The Science of Subwoofing

The Science of Subwoofing

Oct 29, 2008 First Published:Jan 29, 1989

There was a time, as recently as 40 years ago, when frequencies below 100Hz were considered extreme lows, and reproduction below 50Hz was about as common as the unicorn. From our present technological perch, it's too easy to smirk condescendingly at such primitive conditions. But just so you're able to sympathize with the plight of these disadvantaged audiophiles, I should tell you that there were two perfectly good reasons for this parlous state of affairs. First of all, program material at that time was devoid of deep bass; not because it was removed during disc mastering but simply because there wasn't any to begin with. The professional tape recorders of the day featured a frequency response of 50–15kHz, ±2dB—just about on a par with the frequency performance capability of a cheap 1988 cassette tape deck.

Buy Cheap Speakers—Have Fun!

Buy Cheap Speakers—Have Fun!

Oct 29, 2008 First Published:Oct 29, 1989

"Be like my friend Frank. He imagines that he's purchased certain products—right now he's imagining that he bought a pair of hard-to-get English speakers which he has read a review of but hasn't heard. This is ideal, since the speakers can sound better and better as Frank imagines more and more. When he tires of these speakers and gets excited about something else, he doesn't have to trade them in. He only needs to start imagining the next product." That was Sam Tellig's friend Frank, back in March of this year. No one could have said it better, but I have a followup.

Zappa Returns!

Submitted by bertdw on

Kudos on the excellent Frank Zappa article in the November Stereophile. I hope this piece quickly makes its way to the website so I can send it to a few fellow Zappaphiles. Stephen, John, anyone listening?

Would you re-cartridge or re-tip this?

Forums
General Rants 'n' Raves
Submitted by BillB on

I am thinking about re-activating my old turntable (belt drive Tannoy Micro TM33) to add it to my second system. It has a Stanton 681EEE phono cartridge (MM) on it - good for the 1970's but I don't know where it stands now. I will replace the stylus (I replaced it maybe 10 times in its previous career). New stylus about $70. Would you go that way, or look for an entirely new cartridge in that price range?

(edited from a post in another section, please excuse)

La Rumba Buena

La Rumba Buena

Oct 28, 2008

I found out about <i>Patato & Totico</i> all on my own, and completely by accident. It happened during the height of my salsa fixation, just after I completed <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/101807mix/">my first <i>Salsa Means Soul</i> compilation</a>. Searching the compact disc shelves at the Virgin Megastore for an album called <i>Cuban Pearls</i>, and specifically for a <i>song</i> called "Oriente" by Cheo Marquetti, I instead stumbled upon the Verve reissue of this 1967 work by famed congero Carlos "Patato" Valdes and vocalist Eugenio "Totico" Arango.

Classiness

Forums
General Rants 'n' Raves
Submitted by fkrausz on

As sort of a side-thread to the "what I'd like to see" thread -- there's a technical change I'd like to see in "Recommended Components."

Now that Michael Fremer has favorably reviewed a phono preamp even more expensive than the Boulder, perhaps the Boulder should no longer sit alone in Class A+ -- and given that there are now apparently several 6-figure turntables being made, maybe the Caliburn will also find company someday. I think it's tme to re-think what is meant by "class A" and "class A+".

Subwoofer match for Avalon Symbols?

Forums
Loudspeakers
Submitted by bwright on

Hi all,

I just picked up a pair of Avalon Symbols for my apartment, which blew my mind during the audition process - seemed like a great way to get the Avalon sound at a reasonable price. As they are multichannel speakers, they possess an incredibly neutral and fast high/midrange - but zero bass, given their dedicated role.

I heard them with the REL T2, which sounded respectable enough, but would appreciate suggestions on what sub may work best when paired with this particular model.

Thanks in advance,

Bill

Budget speakers in a nightmare environment

Forums
Loudspeakers
Submitted by staar on

I'm tired of poor sound. Figure my first step should be to replace the terrible speakers I currently use. I listen to music primarily but do watch a lot of movies also. Everything is done through my pc hooked up to the receiver through a M-Audio AP 192. My speakers are placed pretty much right up to the wall (Within 2 feet). I listen to fast music and want good seperation of the notes. I also dont want to hear distortion when the notes get too low/high. I like the music to sound natural, without too much emphasis on the high or low end.

The WFMU Record Fair

The WFMU Record Fair

Oct 27, 2008

I should have known by the looks in their shining eyes. When people told me that I'd probably enjoy it, that it was probably a good idea for me to go, they were being coy. But never mind: No words could have prepared me for the enormity of the event, for the knee-weakening prospect of innumerable treasures. And so, on Saturday morning, when I decided to go to the <a href="http://www.wfmu.org/recfair/">WFMU Record Fair</a>, I was entirely, woefully, indubitably unprepared. I am reminded of <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/news/010605cessm/index.html">my first Consumer Electronics Show</a>. You can't know what it's like until you've been. And only after it's over can you pretend to prepare for the following year. I will begin pretending to prepare for next year's event today&#151taking for granted that next year will exist&#151but, until then, I'm left wanting a do-over, wondering <i>why didn't anybody tell me it would be like this</i>, while nevertheless enjoying the few treasures I did come home with.

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