Sound quality


  • โ€œNo, I have the best system in the world!โ€: An Audio Journey From Venezuela to The Laurentian Mountains

    “On a Mobile Fidelity version of Dire Straitsโ€™ Brothers in Arms, I heard a wealth of scintillating detail and instruments that popped out from the background with shape and aliveness.”

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  • Boombox Bonanza: The History and Evolution of Portable Music Players

    In a world dominated by smartphones and wireless earbuds, it’s easy to forget the trailblazers of portable audio that paved the way. This journey through the history and evolution of portable music players is filled with innovation, cultural shifts, and technological marvels. Letโ€™s dive into the groovy history and evolution of portable music players, a…

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  • Review: Pylon Audio Diamond Monitor 18 mKII

    “Manufacturers of hi-fi equipment like to brag about their flagship products, but in any company’s product lineup, the key role is played by the models that simply sell best.”

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  • The Wall at the Wall: Roger Waters’ Historic Berlin Concert

    Before the Berlin Wall fell, it wasnโ€™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…

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  • Deciphering a Stereoโ€™s Acoustical Measurements and Taking Corrective Actions

    In my previous article, entitled โ€œAnalyzing a Stereoโ€™s Frequency Response and Decay Timesโ€, I suggested measurement tips and the use of important variables to do with frequency response and decay times. This article begins with a measurement baseline of a 2-channel stereo with two subwoofers within a typical domestic living room (25โ€™ x 11.25โ€™ x 8โ€™)…

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  • Is Class-D Technology About As Good As Itโ€™ll Ever Get?

    As an audiophile on a journey of perpetually better sound, I was left slightly disconcerted by class-D trailblazer Bruno Putzeysโ€™s assertion, in my previous class-D article, that, as he put it, well-done class-D amplification was now so good that โ€œthe amplifier part is basically a solved problemโ€. I understood the gist of what Bruno meant…

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  • Chi-Fi: The Harbinger of Doom, or Bringing High-End Sound to the Masses?

    “Iโ€™ve grown to appreciate not only how they function as a company, but also how they manage to produce such remarkably beautiful and functional products that are all essentially hand-built.”

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  • 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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  • My Morning at the 50th Anniversary WATT/Puppy Launch

    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…

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  • Observations At T.H.E. Show 2024

    “What Iโ€™m going to say now with 100% certainty is that I had never heard these two recordings sound better than they did in that room.”

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  • SIVGA P2 PRO Review: High-End Sound Without the High-End Price Tag?

    The SIVGA P2 PRO boasts several features that set it apart from the competition. Its most notable feature is SIVGAโ€™s new sapphire vibration circuit, a so-called first in the industry designed to enhance audio performance.

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  • Krell Industries Mourns the Passing of Rondi D’Agostino

    Orange, CT, June 22, 2024 โ€“ It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rondi D’Agostino, CEO of Krell Industries, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. As one of the last privately owned and family-operated companies in the high-end audio industry, this loss is deeply personal for the entire Krell family. Rondi D’Agostino…

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

    Welcome to “The ABCs of Audio: Hi-Fi Lexicon,” your ultimate guide to understanding the fundamental terms and concepts in high-fidelity audio. Whether you’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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  • The Festival Quรฉbec Jazz IN JUNE awaits you from the 20 to 30!

    It is well-known that Quebec has music in its veins, which is probably why it hosts a good hundred annual music festivals, the most famous of which is the Montreal International Jazz Festival, renowned worldwide. The magnificent city of Quebec is recognized for its Summer Festival (FEQ), which is practically sold out every year. However,…

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  • Treasures from the Vinyl Vault, Part 6: Shelly Manne, Barney Kessel, Curtis Counce, Howard Rumsey, Art Pepper

    Welcome to my series Treasures from the Vinyl Vault. In it, I will feature select gems from my approximately 12,000 ever-growing vinyl collection, accumulated over a 45-year period and counting.

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