dbx DriveRack PA2: The Future of Audiophile Systems
The dbx DriveRack PA2 is one of many Loudspeaker Management Systems currently available to the Pro Audio community, but do these systems also have a place among audiophiles? Many purists will complain that any digital device adulterates the original analog signal, and that EQ is never a good thing. We disagree with this type of thinking. Your collection of recordings, whether they be purely analog (vinyl and tape), digital, or … Continue Reading…
Altec Lansing Model 14, Part 2
The Altec Lansing Model 14 is an almost forgotten classic speaker system. It’s rare to find a pair, and highly improbable that they’re still functional. Considering the continuing popularity of their bigger sibling, the Model 19, it’s difficult to comprehend why the Model 14 is so neglected by audiophiles. The Model 14 is of a more practical size for most homes, and its Mantaray horn should fix the beaming problems … Continue Reading…
Altec Lansing Model 14, Part 1
The Model 14 was a one of a kind consumer loudspeaker from Altec Lansing. It incorporated their new Mantaray horn technology, along with a mid and high frequency equalization network. While the 14 appears to be just a smaller version of the older and larger Model 19, it’s substantially different in many ways. Altec also made a professional version, the 9842-8A/F, which had a more utilitarian cabinet design. The Model … Continue Reading…
Spectrum Loudspeakers Model 410
Spectrum Loudspeakers was a speaker manufacturer based in Toledo, Ohio. It was founded by two engineering graduates who, much like Snell, set out to design and build high quality speaker systems using commonly available drivers. The company was well known for its quality control. Each driver was tested before being approved, which resulted in roughly 25% of all the drivers supplied to them being rejected. Their cabinets were also very … Continue Reading…
Audiophile 101: Your First Audio System, Pt. 3
In the third part of our series Audiophile 101 we take a look at subwoofers. If you haven’t read parts 1 & 2, we recommend you do so before proceeding. (Part 1 & Part 2) Subwoofers are a common element of modern home entertainment systems. Not so long ago they were confined to the small number of people who knew how to use both them and analogue crossovers. The rise … Continue Reading…
Audiophile VST Plugins for J. River Media Center
J. River Media Center is one of the best choices for digital media playback on audiophile grade sound reproduction systems. One of its many useful features is the ability to use VST Plugins. These plugins allow the user to perform room correction, improve the sound quality of poorly mixed and mastered recordings, and many other valuable audio enhancements. Many VST plugins are available at little or no cost for non-commercial … Continue Reading…
JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor Review
JBL has been manufacturing speaker systems for over half a century. Some, like the 4412 monitor, have become professional industry standards. Audiophiles, on the other hand, have had a love-hate relationship with JBL. It’s an unfortunate situation because many of JBL’s speaker systems are far superior to those marketed as “high-end” in consumer magazines. Pretty much anyone in the industry has a pair of 4412’s lying around somewhere, but over … Continue Reading…
Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 Review
In the age of multi-channel preamp/processors it’s difficult to get excited about a stereo preamplifier. The last truly exciting preamplifer was Apt Corporation’s Holman Preamp, designed by Tomlinson Holman, the engineer also responsible for the THX standard and many other excellent audio and film technologies. Just when you thought two channel preamplifiers were following the path of the dinosaurs, Emotiva introduces the XSP-1 Gen 2 Differential Reference Preamp. Most articles … Continue Reading…
Audiophile System Accuracy: Why you don’t want it
There is so much misinformation in the world of audiophiles that it’s virtually impossible to debunk all of it. Most engineers gave up trying long ago because “a lie told often enough becomes the truth,” and in this case the lies have been repeated for decades. 99% of all audio reproduction issues cannot be fixed with magic cables, new amplifier designs or more accurate speakers. Every manufacture wants to sell … Continue Reading…
Sound Reproduction by Floyd Toole
Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms is a book by renowned acoustic scientist Dr. Floyd Toole that reveals the science behind modern consumer audio systems. Toole served as Corporate Vice President – Acoustical Engineering at Harman International from 1991 until he retired in 2007. He also served as the Senior Research Officer in the Acoustics and Signal Processing Group at the National Research Council of Canada. … Continue Reading…