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When N.W.A. released Straight Outta Compton on August 8, 1988, it marked a seismic shift in music, culture, and the way America viewed hip-hop. The album was a raw and unfiltered portrayal of life in the streets of South Central Los Angeles, delivered with an urgency and authenticity that had never been heard before. Not…
Music and the search for better sound reproduction have always been my passion. I realized, early on, that bass was a big part of what I liked about sound and critical for the music to elicit in me an emotional response. But to achieve ultimate bass—the deepest, most solid, most seamless bass—requires getting many things…
In February 1964, two of the most iconic forces of the 20th century collided in an encounter so surreal it could have been scripted by Hollywood. The Beatles, fresh off their earth-shattering debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, met Cassius Clay (soon to be Muhammad Ali) in Miami Beach. It was a meeting that combined…
“I’ve decided to start a new series. Even if you’re not a musician, perhaps it’ll give some insight into the nitty-gritty of the art of music-making, or inform your listening the next time you sit in front of your stereo, or just provide some entertainment and perhaps a life lesson or two.
The ported, two-way, CA$ 6000/pair standmount Yamaha NS-800A oozes quality—it’s hefty, feels impeccably built, has a curvaceous body, and comes with big, robust binding posts that feel like iron door knockers between your fingers. It also comes in a beautiful black finish, said by Yamaha to be the same signature gloss finish used on the…
Watkins Glen, New York—July 28, 1973. This date marks an unparalleled event in rock history. The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen wasn’t just a concert; it was a colossal phenomenon that shattered records and set new standards for music festivals. Promoted by Shelly Finkel and Jim Koplik, the festival attracted an estimated 600,000 to 800,000…
“On a Mobile Fidelity version of Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms, I heard a wealth of scintillating detail and instruments that popped out from the background with shape and aliveness.”
Before the Berlin Wall fell, it wasn’t just a physical barrier; it was a scar running through the heart of a divided city. For nearly three decades, it symbolized the ideological conflict between East and West, splitting families and friends, and casting a shadow over Berlin. Potsdamer Platz, the concert’s location, held heavy symbolism from…
On June 18, 1967, the Monterey Pop Festival bore witness to a performance that would become legendary in the annals of rock history. Jimi Hendrix, a relatively unknown guitarist at the time, took the stage and delivered a performance that catapulted him into superstardom and forever changed the landscape of rock music. This electrifying set,…
On July 13, 1973, the tectonic plates of rock music shifted dramatically. On that day, an unassuming yet audacious British band named Queen unleashed their self-titled debut album, “Queen.” This seismic release marked the genesis of a band destined to transcend the boundaries of rock, etching their indomitable legacy into the annals of music history.…
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, July 6, 1957, in the quaint setting of St. Peter’s Parish Church in Woolton, Liverpool, a musical phenomenon was about to be set in motion. John Lennon, a 16-year-old with a rebellious streak and a love for rock ‘n’ roll, was performing with his skiffle group, The Quarry Men, at…
“Wonderful loudspeakers that deserve to be front and centre of a two-channel system. These are mini speakers with a massive sound and which represent something unusual in audio – genuine value for money.”
Photos by Robert Schryer except where otherwise indicated. I’d never listened to the WATT/Puppy speaker before, but, of course, as an audiophile, I’d heard of it, although not in the last few years, the reason for which will be revealed in a moment. But I always wanted to hear it, so having been offered the…
“Sonic Edge’s driver is based on ultrasound, where ultrasound is generated from multiple speakers, each the width of a human hair.”
George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh was an unqualified success, and the first-ever pop concert for charity.