We're not really sure who coined the term—it is usually attributed to Alistair Cooke, former host of the "Omnibus" TV program—but "audible wallpaper" is an apt term for something that is of more than passing concern for the serious music listener.

As almost all audiophiles have discovered, headphone cables just don't reach far enough. You want to lie on the sofa for a late night listen, but you find out the cable is about two feet short. You can rearrange your room, buy a cable extender&mdash;or go wireless. That's what <A HREF="http://www.gradolabs.com/">Grado</A&gt; is inviting you to do with the FreeSystems Grado Digital Headphone System.

Radio will finally go digital in 2001. Among the oldest analog media, radio will be the last to make the transition, but it should make much faster headway in the market than digital television has. Satellite digital radio broadcasters <A HREF="http://www.xmradio.com/">XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc</A>. and <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com/">Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc</A>. are both on schedule to go live in the coming year, aided by partnerships with automakers to make digital receivers available as options in new cars. A strong automotive aftermarket for digital radio receivers is expected, with some industry insiders predicting that the first models will retail at approximately $100 apiece. Both XM and Sirius will offer multiple channels of music, news, comedy, sports, and talk show entertainment&mdash;all for about $10 per month per subscriber.

Recently, the <A HREF="www.osta.org">Optical Storage Technology Association</A> (OSTA) announced the release of a new CD compatibility specification called "<A HREF="www.osta.org/multiplay">MultiPlay</A>&quot; for the computer and consumer electronics industries. OSTA says that the new specification is intended to ensure that Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R) and Compact Disc ReWritable (CD-RW) discs created on personal computers can also be played in consumer CD and DVD players.

Kalman Rubinson didn't expect to complete a full review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/302/">Revel Ultima Studio loudspeaker</A>, planning instead to investigate only the company's F30 (<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/244/">also available</A> in the online archives). But after the Studios ended up spending several months in his home, there was only one honorable option available: 'fess up and submit his true feelings.

The Revel Ultima Studios came to me by chance. I'd wanted to review Revel's high-value Performa F-30&mdash;see my <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/244/">May 2000 report</A>&mdash;but the Studio was offered instead. By the time a pair of Studios had arrived, however, the F-30s were also on their way, and the Studios were put on the back burner. Because of the mix-up, I thought the Studios would be freebies&mdash;just listen for a while and send 'em back. I am now obliged to do the honest thing and fess up in public: Many months have passed and the Studios are still here.

The Revel Ultima Studios came to me by chance. I'd wanted to review Revel's high-value Performa F-30&mdash;see my <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/244/">May 2000 report</A>&mdash;but the Studio was offered instead. By the time a pair of Studios had arrived, however, the F-30s were also on their way, and the Studios were put on the back burner. Because of the mix-up, I thought the Studios would be freebies&mdash;just listen for a while and send 'em back. I am now obliged to do the honest thing and fess up in public: Many months have passed and the Studios are still here.

The Revel Ultima Studios came to me by chance. I'd wanted to review Revel's high-value Performa F-30&mdash;see my <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/244/">May 2000 report</A>&mdash;but the Studio was offered instead. By the time a pair of Studios had arrived, however, the F-30s were also on their way, and the Studios were put on the back burner. Because of the mix-up, I thought the Studios would be freebies&mdash;just listen for a while and send 'em back. I am now obliged to do the honest thing and fess up in public: Many months have passed and the Studios are still here.

The Revel Ultima Studios came to me by chance. I'd wanted to review Revel's high-value Performa F-30&mdash;see my <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/244/">May 2000 report</A>&mdash;but the Studio was offered instead. By the time a pair of Studios had arrived, however, the F-30s were also on their way, and the Studios were put on the back burner. Because of the mix-up, I thought the Studios would be freebies&mdash;just listen for a while and send 'em back. I am now obliged to do the honest thing and fess up in public: Many months have passed and the Studios are still here.

The Revel Ultima Studios came to me by chance. I'd wanted to review Revel's high-value Performa F-30&mdash;see my <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/244/">May 2000 report</A>&mdash;but the Studio was offered instead. By the time a pair of Studios had arrived, however, the F-30s were also on their way, and the Studios were put on the back burner. Because of the mix-up, I thought the Studios would be freebies&mdash;just listen for a while and send 'em back. I am now obliged to do the honest thing and fess up in public: Many months have passed and the Studios are still here.