeaker."

Last week we reported Dolby's announcementhttp://www.stereophile.com/news/092704mlp/">announcement; that varying versions of their audio technologies have been selected as "mandatory formats" for HD">http://www.dvdforum.org">HD DVD and Blu-rayhttp://www.blu-raydisc.com">Blu-ray;. Significant for audiophiles is that MLP and high-resolution PCM audio will be available both as two-channel and surround formats on HD DVD.

Old-school two-channel hi-fi may be in the doldrums—a phenomenon of concern only to those manufacturers still solely mining that niche. Those who have caught the home-theater wave are working overtime developing and producing great-sounding new equipment for use with surround-sound systems, flat-panel televisions, and custom installation, according to reports from the CEDIA">http://www.cedia.org">CEDIA Expo held earlier this month in Indianapolis.

Audiophiles have had little reason to follow the high-definition video DVD format conflict. Until now.

Media servers are one of the hottest trends in home entertainment, as mentioned by Jon Iverson last">http://www.stereophile.com/news/092004media/">last week.

From the September 2004 issue, Larry Greenhill sets up the James">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/904james">James Loudspeaker EMB-1200 subwoofer, remarking, "Powerful deep-bass response means more than just pure tones. Rather, it requires raw power, tactile surges of air pressure, and a mix of the senses of hearing and touch." LG reports on whether or not the EMB-1200 meets those standards.

Apple vs Apple: Despite persistent rumors of an impending settlement, the trademark dispute between Apple Corps, the Beatles' record company, and Apple Computer remained unresolved as of late September. The rift arose from the computer company's entry into the music business with its iTunes Music Store, in apparent violation of a previous deal in which it agreed not to do so. One possible outcome of current discussions between the two companies could be the first-ever online availability of Beatles recordings, an exclusive arrangement that might give iTunes an advantage over its competitors.

From the September 2004 issue, Art Dudley gets his mitts on the Spendor">http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/904spendor">Spendor S5e loudspeaker, remarking, "I'm never more conservative than when the subject turns to home audio . . . . Give me thin-walled hardwood cabinets, obsolete tweeters, and handmade polypropylene woofers . . . ."

Johnny Ramone: 19548–2004: Rock fans were saddened by the September 16 death of guitarist Johnny Ramone, founding member of pioneering punk rock band The Ramones. Surrounded by friends and family, he passed away at his Los Angeles home after losing a five-year struggle with prostate cancer. His death came just a few days after a concert held to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary and to raise funds for cancer research.