Reflections


  • Titanicโ€™s Musicians Knew

    Writer B. Jan Montanaโ€™s childhood awe of the Titanicโ€™s selfless musicians sparks lifelong reflections on life, mortality, and religion, ultimately embracing joy over rigid dogma.

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  • Are We On the Cusp of a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Audio Revolution? Part 1

    Mike Harkins explores the rise of DSP in high-end audio, questioning its role in shaping the future as more audiophile brands adopt it to optimize room acoustics and enhance sound reproduction.

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  • The ABCs of Audio: Exploring the Hi-Fi Lexicon

    Welcome to โ€œThe ABCs of Audio: Hi-Fi Lexicon,โ€ your ultimate guide to understanding the fundamental terms and concepts in high-fidelity audio. Whether youโ€™re a complete beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this article breaks down complex audio jargon into simple explanations. We use two levels of simplicity: In the following sections, weโ€™ll cover essential…

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  • Analyzing a Stereoโ€™s Frequency Response and Decay Times

    Many of us use our listening rooms as a place to escape the world and its problems, so that we may decompress and recharge our batteries. One thing I, as an audiophile, discovered is that the better the sound quality in my room, the more Iโ€™ve been able to connect emotionally with my music. That…

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  • The Cosmic Dawn: Revisiting Bowie’s “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”

    David Bowieโ€™s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is often seen as a turning point not just in his career, but in the landscape of rock music itself. Released on June 16, 1972, this album introduced the world to Ziggy Stardust, an androgynous, bisexual alien rock star. But the…

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  • Ten Albums to Get You Started on Your Classical Music Journey, Part 2

    “The sound quality is simply mind-blowing. Go to track 10 of the first disc, turn up the volume, and close your eyes…”

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  • Bose Before Noise: The Amar Bose Story

    In the heart of Philadelphia, amid the echoes of American history, Amar Gopal Boseโ€™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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  • Echoes of Apollo: The Music of Ancient Greece

    Introduction: The Soul of Greek Culture In the heart of ancient Greece, music was the very pulse of society, intricately woven into the fabric of daily life and imbued with a significance that went far beyond mere entertainment. This deep integration of music in Greek culture manifested in various dimensions, from the sacred echoes in…

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  • Black Sabbath’s Debut Album

    On a cold February day in 1970, the world was introduced to what would become the cornerstone of heavy metal: Black Sabbathโ€™s self-titled debut album. Born in the industrial heartland of Birmingham, the albumโ€™s raw power and dark themes resonated with a generation yearning for something more profound than the prevailing pop and rock sounds.…

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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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  • Paul McCartney’s Unexpected Japanese Detour โ€” From Wings to Jail Wings

    January 25, 2024, marks the 44th anniversary of Paul McCartneyโ€™s release from a Tokyo jail, an incident that remains one of the most bewildering chapters in the saga of a global music icon. Itโ€™s a story that melds the turbulence of fame with the stark reality of international law, underscoring the unpredictability of a rock…

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  • Sivga Luan Open-Backed Headphones Reviewed

    “Beautifully built and generously accessorised out of the box, you get a heck of a lot for your money.”

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  • The Room Acoustics Series: Reflecting on Sidewall First Reflections

    A room acoustics expert tells us all we need to know about the subject, starting with this first installment in the Room Acoustics Series.

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  • Katana & Keynotes: A Samurai’s Discourse on Sound

    Nestled amidst a lush garden, the distant chirping of cicadas providing a serene backdrop, Master Tekashi and young Daichi sit opposite each other on tatami mats, a steaming pot of tea between them. The fragrant aroma of the brew serves as a prelude to their conversation, bridging the worlds of sound and samurai. Daichi: Master,…

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  • Simple Acoustics, Complicated Spouses

    This article first appeared inย PS Audioโ€™sย Copper Magazine. When I was a teenager, I told my girlfriend that I loved her so much that I would die for her. She replied that if I died, her life would no longer be worth living. So if I lost my life pushing her out of the way of…

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