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The Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) will soon move into Phase II of its evaluation of digital audio watermarking, following listening tests conducted in early July at Sony's Whitfield Street Studios in London and administered by Sony VP of engineering Malcolm Davidson. A soon-to-be-published report from Paul Jessop of the International Federation of Phonograph Industries reveals that the participants in the tests—almost all of them audio-industry professionals or journalists—averaged just slightly better than 50% in their abilities to detect the watermarks.
Promising technology, interesting programming, and good business plans may not be enough to keep satellite radio services XM Radio and Sirius Radio aloft. Both companies are struggling with massive financial problems as they scramble to gain subscribers.
On Wednesday, November 13, XM Satellite Radio laid off 80 of its approximately 480 employees and initiated a move to more affordable programming in an attempt to contain costs. Analysts have predicted that the year-old startup, which lost $117 million in the second quarter of this year, is in danger of running out of money in early 2003…
Those who spurn audio discs with built-in restriction technologies should take note: SunnComm Technologies announced last week that its MediaMax CD-3 technology has been utilized to restrict the content on Ike and Tina Turner's new compilation CD entitled The Early Sessions.
SunnComm says the disc will contain two "sessions," noting that the regular CD tracks, restricted with its proprietary system, are called the "Red Book session." The disc will also contain a restricted "multimedia experience," referred to by SunnComm as a "second session," for playback on a PC. The company reports that…
From the October issue, Art Dudley mounts the Dynavector DV10x5 MC phono cartridge (on his tonearm, that is) and spins a few records. AD explains, "This is the first entry-level Dynavector to incorporate the company's colorfully named flux damping and softened magnetism."
"It may seem like something of a stretch from futuristic starships to high-end audio systems, but there's a parallel," says Thomas J. Norton after firing up the Jeff Rowland Design Group Consummate preamplifier. TJN decides to engage and explains why.
In his review of the Mirage OM-7 loudspeaker, Lonnie Brownell…
Totally new Heads: HeadRoom has released new versions of its Total BitHead and Total AirHead headphone amplifiers. Both models feature new, quieter volume potentiometers and improved audio chips for superior sound.
The new Total AirHead ($149) can run off four AAA batteries or an optional DC power supply and can drive two headphones via 1/8" mini headphone jacks. It features HeadRoom's Crossfeed circuit and a selectable gain switch, enabling it to drive a wide variety of headphones.
The Total BitHead ($199) adds USB input functionality, making it the perfect mate to laptop or desktop…
Stereophile readers are clearly in favor of our coverage of products like Apple's iPod. But judging by some of the comments we receive, they're split on whether it's been a kick in the pants for music lovers or just added to the downward low-rez spiral of digital audio.
The Audio Engineering Society (AES) New York Section is also wondering about the effects of digital portables on the sound of music. The organization has announced what it terms a "controversial and essential" industry forum on the relevance of 16-bit and high-resolution formats such as DVD-A and SACD in a market "where…
Now there are three—Cello spinoffs, that is. More than two years ago, prior to Cello Technologies' ill-fated expansion, company founder Mark Levinson departed to create Red Rose Music. Late in 2000, former vice president of business development Jim McCullough formed Matthew James LLC, which will make and market a new generation of Cello electronics. In early April, Viola Audio Labs announced its debut.
Operating from the old A.C. Gilbert Building at 315 Peck Street in New Haven, CT (the former site of Cello, Ltd., and also the home of Matthew James LLC), Viola Audio Labs is a new…
Sirius Satellite Radio has achieved three milestones in its campaign to reach profitability.
On December 8, the New York–based broadcaster announced that it now has more than 200,000 subscribers to its nationwide service. The company also announced that this holiday shopping season is the first during which consumers will have wide access to Sirius receivers from Kenwood and Audiovox. Among new products is a home audio unit from Kenwood, and, from Audiovox, a trucker's receiver and a boombox, said to be available in limited quantities.
"This is the first time that we are going into a…
John Atkinson wires up a pair of Gershman Acoustics Opera Sauvage loudspeakers, noting, "'Mellow' was the word I used to describe my first impression of the Opera Sauvage's balance, and nothing I experienced throughout my auditioning persuaded me that that impression was mistaken."
Also from the July 2004 issue, we have Keith Howard's feature on loudspeaker design, "Cutting Corners." KH muses, "If anyone ever thinks to compile a list of the 100 seminal audio papers that should be found in every tech-aware audiophile's filing cabinet, Harry Olson's 'Direct Radiator Loudspeaker Enclosures'…
To kick off his three-loudspeaker survey from the January 2004 issue, Art Dudley sets up the Meadowlark Audio Swift loudspeaker in his room and notes, "You look at something like the Meadowlark Swift and you think, How can they sell this for only $1195/pair?"
Next, AD reviews the Horn Shoppe Horn loudspeaker, writing, "Forget the numbers: The Horns played music with guts and conviction. They had a sure, tight sense of pitch and rhythm, and my attention never wandered from the music while I was in their presence."
In review number three, AD takes a listen to the Moth Audio Cicada…