Fig.1 shows the plots of impedance with frequency for the Thiel loudspeaker. It agrees with the appropriate specified impedances in the review heading, and obvious features can be distinguished, such as the box resonance for the CS3.5 at 33Hz. I would conjecture, however, that Jim Thiel has used some form of conjugate load system in his crossover designs to give such flat curves with frequency. (This is where elements are added to the crossover to compensate for phase and impedance changes to result in a simple resistive load.) I would suggest, therefore, that like…
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Iván Fischer, founder and conductor of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, has performed with many major orchestras and recorded for a number of major labels, most significantly with Philips, from 1995 to 2004. Fischer/BFO made the first multichannel orchestral recording for SACD, which Philips used as a demonstration disc for their first SACD players. I still treasure that disc—it demonstrates many of the advantages of the medium with a wide and varied program—but it has never been commercially released.
In 2004, Fischer/BFO began an exclusive arrangement with Channel Classics that has…
My reviews of the TacT RCS (Stereophile, September 2001) and the Rives PARC (July 2003) are ample evidence that I've been fascinated with room equalization for quite a while. This is because I don't have a dedicated, purpose-built listening room in either of my homes, and having experienced what such rooms can do for recorded sound, I've always been somewhat dissatisfied with what I do have. Sure, I've got lots of great equipment, and a wife who understands enough to let me install some acoustic treatments (as long as she approves their appearance). Still, I'm sympathetic to those…
Basically, the installer enters general information about the system, including reference data about the components and room dimensions, and exactly which channel signals are connected to each of the SE's eight inputs/outputs. This is because you can use these channels any way you need to: just two for stereo, or eight for a 5.1-channel system and a two-channel system, or eight for a 6.2 system—or even eight for four stereo systems in four different rooms. Clearly, you've got to tell the SE what's connected to what. My configuration was pretty basic: a 5.1 system connected to input/output…
In New York and other major cities, I understand, bus accidents are a real problem. Buses turn right and failing to yield to pedestrians. Clueless pedestrians walk in front of buses. I haven't seen any statistics, but I'm guessing that in this era of cell phones and iPods, the problem has gotten worse: not only do such devices distract you, they make it harder to hear warning signs—such as the sound of a municipal bus bearing down on your ass.
I don't live in a big city, but I do enjoy my Apple iPod. So, shortly after John Atkinson positively reviewed Shure's E3c in-ear 'phones…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: In-ear headphones, with tuned ports. Sensitivity: 109dB/W/m at 1kHz. Impedance: 29 ohms at 1kHz. Input connector: 1/8" (3.5mm) gold-plated stereo plug.
Dimensions: Cord lengths: E4c: 62" (1.57m). E4: 61" (1.55m). Weight: 1.1oz (31gm).
Finish: Gray (E4), White (E4c), Black (E4g).
Serial Number of Unit Reviewed: None found.
Price: $319. Approximate number of dealers: Sold Direct. Warranty: 2 years, limited.
Manufacturer: Shure Inc., 5800 West Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL 60714-4608. Tel: (847) 600-2000, (800) 257-4873. Fax: (847) 600-1212.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: Rega P7 turntable, various Rega cartridges.
Digital Sources: iPod Nano G4 (2GB), Marantz SA-15S1 SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Whest 2.0 phono stage.
Headphone Amplifier: Benchmark Media DAC-1 DAC-amplifier.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD650.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDVX. Interconnect: various by Chord, Monster Cable. AC: various by Shunyata Research, PS Audio.
Accessories: Shunyata Research Hydra 8 power conditioner, RealTraps Mondo Traps sound absorbers.—Jim Austin
Sidebar 3: Custom Earmolds From Westone
At least two companies, Westone and Sensaphonics, make custom earmolds that fit Shure headphones. Shure works closely with Sensaphonics, whom they recommend on their website and in their product literature, but I went with Westone because that's the company my audiologist usually works with.
The audiologist stuck a piece of cloth in my ear to protect the eardrum, then injected foam in the ear canals. During the two minutes the foam takes to harden, Westone recommends you keep your mouth open for best results. When my audiologist asked why,…
Jim Austin returned to Westone's custom earmolds in May 2007 (Vol.30 No.5):
In my March 2007 review of Shure's E4 earphones (p.118), I described my preliminary experience with the custom earmolds Westone makes for Shure's E2, E3, and E4 series of in-ear 'phones, as well as for Westone's own UM-1, UM-2, and the new "3" phones (which I plan to review).
Westone's earmolds are made from silicone material impressions of your ear canals made by your audiologist. Westone's literature suggests that the fit should be positive—when it's in right, they say, you'll know it. That wasn't my…
In the early 1980s, Ivor Tiefenbrun, of Linn Products, Ltd., compared digital audio to "a nasty disease" that his company offered not to spread. Less than 25 years later, digital sources outnumber analog ones in Linn's product line—so much so that the venerable Scottish manufacturer has expanded its line of disc players to encompass two different formats: multi- and two-channel.
The Majik CD player ($3500) is the first new member of the latter group. (It's also the only member, of any vintage: Linn was forced to discontinue its Sondek CD12 in 2004 because certain of its…