Register to win one of eight pairs of Phiaton PS 500 Primal Series Headphones (MSRP $299) Stereophile is giving away.
According to Phiaton, The PS 500 Primal Series headphones offer listeners "a soaring level of concert-hall sound quality, unmatched performance, and a high level of comfort. Phiaton Primal Series headphones are designed for those who appreciate the classic yet somewhat exotic look and feel of supple leather and leather-grade trim."
Keeping with this philosophy, the PS 500s feature hand-made, genuine leather outer cup housings and extra-plush ear cushions for…
The Symphonic Soundstage: The Art and Science of Recording the Orchestra
Excerpted: Strauss: Thus Spake Zarathustra, Dance of the Seven Veils (complete); Respighi: Roman Festivals; de Falla: Three-Cornered Hat, Nights in the Gardens of Spain; Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet; Stravinsky: The Firebird; Lutoslawski: Concerto for Orchestra; Haydn: Piano Concerto 2, Cello Concerto 1
Various performers
Delos D/CD 3502 (CD only). John Eargle, eng. & prod. DDD. TT: 71:55
It is often said that anyone with a recorder and a couple of microphones can record an orchestra. It's true,…
Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original
By Robin D.G. Kelley (New York: Free Press, 2009): 588 pages; hardcover, $30; paperback, $18.
Bebop was new and controversial when, in September 1947, writer-photographer Bill Gottlieb profiled an obscure jazz pianist for Down Beat magazine. The story, which appeared just before Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917–1982) turned 30, called him an "elusive" figure "few have ever seen."
Then Lorraine Lion, the wife of Blue Note Records' Alfred Lion, began to tout Monk's first releases on the label. Her hyperbolic prose…
As I wandered the displays and demonstrations at the 2010 CEDIA Expo last September, I found few multichannel products worth writing about. Sure, there were many interesting new speakers from Pioneer, GoldenEar, Atlantic Technology, Adam Audio, MartinLogan, and others, but really, you could just use two for stereo. I saw the requisite number of new multichannel players, processors, and receivers, but most boasted no more than some new features that made them easier to use (iPad apps were rife) and/or gave them access to new sources (audio and video streaming were obligatory).
So why was I…
Next, I compared the DX-5's HDMI A/V Output with its own HDMI Audio Output. Instrumental to this task was A Virtuoso Faceoff, which includes pieces by Biber and Muffat performed by Petri Tapio Mattson (baroque violin), Eero Palviainen (archlute), and Markku Mäkinen (organ), recorded in the very warm, ripe acoustic of the Church of St. Lawrence in Janakkala, Finland (SACD/CD, Alba ABCD 311). Indeed, it did sound warm and ripe through both the DX-5's HDMI A/V output and the Oppo. Through the Ayre's HDMI Audio output, there was a decided difference in clarity and transparency that extended…
Second, after RoomPerfect calculates its corrections, you can take additional measurements to enhance its accuracy, or add more Focus points to have it develop corrections for other listening positions. Each resultant correction can be named descriptively and recalled as needed. At an early demo of RP, I found that sitting only a seat or two off the Focus resulted in an audible corruption of the acoustics; apparently, the newer version of the software incorporated into the MX150 doesn't suffer from this foible. Now when I sat off center, the correction wasn't optimal, but it was still better…
Sidebar: Recordings In The Round
Here's a list of some of the multichannel discs I regularly use to assess equipment. Each one demonstrates some aspect of surround sound, but each is also a wonderful musical treat.
CLASSICAL
Atrium Musicae de Madrid: La Folia de la Spagna. SACD, Harmonia Mundi HMC801050.
J.S. Bach: Four Great Toccatas and Fugues. E. Power Biggs. SACD, Sony SS 87983.
J.S. Bach: Motets. Matthias Jung, Sächsisches Vocalensemble. DVD-A, Tacet 0108-3.
Barainsky, van Steen, Winterthur: Music of the Viennese School. SACD, MDG 901 1425-6.
Biber:…
Marantz America will sponsor German classical and rock violinist David Garrett through his 21-city tour of the United States. The tour sponsorship includes an integrated marketing initiative to directly support key Marantz retailers across the country, as well as generate music content for Marantz’s good-looking new website and other social media platforms.
Kevin Zarow, Marantz’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said: “As a longtime supporter and proponent of both classical and rock music, our sponsorship of David Garrett is a perfect fit. Just as Marantz creates products that…
Kiss Each Other Clean, the latest album from Iron & Wine, was released on Tuesday, January 25. Before entertaining a packed house at Radio City Music Hall last weekend, Sam Beam and his band visited WFUV’s Studio A for an exclusive session with WFUV’s Music Director, Rita Houston. During the session, Beam discussed his songwriting process, his love of Edie Brickell, and life with his family.
We can hear the entire session, including a 4-song acoustic performance, this Friday, February 4th, at 7pm on The Whole Wide World with Rita Houston. For now, we can enjoy a small bit of the…
It's always revealing to see exactly what music people have sitting on their shelves or hard drives. It tells you a lot about them—whether they're kindred spirits (Bill Evans) or something less (Sting). In many ways, our annual "Records To Die For" feature is a kind of mini-window into the musical souls of our contributing editors; may the Gods of Song bless their tortured souls, every one. In the past, such choices as the soundtrack album for the movie Casper have raised eyebrows, if not outright suspicion. Still, along with crowing about our favorite records, we try to keep it all in good…
