rooms on

118 Pages·2016·10.56 MB·English

AUGUST l1i9t79
47425
INFLUENCE OF
LISTENING
ROOMS
ON
LOUDSPEAKER
SYSTEMS
QUICK
-
A
BUILD
SPEAKER
IMPEDANCE
CHECKER
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AmericanRadioHistory.Com
AND IT'S WHAT GOES
INTO HPM SPEAKERS THAT
MAKES THEM SOUND GREAT ON
EVERY PART OF THE MUSIC.
AmericanRadioHistory.Com
AmericanRadioHistory.Com
Most speaker companies try to impress with the same materials that were being
you by describing the "wonderful" sound used in 1945.
that comes out of their speakers. Every woofer in the HPM series,
At Pioneer, we think the most believable however, is made with a special carbon fiber
way to describe how good HPM speakers blend that's allowed us to decrease the
are is to tell you what went into them. weight of the cone, yet increase the strength
THE HPM SUPERTWEETER: needed for clarity. So you'll hear the deepest
SPEAKER TECHNOLOGY RISES TO NEW HIGHS. notes exactly the way the musician recorded
In many speakers, you'll them.
find that the upper end of the And because every HPM
audio spectrum is reproduced woofer also has an oversized
by an ordinary tweeter. magnet and long throw voice
In HPM speakers, you'll coil, they can handle more
find that the high frequencies power without distorting.
are reproduced by a unique e, OTHER FEATURES YOU
supertweeter.
RARELY HEAR OF
It works by using a The High .+olymer fv oo cular Supertseeter. Every HPM speaker has
single piece of High So incredible, we named a whole line of speakers alter it. cast aluminum frames, in-
Polymer Mo'ecular film, hence the name stead of the usual flimsy stamped out metal
(
HPM that converts electrical impulses into kind. So that even when you push our
)
sound waves without a magnet, speakers to their limit, you only
voice coil, cone, or dome. hear the music and never the
And because the HPM frames. In fact, our competitors
supertweeter doesn't need were so impressed, they
any of these mechanical parts, started making what look like
it can reproduce highs die cast frames, but aren't.
with an accuracy and HPM speaker cabinets
definition that surpasses are made of specially com-
even the finest conventional pressed board that has better
tweeter. acoustic properties than ordi-
As an added advantage, nary wood.
the HPM film is curved for You' 1 never hear a sound out of these Their speakers have level
maximum sound dispersion. die cast aluminum speaker frames. controls that let you adjust
So unlike other speakers, you don't have to the sound of the music to your living room.
plant yourself in front of an HPM speaker to And these features are not just found in
enjoy all the sound it can produce. our most expensive HPM speaker,
MID -RANGE THAT ISN'T but in every speaker in the
MUDDLED. HPM; ßóo HPM series.
For years, speaker man- All of which begins to ex-
uacturers have labored over plain why, unlike speakers
mid -range driver cones that that sound great on only part
are light enough to give you of the music, HPM speakers
lesel controls that let you adjust the bound
quick response, yet rigid enough to your listening area. sound great on all of it.
not to distort. At this point, we suggest you take your
Pioneer solved this problem by creating favorite record into any Pioneer Dealer and
special cones that handle more power, and audition a pair of HPM speakers in person.
combine lower mass with greater rigidity. So If you think what went into them
our HPM drivers provide you with cleaner, sounds impressive, wait till you hear what
and crisper mid -range. Which means you'll comes out of them.
hear music, and not distortion. PIONEER'
WOOFERS THAT TOP EVERY OTHER BOTTOM. We bring it back alive.
Conventional woofers are still made
Enter No. 26 on Reader Service Card
c l''78 U.S. Pon I Icy -Carp. ri O'.f.nI Frite 111e, N I. C7 D74
AmericanRadioHistory.Com
WHAT COMES OUT
F A SPEAKER ONLY
IS
AS IMPRESSIVE AS
WHAT INTO
GOES
IT.
r
AmericanRadioHistory.Com
^
A
August 1979 Vol. 63, No. 8
WHAT
r
PRODUCT
Prevents W
1.
"record chatter"
on your turntable?
2. Looks "Successor to RAW, Est. 1917"
unimpressive?
3. Is very thin FEATURE ARTICLES
and gray?
4. Is more anti -static Build a Speaker
than similar Impedence Checker 32 M. J. Salvati
Influence of Listening Rooms
products*?
On Loudspeake-r S ystems 36 Roy F. Allison
An Overview
*according to tests by the of SID & TIM Part Ill 42 Walter G. Jung,
Swedish National Test Institute. Mark L. Stephens,
& Craig C. Todd
ANSWER
EQUIPMENT PROFILES
by
Scott 390R Stereo Receiver 60 Leonard Feldman
Discwasher' Decca London International
Tonearm & Mk VI Gold
Phono Cartridge 72 Edward M. Long
(A turntable mat for overlay or Nakamichi 582 Cassette Deck 82 Howard A. Roberson
replacement on your existirg
equipment.)
RECORD REVIEWS
works; Top of the Pile 86
The Column 88 Michael Tearson &
costs only $7.95;
Jon Tiven
and never wears out. Jazz & Blues 93
Classical % Edward Tatnall Canby
Give
AUDIO IN GENERAL
a spin.
Audioclinic 6 Joseph Giovanelli
European Letter 8 Donald Aldous
Audio ETC 12 Edward Tatnall Canby
Video Scenes 22 Bert Whyte
Tape Guide 26 Herman Burstein
Behind The Scenes 29 Bert Whyte
Classified Advertising 98
Free Information Service 106
About the Cover. Conduct a loudspe-ak er? Not likely, but some speakers are almost "transpar-
ent" enough to "see" the orchestra particularly if you follow the tips Roy Allison and M.I.
Salvati have for you in this issue. Model: Charles Henry. Photo: Photographic Illustrations,
Philadelphia.
Discwasher dealers
nationwide.
Audio Publishing, Editorial, Subscription, and Advertising Production offices. North American
Building, 401 No. Broad St., Philadelphia, Penna. 19108. Telephone: [phone].
inc.
Postmaster. Send Form 3579 to above address.
lediscwasher;
1407 N. 'rovidence Fd.
Columbia, Missouri 6501
AmericanRadioHistory.Com
A Revolutionary Record Care Breakthrough
From Stanton...
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one application!
UNTREATED RECORD BRAND X PERMOSTAT
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one application to a record totally eliminates static Under test conditions, only the Permostat treated
without any degradation in sound quality... and pro- record showed no visible evidence of dust pickup
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Static electricity draws airborne dust particles Each Permostat kit provides protection
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distortion. Now, Permostat eliminates this problem of your records.
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To demonstrate Permostat's unique anti -static
Suggested Retail:
qualities, Stanton engineers constructed a dust
Complete Kit...$19.95
chamber to perform accelerated dust pickup tests.
Refill...$15.95
In this test, three records were suspended vertically
For further informastion coTntact: Staanton MaNgnetics Inc.T, Terminal oDrive, Pnlainview, New York 11803
aneemostat
anti -static record
preservative
from WrdN un
SRI Nit ill
THE CHOICE OF THE PROFESSIONALS.'
Enter No. 40 on Reader Service Card
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Editor
Eugene Pitts Ill
Assistant Editor
Kay Blumenthal
Design
Frank Moore
Design Assistants
Barbara D'Aprile
Mark Collins
Production Manager
Margaret Zibelman
Associate Editors:
Edward Tatnall Canby, Bert Whyte
Senior Editors:
Richard C. Heyser, B. V. Pisha
Howard A. Roberson
series20 Contributing Editors:
Tom Bingham, Herman Burstein,
Geoffrey T. Cook, John Diliberto,
Leonard Feldman, Joseph Giovanelli,
IT TAKES GUTS TO BE
Edward M. Long, C. G. McProud,
MORE EXPENSIVE THAN McINTOSH George Pontis, Jon Sank,
Donald M. Spoto, Michael Tearson,
McIntosh might be considered If you would like full information George W. Tillett, Jon -riven
an expensive extravagance by the on Series 20, please send us the
average high fidelity consumer. How- coupon below. Vice President/Publisher
ever the true audiophile perceives r Jay L. Butler
reliability, proven engineering and
classic styling as necessities rather To: SDeerpiet s A280 i AMFee9
than luxuries. 20 Jewell Street ]lee AUDIO is published monthly by
Qé North American Publishing Company,
The true audiophile also appreci- Moonachie. New Jersey 07074 4>NG COS Irvin I. Borowsky, Founder and President
ates outstanding specs and the state Please send me the specs for the Frank L. Nemeyer, Vice President/General Manager
4 of the art technology that distin- following circled Series 20 Joseph Florentine, Chief Financial Officer
guishes Series 20 from the field. components. C.21 VR.i jaKye nCnheothw dBharyx,te rP, rVoicdeu cPtiorens iDdierenct/tMora nufacturing
PreSatmerpeloif ier Jack Maxson, Promotion Director
Consider the Ring Emitter Tran- Betty Brodsky, Subscription Promotion Director
sistor out -put stage in the Series 20 ClassM A-2S2t ereo Multi -DA-M1P3 Elec. Class MA-B2 5S tereo Mary Claffey, Vice President
M-25 Class AB Power Amplifier that Power Amplifier Crossover Newk. Paver Amplifier S. O. (Shap) Shapiro, Circulation Consultant
provides incredible high frequency AdvancFe-d2 6 Q,,.,,, Class ABA -I2n7te grated QFu-2a8rt z JDeaonro Dthayv iYs,o cCkiercyu, lSatuiobns crMipatinoang eFru lfillment Manager
performance. FM Tuner Stereo Amplifier FM Tuner
ADVERTISING SALES
Consider the Series 20 F-26 FM CQounatrrotPlzleL dCP L-5TL9 uS0rne rtavob-l e CTaPorbAno e-n1 A0F0rmi0b er ProgSreaUlme-2c 4tSo or urce l5a4y5 BMuatldeirs, oVni cAev Pe.r,e Nsiedwe nYt/oPrku,b lNisYh e1r1,1 022
Tuner's parallel balanced linear de- Telephone [phone]
tector that delivers the lowest distor- Name East Coast Sales Office: Laurel Carr, 545 Madison Ave.,
tion available. New York, NY 111022 Telephone [phone]
Street
West Coast Sales Office: lay Martin, 17000 Ventura
When you realize how exceptional City Blvd., Encino, CA 91316. Telephone [phone].
Series 20 is, you'll marvel at how Classified Advertising: Carolynn Sumner,
inexpensive expensive can be. State Zip 401 North Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa 19108
t Telephone [phone]
Continental European Representative: V. 8. Sanders,
20 Jewell Street, Moonachie, N.J. 07074 International Publishers Advertising Service,
Raadhuisstraat 24, P.O. Box 25, Graft -De Ryp, Holland.
AVAILABLE AT THESE FINE DEALERS Telephone, 02997-1303
American Audiophile Valley Stream, NY Garehime Music Company Las Vegas, NV England: The Paul Singer -Lawrence Media Group,
American T.V. & Appliance Madison, WI Hi Fi Haven New Brunswick. NJ 54 Burton Court, London SW 3 SY4, England Phone,
Another World Electronics Ft. Lauderdale, FL Innovative Audio Products Brooklyn, NY 01-730-3592
Appletree Stereo De Kalb. IL Jonas Miller Sound Beverly Hills, CA World Library Congress Number 1SSN0004-7525
Appletree Stereo Springfield, IL Lafayette Radio Electronics Rapid City, SD Dewey Decimal Number 621.381 or 778.5
Appletree Stereo Naperville, IL Listen Up Denver, CO
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Appletree Stereo Normal, IL Music & Sound Woodland Hills. CA sumes no responsibility for return or safety of manu-
Appletree Stereo Peoria, IL Natural Hi Fi New Philadelphia, OH scripts, photographs, or artwork.
Appletree Stereo Champaign, IL Natural Sound Framingham, MA Printed in U.S.A. at Columbus, Ohio. Second-class pos-
Audio Advice Raleigh, NC Park Avenue Audio New York, NY tage paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing
Audio Dimensions San Diego, CA Powerhouse Electronics Red Bluff, CA offices. USPS Number 036-960
Audio Professionals Overland Park, KS Pro Audio Sioux Falls, SD U.S. Subscription Rates: 1 year 512.00, 2 years $22100, 3
Audio Professionals Omaha, NE PUD's Albany, CA years 530.00.
Audio Professionals Lincoln, NE Sights & Sounds Chicago Heights, IL Other Countries: 1 year $18.00, 2 years $34.00, 3 years
Audio Video Concepts Winston-Salem, NC Sights & Sounds Oak Lawn, IL $49.1X1.
Back Door Stereo Atlanta, GA The Sound Company Minden, LA Rack issues, when available, 55.00 postpaid.
DKL Sound Laboratory Silver Springs, MD Spaceways Sound Annapolis, MD
Esoteric Audio Wayzata, MN The Stereo Shop Martinez, GA Ainugd iPo roPduubclitsiohnin go,f fiEcedsit,o rNiaol,r tShu bAsmcreipritcioann, aBnudil dAindgv,e r4ti0s1-
Executive Audio Santa Monica, CA Summit Sights & Sounds Jefferson City, MO North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19108.
Fred Locke Stereo Berlin, CT Team Electronics Sioux City, IA
Fred Locke Stereo New Haven, CT Tin Ear Sound Company Reno. NV Telephone: [phone].
Fred Locke Stereo Wethersfield. CT --'T-ri-S tate Electrical Supply Michigan City, MN Postmaster. Send Form 3579 to above address.
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i
INTRODUCING TI -1I: EMPIRE I:DI? 9 PI-IONÿ C:Al? I?IDCI:.
IT SOUNDS AS GOOD ON A I?I:C:^l'.Ia AS IT DOES ON IhI'I:I?.
It was inevitable ... and design specifications-but also our and tear on the record groove.
demanding listening tests-on an equal
With all the rapid developments basis. In effect, it bridges the gap between We could go into more technical de-
being made in today's high fidelity tech- the ideal blueprint and the actual sound. tail, describing pole rods that are laminat-
nology, the tremendous advance in audi- ed, rather than just one piece, so as to
ble performance in Empire's new EDR.9 The EDR.9 utilizes an L. A. C. (Large reduce losses in the magnetic structure, re-
phono cartridge was bound to happen. Area Contact) 0.9 stylus based upon-and sulting in flatter high frequency response
And bound to come from Empire, as we named after-E. I. A. Standard RS -238B. with less distortion. Or how the EDR.9
have been designing and manufacturing This new design, resulting in a smaller weighs one gram less than previous Empire
the finest phono cartridges for over 18 radius and larger contact area, has a phcno cartridges, making ita perfect match
years. pressure index of 0.9, an improvement of for today's advance, low mass tonearms.
almost six times the typical elliptical stylus
Until now, all phono cartridges were and four times aver the newest designs But more important, as the EDR.9 car-
designed in the lab to achieve certain recently introduced by several other car- tridge represents a new approach to car-
engineering characteristics and require- tridge manufacturers. The result is that less tridge design, we ask that you consider it
ments. These lab characteristics and re- pressure is applied to the vulnerable rec- in a slightly different way as well. Send for
quirements took priority over actual listen- ord groove, at the same time extending our free technical brochure on the EDR.9,
ing tests because it was considered more the bandwidth-including the important and then visit your audio dealer and listen.
important that the cartridges "measure overtones and harmonic details. Don't gc by specs alone.
right" or "test right"-so almost everyone
was satisfied. That's because the new Empire EDR.9
In addition, Empire's exclusive, pat- is the ferst phono cartridge that not only
ented 3 -Element Double Damped stylus meets the highest technological and de-
Empire's EDR.9 (for Extended Dy- assembly acts as an equalizer. This elimi- sign specifications-but also our de-
namic Response) has broken with this tra- nates the high "Q" mechanical resonances manding listening tests. EIVIDIFE
dition, and is the first phono cartridge that typical of other stylus assemblies, produc- Empire Scientific Corp.
not only meets the highest technological ing a flatter response, and lessening wear Garden City,N.Y.11530
Enter No. 10 on Reader Servüoe Card
AmericanRadioHistory.Com
Audioclinic
The Joseph Giovanelli
Apt/Holman
Preamplifier
A.C. Adaptors time as the symptoms become more
Q. Can the a.c. adaptors, such as constant. This is probably to your ad-
those sold for portable radios, calcula- vantage inasmuch as this kind of ser-
tors and recorder's, be left plugged in vicing can be expensive. Where a
for long periods of time when they are problem occurs more or less constant-
not being used?-James R. Henderson, ly, it is simpler to track down and,
Victoria, B.C., Canada therefore, less costly to solve.
The design of the Apt/Holman Pre- A. It is only in those instances where You do know something about this
amplifier occupied literally man-
the adaptor serves something like an problem, however. For instance, you
years of new research into those intercom, which must be ready for ser- know that the problem is not located
fraecptroordsu wchtioicnh oafr em iumspico. rAta gnrte taot tdheea l vthicees ea t adanayp totrims e,b et halet ftI rpelucogmgemde nind imn ethnet. eYaoruly kpnhoown oth sista gbeesc aoufs eth eit eoqccuuiprs-
was learned about the effects of the when not actually in use. even when these stages are switched
various parts of a modern high- These a.c. adaptors are actually com- out. It is located in stages common to
fidelity system and how they inter- plete power supplies and are the rest of the input functions. You did
act. comprised of a stepdown transformer, not state whether or not the condition
These results guided the develop- a rectifier system, and the necessary exists in just one channel. If the condi-
ment of new circuits which together filter capacitor. When one of these de- tion exists in both, you know that the
yield uniquely flexible and complete vices is operated, there is some heat "popping" is the result of some com-
control over the program material, generated by the stepdown transform- mon component, and power supply or
6 while delivering the best possible er which will not be significant unless decoupling elements would be sus-
sound under the widest range of the filter capacitor should short out. pect. This condition could also indi-
system conditions. When this occurs, the transformer will cate that the "popping" is external to
run excessively hot and might cause your system. Transient voltage changes
You can learn more about the problems. on the power line often cause this
Apt/Holman Preamplifier from your Keep in mind that when the device condition. Various filters are available
Apt dealer, whose name we will be is plugged in, but not feeding a suit- which can suppress such interference.
glad to send you. able load, the voltage developed Poorly soldered connections or min-
across the filter capacitors will be ute cracks in the circuit "lands" could
In addition, the Owner's Manual higher than the nominal output volt- also cause the problem. Resolder sus-
(often called the best for any high age of the a.c. adaptor. If the filters are picious joints.
fidelity product) is now available by made to operate at or close to their Try signal tracing. Use a second am-
use of the coupon below. A Tech- maximum ratings, this high voltage re- plifier to enable you to listen to the
nical Paper set is also available maining across the capacitor for ex- output from various stages in the de-
detailing the published research that tended periods of time could cause a fective equipment. Feed the input of
went into the design. short circuit. this second amplifier via a blocking
capacitor. This will allow you to make
Apt Corporation
direct connections to collectors where
Box 512
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 "Popping" this is necessary. Work your way from
Q. My component system develops the input selector switch to the output
Fora brochure and the name of a "popping" noise in my speakers ev- of the defective channel. When the
your local dealer. ery five minutes or so. It sounds like a "popping" is heard in both amplifiers,
For a set of review reprints. static discharge. It is heard whether my this means that you have reached the
amplifier's mode switch is on FM, output of the defective stage. You can
For an Owner's Manual, please Tape, or Turntable. then investigate the components in
send $4 ($5 foreign). What do you suggest that try in the that particular stage. The ultimate
Fora set of six technical papers way of trouble -shooting? Th1 e people source of the problem can be anything
b($y3 T foomre igHno)l.m an, please send $2 isna itdh, e "sletot reit wgheet rew oI rbsoe,u gahntd m tyh esny stethme ffreocmtiv ed efceacptaivceit osres,m icreosnisdtuocrsto, rso r toe vdeen-
Name technician has a better chance of find- solder or circuit foil problems. Q
Address ing the problem.'-Tuck Krehbiel,
Cincinnati, Ohio
A. It will be hard to locate your If you have a problem or question about audio,
"popping" problem because of its in-
write to Mr. Joseph Giovanelli at AUDIO Maga-
termittent character, and that is why zine, 401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
your dealer was reluctant to attempt 19108. All letters are answered. Please enclose a
servicing the equipment until such stamped, self-addressed envelope.
AUDIO August 1979
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