The Importance of Source in Audio
June 27th, 2009 by Rob N
We listen to music in our house. When everyone is home the stereo turns on in the morning and turns off when the last person goes to bed. A certain democratic hierarchy prevails that determines what is being played. There are five of us and each individual has his/her distinct preferences. Classical, rock, country, jazz and folk all fall into the mix. You pretty much know who made the choice by what is playing. Toleration and accommodation are the social graces that hold this together. We all have “favorites” that can only be played through headphones or when we are alone in the house. On Thanksgiving and Christmas the democratic hierarchy is suspended, martial law is imposed, and my wife rules the roost. We listen to Bach and Handel and the John Fahey and Nat King Cole Christmas CDs. Volume is important. She wants to hear the music while she works and still be in on the conversations.
Last Christmas I tried an experiment. I switched out the CD player with an HD-DVD player. The HD-DVD was reputed to be an excellent source for CDs and would be the equivalent of using a Blu-ray or high-end DVD player for listening to CDs. Nobody knew what I had done. At first, I was impressed by the results. The HD-DVD seemed to perform just as well as the far more expensive CD player. But within fifteen minutes my wife requested that I turn down the volume. Then, my son the musician said the stereo sounded “terrible” and suggested we turn it off. Unheard of in this household!
The problem was listener fatigue. Listener fatigue is why even your mother doesn’t want to talk to you for more than five minutes when you call her on your cell phone and/or speaker phone. (I’m sure she still loves you.)
Listener fatigue is also why many people do not listen to music as often as they thought they would on their new home theater system. For home theater applications the system will surpass most people’s expectations. A good surround sound system really does create a new dimension in the experience of watching a movie. Explosions are visceral; dialogue is crystal clear; when a door opens you can hear the hinges creak behind you. The sound is outstanding because DVD and or Blu-ray players compliment the receiver and speakers.
Music is different. With the exception of a well recorded SACD and SACD player, it will sound better in two channel stereo rather than surround. As my experiment suggests, the source is critical. If you want to know if your source is good, turn up the volume and sit down on the couch with your favorite brew. Even a bookshelf radio can play background music. The volume will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of your source. If you are still listening and enjoying the music when your cup is empty, you have a good source.
The reason the HD-DVD player sounded fine at first in my experiment is because it performed the essentials; there was a sound stage; the bass and the separation of instruments was articulate. The human brain has great software to compensate for the deficiencies in sound as long as there is rhythm and hooks. The Beatles conquered America on AM radio playing through cardboard speakers. Given time the software failed. Fatigue set in. The distortion was subtle enough that we could not identify it, but eventually it was irritating.
The problem we experienced with the HD-DVD player would have been amplified if the source had been an MP3 player. The iPod is unsurpassed for convenience and versatility. Two hundred hours of music in a device that can get lost in your coat pocket! It will sound great on your computer, earphones and in the car, but it cannot compare to the CD on a high end audio system. Technically, the difference is 1411.2 kbits of information on the CD as opposed to a maximum of 320 kbits in an MP3. This is significant. On a high end system the MP3 will steal the thunder from Keith Moons drums and mute the highs of an Itzhak Perlman violin solo.
Technology taketh away, but then it giveth back again. I have no doubt digital storage and MP3 compression is the future of music. The manufacturers have begun to respond to the quality issue. Peachtree Audio, for example, has recently introduced the Peachtree Nova, an integrated amplifier and DAC converter that will output your iPod and MP3 files to near audiophile quality. You can use it as a standalone unit in the music room, or integrate it with your existing home theatre receiver to handle two channel music and digital files.
The Nova really is an exciting product. You can see it at OneCall.com and read some of the buzz it is creating in the audio world on the AVS Forums http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1095832. Now you can have the convenience of digital storage and near audiophile quality sound.
What’s the coolest feature of the Yamaha YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector?
June 26th, 2009 by Matt P
Yamaha YSP1100 Digital Sound Projector
Think there’s a cooler feature in the Yamaha Digital Sound Projectors? Be sure and let me know.
Outdoor Stereo System for your Backyard
June 24th, 2009 by Matt PThank you Joan for posting your comment seeking a recommendation for setting up a outdoor speaker system in your yard.
“I want a stereo system for an outdoor environment with lots of little speakers I can put along my fence line to mask the sound of cars driving by. I want a good quality system but I’m not rich. What do you suggest?”
To install a good quality system without sacrificing sound quality I recommend starting with two Outdoor speakers, a receiver and your audio/music source. Once you have the system setup if you decide more speakers are necessary you can add more speakers and a speaker distribution system that will handle more speakers as you deem necessary and your budget allows. I think you’ll find by investing in high quality speakers that deliver exceptional detail and sound clarity the sound will carry very well throughout the yard, and you may not need as many speakers as you might think.
If you’re setting up a complete system I recommend a Stereo Receiver or Power Amplifier to power the speakers and a music source which can be as easy as your iPod or MP3 player or even a DVD/CD player. I would suggest a receiver like the Onkyo TX-8555 that has great sound quality with 100 watts per channel of power output and has a compatible iPod dock for easy integration of you iPod.
When you look at the selection of Indoor/Outdoor speakers available from OneCall finding the best speaker for you can be a little daunting. First you need to decide between the application or placement of the speakers. Single Channel audio speakers are intended to be used in a stereo pair configuration, meaning one speaker for the left audio signal and one speaker for the right audio signal. For best sound performance these should to be placed within a 10-15 feet of each other for even stereo sound. If you place several pair of speakers around the edge or your yard you would end up with uneven stereo sound. With the brief description of your application I think the Stereo Input speakers will be the best choice. With Single Stereo speakers you’ll get Left and Right stereo sound from a single speaker. Placing multiple speakers along the fence line or around your yard will give you a more even and balanced audio sound and the cost is really about the same as buying two Single Channel speakers. Once you’ve decided which type of Outdoor or Environmental speaker will work best for your application then you can decide between the Environmental Rock Speakers or a more traditional speaker and which you would prefer to have in your yard.
Since your original comment was posted OneCall is now offering a line of portable weather resistant wireless speakers from Soundcast which may be an easy solution for you as well. Instead of having lots of speakers around the yard you could have one portable wireless speaker you could place closer to where you are.
Looking for advice or have a questions you’d like answered? Send your question to wordpressatOneCallBlogs.com or call our experts at 1.866.919.4773
Have you heard about OneCall’s Referral Policy?
June 17th, 2009 by Matt PIf you have already ordered from OneCall, we’d like to say thank you and we hope your shopping experience was nothing short of excellent. Now, have you heard about our Referral Policy? It’s easy; just remember to recommend us when you’re telling your friends and family about your OneCall shopping experience. All they have to do is mention your name when they call us to place their order and we’ll gladly send you a check for 1% of their first purchase. It’s our way of saying thank you for talking about us.
The Difference Between $100 and $100,000 Speakers
April 17th, 2009 by Myk CrawfordHave you ever wondered why one speaker cost more than another? This article should help shed some light on that very question with general answers about design, build quality and sound performance.
Check out this article from Gizmodo.
http://i.gizmodo.com/5214792/giz-explains-the-difference-between-100–and-100000-speakers
To Buy or Not To Buy
April 14th, 2009 by Michael CI talk to a lot of people everyday regarding extended warranties on the product that they are purchasing from OneCall. I feel strongly that our extended warranties are a good value and an important item to consider when purchasing electronics. At least once or twice a week I talk to someone who is having an issue with a TV, receiver or a camera and did not purchase an extended warranty, almost always the extended warranty would have cost them much less then the service is going to. To make your decision even easier OneCall offers a 50% on account credit if you don’t use your warranty, all you need to do is call us within 90 days of the date your warranty expires and we will give you half of what you paid as an on account credit, to be used towards your next purchase. Obviously I recommend you take a look our warranties and replacement plans, it could really save you in the long run!
Canon EOS 5D MK II… Camera or Camcorder?
April 14th, 2009 by Lee RFinally the convergence of two directly related media is becoming a reality. While certainly not the first SLR (single lens reflex) camera to add video to it’s repitoire, the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II does so like no other. Boasting a full-frame 21 Mega-Pixel CMos Sensor, you can expect an image quality very few others can.
It has been several months now since it’s initial realease and I’m happy to say that I have been thoroughly impressed. The images that have been captured by Canon’s new magic box are nothing short of breath-taking. Perfectly suited for landscapes, portraits, or really anything that has a lot, and I mean a LOT of detail. The body is also quite solid.
The video mode offers a lot of potential that I truly believe is going to rely on the end user to truly make the most of. What video cameras have always lacked to me is that sense of depth that motion picture cameras have been able to convey. This is largely due to the capture format size and the lenses that are used. The buttery-smooth backgrounds letting you take in ALL the glory of your subject. The initial offering is still very limited of course, but I anticipate further updates from Canon whether that would be new models or firmware updates.
I can’t wait to shoot one again!
Martin Logan is at Huppin’s/OneCall!!!
April 14th, 2009 by Chris R
As most of you may know, the MartinLogan speaker brand is totally new to almost all of us at Huppin’s/OneCall. Right off the bat, if you are looking for a wonderful sounding speaker that isn’t too high end for your budget, this is it.
Having several pairs and systems setup in our retail store here in Spokane, WA, I have had the oppertunity to sit, listen and critique these speakers throughout their break-in process and have witnessed some amazing results. If you really look through the Martin Logan line, you will notice that in their two designations (ESL Series and Design Series) you actually find that there are four styles of speaker (based on the size of the stator panel) that are made to fit different sized rooms for their dispersion. Both of the Design Series speakers, the Source and Purity, are made for smaller rooms. The entry ESL Series speakers, the Vista and Vantage are made for medium sized rooms. The higher end ESL Series speakers, the Spire, Summit X and CLX, are made for large rooms.
In the store, we display almost all of the speakers up to the Vantage models, which have a retail price of $5695 for the pair of Left and Right speakers. I have to tell you, these are some of the best sounding speakers I have ever heard. The full range speakers are all a two way design that crossover around 400hz with the woofer(s) taking over the midbass and low end. The key to MartinLogan electrostatic speakers and their amazing sound is in the stator panel itself. Very few moving, very lightweight parts that produce the sound.
Now, I have to say, that MartinLogan speakers are a little picky about the electronics and cables that you pair with them. Some people may tell you otherwise, but I have heard the difference in electronics first hand. For instance, when we paired the Vantage speakers with a Vantage speakers. Recently we have substituted the Marantz for the Musical Fidelity A5.5 (which is also a new piece to us here) and it sings on the Vantage due to its laid back high end reproduction. Another great example for a good amp would be some of the higher end Denon receivers. We have the Vista speakers in a private theater in a surround sound setup along with Motifs for center and sides all powered by the AVR4308CI. It sounds phenominal. In the surround sound array with the MartinLogan speakers, it is EXTREMELY difficult to tell which speaker the sound is coming from. I should say that the Vista speakers work best on the AVR4308CI when the EQ is turned off. After the Audyssey calibration is run, simply switch the EQ mode to off and that is truely a wonderful pair.
If you’re local, semi-local or going to visit us in Spokane, be sure to drop by and audition a pair of these or a whole system. You won’t be disappointed.
In Stock Now! Panasonic DMC-LX3K!
April 14th, 2009 by Todd BJust a quick announcement. The very hard to find Panasonic DMC-LX3K is now in stock.
What makes this camera unique is it’s ultra wide-angle lens of 24 millimeters (mm) that has 2.5 optical zoom. Panasonic also has incorporated their Optical Image Stabilization technology into the camera as well!
Another unique feature is that you can shoot images in RAW format! Very few point and shoot cameras offer this functionality! Add to the feature list total manual control and this is a great camera for a serious photographer who wants a quality point and shoot to put in their pocket.
It is worthy to note that the lens on the camera has a aperture range of f2.0 to f2.8. Incredible for a point and shoot camera!
Check it out, it’s definitely worth a look to the dedicated photographers!
My Review of TH-42PX80U 42-inch Plasma HDTV
March 26th, 2009 by Myk Crawford
With an incredible depth of crisp, clear, real-life colors created by a wide range of black gradations, VIERA flat panel HDTVs truly usher in a new VISUAL ERA. Improved resolution delivers theater-quality reproduction, and sporting events such as the Olympics, plus season premieres and other progra…
Best value for the money!
Pros: Attractive Design, Fast Setup, Simple Controls, Great Picture
Cons: Audio Quality
Best Uses: Movies, Home
Describe Yourself: Enthusiast
Looks great right out of the box! Picture clarity and colors are great. Sports in HD look utterly amazing!