Indiana Lang of Emptor Audio in Orlando, Florida, recently mourned the growing popularity of low-fidelity audio as high-fidelity stereo audio collapses. Mr. Lang, in part, wrote in Home Theater Review, “Welcome to the soundbar era, where convenience trumps tradition, and stereo systems have quietly faded into irrelevance. This isn’t just a shift in gear—it’s a…

Read more

The AV System Sequence No Sound, No Picture, No Fun Picture a slew of empty audio and video cardboard component boxes strewn across the floor.A rookie home theater enthusiast, kneeling behind his system components.He’s hopelessly entangled in a puzzling nest of audio and video cables.Overwhelmed and exhausted, he reaches for a lifeline, his buddy “the…

Read more

Mr. Gray Hair This is the audio and video odyssey of Mr. Gray Hair.It’s a tale that confronts the mysterious world of the home theater, plus a significant player to be named later. Mr. Gray Hair still spins his 1969 vinyl copy of Abbey Road.It all ‘Comes Together’ via his legacy Kenwood receiver, Kenwood turntable,…

Read more

It’s not a spectator sport Are you a music/audio enthusiast?Do you seek competent advice on choosing audio system components?The search takes effort.And it will take more effort than in the recent past.The point: This is not a spectator sport. The hunt The web is an easy place to start a search.However, too many sites offer…

Read more

Mounkes Method The Mounkes Method is an audio subject I periodically replay.If I had to pass only one practical audio setup recommendation to friends, this is it. The Method calculates and specifies speaker floor placement.Better placement minimizes the compromise of distorting acoustical room modes.It works for floor-standing and stand-mounted bookshelf speaker systems.It works for modestly…

Read more

Yahoo Buckaroo The fabled physicist, neurosurgeon, test pilot, and rock star Buckaroo Banzai stated, “Wherever you go, there you are.” That’s great Buckaroo, but how did we even start? The Pocket Radio Specifically, how did I begin my slide toward the slippery slope of high-fidelity audio?Although I am a left-coast captive, I will avoid chemical-induced…

Read more

Trash Talk I recently discovered online trash-talk aimed at my SandTrap.OK, the term trash talk is over the top.But hey, they were talking about my SandTrap. The SandTrap? If you’re new to my blog, you may wonder what in the world is the SandTrap.The SandTrap, a custom in-wall/ceiling speaker sub-baffle, solves an installation problem. A…

Read more

Did you go to the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show? I didn’t. This response has become familiar among longtime high-fidelity audio colleagues. Don’t view this as criticism of CES in general.It’s just that CES no longer offers a significant display of high-fidelity audio 4K & 8K television, common audio partner, is still highlighted at CES.However,…

Read more

Car audio to the rescue of the home audio architectural speaker. The architectural speaker is engineered for an in-ceiling or in-wall custom installation..Premium architectural speaker systems include premium prices. Unfortunately, a typical drywall installation hijacks its premium audio fidelity.Luckily, a 1970s car audio installation modification rescues their premium sound.Before I reveal how allow me to…

Read more

The Hunt for an AV Pro Home theater & high-fidelity stereo audio systems involve sizable investment.Professional audio/video guidance minimizes financial risk and maximizes happy results.But, searching for qualified help can also lead to time-consuming, disappointing dead ends.Bypass the dead ends. Take this targeted shorter path to an AV Pro. The brick-and-mortar dealer has been the…

Read more