Profile Pieces


  • The Patents of… Paul W. Klipsch

    Paul W. Klipsch, a visionary in the field of audio engineering, made significant contributions through a series of innovative patents. These patents not only advanced the technology of their time but also laid the groundwork for future developments in loudspeaker design and acoustic engineering. Hereโ€™s an exploration of five of his most impactful patents, including…

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  • A Deeper Look Into a Modern Classic: The Dayton Wright Hommage

    From the PMA vault, this article was initially published in August 2022 and is worth revisiting. One of my favourite and most memorable listening experiences this year was of the state-of-the-art Dayton Wright Hommage (French for Homage) loudspeaker, a cutting-edge re-imagining and redesign of the Dayton Wright XG-10 of yore. The Hommage uses nine XG-10…

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  • The Patents of… Amar Bose

    Featured image by Chitose Suzuki | AP When it comes to the titans of audio technology, Amar Bose stands amongst the greats. His pioneering work at Bose Corporation has left an indelible mark on the world of sound. From groundbreaking loudspeaker systems to noise-cancelling headphones, Bose’s patents have reshaped how we experience audio. Here, we…

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  • Brico’s Baton: A Woman’s Whisper in the Roar of Men

    Early Crescendos: The Formative Years of Antonia Brico In the rich tapestry of classical music history, Antonia Louisa Brico’s narrative is a compelling saga of tenacity, pioneering spirit, and sublime artistry. Born under the shadow of societal constraints in Rotterdam on June 26, 1902, to an unmarried Dutch Catholic mother, Brico’s journey from an obscure…

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  • Raising the Bar in Value: A Visit to High-End Turntable Manufacturer Stable 33.33

    I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like company Stable 33.3’s founder and head designer Sylvain Pichette. Or, more specificallyโ€”met a mind like his. That may seem a strange thing to say, until you speak with him and realize, as I did when I recently visited him at his new Gatineau, Quebec, workshop, how…

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  • Bose Before Noise: The Amar Bose Story

    In the heart of Philadelphia, amid the echoes of American history, Amar Gopal Bose’s journey into the world of sound and acoustics began on November 2, 1929. His childhood was a tapestry woven with threads of intellectual curiosity, inspired by his father, an Indian freedom fighter, and his mother, with her French and German heritage.…

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  • The Innovations of the Steyning Research Establishment

    The Steyning Research Establishment, inaugurated by John Bowers in 1981, was not merely a research facility but the cornerstone of Bowers & Wilkins’ commitment to pioneering audio technology. Bowers envisioned SRE as a crucible for innovation, where theoretical acoustics and practical engineering would converge to push the boundaries of sound reproduction. This establishment was tasked…

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  • The International Sweethearts’ Story

    In an era marked by stark racial divides and rigid gender roles, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm emerged as an audacious symphony of defiance and unity. Formed in the late 1930s, this all-women Swing orchestra not only challenged the prevailing societal norms but also painted a canvas of cultural diversity that was rare for its…

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  • Knowledge is Bowers (& Wilkins)

    John Bowers, Visionary of Sound In the quaint town of Worthing, West Sussex, a story of a remarkable individual began to unfold, a story that would eventually redefine the world of audio technology. John Bowers, the founder of Bowers & Wilkins, was born into a world where technology was rapidly evolving, yet the true potential…

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  • How Taylor Swift is Leading the Way

    Of all the reasons that Taylor Swift deserves to be Time magazineโ€™s first ever musician Person of the Year, none are bigger than her smashing victories over misogyny and the music businessโ€™s malign way of swindling artists and stealing valuable intellectual property. The particulars of her creative predicament are well known. Once a shy, teenaged…

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  • LaFaro’s Lament: A Young Legend’s Unfinished Symphony

    In the annals of jazz history, few names resonate with the profound impact and meteoric rise of Scott LaFaro. His journey from a musically gifted child to a revolutionary jazz virtuoso is a tale of raw talent, relentless passion, and a groundbreaking approach to the double bass. LaFaro’s story is not just about the notes…

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  • De-Kloss-ified: Decoding the Genius of Henry Kloss

    In the sleepy town of Altoona, Pennsylvania, during the twilight of the Roaring Twenties, a future luminary of sound, Henry Kloss, entered the world. Born on February 21, 1929, Kloss was handy with tools from a young age. In his childhood, he was known for his precocious building skills, adding fixtures and even rooms to…

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  • Miles Davis: Eight Great Tracks

    Davis made over 50 studio records. Here are 8 cherry-picked tracks.

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  • Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Rock’s Overlooked Matriarch

    Beginnings in the Delta Cotton Plant, Arkansas, 1915: Nestled amidst a sea of cotton fields, this town, where the Mississippi Delta begins its stretch, bore witness to the birth of Rosetta Nubin. It wasn’t just any place; the Delta was the cradle of American music, a melting pot of African rhythms, field hollers, and church…

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  • Klipsch, Klipsch, Boom! The Explosive Brilliance of Paul W. Klipsch

    The Roaring Twenties was not just a decade of economic prosperity and cultural explosion; it was also an age of technological marvels. And even amidst this transformative era, Klipsch’s feats stood out. The 15-year-old, from the confines of his makeshift workspace, constructed a radio receiver. This was not just any youthful experiment; it was a…

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