HO E THEATER SPECIAL the 7Tritical CENTER CHANNEL LISTENING TESTS: SIX "MP CENTER -CHANNEL SPEAKERS

Stereo Review

HO E THEATER SPECIAL THE 7tRITICAL CENTER CHANNEL LISTENING TESTS: SIX "MP CENTER -CHANNEL SPEAKERS

3511 MIVE111111', ST REPORTS 176 tidy rt ze.420sts6 160A0069H3 Harman Kardon 111111111"Imilmim1111"1"111111""111"III A/V Receiver, Z4Z047 11010-5 *******AWHOUX91 MarantzDC6 Deck, and more °L Z90 almost hear

SU GEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Quitting Smoking NoY, Graatly Reduces Serious RisKs to Your Health. Mentho10 mg "tar," 0.8 mg nicotinE-Kings & 100's: 11 mg " ar," 0.9 mg nicotine ay. pe cigarette by FTC method.

tue These days "home theater" is a term Of course, no television can be better than the medi- liberally applied and widely advertised. um it projects. So at the heart of our system is the Elite We invented the But having defined the category in liquid -cooled, aspherical LD-S2 LaserDisc Player. The most accu- lens to deliver the the first place, we reserve the right to highest resolution on the widest screen. rate device for the reproduction of a redefine it. So here goes: True home theater must rival or moving picture and sound in the home. Any "home theater'. exceed the very best movie theaters. without a laser picture source is not a contender.

Not just in the quality of picture but in the quality of Which brings us to the receiver: The Elite VSX-95. It

[THE ELITE HOMETHEATER. IT STANDS AT THE VERY PINNACLE OFTHE CATEGORYWE CREATED. sound. As does the extraordinary system pictured here. features the detail that is our hallmark. Gold-plated Handpicked complementary Dominating center stage is the Elite" PRO -96 terminals. Hand -selected capacitors reduce cross talk while improving Projection Television. It's the top of a new line which once imaging and components. And five amps transient response. again sets the standard for projection television. The driving five discrete amplification channels. liquid -cooled aspherical lens- our own invention - projects In concert with Dolby® Pro Logic' circuitry, it powers an incredibly sharp picture of 830 - another essential of Home Theater-surround sound. To line resolution. A new short focus deliver that sound, Elite TZ-9LTD speakers, notable lens system creates a picture that is for their studio heritage, ceramic graphite tweeters 25% brighter. And contrast and midrange drivers, and urushi cabinetry is dramatically improved Any LaserDssc outperforms any videotape. And the LD-S2 We invite you to visit your Elite dealer to see outperforms all other LaserDisc players by its new black screen. Finally, a three -line digital comb Home Theater as intended by its maker. And discover filter has significantly enhanced color accuracy. the ultimate way to watch a movie.

The result is the brightest and most vivid colorsever seen on an electronic screen.

For the name 0Fa stkct Floc drab, In tour area. rkase call 1 -A00 -PIONEER. 01992 Rona EIrctronics USA Long Brach. CA. Dolby and No Logld are rcostrrrd tradrmarks of Dolby Laboratont, Inynung Corporation. Actual on -screen image. Stereo Review INCORPORATING NIGH FIDELITY®

EQUIPMENI Equipment Test Reports Cover Harman Kardon AVR30 Audio/Video Receiver, page 29 A good home theater system might include an Infinity Kappa Video center -channel speaker Niles NSW -100 In -Wall Subwoofer System, page 35 (shown on top of a Proton 27 -inch Marantz DD -92 DCC Recorder, page 38 monitor/receiver), Infinity Kappa 6.I's for the Rock Solid Sounds Solid Monitor Loudspeakers main front speakers, a Pioneer CLD-M301 with Twin Bass Subwoofer, page 46 combi-player/changer for laserdiscs and up to five CD's, and a Harman Kardon AVR30 Center Field 50 audio/video receiver (test report on page 29). See page 50 for more on center speakers, Choosing the right speaker for the critical center page 63 for more about combi-players. channel in an A/V system, including user's reports Photograph by Roberto Brosan on six top center speakers by Daniel Kumin 35 Years of Rodrigues An anniversary retrospective of cartoons LETTERS 6 by Charles Rodrigues TIME DELAY 10 The Combi Connection 63 NEW PRODUCTS 13 What to look for in a CD/laserdisc combi-player by Edward J. Foster SIGNALS 20 Showstoppers 15 AUDIO El&A 22 Outstanding new products from the Winter Consumer Electronics Show by Bob Ankosko TECHNICAL TALK 26

POPULAR MUSIC 84

BACKBEAT 92 CLASSICAL MUSIC 95 MUSIC THE HIGH END 108 Music Makers What's new from Nancy Griffith, Philip Glass, the Nuclear Whales, Alvin & the COPYRIGHT ID 1993 BY HACHETTE MAGAZINES. INC. All rights reserved. Stereo Review. April1993. Chipmunks. Robert Shaw, and more Volume 58, Number 4. Stereo Review (ISSN 0039-12201 is published monthly by Hachette Magazines, Inc. at 1633 Broadway. New York. NY 10019; telephone 12121 767-6000. Lucinda Williams 12 Also publishers of Car Stereo Review. Sound & Image, and A rebel hits the big time by Alanna Nash Stereo Buyers' Guide. One-year subscription rate for the United Stales and its possessions. $13.94; Canada, $21.94 (includes 7% GST. GST registration number 126018209. Best Recordings of the Month 01 Canadian Sales Agreement Number 992361; all other coun- tries. $21.94: cash orders only, payable in U.S. currency. The Loud Family, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 and Stravinsky'sPulcinella, Second-class postage paid at New York, NY 10001. and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A. Authorized Joan Baez, Balanescu Quartet as second-class mail by the Post Office Department. Ottawa. Canada. and for payment of postage in cash. POSTMAS- TER / SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send change -of - address forms and all subscription correspondence to Stereo Review, P.O. Box 55627. Boulder. CO 80322-5627. Please allow atleast eight weeks for the change of address to become effective. Include both your old and your new address, enclosing. if possible, an address label from a recent issue. If you have a subscription problem. write to the above address or call (3031447-9330. PERMISSIONS: Ma- terial in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Requests for permission should be directed to: The Editor, Stereo Review. Hachette Magazines, Inc., 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. BACK ISSUES are available. Write to Stereo Review-Back Issues. P.O. Box 7085. Brick, NJ 08723. Enclose a check for the cover price of each issue you want plus $1.75 each for shipping and handling. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS must be accompanied by return postage and will be handled with reasonable care. but the publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of unsolicited art, photos, or manuscripts.

VOL. 58 NO. 4 You need three front speakers - left, right and center - to achieve realistic home theater, because a stereo pair would place the dialog in the center (where it belongs) from only one listening position. You can't use conventional hi-fi speakers for the center channel, even shielded models, because their dispersion patterns prohibit raising them too high or laying them on their sides. KEF's proprietary Uni-0 driver, which places its tweeter at the center of the wooter, allowed KEF's engineers to create the ideal center channel speakers, the Models 100 and 90. Their uniform dispersion patterns let them be placed beautifully above or below the screen, creating the impression that the sound is coming directly from the screen.

Moreover, the

Models 100 and 90 are both Reference UNI-O DRI1 ER TECHNOLOGY LETS EVERYONE BE Series, which not only IN THE SWEET SPOT.' ensures their quality and consistency; it permits their use as satellites (front or rear/with or without a subwoofer) and their seamless integration with other KEF

Reference and 0 -Series loudspeakers.

The Uni-0 driver. One of a series of

KEF scientific achievements dedicated to one goal: the most realistic performance in your home.

KEF The Science of Loudspeakers CIRCLE NO 22 ON READER SERVICE CARD Why wont conventional hi-fi speakers work for Home Theater?

KEP REFERENCE SERIES Stereo Reviews

Vice President, Editor in Chief LETTERS LOUISE BOUNDAS

Executive Editor his first all -acoustic recording since his debut- MICHAEL RIGGS Madonna's Deeper in his third and fourth albums he also played Art Director Ron Givens dropped the ball in his Febru- piano from time to time. But since it wasn't an SUE LLEWELLYN aryM review of Madonna's "Erotica" al- electrified piano, you have a point. Director, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories bum. First off, the song referring to "oral sex" JULIAN HIRSCH is Where Life Begins, not Deeper and Deeper. Santo,. Editor Also, I believe the release would have been Keeping Count BOB ANKOSKO better received had there not been so much Aa member of Maura O'Connell's "cult" Managing Editor hype about the book. It's a good album except following, 1 feel obliged to correct one DAVID STEIN for the rap song Did You Do It?Forget the book item in Alanna Nash's February review of her Popular Music EditorClassical Music Editor and let the music stand on its own. "Blue Is the Colour of Hope." It is O'Connell's STEVE SIMELS ROBERT RIPPS JULIE MITCHELL fourth solo album, not her third. In addition to Associate Art Director Yorktown, VA three Warner Bros. releases, she recorded the MINDY OSWALD excellent "Just in Time" for Philo (1989). Associate Editor Assistant Editor Madonna's tune pertaining to cunnilingus STEVE RICHARDSON and fellatio is Where Life Begins and not Sierra Vista, AZ MARYANN SALTSER JAE SEGARRA Deeper and Deeper. "Erotica" goes deeper Editor ot Large than Ron Givens gives credit. The deep, rum- g anuary "Music Makers" called the percus- WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE bling rhythms reflect the times, and the lyrics sionist Evelyn Glennie's "Rebounds" her Contributors: Robert Ackart, Chris Albertson, are preoccupied with the persecution of gays, third RCA album. In fact, itis her fourth: Rebecca Day, Richard Freed, Phyl Garland, Ron Givens, death, AIDS, and the danger and necessity of "Rhythm Song" was first, in 1990, followed in David Hall, Bryan Harrell (Tokyo), Roy Hemming, Ralph Hodges, George Jellinek, Stoddard Lincoln, sex. I don't think Madonna set out to make 1991 by "Dancin' " and "Light in Darkness." Ian Masters, Alanna Nash, Henry Plessants (London), another dance album with "hooks." Apparently "Dancin' " has not made RCA's Ken Pohlmann, Parke Puterbaugh, David Raneda, PAUL L. PHILLIPS domestic-U.S. distribution list, but it is readily Charles Rodrigues, Eric Salzman, Craig Stark, Camp Hill, PA available as an import from the U.K. David Patrick Stearns SONNY HAYS Ron Givens replies: Sony, I blew it (so to Tulsa, OK Vice President, Group Publisher speak). THOMAS Ph. WITSCHI Surround -Sound Speakers Consumer Electronics Group Advertising Audio Pioneer VP/Associate Publisher February's guide to upgrading for home the- Tony Catalano g ulian Hirsch's statement in "Audio's Top ater by Peter Mitchell emphasized the im- VP/Regional Advertising Director, East Coast: Ten" (February) that the Yamaha DSP-1 portance of tonal matching of the main, cen- Charles L. P. Watson, (212) 767-6038 from 1988 was the first consumer -oriented ter -channel, and surround speakers.I need Regional Account Manager, East Coast, digital signal processing (DSP) component speakers that will serve double duty for listen- Christine B. Forhez, (212) 767-6025 doesn't ring true.I have owned an Advent ing to music with DSP ambience enhancement VP/Regional Advertising Director, Midwest: Scott Constantine, (212) 767-6346 Model 500 SoundSpace Control since 1980, and .to video with Dolby Surround.I am VP/Regional Advertising Director, West Coast: and I believe this to be the first such product. considering a full complement of five Defini- Robert Meth, (213) 954-4831 ROGER FLARE tive Technology speakers, including bipolar Western Advertsing Manager: Susanville, CA towers. A local audio salesman, however, Paula Mayeri, (213) 954-4830 insists that bipolar speakers are absolutely Sales Assistant: Nikki Parker The Advent 500 was essentially a sophisticated wrong as the main speakers in a surround National Record Label Sales Representatives: The Mitchell Advertising Group (MAG Inc.) digital delay line, and though an early example system because their radiation pattern will Mitch Herskowitz, (212) 490-1715 of the breed, it was not the very first. Unlike the degrade the surround effect. Is he right? Steve Gross, (212)490-1895 DSP-I, however, it was not a programmable PAUL F. LOBERT Assistant to the Publisher: Aline). Pulley digital signal processor capable of simulating Spring Lake, MI Operations Manager: Sylvia Correa Advertising Coordinator: Linda Neuweiler multiple independent reflections off the sur- Sales Assistant: Yvonne Telesford faces of a real room. Use of bipolar speakers for the main left and Classified Advertising: (800) 445-6066 right channels will normally create a somewhat Production Manager: Vicki L. Feinmel different front stereo image from that produced Production Director: Patti Burns Acoustic Dylan by speakers with only forward -firing drivers, but Business Manager: Christine Maillet arke Puterbaugh falsely states in his Feb- it should not impair the surround effect, which is General Manager, Greg Roperti ruary review of Bob Dylan's latest album, generated by the surround -channel speakers at "Good as I Been to You," that it is his first all - the sides or back of the room. Stereo Review is published acoustic effort since his 1961 debut. Dylan's tacjIga; by Hachette Magazines, Inc. second album, "The Freewheeling Bob Dyl- Tape Ethics or Economics? Chairman: Daniel Filipacchi an," does have one song that seems to use an President, CEO, and COO: David J. Pecker amplified guitar, but both his third, "The Leaving aside the moral issue in doing as Executive VP and Editorial Director: Jean-Louis Ginibre Times They Are A-Changin'," and his fourth, Eric Turkel suggested in February "Let- Senior VP, Director of Corporate Marketing: Paul DuCharme Senior VP, Director of Corporate Sales, 'Another Side of Bob Dylan," are clearly all - ters" and taping hundreds of pieces of music Hachette Magazine Network: Nicholas Matarazzo acoustic. How curious that Mr. Puterbaugh from FM broadcasts, think about the econom- VP, Director of Strategic Planning, Advertising, refers to Dylan's "mixed-up confusion." ics of the record business. Let's say he's & Circulation: Patrice Listheld JOHN DEANGELIS convinced just 1,500 readers of STEREO RE- VP, Chief Financial Officer: Paul De Benedictis VP, Corporate Communications, Jolie Cross Doyle New York, NY VIEW to do likewise. Consider, for example, the VP. General Counsel: Catherine Flickinger artist Graham Parker, who has made many VP, Manufacturing & Distribution: Anthony Romano Most people in the record industry take "all - excellent albums but doesn't sell well and has VP, Circulation: Leon Rosenfield acoustic" to mean acoustic guitar only, maybe gone through his share of record labels. If his

A".11.1 with a little harmonica thrown in, and that's why current label decides that his sales are just Owe. 3PA Sony's publicity for Dylan's new album called it barely high enough to keep him under con -

6 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Perfect with backa twist. flip, 100% New Grain York. NeutralN Y Spirits Inportei English 1992 Gin, Schley.lin 473% Akfacil & `irnerset (946'), Co tract, and then 1,500 lemmings tape his next be shocked to make comparisons between his foam surrounds fail most often from age. The CD instead of buying it, what will happen to tapes and the original CD's. What a terrible foam material is subject to decay and rot over his next album after that? None of us may ever waste of the $1,700 he spent on blank tapes. time, which allows the cone/voice-coil assem- hear it. You could apply the same scenario to I. C. WHITTEMORE, JR. bly to become off -center, resulting in buzzing Richard Thompson, Tom Waits, the Roches, Boynton Beach, FL and scraping sounds. the Proclaimers, Jane Siberry, or Gregorian While exact replacement drivers are virtual- chants. I'd hate to lose any of this music. ly nonexistent for speakers fifteen to twenty JOHN GLASSFORD Failure Medea years old-and "generic" drivers should be Akron, OH 1r he section on "speaker sorrows" in Decem- avoided because they change the entire re- ber'sinteresting "Troubleshooting" by sponse pattern-we can repair such units with g 'm concerned that Eric Turkel could record Daniel Kumin failed to address the most com- new surrounds. SEAN P. RYAN "1,695 works" from FM broadcasts of CD's mon loudspeaker failure. True, more often Simply Speakers, P.O. Box 22673 without realizing the severe degradation of than not midranges and tweeters fail from St. Petersburg, FL 33742 quality inherent in such dubbing. He should abuse or too little power, but woofers with The kind of foam surrounds that decay over time are no longer used, but many old speakers out there may have or develop this problem.

Daniel Kumin said that "most CD problems are traceable to servo -circuit misalign- ment or failures in an integrated -circuit chip." We repair approximately 150 CD players a month. Without question, the most common failure is a defective laser pickup. I will con- cede that some players could be restored to operation by performing a detailed realignment, but the misaligned condition is often a result of laser aging, and realignment seldom offers any long-term solution.J. T. PRICHARD Manager, Expertech Biloxi, MS

The Dummy Button g ihink you guys need to end your conspiracy of silence and confront the Dummy Button issue. It seems that every time I encounter an unfamiliar stereo system I am able to locate this button almost immediately, yet I never seem to see it mentioned in STEREO REVIEW. The Dummy Button is the one you push that causes everything to stop working, and then it takes you several minutes to figure out what you've done JAMES C. McCooL Westland, MI

Gottschalk Collector any reader help me locate a copy of the Ccatalog of compositions by Louis Moreau Gottschalk edited by Robert Offergeld that STEREO REVIEW published for Gottschalk's centennial in 1969 along with an annotated edition of his journal, "Notes of a Pianist"? No copies remain at the magazine's offices. C. G. NUSEN, Secretaire-Gdneral International Vintage Phonograph & Mechanical Music Society 19 Mackaylaan, 5631 NM Eindhoven The Netherlands

Correctiew n February's Equipment Buying Guide, the Bose 901 Series VI speaker system was For everyone who enjoys the TF-600s, and the full line incorrectly described. It has eight rear -facing drivers and one front -facing driver. El impact, immediacy and of DCM TimeFrameTM, dimensions of live music, there TimeWindowTm and DCM. are TimeFramesTM. To preview Monitor SeriesTM speakers, We welcome your letters. Please address correspondence to Editor, Stereo Review, the critically acclaimed please call 1-800-878-T1ME. Loudspeakers 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. You should include your address and telephone number for verification. Letters may be edited for clarity and length. CIRCLE NO 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD THE ULTIMATE MOVIE EXPERIENCE. OWN Batman (1989) *0642504 Far and Away * 1046507 Hook *0854307 Batman Returns *1029909 Fried Green Tomatoes 1005404 Lawnmower Man 1014505 Wayne's World *0853705 The Man Who Would a2 LASER My Cousin Vinny 1033109 Be King *0085803 The Sound Of Music *0003905 Beverly Hills Cop 0205302 Beckdreft *0559005 The Hunt For Red October *0825000 Henry V (1990) *0040303 Allen 0000208 The Bible PDISCS Henry & June *0499301 * 0074708 Aliens 0360909 The Drifters Jaws 0100008 0383000 The Abyss * 0881102 Bugs Bunny Classics Edward Scissorhands 0104604 slim) 0297705 Die Hard *0367607 The African Queen 0051102 Conan The Barbarian*0220509 Die Hard 2 *0041806 Beetlejulce 0633008 The Empire Of Ghost *0826008 The Sun *0633206 American Graffiti 0211300 E.T.: The Extra - Dangerous Liaisons *0638700 Blue Velvet *0515007 Terrestrial *0681106 SEEDEPB!A. Reversal Of Fortune 0969709 Harry Connick, Jr.. The Silence Of Singh' 8 Swingin' 0968107 Always *0921502 The Lambs 0805309 Star Trek: Dirty Harry 0601708 The Godfather 0000802 The Motion Picture *0203505 Memphis Belle *0983502 The Godfather: Part III 0842302 Star Trek II: Big 0367409 Back To The Future *0211409 The Wrath Of Khan *0201301 New Jack City 0971507 Beck To The Future Star Trek Ill: Fatal Attraction 0439307 Part II *0921304 The Search For Spock *0201608 Chariots Of Fire 0601401 Back To The Future Star Trek IV: Oates wills Wolves' Lethal Weapon 3* All Dogs Go To Heaven 0289702 Part Ill *0497008 The Voyage Home *0430603 0805200 1051507 48 Hrs. 0202200 Predator *0364901 Star Trek V: Predator 2 *0104307 The Final Frontier *0448605 Body Heat 0602003 Robin Hood: Star Trek VI: The The Andromeda Prince Of Thieves *0976803 Undiscovered Country * 1001007 Strain 0216200 Home Alone * 0104208 Superman: The Movie *0001305 Casablanca 0050708 Scarface (1983) 0216804 Superman 11 0601500 The Addams Family * 1000900 Goodfellas *0969808 Hard To Kill 0953505 Hot Shots 0029108 The Blues Brothers 0211706 Born On The Fourth Star Wars' Fi'Murn of the JeOi It's A Wonderful Life Of July *0489104 0056406 0354104 (45th Anniversary Ed.)0392308 Dune 0211102 Field Of Dreams 0920306 w The Last Boy Scout * 0779108 Kindergarten Cop 0523407 iiiiii .1 .1 1 Presumed Innocent *0962100 North By Northwest *0844209 Lethal Weapon 0630806 Road Warrior 0602805 Other People's Lethal Weapon 2 Money *0642702 Chinatown *0202507 ALOPN3 *0392704 National Lampoon's Bird On A Wire *0497305 2001: Animal House 0211508 A Space Odyssey *0844308 Hearts Of Darkness: Boomerang *1064005 A Filmmaker's Patriot Games * 1051309 Bugsy *0853408 Apocalypse 1002500 The E 're Strikes Back' Alien 3* The Prince Of Tides *0847103 0091009 1042506

Here's a great way to build a days to decide; if not, you may return collection of your favorite movies -on the selection at our expense. r-ColumbiaHouse laserdisc Club laserdiscs! Just write in the numbers Money -Saving Bonus Plan. If you Dept. 45PP.O. Box 1112, Terre Haute, Indiana 47811 -1112 of the 3 laserdiscs you want for continue your membership after Yes, please enrol me under the terms outlined in this advertisement. As a member, $1.00 each, plus shipping and fulfilling your obligation, you'll be handling. In exchange, you simply I need buy only 2 more selections, at regular Club prices, within the coming year. eligible for our generous bonus plan. Send me these 3 laserdiscs for $1.00 each plus $1.50 each shipping and handling Odd $7.501 agree to buy two more laserdiscs in It enables you to enjoy great savings the next year, at regular Club prices on the movies you want-for as long (currently as low as $29.95, plus as you decide to remain a member! shipping and handling) -and you Please Check How Paying: My check is enclosed 20Y/20Z may cancel membership at any time 10 -Day Risk -Free Trial. We'll send after doing so. details of the Club's operation with Charge my introductory loserdisc., and future Club purchases to: your introductory package. If not MasterCard Diners Club fl AMEX VISA 111 Discover Free Magazine sent every four satisfied, return everything within 10 weeks (up to 13 times a year)days for a full refund and no further Acct. No Exp reviewing our Director's Selection -obligation. plus scores of alternate choices, Signature For fastest service, use a credit card including many lower -priced and call us toll free 24 hours a day: laserdiscs. And you may also receive Name Special Selection mailings up to four times a year. (That's up to 17 buying 1-800-538-2233 5'' Address Apt opportunities a year.) Buy only what you want! If you City State Entertaining want the Director's Selection, do Zip Phone No. I nothing -it will be sent automatically. If America... Note Columbto HOU. loserdisc Club reserves th- right to reject or cancel any membership Offer limited to you'd prefer an alternate selection, or One Person continental U 5 (excluding Alaska) Applicable u les to. added to all orders 1400 N Frultrocige Avenue Terre Haute. IN 4781 I III2 none at all, just mail the response at a Time." card always provided by the date 194/593 LASERDISC CLUB 1993, The Columbia House Company) specified. And you'll always have 14 LLetterbox TIME DELAY

Tandberg's Model 3-266 stereo tape player ("The lady of the house will appreciate the tasteful mahogany casing"). ITC.O.W.M1 0,0421,..3 Otl01 tn. Like, Dig, Man: An article featuring jazz greats Billie Holiday and Lester Young, who had appeared in a TV special, ran opposite a profile of society schmalzmeister Lester Lanin. Boys' "Holland" as "perfect "marriage" of audio and aural Valium" (which he video, observing, "I'm now meant as a compliment), very tired of that metaphor." Aerep Review George Jellinek pondered a AND LYRICS BY COMDEN AND GREEN' revival of Joachim Raff's Third The Basic Repertoire: Critic Symphony conducted by Richard Freed pondered Richard Kapp ("Hardly a performances of the theme worth whistling"), and Beethoven symphonies, both 35 yearsago Chris Albertson dismissed complete sets and separates, Buddy Rich's "Stick It" and declared Karl BOhm's In his "Sounding Board" because of (among other Vienna Philharmonic cycle on column in the April 1958 issue, failings) the drummer's DG to be "the most thoroughly Managing Editor David Hall inexplicable vocal performance recommendable such package declared, presciently, "It now of Kermit the Frog's theme at any price." He also had high looks as though stereophonic song, Being Green. praise for Toscanini's old New discs for the home-and the York Philharmonic/RCA equipment on which to play Profiles in Courage: In "Audio version of the Seventh ("a them-will be with us before Questions and Answers" a touchstone despite faded next Christmas." Worried conics") and found Leonard about the fate of outstanding Larry Klein which speakers Bernstein's DG version of the older mono performances, Hall were preferable, those with or Ninth to be charged "with also predicted that "if some 20 years ago without active equalizers. mystic intensity." audio genius should be able to Klein's reply: "It is possible to perfect a magic black box [to Surroundmania: Reflecting the achieve excellent results either Profiles in Courage II: In an simulate stereo], then so much vogue for quadraphonic (four - way." otherwise enthusiastic "Best the better!" channel) recording, Julian of the Month" review of Hirsch's review of Lafayette's Michael Jackson's blockbuster New equipment tested this LR-4000 SQ quad receiver "Thriller" album (35 million month included the Weathers ("better than average") was sold!), Phyl Garland noted in K -730-D turntable, tonearm, followed closely by an ad for a passing, "I still think Jermaine and pickup ("virtually Columbia SQ quad album in Jackson is a better writer." distortionless through more which the listener was invited than the audible range"), the to join Pierre Boulez "in the Shower Alert: An alarming Electro-Sonic C-60 cartridge center of Barterk's 'Concerto "Bulletin" item warnedSR ("familiar records never for Orchestra.' " A few pages readers that Revox was sounded better than when the later, another ad sang the developing a water-cooled C-60 played them"), and praises of Koss's four -channel integrated amplifier. Quadrafones, puzzling some -Steve Simels readers lacking ears in the front and back of their heads. S PECIAL NEW PISOOUCTI3 ISSUE In the Best of the Month Stereb Review section, reviewer Lester NEW AUDIO PRODUCTS AT CES S aw Trimble waxed enthusiastic Letsepseers Cram Dole arse Redhos over a Candide disc of the OWN Mc Swarm Awl likdillise 10 years ago Latest News On the DION DISC Swiss composer Frank Martin NISI LAB MITI conducting his own Audio Family Values: Back 8.110.1111110.11,01 Harpsichord Concerto, and from the 1983 Winter Steve Simels recommended Consumer Electronics Show, the Move's "Split Ends" if William Livingstone's "David Bowie has as little uncharacteristically cranky relevance to your sensibilities editorial noted the presence of as Jim Bowie." Elsewhere in such products as vibrating the review section, the musical panties and a Darth legendary rock critic Lester Vader SpeakerPhone. He also i1 Bangs described the Beach complained about the so-called

10 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Two Reasons To Trade In Your Speakers Now!

The Bose Acoustimass-5 Series 11 speaker system includes Direct/Reflecting' cube speaker arrays and a hideaway Acoustimass bass module (not shown).

The Bose' Acoustimass-5 Series II A $100 trade up allowance speaker system. Technology that from your Bose dealer. 1sets the standard for purer 2For a limited time, our participating dealers sound with even smaller size. nationwide will give you at least $100 off the regular The Acoustimass-5 Series II speaker system uses price when you trade up to the new Bose Bose patented Acoustimass speaker technology Acoustimass-5 Series II speaker system or an to simultaneously overcome the Acoustimass-7 home theater speaker system. placement limitations of large speakers Bonus! Get 50% off the price of a pair of Bose and the performance compromises of 101 speakers for rear channel use when you buy conventional small speakers. an Acoustimass-7 system.

We believe its combination of full fidelity To find out more about this limited time offer, and sound and small size give you the best reason to for names of Bose dealers near you, call toll -free: trade up from your present speakers. 1.800-444-BOSE Ext. 220 L SA and Canada, Weekdays 9AM-9PM. Saturday 9AM-5PM (E1). "In fact, the more I use Acoustimass speakers, the more amazed I am." -Julian Hirsch, Stereo Review

Better sound ttrough research. ©1993 Base Corporation. The Mountain, Framingham MA 01701-9168 USA GFA-2535 Multi -Channel Power Amplifier "We wish to thank Mom; our3rd grade music teacher; the members of the Academy::

The Multi -Channel GFA-2535: home theater to life, delivering 200 watts of clean, yet another award -winning amplifier distortion -free sound to the center channel, and 60 from Adcom. watts to each of the rear channels. Add it toyour A pattern appears to be taking shape here: existing 2 -channel amp, and you'll be at thecenter Adcom introduces a new power amplifier, Adcom of a superbly balanced, awesomely poweredstage wins an award. The GFA-535, GFA-555, with sound so real, you can practically touch it. GFA-555II, GFA-565, and now the GFA-2535- For audio applications, the GFA-2535 in the every single one has earned the immediate praise 4 -channel mode acts as a pair of 60 watts-per - and plaudits of the industry's most respected channel amps to drive two sets of speakers. With authorities...perhaps because Adcom packsmore two of the channels bridged, it delivers 60 watts performance and innovative technology into its each to a pair of satellites, and 200 watts toa sin- amplifiers than you'll find in components thatcost gle subwoofer for an incredible display of musical twice as much or more. strength so real, you definitely can feel it. The innovative GFA-2535 is a worthynew Three channels or four...home theater, home standard-bearer. The GFA-2535 is really two audio...the award -winning Adcom GFA-2535 GFA-535's in one case, with the flexibility to drive gives you twice the versatility of ordinary ampli- three or four channels. With individual levelcon- fiers...and twice the value that has made Adcom trols for precise control of each amp's volume, it's famous. the ideal foundation for an authentic, ultra -realistic surround -sound theater system, or fora multi - room or multi -speaker audio system. The Versatility of 3 Channelsor 4. A single switch on the GFA-2535'srear panel lets you select 4 -channel operation, or bridge two of the channels for a 3 -channel configuration. In the 3 -channel mode, the GFA-2535 bringsyour ADCOM details you can hear 11 Elkins Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 U.S.A. (908) 390-1130. Distributedin Canada by PRO ACOUSTICS INC. Pointe Claire, Quebec H9R 4X5 CIRCLE NO 1 ON READER SERVICE CARD NEW PRODUCTS

SONY MiniDisc hits the road with Sony's for track and disc titles, MDX-U1, which squeezes an MD controls for Sony JniLink player, an AM FM tuner, and a CD changers, diversity FM tuning preamp into a DIN chassis that capability, a digital clock, will fit in the dash of most a wireless remote control, vehicles. Highlights include a and a detachable faceplate for shock -resistant buffer memory security. Price: SC80. Sony, that stores 10 seconds of music, a Dept. SR, 1 Sony Dr., Park Ridge, twelve -character scrolling display NJ 07656.

HARMAN KARDON WESTLAKE AUDIO To commemorate its fortieth The Concert Series is Westlake's anniversary, Harman Kardon has lowest -price speaker line. introduced three Signature Series The 391/2 -inch -tall C-6 (pictured, components-the PT2300 preamp S1,750 a pair) uses a 6 -inch tuner (5529) and the 65 watt - woofer and a 3/4 -inch soft -dome per -channel PA2100 (S429) and tweeter. Models C-8 (S2,880 a 100 -watt -per -channel PA2200 pair), C-10 (S3.460 a pair), and (S569) power amps. The PT2300 C-12 (S4,250 a pair) are three- boasts A V switching and a way systems with 8-. 10-, and 12 - subwoofer output. The PA2100 and inch woofers, respectively. A PA2200 are rated to handle peak black -satin veneer finish is current demands of ± 40 and standard. Westlake Audio, Dept. -± 80 amperes, respectively. Harman SR. 2696 Lavery Ct., Unit 18, Kardon, Dept. SR, 8380 Balboa Newbury Park, CA 91320. Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325. Circle 121 on reader service card Circle 122 on reader service card

CELESTION Celestion's Thnity package teams a pair 0110 -inch -tall Celestion 1 speakers wi h the CS -135 subwoofer, which features an 8 - inch dual -voice -coil woofer. Low- fregLency response is rated as -6 -dB at 3E Hz. The bass module measures 211/2 x 133/8 x 71/2 inches. Price: S399. Celestion, Dept. SR, 89 Dug Brown Way, Holliston, MA C1746. Circle 123 on reader service card

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 13 NEW PRODUCTS

ki AIWA Aiwa's AMD-100 portable and an editing mode that enables the MiniDisc player recorder stores user to divide, combine, erase, and music in a butter memory to reorder tracks. The unit measures prevent gaps in playback that 41/2 x 1% x 5'/2 inches. Price: S800. would otherwise occur when it Aiwa. Dept. SR, 800 Corporate Dr.. is jolted. Features include Mahwah, NJ 07430.

twenty -one-track programming Circle 124 on reader service card

AUDIOSOURCE AudioSource's CD-Ceiver One features a six -disc CD changer with a sequence memory for ten different magazines, an AM FM tuner with twenty-six station presets. a preamp with video ALLSOP inputs, and a 60 -watt power AlIsop's DCC cleaning system amp-all in one 17 x 43/4 x 14 - uses a special cassette to inch component. Price: S5C0: remove contaminants from the S600 with a pair of VS Three tape path of Digital Compact speakers (shown). AudioSource, Cassette decks. Price: S30. Dept. SR. 1327 N. Carolan Ave., Alison, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 23, Burlingame. CA 94010. Bellingham, WA 98227. Circle 126 on reader service card Circle 125 on reader service card

IMPACT PREF HI-FI Designed to be placed behind the Frequency response is rated as Pref Hi-Fi's Model 250 speaker seat in a pickup truck, Impact's 37 to 113 Hz and sensitivity as 95 features a swivel -mounted Truck Bass Boxx BB -T210.2 dB. Dimensions are 381/2 x 121/2 x "satellite" section with a 1 -inch features two 10 -inch woofers in 7'2 inches at the base. dome tweeter and a 4 -inch an unconventional bandpass Price: S410. Ai Researchimpact, midrange speaker and a configuration that's designed to Dept. SR, P.O. Box 159, subwoofer section with a 10 -inch deliver high output from a Stillwater, OK 74076. driver. The 40 -inch -tall pyramid relatively small enclosure. Circle 127 on reader service card is made of a nonresonant material called Polydan, which is a mixture of polymer and ground marble. Frequency response is rated as 25 to 22,000 Hz ±4 dB and power handling as 250 watts. Price: 52.748 a pair (black finish), S2,652 a pair (marble). Pref Hi-Fi Rysgaard Ltd., Dept. SR. 2899 Agoura Rd., Suite 157. Westlake Village, CA 91361. Circle 128 on reader service card

14 STEREO REVIEW APRIL. 1993 Home Theater Made Simple and surprisingly affordable.

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THEATER kT HOME WIT -f THE MTS-1 SYSTEM. THIS KIT CONTAINS ALL YOU NEED IN ONE BO (. SIMPLY HOOK IT UP TO YOUR EXISTING STEREO, TV AND VCR TO ENJOY TRUE DOLBY PRO LOG 'C SURROUND SOUND. IT PUTS YOU IN THE CENTER OF THE ACTION. LIKE YOU'RE THERE LIVE. AUDIOFILE HOME THEATER'S MTS-1 KIT BR NGS THE DRAMA OF MOVIE THEATER SOUND INTO YOUR HOME FOR JUST k FEW H JNDRED DOLLARS, 4ND YOU CAN KEEP THE LOW PRICE SECRET.

SAT 4.0 Rear Satellite Speakers (2 The N WS -1 Ddby P1legit ------'- Our 4.5 Shie ded Center Channel These fine speakers ktptura 4" po Decomler/Amplifi,r feats res a full ...rimless Speaker is performance engineered. It impregAated cone di .rer and 1" silk dome infrared remote cant-ol, center and rear features two 4" polyoropylene drivers and one tweeter, faithfully reproducing the entire channel amplifiers (.7. channel configuration 3/4" dome tweeter. The TV 4 5 wi spectrum of rear channel sound. The SAT 4.0 rated ct 30W/30W.'30Millnifornp vivid natant sound with astonishi is truly the perfect surround sound speaker. subwo)fer output and built-in crossover Frequency response 100-8KHz, 50 wafts RMS. Freq. response 65-2(' KHz, 50 watts RMS. the state obi cart Analog Des ices are logic dip

A-='"'"

A OP.

MTS- 1 Kit.

hiEr A T E R

This box canto' all you n

Rep and dealer inquiries invited. Cal( LE NO 42 ON NEADE .1,LF4.11,_; NEW PRODUCT

NAKAMICHI Nakamichi's DR -1 is a three -head rewind. Frequency response is cassette deck featuring Dolby B given as 20 to 21,000 Hz ± 3 dB and Dolby C noise reduction. an with normal- and high -bias tape. azimuth fine-tuning control, and Price: 5879. Nakamichi, Dept. bidirectional auto search. which SR. 19701 S. Vermont Ave., keeps track of the "zero" counter Torrance, CA 90502. position during fast forward and Circle 129 on reader service card MIND'S EYE The DJ -108 rack from Mind's Eye Desigs is made of sturdy 5/16 - inch -steel rods and holds 108 CD's. Available by mail order for I 't S40 plus S4.95 shipping and handling. Mind's Eye Design. Dept. SR. P.O. Box 567. So. Wellfleet. MA 02663.

Circle 130 on reader service card

PINNACLE Pinnacle's Arctic speaker series comprises the 11',4 -inch -tall Arctic 1 (5360 a pair), featuring a BASF 5'/a -inch woofer and a 1 -inch BASF calls its T-200 VHS tweeter, and the 141/7 -inch -tall videotape the "frequent flyer's Arctic 2 (pictured. S440 a pair), tape" because it can record ten which has two 5'4 -inch woofers. hours of programming when the Both are available in black or VCR is running at the extended- white and carry a seven-year play (EP or SLP) speed. Three warranty. Pinnacle, Dept. SR, hours and twenty minutes of 255 Executive Dr., Suite 310. recording time is possible at the Plainview, NY 11803. standard -play (SP) speed. Price: Circle 131 on reader service card 59.99. BASF, Dept. SR. Crosby Dr.. Bedford. MA 01730-1471.

Circle 132 on reader service card APOGEE Apogee's Ribbin Wall speaker teams a 1 x 26 -inch ribbon tweeter element with a boxed 6'7 -inch woofer in a frame specially designed for in -wall mounting. Its low -frequency limit is rated as 40 Hz and power handling as 200 watts. A 121/7 x 5017 -inch cutout with 3'7 inches of rear clearance is required. Prices: S1,350 a pair; wall -mount version. 51,450 a pair. Apogee Acoustics, Dept. SR, 35 York Ave., Randolph, MA 02368. Circle 133 on reader service card

16 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Bob James And Prince And The New, Foreigner: The The Doors: ._.A. Enya: Shepherd Eltor John: Greatest Earl Klugh: Cool Power Generation:T Very Best...And Woman lEleldra) Moons Hits 1976-1986 (Warner Bros) (Warner/Paisley Beyond 00215 Reprise) 53190 (MCA) 00150 63299 Park) 11136 t (Atlantic) 24722 Suzanne Vega: The Heights Robert Cray: Steely Dan: Pretzel DAS EFX : Don Henley: The 990 F Soundtrack I Was Warned Logic (MCA) 00404 Dead Serious End Of The (ABM) 8340s Capitol) 00206 (Mercury( 82335 (Alco/EastWest) Innocence Patti Labelle: Live 25328 (Geffen) 01064 George Strait: (MCA) 00367 Pure County (MCA) 83044 Extreme: Ill Sides To Every Story R.E.M.: Gipsy Kings.: Live Kenny G (ABM) 00119 Automatic (Elektra/ Musician) Breathless For The 73804 (Ansta) Guns N' Roses: 54317 Use Your Illusion People Bad Compeny: (Geffen) 35489 t Bros) Here Comes g: Trouble Guns N' Roses: (Atco) 83733 Use Your Illusion (Geffen) 25534 t Marky Mart And The Funky Bunch: Wilson Phillips: You Gotta Believe G.E. Smith & The Micheal W. Smith: Shadows 8 Light MiStley Crtie: Decade David Bowie: (Interscope) 43791 Saturday Night Live Charge Your World (SBK) 40763 Of Decadence Changesbowie Band: Get A Little (Geffen/Reunion) (Elektra) 40298 (Hvkodisc 43693 (Liberty) 00227 20935 Red Hot Chili Peppers: Blood Betty Carter. It's Not Patty Smyth About The Melody (MCA: 25090 Sugar Sex Magik Nerve) 00173 (Warner Bros Larry Carlton: Kid hobo 11127 t Emerson, Lake 8 Gloves Palmer: Brain Salad )GRP( 02487 Mies Delia: Doo-Bop Surgery ,Atiantic) Elton Joke Sinaad O'Connor. (Warner Bros.) 54 The One 71151 Am I Not Your Girl? Aced:" WA/ Color Me Badd: (Chrysalis/Ensign) 35022 Natalie Cole: Young, Gifted And 00139 t Unforgettable Badd-The Remixes Blues Brothers: The (Elektra) 83452 (Giant/Repri,- 00417 Howard Hewett Definitive C ollection Allegiance (Atlantic( 43711 Eagles: Greatest Trisha Yearwood: (Elektra) 00368 Hits 1971-1975 Hearts In Armor The Beach Boys: (Asylum) 23481 (MCA) 21048 Malcolm X/Music Pet Sounds Mauceri: Rodgers 8 The Best Of From The Motion (Capitol) 00613 Hammerstein White Lion Picture Opening Nights (Atlantic) 93654 (Reprise./Ouest) Vince Gill: 19611 (Philips) 00190 00372 U2: Achtung Baby Kathleen Battle At Believe In You (MCA) Father MC: Whitney Island) 25174 Carnegie Hall 21083 Rosette: Tourism Close To You Houston: Frank Sinatra: (EMI) 00193 (Uptown/ MCA) The Best Of The Paul Simon: (DG) 35091 Beauty and the The Beast/Sdtrk. R.E.M.: Fables Of 24878 t Bodyguard Capitol Years Negotiations And Michael Crawforc: (Capitol) 00242 Love Songs 1971-86 Songs From Stage (Disney) 10780 The Reconstruction Rochelle Ferrell Soundtrack (IRS/MCA) 00165 (Cap toll 00387 (Arista) Bonnie Rail: (Warner Bros And Screen Arrested 54213 Nick Of Time 20461 (Atlantic) 53704 Development 3 Nine Inch Nails: Jennifer Wames: (Capitol) 54410 Soundgarden: Years, 5 Months Broken The Hunter Horowitz The Poet And 2 Days In The (Interscope) 00145 t (Private) 00355 The Police: Every Badmotorfinger (DG) 25258 Carreras, Domingo, David Benoit: (ABM) 05837 Life Of... Breath You Take- (Chrysalis) 25357 HI -Five: Sugar. Copper Blue Pavarotti: 3 Tenors Letter To Evan The Singles Lyle Lovett: Sting: The Soul Keep It Goin' On (Rykodisc) 003a3 In Asia: Then & Now (London) 35078 (GRP) 00251 (ARM 73924 Joshua Judges Ruth Cages (Mkt 25218 (Jive) 92879 (Geffen) 93:158 Bobby Lyle: Clint Black: The The Barcelona Peter Gabriel: (MCA/Curb) 10508 Van Helen: Damn Yankees: Secret Island Hard Way Games Ceremony Shaking The Tree - The Best Of For Unlawful Cara& Dionne Warwick: Don't Tread (Atlantic, 00347 ,RCA) 35458 (RCA) 35187 16 Golden Greats Al Di Meola Knowledge Friends Can Be (Warner Bros.) 53063 (Geffen) 11089 (Blue Note) 00308 (Warner Bros) 10016 Lovers George Duke: Temple 01 The Dog Eagles: Greatest Snapshot Hits, Vol. 2 (Arista) 537'8 Kltaro: Dream (A&M) 31124 (Geffen) 53948 (Warier Bros.) 00176 The Baddest Of (Asylum) 63318 Wrecks -N -Effect George Thorogood Yes: Classic Yes Hard Or Smooth And The Destroyers (Atlantic) 50248 (MCA) 00677 (EMI) 84002 The Return Of The Torn Petty 8 The Neil Young( Pat Metheny: Heartbreakers: Into Brinker Brothers (GRP) 00261 Harvest Moon Secret Story The Great Wide Open (Reprise) (Geffen( Chieftains: 00208 Billy Ray Cyrus: Kronos Quartet Another Country (RCA Victor: 00288 Some Gave All Pieces Of Afnca (Mercury) 41711 (Nonesuch) 10472 Slouxsie Ard The Banshees: Twice Guys And Randy Travis: Upon A Titre - Dolls/New Greatest Hlts Vol. I The Singlet Travis Tritt: Northern Exposure: Broadway Cast (Warner Bros.) (Geffen) 00273 t -r -o -u -b -l -e Music From The (RCA Victor) 61964 21091 (Warner Bros 44828 Television Series Erasure: Pop! The Randy Travis: (MCA) 50550 First 20 Hits Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Exposé (Arista) 74158 John Lennon 8 (Reprise: 00328 (Warner Bros.( 11125 Yoko Ono: Spyro Gyro: Thomas Dolby: Faith No More: Double Fantasy Three Wishes Astronauts Angel Dust (Captor( 00333 (GRP) 00249 And Heretics (Repnse/Slash) Stephanie Mills: Trespass/Music From (Giant) 00308 23738 t Something Real The Motion Picture Funny Girl/Original Al B. Surat (MCA) 00626 iWarner Bros./Sirei Broadway Cast Sexy Versus Aerosmith: Pump 00628 t (Broadway Ange (Warner Bros 24876 t (Geffen) 63678 The Very Best Of The 00362 Righteous Brothers: Bon Jovi: Warner.eprIse, Unchained Melody Keep the Faith Duck) 23690 (Verve) 44658 (Mercury) 00868 Michael Penn: Nell Diamond: Free -For -All 12 Greatest Hits (RCA) 20668 (MCA) 84050 Van Morrison: Moody Blues: RES 2glielL. Tupelo Honey Greatest Hits NO POSTAGE (Warner Bros.) 00217 (Threshold) 34284 COMPACT The Private Music Bernstein: NECESSARY Of Suzanne Ciani The Final Concert (Private) 00225 (DC) 35095 DISC IF MAILED CLUB IN THE UNITED STATES

(MCA 11121 BUSINESS REPLY MAIL 0 FIRST CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 5071 INDIANAPOLIS. IN POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

Nerieh Cherry. GRP All -Star Big Band Homebrew )GRP, 63298 00239 Traffic: The Low Mo' Money/Sdtrk. Spark Of High (PAM, 71593 Heeled Boys Beastie Boys: siandi 25169 Check Your Head BMG COMPACT DISC CLUB (Capitol) 92473 f Madonna: The Immaculate P.O. Box 91412 The Smiths: Best..( Collection (Reprise) 24868 (Sire) 54164 INDIANAPOLIS IN46209-9758 Skid Row: B -Side Ourselves R.E.M.: Out Of Time (Atlantic) 00127 (Warner Bros.) 24782 Chicago: Greatest Elvis Presley: The Hits 1992-1989 Number One Hits (Reprise) 63363 (RCA) 72190 The Best Ot Stevie INXS: Welcome To ZZ Top: Greatest Hrts Nicks:Timespace Wherever You Are (Warner Bros l 83411 (Modern) 10940 )Atlantic) 11070 Eurythmics: Greatest The Private Music Megadeth: Hits JAnsta) 20611 Of Tangerine Dream Countdown To iRriyatei 00221 Extinction Jethro Tull: (Capitol) 63340 Thick As A Brick Chanter Moore: (Chrysalis) 01023 Precious Marty Stuart This (Silas/MCA) 30286 One's Gonna Hurt You Phil Collins: Serious (MIA) 35348 Hits...Livel Saigon Kick: The (Atlantic) 00324 Lizard (Third Stone NirvanaNeverrnind /Atlantic) 00371 (OGG) 15600 Steve Winwood: Chronicles (Island) 34501

Boomerang: SdtrkL (LaFace) 53396

The Rascals' David Bowie: The Steely Den: Ala Jethro Tull: A Little The Jett Healey Rise And Fall Of Jelly's Greatest Hits: (MCA) 00409 Light Music Band: Feel This Last Jam/Original Time Peace Ziggy Stardust (Chrysalis) 00140 Alannah Myles: Grease/Sdtrk. (Rykodisci 10803 George Jones: (Arista) 33707 Cast Recording (Atlanhcl 00357 (Mercury/On Rockinghorse (Polydorl 35125 Walls Can Fall CeCe Peniston: Tevin Campbell: )Atlantic53618 Alan Jackson: A Lot Barry Manilow: (MCA) 00303 Finally T.E.V.I.N. (Owest Broadway) 00112 Curtis Stigers About LIvin' (And A Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (ABM) 53858 Warner Bros.) 35412 (Ansta) 02038 little 'Bout Love) (Arista) 72863 Tom Cochrane: Vanessa Williams: Joan Baez: (Arista) 74074 Mad Mad World The Best Of Vince Gill Jefferson Starship: The Comfort Zone Play Me Backwards INXS: Live Baby Live Eric Clanton: (Capitol) 11024 (RCA) 00155 Gold (RCA) 64132 (Wing/Mercury) (Virgin: 00200 (Atlantic) 52528 Samantha Fox: Timepieces 25066 Greatest Hits (Polydor) 23385 Bryan Adams: lzzy Stradlin And Horowitc Horowitz Styx: Paradise (Jive) 00159 Waking Up The The Ju Ju Hounds At Horne (DG) 25211 The Go-Gos : Huey Lewis 8 The Theatre Peter Cetera: World Neighbours (Geffen) 00272 Greatest Hits News: Sports (ASV 25243 Mother Love Bone R.E.M.: Eponymous Falling Down ARM( 35175 (I.R.S./MCA: 00701 (I.R.S./ABM) 50315 (Chrysalis) 44448 (Mercury) 00172 (Warner Bros ) 63423 Little River Band: The Very Best Of Rod Stewart: Greatest Hits The Boston Galway: Greatest Bell Bin DeVoe: Poison Les Paul with Mary Downtown Train (Capitol) 00274 (MCA) 00547 Pops/Williams ik .1 I Hits, Vol. 2 Ford: The Best of (Warner Bros.) 10708 0') (Phillpsi 15319 (RCA) 10748 The Capitol Masters Beverly Hills 90210 Wilson Phillips En Vogue k.d. lang: Ingenue (Gant/Repnse) Peter Frampton: Paula Abdul: (Capitol.. 63765 (SBK) 00728 Funky Diva' (Warner Bros /Sire) 00180 Talking Heads: se (East West) Classics Spellbound Jethro Tull: 44370 (13 Greatest Hits) (Virgin) 73320 Tom Petty: Stop Making Sense I 61717 Original Masters Full Moon Fever (ABM) 04894 (Chrysalis) 63846 U2: Rattle And Hum (Sire) 24560 Whitney Houston: (MCA) 33911 Maur Stem: Standards I'm Your Baby (Island) 00596 Van Morrison: Olivia Newton -John: Mooridancie (Atlantic) 00134 Tonight Back to Basics -The (Arista) 10663 (Warner Bros.( 64585 The Beat Of Essential Collection Sammy Hagar The Best Of 1971-1992 James Taylor: U2: War Fleetwood Mac: is(tersi".. (Capitol) 00424 Muddy Waters (Getters 25334 Greatest Hits (Island) 24819 Rumours (Repose) 23790 'Warner Bros) 24025 Lindsey Buckingham: ,Chess 33502 Mr. Big: Lean Into It (Atla23ntic) Grand Puba: The Rippingtons: Hammer. Reel To Reel Out Of The Cradle (Atlantic) 24821 004 After 7: Taldn' My Tine (Reprise) 20483 Weekend In Monaco Too it To Quit (Elektra) 30282 t Virgin) 14776 (GRP) 35217 Starsillix (Capitol ) 26614 The Slmpsons: Ramones: Ramones Greatest Hits The Cars: Ot Hits Sing The Blues George Harrison: Mania (Sire) 00260 Styx: The Grand Muslim (RCA) 90270 Best Of Dark Horse, (ABM) 25245 (Elektra) 53702 (Geffen) 00301 Van Morrison: Fleetwood Mac: 1976-1989 Jon Secada The Drifters' Golden SWV: It's About Time His Band And Greatest Hits Bon Joel: New Jersey Kennedy: Vivaldi, Hits (Atlantic ) 03859 (RCA) 00151 (Dark Horse: 80307 Street Choir (SBK) 10742 (Warner Bros.) (Mercury) 00516 The Four Seasons The Doors Jimi Hendrix (Warner Bros.) 00216 Peter Gabriel: So 00796 Mary J. Bilge: Squeeze: Singles (EMI Classics) 43419 What's The 411? (Elektra) 00209 Experience: David Se bone Upfront (Geffen) 14764 45's 8 Under Al Jarreau: Da Lanch Mob: (Uptown/MCA) 30846 AC/DC: Live Live At Winterland (Elektra) 11104 Heaven 8 Earth ARM: 35208 (Rykodisc) 63650 Pavarotti Songbook Guerillas In The Mist Daryl Hal 8 John (Atlantic) 00201 (London) 25275 (Reprise: 63697 Supertramp: Charlie Haden Quartet (Street Knowledge/East Oinert Rock 'N Soul, New York Stories Joe Cocker Night Calls West Haunted Heart Breakfast In America West) 00342 t PM 1 (RCA) 13313 (ABM) 25246 Shre NoterCeprtol) 00340 (Capitol) 60071 Nerve) 00337 1hs Cornifirtments/Sdinc Here's How the Club Works (MCA) 74018 Red Hot Chili Start with 4 FREE Compact Discs now Get 8 for the Price of 1' Start by choosing 4 FREE CDs Peppers: The Cure: Wish (or cassettes) from this ad. Thee buy lust 1 selection at What Hits!? (Elektra/ Fiction) regular Club pnces (currently 914.98 and up for CDs. (EMI) 00144 t 11116 Buy only 1 at regular Club price within a year 86.98 and up for cassettes) within a year. As soon as we Extreme: receive your payment, you'll get a certrficate good for your Pomogratfitti choice of 3 more hitsFREE! Shipping and handling (MM) 43557 charges are added to all shipinve s. The BMG Compact Then get 3 more CDs of your choi:e, FREE Slaughter: Disc Club is unlike other dubs which make you buy 6 CDs Bryan Ferry/Roxy Bob Marley: Legend The Wild Life or 8 cassettes at full price to complete your commitment. Music: Street Life - (Island) 53521 (Chrysalis 84072 10 -Day Teal! Along with your 4 introductory selections. 20 Greatest Hits The Benny Green Enjoy 8 CDs for the price of 11 you'N receive a "Weicorne Package" with complete details :Reprise: 10490 Ramsey Lewis: Trio: Testifyin'l on how the Club works.Enjoy your introductory Ivory Pyramid (Blue Note) 74312 iiverielaillkleArissreadiadbildOmsula selections for 10 days.If you are not completely satisfied, Simon 8 Garfunkel: :GRP) 00397 you may return them without any further obligation. The Concert In Hales: Central Park Bathe: The Bach Just An Illusion :11It; KIS,: Mailings (Warner Bros.) 44006 Album (DGI 73670 (EMI) 73237 Nothing more to buy...EVER! - About every three weeks (19 times a year), you'll receive our exclusive Club catalog which contains hundreds of selections from which to choose. COMPLETE THIS REPLY CARD TODAY AND SAVE( - Each issue highlights a Featured Selection from your preferred music category.If you'd like the Featured INSTANT Mail to: BMG Compact Disc Club / P.O. Box 91412 / Indianapolis, IN 46291-0021 Selection, do nothing and itwill be sent to you automatically.If you prefer an alternate selection, or YES, please accept my membership in the BMG Compact Disc Club and send my 4 FREE selections as none at at. simply return the Notification Card enclosed 50% -OFF I have indicated here under the terms of this offer. I need buy just one more hit at regular Club price with each issue of your magazine by the date specified during the next year. As soon as you get my payment, Iwill receive a certificate good for m/ choice of 3 on the card. BONUS DISCOUNTS more hits FREE! That's 8 for the price of 1 with nothing more to boy, ever! - You have at least 10 days to return the Notification Card.If you do not want the Featured Selectee, and do FOR MEMBERS WHO Rush me these 4 Hits now! CHOOSE CDs! not have 10 days, you may return the Featured Selection (Indicate by number) at our expense.

I am most interested in the music category checked here-butI am always free to choose from any (check on, only): with Instant Bonus Diso ountsMembers who THE BMG choose CDs are entitled to instant sales or discounts

1 with every additional CD purchased. These instant COMPACT DISC ; LIGHT SOUNDS 2 COUNTRY 3 HARD ROCK 4 POP/SOFT ROCK Dionne Warwick Clint Black Foreigner Elton John Bonus Discounts begin with the very first full -price CD you buy. But whether you choose CDs or cassettes, the CLUB DIFFERENCE Frank Sinatra Vince Gill ZZ Top Wilson Philips sales get better rye longer you're a member. Other clubs You earn INSTANT 5 CLASSICAL'', 6 JAll 7 HEAVY METAL make you buy 6 or more at full once before you "earn" 50% -OFF BONUS Luciano Pavarotti Pal Metheny Megadeth savings like this. ItZhak Perlman David Sanborn Slaughter 'Stay a member as long as you Ike After joining the DISCOUNTS when you Mr. Club, you'll enjoy additional sales and discounts on your buy a CD at regular Club H Mrs. favorite music. (However, you may cancel your price. Just buy one, and Ms. First Name Intel Last Name (PLEASE PRINT: membership, after you pay for your regular -Club -price take another at half off. Selection, simply by writing to us.) Address Apt With other clubs, you ' Cassettes also available. Simply check the 'cassettes" box on the postage -paid reply card if you must first buy 6 or more City State Zip prefer to receive your selections on cassettes.

at full price and become Telephone. please If the reply card is missing. please Wilts to: 13M0 a "Preferred Member" Area code Compact Dew Club / P.O. Box 91412 / Indianapolis, IN before you can get Signature 46291-0021 t Pivental AcNiscry-Explicit Lyrics. savings like this! CDOJ7 Have you bought anything else by mail in the last: j 6 monthsU YearU never Selections not available on cassette. (1 I Members who choose cassettes will be serviced by the BMG Dog and horn we trademarks of General Electric Company, USA. The ENG Logo is a trademark of BMG MUM. Music Service. current Music Service members are not eligible WAG Music Service I PREFER CASSETTESO (7) Members who choose CLASSICAL as their listening interest will be serviced by the BMG C0510 6550E. 30111 St., Indianapolis ININ 46219-1194 (you may choose cassettes with Classical Music Service. .;ra TRADEMARKS USED IN THE ARE THE the same 10 -day, no -obligation PROPERTY OF VARIOUS TRADEMARK OWNERS. We reserve the nght to request additional information or reject any application Limited to ke:1 privilege. Full membership new members. One membership per family. Local taxes, if any, will be added. Otter available 01993 BMG Direct Marketing. Inc

details will follow I in continental USA, Alaska and Hawaii. Offer not available in Puerto Rico. APO or FPO. 11% Photocopies of this reply card are acceptable. MUSIC MAKERS

conductors, teachers, and singers that Shaw gave during Carnegie Hall's 1991-92 season. Volume I, released in De- cember1991,featuresthe Brahms German Requiem; BY ROBERT RIPPS, both tapes can be purchased MARYANN SALTSER, AND by phone through Carnegie STEVE SIMILS Charge at 212-247-7800. Shaw returned for a third choral LAST November the Brook- workshop this January, focus- lyn Academy of Music's ing on the Berlioz Requiem, Next Wave Festival presented and a tape from it will appear the world premiere of the com- as Volume 3 in the series later poser Philip Glass's new work, this year. Low Symphony,which is based on three pieces by David THE Emerson String Quartet Bowie and Brian Eno from is celebrating its fifteenth Bowie's late -Seventies album anniversary season, and Deut- "Low." Point Music, a divi- sche Grammophon has joined sion of Philips Classics under in the festivities with the re- the supervision of Glass, has lease of the ensemble's fitting- released a recording of the ly titled CD 'American Origi- work with Dennis Russell Da- nals," featuring quartets by vies conducting the Brooklyn Ives and Barber. (The Barber Philharmonic. "Point Music is quartet, by the way, includes about progressive work," the original version of the fa- Glass says, "but not necessar- mous Adagio for Strings.) The ily work that's institutional or Bow e and Glass: pointing the way Emerson plans more record- academic." Also on the label ings of American music. A are "Mapa" by the Brazilian album features the same mix bass-the world's largest sax. disc of works by John Harbi- of blues, jazz, and R&B styles The orchestra also played dur- son, Gunther Schuller, and featured onSNL'sbetween - ing January's week of inaugu- Richard Wernick is due out segment breaks, except that ralfestivities,butwithout later this year, and other proj- here the songs are nearly all PresidentClinton'smusical Smith originals. Marshall participation. Peters Crenshaw, billed as "Mr. Ex- celebrates citement," guest stars on gui- eONDHEIM: A Celebration at Sondheim tar in the band's versionofa Carnegie Hall, last sum- Fatienin' Frogs for Snakes. mer's gala concert, has been released by RCA Victor in two 1.1HE Nuclear Whales Saxo- versions: a two -CD set of the n phone Orchestra's latest al- entire concert and a single disc bum is "Gone Fission," and, of highlights. The tribute to as usual, the six -member, all - the composer/lyricist Stephen saxophone group essaysa Sondheim featured artists from broad array of music, from the worlds of Broadway, pop, Tiptoe Through the Tulipsto jazz, opera, and cabaret, in- seventeeth-century viol fanta- cluding Glenn Close, Jerry siesas arranged by Percy Hadley, Michael Jeter, Mad- Smith and SNL Band Grainger. Last fall the Whales eline Kahn, Dorothy Loudon, played a fund-raiser for can- Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, ensemble Uakti, John Moran's didateBillClinton, during Bernadette Peters, Regina Res- operaThe Manson Family, which he was moved to join in nik, and the Boys Choir of Har- and a Glass collaboration with on the 6 -foot, 8 -inch contra - lem. Paul Gemignani, a fre- Foday Musa Suso composed quent Sondheim collaborator, for a 1989 production of Jean Clint -an with mighty axe conducted the American The- Genet'splay The Screens. atre Orchestra.

AFTER eight seasons on tele- drIARNEGIEHall has an- Davision, G.E. Smith and nounced the release of a the Saturday Night Live Band new video,"Robert Shaw: are making their recording de- Preparing a Masterpiece, Vol- but with "Get a Little" on Lib- ume 2-A Choral Workshop erty. Smith has numerous pri- on Beethoven'sMissa Solem- or record credits, primarily nis."The 90 -minute tape fea- L9. with Hall and Oates, but this is tures highlights from the six - his debut as a bandleader. The day workshopforchoral MUSIC MAKERS ects include Barber'sDover long dream." The Chipmunks Beachwith thebaritone have sold 40 million albums Thomas Hampson, part of a worldwide since their record completerecordingof the debut thirty-five years ago, in composer's songs that will also 1958-coincidentally,the featurethe soprano Cheryl yearthatSTEREO REVIEW Studer and the pianist John made its debut. Browning. The Emerson, which records exclusively for 6RACENOTES.The Juilliard DG, is the only chamber -mu- School and Sony Corpo- sic ensemble ever to win a ration of America have an- Grammy for Classical Album nounced the creation of the of the Year (for a recording of Sony ES Awards (ES as in Bart6k's complete quartets). "Elevated Standards") for exceptionally talented and finan- Nand Griffith's Elektrade- cially needy students, part of a but (after a string of al- Sony program that will pro- bums on Philo and MCA) is a vide the school with up to major musical departure for $500,000 over a five-year peri- the self-proclaimed "folkabil- od. . .. Shanachie Records, ly"singer.Titled"Other heretofore best known as a Voices, Other Rooms," the al- world -musiclabel,hasre- bum finds Griffith paying tribute to the songs that have most influenced her, including both traditionalfolksongsand more contemporary material. Maxim Vengerov: touring the U.S.A. Fittingly, Griffith is joined on the album by numerous guest Chicago Symphony, and in in Kansas City, Berkeley, and artists,among them John January Teldec releasedits Chicago (Ravinia). Prine(his Speed of the Sound with the young of Loneliness isa highlight), virtuoso.It features sonatas AGELESSpop superstars Al- the Indigo Girls, Odetta, Em - by Mozart, Beethoven, and vin & the Chipmunks are backwithanew album, "Chipmunks in Low Places" (Epic/Nashville),thefurry trio's first country effort since theirlate -Seventies "Urban Chipmunk" (just reissued on compact disc). Among the many guest stars on the album Tammy & the Chipmunks are hunk -of -the -month Billy Ray Cyrus, who reprises hisleased "Tar Beach," the first Achy Breaky Heart hitwith solo album in sixteen years by Alvin, Simon, and Theodorethe former UAW Spoonful (plus Alvin's cowgal pal Brit-frontman John Sebastian. . .. tany), as well as Waylon Jen-The American -born conductor nings,Aaron Tippin,Alan Andrew Litton becomes the Jackson, and Queen of Coun-fifteenth music director of the try Tammy Wynette."I've Dallas Symphony in June 1994 been in love with Alvin forwhen Eduardo Mata steps many years," Wynette ob- down. Litton is currently prin- served, "and to record withcipal conductor of Britain's Emerson Quartet: American originals the Chipmunks has been a life- Bournemouth Symphony. 0 m3, lou Harris, Guy Clark, Arlo Mendelssohn with the pianists Griffith (second from right) with Indigo Girls, John Prins, and Odetta Guthrie, and Bob Dylan-who Alexander Markovich and Its - contributes his trademark harmar Golan. Vengerov's earlier monica to back Griffith's ver- recordings on Teldec were a sion ofhis Boots of Spanish Paganini / Waxman / Saint- Leather. Saens disc with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic eighteen years of age, and one of sonatas by Beetho-

ATthe Russian violinist ven(the"Kreutzer")and 21 Maxim Vengerov is already a Brahms, also with Markovich. very busy man. This season he HisU.S. appearancesthis made his debuts with the Los year include recitals at New Angeles Philharmonic and the York City's 92nd Street Y and

18 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 ONE PART SUNSET. ONE PART SEAGRAM'S GIN. YES, YOU'LL FIND THE HIDDEN PLEASURE.

P.S. It can break the ice. Seagram bdra 'NJ Gin wre.1449

;0A

czi7A t011h O C °S .43 *Alt 0 SIGNALS

BY KEN C. POHLMANN

Digital formats such as CD and DAT tion digital audio formats are perform- Less Is More do essentially the same thing, except ing as designed-their output signals that the continuous mechanical (or are not intended to look exactly like IFIE introduction of the MiniDisc magnetic) pattern is replaced by a series the input. (MD) and Digital Compact Cas- of numbers that represent the wave - The discrepancy is actually an indi- sette (DCC) formats represents form's sampled amplitude over time. cation of the new formats' advance, an important milestone in the de- In both cases, the goal is to recon- thanks to what's called perceptual velopment of consumer audio struct on playback a waveform that is coding, beyond the brute -force pulse - technology. For the first time in as physically similar to the original as code modulation (PCM) used in CD history we abandon the attempt to possible within the audio band. and DAT. In perceptual coding, the record and reproduce a literal repre- The MD and DCC formats are also content of the input signal is analyzed sentation of an audio waveform in digital, but one look at the audio signal according to a model of human hear- favor of a very different representa- leaving an MD or DCC player will ing. The system codes only those parts tion-a perceptual representation. convince you that the formats are do- of the signal that the model, based on Edison's cylinder recorder, like all ing a supremely lousy job of mimick- their frequencies and amplitudes, indi- analog recorders, stored acoustical ing the original waveforms. For exam- cates will be audible. Everything else waveforms with a mimicking pattern ple, you'll observe that much low- and is discarded. The outcome of this so- -an analog, if you will-of the origi- high -frequency information ismiss- phisticated processing (an example of nal. For example, if the waveform ing, as are many of the small details in DSP chips hard at work) is that a makes an abrupt change, the cylinder the original signal. But this "lossi- considerable amount of information is groove does likewise (as does the mag- ness" is not a sign that MD and DCC deemed extraneous: For example, an netic flux field on an analog tape). are defective. These second -genera- MD stores only about a fifth as much What happens to .xodsebiani bnuo ORDINARY SQUARESPEAKERS DON'T JUST PLAY MUSIC. THEY PLAY PING-PONG. WITH TRAPPED SOUND WAVES THAT BOUNCE

BACK AND FORTH OFF PARALLEL WALLS. RESULTING IN DISTORTION. WHICH IS PRECISELY WHY OUR ENGINEERS BUILT THE NEW

SEVEN -SIDED HP LOUDSPEAKER. THE HP PROVIDES A MUCH

FRIENDLIER ENVIRONMENT FOR ACCURATE SOUND.

Conventional speakers phisping-gong (SO THE MUSIC YOU HEAR IS THE MUSIC YOU The seven -sided HP loudspeaker produces with your music, creating distortion. dramatically lifelike imaging. (You'll discover pure sound doesn't come in a box). SUPPOSED TO HEAR). INSIDE, BASS TONES ARE PUSHED THROUGH A SYSTEM WE

CALL THE DOUBLE CHAMBER BANDPASS (DCB). MADE FROM IWO DRIVERS

JIM CONSUMER PRODUCTS 240 CROSSWAYS PARK WEST, WOODBURY, NY11797 1 800 336 4J131 M A HARMAN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY data as a CD for the same music. Less tance of the sample. MD and DCC are recording systems: It is possible to data equals smaller, lighter, and per- more frugal, giving the most bits to improve their sound quality without haps eventually less costly media. samples representing the most audible making any change to the decoders At first glance, even the most tech- parts of the sound, the fewest bits to used for playback. As encoders get nology -mad audiophile must wonder the least audible, and none at all to the smarter and smarter, doing a better about the fidelity of a perceptually totally inaudible. Data storage is thus and better job of reckoning audibility, coded recording. How on earth can we tailored to the acuity of our percep- the recorded signal will also get better reduce the amount of data so drastical- tion,. saving lots of space that would and better. The decoder's sole pur- ly without sacrificing sound quality? otherwise be filled up with useless pose is to put the recorded data into a (That question, of course, echoes con- information. form that can be handled by a standard cerns from the earliest days of digital This smart approach to data storage digital -to -analog (D/A) converter, a audio, when many wondered how a is what enables perceptual -coding sys- task that is unaffected by changes in continuous waveform rendered as a tems to greatly surpass CD in efficien- the perceptual -coding scheme itself, series of discrete points could ever cy while still remaining competitive so improvements in the coding pass sound as good as the waveform itself.) sonically. It may even enable them to right on through. The answer is that a well -designed surpass the fidelity of CD. A CD de- Finally,the"lessismore" ap- perceptual coder, using a conservative votes 16 bits to every sample, no mat- proach of perceptual coding may actu- level of data reduction, can rival the ter how important it is. As we've seen, ally improve the ability of sound sys- sound quality of conventional digital perceptual coders are much more flex- tems to reproduce audio signals. For recording because it codes the data in ible. The PASC algorithm used in example, a perceptual coder removes a much more intelligent fashion. Quite DCC, for example, can choose to de- considerable amounts of inaudible simply, we don't hear much of what is vote up to 19 bits of resolution to a low -frequency energy. Without this recorded on a CD or DAT anyway. single sample. In other words, for the extraneous energy, the signal should Think of it this way: The bits on a most significant parts of a signal, a be easier for amplifiers and loudspeak- digital tape or disc are like dollars in a perceptual coder can sound better than ers to handle. This is particularly sig- bank account. If you're smart, you'll CD; the trick is to avoid defeating such nificantforportableapplications, budget your bits as effectively as pos- improvements by audibly degrading where only modest amplifier power is sible. A CD, alas, spends recklessly. It less important portions of the signal. available and the headphones have a gives every sample a full 16 bits of Perceptual coders offer another ad- hard enough time reproducing the au- data, without regard for the impor- vantage over first -generation digital dible, let alone the inaudible. 0 ound insideabox. of eneqqsill tsrlW

The Double Chamber Bandpass is MOUNTED TOGETHER, THE DCBDELIVERS INCREASED POWER made from two bass drivers mounted together. (It's impressively loud & impressively quiet at the same time). THAT'S VIRTUALLY FREE OF HARMONIC DISTORTION.

IT'S MATCHED ON THE HIGH END BY A DYNAMIC TWEETER THAT'S MADE FROMPURE TITANIUM

INSTEAD OF PAPER CORE OR PLASTIC. (THE KIND OF DIFFERENCE THAT'S PLACED JBL IN

SEVEN OUT OF TEN RECORDING STUDIOS). ALL IN A BLACK ASH HARDWOOD CABINET THAT'S

AS DISTINCTIVE AS THE TECHNOLOGY IT HOUSES. AUDITION A PAIR OF HP'S AT YOUR EARLIEST

CONVENIENCE. BUT DON'T BE IMPULSIVE. BOUNCE THE IDEA AROUND AWHILE. JBL

IN CANADA CONTACT GOULD MARKETING, INC3003 ETINGIN, MONTREAL OC. CANADA H4S IY7 514 333 4446

CIRCLE NO 33 ON READER SERVICE CARD Definitive Technology' Authorized Dealers

AkHoitt's: Fairbanks* Pyramid: Anchorage. Concert: Huntsville* Likis Audio:Birmingham. AB -Leisure Electronics: Little Rock. aglow Jerry's Audio Video: Phoenix, Tucson. C.A- Audio Concepts: Long Beach, San Gabriel. Creative BY IAN 0. MASTERS Stereo: Sta. Barbara, Ventura. Homily Radio: Los Angeles* Pacific Coast AN: Corona del Mar* Paradyme: Sacramento. Performance Audio: San Francsoo. Sound Co.: Escondido, San Diego. Sound Goods: Campbell, Mtn. View. Systems time, especially in small rooms, and adjusting Design: Beverly Hills, Redondo Beach* Wilson Audio Video: Discount Equipment the position of one or both speakers might Woodland Hills. What's the story on discount -store compo- CQ- Listen Up: Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs. help. Often where the speakers are aimed will Al Franklin's: Hartford. Carston's AN: Danbury. nents that have great prices but only store have a dramatic effect as well: Home THX Robert's Music: New London. Sound Playground: Newing- 0warranties because the dealer isn't "autho- systems, for example, use dipole speakers ton, Orange, Norwich. rized"? Are such products inferior to the identi- with the "dead spot" aimed at the listeners DC Suburbs- Audio Associates. cal models sold through authorized dealers? DE - Sound Studio: Dover, Newark, Wilmington. and the sound reaching them only by reflec- a- Absolute Sound: Wirier Parke Audio Ctr.: Fl. Laud- CLIFTON S. DEVORE tion; you can achieve a similar effect with non- erdale. Audio Video: Tallahasea Hoyt: Jacksonville. Sound Hempstead, NY THX speakers by aiming them at the ceiling or Mess: Gariesvilkiii Sound Insight Ft. Pierce* Stereotypes: into the rear corners of the room. Daytona Stereo World: Ft. Myers, Naples. Stuart Audio Video: Stuart. AChances are there's nothing technically QA -Audio Warehouse: Savannah. Stereo Shop: Martinez* wrong with the equipment itself unless it's Stereo Video Systems: Marietta (Atlanta). secondhand, in which caseit may be Dynamic Noise Reduction MI- Maui Audio Center Kahului. somewhat battered. Even if the stuff is brand- My father's car cassette deck includes Audio Logic. Des Moines* Hawkeye AN: Iowa City. JD Good Ear : Boise. new, however, it should be approached with something called DNR (Dynamic Noise IL- August Systems: Champaign Jon's Home Center: Qui caution. The very lack of a warranty is proba- 0Reduction), whereas mine is marked mere- cy Mills Recording Chicago. Simply Stereo: Hoffman Es- bly reason enough to avoid such goods: AN ly NR-neither mentions Dolby. What do these tates, Orland Pk., Villa Pk.. Stereo Studio: Palatine. Select equipment is pretty hardy, but if it does break Sound: Naperville* Sterling Elect.: Sterling. systems do, and what effect, if any, do they MI- Ovation Audio: Clarksville, Indianapolis. the discounter may not be there to honor the have on tapes that were recorded with Dolby ms- Advance Audio: Wichita* Audio Junction: Junction City. warranty, and even if he is he may not actually noise reduction? JOHN HUXHOLD Ky- Ovation Audio: Lexington, Louisville. be able to do it. True "gray market" equip- St. Louis, MO IA- Alterman Audio: New Orleans, Metairie. MA- O'Coins: Worcester. (Boston: see Nashua, NH). ment-purchased overseas and imported di- MD- Audio Assoc.: Annapolis, Laurel, Rockville. Cumberlan rectly by the retailer-may not conform to AAlthough there are no accepted standards Elec.: Cumberland* Gramophone: Bart., Ellicott City Sound - local technical standards. A tuner designed for for such systems, most work by varying soaps: Bal.. Sound Studio: Salisbury. use in Japan won't work in North America. for the high -frequency response (depending ME Cookin' : Portland. MI- Future Sound: Ypsilanti* Listening Room: Midland, Sagi- example, because the FM band is different. Or on the treble content of the signal) to cut some naw. Pacer's: Detroit, Thor Sound North: Iron Mountain. a component designed for 100 -volt, 50 -Hz of the hiss when there is no high -frequency RN- Audio Perfection: Minneapolis. operation overseas might not be happy with energy in the music to mask it. These are MQ- Independence Audio Video: Independence (K.C.). Sound Central: St. Louis. our 115 -volt, 60 -Hz current. At worst, the single -ended systems, working only in play- tic- Audio Video Systems: Charlotte* Stereo Sound: equipment may be stolen, possibly leaving back, and the level at which they kick in Durham, Greensboro, Raleigh, Winston Salem. you open to an unexpected visit from the varies. DNR is one of the best of such sys- ND- Pacific Sound: Bismarck. constabulary. tems. There is no compatibility at all with a mE.- Custom Electronics: Omaha, Lincoln. Cookin': Nashua, Manchester, Newington, Salem, S. properly encoded Dolby recording, so what Nashua. Surround Speaker you get when you combine the two systems is NJ- Sound Waves: Northfield. Sassafras: Cherry Hill* Wood- largely a matter of chance: Sometimesit bridge Stereo: W. Caldwell, W. Longbranch, Woodbridge. Placement IM4- West Coast Sound: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Sta. Fe. sounds okay, sometimes it doesn't. my- Upper Ear: Las Vegas. My surround -sound speakers have brack- my- Audio Breakthroughs: Manhasset. Audio Den: Lake ets for wall mounting, but I'm not quite Grove. Audio Expressions. Newburgh* Clark Music: Albany, sure what to do with them. Is there an ideal Ultrasonic Response Syracuse. Electronic Workshop: Manhattan. Hart Electron- ics: Vestal. Innovative Audio: Brooklyn* Listening Room: position for surround -sound speakers? QI have noticed that some components claim Scarsdale. Rowe Camera: Rochester Sound Mill: Mt. Kisco, KENNETH J. SCHULTE to have frequency response exceeding the Yorktown Hs.* Speaker Shop: Amherst, Buffalo. Verona, NJ 20- to 20,000 -Hz limits of human hearing. Is QM- Audio Craft: Akron, Cleveland, Findlay, Mayfield Hts., there any reason at all for a speaker or other Westlake, Toledo. Audio Etc.: Fairborn (Dayton). QIEI- Bradford's HiFi: Eugene. Chelsea Audio Video: Port- AThe ideal position for any speaker de- component to respond higher than 20,000 Hz, land, Beaverton. Kelly's Home Ctr.: Salem. pends largely on the listening room and or are such specs meaningless numbers intend- EA- GNT Stereo: Lancaster. Hart Electronics: Blakely, the arrangement of the other furniture in ed to dazzle the uninformed buyer? Kingston. Listening Post: Pittsburgh & suburbs. Sassafras: Bryn Mawr, Montgomeryville, Whitehall* Store- it, so whatever advice you may be given, be KEVIN HAWTHORNE oland: Natrona Heights. Studio One: Erie. prepared to experiment. Most authorities- Austin, TX fll Eastern Audio: North Providence. including Dolby Labs, which invented the ace- Audio Warehouse: Hilton Head. Dashboard Stereo: Dolby Surround system-suggest that the sur- AExtended responseisnot necessarily Charleston. Stereo Video: Greenville* Upstairs Audio: Co- lumbia. round speakers should be placed to the sides worthless, but it's seldom very important, ym- Hi Fi Buys Nashville. Lindsey Ward: Knoxville* Modern of the listening position, rather than in the rear either. At one time various manufacturers Music: Memphis. Sound Room: Johnson City. corners of the room. This may be less than touted it as a means of achieving good tran- IX- Audio Tech: Temple, Waco. Audio Video: College ideal if you listen to a lot of DSP-enhanced sient response-the ability of a component to Station. Brock NV: Beaumont* Bunkley's Sd. Systems- Abi- lene. Bjorn's: San Antonia Don's Hi Fi: Amarillo. High Fidel' conventional music, which often sounds best react to sudden signal changes. There may ty: Lubbock. Home Entertainment: Dallas, Houston. with the speakers at the back, so some com- have been some merit to that argument on AudioWorks: Salt Lake City* Stokes Bros.: Logan. promise might be necessary. paper, but for even a minimal effect there yA- Audio Associates: Arlington, Fairfax, Manassas* Au- The one thing to remember is that the aim of diotronics: Roanoke* Digital Sound: Virginia Beach. Ear would have to be substantial output at the Food: Winchester. Stereotypes: Charlottesville. Dolby Surround is to create a diffuse sense of second harmonic (30,000 Hz for a 15,000 Hz la- City Stereo: Burlington. depth and ambience without your being able signal, for example). Since we can't hear that ALA- DESCO Electronics: Olympia* Evergreen Audio: Sil- to locate specific sounds at the surround high, however, any benefit would be inaudi- verdale* Sound Mart: Spokane* Tin Ear Kennewick. INA- Sound Post: Princeton. speakers themselves. If you find your atten- ble; it matters little whether the upper limit is WI- Absolute Sound & Vision: Sheboygan. Audio Empori- tion being drawn to the surround units, the in the equipment or in our ears. um: Milwaukee. system needs adjustment. First, just try re- And, in fact, there's nothing up there any- Puerto Rico- Precision Audio: Rio Piedras. ducing the surround level, which you can way: Cassette decks rarely respond even as Canada- Advance Electronics: Winnipeg* Audio Ark: Ed- montore Audio Ctr.: Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City* Bay almost always do from the remote control. It high as 20,000 Hz, FM signals roll off at 15,000 Bloor. Toronto. CORA* Quebec City. Sight & Sound Prince may also be necessary to increase the delay Hz, and digital signals are deliberately filtered Georges B.C.. Sound Advice: Calgary* Sound Room: Van- couver. 22 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Definitive Technology® "Definitive Technology Has Hit the Bull's Eye?' - Julian Hirsch, Stereo Review Experience the Miracle of Bipolar Technology with Definitive's Revolutionary BP10 20.1

"Truly Outstanding" position convenience for - Stereo Review superb musical reproduction Experts agree that Definitive's so real that it has been called, revolutionary bipolar BPI° "a sonic miracle!" and BP20 are two of the The Ultimate Home Theatre world's finest speakers and Combine the BP10s, BP2Os or are sonically superior to DR7s with our Cl ultra center speakers selling for many channel and BP2 bipolar satel- times their remarkably afford- lite/surround speakers for the able cost. ultimate in home theatre sound. These advanced technology Visit your nearest Definitive bipolar (front and rear radiat- dealer and experience the ing) systems combine lush dramatic sonic superiority of spacious soundstaging, life- these truly extraordinary like depth -of -field, razor-sharp loudspeakers. resolution and pinpoint 3-D imaging with powerful sub - woofer -like bass (to below 20 Definitive Technolo Hz), high efficiency, wide I 1105 Valley Heights Drive Baltimore. MI) 2111 7 dynamic range and easy -to- See dealer list on (acing page (410) 363-7148 CIRCLE NO 27 ON HEADER SERVICE CARD AUDIO Q&A immediately above the audio spectrum. Nev- expect miracles. For true archival purposes, output impedance of your surround processor ertheless, audio equipment tends to be less Packburn Electronics makes a costly profes- and the capacitance of the cables are both as linear at the ends of its range, so pushing the sional noise -suppression unit that borrows low as possible. response somewhat beyond the audible range from-and advances considerably-the tech- might in some cases make for slightly better nology of those old devices. behavior in the part we can hear. Dolby Boost or Cut QI have always understood that Dolby noise Video Copies reduction lowered a signal on recording to Vieille. ow CD I have been trying to make back-up copies drop out the noise and then boosted it on OI find that the difference between good and of movies I have bought on videocassette, playback in such a way that the noise didn't bad classical CD's often lies in the ability to 0but the copies all show a severe color shift come back. Recently I read that the signal was reproduce the sound of violins-bad CD's to red and orange, regardless of whether the boosted on recording and reduced on playback, have violins that sound fuzzy, while other machines were connected from line out to line in but I'm not sure how that would work. Which is instruments don't seem to have this problem. Is or from RF out to antenna terminals. Is there correct? WILLIAM F DUNLAP there any particular reason CD's should have a some sort of built-in copy protection on prere- Van Nuys, CA more difficult time reproducing violins than corded tapes, or am I experiencing some in- other instruments? DAVID M. CAPLAN compatibility between my VCR's? AAlthough they differ in detail, the various Alfred, NY JAMES M. MRVOS types of Dolby noise reduction all com- Lexington, KY press the signal in recording and expand it ADon't blame the poor old CD. The violin again in playback. That means that when a has one of the most complex waveforms AThere is indeed a copy -inhibiting system recording is made, the quiet signals are boost- of any instrument, rich in high -frequency applied to most prerecorded videocas- ed according to their level and their frequen- harmonics, and so it has always been one of settes (but not, strangely, to laserdiscs), cy-the lower the level and the higher the the most difficult instruments to get right. It's and it often has just the effect you saw. It's frequency, the greater the boost. The boost true that recordings vary enormously in their built into the signal itself and so has nothing to helps keep the signal level high relative to the ability to capture this elusive sound, but that do with how you connect your VCR's togeth- hiss contributed by the tape. When the signal has mostly to do with the microphones used, er. Recorders vary in how they react to the is decoded in playback, a specific amount of where they are placed relative to the instru- doctored signal, some hardly reacting, others attenuation is applied to these signals to re- ments, and what is used to make the original dishing up the inevitable Blue Screen. Some store them to their proper levels; as the signal master. If there is just one compact disc that TV's even react badly to such tapes, too. level is reduced, so is the high -frequency noise has realistic violin sound-and there certainly contributed by the tape. is-the system can handle it, and the fault lies elsewhere. Long Leads QPar the from and rear channels of my Slow -Speed Tapes surround -sound system I use four power IIMy ancient Norelco four -speed open -reel Clicks and Pops amplifiers, each bridged to mono. I have tape recorder finally gave up the ghost. Is it I have read about "click and pop ma- been considering relocating two of the amplifi- possible to buy a new deck that plays at the chines" that totally eliminated the subtle ers closer to the rear speakers, both to free up 17/8- and 15/16-ips speeds, which I used to record 0random noises typically associated with some space in the equipment stack and to much radio material in the Sixties? vinyl records, but I realize that with the growth eliminate long speaker cable runs. Would run- PETER KARMAN of CD's these devices are probably no longer ning long line -level cables to amplifiers located Rockfall, CT manufactured. Did they work as well as I have near the rear speakers improve performance or read? And if so, would it be worth trying to find would the effect be negligible? JASON TURNER AYes, but the answer might not help you. one on the used market? KEVIN PARKS Keene, NH Those very slow speeds were exceedingly Littleton, CO uncommon even when you bought your ASonically, there is no inherent reason to machine (1'/s is now the cassette standard, of AThe first demonstration I saw of the SAE prefer one approach over the other. Long course, but using a narrower tape). Today the 5000 Impulse Noise Reduction System- speaker wires tend to be less problematic only machines that will play those speeds are the best known of the small handful of than comparable runs of line -level cabling, but the 4000 family by Uher: The Uher 4400 is the click -and -pop suppressors that came to mar- in most cases either can be made to work well quarter -track version, which matches the con- ket-was quitedramatic:The salesman if you take the appropriate precautions. With figuration of your old Norelco. The problem is scratched the surface of a record with a nail, speaker wires, you want to keep the series that the 4400 accepts only 5 -inch reels, so any and when he played it the scratch had no resistance low enough that you're not wasting tape made on a 7 -inch reel, which the Norelco audible effect. But though the machine did power or increasing the amplifier's effective could accommodate, would have to be cut in work on gross surface problems (and then output impedance (decreasing its damping half to be played. only if the record didn't actually skip), it did factor) to the point that it starts interacting If chopping up your precious tapes doesn't nothing for lower -level noise. If you adjusted with the speaker's impedance and thereby appeal to you, however, there is a way to the threshold to the point where the device altering thesystem's frequency response. rerecord them at more conventional speeds could sense the tiny gritty noises that inevita- That means that the cable needs to be thicker even without a slow -speed machine, but you'll bly crept into an LP's sound, it started to chop (smaller gauge) for long runs than for short need two open -reel decks. For a 17/i-ips origi- off musical peaks. So this and other cleanup ones. Typically, you could get by with 16- or nal, play it back on the first deck at 33/4 ips and devices (such as the Burwen 1201A, which even 18 -gauge copper zip cord for runs up to dub itto the second running at 71/2. The tended to be better on small pops and worse on 15 or 20 feet, whereas beyond 50 feet or so you resulting tape should play back properly at big ones) had very limited effectiveness and should use 12 gauge. Long line -level runs can 31/4. A 15/16-ips original can be converted by needed constant adjustment, even from place be prone to hum pickup and radio -frequency doing the above operation twice, or once by to place in a single record track. They were interference (RFI), so make sure you use high - running the second machine at 15 ips if that neat toys, but never a substitute for a good quality cables with good shielding and that speed is available. These techniques may in- record -cleaning regimen. Still, they do crop you route them away from things like AC volve some degradation of the signal, but at up from time to time on the used market and power cords. Another potential problem is those low speeds the material is likely to be might be worth pursuing as long as you don't high -frequency rolloff, so make sure that the pretty low-fi to begin with. 0

24 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Most of the World's Finest Sounding Loudspeakers Cost Over $5000. Only Two Sell for Under $299 Each.. Definitive Technology's Astounding DR7s!

"Incredible" How does Definitive do it? - Peter Moncrieff, IAR Advanced technology and superb components, like cast magnesium When Peter Moncrieff of basket drivers, transmission line International Audio Review, one bass tuning, low diffraction of the world's most well respected monocoque cabinets and Linkwitz- high end audio journals, heard Riley crossovers, all help. But most Definitive Technology's DR7s, he importantly, we hear very well and had only one word for them, we care. "Incredible." Perfect for home theatre. Priced under $299 ea. (DR7 Combine either DR7 with our Tower- studio finish) and $249 award -winning Cl ultra center ea. (DR7 Bookshelf Monitor), channel and BP2 bipolar surround these extraordinary handcrafted speakers for a sonically stunning loudspeakers have breathtaking home theatre which is clearly three-dimensional imaging, superior sounding to other manu- dynamic lifelike clarity, natural facturers' systems selling for musicality, astounding bass, and thousands more. elegantly sleek designer styling which make them simply the Definitive Technology® best value in the history of hi fi. 11105 Valley Heights Drive Baltimore, MD 21117 See dealer list on page 22 (410) 363-7148 CIRCLE NC REA' TECHNICAL TALK BY JULIAN HIRSCH

because other reflections were atten- the ranks of high -end manufacturers, Audio uated as well. with a line of unusual speakers that The demonstration was brief and were first shown in an earlier form last Developments hardly conclusive, but it left no doubt year. The new Lynnfield Series con- in my mind that the adaptive digital sists of two models whose drivers and filter technique works and delivers cabinet structure share many features, THEWinter Consumer Electronics genuine benefits to the listener. Snell most notably an acoustic Amplitude Show, held in Las Vegas in early and Audio Alchemy are still in an early Modification Device (AMD) that is January, usually introduces new stage of their development program, said to greatly reduce the level of developments in many product but other companies are also actively diaphragm resonances and other nar- categories, of which audio is by pursuing the same and related meth- row -band aberrations. Their cabinets no means the largest. Despite the ods of minimizing room effects. In the are extremely rugged and handsomely heavy emphasis this year on video and meantime, foraffluentaudiophiles finished, and they sounded great. The relatedfields,includingelectronic with a technical bent, Cambridge Sig- price was given merely as "high," games, I found a number of interesting nal Technologies (whose products are which was not surprising-the kind of audio products, as well as examples of used in numerous professional sound sound I heard from them does not more fundamental developments that applications) is offering the SigTech come cheap! will affect the high-fidelity world in the TF 10D-3 Timefield Acoustic Correc- I also heard a demonstration of a coming months and years. tion System, an improved, consumer- product whose effect is unlike that of Possibly the most important of these ized version of the general-purpose any other signal processor I know of. developments is the use of digital sig- unit used in Snell's demonstration a Cogent Research's imposingly named nal processing (DSP) to correct for the year ago. SimultaneousPolyphonicIsolator aberrations introduced by the listening Two well-known companies noted (SPI) takes a standard two -channel room itself as it affects the frequency for very good, yet affordable speakers stereo program and converts it into response of the loudspeakers operat- are entering the high end of the audio four channels, which are reproduced ing within it. This technique was dem- market. Acoustic Research has intro- through four speakers across the nor- onstrated, in a crude developmental duced its Limited Series of compo- mal listening area of the room. The form, at the previous CES, last June in nents, featuring the Model 3 loud- effect is to remove dependence on Chicago, by Snell Acoustics and Au- speaker. Although its name recalls the speaker imaging for placing virtual dio Alchemy. At that time, they were muchlessexpensive, pace -setting sound sources at points between the able to dramatically reduce the color- AR -3 speaker of a few decades ago, usual pair of speakers. By adding a ation of bass sounds by room reso- and italso has a generally similar second pair of speakers identical to the nances, using one of Snell's standard driver complement, the new Limited first, with their own driving amplifiers, speaker models and a commercially Model 3 is dramatically different in and processing the program through available programmable digital filter, appearance and sound (to say nothing the SPI, you obtain a very solid, unam- the SigTech AEC -1000 from Cam- of price). It uses a 12 -inch acoustic- biguous soundstage whosespatial bridge Signal Technologies. suspension woofer and two 3 -inch properties do not change with listening Since then, Snell and Audio Alche- soft -dome midrange drivers with a sin- location. On first hearing, it sounds my (among others) have been refining gle 1 -inch soft -dome tweeter between fine, but to really appreciate it, the SPI the process, and at the January show them. The middle- and high -frequency processor should be shut off while they demonstrated the next stage in its drivers are mounted on a narrow baffle playing. The effect is not unlike that of development. This time they used a above the woofer enclosure. With an shutting off the surround speakers in a digital filter system and a new loud- optional metalgrilleinstalled,the good surround -sound system (which is speaker specifically designed to work Model 3 resembles a small electrostat- sometimes likened to turning off the together. The speakers were deliber- ic speaker, but its drivers are plainly lights in the room). It does not sound at ately placed in a room having poor visible behind the grille. all artificial and seems to be a genuine acoustics, including an audible echo in I listened to the AR Limited Model 3 improvement. The catch? Cost, in the addition to the numerous reflections in two different rooms, and I cannot form of another pair of speakers, an- that normally modify the sound at the recall ever having heard more natural other stereo amplifier, and the SPI listening position. and musical sound reproduction. It is decoder, which is available in several With the filter switched out, the clearly a speaker to reckon with, al- models in the general range of $750 to echo was plainly audible (no doubt though the $6,000 a pair (without $1,000 (a considerably simplified ver- there were many other aberrations, grilles) price tag may hold sales down a sion is available for about $300). but for me this was the most disturb- bit. AR's new Limited Series electron- Although massivepublicityhas ing). Switching the filter into the cir- ics (preamplifier, power amplifier, and been given to other, more popular cuit produced a dramatic change. The equalizer) are of comparable quality, offerings at the CES, it was those I've echo disappeared, and the reproduc- giving the company a strong entry into described, plus quite a few more, that tion became noticeably clearer and the upper end of the audio market. impressed me as signs of a still healthy more listenable-in part, presumably, Boston Acoustics has also entered and innovative audio industry.

26 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Every so often, a prcduct is introduced Cinema DSP settings for video alone. Includ- that's so good, it serves as the benchmark for ing four 70mm settings-Adventure, Spectacle, an entire industry. Yamaha's critically acclaimedMusical and General -to give movies DSP-A1000 is such a product. more spatial depth and impact in your And Yamaha's new DSP-A2070 is another. home than you probably ever imagined. Unquestionably, the most advanced digital All made possible by Yamaha's sound field processor/amplifier you'll find on new LSI technology. A major accom- the market. Due in no small part to a Yamaha plishment that creates sound fields development that makes going to the movies three times more detailed than even actually pale by comparison. our critically acclaimed DSP-A1000. CINEMAWe call it Cinema DSP. An awe- Other notable features include IDSF0 inspiring blend of technology that an on -screen display for sound field J,',V4,;"1;1.,,,,., multiplies the effects of Digital Sound Field adjustment. Seven -channel ampli- Processing and fully -digital Dolby Pro Logic: fiuition. Pre -amp outputs on all channels to The net result is a home theater com- permit additional amplification. Five audio and ponent that's a generation ahead of anything six video inputs. And split subwoofer outputs else on the market. Givin4 dialogue more to accommodate two front subwoofers. definition. Music, more dynamic range. And Yamaha's excepticnal DSP-A2070. We sound effects, more graphic detail, superior think of it as the most sophisticated audio- placement and far greater realism. video product on the market. I 'nderstandably And there's more. All told, there are 12 our competition tends A audio settings for your favorite music. Plus 11 to see it a bit differentlyYAMHit What the competition will be using for target practice thisyear

Cali 1-800-368-8883 fithe Yamaha dealer-netrest C 1993 Yainalia lect n m s G.rporatiorsJ SA..I/o11)Pro 1, kll N a regitered tradortirk a i,ihy Lis .T , V,trnalha bierti"niczsCpTpratx)n. 1SA. PliTiox fititio.13,1ena Park.0 A 911(-1:!:.? In a recent survey, 9 out of 10 employers said that they prefer the qualities of determination, good judgment and self-discipline. Qualities that the Army develops. Qualities that The best place to start a business career isn't always in business. will help you in any career, and throughout life. To find out more about how the Army can help give you an edge on a career, call 1 -800 -USA -ARMY.ARMY. BE ALLyou CAN BE. TEST REPORTS

are active, and it functions as a con- Harman Kardon AVR30 ventional stereo receiver. When it is switched out of Audio Direct (with a Audio/Video Receiver front -panel pushbutton), the Surround Mode button selects one of the receiv- JULIAN HIRSCH er's digital signal processing (DSP) HIRSCH-HOUCK LABORATORIES modes, which drive the rear speakers with different combinations of slightly delayed program signal. The surround THE Harman Kardon AVR30 is a front channels (left, center, and right) modes are identified as Pro Logic, completeaudio/videoreceiver are each rated at 50 watts from 20 to Movie, Simulated Surround, Club, that would be equally compatible 20,000 Hz with no more than 0.09 Theater, Hall, and Stadium. with a stereo music system or a percent distortion, and the rear chan- For each of these modes, which hometheaterinstallation.Al- nels at 20 watts each into 4 ohms with activate the surround amplifiers and though none of its five audio -am- less than 0.3 percent distortion. speakers, the initial delay can be set to plifier channels would be considered In the AVR30's Audio Direct mode, 15, 20, or 30 milliseconds. For all but exceptionallypowerfulby today's only the front left and right channels the Dolby Pro Logic mode, whose standards, they are conservatively rat- parameters are fixed, the Effects Lev- ed, and the receiver's total power ca- el buttons vary the level and duration pabilityis more than sufficient for Dimensions 17% nches wide, 5 inches high. of the delayed signal to produce the almost any home installation. and 1314 inches deep desired effect in rooms having a wide In stereo mode, the front left and range of acoustic properties. A Center Price right channels are rated to deliver 60 51.049 Mode button controls the center chan- watts each, into 6 -ohm loads, from 20 Manufacturer nel in the Pro Logic and Movie modes, to 20,000 Hz with no more than 0.09 Harman Kardon. Dept. SR, 8380 Balboa offering a choice of Wide (full -band- 0percent total harmonic distortion. In Blvi., Northridge, CA 91325 width center), Normal (center -chan- 2five -channel surround mode, the thee nel bass sent to the left and right

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 29

RWRRD-WINNING POW CS100 11T ITS LOWEST PRICE EVER -FREE.

That's right, Polk's Grand Prix* award winning center channel speaker is yours - FREE, at participating Polk dealers! Just purchase any pair of Polk Audio loudspeakers (S4 or larger: for your front channel andany other set of Polk home or in -wall speakers fo- the rear.We'll complete your home theatersurround sound system by giving you the award winning CS100, a $169 value. The CS100, featuring twc high definition 4.5" drivers and a dome tweeter. prov des full range performance and rich detail for all on -screen acticn and dialog.Its low profile, uniquely angled cabinet offers unmatched flexibility for Jnobtrusive placement. And since it's magnetically shielded, it won't cistort your picture. )olk's S and LS series speakers incorporate Dynamic Balance -m, the result of years of laser research In partnership with Johns Hopkins University. Dynamic Balance significantly improves sonic performance- adifference you'll hear in your 5 channel home theater system. :or the best reproduction of sur-ound sound encoded movies cnd TV programs, all five speakers should have closely matched sonic characteristics, so it makes sense to surround you -self with the exciting sound of Polk. But do it now- your Free CS100 is at you- participating Polk dealer for only a short time - April 1 through May 31, 1993. Hurry, nothing is free forever.

THE CS100 FROM THE SPEAKER SPECIALISTS OF polk The Speaker Specialist;

erts pick the winners of -he prestigious HiFi Grand Prix Awards, sponsored by

CI lo Dealer le4alion 46905

5601 Metro prima, Baltimore, MD 21215 ( 10) 358-3660, In Canada call (416) 847.8888 I tall 1-800-99!-2520

, IESI REPORTS eo input jacks are on the receiver's front panel), and two audio tape decks MEASUREMENTS (with inputs and outputs). There is AMPLIFIER SECTION Frequency response also a Simulcast button, which can be All figures are for main front channels only (tone controls centered) used to record or watch a video pro- except as noted. 20 to 20,000 Hz ±0.2 dB gram from one of the available sources 200,000 Hz - 2.2 dB while listening to or recording an audio 1,000 -Hz output at clipping program from another source, such as 70 watts 8 ohms TUNER SECTION the tuner. At the right end of the row of 4 ohms 100 watts All figures are for FM only except frequency selectors are a button for loudness Dynamic power output response. compensation and one that converts 8 ohms 85.5 watts any stereo audio program to mono. 4 ohms 132 watts Usable sensitivity (mono) 13.5 dBf When the AVR30 is connected to a 2 ohms 126 watts 50 -dB quieting sensitivity video monitor via the Monitor Out Maximum distortion (20 to 20,000 Hz into 8 mono 17 dBf jack on its rear panel, the monitor also ohms) 0.09% at 60 watts stereo 38.5 dBf provides an on -screen menu system Sensitivity (for a 1 -watt output into 8 ohms) Signal-to-noise ratio (at 65 dBf) for adjusting and verifying the status CD 18 mV mono 78 dB of most of the receiver's controls. It phono 0.31 mV stereo 71.5 dB comes with two remote controls: a A -weighted noise Distortion (THD + N at 65 dBf) system remote control (SRC) and a (referred to a 1 -watt output) mono 0.125% home theater controller (HTC). The CD - 74.7 dB stereo 0.33% (see text) SRC, which has some sixty-seven phono - 78.6 dB Capture ratio lat 65 dBf) 2.0dB clearly marked buttons, duplicates Phono-input overload AM rejection 68 dB most of the front -panel control func- (1,000 -Hz equivalent levels) Selectivity tions. It includes five keys that simpli- 20 Hz 92 mV alternate -channel 63 dB fy operation of the on -screen menu 1,000 Hz 100 mV adjacent -channel 7 dB system and has groups of buttons to 10,000 Hz 98 mV Pilot -carrier leakage control compatible Harman Kardon Phono-input impedance 50,000 ohms 19 kHz -35 dB cassette decks and CD players. The in p,o,11,1 s ith 110 pi 38 kHz -46 dB remote can also operate the rear -level Tone -control range Hum (at 120 Hz) -73 dB and master -volume controls, which I (X) Hz -±8 dB Channel separation are turned by small motors when ad- MAO H7 ±11 dB 100 Hz 45 dB justed from a remote. RIAA phono-equalization error (20 to 1,000 Hz 45 dB The HTC, with only forty-one but- 20,000 Hz) +0.8, -0.1 dB 10,000 Hz 39.5 dB tons, controls most of the receiver's Frequency response basic operating functions, though not FM 30 to 15,000 Hz ±.0.2 dB as completely as the SRC. Its source AM 20 to 2.400 Hz + 2, -3 dB selection is also slightly less complete than that of the SRC, but it has more functions related to home theater op- speakers), or Phantom (when no cen- tuning in mono, and tune up or down in eration. Harman Kardon says that the ter speaker is used). Like all Dolby Pro frequency. The display window, in HTC is preprogrammed to operate Logic systems, the AVR30 has a built- addition to presenting the receiver's most remote -controlled devices likely in random -noise test signal, for bal- audio operating status, shows the tun- to be connected to the AVR30, even ancing the levels from the various ing mode, frequency, and preset -chan- from other manufacturers. speakers, that switches successively nel number. Eight buttons store the From the rear, the AVR30 appears to the left, right, center, and surround frequencies of up to sixteen AM or FM considerablylessformidablethan channels. stations in two groups of eight (AM most comparable receivers. Although The knob -operated controls of the and FM channels can be mixed). it has a full complement of input and AVR30 include bass, treble, balance, The input source is selected by output jacks, the size of the receiver rear(surround) and centerlevel, means of two parallel rows of large prevents its rear apron from having the speaker -output selection (it can drive buttons across the bottom of the front over -packed appearance of some we either or both of two sets of main - panel. They are identically marked, have seen. In addition to the inputs channel stereo speakers, or only the with the upper row designatedLISTEN (and outputs, where applicable) for its front -panel headphone jack), and mas- TOand the lower rowREC FROM.An many signal sources, it has line -level ter volume. There is also a subwoofer- LED in each button lights to show its outputs for front, center, rear, and level knob, which adjusts a full -band- activation (green for listen and red for subwoofer channels andinsulated width line -level output on the back record). The AVR30 provides for a full spring -clip connectors for right and panelfordrivingpoweredsub - complement of signal sources, includ- left surround speakers and a center woofers. ing phono, tuner, CD, auxiliary, TV, speaker. The two pairs of left and right Large buttons across the top of the satellite,avideodiscplayer,two front speaker outputs use convention- panel select AM or FM, with signal - VCR's (inputs and outputs), a video- al insulated multiway binding posts. seeking tuning in stereo or manual cassette player (whose audio and vid- In addition to connections for the

32 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Columbia House. The face of jazz.

This is the place where the biggestnames in jazz come together. From the soaring classics of John Coltrane to the virtuoso stylings of Chick Corea, only Columbia House has the expertise and heritage to bring you face to

face with today's greatest artists- Look to Columbia House -where the jazz is. 8 CDs fort( PLUS A CHANCE TO GET ONE MORE FREE' Harry Connick Jr. looks to the past and Discover a new facet of Branford's renowned future with two current releases. New versatility in I Heard You Twice The First Orleans Jazz sizzles on a Bourbon Street LEGENDARY JAZZ CLASSICS Time. The Blues are renewed by his modern recording made at the early age of 11. Now Billie Holiday -Billies Josephine Baker (DCC Best (Verve) 447.607 Compact Clasics) touch, energy and vir- at 25, his virtuosity shines through his 420.729/390.724 f tuosity. You'll learn why unique interpretations of the standards. Sarah Vauchan-How his celebrity is so well Long Has This Been Going "FT On/ (Pablo; 418.509 deserved. The Best Of Art Blakey 8 The Jazz Messengers - Kenny Garrett -Black The Blue NcteYears (Blue Hope (Warner Bros.) Note) 416.016 445.965 Miles Davis -Birth Of The The Quintet -Jazz At Cool (Capitol) 414.425 Branford Marsalls-1 Massey Hall (Debut) Ella Fitzgerald And Louis 421.719 Armstrong -Ella 8 Louis Best Of John Coltrane Heard "ou Twice The First (Verve) 430-710 (Atlantic) 412.114 Time (Columbia)445.460 Spyro Gyre -Collection Harry Connick, Jr. -11 Harry Connick, Jr. -25 (GRP) 420.950 (Columbia) 451.435 (Columbia) 451.443 Charles Mingus-Mingus Eliane Ellas-Fantasia Dinah Washington - Ah Urn (Columbia Jazz (Blue Note) 448.019 Bobby Lyle-Pianomagic Dinah Jams (Emercy) (Atlantic Jazz) 432.286 Ramsey Lewis -Ivory Herb Alpert -Midnight Masterpieces) 354.795 Nancy Wilson -With My Pyramid (GRP) 450.213 Sun (A&M) 442413 441.709 Dave Brubeck Quartet - Lover Beside Me Jean Luc Ponty- Gary Burton -Six Pack Dizzy Gillespie -Sonny Horace Silver Quartet - Time Out (Columbia Jazz (Columbia) 429-225 Tchokola (Epic) 420.224 Song For My Father (Blue (GRP) 450.197 Side Up (Verve) 441.733 Masterpieces) 353.060 The Manhattan Transfer Note) 440.255 Harry Connick, Jr.- Blue Maceo Parker-Lite On Arturo Sandoval- Erroll Garner -Body And Light. Fed Light -Tee Offbeat Of Avenues Planet Groove (Verve) : Remember Clifford Thelonious Lionx- Soul (CI Jazz (Columoia) 429.191 (Columbia) 420.208 Solo Monk (CI Jazz 449491 (GRP) 436.105 Masterpieces) Masterpieces) 439.356 427.955 Basta -Brave New Hope The Crusaders --Healing "Malcolm X" Orig Sndtrk Spyro Gyre -Three (Epic) 428.722 The Wounds (GRP) (40 Acres'Colurribia) Wishes (GRP) 440.990 Betty Carter -'Round 419.952 449.827 Midnight (ATCO) 436.980 Mark Whldield-Patrice The Bast Of Fattburger (Warner Bros.) 428.342 The Best Of Cannonball "Five Guys Named Moe" (Manhattan) 440.842 The Best Of Count Basie Adderley Quintet -The (Roulette Jazz' 435.990 J.J. Johnson -Standards Capitol Years (Capitol) Original Cast (Columbia) Louis Jordon -Five Guys Live At The Village Van- 449.520 419.671 Named Moe (MCA) Charlie Parker- guard (Antilles) 428.235 The Manhattan Transfer 440.297 Now 's The Time (Polydor) Jimmy Smith -The Best Anthology (Rhino) 429.805 Maceo Parker -Roots Of Jimmy Smith (Blue Terence Blanchard - Revisited (Verve) 428.219 Note) 447.623/397420 Simply Stated (Columbia) Nat King Cole- Jumpin. 419.507 New York Stories - 439.661 At Capitol (Rhino) 421.982 Branford Marsalls-The Best Of Sonny Rollins Beautytul Ones Are Not Various Artists (Blue Note) Kathleen Battle 8 Chet Baker With Strings Duke Ellington -Ellington (Blue Note) 419.473 444.836 Yet Born (Columbia) Wynton Marsalls- (CI Jazz Masterpieces) At Newport (CI Jazz 428-078 Al Jarreau-Heart s Baroque Duet (Sony 427.906 Masterpieces) 354.662 Horizon (Reprise) 376.186 Class.) 439.372 Rippingtons- Curves Ellis Marsalis-Heart Of Ahead 'GRP) 426.874 The Dave Brubeck Charlie Haden Quartet Gold (Columbia)432.278 West-Hau-ted Heart Chick Corea Elektric Quartet -Jazz "est-4411wra Impressions (Cl Jazz The Cole Porter 'Verve) 450.726 Band -Beneath The Mask (GRP) 426.666 Masterpieces) 439.364 Songbook, Vol. 2 (Verve) The Best Of Blue Note George Howard -Do 430.603 (Blue Note) 433.466 Ella Fitzgerald -The Cole Ever Cross Your Mind Porter Songbook. Vol 1 Dizzy Gillespie -Live At Stanley Jordan -Stolen (Polydor) 426.692 (GRP) 438.564 Royal Festival Hall (En)al Moments (BlJe Note) 1;7 John McLaughlin-GJe 436.691 433.417 Night And Day Pat Metheny-Secret Alegna (Verve) 438-473 Compact Jazz Joe Sample -Ashes To (Polydor) 426.684 Story (Geffen) 444.422 Film And The B.B.'s (Verve) 434.456 Ashes (Warner Bros I Lee Ritenour Collection Larry Carlton -Kid Gloves S'wonderful-Various This Is A Recording Diane Schuur-1n Tribute 414.151 (GRP) 425.876 (GRP) 445.569 Artists (Verve) 447.599 (Warner Bros.) 438.192 (GRP) 436.097 Yo -Yo Ma Bobby Dr. John -Gan' Back To McFerrin --Hush. 5 New Orleans (Warner The Best Of Freddie "Jelly's Last Jam" Hubbard (Blue Notei The Gentle Side Of John Harper Brothers -You McFerrin oncinals. plus Bross 450.718 Original Cast (Mercury) Coltrane (GRP) 438.135 Can Hide InsicThe Music 419.465 447748 (Verve) Bach etc (gony Mast I 436-022 432.930 Najee-Tokyo Blue (EMI) Best Of Miles Davis (Blue Blue Vocals, Vol 2 (Blue 405.910 Note) 435.206 Abbey Lincoln -You Note) 435.917 Gotta Pay The Band Shakatak-Open Your Dave Grusin -No Borders Al Dimeola-kiss My Axe (Verve) 432).708 Eyes (Verve) 430.413 (GRP) 446.724 (Tomato) 435.453 Return To Forever - Romantic WFrrior Ahmed Jamal-Pirtsburgh Patti Austin -Live (GRP) Grover Washington, Jr. (Atlantic Jazz) 403.279 445.304 -Next Exit (Columbia) (Columbia) 265.249 435-396 Nancy Wilson -Lady With Louis Jordon -No More Louis Armstrong - A Song(Columbia) 389.692 (Verve) 445.130 Joe Henderson -Lush Rhythm Saved The World Life (Verve) 434.696 (GRP) 432.658 Lou Rawls -At Last (Blue Benny Carter -Harlem Note) 387489 Renaissance (Music - ecker Brothers- - Stan Getz/Kenny Barron Gerald Albright -Live At masters Jazz) Return Of The Brecker -People Time (Verve) Birdland West (Atlantic) George Duke -Snapshot Best Of Dexter Gordon 444.380/394.387 Brothers 'GRP) 448.191 434497194.593 430.777 (Warner Bros I 448.670 (Blue Notei 409.243 Stanley Turrentlne-More Bobby McFerrin 8 Chick Earl Klugh Trio, Vol.1 McCoy Tyner - Corea-Play (Blue Note) (Warner Bros.) 430.561 David Sanborn- Another Best Of Preservation Hall Than A Mood Remembering John (Enta) Hand (E lektra/Musician) (Musicmasters Jazz) 434.381 Jazz Band ;CBS 381.863 437.194 Joe Sample -Collection 423.103 444.059 Lionel HamptonFlying (GRP) 430.280 The Dave Grusin Ornette Coleman - Joe Wil rams -Ballad And Quincy Jones -This Is Home (MCA) 433.946 Kenny Kirkland (GRP) Blues Master 'Verve) Collection (GRP) 378.398 How I Feel About Jazz Change Of The Century 430.264 (ATCO) 436.998 The Artistry Of Stan Getz 442.970 Ray Charles 8 Betty (GRP) 444.018 (Verve)433..'06393.702 Dinah Wash)ngton Carter (DCC Compact Keith Jarrett -Silence Bela Fleck 8 The Abbey Lincoln -Abbey Joey DeFrancesco-Re- Compact Jazz (Mercury) Classics) 374.293 Sings Billie (Enia) 436.741 429.613 (GRP) 444.034 Flecktones-Ufo Tufo B0PPin (Columbia) 433.649 Najee-Just An Illusion (Warner Bros.) 445.809 T.S. Monk -Take One Bud Powell -Jazz Genius Gerry Mulligan -Re -Birth (EMI) 442.251 Hiroshima-P)ovidence Of The Cool (GRP) 442.921 (Blue Note) 444.786 (Epic) 443445 (Verve) 430.744 Any 8 CDs for1( PLUS A CHANCE TO GET ONE MORE FREE! GRP All -Star Big Band see details below (GRP) 440.503 The Best Of Stanley Wynton Marsalis Septet Turrentine (Blue Note) -Blue Interlude 419.424 (Columbia) 439.463 POPULAR HITS Dianne Reeves - John Lucien-_isten 1 Remember (Blue Note) Sade-Love Deluxe (Epic) Michael Bolton - Love (Mercury) 426.122 449.439 418.756 Timeless (The Classics) "The Bodyguard" Ono (Columbia) 445.494 Wynton Marsalis- Smart( (Arista) Intimacy Calling 448.159 Bobby Brown -Bobby (Columbia) 417.675 R.E.M.-Automatic For (MCA) 445.403 It's Not About The Melody, the latest re- Various Artists -I Like The People (Warner Bros.) lease from Betty Carter, showcases her gift 448.522 Kenny G -Breathless Jazz (Columbia)417.550 (Arista) 448.142 for giving new life to old standards. Backed Earl Klugh-Midnight In Billy Ray Cyrus -Some Gave All (Mercury) by exciting talents like Mulgrew Miller and San Juan (Warner Bros En Vogue -Funky Divas 416.776 441.451 Craig Handy, Betty (eastwest) 435.750 Yellowjackets-Greenhouse Eric Clapton-Unplugged Pearl Jam -Ten (Epic) proves she's still the (GRP) 416.198 Tony Bennett -Perfectly (Reprise Duck) 446.187 Associated) 428.433 "reigning queen Best Of Earl Klugh Frank (Columbia) 445.486 of jazz vocals?" (Blue Note) 419.655 The Divine Sarah Al Jarreau-Heaven And Shirley Horn -Here's To Take 6 -So Much 2 Say Vaughan The Columbia Earth (Reprise) 439.240 Life (Verve) 439.190 Betty Carter -It's Not (Reprise) 413.310 Years 1949-53 (Columbia) Lee Ritenour-Stolen Special EFX-Global About The Melody (Verve) 374280/394288 Moments (GRP) 406.280 Village (GRP) 436.055 447.904 George Benson -Big Boss Band (Warner Bros Stanley Jordan - Art Porter -Pocket City Holly Cole Trio -Blame It 412.478 Standards. Volume 1 (Blue (Verve Forecast)443.879 On My Youth (Blue Note) Note) 373.282 Bobby McFerrin - Lincoln Center Jazz 435.982 Medicine Music (EMI) Lee Ritenour-Portrait Orchestra --Portraits By Tom Scott -Born Again 412.064 (GRP) 363.994 Ellington (Columbia) (GRP) 440.636 449.181 Esther Phillips -The Best The Dirty Dozen Brass Of Esther Phillips Diane Schuur And The Joey Calderazzo- Band -Open Up (Epic/Associated) 410.712 Count Basie Orch. To Know One (Blue Note) (Columbia) 433.185 (GRP) 361.048 441.758 Bob James -Grand Piano Courtney Pine -Within Canyon (Warner Bros Various Artists -The Fourplay (James. Pit- The Realms Of Our 408.906 1940's -The Singers (CI enour. East 8 Mason) Dreams (Antilles) 420.463 Jazz Masterpieces) (Warner Bros.) 428.334 Beat Of Wayne Shorter 359.596 Best Of The Gerry (Blue Note) 419.515 Mulligan Quartet (Capitol Billie Holiday -From The 11 Pacific Jazz) 419.689 Original Decca Masters Ara./ weer Larry Carlton -Collection (MCA) 354.985 Kenny Garrett- African (GRP) 407.825 Exchange Student Duke Ellington Orch. (Atlantic) 413.781 Harry Connick, Jr.- We Count Basle Orch.--F rst Are In Love (Columbia) Time. The Count Meets Jimmy Scott -All The 406.645 The Duke (CL Jazz Way (Sire) 450.734 Best Of Herbie Hancock Masterpieces) 353*078 Nnenna Freelon (Blue Note) 419.408 Miles Davis -Kind Of Blue (Columbia) 443.978 It's hard to top two platinum and Grammy- David Sanborn -Upfront (Columbia Jazz The Rippingtons- Natalie Cole - (Elektra) 438.994 Masterpieces) 353.045 \ Unforgettable (Elektra) winning albums, but Bob James and Earl Klugh Weekend In Monaco (GRP) Glenn Miller Orchestra - 445.296 422279 have done it. 10 years of collaboration went into In The Digital Mood (GRP) © 1993, The Columbia House Company Cool, and it was worth 347.492 the wait. Cool is a Anthology Of Grover The advantages of jazz at Columbia !louse. Washington, Jr breeze of fresh, new By choosing any 8 CDs for only a penny (plus (Elektra) 338.632 shipping and handling), you become a member sound and instrumental Weather Report -Heavy of the Columbia House Jazz Club. Once you're perfection. Weather enrolled, you agree to buy just 6 more CDs at (Columbia) 273.557 regular Club prices (currently $12.98 to $15.98) Bob James 8 Earl Klugh David Benoit Yellowjackets-Live -Cool (Warner Bros) Letter To within the next three years. You may cancel your Evan iGRPi 450.288 Wires (GRP) 435.388 439.232 membership anytime after doing so. (A shipping and handling charge is added to each shipment.) Selections with two numbers contain 2 CDs and count as 2 -so write in both numbers. Free Music Magazine: As a member we'll keep you current with the best jazz by sending you the COLUMBIA HOUSE, 1400 N. Fruitridge Ave. Columbia House Jazz Magazine about every tour Send these 8 CDs for 1c weeks (up to 13 times a year). Inside, you'll find de- P.O. Box 1129, Terre Haute, Indiana 47811-1129 Write one number in each box. scriptions of Regular Selections plus hundreds of Please accept my membership application under the terms outlined in this alternatives to choose from. We'll also send you 6 advertisement. Send 8 Compact Discs and bill me only lc. plus shipping and Special Mailings. In a year, you'll enjoy a total of 19 handling.I agree to buy six selections, at regular Club pnces, in the next three convenient buying opportunities.

yearsand may cancel membership anytime after doing so. Buy Only What You Want: If you choose the My main musical interest is (check one): (But I may always choose from any category) Regular or Special Selection, it will automatically be sent. Or, if you prefer an alternate selection -or none Jazz Soft Rock : Classical Light Sounds Rap G Washington. Jr. Michael Bolton. V Horowitz, Neil Diamond, L L Cool J. at all -simply mail the Response Card always provid- Pat Metheny Manah Carey J P Rampal James Taylor Public Enemy ed by the date specified. You'll always have 10 days

to decide. If not, you may return the Selection at our Country R&B/Soul Easy Listening Hard Rock Dance Pop expense. Travis Tntt. Luther Vandross, Frank Sinatra. Van Halen. C&C Music Factory. Wynonna Judd Boyz II Men Ray Conniff ZZ Top En Vogue Bonus Offer: Join right now and get an additional CD at the super -low price of only $6.95. That allows Mr. you to take another CD for FREE. That's 10 CDs Mrs. Age in all. And if you're not satisfied, just return every- Pant First Name inmal Miss Last Name thing within 10 days- with no further obligation. Address Apt. New "Buy More -Pay Less" Bonus Plan: IIExtra Bonus Offer: Remain a member after fulfilling your obligation also send one more CD and take advantage of our money -saving Bonus City now. for which Iwill be billed Plan. It lets you get a single CD for as little as $3.99 only $6 95. (or a single cassette free) for each CD you buy at regular Club price. For selection, convenience and State Zip price. Columbia House is the best place for jazz. Do you have a VCR? (04) Yes 17 No A telephone (01)1-.3 Yee 17 No So get in the groove. Sign up now. Have you ever bought anything by mail in the past? (27)CI Yes CA No ..and I'm entitled to get How have you paid for your mail order puchase? Check below all that apply: this extra CD FREE! , Cash (28) , Check (30) Credit Card (29) Money Order (31) Where the jazz is. we move the tight to repel any application or cancei any membership These offers not evadable in APO. FPO, Maks Weak Puerto Rico was lor dells of alternative ofer Canadtan resaients el be seemed from Toronto Appel:able oaks tax added lo al orders 536/593 1993. The Columbia House Company BL B -F6-59 1400 North Fruitridge Ai.enucTcnc Hauer. Indiana 47811.1129 IESI REPORTS FREE supplied AM loop antenna, there are only about 2 dB at 200,000 Hz. The inputs for 300- and 75 -ohm FM anten- tone controls had a maximum range of nas, all small binding posts. Two small about ±11 dB, with the bass control jacks provide for a remote infrared having a sliding turnover frequency sensor input and an output to other from 300 Hz to below 100 Hz and the Harman Kardon components for sys- treble response curves hinging at tem remote control. There are three about 2,000 Hz. The loudness com- AC outlets, two of them switched. pensation boosted only the frequen- The performance of the AVR30's cies below 400 Hz, to a maximum of 8 tuner section was, in most respects, or 9 dB, as the master volume -control typical of today's medium -price com- setting was reduced. The phono-pre- ponent tuners. Its 2 -dB FM capture amplifier input overloaded at very safe ratio and 63 -dB alternate -channel se- levels. lectivity measurements are good, al- The frontthree power -amplifier thoughits45 -dBimagerejection channels delivered a maximum output would be considered marginal in a of about 70 watts each into 8 ohms and location near a busy airport. We were 100 watts into 4 ohms (we did not test surprised at the high level of 19- and them with their rated load of 6 ohms, 38 -kHz leakage from the multiplex de- where the performance would be be- coder into the audio. Only 35 dB below tween the limits of our 8- and 4 -ohm STEREO maximum program level, it prevented measurements). At 50 watts output, direct measurement of the tuner's to- the distortion (THD + N) was be- tal harmonic distortionplus noise tween 0.03 and 0.04 percent from 20 to (THD + N) in the stereo mode. But 20,000 Hz, and at a constant 0.1 -per- CATALOG a spectrum -analyzer measurement of cent distortion the output over that Sony The catalog you've the significant harmonics showed that range was between 60 and 66 watts. Pioneer always wished you the distortion was acceptable-about Although no useful measurements Kenwood could find-over 150 0.3 percent at most signallevels, of the amplifier's various surround Mitsubishi pages of full color photos, reaching a low of 0.12 percent only at a modes were possible, we used them complete descriptions, very high input of 95 dBf (30,000 mi- for most of our listening. The spa- Panascnic exclusive comparison crovolts). The FM frequency response ciousness added by the receiver's in- JVC charts and "no jargon" was good, but the AM tuner, like ternal delay and DSP circuits was un- NHT explanations of features almost all we have tested in recent mistakable, and quitenatural and Bose and functions. years, had a very limited bandwidth. pleasing if not done to excess When Advent 3.- Low discount prices on The receiver's audio control section the Effects level was set too high, Infinity the latest in home audio, had a very wide, flat response, down however, multiple echoes (particular - EPI car stereo, video and

AT&T home theater, telephones and computers. X-10 Blaupunkt Full service, no -pressure buying and technical Alphasonfk help. Everything covered Kicker by a 30 -day Total Pyle Satisfaction Guarantee.

Call now or send this coupon for your free Crutchfield audio/video/computer catalog 800-955-9009 U.S. and Canada, 8 am - Midnight. 7 days a week Be sure to mention Stereo Review when calling

Name

Address Apt. #

City State Zip "Hey, Turn down that bloody car stereo, we're trylr' to blast befall,"

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 33 CRUTCHFIELD L1 Crutchfield Park, Dept. SR. Charlottesville. VA 22906 TEST REPORTS ly of human voices) were clearly audi- not exhibit this effect happen to cost Overall,the HarmanKardon ble,producingamostunnatural considerably more than the entire AVR30 is a good value, capable of sound. That is a potential weakness of AVR30 receiver, this really is not a serving as the heart of a good audio/ signal processors that create an insuf- serious criticism. With the Effects lev- video entertainment system. It is easy ficient echo density and that have too el set to one of the two lowest available to use, the installation and operating long an initial delay. Since the few positions, the overall result was highly instructionsareclear,theperfor- DSP components we know of that do satisfactory with most material. mance is good, and the price is right. 0

SECOND OPINION

ONfirst encounter, the Harman and routing, although this feature is seat at the Super Bowl (if there are Kardon AVR30's most distinctive commonly found only in higher -price such things). Efforts at making music feature is the shape of its front panel, units (and is by no means a crucial one sound reasonable with it proved futile. which has two cylindrical bulges that in any event). Thankfully, there were no such together hold most of the receiver's The SRC remote was logically laid difficulties in decoding Dolby pushbutton controls. This individuality out, although it would be helpful if Surround movie soundtracks: The is refreshing in a component category there were some differentiation among AVR30's Dolby Pro Logic mode did filled with me -too industrial design. It the buttons by spacing, size, shape, or its job very well. created no significant operational side texture. That would make the remote Although the AVR30 did an effects except the feeling that one's easier to operate in a darkened room. outstanding job of movie -sound fingers could slip off the switches in The HTC, with fewer buttons, was playback, with power reserves the steeply curved upper section. only slightly easier to operate. It was adequate for all but deafening levels, I The biggest problem during setup good, however, to have direct did notice more background noise was adjustment of relative speaker numeric -keypad access to the tuner from this receiver than I'm used to levels when using the receiver's Dolby presets on both remotes. And the hearing. Even at idle-with the Pro Logic decoder. The center - remote -activated on -screen menu was volume turned all the way down and channel level is adjustable only by quite handy when using the digital with no sound -processing modes means of a knob on the AVR30's front signal processing modes, eliminating activated-the surround outputs were panel; there is no equivalent control the need to strain to read the rather noisy, with hiss and a buzz on either of the supplied remote receiver's front -panel display from a audible a foot away from the speakers. controls. This makes setting the distance. That won't be a problem if the proper relative speaker levels in a full Unlike many other AN receivers surround speakers are mounted at a five- or six -speaker Dolby Pm Logic with multiple music -oriented sound - reasonable distance from the listening home theater system just about processing modes, the AVR30 has position (especially if they are placed, impossible without an assistant either several that are suitable for enhancing as recommended, toward the ceiling), to turn the knob or to sit in your usual pop music. The Club, Theater, and but the noise may become irksome at listening position and tell you when Simulated Surround modes could be low signal levels if the surround everything is balanced. Fortunately, set to enhance the vividness of the speakers are positioned much closer to once set, the center level adjustment original sound without adding too the listening position than the front need never be altered unless you much of a sense of space, a common speakers. change your front or center speakers. fault of ambience enhancement when If you use a simpler four -speaker applied to nonclassical music. Also, AMPLIFIERnoise was also surround -sound hookup (two front, the Movie setting was suitable for somewhat greater than usual in the two rear, with a "phantom" center many types of music (more so than front channels, though not to a degree image created by the front stereo straight Dolby Pro Logic decoding), if that is likely to be significant in most speakers), the center level control has you don't mind the Pro Logic circuitry installations. Most curious are the no effect. steering much of the sound into the signal-to-noise measurements showing Aside from this logistical difficulty, center speaker. (Ideally, you'd have the phono input a few decibels quieter installation was completely identical speakers across the front than the high-level inputs and my straightforward. Some may find it when using the Movie mode with discovery that there were certain annoying that rear -panel audio -input music, and that's a good, if not always volume -control settings (between ten jacks are not color -coded. And the use practical, arrangement for soundtrack and eleven o'clock) that yielded of spring -clip connectors instead of decoding as well.) distinctly lower noise from the front binding posts for the important center These four modes were appropriate speakers than others did. Luckily, this speaker was a little surprising, to pop and classical chamber music is the volume range appropriate for particularly since the AVR30's center only at the lowest of their five possible moderately loud playback with channel is rated for the same output level settings, however. Indeed, I speakers of typical sensitivity. power as the left and right main thought that all the sound -processing Despite this somewhat puzzling speakers. The very wide array of modes were at their best when used at behavior, the AVR30 performed well inputs (nine line -level sources!) should their lowest settings. The Theater, overall, was very easy to use, and is a prove useful in a home theater system Hall, and Stadium modes were reasonably good value. The money well equipped with multiple VCR's otherwise unbearably cavernous, even you save with it can be sunk into and videodisc players. You can never echo -prone, depending on the music. additional VCR's, which the unit will have too many line -level inputs. I was And, regardless of setting, the Stadium gladly accept through its many inputs. a little disappointed to find no mode seemed useless for anything but You can never have too many VCR's! provision for S -video signal hookup simulating the acoustics of a cheap -David Ranada

34 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 IESI REPORTS

work, all mounted on a flat baffle that can beinstalled between wooden studs in the room wall (a space normally limited in width to about 14 inches). Although this sort of speaker can deliver surprisingly good sound (assum- ing it is installed in the optimum location, which is another matter), the effective volume of the space enclosed by the walls and studs is limited to less than 4 cubic feet, restricting the system's low -bass performance. Good low -bass response also requires a rigid enclosure, but a typical in -wall speaker installation is compro- mised by the less -than -ideal rigidity of the large panels of wallboard serving as one or more of the enclosure walls. In addition to flexing, which may affect thespatial distribution of the sound, the wallboard is likely to trans- mit appreciable sound to the room on the opposite side of the wall. Niles has come up with a solution to the bass limitations of in -wall installa- tionsinits NSW -100 in -wall sub - woofer system. The NSW -100 consists of an NSW -8 in -wall subwoofer, with an 8 -inch cone driver, and an NSW SA -100 power amplifier. The subwoofer's enclosure is a 45 - inch -high sealed box made of V2 -inch vinyl -clad MDF fiberboard. It is best installed between the studs of a dry wall atthetime of construction, screwed to the studs next to it. The driver is positioned near the bottom of the enclosure (for the best coupling to the room at low frequencies) and is normally covered by a white, perforat- ed -metal grille, which can be painted to match the wall. The NSW -8 is driven by a dedicated Niles NSW -100 amplffier, the SA -100. This solidly built single -channel (mono) amplifier In -Wall Subwoofer System includes an electronic crossover that rolls off the output above 100 Hz at 24 JULIAN HIRSCH dB per octave. Its specified bandwidth HIRSCH-HOUCK LABORATORIES is 20 to 100 Hz, over which it is rated to deliver 100 watts into 8 ohms with less than 0.05 percent total harmonic dis- N -WALL loudspeakers are growingin tortion (THD), or 140 watts into 4 popularity because they offer one of Dimensions ohms with 0.1 percent THD. Its signal- the most practical solutions to the NSW -8 subwoofer (with enclosure): 141/4 to-noise ratio (S/N) is rated as greater problem of bringing hi-fi music to inches wide, 45 inches high, 31/4 inches deep than 90 dB. homes in which the architectural SA -1)0 amplifier: 17 inches wide, The amplifier has a set of gold- design or furnishings are incompati- 37A nches high, 12 inches deep platedphono-jackstereoinputs ble with the installation of convention- Price marked Main In and two pairs of line - ! al full-size speakers. $899 (second subwoofer, 5330 more) level output jacks marked Full Range Most in -wall speakers consist mere- Manufacturer Out and Hi Pass Out. Sub Out/Main ly of a small woofer (6 to 8 inches in Niles Dept. SR, P.O. Box 161818, Miami, FL 33116 jacks, normally jumpered together, 0 diameter) accompanied by a dome are provided for use with an optional tweeter and a simple crossover net - Niles accessory that allows the vol-

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 35 IESI REPORIS

ume to be adjusted remotely. There woofers (each having 8 ohms imped- 20 Hz. Unfortunately, we could not are also two pairs of speaker -level ance) in parallel is said to increase the make these full -power measurements inputs,two pairs of pass -through amplifier's power rating by 40 percent into 4 ohms because the DC power- speaker -level Full Range Output con- and enhance the system's low -bass supply fuses blew after a few seconds nectors, and a pair of subwoofer out- performance, however. of full -power operation. That does not puts, for one or two subwoofers, all Minimum system impedance was reflect on the amplifier's suitability for multiway binding posts on 3/4 -inch cen- just under 7 ohms, reaching a maxi- driving a 4 -ohm speaker load-we ters. The back of the amplifier also has mum of 17.5 ohms at the bass reso- tried it with a pair of NSW -8 sub- controls to adjust gain and sensitivity, nance of 63 Hz. Frequency response woofers, whose combined impedance two DC fuses, and a pushbutton -reset (including the SA -100 amplifier) var- was 4 ohms, at high levels without power -line circuit breaker. ied within a 3 -dB range from 50 to 95 difficulty. It should also be noted that The front panel has a rocker -type Hz, with its maximum at 63 Hz. It fell the SA -100 amplifierisbeautifully power switch (normally left on at all to -6 dB at 38 and 115 Hz, with a constructed, with the sort of work- times), a level knob, and two pushbut- cutoff rate of 24 dB per octave at both manship and component quality usual- ton switches, Bypass and Phase Nor- ends of that range. Measured sepa- ly associated with "high end" audio mal/Reverse. The level knob controls rately, the amplifier's response had a components. only the subwoofer output level (one moderate low -frequency rolloff (down Although we measured the perfor- of the rear -apron controls provides a about 5 dB at 20 Hz), although it could mance of the NSW -8 subwoofer only coarse setting to match the knob's easily have been made flat, thereby as part of the NSW -100 system, we rangetotheinstallationrequire- improving deep -bass response. I pre- used it with a pair of small two-way ments). The Bypass button switches sume that it was not made flat because speakers for our listening tests. As off the subwoofer drive signal and the NSW -8's driver was not designed with any system of this type, some restores the full bandwidth to the main for the larger cone excursions that experimenting was needed to set the channels. To obtain the best low bass could result from such operation. relative levels for the subwoofer and at the listening location, the Phase Speaker sensitivity is irrelevant in main speakers, and the optimal set- switch can be used to invert the polari- this system, whose amplifier is more tings depend considerably on the pro- ty of the subwoofer signal. than powerful enough for any likely gram material and the user's listening The SA -100 amplifier is signal -con- use of it. We did measure the speaker tastes. There was no doubt, however, trolled, remaining in standby mode distortion, however, using a 90 -dB that the Niles system can do an excel- until a signal appears at its inputs, sound -pressure level (SPL) at 100 Hz lent job of restoring the low bass to which turns on power to its active as a reference. In a close-miked mea- speakers lacking in that range (which circuits and lights the Active LED on surement, the distortion was less than category includes just about all con- its front panel; the SA -100 shuts down I percent at 100 Hz and above, rising ventional in -wall speakers). The re- automatically about 2 minutes after smoothly to 3.3 percent at 60 Hz and 8 sulting bass performance, though not input signals have ceased. The Bypass percent at 50 Hz. It appeared to con- equaling that of good free-standing LED indicates that the subwoofer sig- sist largely of the second harmonic. subwoofers (which go down to 20 or 25 nal has been turned off, and the Pro- The amplifier's characteristics were Hz), should be sufficient to satisfy tect LED lights when the amplifier's measured with a resistive load. Into 8 almost anyone with a competently in- protective circuit has been activated ohms at 100 Hz, the power output at stalled in -wall system. Best of all, if by an overload or short circuit. the rated 0.05 percent distortion was the installation is done properly, none The SA -100 can be driven from the between 107 and 108 watts at frequen- of the speakers will be visible or in- main system amplifier's speaker out- cies from 30 to 120 Hz and 106 watts at trude on the room space. puts or from a preamplifier or amplifier's adjustable -level line outputs. Ei- ther the Full Range or Hi Pass outputs on the SA -100 can be used for the main speakers, depending on the installation requirements. Niles says that if small bookshelf speakers, or most full- range in -wall speakers, are used for the main system, driving them via the SA -100's Hi Pass output (limited to 100 Hz and over) can improve the sound quality, but high -quality main speakers are likely to sound better with its Full Range signal. In either case, the Niles NSW -8 subwoofer is driven with the frequency range below 100 Hz from the subwoofer output. Although all of the SA -100's inputs and outputs are marked for left and right channels, its subwoofer outputs are mono. Using two NSW -8 sub- "Tosconini on CD? I thought he died?1"

36 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 TurnYour Stereo Into An All -Out Dolby Surround Pro -Logic System.

NEW FROM CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS

Our new PL 100 Dolby Pro Logic decoder with .3 -channel amplifier, magneticaV shielded Center Ozannel speaker; The Sunvund 11 dipoleradiategsurroundspeakers. Factory-derct price, $799.

Until now, adding Dolby Surround to a $799 Dolby Pro Logic speaker with four 3" long -throw woofers and stereo system has been complex and expensive. Add -On System. a ring radiator tweeter. Because of its wide, low Add-on decoders were inadequate, costly, and profile (25" wide, 4" high, 6'/2" deep), it is ideal often required separate amplifiers. \N eve changed The center channel speaker in our $799 for placement directly on top of, of with optional all that with our affordable, high performance Dolby Pro Logic Add -On System is cur new support unit, beneath alV. The frequency range Pro Logic Add -On Systems. magnetically shielded Center Channel (see ad of the outer pair of 3" woofers is intentionally Both systems are centered around our new on following page). The rear/side speakers limited to maintain proper dispersion. I.* don't PL100-a Dolby Pro Logic decoder with three are a pair of The Surroune'll. Unlike any know of any speaker; at any price, that outper- channels of amplification (40 watts to the center other surround speaker in its price range, The forms Center Channel Plus. channel, 15 watts to the surround channels) and Surround II uses advanced dipole radiator tech- The surround speakers in this system a wireless remote. Its built-in signal generator nology. Properly mounted on the side walls of are The Surround, a dipole radiating speaker enables precise balancing of the left, center, right a listening room, their high frequency drivers with higher volume level capability than The and surround speakers. The signal delay applied direct out -of -phase sound signals towards the Surround II. \At feel The Surround is one of the to the surround channel is selectable for room front and mar of the room. The sound then very best surround speakers made, despite size. Other controls include master volume, mar reflects off the surfaces in the room, finally reach-the fact that it costs hundreds less than ing listeners from all directions, competing models. "surrounding" them with sound. So if you already own a fine stereo system, Because the drivers are out 'IV anc WR, why not create an all-out home of phase with each other, they theater with one of our Dolby Pro Logic create a null area directly in Add -Orr Systems? front of the speakers, so listeners can't pinpoint the source of the sound. The result is surround 1-800 -FOR-H I F I sound the way it was meant We Know How to be heard. lb Make Loudspeakers. $999 Dolby Pro Logic Add -On System. CAMBRIDGE Ow new PL 100 Dolly Pro Loffle d.ecoder with 3 -channel cunplifier; low profile Center Channel Plus speaker; The Surround dipole radietitig szolound speakers. Our $999 Dolby Pro Logic Factorydirect pice, $999. Add -On System combines SOUNDWORKS , St., suite 102A, Newton. MA 02158 and center level, and a Phantom mode enabling the PL100 with our new low -profile Center 1-800-367-4434 Fax: 617-332-9229 the use of the PL100 without a center speaker. Channel Plus speaker and our highly acclaim- Canada: 1-800-525-4434 Outside U.S. or Canada: 617-332-5936 Purchased separately, the factory -direct price of ed surround speaker; The Surround. Center 0 1992 Untidy SanNixta. The Surround is a traderrarkciantddipSotnitteks. Dok Ealry &round and Pro Lc* art nademadoofDAby laboalodeslicming the PL100 is $399. Channel Plus is a magnetically shielded Capaatlon. Prices aid vecicadons WO to diary; WI= nuke. CIRCLE NO. 8 ON READER SERVICE CARD IESI REPORTS

standard quarter -inch phone jack. An Marantz DD -92 DCC Recorder open/close button operates the cas- KEN C. POHLMANN sette drawer, and a timer switch can be HAMMER LABORATORIES used to automate recording or playback with an external timer. Less- often -used controls occupy a smaller THEMarantz DD -92 is the fourth whenever you make a tape; otherwise portion of the front panel. DCC deck to come our way and the necessary time and track informa- One button turns automatic start- stakes a claim to the high end tion will not be recorded.) A Sync - marker generation on or off. When this among DCC recorders yet re- Record button enables you to syn- feature is turned on, the DD -92 auto- leased. That status is certainly chronize dubbing from a compatible matically marks the beginning of each borne out by appearances: The CD player linked to the DCC deck on a recorded track, based either on track - front panel is pure Marantz, with a remote -control bus. start markers in the data stream from rich, anodized gold luster. Thick, sol- The DD -92 provides switches to se- one of the digital inputs or on a 3 - id -metal side panels and a copper -clad lect analog, optical -digital, or coaxial- second silence in the signal from the metal chassis give the deck consider- digital inputs for DCC recording and analog inputs. able heft-about 26 pounds, all told- Dolby B, Dolby C, or no noise reduc- When automatic start -marking is and stability. tion for analog -cassette playback. An- turned off, the user can manipulate The DD -92's operating controls pro- alog input levels are controlled by a start and other markers manually by vide complete mastery over its many large knob, input channel balance by a means of a cluster of five buttons. The features. Primary transport controls smaller knob nearby, and headphone Start -Marker button is used to mark are clustered in the upper right-hand volume by a third knob next to a the beginning of a track manually. The corner, including buttons for forward Renumber button checks the track and reverse play, previous track, next numbers on a tape and alters them if track, stop, pause, fast forward, and Dimensions necessary to avoid duplications or reverse. The record button places the 18 inches wide, 5 inches high, 141/4 inches deep gaps in the sequence. The Next button deck in recording -pause mode, and a writes a marker indicating the end of a record -mute button is used to insert Price tape side, which will prompt a deck blank spaces on a tape. The Record - $1.199 playing the tape to fast -wind to the Append button is used to initialize a Manufacturer start of the other side. The Reverse blank tape or to find the last recorded Marantz USA, Dept. SR, 1150 Feehanvillc Dr.. Mount Prospect, IL 60056 button causes the deck to flip sides material on a partly recorded tape. (It immediately and begin playing from is important to use the Append button the corresponding point on the other

38 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 NEW FROM CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS

Our new Center Channel and Center Channel Plus speakers are Inggnetica&shiektect so they atm.! cause video euerfetence, even when placed any nea r a 7V sawn.

Our New Center ChannelSpeakers Deliver Optimum Pro LogicPerformance At Factory -Direct Prices.

\We're pleased to announce two new four 3" long -throw woofers and a tweeter speakers designed by Henry Kloss specif- that perfectly matches the acoustics of our ically for use as center channel speakers in Ensembles and Ensemble II systems. The Dolby Surround Pro Logic systems -the frequency range of the outer pair of 3" woof- Center Channel and Center Channel Plus. accurately, with the proper volume level and ers is intentionally limited to maintain proper Our experience with Dolby Surround Pro dispersion pattern. dispersion characteristics. Because of its wide, low profile (25" Logic systems has shown that the center Center Channel by Henry Kloss. channel is very important. A significant wide, 4" high, 61/2 " deep), Center Channel Center Channel is a compact, two-way portion of movie soundtracks is directed to Plus is ideal for placement directly on top of acoustic suspension speaker with a 4" the center channel. It's very important to oz uniquely for a product of its type, beneath woofer and a :ing radiator tweeter. Because use a speaker that reproduces that material a 1V -with optional support unit, it can act of its compact size (8% " x5% "x4"), it's as a base for your1V. V* don't know of any simple to place Center Channel directly on speaker, at any price, that outperforms top of or below your1V screen, so that Center Channel Plus. The factory -direct price dialog and sound effects will seem to ema- of Center Channel Plus is $219. nate from their on -screen source. Center Channel is well shielded magnetically so that it can be placed very close to 1-800-FOR-HIFI your TV without causing video interference. We Know How Place our low-prohle Center Channel Plus above your 7V Acoustically identical to our Ensemble satel- or with optional support. use it as a base for your Ti lb Make Loudspeakers lite speakers, it's ideal for center channel use in a Pro Logic system. The factory -direct price of Center Channel is $149. CAMBRIDGE Center Channel Plus by Henry Kloss. SOUNDWORKS The Center Channel Plus is a larger 154 California St., Suite 102A, No% -ton, MA 02158 speaker recommended for achieving theater- 1-800-367-4434 Fax: 617-332-9229 I' Canada: 1-800-525-4434 lrke levels in the most sophisticated Outside U.S. or Canada: 617-332-5936 O199=RuidWalcs. @Bumbleis a regisiered oadernark of Cambridg and powerful home theater systems. It uses Prices and speciatims subject m diary withoutnaix. CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD Your first TEST REPORTS side. And the Erase button is used to MEASUREMENTS cancel any marker. Home The DD -92 can be put into monitor Record/playback measurements were made mode so that you can listen to an input through the analog inputs, playback measure- source either when the deck is stopped Theater or while it is recording. It can be set to ments at the analog outputs. Measurements listed are for the worse of the two channels. repeat the current track or an entire tape, and a Blank -Skip button auto- component Fast -wind time IC-90/DCC-90) 145 seconds matically fast -winds it to the next se- Speed error lection. The AMS (automatic music analog -0.77% scan) button sequentially plays the is just digital below measurement limit first 10 seconds of each track on a tape Wow -and -flutter (IEC peak weighted) until you choose one you want to hear. analog 0.13% Three buttons control parts of the digital below measurement limit deck's large fluorescent display. The $795. Line input for indicated 0 dB 230 mV Text button steps through a commer- Line output for indicated 0 dB 2 21 volts cially prerecorded tape's album title, track titles, artist's name, total num- DIGITAL PLAYBACK ber of tracks, and total time. The Time Frequency response button selects the elapsed time from

i) (isl It, 16 to 20.000 Hz the beginning of the tape, elapsed time Channel separation in the current track, or remaining time.

I (100 liz 100.3 dB When an analog cassette is loaded, the lu.000 103.2 dB Time button selects a tape counter. Signal-to-noise ratio The display also includes two bar \ ighIL 105.3 d13 graphs showing audio levels, from 97.9 dB - 50 to 0 dB for digital signals or - 40 Distortion N at 1,000 Hz) 0.0036% to +10 dB for analog. In addition, Linearity error (at -90 dB) +0.4 dB various labels indicate when markers are being written, the type of input DIGITAL RECORD/PLAYBACK signal, the type of noise reduction (for Frequency response analog cassettes), repeat -mode selec- +0.04, -0.14 dB. If, to 20,000 Hz tion, copy prohibition, the sampling Channel separation rate in use, and virtually anything else 1,000 Hz 97.5 dB you might want to know about the 10,000 Hz 84.7 dB deck's operating status. Signal-to-noise ratio The back panel has three pairs of A -weighted 93.0dB phono jacks providing analog line in- unweighted 90.3 dB puts and fixed- and variable -level line Distortion (THD + N at 1,000 Hz) 0.0046% outputs. Two more phono jacks serve Linearity error (at -90 dB) +0.1 dB as the coaxial digital input and output, and a pair of Toslink jacks are provid- Pioneer* Home Theater is ANALOG PLAYBACK ed for optical digital input and output. Frequency response There are also two phono jacks for an extremely involving +0.73, -1.15 dB, 32 to 18,000 Hz connection to a D -Bus remote -control experience. Starting with Channel separation system for coordinated operation with the least expensive compo- 1,000 Hz 35.0 dB other Marantz components. 10,000 Hz 32.4 dB The supplied thirty -one -button re- nent: our Glade to Home Signal-to-noise ratio mote control largely duplicates the Theater. An interactive no noise reduction (A -weighted) 57.2 dB front -panel controls but adds a few diskette that demonstrates no noise reduction (unweighted) 54.5 dB perks of its own. You'll find transport Dolby B (unweighted) 59.4 dB controls, text and recording controls, in animated detail how Dolby C (unweighted) 61.9 dB and a hugely extraneous drawer open/ to build your own Home Distortion (THD+ N at 1,000 Hz) 1.12% close button. More useful are volume Theater. To order, call us up/down buttons, a power button, and a ten -digit keypad that provides direct at 1 -800 -PIONEER. DCC track access. The DD -92 employs many of the same Philips chips that I have seen in (y) PIONEER other DCC recorders. Bitstream tech- The Art of Entertainment nology is used for both analog -to -digital (A/D) and digital -to -analog (D/A) conversion. Marantz says that the 01993 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., Long Beach, CA. Requires IBM-compatible personal computer. And for your 40 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 free Guide to Home Theater brochure, call 1 -800 -PIONEER. The Powered Subwoofer That Has TheAudio And VideoPress Jumping Out Of Their Seats.

A jet roaring in 7bp Gwi. The heavy- NEW FROM CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS Optional "slave" subwoofer. footed killer robot in Robocop. A semi For all-out home theater performance, hitting concrete after a 20 foot you can add our optional Slave Sub - fall in kminator 2. These are woofer, which is identical to our examples of the substantial, Powered Subwoofer except that it very low -frequency effects on lacks the amplifier and controls. It the soundtracks of today's uses the amplifier and controls movies. Such frequencies are built into the Powered Subwoofer. rare in music, and are beyond Amplifier output jumps from 140 the capabilities of most speak- to 200 watts when the Slave ers designed for music. Subwoofer is connected. The new Cambridge The combination of the two SoundWxks Powered Sub- speakers can reproduce a 30 Hz woofer by Henry Kloss was signal cleanly to a sound pressure created to reproduce those level of over 100 dB in a 3,000 cubic ultra -low, ultra -strong bass foot room! That's enough clean, signals with the power and deep bass for the largest home impact you would experience in movie theaters with the wry theaters, and the most demand- ing listeners. The factory -direct best sound systems. It's designed to Powered Subwoofer Slave Subwofer price of the Slave Subwoofer is $299. supplement (not replace) the subwoofer(s) of Ensemble or Ensemble II. It will also high-pass, line -level filters for the main and No compromises. No apologies. work with speakers from other companies. center amplifiers. These filters allow you to The combination of our Ensemble Remarkable bass performance. keep strong, low rencies of sound effects speaker system, Center Channel Plus out of the front 'aakkeers. These signals can speaker, The Surround rear/side s rs, The Powered Subwoofer consists of a cause distortion, even in speakers designed Powered Subwoofer and Slave Swoofer heavy duty, 12 inch long -throw acoustic for full -range music. (see photo at left) creates a home theater suspension woofer integrated with a 140 The Powered Subwoofer's bass perfor- speaker system that we believe is the best of mance is simply awesome. It reproduces its kind. accurate bass to below 30 Hz. You'll hear Although you can spend thousands soundtracks the way they were meant to be more on competing systems, we don't know heard. In fact the bass is better than most of any that outperform this $1,999 package. If you'd like more information, a free catalog Ovy Ultimate Home Theater Speaker coEzsstnilota odual-subwo er or our new booklet, "Getting The Most From vstem; low p aveonreaim Your Dolby Surround System," call our toll- speake.r:. aeafrof free number any time. ou aztraV acclaimed sumoyi speaker:, The Surrouret our FbvterdSubmvojer,. 1-800-FOR-HIFI ou Slav Subwoofer We Know How Rutory-direct price: 76 Make Loudspeakers. $1,999. watt amplifier -all in al* -pressure black laminate cabinet. Its control panel includes a theaters! At the press event when we intro- CAMBRIDGE bass level control and an 18c.B per octave, duced our Powered Subwoofer, we had four -position electronic crossover frequency startled members of the audio and video SOUNDWORKS selector (to match the subwoofer to your 154 Calitornia St., Suite 102A, Newton, MA 02156 press literally "jumping out of their seats" 1-800-367-4434 Fax: 617-332-9229 other speakers). during demonstrations of movie sound- Canada: 1-803-525-4434 Outside U.S. or Canada: 617-332-5936 Additionally, an optional electronic tracks. The factory -direct price of the Pow- O1e92 Cambric* SoundiAteles. () Ensemble is a registered Ira:Iona& of Canted* SoureNrs. Nos and sullen m change crossover* will provide 18 dB per octave, ered Subwoofer is $599. without notice. *Nana* late Pad. 1992. CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD The Critics Love Ensemble And Ensemble II. What's The Diffewnce, Anyway?

Cambridge SoundWorks changed The Same the audio world when we began Satellite Speakers. direct -marketing Ensembles by Henry When you listen to either Ensem- Kloss. Ensemble is a revolutionary ble system, almost 90% of the music dual-subwoofer/satellite speaker you hear is being reproduced by the system offering all-out performance, satellite speakers. Both Ensemble without cluttering up your room with and Ensemble II use satellite speak- huge speaker cabinets. Available only ers that are virtually identical factory -direct from Cambridge Unlike many competing systems, SoundWorks, with no expensive The real difference is in the subwooftr. Ensemble's satellites are true two- middle -men, Ensemble is priced at hun- way speaker systems, each containing a dreds less than it would have sold for in ers. We believe Ensemble H is a better high performance tweeter and a 4 -inch stores. Audio magazine says Ensemble system than the new Bose' AM -5 Series woofer. Stereo Review said, "The Ensemble "may be the best value in the world." II. And because we sell it factory -direct, satellites delivered a smoother output than it's half the price. Stereo Review said And Then There Were iWo. "Ensemble II performs so far beyond its nue acoustic Now Cambridge SoundWorks has price and size that it can be compared suspension, introduced Ensemble II, a more affordableonly with much larger speakers at sub- sealed subwoofer cavity. version of Ensemble using only one cabi- stantially higher prices." We agree with net to hold both subwoofer drivers. the writer who said, "It's hard to imagine Cavity acts as Ensemble II has joined Ensemble in the going wrong with Ensemble:' The question acoustic band-pass ranks of the country's best-selling speak - is, which Ensemble system is right foryou? filter

"Ensemble may be the best value in the world." Audio many larger and more expensive speakers." built into every cabinet for maximum Small (81/4" x5I/4" x4") and unobtru- wiring flexibility. Robust construction is sive, they'll fit into the decor of any room. used throughout, featuring solid MDF fund. We even reimburse original UPS They're available in scratch -resistant cabinets and solid metal grilles. ground shipping charges in the continental United States. gunmetal grey Nextel, or primed so you The Same can paint them any color you wish. Factory -Direct Savings. Cambridge SoundVVorks products are available oni factory -direct. By eliminat- co ing the mid le -men, we're able to sell Ensemble and Ensemble II for hundreds The only difference in satellites is that the original Ensembles use gold-plated connectors that allow use less than if they were sold in stores. of even the heaviest gauge wire. The Same 30 -Day Tbtal The Real Difference: The Satisfaction Guarantee. Ensemble satellite speakers are available primed for Ultimate Placement Flexibility painting, so they can matchyour decor exactfr Choosing a loudspeaker after a brief Of Dual Subwoofers. listen at a dealer's showroom is like decid- Placement of bass and high -frequency The Same Overall Sound. ing on a car after one quick trip around speakers in a room-and how those the block. So we make it possible to audi- In many rooms, Ensemble II sounds speakers interact with the acoustics of the tion our speakers the right way- virtually the same as Ensemble, especially room-has more influence on the overall when Ensemble's two subwoofers are sound quality of a stereo system than just placed right next to each other. The real about anything. As an alternative to difference between the two systems is spending hundreds (or thousands) of that Ensemble, with its two ultra -compact dollars on this or that "latest" amplifier subwoofers (12" x21" x4 Y2"), gives you or CD player design, you should invest ultimate placement Jlexibtliol. some of your time experimenting with The Same Attention lb Detail. various speaker positioning schemes. Ensemble's two ultra -slim (4%2") sub- Ensemble and Ensemble II are con- Stereo gstems featwirig Ensemble and Ensemble II woofers give you more placement flexibil- structed with the very best materials and speakers with goneer or Philips electronics start at only $799, including CD player. Dolby Surround ity than any speaker system we know of no -compromise workmanship. Their Sound systems start at only $999. (including Ensemble II), and is most likely subwoofers use heavy-duty woofers in to provide the performance you want true acoustic suspension enclosures. The in your own home. You get to listen for in real world...inyour room. satellites are genuine two-way systems hours without a salesman hovering near- with very high quality speaker compo- by. If within 30 days you're not happy, How lb Order. nents. Individual crossover networks are return your speaker system for a full re - The dual-subwoofer Ensemble system is available in two versions. With hand- some black -laminate subwoofers for $599. Or with black vinyl -clad subwoofers for $499. Ensemble II is priced at $399. For more information, a free 48 -page catalog, or to order... CALL 1-800-FOR-HIFI "Ensemble II performs so far beyond its price and size that it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We'll can be compared only with send you our 48 -page color catalog with much larger speakers at stereo and surround sound components substantially higher prices." and systems from Cambridge SoundWorks, Stereo Review Pioneer, Philips, Denon and others. Becase we sell factory -direct, eliminating expensive middle -men, you can save hundieds of dollars. 14t Know How lb Make Loudspeakers. CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS 19cantelieltgoksSoundWx16. Wan* 6 a reptered vadernark of 0.111A." . Ambiance and The Surround are rad:marks of CambtidgeScondVANks. AR Adsent are tradentarks Omenlaboratories. Bose Is a nglatered nadernirk abate Cotporation. Price:1M not include slapping. 'Only the comecting terrranals are different. CIRCLE NO 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD No Other Loudspeaker HSI flEPORIS Company Can Ran rthis Ad. converters used are, in fact, capable of 18 -bit resolution and that the DD -92 is Cambridge SoundWorks isa new kind of audio company, thus the first DCC deck on the market capable of taking advantage of the full with factory -direct savings, and much, muchmore... dynamic range claimed for the new format. As one might expect, the upgraded electronics inside the Marantz DD -92 ,-.. _ yielded very good measurements. Us- 1., . oc i' Et ing a digitally recorded DCC to test e' playback through the DD -92's analog s .1 outputs, we obtained uniformly superb measurements for frequency response, channel separation, signal-to- Audio Hall of Fame member Henry Kioss. Ne eliminated the expensive middle -men. noise ratio (S/N), distortion, and low- Cambridge SoundWirks products are designed by our By selling lactoiy-direct to the public, we eliminate huge levellinearity. These results are a co-founder, Henry Kloss, who created the dominant distribution expenses. Don't be fooled by our reasonable speakers of the '50s (AR). '60s (K11-1) and '70s (Advent). prices. Our products are very well designed and made. testament to the quality of DCC's PASC data -reduction algorithm and of the DD -92's D/A converters. Test recordings made through the DD -92's analog inputs and measured 4... ..-, : through its analog outputs were also

.,-.-:.- excellent. Overall, the A/D converter contributed only minor degradation to the signal. The biggest loss was,as Fie year limited parts and labor speaker warranty. usual, in S/N, and the low-level linear- NEW: The Cambridge SoundNbrks Chary Card. ity actually improved slightly. All of our speakers are backed by a five year parts and labor Qualified customers can now charge items from our catalog- wananty. In some cases, well even send you a replacement without tying up the credit lines of their other charge cards. The analog cassette measurements speaker before we've received your defective unit. Call for your application today! were pretty good, though certainly no match for their DCC counterparts. The DD -92 is not the world's very best analog cassette player, but it should do nicely until your analog cassettes are all worn out. I spent a rainy afternoon acquaint- ing myself with the DD -92's features 1111/111111 and sonic abilities. The text mode for High performance dipole radiating surround speakers. NEW: Model Eleven A transportable component system. prerecorded DCC tapesisquite The Surround ($399 pr) & The Surroundll ($249 pr) use The same high performance of the original, in a smaller handy. For example, with the deck dipole radiator technology for surround sound the way it was package. Carrying case doubles as system subwoofer. NbrIts stopped, you can step through the meant to be heard. Hundreds lets than competing speakers. on 110, 220 & 12 volts. Introductory price $699. track titles on a prerecorded tape using the track -skip buttons, stop on the one you'd like to hear, and then hit the play button. The deck finds the selected litilltlit track and plays it. Very nice. It's unfortunate that DCC decks do not let you record text information to a blank tape. Philips has enforced this restriction to give added value to pre- Ambiance ultra -compact speaker system. Ambiance In -Wall high performance speaker system. recorded DCC tapes, but the MiniDisc V* think Ambiance is the best "mini" speaker available. I* don't know of any other in -wall speakers that match its format lets you record your own text, regardless of price. Bacs and high -frequency dispersion are performance, value and ease of installation. Includes acoustic unmatched in its cateipry. $175-$200 each. suspension cabinet. gold plated speaker terminals. $329 pr. and it's very convenient to be able to mark your recordings in this way, par- Cal11-800-FOR-I-IIFI for a free 64 -page catalog withcomponents and systems ticularly if you've recorded a compila- from Cambridge Sounftrics, Pioneer, Philips, Sony, tion of varied material. I hope Philips Denon and others. rethinks this limitation. vit Know How 76 Make Loudspeakers. Also unlike MD recorders, but like other DCC decks, the DD -92 permits recording and playback at all three CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS standard sampling frequencies -32, 154 California St., Suite 102A, Newton, MA 02158 44.1, and 48 kHz-with corresponding 1-800-367-4434 Fax: 617-332-9229 Canada: 1-800-525-4434 Outside U.S. or Canada: 617-332-5936 upper frequencylimitsof14,500, © CarbidgrSanftrks. 20,000, and 22,000 Hz, respectively.

CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

The ability to record at sampling fre- could detect little or no difference quencies other than 44.1 kHz may between CD's and digitally copied become invaluable in the future, since DCC's. When a subtle difference was future DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast- detectable, I registered it as simply a ing) formats may employ any or all of difference, not a preference. In other the three. And the capability is already words, one was not inferior to the a convenience for anyone who has 48 - other. If the analog inputs are used, kHz DAT recordings. the recording quality also hinges on The DD -92, like DCC in general, the performance of the source's D/A does suffer one weakness compared converters and the deck's A/D con- with CD and MD: Tape is inherently verters. The high -quality converters in slower than disc. Whereas CD and this Marantz duo produced little or no MD players can cue up a track almost audible degradation. as fast as you can push the button, the In my opinion, for most listeners a DD -92 must wind through the tape to digitally copied DCC tape will sound find it. If the tape was properly record- as good as the original CD. And, as ed with time and track information, with other consumer digital recorders, FREE the DD -92 can find the shortest dis- the DD -92incorporates theSerial tance to the desired selection (flipping Copy Management System (SCMS), sides immediately, for example), but it which permits unlimited direct digital Audio Catalog can still be a relatively long wait. Phil- copying from a digital original but pre- Our 64 -page catalog is loaded with components ips has indicated that higher -speed vents the resulting copies from being and music systems from Cambridge SounchAbdts, transports are possible and may be- digitally copied on an SCMS-equipped Pioneer, Denon, Sony and others. come available in the future. deck. Thus, multigenerational digital Bera ice you buy Ertory-direct, with no expen- On a more positive note, the DD -92 dubbing is prohibited. SCMS has no sive middle -men, you can save hundreds of showed no signs of any tendency to effect on copying via the analog in- dollars. For example, a Dolby Surround system head clogging.I ran an analog tape puts, however. with Ensemble II speakers, rear speakers, Philips through the machine for 48 hours With products such as the DD -92, Dolby Surround receiver, CD player and system straight and encountered no problems the DCC format has already reached a remote is less than $1,000. Call today and find out afterward with analog or digital play- high level of refinement, a level that is back (or recording). whyAuctio magazine said we "may have the best both startling for first -generation tech- value in the world." Appropriately,I used a Marantz nology and necessary in today's com- CD -I I mk11 CD player as my reference petitive market. The DD -92 provides Call toil -fire for factory -direct savings. to evaluate the DD -92's sonic perfor- analog and digital compatibility, solid Save hundreds on components and systems mance. They make quite a rich -look- construction,distinctivestyling,a from Cambridge SounMorks, Pioneer, ing pair stacked together; even better, wide range of useful features, excel- Phi ips, Denon, Sony and more. they both deliver excellent sound lent technical performance, and re- Audio experts will answer your questions quality. In listening comparisons using markable sound. In short, the DD -92 is before and after you buy. 8AM-midnight, a very high -end sound system-in- the best DCC deck yet introduced and 365 days a year -even holidays. cluding a Conrad -Johnson Motif pre- thus sets the reference standard. You 30 Day ibtal satisfaction Guarantee on all amplifier and power amplifier and can't launch a new audio format with Cambridge SoundWorks products. KEF Model 107loudspeakers-I products much better than this one. 0 The Model Eleven A - Transportable Component System

444111se

'f*y. 1-800-FOR-HIFI 14t' Know How 76 Make Loudspeakers. :#0147--!' CAMBRIDGE 111 I SOUNDWORKS 154 California St. Suite 102A, Newton, MA 02156 1-800-367-4434 Pak 617-332-9229 "Sorry to disappoint you, but up here Canada: 1-803-525-4434 Outside U.S. or Canada: 617-332-5936 everybody's hearing range is set at 1,800 to 2,150 Hz." 0 1992 Cambridge Scut:MIAs.

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 45

CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD LEST IIEPORIS

the rear of the cabinet. Each speaker weighs 5'/4 pounds. According to the manufacturer, the Solid Monitor's vented bass enclosure has a fourth -order alignment. The system's rated frequency response is 75 to 20,000 Hz ±3 dB, the sensitivity 90 dB sound -pressure level (SPL) with an input of 2.83 volts. It has a nominal 8 - ohm impedance and is recommended for use with amplifiers rated at up to 150 watts output. The system is pro- tected against damage from overload by a fast -acting switch, and it is magnetically shielded to allow placement close to a video monitor or TV. The Solid Twin Bass Subwoofer was designed as a companion to the Solid Monitor, extending its lower limit (at the -3 -dB point) to 45 Hz. It contains 120 -Hz crossover filters with 12 -dB -per -octave slopes on the outputs to the satellites and subwoofer. The subwoofer's enclosure is made of wood, with separate sections for each of its two drivers, which are specified as 61/4 -inch but actually measure about 5 inches in effective cone diameter. It is fitted with molded half -round plastic end sections, each having a ducted Rock Solid Sounds port with a flared opening. The Twin Bass Subwoofer, unlike the Monitor, is made in England. It Solid Monitor Loudspeakers weighs 23 pounds and has four 33/4 - inch feet on the surface carrying the With Twin Bass Subwoofer woofers and connectors, enabling it to JULIAN HIRSCH be installed in any of several positions. HIRSCH-HOUCK LABORATORIES It can be placed on the floor (under- neath a piece of furniture, if desired) with the driver cones at the bottom IHEunusual loudspeakers sold un- The main driver is a 4 -inch plastic - and the ports facing in any direction. der the Rock Solid Sounds name cone woofer, with the enclosure port Alternatively, it can stand on one side were designed in England by below it. Above the woofer is a dome with the cones facing the wall and the B&W Loudspeakers, well known tweeter about 3/4 inch in diameter. The feet holding it away from the wall. In foritshigh -quality (and often input terminals are multiway binding this position, which we used, the ports high-priced)speakersystems. posts on 3/4 -inch centers, recessed into face upward. Another possibility is The Rock Solid Solid Monitors, actu- suspension from the ceiling, with the ally manufactured in Japan, feature drivers facing upward. construction and styling as unusual as Dimensions The subwoofer has separate spring - Monitor: 61/2 inches wide. 101/2 inches high their name itself. (including stand). 6 inches deep clip connectors, which also accept The Solid Monitor is a small, dis- Su)woofer: 231/2 inches wide, 173/4 inches dual banana plugs, for the inputs and tinctively shaped speaker with an inte- high, 71/4 inches deep outputs of each channel. The amplifier gral cast -metal tripod, connected to Finish outputs go to the input terminals, and the molded -plastic cabinet by a ball Monitor: black, white, two-tone gray, the outputs connect to the Solid Moni- joint, that offers considerable flexibili- black/purple tors. As with most other subwoofers, ty in installation. The speakers can be Subwoofer: black or white its placement relative to the satellites oriented horizontally or vertically, or Price is not critical. Specifications include a Monitor: $299 a pair sensitivity of 91 dB SPL, a nominal 4 - at any intermediate angle, and sup- Subwoofer: $350 ported by a horizontal surface or fas- ohm impedance, and a power -han- Manufacturer dling capacity of 150 watts. Like the tened to a wall or ceiling. For commer- Rock Solid Sounds, B&W Loudspeakers cial installations, a special mounting of America, Dept. SR, P.O. Box Solid Monitors, the subwoofer is pro- bracket can support an array of four 1470, Buffalo, NY 14240-1470 tected against overload. 0_ speakers. We placed the Solid Monitors on 27-2

46 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 WHEN YOUR FACE COMES OFF, PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU'VE GOT BRAINS.

Few things in life will make as big an impact as pulling off your face. Remove the detachable face of your Pioneer Car Stereo, for instance, and you've rendered it worthless to would-be thieves. Because when ycu take off your stereo's pocket-size face, you've take-i all its brains, leaving nothing of use to anyone else. Call us atI -800 -PIONEER, ext. 971, and we'll tell you more about Detachable Face Security"' (we know a lot, because we invented it). Pioneeroffers the widest selecion of CD and cassette models, so you can get your hands on a face0)PIONEER The Art of Entertainment with the features you want. And all of them show you've got your head on straight.

1993 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.. Long Beach. CA TEST REPORTS

inch stands, about 8 feet apart and 2 tors was even better than rated, mea- feet from the wall behind them. The suring 92.5 dB SPL atI meter with a Twin Bass Subwoofer was placed up- 2.83 -volt input of random noise. The Acoivs.r.cs right against that wall, near the left impedance, however, was much lower speaker. We listened to and measured than the rated 8 ohms, falling to 3 ohms the response of the satellites both with or less in the midrange. When they Room Designed and without the subwoofer. were used with the subwoofer, the The room response of the Rock Sol- system impedance was even lower, Loudspeakers id Monitors was smooth above 400 Hz measuring only 2.3 ohms at 98 Hz. (an unavoidable floor reflection creat- The high -frequency dispersion of ed a 5 -dB bump in the octave from 200 the Solid Monitor's tweeter was excel- From the RDL Catalog: to 400 Hz). The average level above lent, dropping off only about 3 dB up 3,000 Hz was about 2.5 dB below the to 10,000 Hz at 45 degrees off -axis and "Roy Allison's published research reaching -7 dB at 20,000 Hz. The showed that a listening room has woofer's distortion, measured with a a profoundly audible effect on the 2.12 -volt input (equivalent to a 90 -dB performance of any loudspeaker. Lew beard SPL), was between 0.4 and 1 percent This room effect is dependent on from 120 to 2,000 Hz, rising to 3 per- the location of the speaker with alone, Hie Solid cent at 80 Hz and 6.5 percent at 70 Hz. respect to nearby room surfaces. The Twin Bass Subwoofer's distortion Changes in power output of 10 dB at the same level was just underI (a factor of 10 times) can be Monitors always percent at 100 Hz, rising smoothly to expected in the middle bass range between 5 and 6 percent at 45 Hz and as the speaker is moved a few feet sounded balanced less than 10 percent at 30 Hz. one way or another. These large Thesubwoofer'sconesreached variations are unavoidable, but they their excursion limits with audible are predictable. That is to say, if it and inusical, rasping sounds at a 100 -Hz input of is known in general how a about 330 watts. The Solid Monitor's loudspeaker will be placed in a wNb no obvious woofer and tweeter, although their room, a speaker can be designed waveforms showed some signs of dis- to deliver its best performance in lack of bass. tortion, were not damaged by one- that location." cycle inputs of 1,600 watts at 1,000 Hz or 1,050 watts at 10,000 Hz. RDL Acoustics has developed a When listening to the Rock Solid series of loudspeakers based on reading at lower frequencies, but the system, we were never able to think of that research. One of them will overall response of ± 3 dB from 350 to the satellites as minispeakers. Even yield the best possible performance 20,000 Hz was very good. Output fell heard alone, the Solid Monitors al- where you want to put your off slightly below 200 Hz but still var- ways sounded balanced and musical, speakers. ied only ± 3 dB from 100 to 20,000 Hz with no obvious lack of bass. They (ignoring the floor reflection) and was produced a very good stereo image, down 7 or 8 dB at the rated 75 -Hz and it was easy to forget their diminu- Enjoy the risk free lower limit. A quasi-anechoic ground- tive proportions. plane MLS frequency -response mea- Adding the subwoofer made no dra- benefits of factory- surement showed a variation of 3 dB matic change in sound quality. Pro- direct sales. overall from 300 to 5,000 Hz, falling off grams with significant output from 50 about 6 dB at 20,000 Hz. to 100 Hz sounded fuller, but much of The subwoofer's response, mea- the time there were no obvious audi- sured separately from the satellites, tory clues to the subwoofer's presence Call 1-800-227-0390 varied over a ± 2 -dB range from 37 to in the system. When there was sub- for your free catalog. 150 Hz, falling off at 12 dB per octave stantial energyinthe subwoofer's below and 6 dB per octave above those range, however, itrarely gave any frequencies. Creating a composite fre- clues to its location, despite its rela- quency response from three sources tively high crossover frequency. involved even more uncertainty than With this Rock Solid duo, B&W has is usually the case with two sources. demonstrated that it can do as out- Nevertheless, our experience with the standing a job in the lower price brack- Exclusive speakers made it clear that the Solid ets as it does with high -end speakers. Designs by Monitors alone had a useful response Although there are a number of more Roy Allison down to between 80 and 100 Hz, and conventionalspeakerscostingno with the subwoofer added the whole more than $650 a pair that sound just system's useful lower limit was 40 to fine, very few of them offer the instal- 45 Hz, essentially as claimed. lation flexibility of these novel and RDL Acoustics 26 Pearl Street, #15; Bellingham, MA 02019 The sensitivity of the Solid Mon i- interesting products. 0 Tel: 508 966 2200; Fax: 508 966 3645 48 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 CAL1000 ialACININKII IN THE FRIC614T DIRECTION Avvc-sorrse. !Bound ora A Bugicuct Are High-Erscl Cadall.cs. Worth This anCiriery?

t used to be simple. You had a car. It came with a radio. evaluations. Reviews of the hottest, state-of-the-art equip- You listened. Period. ment. A do-it-yourself course on installatico And there's a Now you've got options. So many options, its easy bonus: the most complete, up-to-date buyer's guide available to get blown away just trying to find components that anywhere in the world. ogether-and fit your budget too. So, if you're ready to treat your ears to great sound at a So what do you do when it's time to upgrade your price that's right for you. check out CAR STEREO REVIEW. stereo? ACT NOW AND SAVE OVER 50% Tune in to CAR STEREO REVIEW! To get home delivery of CAR STEREJ REVIEW, simply detach ether you like your sounds big and boomy or tight and and mail the attached card. II controlled whether you own a Ferrari or a Hyundai, You'll get a one-year subscription (6 issues in all-includ- R STEREO REVIEW lets you drive away with a system ing the annual buyer's guide) for just $8.97. That's a full 55% t's custom built for the way you like to listen. off the annual newsstand cost, And if CAR STEREO REVIEW You'll get head -to -head comparisons of CDs, players and doesn't knock you on your ea every time, we'll send you a full ngers, cassette decks, iuners, amplifiers, crossovers, refund for all unmailed issues. That's a promise! akers, equalizers, security systems, cellular phones, and So don't delay. Make tracks for the best possible audio sys- re. in every price range. tem at the best possible price by entering your subscription Plus, every issue byngs you complete test reports. User's to CAR STEREO REVIEW. Do it today! I

The right speaker for the critical center channel

NOT too long ago, the centerpiece of most hi-fi boutiques was the high -end display room-the one equipped with top -price, esoteric components. Today, however, you're more likely to find a home theater room fully tricked out with the latest in surround -sound and big -screen goodies. At the root of this trend are more and more moderately priced receivers and integrated amplifiers designed with home theater in mind. Most have not only on -board surround processors but also built-in multichannel power to drive a surround system's four or five principal loudspeakers. It's entirely possible today to assemble a respectable home theater sound system for close to $1,000. And even in that price range, chances are pretty good that the receiver will incorporate the premium Dolby Pro Logic surround processing system rather than simple, basic Dolby Surround decoding. Along with improved separation of main -channel and surround signals, one of Pro Logic's primary advantages is its ability to extract a discrete front -center channel instead of relying on a "phantom" center image created by a conventional stereo pair. When reproduced by a dedicated center speaker placed precisely between the "main" stereo left and right duo (usually directly on top of the TV set or video monitor), Pro Logic's center channel improves clarity and imaging. In fact, the center channel is far from the add-on or "accessory" many seem to think. For movie sound

. the center channel is .. well, central. al In a good commercial theater equipped with the cinema -standard Dolby Stereo sound system, the preponderance of film sound comes from large, t1 powerfully amplified, wide -range loudspeakers located directly behind the acoustically transparent projection surface. Thus, the center -channel2 BY DANIEL KUMIN Is L 11h1. I I I E.' dld ( AMIIRID1.1 N I MAIM h q I I sound emanates from a precisely cen- sold as singletons, that are specifically mode, which redirects low frequen- tered, on -screen source. designed for center -channel duties. cies in the center channel to the left This "on-screen-ness" is crucial to and right front speakers, or a sub - moviemakers because, naturally, they Most of these center speakers are low woofer, the center speaker should want all dialogue (with rare off-stage and wide, the better to perch on top of work well down toward 100 Hz. exceptions) to originate from the ac- a typical 20- to 35 -inch TV set. Below - Don't skimp on power. The center tors' mouths, which normally are on screen placement is also possible in channel is at least as important as its the screen, not off to one side or the some cases, but it's usually less practi- front left and right brethren: In most other. A phantom center channel cre- cal. Rear -projection sets also usually systems it should be assigned equal ated by a pair of separated speakers, lend themselves to on -top placement, power. AN receivers with unaccepta- as in normal stereo and basic Dolby but two-piece, front -projection sys- bly low (or no) center -channel power Surround playback, works fine as long tems can require a little ingenuity. should be supplemented with an out- as you sit dead center. As you move Mounting a horizontal center speaker board power amp. You can even use off -axis to one side or the other, how- directly below the screen's bottom the other channel of a stereo power ever, the central sound image will edge on a low stand or even right on amp to drive both surround speakers seem to move toward the speaker the front wall of the room is usually the in parallel, as the surround channel in nearer to you-not such a big deal best solution. Or if you use Uni- Dolby Surround is monaural. when you're listening to music with- Screen's new AS 1000 acoustically Do audition center speakers much out pictures, but disconcerting when transparent screen, you can actually as you would a stereo pair (though there is a picture of what is supposed to mount the center speaker behind it. singly). Listen in mono, particularly to be the sound source several feet away As in selecting any other loudspeak- voices-speaking voice if possible (re- from where the sound actually seems er, choosing and using a center speak- cordings of poetry or children's stories to originate. A dedicated center -chan- er is at least to some extent a matter of are great for this). Cock an ear for nel speaker also improves clarity and taste. But there are some do's and open, unrestricted tonal balance with dialogue intelligibility even for a cen- don't's peculiar to the breed that are both male and female voices, speaking trally seated listener/viewer. worth considering: and singing; they should be free of But dialogue is far from all that Do use a single, discrete center honky tones or "chestiness." Listen moviemakers assignto the center loudspeaker if your surround proces- to music, too, for even bass and rea- channel: Much of the music and many sor, A/V receiver, or amplifier offers sonable extension-the lowest notes sound effects originate there as well. Dolby Pro Logic. A real center speak - on a bass guitar can be down a bit, but almost everything else should sound solid, defined, and evenly powerful. Don't listen only directly on -axis. Move to one side, so that your position The center channel is not just for dialogue: is about 30 degrees off -center. (That is about as far off -axis as the audience is Much of a movie's music and likely to be in a typical living -room home theater.)Voices shouldnot change very much in tonal quality. A many sound effects originate there, too. good audition trickisto listen to broadband noise such as interstation FM hiss and move from the center to the side. The top treble hiss will dull Indeed, over the course of a typical er will give improved localization and slightly, but the midrange roar should movie the center channel will deliver intelligibility, and, suitably powered, remain largely unaltered; if it changes perhaps two-thirds of the total acous- it will substantially increase your sys- dramatically, the speaker's off -axis re- tic energy. Thus, in a carefully assem- tem's overall dynamic range. sponse is less than ideally even. bled home theater system the center - Don't use the small stereo speakers Do listen at substantial levels. If channel speaker and amplifier should built into many TV's as "dual" center your home theater is to match movie - be anything but afterthoughts. They speakers. Because they are so close theater loudness, the center -channel should be integral parts of the system, together, acoustical interference be- speaker must keep pace by delivering preferably with the center speaker de- tween their outputs will degrade clar- clean sound at outputs approaching signed and balanced to complement ity and on -center localization, and the and even exceeding a 100 -dB sound - the left and right front speaker pair. speakers themselves and their associ- pressure level (SPL). Audition center ated amps are usually mediocre. speakers with a good, powerful amp, The ideal is to use three identical, full - Do think of the center speaker as a and play voices and music significant- range speakers for the front left -cen- third full -range, high-fidelity transduc- ly louder than a natural speaking ter -righttrio.Practically speaking, er. Speaking voices can dip signifi- voice, as this is how dialogue is repro- however, many of us already own cantly into the bass region-think of duced in theaters. Make sure there's good stereo loudspeakers that we are James Earl Jones-and the center - no breakup on voices at high levels. (If quite reasonably a bit reluctant to channel signals in modern movies rou- there is, make sure the amp isn't clip- junk. The obvious alternative is to add tinely include a large proportion of ping before you blame the speaker.) a single center speaker that is as well wide -band music and sound effects. If Do include some Pro Logic -mode matched as possible to the sonic char- you use Pro Logic's Wide mode, the movie listening. Ask to audition a cen- acter of the existing front stereo pair. center speaker should ideally respond ter -speaker candidate set up with left Happily, there are now plenty of as far down in the bass as the other two and right speakers similar to your speakers on the market, packaged and front speakers; if you use Normal own-identical, or at least the same

52 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 make, wherever possible. Repeatedly play several short scenes (laserdiscs make this easy to do) with voices. music, and centered effects; include at least one with a full left -center -right USER'S EVAIUAIION pan, in which the sound moves all the way across the screen (the plane take- offs in Top Gun are classic examples). Listen for smooth panning: Ideally, Six Center -Channel Loudspeakers you won't be able to tell where speaker -to -speaker transitions occur. IHERE are dozens of center - speakers, which were capable of Don't get distracted by the picture. channel speakers on the reproducing strong deep bass. (None The moving image is so compelling market, covering a wide of the center speakers being that it makes it tough to concentrate on range of prices and styles. We evaluated was designed to operate the sound, however hard you try. chose six representatives of much below 100 Hz.) I deliberately Close your eyes, or, better yet, turn used several seating positions-on- off the TV and really listen. (Turning the relatively long, low - off the surround speakers removes an profile genre for informal center, moderately off -center, and additional distraction.) evaluation, to give you a feel extremely off-center-to simulate Do put the center -channel speaker for what's available, but we what might be encountered in a in the center. On top of the TV is best have not attempted anything packed living room on a typical in most setups. The idea is to get the approaching an exhaustive Saturday night. I also pursued much speaker as close to the screen as possi- survey. So make no assumptions of my listening with the TV off to ble. While you're at it, move the cen- based on the absence of any avoid visual distraction. ter speaker forward, toward the audi- particular model from this group. Sources included music and ence, until its front surface (baffle) is flush with the screen surface or even I listened to each speaker both by spoken -word CD's as well as a DAT slightly forward of it. That will reduce itself and in a home theater setup- recording of familiar voices of family reflections from the screen and the top much as you might in a store and friends that I made for the of the cabinet that may affect clarity. audition. My temporary (I wish it occasion-a valuable reference in Don't put an unshielded speaker on were otherwise!) home theater evaluating voice reproduction. Pink - top of or very close to a direct -view included two 100 -watt -per -channel noise signals were also useful for TV. Most speakers produce strong NAD Model 2400THX stereo power certain tests. I also played several magnetic fields that can induce color amplifiers, with one of the four Dolby Surround -encoded movie distortion (usually a purpling effect) when they are placed less than a foot channels powering the center speaker soundtracks from laserdiscs using or two from a picture tube. All speak- in every case, fed by a Harman Pioneer's excellent CLD-95 Elite - ers designed for center -channel opera- Kardon AVP-1 surround preamplifier series combi-player. I used three tion include magnetic shielding to pre- in Dolby Pro Logic mode. The scenes in particular repeatedly: one vent such distortion. surround speakers were Rock Solid from the newly reworked Apocalypse Do balance the center channel prop- Sounds Solid Monitors (for clarity's Now soundtrack. one from Indiana erly. All Dolby Pro Logic receivers, sake, however, I did much of Jones and the Last Crusade, and one amps, and processors include a setup my listening with the surrounds off). from Die Hard. mode that sends broadband noise to For best system performance, the each channel in turn. Listen carefully Left and right front speakers were and adjust the levels so that the three Snell Type B -minors: large, full - tonal balance of the center speaker front speakers sound equally loud at a range, high -accuracy dynamic should be closely matched to that of more -than -solid listening level. speakers. My 31 -inch video monitor, the left and right front speakers, so Don't be afraid to fine-tune levels set on a very low base, raised the I've tried to predict (guess, really) under realmovie listeningcondi- center speakers 36 inches off the how each of the six models might tions-the center channel frequently floor; the listening position was 10 complement common types of stereo ends up sounding a bit weak, and it will feet from the screen. speakers. While there were clear vary from film to film. Dialogue should I auditioned all six center speakers differences among the six when be clearly audible in all scenes without overpowering music or effects. in the same way: on their own, full - auditioned alone, all were able to range, with monaural program deliver solid, intelligible center - Finally, do do your bit to make sonic material, and in the complete system channel movie sound-their primary excellence a routine element of the with Dolby Surround programs responsibility. That goes to prove home AN experience. Insist on good decoded using standard (four - that a true center channel is a vital audio as well as video when you buy or channel) Dolby Pro Logic and with element of modern home theater and rent. Home theater is the first true the surround channel turned off. that almost any decent center revolutioninhome entertainment In both cases, the Pro Logic speaker-even one chosen under since the CD. And, just as with compact discs, we won't get our full mon- processor was set to the Normal tough size or budget limitations-is ey's worth until we pressure the soft- mode, which distributes all center - a valuable system addition. ware producers to catch up and fully channel bass below about 150 Hz Individual evaluations begin on the exploit the latest technologies. to the left and right front next page. should blend well with any but unusually dull -sounding main front speakers. Free of sibilance and chestiness, it's eminent- ly suited to the task of center -channel reproduction in even ambitious home theater systems-a good value, too.

CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS CENTER CHANNEL PLUS

CAMBRIDGESoundWorks,which sellsitsHenry Kloss-designed products factory -direct via mail or phone order only, has come up with a uniquely low and wide cen- BOSTONACOUSTICS ter -channel speaker. The Center Dimensions: 171/4 inches wide, 57/8 inches 8 ohms; maximum recommended input Channel Plus achievesits eye - high, 6 inches deep power, 100 watts pleasing profile, just 4 inches tall, by Driver complement: 51/4 -inch copolymer Price: $249 using four small woofers in place of the woofer, 51/4 -inch copolymer passive Manufacturer: Boston Acoustics, Dept. customary two. The enclosure is painted radiator, 3/4 -inch soft -dome tweeter SR, 70 Broadway, Lynnfield, MA01940 matte black, with a black cloth grille. An Specifications: bandwidth, 100 to 20,000 unusual crossover design is said to ex- Hz; sensitivity, 90 dB SPL; impedance, ploit all four woofers only at the lowest frequencies in order to minimize "lob- ing" of the radiation pattern in the midrange and the off -axis response irregular- ities that would result. BOSTON exemplary in almost every respect. Ton- The Center Channel Plus's very low al balance was natural, open, and de- profilealsofacilitatesunder -monitor ACOUSTICS 525V tailed, with highly articulated top oc- placement in many cases. For such set- taves; it matched my left/right pair very ups, Cambridge SoundWorks offers an BOSTONAcoustics' top center -chan- well, though with a touch less precision accessory base for the speaker that will nel model is in the conventional in the highest -treble sounds. The mid- support the rear feet of a monitor (up to horizontal mold, but instead of the range was open and transparent, per- about 32 inches in screen size) for $25. usual dual woofers it has a single haps even a touch prominent in its upper I auditioned the Center Channel Plus woofer and a similarly sized pas- reaches-not necessarily bad for a cen- primarily on top of my monitor, where it siveradiator flanking asmall, ter -channel speaker. The bottom end (to yielded good intelligibility and lifelike wide -dispersiondometweeter. about 100 Hz) was solid and defined, vocal tones. (I also tried under -monitor (The tweeter is the same one used in the without the artificial upper -middle bass placement, which worked well, too- company's HD5 minispeaker, and the hump that many small speakers use to perhaps even better.) The Center Chan- woofers are very similar except that the give the impression of better bass re- nel Plus did not have the solidity in the HD5 is an acoustic -suspension system.) sponse than they really have. lowest reaches of deep male voices that The idea is to prevent the off -axis re- The 525v handled high input power some of the other center speakers of- sponseirregularitiesthat can occur very well, producing no untoward noises fered, but in normal Pro Logic use this when the outputs of two or more drivers with midrange inputs of 100 watts or was virtually unnoticeable, as the flank- covering the same frequency range inter- more.Intense low frequencies(ap- ing left and right speakers picked up fere with each other. Boston Acoustics proaching 200 watts peak) did cause most of the slack. Similarly, the top end also says that the Model 525v was de- audible woofer distress, so using a sub - was somewhat less sparkling than that of signed and balanced in position on top of woofer or Dolby Pro Logic's Normal some of the others, but this characteris- a large -screen direct -view TV, to ac- center mode, which sends deep center - tic also tended to be masked in normal count for the effect of the acoustically channel bass to the left and right front listening. The Center Channel Plus prob- reflective video screen on its output. speakers, is probably a good idea. The ably will mate better with smooth -sound- The 525v's cabinet is simple and un- speaker's radiation pattern was unusual- ing left and right speakers than with an adorned, with a black woodgrain vinyl ly even, with no serious change in mid- obviously bright pair. In the midrange, finish and a black knit grille plus a single range timbre until I moved beyond about its balance was neutral and accurate, "style" element: the distinctively bev- 30 degrees off-axis-equivalent to sitting with very good clarity and openness. eled corners found on all the company's on the end of a 15 -foot sofa in my setup. Off -axis response was fine out to HD series loudspeakers. The package is Lateral panning was smooth and well about 20 degrees on either side-about more than usually compact and quite integrated. like sitting on the end of an 8 -foot sofa in attractive. All in all, the Boston Acoustics 525v is a smallish setup. Further sideways there The 525v's sonic performance was a very fine -sounding center speaker that was some loss of high -treble clarity and a

54 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 modest change in midrange color. Power handling was good, though large -excur- siontransients and heavy low bass caused audible woofer bottoming when 1 auditioned the Center Channel Plus solo, full -range at very high levels. In the full system setup, however, the equivalent volume setting was decidedly unneigh- borly and far too loud for reasonable at- home listening. With the Pro Logic decoder setto Normal mode (sending center -channel low bass to the left and right front speakers instead), the Cam- bridge SoundWorks design had more than ample dynamic range. The Center Channel Plus sounded excellent in the full system, and it hit the primary center -channel mark-intelligible dialogue-squarely. Its very low profile appears to cost it a bit of bass, and its unusual driver array some horizontal dispersion, but it also makes for an ex- DEFINITIVETECHNOLOGY tremely attractive and usable design. Dimensions: 19 inches wide, 61/4 inches 8 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum; high, 81/2 inches deep maximum recommended input power, 200 Driver complement: two 51/4 -inch woofers watts DEFINITIVE in vented enclosure, I -inch soft -dome Price: 5299 tweeter Manufacurer: Definitive Technology, TECHNOLOGY Cl Specifications: bandwidth, 45 to 28,000 Dept. SR 11105 Valley Heights Dr., Hz; sensitivity, 90 dB SPL; impedance, Baltimore, MD 21117 EFINITIVETechnology'scenter - channel offering has dual 51/4 -inch woofers spaced about a foot apart on the front baffle of a relatively large matte -black cabinet with a witz-Reilly crossover-a steep (24 -dB - ear, as was any difference between left - black knit grille. Between them are per -octave), time -aligned design that's and right -side off -axis response. aI -inch soft -dome tweeter and unusual for this type of speaker. The Definitive Technology claims high two ports that function as a single, larg- tweeter is actually about 2 inches off - power handling for the Cl, and it accept- er -diameter vent. The Cl has a Link - center, though this was undetectable by ed clipping -level center -channel input, and even strong wide -band music signals,withoutaudibledistress(and played very loud in the process). Tonal balance was open and accurate in the middle, with a markedly extended and slightly emphasized low end that with some programmaterialoccasionally sounded a bit strong. The treble range was natural -sounding, smooth, and unobtrusive. Dialogue articulation was excellent (though some male voices took on a very slightly warm cast), as was off - axisresponse. I noticed verylittle change in either treble presence or midrange timbre out to about 30 degrees on either side. Pannedsoundsmovedsmoothly across the stage with only minimal rat- cheting, but with a slight richening as they crossed center. Definitive's Cl did one of the best jobs of the speakers CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORK1 reviewed in presenting complex center - Dimensions: 25 inches wide, 4 inches Specifications: none provided channel signals-music,effects,and high, 61/2 inches deep Price: $219 speech all going full bore-with maxi- Driver complement: four 3 -inch woofers Manufacturer: Cambridge SoundWarks, mum intelligibility. It proved capable of in sealed enclosure, 1/2 -inch ring -radiator Dept. SR, 154 California St., Newton, MA close to full -range performance and ex- tweeter (domed cone) 02158; telephone, 1-800-367-4434 cellent dynamic range, and its fairly neutral balance should match well with a wide variety of other speakers.

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 55 but this characteristic only emphasized the Kappa Video's extremely good dialogue articulation. Power handling was also first-rate: MINIM The Kappa Video accepted highly dynamic input from the 200 -watt -peak cen- gpmmummumg ter -channel amp without audible com- plaint,and when runfull -rangeit exhibited impressive bottom -end solidity and clarity to near the amplifier's limit-though I would probably employ the Pro Logic Normal (bass -splitting) mode nonetheless. The Kappa Video it maintained intelligibility very well during dense, busy center -channel scenes. Off -axis response sounded fairly evenly balanced: A perceptible high -treble roll - off began at about 15 degrees to either side, but there was only a slight midrange timbre shift somewhat beyond that point, and that's a more important factor for a center -channel speaker. Both effects became more noticeable at 30 de- aloudINFINITY grees off -axis, suggesting that with the Dimensions: 203/. inches wide, 81/4 inches impedance, 6 ohms; maximum Kappa Video, a very wide seating arrangement is probably not ideal. high, 61/4 inches deep recommended input power, 150 watts Driver complement: two 51/4 -inch woofers Price: $400 Infinity's Kappa Video is a high-per- in vented enclosure, I -inch EMIT -R Manufacturer: Infinity Systems, Dept. formance speaker that should suit home circular -planar tweeter SR, 9409 Owensmouth Ave., Chatsworth, theater systems at almost any level. Its Specifications: frequency response, 90 to CA 91311 neutral voicing should make it a good 35,000 Hz ±2 dB; sensitivity, 89 dB SPL; match for a wide range of speakers, though favoring those with extended rather than smoothed or rolled -off treble.

INFINITY KAPPA VIDEO

INFINITY'S Kappa Video has a rounded -edge, trapezoid -profile cabinet finished in attractive honey- or black - oak veneer; the grille is black knit. A clever sliding prop on the back enables the user to adjust the speaker's vertical tilt over about 115 degrees to direct sound precisely toward the listening position. The dual 51/4 -inch woofers are spaced about 7 inches apart, with the EMIT -R planar tweeter centered between them and offset toward the top; ports at each end of the baffle function as a single large vent. In addition to gold-plated, five - way binding -post inputs, the rear panel includes the tilt -prop bar and predrilled (plugged) holes to accept an optional wall -mounting bracket. The Kappa Video delivered well-de- POLK AUDIO fined, wide -range response with a de- Dimensions: 18 inches wide. 6 inches 8 ohms; maximum recommended input tailed and clearly extended upper regis- high, 61/4 inches deep power, 100 watts ter.Its midrange was well balanced, Driver complement: two 4 -inch woofers Price: $170 presenting both male and female voices i I vented enclosure, 1/4 -inch dome tweeter Manufacturer: Polk Audio, Dept. SR, naturally and without any boominess or Specifications: bandwidth, 35 to 20,000 5601 Metro Dr., Baltimore, MD 21215 nasality. The lower ranges of male Hz; sensitivity, 89 dB SPL; impedance, voices were not quite as warm as from some of the other speakers reviewed,

56 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Writing fri February's Audio Magazine, Technical Editor and industry e;pert Len I Feldman said the Atlantic Technology System 150 "certainly puts to rest the notion tIrgt a good home theater installation has to cost snoeo, iritics $30,000 cr more. Here, for under $1000 is a 3iX module system, that not only provries all of the speakers needed for a superb home theater in installation, but also reduces the additional expenditrre that world be needed for extra amplifiers beyond the normal stereo system." I tome TI Atlantic TecOnology System 150 components include the word's first "power - directed" subwoofer, a unique center channel speaker, two front speakers and two specially designed rear surround speakers. All componen's can be purchased stem 1 separately or in custom configured systems. The complete 150 HT hone theater from system (pictured here Alantic ii(lus,010(,\ Name/Address/Phone (please print)

PLACE

POSTAGE

HERE Do you own a Doly Pro -Logic'" receiver or outboard decoder? It so, what brand and model?

What other home entertainment components do you own? Alantic 'What type of home entertainment components do TECHNOLOGY you foresee purchasing in the next 12 months?

343 Vanderbilt Avenue Norwood, MA 02062-9124 :What was the last home entertainment om onent you purchased and when? POLK AUDIO CS100

1pOLKAudio's center -channel entry is compact, unobtrusively styled, andintelligentlyfashioned:Its half -trapezoid profile permits either level monitor -top placement or under -monitor location with a desirable upward tilt. The cabinet is nicely finished in matte black and has a black grille. Dual 4 -inch woofers flank a dome tweeter, with a single vent at the left end of the baffle. Amplifier connections are via push -terminals on the back panel. The CS100's sound was quite clear and well balanced. It did not have the low -end impact of some of the costlier, larger -driver designs, but its bass response was surprisinglysolid,controlled, and accurate down to about 100 Hz. That's perfectly adequate for use in ProLogic'sNormal(bass -splitting) VIDEO ACOUSTICS mode. Power handling was also unex- Dimensions: 151/2 inches wide, 71/2 inches pectedly good, with the speaker's limits pedan, 8 ohms nominal, 5.5 ohms high, 71/2 inches deep becoming apparent only with full -band- m nimum maximum recommended input Driver complement: two 51/2 -inch wo)fers pc.wer, 20) watts width music signals at 100 watts or more. The CS100's top end sounded unre- in sealed (capacitive -coupled) enclosu -e, Price: SY"? 11/2 -inch domed -cone tweeter Manufac-urer: Thomson Consumer strained and open, with only a slight lack Specifications: frequency response, 13 to of top -octave extension. Voices of every Electronics, Dept. SR, 6225 Running 19,000 Hz -1- 4 dB; sensitivity, 90 dB S?L; type were natural and lifelike; there was Ridge Rm.& Syracuse, NY 13212-2510 little of the chestiness or honkiness that frequently plagues small speakers-just a hint of dryness around 500 Hz. Treble reproduction remained unusually con- center -channel speaker. The VA 1300 is would expect from the driver layout, but sistent off -axis, holding up well to 30 one of the most interesting such speakers I did hear a distinct reduction in treble degrees or more to either side. The mid- we have encountered. Its roughly trian- beyond about 15 degrees off -axis. In range timbre also held up very well in gular cabinet-said to reduce internal fact, overall balance and naturalness listening positions quite far to the sides, standing waves that can roughen re- were superior about 15 degrees to either which should enable the CS100 to work sponse-angles each of its dual 51/4 -inch side, with a slight low -treble peak audi- well in small rooms that have widely woofers about 30 degrees back from the ble on -center. spaced seating arrangements. centrally located tweeter, which itself is Bass response was tight and quick, I'd expect the Polk CS100 to match horn -loadedforincreasedefficiency and though not notably extended (useful most contemporary stereo loudspeakers (and, presumably, controlled directiv- response reached down to perhaps 120 except, perhaps, those with obviously ity). The arrangement is intended to im- Hz) it was ample for use in Pro Logic's exaggerated midrange outputs. Boasting prove coverage, yielding a wider "sweet bass -splittingNormalmode,which the lowest price of our group, the CS100 spot" in the listening area with maximum sends low frequencies in the center is nevertheless a good performer and clarity, intelligibility, and balance. channel to the front left and right speak- thus a conspicuous value. The speaker's sealed enclosure is also ers instead. With full -range music, the "capacitive loaded"-electrically tuned VA 1300 ran out of headroom short of by a large capacitor at the signal input to the amplifier's 200 -watt -peak limit, but VIDEO yield slightly greater low -frequency ex- power handling was more than adequate tension (though with a steeper rolloff for full -system center -channel chores. ACOUSTICS below its lower limit) without sacrificing Timbre matching with my main stereo efficiency. The VA 1300 is rather nicely speakers was excellent, and full side -to - VA 1300 finished in black woodgrain, with sepa- side pans were smooth except for a slight rate black knit grilles for each woofer accent on bright sounds as they passed IDEOAcoustics is a new branch of and a black plastic fascia/horn around through dead center (to a centered listen- Thomson Consumer Electronics, the central tweeter. er-this effect was less obvious a few better known for its RCA, Pro - The sound was bright and well de- feet to either side of the tweeter's axis). Scan, and GE television lines. It fined, with highly intelligible, crisply ar- The Video Acoustics VA 1300's overall makes a complete series of loud- ticulated dialogue. The speaker also ex- neutral balance should prove an excel- speakers designed specifically for hibited noticeably higher sensitivity than lent match with just about any good, use in Dolby Pro Logic surround - some of the others reviewed. Off -axis modern pair of front speakers having an sound systems, including the VA 1300 midrange response was excellent, as one open, extended top end.

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 57 The $199 TITAN. Music... foraSong!

YouONLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.Right? Well, not Add to this a seamless dividing network and the results are always.PARADIGM, the leader in speaker performance/value, has outstanding! Musical, three-dimensional, theTITANoffers done the impossible - made a speaker system that is an absolute performance that belies its astonishing low price. audiophile delight for an incredible $199/pair... theTrrAN! YouWON'T FIND PARADIGMspeakers everywhere. Product W HAT DOES IT TAKEto build the finest speaker at this price? this good requires the expertise of a qualified audio specialist. Quite simply, better design execution and better materials. So, before you buy any inexpensive speaker, visit your So, rather than typical inferior cone -type tweeters, theTITANuses AUTHORIZED PARADIGM DEALERand listen to the amazingTITAN. a wide -dispersion dome tweeter complete with high -temperature What you will hear is music.. for a song! voice -coil, aluminum former and ferrofluid damping and cooling. Instead of lesser paper -cone -type woofers, theTITAN FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL1-800-346-8774 Ext. 34597or woofer uses a polypropylene cone with a high compliance write:AUDIOSTREAM,MPO Box 2410 Niagara Falls, NY 14302. suspension, high -temperature voice -coil and kapton former. In Canada:PARADIGM,569 Fenmar Drive, Weston, ON M9L 2R6. 1-441CR0111 AM1 CIRCLE NO 47 ON READER SERVICE CARD "ASLI` COVVRN.IIT PARADK AI/NAVA% STENO REVIEW

3511 ANNIVERSARY

YEARS OF

Charles Rodrigues has been making us laugh since Vol. I, No.1 of STEREO REVIEW. Having survived into the digital age with his sense of the ridiculous intact, he plans to continue sharing it with our readers for years to come.

August 1972 STUN NEVEM

un 11111118111

"Manchester, go to my den, load my shotgun, and bring it here. I'm going to put a cartridge out of its misery." July 1984

.. Gee, I don't know. Hey, Clint- do they have FM in Vietnam?" May 1968 STEREO REVIEW

WI 11111E1111Y

Janus ry 1992

MARPIAGt COUNSELOR

March 1%8

Val, 01009/30LTPoi MISSED COMPACT b/SC ARMICrilltOUGg Ziy-8 Mos. N. ;f ivALItot4( t , rire;r. .0")6eklym3rebrAm1 Rodrigues by Rodrigues November 1983 January 1985 PURE PERFECTION

The unique Celestion 300 Transmission Line balanced high fidelity sound, makes this floor standing loudspeaker with its slim and beautifully finished cabinet, loudspeaker a unique listening experience. transcends expectations. The new Celestion 300 joins the award winning The newly designed Celestion Transmission Line Celestion 100 to create pure perfection in two exceptional system-C.T.L.*- produces a deep extended and dynamic loudspeakers. bass response, which, combined with its perfectly Unmistakably Celestion.

1 0 03 0 0

applivd for CELESTICIrl 89 Doug Brown Way Holliston, Mass. 01746 Voice: (508) 429-6706 Fax (508) 429-2426

CIRCLE NO 11 ON READER SERVICE CARD COMBI CONNECU0 I'M not sure who coined the cliché about "the marriage of audio and video," but for years writers have used it liberally; sometimes it's apropos, but more often it's not. If there's one piece of hardware that really "ties the knot," however, it's the combi-player. Combis come in a variety of forms, but their hallmark is the ability to play 8- and 12 -inch optical videodiscs, usually called laserdiscs, and CD's. And, although all combi-players are equipped with a wireless remote control, some are designed for the inveterate couch potato and play both sides of a videodisc so you don't have to flip the disc manually every hour or so. A few are combi-changers that handle as many as five CD's on a rotating carousel. Some combis even have built-in karaoke, or sing -along, systems with microphone inputs, a pitch control, digital reverb, and, in some cases, lead -vocal removal. In whatever form, combi-players have given new life to disc -based video and new meaning to home entertainment. If you see one in your future and need to know more, read on. First Things First In choosing a combi-player, you must first decide how the player will be used in your system. Will it be the video centerpiece of your home theater, or will it share program honors with a hi-fi VCR? On the audio side, will it be your primary CD player? Or will serious listening be done with other equipment? Are you into karaoke? (It can be addictive!) Or do you prefer to confine your singing to the shower? If you're not sure, check out a karaoke bar before you buy a combi-player. It makes more sense to buy a player with built-in karaoke than to add it later. However you answer these questions, I advise you to think of a combi-player first as a video source, and only then as an audio source. If you're exclusively interested in playing CD's, buy a CD player. Don't get me wrong. Technically speaking, a combi-player can do a fine job of playing CD's, but it's a waste of money if you're not going to use it for video. There's another reason to place the emphasis on video performance. Even if you have a hi-fi VCR to play rental tapes and record TV programs (laserdisc players cannot record), once you experience laserdisc quality you're unlikely to settle for anything less. Pictures are sharper. Colors are clearer. There's less snow and less color blotching. Whal 10 look And the sound of today's laserdiscs is super-far better than that of videotape- because itis digital, just as itis on CD's. You may come across a few old videodiscs with only analog soundtracks and CX noise reduction, but these are going the way of the horse and buggy. Don't worry: Combi-players handle analog for in a soundtracks automatically and produce sound from them that's on par with that of a hi-fi VCR. Laserdisc players have actually been around longer than CD players, but the combi-player format was slow getting off the ground because of the relatively limited availability of laserdiscs in the rental market (which has always struck me as odd since laserdiscs, being practically indestructible and nonrecordable, would seem to be the ideal rental medium). In the past year or so, however, laserdisc rental outlets BY EDWARDJ.FOSTER ,^r'7"7''V' 11. 6 -ant en. Pioneer's CLD-M401 (S760) is a five -disc carousel -type CD changer and laserdisc player in one: you don't have to remove CD's from the tray when a laserdisc is inserted for «000 playback. It features a "front surround" O Mkrl mode and a shuttle dial.

___AillI111=1111111111111111\-

Kenwood's LVD-820R (5899) features a "Midnight Theater" audio -compression mode if that boosts quiet dialogue passages and softens loud sounds. It also

03 04.57. otters automatic dual -side video playback 0 - and digital time -base correction.

RCA's LDR600 (S749) has a novel "16x9 CinemaScreen" mode for displaying wide- screen -format video programs on a compatible TV. Highlights include automatic dual -side playback and an S -video output with comb filter.

Denon's LA -3100 (S1,200) features an 8 -bit digital memory for video special effects, automatic dual -side playback, two S -video outputs with comb filters, and a jog shuttle dial on both its front panel and its remote control.

,?;r1-

The digital servo mechanism in Panasonic's WaatiVILM1 UMW Fan3sonic LX -600 (S800) is said to improve AL M° REVEKSL picture and sound quality as well as track chapter access time. 211:18. - - 00 OD DO- Ji CM The player also features dual -side er% aiMnia Or ...Mahn& NM NM playback and digital time -base correction. MY.

The Realistic MD -1000 (5400) from Radio Shack features a memory mode to resume playback where you lett oft, sequence programming for twenty CD tracks or video chapters, on -screen display, and both analog and digital audio outputs.

64 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 have become more widespread in ma- Multispeed scanning is achieved by jor urban areas, and laserdiscs are adjusting the rate at which the memory available for purchase both by mail Karaoke iius is updated. You don't get direct access order and through major chains like to each frame, as is provided by the Tower Records. CAV frame -numbering system, but If you're interested in you do get all of the motion special The Video lid. effects of a good videotape system If you're considering an upscale a karaoke-ready system, (including jog/shuttle dials and the combi-player, one of the first things to there are four key like) with laserdisc quality. look for is digital frame memory. This things to investigate: Digital technology can also be used not only upgrades performance, but it to enhance performance. Digital time - allows for some very useful special - base correction, for example, keeps effect features that would otherwise Vocal -enhancement pictures rock steady provided you be lacking when you're playing the options and their sound quality. have a good monitor. Multiline digital most popular type of laserdisc. That's Kareoke players typically employ DSP- comb filters separate chroma (color) right, there are two kinds of laserdiscs: from luminance (brightness) informa- based reverberation to "enrich" your CAV (constant angular velocity) and tion more cleanly than typical analog CLV (constant linear velocity). Each voice and make you sound better than you filters, which means better resolution has strengths and limitations, but the thought you ever could. But the systems (picturesharpness)andless"dot CLV type is far more common. differ in quality and realism, so you crawl" on sharp edges. By averaging To understand why, it's best to start should try them out. Some karaoke- video signals on a frame -by -frame ba- with an explanation of CAV type sis, digital memory can also be used to equipped combi-players also use the DSP discs. As the name implies, CAV discs reduce picture "noise" (snow and col- spin at a constant angular rate: 1,800 system for sound -field simulation, which or blotching). But whenever video sig- revolutions per minute, or 30 per sec- means that iou may be able to recreate a nals are averaged to reduce noise, ond. Since video frames (pictures) oc- concert hall, a stadium, or some other some blurring and loss of picture reso- cur at this very same rate, each frame ambience effect when playing a CD. lution will occur during fast-moving occupies a track length equivalent to scenes. The more averaging that's one revolution of the CAV disc. done, the less noise will be apparent. Under these conditions, special vid- Many karaoke players enable you to vary On the other hand, too much averag- eo features-like freeze-frame and the pitch of the musical accompaniment ing causes unacceptable blurring, so slow- or high-speed scanning forward to suit your vocal range. this is a feature that you want to be or backward-are easily achieved. All microphone inputs and the able to control and defeat when it's not that's necessary is to keep the disc needed. spinning and either freeze or move the quality and flexibility of the With most laserdiscs you shouldn't laser pickup along the disc radius at microphone -mixing facili, need much (if any!) video noise reduc- the desired speed. It also happens that Two mIcrochone Inputs will come in tion, so it's a shame to sacrifice the each frame on a CAV disc has its own handy if you plan on crooning with format's superior resolution needless- address code so that it can be easily a friend. ly. Laserdiscs provide better signal- located. This makes CAV discs ideal to-noise ratio (typically 48 dB or more) for interactive applications like who- Effective -less of the lead -vocal than either VHS or S -VHS videocas- dunnit games and self-help produc- removal sr'"`" settes and horizontal resolution that's tions ("Improve Your Golf,"etc.), Does It do a good job of suppress ng the at least equivalent to S -VHS and vast- since playback can be directed to any vocals on a CD so you can substitute your ly superior to conventional VHS. chapter or frame by the user. own golden -throated tones? (Karaoke- In some cases, especially when us- The problem with CAV discs is their ing a player that has a digital comb specific discs are usually recorded shortplayingtime.Because each filter, it may make sense to use the S - frame occupies one entire revolution without a lead vocal.) video output to feed your monitor. (An of the disc-whether the spaceis S -video connection keeps the chroma physically needed to accommodate and luminance parts of the signal sepa- the video information or not-a 12 - Since CLV discs make more effi- rated on their way to the monitor. inch CAV disc accommodates only 30 cient use of their recordable area, they Pin -jack hookups transfer composite minutes of full -motion video per side. have twice the playing time of CAV video,inwhichthe chroma and Unlike the CAV variety, CLV discs discs (Ihour per side); that's why luminance information is combined.) allocate a specific length of track for they're far more popular. The down- It depends on the relative quality of each frame. Near the center of the side is that special effects like freeze- the comb filters in the laserdisc player disc, where the track length is small- frame and slow- and high-speed scan- and in your video monitor. If your est, the disc spins at 1,800 rpm and one ning are difficult to attain because the monitor has the better comb filter, use frame occupies the full track. As the number of frames per revolution var- the composite connection; if your la- laser scans towards the outer edge and ies with the portion of the disc being serdisc player has the better filter, use the track length increases, the disc played. S -video. Of course, an S -video con- gradually slows to keep the linear Digitalframememoryrestores nection assumes that your monitor is track velocity constant. By the time these features to the CLV format by fitted with an S -video input. If it isn't, the laser reaches the outer circumfer- providing the ability to store a frame as it may be time to upgrade; if it is, try ence of a I2 -inch disc, the speed has it is read from the disc and to read it both composite- and S -video connec- dropped to 600 rpm, enabling three again and again from memory. This tions and choose the one that gives the frames to fit into one revolution. provides basic freeze-frame action. better picture.

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 65 The Dui

of Everythinu

If cost is no object, here are some features to Sony's MDP-455 (S599) is equipped with memory indexing for quick access consider in choosing the to CD passages or video scenes. eleven speed -play modes, "ideal" combi-player: and digital circuitry for time -base correction and dropout compensation. Audio Features Everything you've come to expect from a quality CD player-like a dynamic range of 96 dB or more, negligible distortion, and response from 20 to 20,000 Hz that is flat within a small fraction of a decibel. Digital as well as analog outputs, so you can use an external D A converter if you want to or make direct digital copies from CD to a digital recorder.

Reasonably fast access time (not a Special video effects like freeze frame strobe and picture recall ere the strength of most combi-players). province of the Philips CDV-600BKSii100iIt also feature!! As friendly a display system as you can S -video and fiber-optic digital audio outputs and five CD repeat modes find (again, not a strength of most combi- players). CD -changer capability (because it's nice). Video Features A digital frame memory so you can have CAV-type freeze-frame and special effects when playing CLV discs. Multiline digital comb filters for better color separation with less dot crawl. A digital time -base corrector for superior picture accuracy. Samsung's DV -505K ($650) boasts a karaoke section with two microphone Horizontal resolution of 425+ lines Inputs and controls for vocalimusic balance and vocal with a video S N of 50 dB. echo-guaranteed to be the instant favorite of all Elvis impersonators. A defeatable digital video noise - reduction system, preferably with The Audio Sid. the possibility of noise contamination, adjustable averaging. As far as audio performance is con- but certainly adequate. Both S -video and composite -video cerned, shopping for a combi-player is As notedearlier,although most connectors. pretty much like shopping for a regular combi-players accommodate only one A full -featured, easy -to -use (which is to CD player. The digital -to -analog (D/A) CD at a time, a few feature five -CD say, Intuitive) remote control with jog and converter chips used in today's top carousel -type changer mechanisms. combi-players are similar or identical And with some of these combi-chang- shuttle controls. to those used in midprice CD players. ers, you can even leave a set of CD's in Full CAV capability-chapter and frame You'll find dualI -bit converters as place while you load and play a laser- display and addressability, with well as traditional multibit converters disc. But track -access time is likely to reasonably swift access to any frame. claiming 16- to 20 -bit resolution. Per- be less swift on a combi-player than on And, last but not least, dual -side formance specifications are similar to a dedicated CD player, and the combi- those of midprice CD players, too- player's design may force you to use playback (because you're a couch potato perhaps a trifle less impressive than your TV for a display. Just be aware of at heart). top -of -the -line CD players because of the limitations and judge accordingly the presence of the video circuitry and when you shop.

66 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMFN I SOUND THAT MOVES America's almost centu-y-long love affair with the automobile End the lifestyles that relationship has created are uniq re in all the world. Nowhere el3e has so much effort and energy been expended on the adaptation of hardware to the special needs of the mobile audiophile. The challenges la d down by automotive sound have created a whole industry and allowed the developnent of a global marketplace for American technology and engineering excellence. What began hang ago as a afterthought is now a noufti- billion dollar business responsible for some of the most creative and unique technical innovations ever brought tothe world of audio. When this all began a half century ago who would have imagined the power and precision reproduction available today with the firs' dedicated car radio speakers and electronics. The stories that unfold on the fcllowing pages tell the history and show the drive and dedication of the all-American in- novatorswh3 gave the world "sound on the move."

1 11 4 rCQ SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT INTERNATIONAL JENSEN INC.

the trailblazer in opening another new market and creating another whole industry-mobile audio. The pursuit of ever -higher fidelity in the automobile, exemplified by the explosive growth of FM radio, brought forth the first true high-fidelity car stereo speaker in 1972. The mid -1970s saw the birth of a legend in automotive sound-the Jensen Triaxial(R) 3 -way car stereo speaker system. Suddenly the performance capabilities of home audio were available in the car. Made in the U.S.A.? You bet. Inter- The Jensen legacy of American engineering ex- national Jensen Incorporated (IJI) is cellence and innovative products is now part of In- the largest vertically integrated man- ternational Jensen Incorporated. The IJI family of ufacturer of car speakers in the USA. companies includes: Acoustic Research, Advent, It started more than three quarters of Advent Mobile, Day Sequerra, Magnat, NHT, a century ago when a brilliant young and Phase Linear. Although its headquarters are in Danish immigrant named Peter Lincolnshire, Illinois, IJI manufactures its own Jensen invented what we know to- metal and plastic in Pennsylvania and magnets in day as the modern loudspeaker. That Texas. single device was the foundation Voice coils and cones are made in their North upon which the power of American Carolina plants, where final assembly occurs. innovation built the high-fidelity in- These companies prove that Made in the USA dustry. means high -quality, globally competitive products. In 1927, the Jensen Manufactur- Industry recognition of the commitment to en- ing Company produced the world's gineering and design excellence at IJI was shown first commercially available moving - when the company received an impressive six De- coil direct radiator loudspeaker, the sign and Innovation awards at the 1992 Summer tim permanent magnet dynamic loudspeaker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Among those was an the first commercially available compression -driv- award for the unique Jensen BBE amplifier and the en horn tweeter, followed soon by the first mold- newest Jensen Triaxial. Jensen ed hi-fi speaker diaphragm. Today, Jensen has 1,600 employees across the Creativity and innovation continued to be es- U.S. who are continually refining and improving Creativity and innovation sential parts of the Jensen philosophy. In 1932, the the products. Jensen has recently introduced a new continue to be essential company produced a series of loudspeakers spe- series of receivers featuring detachable receiver se- parts of the Jensen cifically designed to match the first automotive ra- curity panels. Advent Mobile's U.S.-made speaker philosophy. dios, produced by another all-American pioneer, line with ICT (Inductive Coupling Technolo- Paul Galvin of Motorola. Once again, Jensen was gyTM) is unique in America because the ICT plug cannot be blown like a conventional tweeter. The low -profile design fits behind virtually all OEM grilles. And its performance has been acclaimed by critics from sea to shining sea. The Phase Linear car audio line has graphite cone speakers that offer superior responsiveness, and Phase Linear Series 48 models allow the purchaser to customize and grow their system, since the speakers operate in 4- or 8 - ohm loads. The long heritage and many firsts associated with the Jensen name continue to drive the engineering and product development professionals at IJI who are dedicated to producing American - made quality audio systems. CRANK UP A PAIR OF NEW JENSEN 6X9'S. THE SPEAKERS THAT GO FROM 0:10-190 MIND- BLOWING WATTS OF CLEAN, UNDISTORTED SOUND. THAT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE A MYLAR DYNAMIC TVVEETER FOR PURE HIGHS AT ANY VOLUME. AND A SPECIAL HIGH- TECH, HIGH -GLOSS COATING ON THE WOOFER FOR EVEN BIGGER BASS. THE KIND OF SMCOTH BASS RESPONSE THAT GETS EVERYONE IN HIGH GEAR. FOR OVER 60 YEARS, JENSEN HAS BEEN MAKING GREAT SPEAKERS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPEAKERS THAT WILL MAKE YOU NEVER WANT TO LEAs/E YOUR CAR, CALL 1-800-67-SOJND. 'HE MOST THR LL1,6 SOUND ON WHEELS.

Pra".0.,. MADE IN USA c 1992 JENSEN 15 A REGISTERI D TRADEMARK OF INTERNATIONAL JENSEN, INC J7%3469 WITH 190 WATTS PEAR POWER IN CANADA. CALL SCL PRODUCTS 604-273-10951VANCOUVER:. 416-8900298 ITORONTOI SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

The workforce at Pyle takes great pride in being PYLE able to marry the latest technologies and materials with the superior, artisan -like quality that this personal attention provides. Ever since the company developed and marketed the first genuine high power woofers in the late 1960s, it has sought to extend the potential for mobile audio to new levels. This desire produced the now legendary Pyle Driver and multi -element car stereo speakers in the 1970s. In the 1980s, Pyle engineers, pushed by a passion for audio perfection, designed a series of enclosed systems optimized for specific types of vehicles, again breaking new ground in mobile fidelity and power. By doing this they were able to maximize performance for their customers and eliminate many of the variables that negatively impacted real - world installations. Now in the 1990s, Pyle again has raised the standard with the introduction of its World Class subwoofers, full range Pounder(r) systems and ToobzTM bass systems. The all-American techno- logical basis for the sonic and mechanical performance of the company's loudspeakers is the merging of IronClothTM spider material with Iron- For more than four decades the American heart- GlazeTM magnet wire coating to produce Iron- land has been home to a company whose name is MaxTM, the industry's most indestructible voice synonymous with superior quality, high power coil and motor assembly. loudspeakers. Pyle Industries, in Huntington, Indi- ana, is a classic example of American entrepreneur- ship, dedication to quality, and the best traditions of all-American craftsmanship. Collectively, the key members of the Pyle team have amassed more than three centuries of experience in the design and engineering of loudspeaker products. This amazing resource base was started when key individuals at Pyle were also an integral part of another legendary name in American audio-Utah. That company's loudspeakers, made just a few miles from the current Pyle factories, led the way in innovative engineering throughout By integrating and controlling a proprietary mix much of the 1950s,60sand the early 1970s. of precision materials, Pyle has created a series of Frank Pyle and his son Frank Pyle Jr., along subwoofers and other products that exceed every with other family members and associates, founded measurable standard for ruggedness, resistance to Pyle and are still actively involved in every facet of failure, and pulse -pounding performance. The use the business. This homegrown, individualistic and of massive magnetic configurations, vent -cooled Pyle uniquely personal style is refreshing in an industry motor structures, high energy rare earth Neo- often known more for its faceless mega -corpora- Pyle Industries' personal DomeTM tweeters, ProLinearTM polyfoam suspen- tions. Pyle's more personal approach allows themsions, and polymer laminate cones provide the approach allows them to. to produce products that deliver performance professional mobile sound installer and audio en- produce products that without compromise. thusiast with a carefully crafted collection of units deliver performance That same style continues throughout the orga- to meet any requirement. nization, all the way to the factory Boor. For ex- The multi -generational heritage of innovation without compromise. ample, in an industry where many companies mass and no -compromise engineering has built Pyle produce thousands of drivers each hour and batch into one of America's leading mobile sound tech- test just a few on automated equipment,each and nology companies. As the choice of enthusiasts every speakerPyle produces is built by hand and in-worldwide, Pyle is now guiding the development dividually tested and approved before packaging of products that will continue to change the rules and shipping. for sound on the move. Pyle Multi -Element Speaker After all, isn't making a great impression what it's all about? New Pyle multi -element automotive speakers combine exciting technical innovations and handcrafted quality to deliver impressive clarity and outstanding power. Our new high performance, rare earth neodymium (NeoDome " ) tweeters give you exceptional output in small spaces, while our exclusive IronMax technology virtually ensures an indestructible voice coil and motor assembly. Impressive? Sure, but we think We've created four distinctive categories of multielement you'll find Pyle sound speakers- New Wave 'Multi -Element Speakers, Pyle Driver Multi -Element Speakers, Pyle Driver' Drop -In Replacement even more impressive - Speakers and Pyle Driver Component Systems. visit the Pyle dealer nearest you and listen for yourself. PYLE: For the name of the Pyle dealer nearest you, writ: Pyle Industries, Inc 501 Center Street Huntington, IN 46750 For technical assistance call 1-800-852-9688

HA Harmar International Company

CIRCLE NO 41 ON HEADER SERVICE CARD p

IIII _ _

IIY the time Lucinda Williams logged two semesters at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville,she hadal- ready lived in Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, At- lanta and Macon, Georgia, Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Mexico City and Santiago, Chile. Her father, the poet Miller Williams, taught creative writing, and so the family picked up every few years and moved to yet another college town- almost always Southern-and another rented frame house, whatever a college professor could afford on a lower - middle -class income. A shy child, Lucinda liked the fresh- ness of a new house and the excitement of fixing up her room. Still, "I was so happy if there was grass in the yard," she said, laughing, her voice crackling over the telephone from a hotel room in Buffalo. "We didn't have any money, so it was never one of these big, two-story brick houses. There was always a screen door, and it was a big deal if the house had a manicured lawn. "I still like change," she continued in her slow, languid style. "An astrol- oger told me once I was always going to have a lot of nests in different places. And wherever I was, I would always make that my home." Sometimes psychics know their stuff. Since dropping out of college in 1971, Williams has lived in New Or- leans, Nashville (where she unsuc- cessfully auditioned for Opryland), Austin, Houston, New York, and Los Angeles. Currently based in Austin (for the second time), Williams is con- templating moving back to Nashville now that she's enjoying a higher profile, with such mainstream performers

72 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 as Mary -Chapin Carpenter(Passion- while her dad favored country, jazz, solidify her bond with her father (who ate Kisses)and Patty Loveless(The and blues, especially Ray Charles's suggested "sad blue dress" instead of Night's Too Long)covering what she landmark 1%2 album,"Modern "fadeddress"inHe Never Got calls her "country songs with rock- Sounds in Country and Western." Enough Love),but a form of therapy. and-roll lyrics." When Lucinda was twelve, she "That's how I keep my sanity," she The stimulation of frequent moving picked up a guitar left at the house by a admitted. "It's like exorcizing, like I has paid off in big songwriting divi- writer friend of her father. Her parents have to do it.It's my life blood." dends for the forty -year -old Williams, had just split up, and in the next few Divorced from Greg Sowders of the since all but two songs,He Never Got years a lifetime of emotion spilled out, Long Ryders (many of the songs in Enough LoveandMemphis Pearl,in first as she listened to the records of "Lucinda Williams" are about their her much -praised, supremely under- Hank Williams, Peter, Paul and Mary, relationship), and currently trying to statedChameleonalbum,"Sweet Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Joan repair a strained and distant relation- Old World," come from personal ex- Baez, trying to pick out the chord ship with her siblings (she wroteLittle perience and the complexity of her progressions on the guitar, and then, Angel, Little Brotherabout her own intimate relationships, which always at fifteen, with the darker songs she brother, Robert), Williams feels that seem to swirl in chaotic motion. made up after discovering Robert her writing is "the only thing else I can Yet throughout her many moves Johnson, Bobbie Gentry, Jimi Hen- hold on to, really." and the evolution of her music-from drix, the Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Not even the happy four-year ro- covers of Delta blues in her debut the Rolling Stones, and the Southern mance she's alluded to in interviews? album, 1978's "Ramblin' " (the first of Gothic writings of Flannery O'Connor She erupted into wild laughter. "We two on Folkways) to an original hybrid and Eudora Welty. "I spent a lot of broke up. I just said that because I of country, rock, R&B, folk, and time in my room," she remembers. didn't want people to know about my swing first heard in her breakthrough "It's all I wanted to do." At sixteen, personal life. And I was trying to make 1988album,"LucindaWilliams" she began singing in coffeehouses and myself believe that it was going to (Rough Trade)-one thing has re- got expelled from high school for re- work out." A beat. "The truth is, I've mained constant: Williams's total de- fusing to salute the flag."I was a never been in a happy relationship. votion to her art. And that has meant rebel,"shesaid."My dad was My dream-what I've been searching an absolute insistence on having her proud." for-is to find a relationship I could be music recorded the way she and her The books and records were an ob- in and still feel creative. I think that's a co -producers, the guitarist Gurf Mor- vious stabilizing factor through all the dilemma for any creative person." lix("my musicalsoulmate") and If longing, desire, and the loss of Dusty Wakeman, heard it-that is, love are the overwhelming themes of with a stripped -down production and "Lucinda Williams" (recently rere- an energetic interplay of anticipation leased on Chameleon, along with the and release, salve and sting. "Writing is the Rough Trade EP, "Passionate Kiss- Such refusal to give in to the cones"), her new album, "Sweet Old ventional wisdom of record -company only thing I World," cuts a deeper groove in the executives, who wanted to couch her heart from the more profound losses of confrontationally directlyrics, raw can hold on to, alcoholism, child abuse, and suicide. emotion, and poetic ruminations in Two songs, in fact, deal with suicide- slick layers of guitars, keyboards, the title song, which details the sim- heavy bass, and loud drum sounds, really." plest and truest pleasures of being simply meant that on two occasions alive ("The sound of a midnight train / Williams walked away from major - Wearing someone's ring"), andPineo- label deals-first with Columbia and la,a chilling short story told from the most recently with RCA-rather than moving around, her parents' divorce, point of view of the survivors that compromise her sound. and her father's remarriage. But song - rivals the work of any of Williams's "This last time," she said with a writing proved to be an even better literary idols. heavy sigh, "they had a guy mixing it friend than singing. Recently, a critic Williams presents these stories with who'd never mixed country or folk called Williams's plaintive and un- so much heart, grace, and kindness music, and an A&R guy who thought adorned soprano "the most expres- (she asks inSweet Old World,"Didn't 'Blonde on Blonde' was a band. Then sive voice in popular music," which you thinkyou were worthany- they tried to splice Gurf's guitar off the Williams finds baffling. She took voice thing?"), you get the feeling that if first session onto the second. That's lessons in L.A. and hoped in vain to she'd just been able to talk to the when I said, 'Let me off here. I don't replicate the high, pure tones of Joan departed beforehand they'd still be want to do this anymore. This is not Baez. "That's why I really pursued arourd. Such vulnerabilityis what fun.- my songwriting," she said, freely con- separates her work from the melodra- Born in January1953in Lake ceding that her voice lacks an expan- ma and overblown formulas that domi- Charles, Louisiana, Williams grew up sive range and takes some getting used nate country radio. But Williams fig- the eldest of three children in a Meth- to. "I felt like I was never going to be ures she doesn't have much choice. odist/Unitarian household, absorbing able to compete with the likes of Linda "I have people constantly asking a respect for words and literature from Ronstadt and all those great singers, me, 'How can you show yourself like her father and a love of music from so I thought, 'I'd better buckle down this? Don't you feel self-conscious both parents. Her mother, who'd ma- here and learn how to write songs.- about it?' And I say, 'I just feel like it's jored in music at Louisiana State and Williams's writing, with the literary necessary.'I want to make people played piano, liked the pop sounds of attention to detail that would become think, and make a statement. Other- Judy Garland and Nat King Cole, her trademark, was not only a way to wise, what's the point?" 0

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 73 ML sical Articulation. Detai. Elusive quali- MX -100, MX -90, MX -80 & MX -70 ties of superior sonic -eprociction that are Four MX models, with internal amplifiers rarf.3.4. found in even the most expensh,..e. between 75 and 200 watts RMS, provide MILLER P KREISEL sub000fe-s. an ideal rraWh for your system. L.1 -'t I Building On Excellence SOUND CORPORATION NA&K's rew MX sut woofers 'io_ Seventear years of M&K experience in -hese higr-performarce qualities-in a Satellite-Sutwoofer systems comes Push -Pull Dual Driver smaller cabinet and a- a lower pica. -ogether aga 'n to create a new subwoofer Powered Subwoafers In a Dab net the size of a bDokshAf performance standard. And with the 18" x speake-, too new proprietary 12" 31..1D- 10" x 13.5' f:X-70, M&K creates a new MX -100, MX -90, vV0Cfar drivers produ:e tre massive compact subwoofer standard. MX -80, & MX -70 amcun-s cf bass only _expected 'Tom much The Ideal Choice Iarg cabnets. Bette- yet, M&K s Pushy The unpredented musical articulation 10391 Jefferson Boulevarc Pull design produces a Taxi- higher ci_slityand "ultra qt.. -.31<" sound of the MX sub - Culver City, CA 90232 of bass by virtually eli-rtina-ing eien-orcer woofers make them the perfect choice to (310) 204-2854 1- armor c distortion. complete anf audio or audio/video system.

C IRG_E NO 40 ON FiEikCEP EEFO.ICECAFID 1MIMt STOPPi t

WHILE the first MiniDisc (MD) portables were trickling into the marketplace in early January, the doors to the 1993 Winter Consumer Electron- ics Show opened in Las Vegas to a bustling crowd of almost 80,000 retail buyers, manufacturers, and journalists-all eager to size up the latest audio, video, and home -entertainment offerings. There was plenty to see: from the next wave of MD and Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) components, highlighted by the first production -ready car players from Sony (MD) and Panasonic (DCC), to demonstrations of revolutionary products using digital signal processing to improve speaker performance by correcting for listening -room defi- ciencies, to impressive new home theater speaker ensembles from KEF, B&W, and others. In addition to showing a preliminary version of its forthcoming Home THX Reference Series, KEF demonstrated a simpler five -piece Reference Series grouping that should be available this spring for about $3,000. The first acoustically transparent front -projection video screen also made a splash. Uni-Screen's THX-certified AS 1000 boasts an incom- prehensible 57,600 perforationsper square foot,which means that you can place a center -channel speaker directly behind it. Diagonal screen sizes from 72 inches ($1,295) to 125 inches ($3,095) are available. FM radio even made a rare appearance in the CES spotlight as Jr. Blaupunkt, Denon, Kenwood, Onkyo, Sony, and others displayed tuners featuring the new Radio Data Broadcast System (RDBS). RDBS- equipped tuners convey information such as a station's call letters and music format (country, rock, etc.) on an oversize display, and RDBS car tuners also automatically receive traffic bulletins as well as switch to alternate frequencies to improve reception. Denon is expected to offer two RDBS car cassette receivers this spring at $450 and $600. Other products deserving a mention include Martin Logan's forthcoming hybrid electrostatic center -channel speaker, Digital Phase's AP.S minispeaker, which uses a patented technology to achieve deep bass from a 4 -inch woofer, and NHT's four-way Model 3.3, an unusual speaker designed for consistent bass -loading. For a glimpse of some of the items that stopped STEREO REVIEW's editors in their tracks, just turn thepage. -Bob Ankosko New Products from

the 1993 Winter

Consumer

Electronics

Show Caustic's DR -328 BassPump (S179) is a compact car subwoofer system that bolts to the rear deck much like other speakers: installation requires 9 inches of clearance beneath the deck. The system is optimized for "free -air" loading, so an enclosure is not necessary. Output from its two 8 -inch woofers is channeled into the interior via a 4 -inch port. Frequency response is rated as 35 to 2,000 Hz -3 dB.

Altec Lansing's six -piece home theater Surround -channel chores speaker package (S3.000) gets the nod in Altec's Home THX for being the least -expensive THX- package are handled by a certified combo yet. It includes the AHT- pair of 153/4 x 11 x 614 - 2300 subwoofer, featuring two 10 -inch inch AHT-2100 wall - drivers, a built-in 100 -wall amp, and a mount speakers. each of low -frequency limit of 26 Hz. which houses two 4 -inch woofers, a pair of 31/2 - inch midrange drivers. and two 34 -inch tweeters. The midranges and tweeters are on angled panels to create a diffuse sound pattern.

Three AHT-2200 acoustic -suspension speakers-for front right, center, and left placement-are the primary sound reproducers in Altec's Home THX lineip. Measuring 77/8 x 153/4 x 7 inches, each speaker houses two 51/4 -inch woofers and a 1/2 -inch dome tweeter. Frequency

response is rated as 80 to 16,000 Hz 3 dB and power handling as 100 watts.

76 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Parasound's GMAS-18 powered once held by the Russian subwoofer ($3,600t-appropriately government. The post -Cold War payoff: dubbed the "Great Mother of All clean transient response to below Subwoofers"-is the first American -made 16 Hz-even at high output levels. speaker to use a new high-effbency A built-in 800 -watt amplifier powers magnet technology developed by a the 18 -inch driver. Cabinet dimensions company called AuraSound from a patent are about 36 x 26 x 20 inches

'The core of Fisher's Studio 24 CD

?'-f T ROCK 3 changer nanagement system (S500) IS a iuketny.._-_P iik enrnsarn1 11.

ck,

iI tudio as little as$1.05 a copy! YES!Enter my subscription toSTEREO REVIEW now! 0 1 year (12 issues) for$15.94-$1.33a copy! copy! CI 2 years (24 issues)for $27.94-$1.16 a 0 3 years (36 issues)for $37.94-$i.05 acopy!

Name (please print full name i 4D3N

Address

City

State Zip enclosed. El Bill me. CHECK ONE: 0 Paymentyearforeign orders add S8 per Canadian orders add Pt per allow 30 to 60 year; payment in U.S.funds must accompany order. Please days for delivery of first issue. offers from qualified users of ourmailing Would you like to receiwe special APRIL1993 77 list? i 7 Yes n No Due out this summer, Panasonic's RO- DP7 portable DCC player (5549) features an optical digital output, a scrolling LCD readout, and a rechargeable 2 -hour battery. Al\ Dimensions for the 1.1 -pound unit are Two years in the making, the flagship of 43/4 x 1 x 45/4 inches. Boston Acoustics' new high -end speaker line-the 48 -inch -tall Lynnfield Series 500L (55,000 a pair in rosewood)- boasts two 61/2 -inch woofers in a bandpass enclosure that's tuned to 38 Hz. A discrete cabinet houses the midrange and tweeter, which feature aluminum diaphragms and novel acoustic filters to eliminate resonances.

Similar in principle to the Snell CO -10 (lett), SigTech's TF10D-3 TimeField Acoustic Correction System (54,750) goes a step further in counteracting the evils of room acoustics: It's designed to work with any high -quality speaker system. Slated Snell's CO -10 digital processor (52,500) for summer release, the TF10D-3 has applies radar -evasion formulas tnree filter settings for different rooms or developed for the Stealth Bomber to target responses. home audio. The goal: To make the unwanted effects of listening -room acoustics-those caused by boundary reflections and standing waves- "disappear." The CO -10 includes a plug- in card with correction coefficients for a specific Snell speaker. The first card, due out this spring, is for the Type B speaker.

78 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 RCA's ProScan PS34190 CinemaScreen TV ($4,999) is the first U.S. set with a theater - like 16:9 aspect ratio. It boasts a 34 -inch diagonal screen, dual tuners for split-screen viewing, three image -expansion modes. including one for letterboxed movies. and a Dolby Pro Logic audio package. The world's first MiniDisc changer butter memory that holds 10 seconds of accepts three MD's and is built into music to prevent gaps in playback when Sanyo's MD -300 car stereo head unit the going gets rough and CD -like (S1,000), which sports a built-in tuner fun;tions such as repeat, scan search, preamp. controls for two Sanyo CD anc shuffle play. Slated for release this changers, and a detachable faceplate sunmer, the MD -300 will fit into the for security. MD features include a dashes of most vehicles.

McIntosh's C-39 (S2.795) is a versatile preamp offering six audio and six A V inputs, a front -panel set of camcorder inputs. and a Dolby Pro Logic decoder with surround delay and level controls. An add-on Home THX module is 5410.

Kenwo)cl's 52.000 home theater duo- the KM -X1 six -channel amp (top) and the KC -X1 A V controller tuner-constitute the lowest -price Home THX-certified electronics package available as of this writing. The KC -X1 otters several surround modes including Home THX Cinema, Dolby Pro Logic, and DSP Logic, five audio and tour video inputs, and five video outputs. The KM -X1 delivers 100 watts into each of six channels.

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 79 ORIGINR1 MRSTER FI E NGTM

.. This1111/46Thitircider.ut earned Aretha the title Firsent 3f Soil with hits like RES"ECT, DR. FEEL D .310 RIGHT WOMAN- Do RIGHT MAN and et lite track.

RIGINPL MF57=9 AECORD.N

/ IEUIN1 MOM Sr

0 -1/C heasrEllRfC0170,616 RO3EP- -RAY-STRONG PERSUADE'

Contains o a at Radeirc's biggest s, I'VE BEEN VIAIIG YE c To: LONG, as wall as the Slon' SAMFt-ChlONI. Sam Cooke's SNAKE an more. ,./

H. takes time to make music sowed its absolute an art M Lab has been perfecting for the past 15 years. B ning with origin tape, we combine our proprietary mastering tecique with t e dedication, . and unwavering attention to detail that derme rueoriginal ULTRAD The piftinai lineta4430i!ionv 24:k old audiophile compi

. . " rtiobile S 374, ewe IP 110

4, vitni ' .

kflathr714!11

fora ciltvonet AlF91.,mic $ 4$ For a free color catalog, ea800-423-5759 6.IKkak Stereo Review's critics choose the outstanding current releases

Meet the Loud Family

ET'S face it: Smart rock doesn't sell. Despite the best efforts of critics, despite the support of introspective collegiate humanities majors who have assimilation problems, even despite the soft spot certain record companies occasionally show for music with a brain, the market share is marginal. Therefore, to persevere at making hyperliterate music that has complex motives and is densely constructed- relative to the immediate sparkle and shine of mainstream chart music, that is-is an act of bravery, commitment, or lunacy. Scott Miller, the former leader of Game Theory, now the head of household for the Loud Family, whose Alias debut, "Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things," has just been released, probably has no choice in the matter. Like Robyn Hitchcock, Thomas Dolby, Mi- chael Stipe, and Paul Westerberg, he is an entity unto himself, taking dictation from a mind working overtime without stopping to consider the possibility of success or banishment. Problemis, those others have squeezed through the The Loud Fam ly (Scott Miller, center): pushinghe envelope needle's eye to varying degrees, while Miller still labors in semi -obscurity, his porating some of the song -oriented, lis- Me at Once; Idiot Son; Some Grand Vision of back catalog bulging like Ph.D. theses tener -friendly appeal of "2 Steps from Motives and Irony; Spot the Setup; Inverness; interred in some musty corner of a rarely the Middle Ages," the final Game The- Rosy Overdrive; Slit My Wrists; Isaac's Law; visited library. ory effort. The lyrics for these nineteen The Second Grade Applauds; Last Honest But maybe this fresh start with the songs are dense, private cryptograms, Face; Even You; Ballad of How You Can All Loud Family will kindle interest in the the subjects ranging from the peculiar Shut Up: Give In World Miller oeuvre. Imagine a cross between calculus of relationships to the onset of ALIAS A033 -D (59 min) Alex Chilton, James Joyce, and the intellectual entropy in society as seen in Electric Prunes. His oblique but arrest- the behavior of individuals, most often ingmusical overviewcross-fertilizes aimless youth. guitar -driven power pop with reality- Musically. the album is a trip for ad- altering psychedelic flourishes and the venturous ears. Like the changing pat- studio technocrat's version of Burrough- terns inside a kaleidoscope, you never Gunter Wand's sian cut -and -paste. Songs begin in the know which way the colored bits will middle, dissolve into one another, end array themselves. Every so often, the abruptly, are interrupted with effects- Loud Family will reward your persever- Compelling samples, disembodied voices, comput- ance for hanging tough through the more er -altered instrumentation, what -have - intricate passages with a killer chorus, "Pathetique" you. Clearly, Miller views songs not as like those in Take Me Down (Too Halloo) fixed entities but as a kind of amorphous and Idiot Son. In the end, Miller proba- musical Play -Doh to be shaped as much bly thinks too much, but he knows intu- Nhis newest RCA Victor recording by whim as rules, giving latitude to ex- itively when to back off and sugarcoat with the NDR Symphony Orchestra, perimentation and chance to make an and when to push the envelope. Gunter Wand is a long way from the event out of the recording process. "Plants and Birds and Rocks and Brahms and Bruckner we associate Abetted by producer Mitch Easter, Things" is not so much an album as a with his name, but he gives stunning who knows from both the accessible and slalom run through the cerebellum. It's assurance that he is no less at home in 8deconstructionist ends of the pop spec- pop enough to hook you and sufficiently theimprobable -lookingcouplingof 3trum, Miller and the Loud Family have challenging to ensnare you in its intellec- Tchaikovsky's valedictory symphony, fashioned "Plants and Birds and Rocks tual/aesthetic web. Parke Puterbaugh the-Pathetique,"withStravinsky's and Things"-title derived from Ameri- Pulcinella suite.I am convinced that ca's Horse with No Name (!)-into a kind THE LOUD FAMILY these pieces were not chosen for the of aural sculpture, a hologram for the Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things sake of novelty, but because both of ears and a hypnotic for the mind. In He Do the Police in Dillerent Voices; Sword them mean something special to this terms of Miller's previous work, the Swallower; Aerodeliria; Sell' Righteous Boy conductor. album is a bulky, experimental tour de Reduced to Tears; Jimmy Still Comes Around; Wand seems to home in on Pulcinella force, like "Lolita Nation," while incor- Take Me Down (Too Halloo); Don't All Thank as if by instinct, with precisely the right

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 SI balance of elegance, broad humor, and both of these performances were taken. active listening. It is on a level with Igor warmth of heart. I cannot recall another Fine as it is, it would have been shatter- Markevitch's legendary version with the performance of this charming but fre- ingly anticlimactic following any decent London Symphony (now available only quently elusive score so thoroughly re- performance of the "Pathetique," and in a four -CD set on Philips) and perhaps freshing or all-round satisfying. Another this one is a great deal more than decent. a handful of others in recorded form. resounding validation of Wand's insis- I would not hesitate to classify it as one Of course, it is utterly free of any hint tence on recording live, itis sensibly of the most compelling accounts of this of hysteria or indulgence or eccentricity. placed first on the disc, as it surely was in supposedly overexposed work to come Wand manages to be at once objective the December 1991 concerts from which my way in more than a half -century of and "involved." That is, his emphasis is0 on structure, design, proportion, but he does not attempt to ignore the obvious emotional character of the work or to pretend it is unimportant-he allows it to develop out of the score, as naturally as the orchestral colors themselves. Tem- pos throughout the four movements are invariably convincing, the sense of momentum magnificently sustained. The outer movements are not merely powerful, but noble and exalting in a way that commands new respect for Tchaikov- sky's own tastefulness as well as his great originality. The brass figure just before the final climactic statement of the march theme in the third movement might have been brought forward a bit more, and there are some reminders between movements that an audience was present, but overall the recording itself is absolutely first-rate, allowing the music to sweep everything before it. Richard Freed

TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6 ("Pathetique") STRAVINSKY: Pulcinella, Suite NDR Symphony Orchestra, Wand RCA VICTOR 61190 (66 min) Conductor Gunter Wand: at once objective and involved

Joan Baez's Covert Politics

INHO would have thought that thir- song, the folk-rock Stones in the Road, from the ancient story of Isaac & Abra- ty-three years after her record- comes from a current country star- ham, to lovers separated by geography ing debut, and fifteen years af- Mary-Chapin Carpenter-and carries a but joined at heart (the exquisitely beau- ter her last album on a major political, moral, and social stick big tiful Steal Across the Border), to visiting label, Joan Baez would make enough to knock the yuppie generation with far -away or deceased parents in one of the finest records of her senseless. The song suggests that to- visions and dreams (the twin tunes The career? Surprises, however, are hardly day's aging baby boomers may have Dream Song and the Dylanesque Edge of inshort supply in "Play Me Back- grown up cleaning their plates out of Glory). wards." Like Baez's 1972 effort "Come guilt over starving Third World children, The theme carries throughout. In John from the Shadows," the new album was but, whether desensitized by the politi- Hiatt's Through Your Hands, an angel recorded in Nashville, the only record- cal assassinations of the Sixties or their comes down to offer a warm coat to the ing center that holds melody and story in own selfishness, they have matured into occupant of a park bench and to promise as high regard as Baez does, and the best materialistic adults who cheat on their a time of great action and great deeds. place for supplying the precise acoustic expense accounts and can't look the And in John Stewart's Strange Rivers, it touches that give this album its resonant homeless in the eye. is destiny and the pull of unseen forces texture. Instead of overt politics, the fifty -two- that rule our lives. Yet "Play Me Backwards" is far from year -old Baez, who co -wrote half of the If the overtly political times have a country record. Just as it is also far program with her producers, Wally Wil- changed, Baez's taste in music has like- from being a political record in the old son and Kenny Greenberg, seems most wise mellowed. I'm with You is the kind sense of the word, even though the best concerned with spiritual connection- of pop confessional Baez would have

82 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 turned up her nose at years ago, as is the gwistfullyseductiveJanislan-Buddy Mondlock song, Amsterdam, theal- bum's second strongest offering, which details how the slightest thing-"Just 8 the scent of perfume on the linen. .. just a ghost in the steam on the mirror"-hurls the heart into remembering "the taste of the kiss" and the "graceful goodbye" of a much -missed, long -ago lover. As a singer, the mature and relaxed Baez isn't nearly the strident presence she was even as recently as a decade ago, though her phrasing remains somewhat clipped. Her tremulous vibrato is slower and less intense, her middle range larger, as if full of compassion for her material. In short, she is easier to take, and to appreciate, for longer periods at a time. What hasn't changed is the power of her instrument. When she hits the shimmering notes at the top of her regis- ter, not even the bravest spirit-on high or elsewhere-would dare to interfere. Alanna Nash

JOAN BAEZ tf; Play Me Backwards Play Me Backwards; Amsterdam; Isaac & Abraham; Stones in the Road; Steal Across the Border; I'm with You; Strange P. Your Hands; The Dream Song; Edge of Glory VIRGIN 86458 (36 min) A String Quartet That Swings?

IHE Balanescu Quartet is Britain's just happens to be one of the best new answer to the Kronos Quartet. Just works for string quartet in a long time. as the Kronos Quartet has looked to In comparison, Robert Moran's adap- the Old World for a lot of its new tation of music from his opera The music, the Balanescu has turned to Towers of the Moon seems light and the new American generation, insweet. Moran's evolution from a fero- cluding composers better known for pop cious, big -scale, Cagian-conceptual music such as David Byrne. avant-gardism to the gentleness and ele- Byrne's brief High Life is an art rock- gance of music like this is one of the er's appealing take on contemporary Af- more remarkable composer transforma- rican pop music as transposed for classi- tions of modern times. cal strings-nineofthem here, The Balanescu Quartet, led by Alex- overdubbed by the four players of the ander Balanescu, is an excellent ensem- quartet. John Lurie, founder of the ble that combines Old World discipline Lounge Lizards, shares with Charlie with a much looser and more contempo- Chaplin the distinction of having written rary New World style and feeling; as music for films in which he stars. Strang- David Byrne says, the quartet "truly er than Paradise, probably the best of the swings." Tim Simmons's hilarious seri- low -budget Jim Jarmusch "cult" movies al -killer portraits of the musicians take starring Lurie, has a low-key, laid-back the curse off the ultra -serious liner notes, score that adapts itself quite well to just as the quartet's flexible program- string -quartet treatment, especially with ming and performing takes the hard two strong improvisational movements. edges off the ultra -serious European Michael Torke's liner -note comments string -quartet tradition. Eric Salzman about "life lived without apology or re- straint" might lead one to expect some- BALANESCU QUARTET thing wild from him. In fact, Chalk is a Byrne: High Life for Nine Instruments. highly controlled work, squarely in the Moran: Music from "The Towers of the Moon." great Western tradition (much more so Lurie: Stranger than Paradise. Torke: Chalk. than anything else in this album). It also ARGO 436 565 (52 min)

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 83 Warwick with the sass and brass of Aretha Franklin, Blige is perfectly suited for the groove-a-thon workouts of "Where's the 411r In the spare, percussive Real Love and the soaring synth-swirler / Don't Want to Do Any- thing, she rolls over and through the repeating riffs with the deliberate, undeniable speed of a luxury liner. She can chew on a phrase with ruminative ecstasy or scat around the basic melody with sweet passion, but no matter POPULAR what she chooses to do with these tunes about the ups and downs of love, she connects powerfully with the lyrics and music. The 411 MUSIC on Mary J. Blige is that she's a natural. And R.C. Discs and tapes she's not to be missed. BLACK 47 11111111, SBK 80971 (27 min) reviewed by Chris Albertson, BILLY BURNETTE Performance: Rousing Coming Home Recording: Good hyl Garland, Ron Givens, CAPRICORN 42007 (41 min) you want to hear the pluck of the Irish, oy Hemming, Alanna Nash, Performance: Took a wrong turn IfBlack 47 is for you. This Irish -American Recording: Good sextet blasts away at all the usual targets-the iParke Puterbaugh, and I n this enormously disappointing album, Bit- British, provincialism, the British, exploita- Steve Simels . ly Burnette, son of Dorsey and nephew of tion of the working class, the British-and Johnny, proves that just because you've got manages to seamlessly combine traditional rockabilly DNA dancing in your genes doesn't folk sounds, primarily the uilleann pipes, with mean you've got the magic. Most of this, a hard -charging rock attack. All of the five by the pianist Roland Hanna and that chame- songs on this EP are outstanding, but Funky leon Branford Marsalis on saxophone, the TALES FROM CEili (Bridie's Song) is a classic number about emphasis is on Blanchard's writing, and the expatriate bad luck: A young Irish lad gets passages isolating his trumpet or the voices of THE VAULTS fired from the bank only to have his girl friend the Boys Choir of Harlem are especially mov- tell him, "I'm two months late and it's not with ing-far more effective than the movie itself in the rent." Her father forces him to emigrate to suggesting Malcolm's vulnerability and capac- America, where he loves his rock band but ity for change. misses the lass terribly. Finally, he urges her to Of course, the brevity of the individual join him in the golden land where "the pubs selections and the necessary repetition of key never close." Throughout this rollicking tune, motifs within them works against Malcolm X pipes and guitars trade off in exhilarating as an album, as it does most soundtracks. But Celtic bursts. Even if you think you've heard what Blanchard has accomplished here bodes enough Irish bands to last a couple of lifetimes, extremely well for his future. Francis Davis here's another worth living for. R.G. MARY J. BLIGE TERENCE BLANCHARD What's the 4117 Malcolm X MCA 1 MOWN 10n81 (53 min) COLUMBIA CK 51190 158 min) Performance: Deeply funky Performance: Big Recording: Very good Recording: Excellent Mary J. Blige has been called the inventor JASON AND THE SCORCHERS Terence Blanchard's soundtrack for Spike of New Jill Swing. At this point in time, Essential Jason and the Scorchers Lee's bio-epic Malcolm X, hardly notice- when musical genres divide and subdivide like Volume 1: Are You Ready for the Country able in the theater, makes a strong impression sex -crazed amoebas, that kind of innovation EMI E2-95321 (70 min) on disc. It doesn't cut across as many musical may not mean as much as it once did. But Among the many great mysteries of the styles as Anthony Davis did in his opera about whether or not you buy the argument that Eighties, perhaps the most puzzling was Malcolm X, nor does it have comparable intel- Bligehastaken New Jack Swing-the how come Jason and the Scorchers never lectual reach. But it's a fine piece of work, streetwise combo of R&B and rap made Plati- became megastars. Theoretically, they had especially coming from a musician heretofore num by guys like Bobby Brown-and made it it all: a blistering near -punk instrumental known only as a trumpeter and small -group safe for women, this album marks the debut of attack evoking both Hank Williams and the leader, with no experience in writing for a major talent. early Who, plus a frontman whose songs strings or big band. Despite brief, telling solos Combining some of the brittleness of Dionne and singing were as smart and moving and original as those of his country -rock fore- Black 47: pluck of the Irish bear Gram Parsons. So why didn't the Scorchers escape cult status? Beats me. Anyway, let us now give thanks that EMI is reissuing the Scorchers' catalog on CD. This first volume resurrects the band's 1984 "Fervor" EP along with their 1985 debut album. "Lost and Found," in its entirety, the whole fleshed out with remixes, English singles (the Neil Young song that provides a the compilation's subtitle), and previously unreleased live tracks. Not to mince words, this really is essential stuff; in fact, no better American music is likely to be on sale at any time in the near future. Steve Simels The World's Most Complete Music Source

VIRTUALLY FREE MUSIC EVERY TITLE UPDATES IN PRINT! We'll keep you current with updates MAJOR LABELS - featuring bestsellers. AND OVER 1,000 new releases, INDEPENDENTS recommendations, Including Chesky, samplers and more. Discovery and Nimbus!

EVERY STYLE ONLY $6 - OF MUSIC completely refunded 288 pages of Rock, with 1st purchase Classical, Jazz, Blues, from catalog. Nashville, Opera, World Music. COMPETITIVE THIS IS NOT PRICES A CLUB! And special notice No unrequested of sales. Plus, our shipments of CDs catalog coupons Or tapes. let you save on future orders.

_HAnraw- Knowledgeable operatorsstandingby. 1-800-451-BOSE Express Music Outside of U.S. and Canada: 1-508-879-1916 x2008

There are 2 ways to subscribe! Check'EVISA E MC AMEX E Discover ETRIAL OFFER:Send me the current Bose' Express Music' catalog Credit Card No. and free updates for just$6.00/YR -completely refunded with my first order from the catalog. (Additional 56.00 S&H charge for orders outside U.S. Exp. except APO/FPO.) #CAT93 'International orders - Credit Card only. EREGULAR SUBSCRIPTION (Includes FREE CD sampler): Name Enclosed is $6 for my subscription to the current catalog with bonus CD, and free updates.Please send me each new edition of the catalog Address (approx. every 9 months) and bill me for the $6.00 renewal charge. Each new catalog includes another FREE CD, and the subscription charge is City always refundable against my first order from each new edition.I can cancel my subscription any time without obligation or get a refund for the State Zip last catalog sent if I decide that I do not want it. #AUTOCAT EPLEASE SEND ME THE ATTACHED LIST OF RECORDINGS (include artist, title and quantity of CDs). I'm enclosing $13.99/CD + BOSE EXPRESS MUSIC $3.95 S&H per total order.Additional S&H charge for international The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701-9323 orders. *Offer valid for CDs priced below $17.00 only. Fax: 508-875-0604 SR04 includingTangled Up in Texas, isbland pop - rock posing as contemporary country, and Klassically about as relevant as Florence Henderson. If for some inexplicable reason you've just got to Kinks buy it. check out the rhythm numbers and skip the rest. A . N.

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN The Burton Lane Songbook, Vol. II ELEKTRANONESUCH 79285 (66 min) Performance: Engaging Recording: Excellent Michael Feinstein launched his innovative series of show -music albums featuring the composers themselves as the definitive accompanists with "The Burton Lane Song- book, Vol. I." Now, two years later, he sails exuberantly through twenty-four more songs by the long -undervalued Broadway and Holly- wood composer. Included are familiar songs from the showsOn a Clear Day You Can See ForeverandSome Like It Hot(the 1939 version), but most welcome are Feinstein's resus- citations of such unfairly neglected lovelies as It's Time for a Love Song(fromCarmelina) andThe World in My Arms(fromHold On to Your Hats).As a pianist, the eighty -year -old The Kinks Lane may not be as technically versatile as in 1964 Feinstein, but his playing has the jauntiness of a man half his age. R. H. Each time the Kinks jump to a new label, you down." In Don't Look Down, a crowd ICE CUSS they consolidate their strengths and beseeches a man on a ledge not to jump, The Predator make a promising new start. "Phobia," with Ray chiming in, "Things might start PRIORITY 57185 (57 min) their first full-length album on Columbia, looking up You just never know." Performance: Mixed is every bit the heartening equal of "Sleep- "Phobia" is the most classically Kinks - Recording: Good walker," their memorable first album on like Kinks album in quite a while. The gangstaor not to gangsta: That's the Arista, the one where they retreated from guitars chug in the agreeable not -quite - T°question that increasingly faces Ice Cube, concept albums and campy posturing and hard -rock, not -quite -folk-rock vein of the probably the single most talented rapper to emerge from the West Coast. First with N.W.A got back down to songs. Similarly, "Pho- "Arthur" -era Kinks in songs like Babies (a and then with his solo albums, Cube has bia" further sharpens the Kinks' devotion fearful diatribe sung from the womb) and shown a gritty talent for inner-city melodra- to committed, purposive songcraft after The Informer (a touching song about how ma. In "The Predator" he again turns his the flameout of several indifferently re- religion and politics can end friendships). unblinking attention to matters of racism, vio- ceived albums on MCA. It's got the halo of There are a few disappointments, such as lence, and moral confusion.When Will They a concept about it, having to do with the the plodding riff -rock of the title song and Shoot?,for instance, makes the insecurity of plight of lost and lonely individuals trying the synthetic bounce of Over the Edge. violence -ridden blacks real ("They killed JFK to persevere in a world driven over the Then too, hearing the notoriously quarrel- in '63 / What the f--- you think they do to me"). edge, which ties the album together with- But Cube seems to be chafing against the some Davies brothers go at one another in limits of the gangsta style. Either through out making it into a full-blown musical. Hatred isn't so much amusing asitis lyrical references ("I'm down with O.P.P.") or "Phobia" is 100 percent pure, uncut unnerving; besides, it misuses one of their guest appearances (the scatty Das EFX, for Kinks-just brothers Ray and Dave Da- sharpest, most driving musical tracks example), he seems to be trying to broaden his vies, bassist Jim Rodford, and drummer since the early days. rap base beyond Compton, and a number of Bob Henrit. Ray penned fourteen songs, Still, "Phobia" is a treasure chest of songs have a lighter, less explosive sound. Dave anted up his allotted two, and they precious kargo for Kinks kultists. Once These shifts are understandable, considering produced the whole shebang in their own you've heard 'em, you won't be able to live the somewhat repetitive nature of his solo Konk studios. Ray's lyrics here are not as without Ray's blackly comic urban vi- work up to this point, but Ice Cube has yet to mirthful or wry as they've been in simpler incorporate the new elements successfully. gnette Somebody Stole My Car, Dave's "The Predator" seems like a transitional al- times, but there's a gracious humanity in soulful Close to the Wire, and the heart -on - bum, with Cube more at ease with where he's them. The titles alone tella tale:Still sleeve ballad Still Searchin', which fea- been than where he's going. R.G. Searchin', Surviving, and Scattered, to tures some gorgeous Waterloo Sunset - name three, express doubt, vulnerability, style falsetto backing vocals that will have RIBA MeINTIRI and dogged determination in unambigu- the faithful swooning. Parke Puterbaugh Ws Your Call ously human terms. In Only a Dream, Ray MCA10673 (35min) recounts how a flattering remark made by THE KINKS Performance: Heartbreaking an attractive stranger exiting an elevator Phobia Recording: Very good left him feeling elated and optimistic, but Still Searchin'; Surviving; Scattered; Only a WhenReba McEntire wants to bury her- Dream; Don't Look Down; Babies; The when he returns to make her acquaint- self deep in heartache-and, face it, Informer; Over the Edge; Hatred; that very impulse has made her one of the best- ance, she won't even meet hiseye, Somebody Stole My Car; Close to the Wire; selling artists in the history of country mu- prompting him to muse, "Life's just like and five others sic-she bends her voice just about every way that elevatorIt takes you up and brings COLUMBIACK 48724 (71 min) humanly possible. Whether it's a throaty sob, a swooping melisma, a silvery vibrato, or some2

86 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 POPULAR MUSIC

over and over again. When it shatters, we fall LOUDON WAINWRIGHT Ill to pieces. R.G. History HARIS!0A 86416146 min) NIRVANA Performance: May leave welts IncestIcIde Recording: Very good GEFFEN 24504 (45 min) n this exceedingly personal album about Performance: Uneven relationships, primarily with his family, vet- Recording: Ditto eran folkie Loudon Wainwright III brings the ncesticide" is, pure and simple, a piece of word "dysfunctional" out of the self-help man- product to keep Nirvana's name before the uals and throws it where it belongs-into the public before their 15 minutes are up and face of his loved ones, including ex-wives everyone forgets. Only three of the songs have Kate McGarrigle and Suzzy Roche, who sing never been previously released, which makes back-up for one of the tunes here. this a blatant consumer rip-off. Everything a Much of this is done tongue in cheek-When group like Nirvana stands for-a fiercely mor- I'm at Your House, The Doctor, and People in dazzling combination of the three, McEntire's alindependence, a disdain for corporate Love employ a playful attitude and poke fun at bag of vocal tricks seems naturally suited to machinations, a fans -first mentality-is con- Wainwright's private neuroses, cynicism, and the romantic melodramas that have dominated tradicted by a release so transparently profit paranoia. But things turn very somber indeed her career, including "It's Your Call." From motivated. in Hitting You, about socking his daughter far the title tune, which starts the album, to Okay, with that obligatory diatribe out of the too hard and the bruiseitleftfor years, Lighter Shade of Blue, which finishesit, way, I have to admit that there's some pretty 4 x 10, about the impenetrable walls his par- McEntire keeps whipping up the suds. The neat material scattered among the B sides and ents built around their hearts, and A Father most exaggerated example is He Wants to Get EP tracks, obscure covers of Devo and the and a Son, a veritable history of a screwed -up Married, in which she builds image upon im- Vaselines, BBC sessions, and oddments from family in which Wainwright tells his nineteen - age of blissful wedlock, only to reveal in the Northwest compilations. The cute, coy Silver year -old offspring, "1 know that I'm miserable last line that the marriage -minded guy wants (an A side from 1990) and the hyperactive, / Can't you see? / I just want you to be just like to get hitched to someone else. hooky Molly's Lips highlight Nirvana's hard - me." Wainwright also returns to an earlier Like "For My Broken Heart," her last al- candy pop side. Some of these tracks, particu- theme, his perpetual mid -level career, in Talk- bum, "It's Your Call" doesn't strain to cross larly the early demos, should have stayed in ing New Bob Dylan. But it's Sometimes I over from country to pop but effortlessly strad- the can, and much of the trendy -come -lately Forget that you'll remember-a monologue dles the line between the two. In fact, these alternative crowd will no doubt say "never from a son to his long -dead father in which he smooth -as -butter arrangements could easily mind" to the whole thing. But if you're a hard- tries to remember all the good things that held be mistaken for TV ads or elevator music if it core Nirvana fan, you'll find a lot of compel- them together instead of the major issues that weren't for that crystalline voice breaking ling curiosities here. P.P. kept them apart. .4.N. Make the Most of the Music... Make the Best of the Room... OmniMount Systems makes the most versatile, best looking and easiest to use mounting hardware.. For Satellites & Surrounds, larger speakers. too. Safe and strong, yet Polymer Ball-The "heart" of the OtnniMount System. Extrem 31y high tensile strength and unique compression - sleek and unobtrusive. set cha acteristics are among its secrets. An oversize Omnidirectionality- steel rir g is eccentrically welded to the shaft, then far beyond the usual dipped into a thermally reactive adhesive. When molded. the ball is then mechanically, "pan & tilt." thermaly, chemically and Dozens of models and permanently bonded to accessories supporting the shaft. / ounces to hundreds of pounds. -"4? T7, Proven reliable in From Wall. Ceiling or Floor to Top. worldwide protssional Clami Assembly 9 Back. Bottom use for 12 years. The aLiminum alloy 4 or Sides of clamp assembly opens Speaker Highly engineered- to receive the ball. The streamlined to a few tension screw passes essential components, throuc h. When tightened, spher cal cavities compress with graceful lines arourd the ball and internal that blend into any "teeth " bite into it, locking in the chose n angle of adjustment. From Ceiling From Wall environment. to Back of to Bottom Speaker of Speaker Our chart matches the speakers you now own or OMNIMOUNT plan to buy with the exact OmniMount product SYSTEMS you'll need-quickly, conveniently and affordably. .1,7='"rs4,471 -74,v/4 Please call, fax or write us for more information. W letwir * * * OmniMount' Systems CIRCLE NO 28 ON READER SERVICE CARD 10840 Vanowen Street Tel: (818) 766-9000 1992 OmniMount Systems All rights reserved "OmniMount" is megistered trademark of OmniMount Systems Ornmk4ount products are covered by patents shoed and/or pending. North Hollywood, CA 91605-6406Fax: (818) 766-9437 POPULAR MUSIC

JAZZ wise unrecorded The Afro-American Suite of TIPS FOR MAIL ORDER Evolution-are so subtle that they may pass PURCHASERS right by, but what will grab you in this ballad is GERI ALLEN Heath's rich reed -section writing (worthy of It is impossible for us to verify all Maroons comparison with Benny Carter's) and the way of the claims of advertisers, in- BLUE NOTE 99483 (72 mini his tenor solo soars over the strategically cluding product availability and Performance: Mostly engrossing massed low horns. Forever Sonny, for Sonny existence of warranties. There- Recording: Very good Rollins, likewise fails to evoke its honoree but fore, the following information is Amovie about Geri Allen's influences might scores points on its own. be titled The Two Herbies. Her most In addition to Heath's arrangement of a provided for your protection. stimulating pieces here-the off -center blues catchy little number by Bill Cosby (who was No More Mr. Nice Guy, for example, or Two the producer), the disc also includes successful 1. Confirm price and merchandise Brothers, with its bass -and -treble melodic di- enlargements of C. T.A. and Gingerbread Boy, information with the seller, includ- chotomy-resemble those of the late Herbie two Heath compositions originally recorded ing brand, model, color or finish, ac- Nichols in their Rubik's Cube construction, by Miles Davis's small groups in 1953 and cessories and rebates included in the and she interprets them with tough-minded 1966, respectively. These amount to tributes to price. wit. But, as in some of her earlier albums, she Heath himself, but nobody's more entitled. 2. Understand the seller's return occasionally indulges an impressionistic Although he's been recording since the late and refund -policy, including the al- streak reminiscent of Herbie Hancock at his 1940's, this recording is the first opportunity most vacant. he's been given to show off his mastery of the lowable return period and who pays That happens in A Prayer for Peace and the big -band idiom. He makes the most of it.F.D. the postage for returned merchan- title track, which together take up very little dise. time in a program lasting almost an hour and a 3. Understand the product's war- quarter. Otherwise, "Maroons" fully justifies ranty. Is there a manufacturer's war- Allen's growing reputation as a pianist and ranty, and if so, isit from a U.S. or composer. The basic instrumentationisa foreign manufacturer? Does the sell- quartet with Wallace Roney or Marcus Bel - er itself offer a warranty? In either grave on trumpet, Anthony Cox or Dwayne Dolphin on bass, and Pheeroan AkLaff or Tani case, what is covered by warranty, Tabbal on drums. But one of the disc's most how longisthe warranty period, attractive features is the variety that Allen where will the product be serviced, achieves by deploying her sidemen in novel what do you have to do, and will the combinations, ranging from spartan piano - product be repaired or replaced? You and -trumpet duets to busy performances in may want to receive a copy of the which the trumpeters, bassists, or drummers written warranty before placing your are effectively paired off. Francis Davts order. 4. Keep a copy of all transactions, GARY BARTZ including cancelled checks. receipts Shadows SUN RA AND HIS 379 (69 min) ASTRO INFINITY ARKESTRA and correspondence. For phone or- TIMELESS SiP Performance: Thrilling My Brother the Wind, Volume II ders, make a note of the order includ- Recording: Excellent 1. VIDENCE ECD 22040 (40 min , ing merchandise ordered, price, or- Even if you're familiar with Sun Ra's record - Performance: Flashback hallucination der date, expected delivery date and Ming of David Rose's Holiday for Strings, Recording: A vast improvement salesperson's name. Gary Bartz's version here is going to catch you Evidence, a small label based near Philadel- 5. Ifthe merchandise isnot by surprise-the veteran alto saxophonist rips phia, has so far reissued on CD ten Sun Ra shipped within the promised time into that dreck classic with the same mixture albums originally released on his own hard -to - or if no time was promised. 30 days of of affection and skepticism Sonny Rollins find Saturn label. This obscurity from 1970 is receipt of the order, you generally brings to such tunes, and with similarly aston- hardly the best of the lot, yet I keep returning ishing results. A hard bopper all the way, Bartz to it, probably on account of its period charm. have the right to cancel the order and doesn't let up on ballads; his throaty explora- Sun Ra reissues from the 1960's show him to get a refund. tion of Michel Legrand's How Do You Keep the have been ahead of his time, or at least inde- 6. Merchandise substitution with- Music Playing? pulses with emotions deeper pendent of it. This one, ending with five Moog out your express prior consent is not and more complex than the cozy sentimental- synthesizer solos so trippy they could have allowed. ity the song usually occasions. Even so, the been recorded only in 1970, catches Ra and the 7. If you have a problem with your track to listen to first is John Coltrane's Song of masses momentarily in sync. order or the merchandise, write a the Underground Railroad, in which the drum- That said, the tracks on which Ra sets the letter to the seller with all the perti- mer Victor Lewis duplicates Elvin Jones's controls for the heart of the sun are the ones I nent information and keep a copy. triplet feel and Bartz issues notes as though listen to least. My fascination with the late spitting fire. F.D. June Tyson-for decades the fierce -eyed god- 8. If you are unable to obtain satis- dess on the prow of the Arkestra's ship- faction from the seller, contact the JIMMY HEATH keeps bringing me back to her chants for the consumer protection agency in the Little Man Big Band rhumba Somebody Else's Idea and the Dem seller'sstate or your localPost VERVE 314 513 956 (52 nun) Bones -like Walking on the Moon. With Sun Ra Office. Performance: Better late than never playing organ, several of the band's perfor- Recording: Excellent mances settle into an irresistible (if slightly If, after following the above guide- of the eight selections on this whomping warped) groove similar to those purveyed by lines. you experience a problem Fivebig-band CD are tributes to musicians far Baby Face Willette and Brother Jack McDuff. with a mail order advertiser that better known than Jimmy Heath. Ellington's And, along with the expected saxophone erup- you are unable to resolve, please Stray Horn should be self-explanatory, as tions by John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, and Pat let us know. Write to the Associate should Trane Connections. The festive Without Patrick, there's a brief exercise in tonal modu- Publisher of STEREO REVIEW You, No Me, with its brass -section echoes of A lation called Somewhere Else that's so potent Magazine, Tony Catalano. Be sure Night in Tunisia, is for Dizzy Gillespie. The it'spractically dizzying.In other words, allusions to Coleman Hawkins in The Voice of all there's much to enjoy here, even if the Moog to include copies of corre- the Saxophone-a section of Heath's other - spondence. stuff leaves you cold. F.D. 88 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 POPULAR MUSIC C/IJICK FIXES Woofers. THE COLORBLIND nia pop people forget he had a hand in watts, pixels, JAMES EXPERIENCE inventing. Pick hit: I Am Not That, which Solidi Behind the Times. manages to find interesting connections tweeters, RED HOUSE CD 52 (55 min). between Rend Magritte and Richard Nix- home Calling these guys the greatest Alternative/ on. Tech note: The CD is encoded in Dolby Country/Polka band in the world may be Surround, so if you have a good home theater? descriptively accurate, but it doesn't really surround -sound system you'll be able to convey the depth of their ineffable, wacky hear the music the way its laconic creator originality (Bob Wills' Texas Playboys on intended. S.S. acid fronted by an American Robyn Hitch- Confused? cock? Could be, could be). In any case, a POUSSE-CAFE highly diverting album. S.S. AUDIOPHILE ACD-263 (45 min). With today's rapidly changing Pousse-Café, which closed after three performances in 1966, was Duke Ellington's technology, it's easy to get last attempt at a book musical for Broad- confused. Superstores tout low way. Supper -club singer Barbara Lea, a long-time P -C partisan, convinced the prices, but what about answering show's lyricist, Marshall Barer, to join her your questions and helping you in this recording of the score, and along with Ellis Larkin and an instrumental com- choose components that work with bo they prove that whatever was wrong what you already own? with the show, it wasn't the songs. R.H. PRANKII'S NOUSE EPIC SOUNDTRAX EK 53194 (41 min). TELEVISION PERSONALITIES PIK t can help: Jeff Beck, still the world's greatest living Closer to God. SEED 14225 (79 min). rock guitarist, and Jed Leiber, son of hal7of Depending on my mood, the neopsychedel- PARA is a nationwide organization rock'sbestfirst -generationsongwriting ic / punk / power pop these Brit veterans team (Leiber and Stoller), collaborated on churn out strikes me either as charmingly of independent specialty this soundtrack for a cable TV miniseries folk -primitive (it la Jonathan Richman) or audio/video stores dedicated to about Vietnam. What they came up with, as pretentious about its amateurism. Lis- alas, is mostly just blues -tinged mood -mon- tening to their latest I'm leaning toward the providing expert advice, quality gering reminiscent of Eric Clapton's contri- latter. S. S. products, and world -class customer butions to the Lethal Weapon series, but Beck does make some ultra -cool noises in service. We make sense of the latest an instrumental version of the venerable technologies and help you see and Ili -Heel Sneakers. S.S. hear the differences between the THE JEFF HEALEY BAND Feel This. ARISTA 18706157 min). many brands we recommend. Cliché arena rock is cliché arena rock even if you've got a torrid, bluesy guitarist like The peronal 'ht Jeff Healey to punch up the action. R.G. TRIUMPH We care more about your long THE LOVEMONGERS Edge of Excess. term satisfaction than just making Battle of Evermore. VICTORY 383 480 012 (47 min). CAPITOL 15953 (22 min). Excuse me, guys, but don't you mean over a one-time sale. We are audio/video Hey,it'sHeart's wacky Wilson sisters, the edge? doing live acoustic versions of songs by professionals who love music. And, Led Zep, Todd Rundgren, the Tempta- EXCURSIONS IN AMBIENCE: A we offer the best values in home tions, and themselves. The resulting EP is Collection of Ambient House Music. entertaining enough, I suppose, but some- CAROLINE 1733 (60 min). entertainment. At a PARA retailer, body should really pass on to these kids one Just what the world needs-dance music it won't cost extra to buy what's simple phrase-MTV Unplugged. S.S. inspired by Brian Eno in his birds -chirping - in -the -night mode. You are getting sleepy right for you and your family.

. . . verrry sleeepy . . . zzzz . . . S.S.

WEIRD NIGHTMARE: MEDITATIONS ON MINGUS COLUMBIA 52739 (74 min). Hal Willner, perhaps pop music's most creative producer, has crafted a tour de force by treating the works of the jazz bassist Charles Mingus like a screenplay Professional open to interpretations. His iconoclastic Audio Video MICHAEL NESMITH cast-Art Baron, Chuck D, Elvis Costel- Retailers Tropical Campfires. lo-turns these tunes over, under, side- Association PACIFIC ARTS PAAD-5000 (58 min). ways, and down, making "Weird Night- Nesmith, the once and future Smart Mon- mare" not so much a reverential tribute as a kee, returns with a very pleasant example launching pad for (consistently successful) Itedkeoer the Jo, of nrde: of the kind of wry, country -tinged Califor- musical experimentation. R.G. To lorale a PAK t dealer near 'au . call (7118, 268-1 50111.

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 89 ERAS/BLANK VIDEO TAPESNIDEO ACCESSORIES/PERSONAL COMPUTERS/BUSINE PUTER FURNITURE/CAR STEREOS/RADAR DETECTORS/CAR SEC

& D - - a

Receivers Cassette Decks Koss Electrostatic Headphone Super Special Purchase

Sony STR-AV23 Team V-370 Stereo Receiver Stereo Cassette Deck 40 watts Cognal AM/FM tuner wrth 30 station Direct function me.chanism *Dolby B noise Ye K 0 SS' presets *Matrix surround sound Wireless reduction 2 -color peak LED level meter 3 - =ELECTROSTATIC remote control wrth motorized volume control digit tape counter *Full auto stop SAVE OVER S1500 Original Lest 52000 Koss ESP/950 This Month's '?1$ /4995SON STRAV23) ()nPrice 7495 TEA 5370) Electrostatic Headphones Sherwood RA -1140 Teac W-410 Headphones that reproduce every nuance Jazz Box Sets

25 watts/ channel. surround sound $9995 (hal Cassette Deck. Dolby B . . ... $9993 with lifelike realism Ultra -flat response JVC RX-206 Technics RS-TR232 ...am ensures that you will hear the deepest bass,

40 watts/channel. remote ... . '1 4995 *Dual Cassette, auto -rev. Dolby B/C./F0C-Pro- Ltu-- natural warm midrange & crisp clear highs WYNTON Technics SA -0X130 Technics RS-TR333 Includes E/90 Energizer/Amplifier which al- MARSALIS lows system to be connected to virtually any 70 watts/channel. remote 1989" Dual Cassette. auto -rev, Dolby B/C/HX-Pro-18993 SEPTET Team AGV-1200 Teac W -585R musrc source Also includes: connecting cables, AC adaptor, battery pack & calfskin CITI MOVEMENT .100 wattsichanneDolby Surround $21 9" Dual Cassette, auto -rev, Dolby B/C/HX-Pro$22995 Carrying case with enough room for a Technics SA -0X330 Aiwa ADF-810 portable CD player irHiWine .100 wattsichannel. remote $249°5 3 head. Dolby B/011X-Pro, remote 529995 SPRING YAOUNDE Our $49995 HUSTLE BUSTLE Technics SA-GX530 Team W -6000R 0 .110 watts/channel. Dolby Pro Logic 1129 995 Dual Auto -Reverse. Dolby 8/CMX-Pro 542993 ISZe (KOS ESP050) DARK HEARTBEAT 4 ig COL 21.112 4 ei. Compact Disc Players Surround Sound Remotes/Antennas Wynton Marsalis NEW Citi Movement LOW PRICE '15"2 CD'1199 Se 99. 2 -Cassette Set Also Available: Technics SL-PD827 AudioSource SS -Three II Gemstar VCR Plus Various Artists: Victor Jazz 1" 5 -Disc Rotary CD Changer Surround Sound Processor VCR Instant Programmer Hall Century *Designed to allow the changing of 4 discs *Dolby 1 'r0 Logic Surround Built-in 30 EaSy-to-use step VCR programming RCA 66084 5 -CD Set/ $48.99 while one is in play *MASH 1 -bit D/A con- watts amp.. tor frontkenter & for rear chan- *Using the coat- number printed in many TV verter .32X oversampling 10 key direct ac- nels Subwoofer output *Remote control *4 listings, you can program your VCR as eas- Wes Montgomery: Complete cess remote *Spiral play Synchro-editing rows of LEDs display the input signals ily as dialing your phone Riverside Recordings Our ai 8995 RIV 4408...12 -CD SeV $137.99 (TEC SLP08271 Our $29 9 95(ASO SS.THREE10 15zOur $4495 (OMS VCR.) Ella Fitzgerald: Early Years Pt. 1 Sherwood CD -1000C 19995 Design Acoustic PS -CV Memorex VR3 GRP 618 2 -CD Set/ $19.99 .40 oversampling, 16 -track programming Poinl Source Compact Speakers Each 58019 -- Preprogrammed remote for 4 units...... 895 John Coltrane: Retrospective: The JVC XLV-151 B ose VS -100 One -For-All 3 Impulse Years 1 -bit, 8X oversampling $1 1 9" t enter Channel Speaker Each 12995 Big Easy Preprogrammed WWI ...... GRP 119 Technics SL -P0300 Audio Source SS -One 11, Terk AF3000 3 -CD Set/ $27.99 CO Player. MASH D/A,. remote...... OW -- Surround Sound Amp. Dolby 29-- .Amplitied AM/FM Antenna $34" Billie Holiday: Complete Oecca Mac PDC-400 Yamaha NSA-PC10 Recoton TV -600 Recordings 5 -Disc CD Changer, top load, remote *1 59" -Amplified Center Channel Speaker.Each$1 2995 Arnplified UHF/VHS/FM Antenna. $6995 GRP 601 2 -CD Set/ $25.99 JVC XLF-106 Atlantic Technology 15011T Terk AF -9925 Oscar Peterson: Exclusively For -5 Disc CD Changer. rotary, 1 -art *1 6995 Subwooler. satellite & surround speakers 849 -- .Arnpiired AM/FM Antenna, 42dB gain ...... $7 9" Tose AD -400 B ose AM7 Memorex CPS -Turbo My Friends CD Flayer/Cassette Deck Combo, remote $274" * tome Theater Acoustimass/Cube Speakers189995 Universal remote control, 156 commands $89" VER 513830 4 -CD Set/ $44.99 Loudspeakers Loudspeakers Turntables/Cartridges DJ Equipment

131e; slger 43-0,1 0

Advent A-1052 seaRecoton W-400 Theron. 180 Gemini POM-6008 25th Anniversary Speakers Wireless Speaker System 3 -Speed Belt Drive Turntable Digital Mixer/Equalizer The legendary Large Advent updated with .6.5' black polypropylene woofer *Liquid .33.45. 78 r.p,m Automatic shut-off & auto - 8 -sec. digital sampling .7 -band EQ 2 new ferro-fluid tweeter *Genuine walnut ve- cooled dome metal tweeter *Dual diaduct retract *Synchronous motor Adiustable anti - phono. 5 line, 1 auxiliary mic, &1 DJ mic input neer Famous 10 -woofer 3 -position bal- ports for superior bass 10-85 watts power skating *External power supply Includes Removable & assignable fader *Cueing ance switch 1 00 watts 8 ohms handling Stanton cartridge Talkover LED meters 19' rack mount Our v9995 Our $39996 ur $29995(ADV A1052) 4$1599",:gto7 Our $29995 180) (GM!,GM, Pi"..i.,081 Pinnacle PN2+ Recoton W-440 Audio Technica AT-331LP 4ke.05 Gemini PMX-2000 2 -way, mini, polled Pale $99" Deluse Wireless Speaker System $229" .Universal Mount Cartridge. line -contact.....$sai 111 Mixer. 7-bancUch EQ. voice synthesizer$2 1 9" Yamaha PISA635 Pinnacle P118+/Oak Stanton 680EL sa C995 Gemini PMX-3500 3 -way speakers. 8 woofer ...... Pair $99" 2 -Way Speakers, 8woofer p.$24 9" .0J Pro Standard Mount Cartridge, extra stylusis, OJ Mixer, 7-band/ch Ea.. 6 sound effects $279" Technics SB-L80 Acoustic Research 570 Gemini XL-BD10 $9995 Gemini PVX- 160 3 -way, 12' woofer Pair $1 4995 Powered Partner Speakers Pai,$29 995 Semi -Auto Turntable. belt. pitch -Power Amp, t35 watts/channel $349" Bose 301-111 JBL 4312/11C Technics SL-BD20 $9995 Gemini PDM-7008 .DirecVReflecting. 8' woofer PO $31 89° 3 -Way Pro Studio Monitors ...... Pair $599°5 .Tumtable, belt -drive. semi -automatic DJ Mixer, digital sampling ..... 5549" Design Acoustics PS -10A v. ...3 Corwin -Vega AT -15 Shure V15-VPAR Stanton CD22 3 -way. 10 woofer, mirror -image Pair .a.wo-- 3 -Way. Floor Standing, 15' woofer Pair $59995 Cartridge. micro -ridge stylus 29" -Dual CD Player, pdch control. *1 09995 Ceiwin-Vega AT12 Bose AM5-11 Technics SL-QD33K NESS Disco Lights 3 -way, 12woofer Pair $399" Acoustimass 3 -pc speaker system 974995 utry Auto Own: ' 91 7995 -For Complete Selection . CALL CALL US TOLL FREE FOR ITEMS NOT LISTED IN THIS AD

ORDER TOLL FREE 24 HOURS A DAY 1800--221 Outside U.S.A. Call: 7 DAYS A WEEK -81 1-718-417-3737 J&R Music World, Dept. SR0493, 59-50 Queens -Midtown Expressway, Maspeth, Queens, NY11378

TERS/PRINTERS/MONITORS/COMPUTER SOFTWARE/FLOPPY DISKS/COMPUTER SO ESS SYSTEMS/HOME SECURITY/PERSONAL COMPUTERS/PORTA

a I " Video Players/Recorders Camcorders Televisions/Video

Sony SLV-695 Sony CCD-TR71 Sony KV-13TR27 VHS HiFi Stereo Recorder 8nwn Camcorder 13° Trinitron Color Television VCR rammer bow -ir.4-i . , 10.1 vari.loi speed suer zoom HiF '-in-screen Commands AutO timer *Channel audio tracker *8 event/ 1 month stereo .10 -bit digital signal processing ' *Sleep timer *Audio/ video inputs 181 :to head cleaner On -screen display *Digital fader & special effects High spee'i ,e1 cable -ready Sueded black finish Super Specials! (nnel tuner "Remote shutter 2 lux *Wireless remote Our $ 799$$ (SON SO6951 i?5-1Ze (SON CCDTR71: s24995ISON KV13T,L Music Videos Shintom VCR -560 Panasonic PV -14 Sony FD -510 VHS Recorder 14-day/6-event time, remotest 69" WHS-C Panncorder.8 1 zoom, 1 -lux "599" d 5Mega Watchman. bun( & Mute Ty ... $8995 Panasonic PV -2201 Panasonic PV -22 Casio TV-470AC Telluride Bluegra "/H5 Recorder. S -VHS playback, oil -screen'1 99$8 WHS-C Camcorder,8 1 zoom, 1 la. remoli '699' .2 2' 1.CDCoior TV. includes AC adaptor... $1 1 9" T Annual Sony SLV-393 Sony CCD-TR31 Sony KV-20EXR20 WHS Recorder 4 -head. on -screen 'with James Taylor *279" timm Hanoycam 10.1 zoom, 1 -lux '699°5 -20Stereo Monitor surround sound *3 9 9" Bela Fleck Shawn CoInn A seem General Electric VG -4217 Sony CCD-FX410 Panasonic PV -M1321 .46 -Fr Stereo VHS Recorder Hitren Camcorder 101 zoom, 2 -lux '699'8 .17 TYNRS Recorder Comonaion 5449" Toshiba M-648 Sony CCD-FX510 Panasonic PVM-2021 4-1,-Fi Stereo VHS 4 -heads 831 9" Hif, Stereo 8mm Camcorder s129vt '749" VHS Recorder/20 TV Combo . Sony SLV-585 Panasonic PV -42 8899.5 Sony KV-277S27 VHSH-f) Recorder 4 -head 837995 VHS -C Camcorder. 205 zoom. 1-110 27Stereo IV Monitor, surround sound $52995 Your Choice S12.95 Concrete Blonde:Mid-Life Crisis Mini Audio Systems Video Editing & Processing Sony Headphones Fishbone:Past To Present Foil( City 25' Anniversary Concert Sting:UnpluggedIMTVI Eric Clanton: The Cream of Clapton Nelson Mandela 70" Birthday Tribute (including: Dire Straits. Eric Clapton. Sting)

New On Laser Disc Aiwa NS -X330 Videonics TPA1 Sony MDR -V100 Mini Stereo System Moo Tithrmaker Studio Monitor Series Headphones 30 watts/channel 3 preset equalizer posh Uses digital video technology to add oril- Supra -Aural design "Lightweight & com- bons "Dual auto -reverse cassettes *Wireless liant Hies to all videos *Broadcast quality res- fortable with wide molded headband remote *Dolby B 3 -way speakers 13BE sys- olution 11 font & size combinations plus over *Frequency response- 20-20KHz "Stereo tem *AM/FM tuner with 32 station presets a million colors *20 special effects UniMatch plug adaptor Our $1995 44349" $39995 T.,1, (SON MDtRytant Panasonic SC- TS230 Siena Ed -it 2 Sony MDR-CD3O CD . Dual cassene v $ F '299" tor irdieo enhancer/sound mile- $9995 c -aural Headphones digital -read, l 995 Aiwa NS -X150 Sima SCO Sony MDR -V200 Your Choice $29.95LIVE .3 -CD Changer dual cassette, EO HOME VIDEO '299" vices move character gene,' $24995 Super aural design folding $3995 Raising Cain Panasonic SC-TC430 Fuji P4OU Sony MDR-CD350 Kafka 5 -CD Changer turmaNe Dual Cassette $37995 $39995 Circurn-aural. dtaideterenc. $4995 Aiwa LCX-01 Panasonic WJ-AVE3 Cool World Sony MDR -V400 $5 9 95 ..1al lure'. CD Player. Dual cassette $39995 benereor 8449" *Closed ear digital senes The Waterdance Teac DCD-1600 Videonics EM1 Single White Female Sony MDR -V600 -CD Player Dual Cassese remote '41995 . deo EdnMaSer. pro editing in 1 and $54995 -Studio Monitor Senes lading 869" Sondheim A Celebration Al Carnegie Hall Aiwa NS -X990 Fuji P701 Sony MDR-CD888XR Universal Soldier CD. dual cassete. Karaokie 8499" CD Video Promote 169 995 oir, tor. cobalt magnet $7995 Woridband Radios Microphones Maxell Tape J&R Catalogue Maxell T120/3 VHS Tape Special Pac cage

',Step up to H. ' grade tape C. Buy 2 standard grade T-120 EX tapes & get high grade 7-120HGX Grundig Satellit 700 Audio Technica ATR-40 tape at the same price World Band Receiver Dynamic Microphone 1-800-221-81H 1 6-3CMHz M W.( L.V Lands our oatterr. rot.dior Le is e

programmable memories Di, ,ent for both vocal & instrumental appli- 14w"- clock/alarm/timer *Digital tuner 110/220 :i:,ons *Low impedance 'Detachable XLF MAX---(M T120/31 For a FREE catalogue call Toll -Free Built-in NiCad charger cable to phone plug 800-221-8180.or Write: LWo." $5995 J811 Music World c Department SR0493 °" es499"(GRU S1700) Puce (AT ATR40) Grundig Y8-206 Audio Technics ATR-20 59-50 Oueens-Midtown Expressway racht Boy. 15 bands clock/timer *I 29" . 0yriamic, un.-d(renkinal. tor (mut $1 9" Maspeth, NY 11378 Sony ICF-SW33 Audio Technica ATR-35 -13 bands, AWFM/SWO -11 I, world clock $1 79" -,-,,,,,directional condenser. compact... 829' Grundig Cosmoplit Sony FVX-500 Maxell R-120DM SW/A84/98 Radio/Cassene Recorder$1 9995 is rani[ Hyper-Cardioid Microptene 849" Digital Audio Tape Sony ICF-2010 Sony ECM -909 $8995 Metal particle tape with exclusive binder AMTM/SW 32 station memory $349" -Stereo Microphone electrel condenser vstem Micro -smooth tape surface High Grundig Satellit 500 Sony ECM -737 recision housing for grea:er dependability AMIFM'SWSW digital tuning u e -Pont Stereo Microphone mid/side oyster '9995 Door 699/each* Sony ICF-SW77 Shure SM58-CN TA -AtTli,VSW station -name, dual clock. 110, 547998 *Pro Vocal Mic. dynamic, cardiod $13995 Whon bought by 6 pock (MAX R120DM)

CALL US TOLL FREE FOR ITEMS NOT LISTED IN THIS AD TO ORDER BY MAIL: SEND MONEY ORDER, CERTIFIED OR CASHIER'S CHECK. MASTERCARD. VISA. AMERICAN EXPRESS or DISCOVER CARD (Include Interoank No expiration date and signature) To JAR MUSIC WORLD, DEPT. SR0493, 59-50 QUEENS -MIDTOWN EXPRESSWAY, MASPETH, QUEENS, NY 11378. Personal and business checks must clear our Authorization Center before processing. Shipping. Handling & Insurance Charge 5'. of Tata! Order (except overweight items) with a 54.95 minimum. (Canadian Orders Add 15'Shipping. with a 59.95 minimum charge .I For shipment's by air please double these charges. DO NOT SEND CASH. SORRY, NO C.O.D.'s. NEW YORK RESIDENTS ADD SALES TAX. ORDER SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE. ALL MERCHANDISE SHIPPED BRAND NEW, FACTORY FRESH. AND 100°0 GUARANTEED. Copyright 1993 JAR Music World CIRCLE NO 20 ON READER SERVICE CARD BACKBEAT BY STEVE SIMELS

Oldfield, then an alarmingly preco- least it's a tribute to Oldfield's pre- Totally Tubular cioustwenty -year -old,wrote,ar- science that he birthed not one but two ranged, played, and recorded the musical genres with the very same READERS who were sentient during original "Tubular Bells" in 1973. Per- composition, it remains to be seen the late Sixties may recall a popu- formed almost totally solo on a stag- whether that was a good thing. I think lar poster of the period-"What gering variety of stringed instruments you can guess what I think. if they gave a war and nobody and keyboards, the 49 -minute mostly In any case, cut to the present and came?" Well, we still don't know instrumental composition ultimately Oldfield's inability to make lightning the answer to that, but perhaps required so many overdubs (more than strike twice. Or, to paraphrase our we can provide one for a sort of early - 1,000, actually) that the master tape opening question, how come "Tubu- Nineties equivalent. To wit: "What if came perilously close to self-destruct- lar Bells II" has died a commercial they made a sequel to one of the most ing from physical wear and tear. None- death? Well, it certainly wasn't from successful pop culture artifacts of all theless, the album was an immediate lack of record -company support; in time, and nobody bought it?" success in the U.K. and the U.S., and, fact, last fall Warner Bros. flew me after its main theme turned up as part and a few other journalists over to of the soundtrack toThe Exorcist, Scotland for the thing's premiere live worldwide as well, ultimately selling performance, a display of corporate over I I million copies. In fact, it sing- largesse all but unheard of these days, lehandedly established the fortunes of and in Britain, at least, the show was a both Virgin Records and its founder, major media event. Still, the album now a squillionaire airline magnate, sold no better there than here, and Richard Branson. once again we have to ask, why? Why the more -or -less abstract "Tu- Well, the most obvious reason is bular Bells" was such a megahit, given that "TB -11" simply isn't as inspired the pop audience's usual aversion to as the original, but you could say the anything without vocals, is a rather same thing about all of Oldfield's fol- complicated question. Obviously, below-ups, including1974's "Hergest ing tuneful and accessible had some- Ridge" and1975's "Ommadawn." thing to do with it, as did the album's Essentially, the guy has already had sheer novelty-in 1973, it didn't sound the one great idea of his life. But exactly like anything anybody had there's also something else to consid- ever heard before. More crucially, I er, and that's the digital age we live in. suspect, "TB" hit because it was the Oldfield, you'll recall, made the origi- first record to combine two major mu- nal"TB" theold-fashionedway, sicalmotifsof the period: the pastoral, painstakingly overdubbing and com- back -to -the -land strain (this was the bining all those different instrumental tail end of the hippie era, remember) takes to get sounds no one had ever and the artsy, technocratic, rock -is - imagined before. Regardless of what classical -music tendency (the album you think of the results, there's no was grotesquely overpraised by all denying the audible sense of struggle Mike Oldfield: one -idea man? those academics who'd never gotten on the record; you can hear him fight- over their first exposure to the Beatles' ing the technology every step of the Obviously, I'm not referring to Al- "Sgt. Pepper"). In short, "Tubular way, and on some level it's really quite exandra Ripley'sScarlett,the appall- Bells" was pretentious and populist at thrilling. The sequel, on the other ing but best-selling continuation/trav- the same time, thus offering something hand, was made using the most sophis- estyof Gone with the Wind. Thework for everybody. ticated computer technology this side in question, rather, is Mike Oldfield's We should note, by the way, that it of NASA, which enabled Oldfield to "Tubular Bells II," and if you're won- also has a great deal to answer for. For get his effects without breaking a dering why you missed it, you're not one thing, constructed as it was out of sweat. And this time you can hear the alone. There are, doubtless, a number harmonically static ostinato riffs, the lackof effort in the finished product. of executives at Warner Bros. Rec- piece was the mass audience's first No wonder, then,that the album3 ords, which released the thing earlier real exposure to hard-core minimalism, couldn't get arrested. this year, who are similarly scratching and thus it's no exaggeration to say that The moral? Twofold, I'd say: First, their heads over its near total absence without it Philip Glass would probably while machines are good at many from the CD players of the Western now be a downtown cult figure rather things, making music isn't necessarily World. Of course, at this juncture a than a public nuisance. For another, one of them. And second, if you're little history is probably in order, so its folkie instrumental solipsism made going to be a boy wonder, have some- bear with me, particularly if you be- it in many ways the first certifiable thing like dentistry to fall back on after6 came sentient in the early Seventies. New Age record, and while at the very you've peaked. 0

92 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Your #1 TAPE RECORDERS toll free Best Selection MINI SYSTEMS CAR AUDIO HEADQUARTERS PROCESSORS Audio/Video JBE. LOUDSPEAKERS Comte0 ction Brand Name DAT JVC MX55M 4 DA Superfa,ex MO 04$ Bookshelf eat remoteTopAiwa of theAD control We -F810 3 -head cassette deck dudio idpv $469 $259 6+1NA/PanasonicTableDenon CD ? mini changer dock DT radio &-400SCCH55 remote hice 800wstftrn w/ CALL542 Altrm DebtLuxman4XDigital OS. surrand Remote Preamp0007 w/EQ as low and as remote -.- $469 2AR -Way Rock bookshelf.. Partners Ong '150ea $299 sob" Technics RSTR333 FIX 25W x 2 remote mini system s/99 SALE AK100 Auto reverse dual cass Dolby° B/C Hughes Reference tower speaker DCCDualSherwood cassette deck DD1030 w/Dolby*NR $99 JVC#1Multi UXA3 Brand -voltage Name 110/120 Mini miao systern$359 $499 BLOWourrHAFLER 2-chHighJBLPP12030 power power 10"amp handling75WSubWoofer total power $139 HomeBBEDPSStrrouxl to AAudio Sonic convener1002 Sand Maximizer Digital Retrieval Link System $249 LOW AdventCerwin12" Heritage200W Vega power SW12/3$189 handling subwo,,', CALL Digital &impact Cassette Philips sir AM/FM/CD/double casette w/EQ Slum $65ea CALL JVC Mini Systems J77 Haler MSE44 Orig 5219 FullBazooka Bass Tubes Audio Source 4001 $179 ONLY AtlanticComplete surround System system 150 with ,4];LOW CD PLAYERS MX44, MX77. MX99MSAt Other BrandsThe Guaranteed Available Lowest Price CALL 4-chHailer70W2ch bridgeable totalbridgeable MSE88 MOSFET MOSFET Orig amplifier amplifier Si transnova circuitry 5329 $119 AudioJVCAM/FM CD Control Player w/built in EQX amplifier Avaibblo CALL$ $239 Video impact restorerDBXForPro frontLogic Ong SX20 rear decoder '150 and center 3 amps vit/sPerthe, $380 4" ea95 'World'sa/d/s/3 -way 750 Best w/8" iL Inwoofer wall' $599Pr WARRANTY LUXMAN5 YEAR VIDEO I52W2-chHaller total 190Wbridgeable MSE100 total MOSFET Ong amplifier - transnovatransnova circuitry circ.uhry 5.399 59 Brand3DetatchaNePanasonic7 -bandWay Name 275W octave Face biampaNe crossover CQDP38 CD Oayer. networkspeaker 6"x9, CALL A199 RECEIVERS PinnaclePN2+PN5+.PN8+,PNRock2 -way Solids Fullindoor/outdoor Line Sub CALLwitiracket, & mon SPECIAL JVC4X ovetsampling,20Luxman XLTrack -Z1050 programmability DZ-92 remote $-L 29 LOW RemoteStereo31"Brand TV S Cable Name-VHS Hailer370W2.ch bridgeaNeMSE200 total MOSFET amplifier - transnoya ciraitry Orig 5599 Si$2 89 OriginalsonUt10 disc 40exceincSoelcor bitstream CD Mannueryour Manufacturer clanger car $.49$299 IMP MemorexIn/outdoor WM-200 water resistant Full Selection Of: wibrackefs Salea GreatSingleNAD5325 souid...Great CD (factory Buy reconditioned) PRICE $at Lek readY Hailer240W6 -di bridgeableMSE120 total MOSFET Orig amplifier - tretannova circuitry $499 A' 99 Phase5 IA" linear PLC2525 component system #1 rated SiCALL Ai`g ANTopDolby'. receiver Name Pro Logic w/remote Brand 290W Powered SubwoofersSat/Sub Systems NAD54255PhilipsBitstream -Disc carousel CDC935(Factory CD w/remote reconditioned) CALL Sir .A.,77 PanasonicStereoBrand2 -bead TV Name with remote remotePV2201 VCR20" IV $869 I $283 $1,69 II 31 A9 Dolby'a/d/s/50WBrand surround AM/FMR4 Name w/EQ stereo and receiver remote $329 $569 To Order Our Free Stereo CatalogCall 1and -800 In -GET-Wall HWISpeakers Brand Name VCR $199 Or Write An : 4-he.i Hi fi stereo w/remote NAD7225PE $139 . JVC6+1 XLM407 changer (factory recondition, ae. $329 FULL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY 25W/ch power enwbpe trecondm. CALL NSA' TechnicsNADCDRemote Changer5170 SLPD827 5 -disc (Factory changer reconditioned $189$139 SharpSJVC -VHSHi HRS6800 StereoVCH96U hi-fi viliog shuttle CALL MTS VCR with remote CALL MITSUBISHI. BBEADS.HAFIER B&WADVENT.SELECTION, HITACHI B&W M&K AR BELTRON1CS MONITORAIWA.HUGHES AKG.A JBLAUDIO CANON PRICEJVC MONSTER KENWOOD CARVER ElCABLE CANTON LEXICON EXPERT NAD CERW1N MIT UNMAN NILES VEGA ADVICEMINOLTA ONKYO DENON C TE 1 e Y LDIO SOURCE BAZOOKA Brand5Philips -channelsch Dolby'Name with Pro Dolby'Logic A/VPro Logic surroin: FR94OPBK .7 7 PhilipsReference LI1H1000LHH500 CDCD playerplayer Ong Ong.$2000 54(100 $17439$1399 $299 PVM1321,PVM2021PanasonicCamcorders...At TV/VCR combinationCALL LowWe Prices Stock A Full Line Of SENNHEISERSHARPVISDNORIONSSI TECHNICS PANASONIC TERN PHASE THORENS SHERWOOD LINEAR TOSHIBA PHILIPS SOUNDCRAFTSMANSONYSOUNDSTREAM TRIAD PINNACLE P.S. AUDIO ROCK SOLID programmableandJVC DSP.Schannels RX905VTN Built-in remotewith EQ. Dolby* controlon -screen Pro Logic display decoder & CALL$299 Cry Rt.23 S. Kinnelon. NJ 07405 Sound City 511111 MSS SO I I ' ' : --MOOMIN .11 OBOEter;111w/ MeadtownCallRt 23,2010838* Shopping Kinnelon Center NJ 3444RETAIL 07405 STORE To OrderOr ByBy Send FaxPhone Check.MAIL Cashiers ORDERCheck or Money CALLSOrder10800 0542 07283 c,,tr.t,WE It= ACCEPT = MailV/SA Order Hours: CUSTOMER' 1' 201 SERVICE 838' 1180' Customer Service Hours:i ' , adory Alum; ter all oralds we set trot resudissic tsr taxa;aptsou icalernars NO refunds on video a cal stereo pockets 16:74 Mon -Fri 10 day9-9 delefirve extungeSat 10M 9-6 Oak of recapttexceat on video products) All returns must be made wean 10 days d receipt d merWMbe 8 10201 838 09599 ate Mon - Fri 9-9 Sat 9-6 tarestdangte. Items mat be n count condition arn patiaorig Sliming and handling not refundable Monday - Friday 9-5 SEND A SELF ADDRESS ENVELOPE WITH .85 POSTAGE FUR OUR BUYERS GUIDE

LOOK NO FURTHER -1a= ARE LOWEST! IC A_Vir 1_1011111E1 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 201-696-6531

We ship within 24 hours. All prices EL EC Tr' quoted include manufacturer's stan- 'C dard accessories & U.S. Warranty. LE All units are factory sealed. min Shipping & Handling are .'irti] Y _I 97'1,79 non-refundable. HOME THEATER SYSTEMS HI Fl RECEIVERS HITACHI SONY True Home Theater 111.11111' reproduction requires a Large Screen TV. Pro Logic JVC Receiver, 4 Satellite speakers, 1 Center channel Speaker, Sub -woofer, and a From Hi Fi VCR. The System can 27" Le further enhanced with a all the Dolby Pro Logic 80 watts per channel, IP Laser Combo Player way multi -room capacity $279 up to and DAT Deck for Dolby Pro Logic 100 watts per channel, 100" the highest quality Television Audio and sharpest multi -room capacity $349 croons! Video reproduction. Dolby Pro Logic 125 watts per channel, .005°. THD, multi-room/multi-source UPER SIZE FRONT PROJECTION TV's. 'To enjoy 2 different program sources 50" Dolby Pro Logic Rear Projection TV.ww..$1999 in 2 rooms" 5 speaker outputs: A, B " MTS Stereo TV w/ Surround Sound.0.0.00.41349 subroom, rear & center $669 Multi room remote sensor kit X39' Stereo TV w/ Pict ii 0 $59

CAMCORDERS SPEAKER SYSTEMS CD & COMBO PLAYERS We carry 2 lull line of Pinide And Advent Speaker Systems ! Ask about the satellite & Airround systems Call 4 pesos. shielded, 1 center channel speaker, 1 left & 1 righ speacer & subwoofer Call 6 pcsys, slielded. 1 cent: channel speaker, 2 tont spear's. 2 Tear speakers & sdbwooter $549 Minolta 8-918 Pro Twin CCD ChipCall Sate.Jite & Subwocrer SPKRS $299 A/V '80w center Channel Speaker $79 _?., Canon Al Digiral ,L1 Call Karaoke Players 4:' CALL Low 'rices 34 patented BOSS Acoustamass speakers Call 8mm Hi Band w'lmage Stabilizer..$959 CD player, 18 disc/3 magazine multi play 1 bit DLC & plus flow $299 CD Laser Disc Combo, 5 CDs, or 1/8 inch or 1 HI Fl VCR'S 12 -inch laser disc, w/special effects, optical output & auto reverse $749

We filer CASSETTE DECKS Highfideli-y Dual Cassette Deck, Auto Reverse Dolby B/C & Hx Pro 4 $169 HD HiFi SVHS & Flying erase head $469 audic products Dual Deck w/6#1 Multi Cassette, Auto Reverse, Super Beta, w/sowmotion playback $329 withou: the high Dolby B/C & Hx Pro $269 8mm recorder/playback $339 DCC/DAT Cassette Decks, Plays & Records with CD Clarity CALL BOOKSHELF MINIYSTEMS CAR STEREO AM/FM Cassette, DIN Noise Reduction, pull-out. 8 watts/channel ...... $129 AM/FM Cassette, pull -cut, 25 watts per channeL $149 IAM/FM Cassete. 25 mitt:flannel, detadtable lace ....$159 Remote 6 CD Changer, w/lase- digital output $259 Single Disc, 16watts/channe, /FM, Dual Cassette/yr requite $259 Power Amps: 220..5119 400 Watts...$199 , os !. "7,) AM/FM, Dual Cassette. High pc wered, 6 -CDs, subwoofer $399 - F .11 3 eget6141_4s RP ra' igAtixtrreft kmiltituAtA 46) 201J -M-1.47/6' BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 5 lament, but a flaming exaltation of truth that Berlin Philharmonic, Barenhoim sears itself into one's memory. Never mind TELDEC 73271 (72 min) that the string tone is a little grainy here and Performance: Fiery there, that the audience occasionally reminds Recording: Powerful us of its presence, or that Bernstein himself NIruckner's Symphony No. 5 can be tedious can be heard at some points exhorting his unless the conductor commands an unerr- troops both vocally and by stamping his feet; ing view of its architectural grandeur and the the sound quality is more than decent, and vast reach of its thematic substance. One can absolutely nothing takes away from the com- take a solemn view, like Karajan in his impos- pelling power of the performance. R.F. ing 80 -minutes -plus 1977 reading for DG, or one can go for dramatic contrast, as Glitter CLASSICAL Wand did in his 1989 Hamburg recording for \kii\I RCA. Daniel Barenboim, who previously re- MUSIC corded this score in Chicago a dozen years SIANKFR ago, here takes a view like Wand's, but for my money does it better, and he has the advantage Discs and tapes of the wonderful acoustic of Berlin's Schau- lewed by Robert Acka spielhaus. Barenboim's interpretation not only works chard Freed, David Hal in terms of making Bruckner's music an earthy as well as exalted listening experience, but he George Jellinek, has the Berlin Philharmonic with him 100 Eric Salzman, and percent-replete with vigor in the opening movement, gorgeously rich -sounding in the David Patrick Stear slow movement, by turns mercurial and bucol- ic in the scherzo, and massive in the huge MARTINIIt Cello Sonatas Nos. 1-3 finale with its chorale proclamations by the Starker; FirkuSny magnificent brass choir and its cyclopean dou- bre Romande and the Choeur Pro Arte sing RCA VICTOR 61220 (54 min) ble fugue. Do not be fazed by a touch here and with real feeling, and the Suisse Romande Performance: Elegant there of passionate vocal obbligato from the Orchestra plays with precision and polish. R.A. Recording: Top-drawer podium: It bespeaks conviction! Highly rec- Three sonatas for cello and piano from a ommended. D.H. MANLERs Symphony No.9 twentieth-century composer, even one as Berlin Philharmonic, Bernstein distinguished as Bohuslav Martinet, may seem DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 435 378 a bit much, but as performed here by Janos FAURE.' (two discs, 82 min) Starker, with Martinet's Czech compatriot Ru- REQUIEM Performance: Compelling dolf FirkutnY as his brilliant keyboard partner, ..tI If AS El MN IANDf Recording: Live, but okay .11011, P.,. Among all the many great orchestras Leon-

4 DE I A %40144. 110MANDE ARMIN JORDAN' ard Bernstein conducted, he appeared with the Berlin Philharmonic on only one TALES FROM occasion, a pair of concerts on October 4 and THE VAULTS 5, 1979, for which the program was a single work, Mahler's Ninth Symphony. The first of From the mid -1950's through the mid - those two performances was recorded for 1960's RCA Victor promoted the new stereo broadcast by RIAS and has at last been made technology with its Living Stereo series of available to the public by Deutsche Grammo- recorc ings by the greatest class cal -music phon. It is by no means a mere footnote to his artiste on its roster. The famous logo is now career-this is Bernstein at his most incandes- back on a series of CD reissues newly FAURE cent, one of the high points of the Mahler remartered from the original multitrack Requiem; Palos et Melisonde, Suite discography, the orchestra's, and his own. mast( r tapes by John Pfeiffer, who pro- Cachemaille, Usbeck; choruses; Orchestre The Mahler Ninth was of tremendous im- ducer many of the LP's. The cover art, liner de la Suisse Romande, Jordan portance to Bernstein personally, and the per- notes, and period photographs used for the ERATO 45813 (53 min) formance he drew from the Berliners is truly origir als were also revamped tor the small- Performance: Fine revelatory, as remarkable for its clarity as for er forret. The first ten releases, eight for Recording: Excellent its passion and altogether more convincing the fi .st time on CD, include the 1954 Fritz n addition to a very good performance of than the distended, overinflected account he Reiner Chicago Symphony recording of 1Fault's Requiem, this CD offers the suite recorded with the Concertgebouw Orchestra StraLss's Zarathustra and Heldenleben, Ar- from the incidental music he composed for an in May 1985 (also live, and also on DG). The thur Fiedler leading the Boston Pops in "Hi- 1898 London production of Maeterlinck's play details are limned even more sharply in Berlin, Fi Fiedler," and others by Jascha Heifetz, Pelleas et Milisande.The music captures the and the impact is so much greater because the Arthur Rubinstein, Gregor Piatogorsky, feeling of the mysterious and misty play while momentum is so unflagging. and _eontyne Price. Fiedler, by the way, being typical of Faure in its Gallic flavor, Indeed, the first and third movements are appeared on the cover and was the subject infused with a deceptive simplicity. A sort of marginally faster than Bernstein's New York of ar interview in the very first issue of this beautiful, short symphony (only 17 minutes), Philharmonic version of the late Sixties; only mag mine, February 1958. Robert Ripps it is admirably performed here under Armin the final adagio extends beyond the dimen- Jordan's direction. sions of that earlier reading, to achieve what The same praise is due the performance of may well be its ideal proportions. From the Faure's tender, lyrical, and lucid Requiem, very opening, not a gesture is missed, and not though Jordan's reading is slightly more four- one jumps out as unduly highlighted. Little square than Emmanuel Krivine's in his nota- asides from the winds or brass grind and snarl ble 1991 Denon recording. Jordan's soprano or whoop, string phrases are poignantly in- and baritone soloists, Mathias Usbeck and flected, and the pauses are eloquent-every GillesCachemaille, and organist,Daniel gesture pointed yet unselfconscious, always in Fuchs, are all estimable, the Choeur de Cham- context. The adagio is no mere extended

STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 95 CLASSICAL MUSIC

they amount to a stimulating and varied listen- from the Old Testament that were later adapt- ing experience. ed for the folk-rock hit Turn, Turn, Turn, the "If You Love Me" Sonata No. I, written in Paris, dates from music seems a bit literal and dated. It has some 1939 and reflects something of the Gallic Neo- remarkable thematic transformations, how- classical influence Martinis absorbed during ever, and is an inspired exploration of strings - Songs and arias by seventeenth- and his seventeen years there. But the Czech only orchestral textures. The programis eighteenth -centuryItaliancompos- national element is present, too, in the triadic rounded out by Ronald LoPresti's two -move- ers-sometimes called arie antiche-have harmonies and major -minor key fluctuations. ment student work, The Masks, an engaging, enriched the recorded legacy of three gen- Sonata No. 2 was composed in 1942, after well -made piece in the style of Samuel Barber. erations of Italian singers, from Schipa to Martinis' had fled France for America. A big - Committed performances by DePreist and his Pinza, from Muzio to Tebaldi. On a new scale piece, its opening movement is dominat- capable Oregon Symphony make for satisfy- ed by a recurrent abrupt figure; the outstanding listening throughout. London CD by the enchanting mezzo-so- D.P.S. ing slow movement is mournful in character, prano Cecilia Bartoli we are treated to no its spell broken by a dramatic recitative epi- MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 17; less than twenty-one of these gems, a sode. The Third Sonata, composed in 1952 Quintet for Piano and Winds wider selection than has been offered by and dedicated to the memory of the cellist - Uchida, Black, King, Lloyd. O'Neill; any of her illustrious predecessors. conductor Hans Kindler, is the most immedi- English Chamber Orchestra, Tate As the informative notes by Kenneth ately accessible. The ghost of Dvotak haunts PHILIPS 422 592 (56 min) Chalmers tell us, these arie are drawn from the opening movement, but the coda of the Performance: Mixed Alessandro Parisotifs three -volume, late - slow movement is quite clearly an elegy for Recording: Blurred in quintet nineteenth -centurycollectionoflove Kindler. The finale has a rhythmic aspect performance of the G Major Concerto redolent of a soft-shoe dance. songs, pastoral romances, and da capo This(K. 453) completes the survey of Mozart's There is not one iota of monotony in these original concertos for one piano and orchestra arias from operas of the Venetian and nine movements. Starker's cello is a marvel in which Mitsuko Uchida and Jeffrey Tate Neapolitan schools. Considering the rela- for the ear and mind, and FirkuAny's pianism have been exceptionally sympathetic part- tively narrow range of this music. I fre- is scintillating in the fast episodes and entranc- ners. Since all the others had been accounted quently suggest thatlisteners sample ing in the slow ones. The conics are perfection for, it is coupled with the directly contempora- such recordings in several installments in terms of coloration, balance, and ambience. neous Quintet in E -flat (K. 452). That turns rather than taking in a whole program at This CD is not just for cello enthusiasts; out to have been a less than happy idea: While one sitting. No such caveat is needed anyone who cares for superb musicmaking the concerto is given a cogent and satisfying should enjoy it. D.H. performance-a little lacking in sparkle, but here. Quite the contrary. I urge you to immerse yourself in Bartoli's recital and otherwise competitive with the finest available-the quintet is rather a disappointment. savor her singing. This captivating young A heavy, self-conscious, somewhat static qual- artist never allows monotony to set in: Her ity suggests that the players-Uchida is joined light, dusky mezzo-soprano enfolds these by Neil Black (oboe), Thea King (clarinet), lovely songs in caressingly warm and Frank Lloyd (horn), and Robin O'Neill (bas- purely focused tones free of excessive soon)-had not really digested the work, or in vibrato. They flow with an unforced natu- any event had not arrived at a true mutuality of ralness, and the decorative passages (Lot - approach, and they are not helped by a close- ti's Pur Dicesti is a good example) are , Irtu I up recording in which the instrumental lines delivered with unostentatious ease. MEDITATIONS tend to smear instead of achieving the desired balance. In an earlier Philips release Alfred Bartoli's art combines simplicity and ON ECUSIASTES Brendel and a group of all-star Continental sophistication. The passion in her singing wind players show exactly what is missing is conveyed with a Baroque sensibility, here: a comfortable sense of flow, a real give- with unfailing taste, and, whenever the and-take with the interweaving textures, and a texts call for it (as in the Paisiello operas), MENOTTI: Apocalypse leavening of humor that bring the work fully with an enlivening spark of humor. The DELLO J010: Meditations on Ecclesiastes and convincingly to life. R.F. unobtrusive piano accompaniments are LOPRESTI: The Masks sensitively played by GyOrgy Fischer. G.J. Oregon Symphony, DePreist PROKOFIEV: Symphonies No. 1 KOCH 3-7156 (58 min) ("Classical") and No. 5 CECILIA BARTOLI Performance: Sympathetic London Symphony, Thomas If You Love Me Recording: Resonant SONY SK 48239 (61 min) LONDON 436 26- u,n min The conductor James DePreist has put to- Performance: Intriguing gether an engaging program of first-rate Recording: Crystal clear works written in the 1950's by Italian/Ameri- Michael Tilson Thomas is the soul of ele- can composers who are often considered less gance when it comes to the Prokofiev than first-rate. Many of Gian Carlo Menotti's "Classical" Symphony. The first movement lesser -known works deserve their obscurity, comes through marvelously refined in texture, but Apocalypse, a 1951 orchestral work that with inner voices superbly detailed and well has never previously been recorded, is an balanced. It is good to hear the succeeding exception. Though we don't think of Menotti larghetto played with pulse and movement as a symphonic composer, the first movement rather than in the usual soporific manner, and is thematically well argued, and the lyrical but the gavotte has a nice lilt, graced with espe- canonic middle movement is the sort of dis- cially lovely sound. The finale goes like the 2z armingly simple and utterly beguiling gesture wind, without a trace of strain. that has become his hallmark. It's a vigorous, The Fifth Symphony has always struck me 6 confident work with a theatricality that occa- as the nearest Russian equivalent to Beetho- sionally borders on melodrama, but it was ven's "Eroica" in terms of lofty musical dis- obviously written at a higher level of inspira- course and an essentially Classical architec- tion than some of his more popular operas. ture. Some conductors take the heroic element Though Norman Dello Joio won the Pulitzer so seriously, however, that the score becomes Prize for his 1959 Meditation on Ecclesiastes, a almost Brucknerian in weight. Thomas starts series of variations inspired by the same words solemnly, but his flexible tempos in the andan- CLASSICAL MUSIC

to keep things moving toward an impressive Aside from occasional intonation blemishes, peroration. I'm not so sure that I like his very usually in high passages at loud levels, this slow treatment of parts of the scherzo, but Winterreise will give much pleasure. GJ. there's a smashing climax in the tragic slow movement, and the finale is notable for both SCHUMANN: Piano Quartets lyrical detail and the dynamism achieved in Previn, Kim, Ohyama, Hoffman the last pages. Big bright sound. D.H. RCA VICTOR 61384 (47 min) Performance: Appealing SC II Winn: WIntorroIso Recording: Very good Schmidt (baritone); Jansen (piano) n addition to the well-known Piano Quartet DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 435 384 in E -fiat, Op. 47, composed in 1842, Schu- (72 min) mann completed an earlier one, in C Minor, a Performance: Very satisfying few months before his nineteenth birthday in Recording: Excellent 1829. Its existence has always been known, Already known from his various recordings but Schumann consigned it to the "juvenilia" of opera and lieder, Andreas Schmidt bin, and apparently no one thought of per- one of the works they have played in public. It may be counted among the best German bari- forming it or publishing it for 150 years; this is certainly sounds as if they had really digested tones before the public today. His Winterreise the first recording. While it is hardly a major the music, believed in its worth, and found enters an extremely crowded field yet holds its discovery, it is an engaging, well tailored work opportunities to prepare the kind of presenta- own. It is far from the wrenching experience in which Schumann's affection for Schubert tion that would give it its best shot. Their way interpreters like Hans Hotter could create (who died about the time this piece was begun) with the familiar Op. 47 is thoroughly satisfy- from this desolate journey of despair and alien- is evident. Portions of the first two movements ing, too, and both works are recorded in ation. But this artist makes his points through recall the geniality of the "Trout" Quintet, virtually ideal chamber -music balance. R.F. subtle shades of expression, controlled pas- and, as in that work, Schumann's finale in- sion, expert pacing of silences, and a fine cludes recollections of material from the pre- SHOSTAKOVICN: Symphony No.4 sense of rubatos and rallentandos, to which his ceding movements, but the finale itself, and National Symphony, Rostropovich pianist collaborator, Rudolf Jansen, is finely the warm-hearted andante that precedes it, TELDEC 76261 (65 min) attuned. already offer more than a hint of the Schu- Performance: Intense It certainly helps that Schmidt has a warm mann we know. Recording: Von, good and caressing tone at his disposal, that he can A photograph inthe annotativeleaflet Although Mstislav Rostropovich, who was produce a lovely mezza-voce, and that his shows Andre Previn (piano), Young Uck Kim only eight years old when Shostakovich enunciation is ideal. If there are few truly (violin), Heiichiro Ohyama (viola), and Gary completed his still -amazing Fourth Symphony individual touches in his presentation, there Hoffman (cello) performing together in sum- in 1936, did not directly experience the pre - are no exaggerations or mannerisms, either. mer dinner jackets, and one may assume this is World War II "Iron Age" of Soviet Russia it

a's In SAVE MONEY, TIME AND FREIGHT ON FAMOUS BRAND STEREO EQUIPMENT

1800)621-8042,8)934-9669 .110 nasterCeal HOURS: Monday thru Friday 9-7 Saturday 9-6 Sunday 12-5 VISA 1284 E. Dundee Rd. Palatine, IL 60067

LOUDSPEAKERS I CASSETTE DECKS I RECEIVERS I CD PLAYERS JIL LSOT 3Way Monitor Speaker TECHNICS SL-PG300 r Man ,,/- CEO Programmable Compact Disc Player high frequency TE AC W -6000R transducer A new generation 01 CD player using the 10' woofer Double Cassette Deck TECHNICS SA -0X530 MASH Digital -to -Analog converter 5' midrange Auto reverse Full function AV STEREO RECEIVER 10 key direct access c^ iront panel reless remote Dolby FIX Pre One touch 110 W3ti2 front 10Wx 2 rear 8 remote coi' List pr dubbing Pitch convol 5,098 Of' 15 W center Dolby' Pro -Logic iurrour CALL FOR PRICE st List SALE $49900 575000 SALE 845900 5449 95 SALE 5329°' JVC XLV 151 Bit oyersompiing 3 LIP TECHNICS beam ioser pickup 190 00 SALE s115N TECHNICS SA-GX 730 MR432 125x2 tront, 20s2 rear TECHNICS JIL PRO PERF+ List Dolby* BICH% Pro. List 20 center. Do by' List St.-PO=7 3 pc Sub SAT Syst 439 00 SALE8329c" Deck *1 auto -ten 19995 SALE5159" Pro -logic Surround 749 00 SALES489a 1 bit. Mash, front loading remote CALL FOR PRICE JIL 2050 AIWA ADF 810 JVC RX-507VTN 2 way List 3 HD deck. Dolby'. 110s2 front. 4132 rear. JVC XLM-507 1 ID, DAC remote CALL FOR PRICE bookshelf speaker 198.00 uts°1291, BC HX-Pro .44400.00 SALE$269.0 Dolby* Pro -logic CALL FOR PRICE JSL L20f3IIK JVC TD -W307 JVC RX905V SHERWOOD 2 -way bookshelf List Twin auto reverse. Dolby. 11X -Pro Dolby' Pro -pie CDC 30100 speaker system 29900SALESIAN° BIC NR. Pitch control List Digital Sound Processing CALL FOR PRIC E 5 Disc Carousel, List 260 OC SALE$177" Remote ...... 310.00 SALE5155' YAMAHA NSA -635List pr JVC RX4C7T14 TECHNICS SIAS700 B OHM. r 3 way 18700SALE$991, TEAC V3000 List BO wattsich . A/V List MASH -1 bit. Center List 3 HD -Remote 500.00 sALFs330w remote. Corepu-Link ..270.00 SAL11179.5 mech optical output 339.95CALL

PORTABLES I AUTOMOTIVE I VIDEO I MINI SYSTEMS PANASONIC SLS-330 stir SHERWOOD XC-6420P PANASONIC PV4201 $23V AIWA NSX-330 532800 Rem AMIFM/CD List 500 00 SALE527500 SONY D-802 '19950 PANASONIC PV4250 $325:` PANASONIC SCCH 33 $37900 PANASONIC CX-DPIS JVC RCX 250 $15950 12 Disc Changer List 479 01 SALE527504 JVC HRDX62 534 R0 SONY MHC 1750 CALL SONY CFD757 CALL SHERWOODXA124011 SONY SIN 595HF CALI JVC MX 55M 57500 2,314 than amp list 3500) SALE516500 JVC PCXT 5 $28900 SONY MC 0455 CALI DENON G-05 556900 JBLT402 el PANASONIC RXDT-707 CALL 61/2 coos speaker List 199 95 SALE 56600 PANASONIC LX131 $39800 PANASONIC SCCH 55 $46000 `-'_t-;_;_;_,_._,,i,.,.,.dmi,Pricesrn this ad are fcr mail-order only Freight charges not included in prices Ammi:dmiumi.d.mi:dmicm,,dookim. 1116. ,... ,,= All merchandise shipoed brand new. factory fresh with full warranty not respo:Taiiiiiiiiii,a;:iiiiimoiliTa ,...... '...... r.....'.M. ''' 'WI.' sible for typographicol errors. Prices and availab lily subject to change SM WE(aincludein WILL Stereo525.00BESTPRICEPLUS -BEAT with Review Value) yourOUR or!purchase COMPETITORSOur Audio "Extended Magazine a 6th Avenue Warranty/"BEST for LESS, ADVERTISED -Extended will 6th increase /Venue Wartanty- PRICE...... -PWS" will the BEAT warranty at No the Additional pnce!6 Ifmonths, you "PLUS" see Charge bothan Weitem pats will advertised and labor. Wet -e reinv SATISFACTIONmAcingallowrequesttf a customer aour refund returnyou (No 7are pokydays Restoc not to10 satisfied ma days ! with PLUS ?ilarchase,the electronicsFee a retum, 6th Avenue store. willCamcorders, match their &7 days,Large 'PLUS"Screen addTV's ancan additional only be exchanged 3 days,be charged t defective. but shippingreturn is not refundablel. While most ct cur it for one c a better kricl, return It for a credit on your charge, or competitors CELESTION 4' Felted Fiber Woofer 1' Titanium Bass Tweeter Reflex Design 2 -Way Bookshelf MODEL 1 TOSHIBACZOn32'Surround -3299KStereoScreen Sound IDTVDisplays P Remote -I -P 5Remote18 Disc DENONBit 8XCarousel OS Random CD DCM-320*Changer Play Suggested Retail $300 ACOUSTICALL PRICES RESEARCH PER PAIR M6 PER PAIR 796 Suggested FleteilP400 AD COMDEMONCARVER GCD-600 SDA-350. . 5 Disc Carousel ChangerCharger 349299489 BOSEALLISONADVENT MODEL Legacy AMVERSARYAL120 31 II ...... A-1025 Limited Edition ... Top Raked .20u w u Way Loudspeaker .399 100500200 WWatt 4 Way 2Floorstanding Way Floorstanding Bookshelf ...... 179 299269 ALPHASONICPMA-2175 MITSUBISHI 1196-35A)0 CS-20SKICS-27Pal .....20'...... 27" 35' StereoStereo TV Tv /S/ColorMoIor -VHS P Reach' -I -P 35MXI .... 35' Stereo Tv /S -VHS Ready 17491599 599339 .....- DEMONDENON DCM-520'DCM-550 .. 65 Disc MagazineCarousel Charger Charger .199 349 BOSE 102 SERIES II 2.2 SERIES II 180 Watt Floorstanding 198849 150High Watt Power Potter High Amplifier Current RCA P521 52s8ILS-T 52' Stereo Projection TV/ '1.-1-r ..PLUS 2 Way Bookshelf $1299 1699 MAGNAVOX CDC -552 5 Disc Carousel Charger 159 BOSE 6 2 3 Way Bookshelf 399 RCA F35050ST 35' Stereo TV /Colorp-i-r 499 . 2 Channels Bridgeable TOSHIBA CF2768A 27' Stereo TV Remote TEACPHILIPSNAD PDD-700 CDC-935BK 505' 5 Disc Carousel ChangerCDCharger Charger 169289199 CELESTION 70003000MODEL SERIES 3 II .... Full Range Ribbon Full2 Wa Range Ribbon BEST PRICE PLUS 1499 799 ALPHASONIC FAFA100 -200 279229 99 QUASARQUASAR W-1220 SR -4000 2040'. SyytervreocaPc.thero .. 1399 549iection JBLJ8LDESIGN 2800 ACOUSTICS L-7LX -55 ...... 150 W 3 Way Floorstanding 499 PS -CV-10A ...3 Way Loudspeaker Center150 Channel W 2 Way Bookshelf BEST PRICE each 79 199299 BLAUPUNKTBLAUPUNBAZOOKAALPHASONIC KT T62AT-102 CDC SkN PMA-2030I -1102ANTONIO $299 299149199159 SELLING THEMPROJECTION AT 'SPECTACULAR" TV FRONT PRICES OR REAR IS OUR IS FORTE OUR SPECIALTY"! ! PHILIPSNHTJENSEN 3100 DSS-930 Now Hear This Digital2004 Way Watt LacquerSelf 3 WayFloorstaPowered Speaker999. rxding149 Full Line In Sfock CELESTIONCARVERBOSE 121 M-2060' AD12 Mobile MonNor Speaker System 199 239199 PINNACLE PN2. P118+ 100175 W 2 Way BookshelfLoudspeaker 289 99 ORIONJBLECLIPSE 420GT2250SX EOS-1001 MOSFET GT0-400 EUM-2420 2X 250 WattsPower Amplifier 199799299349399 ConverterCARVER Tube Random CD Player Play 1 Bit D/A SHERWOODROCKFORDORION XTR-12 FOSGATE XCM-6820 PUNCHPunchPorch 75HD*45HD' -124' 7545 Watt Power AmpAmp .....219 CALL 299 79 RemoteDEMONCARVERARAD CAMCOM BLACKDCD-600 GCD-575*SOA-450* BOX 20DigkalDual Bit1 D/A 811 8xTo OversamplingConverterRemoteAnalogsDA-490r*$499 Converter Remote Remote tagpsiel ROOM $700 229Call4511379 In WallADVENT Speakers WALLEY TOSHIBASOUNDSTREAMSHERWOOD TX -501XR-3144P SS10* D20011' .... 200 Watt Power Amplifier 10' Subwoofer 369129169139 CorrpattleRecorderMAGNAVOX 4 HeadGO -VIDEO Hi-Fi 181 On GV-2234X Stereo ChannelScreen ...... VHSVR9160 Program Dual Well VCR WIZARD *sated Ritet341.15 649 HARMANNADDEMONDENON 5000* DCD-1290'DCD-1560' KAROON HD7600 II- 20 BABit1 Bit8x Oversampling32xCoaxial& Oversampling Optical Remote Out Remote1 Bit Remote TOP-OF-UNE 449349399 SpeakersFamousLarge $141096Selection Brand Available In of Wall Eviker yr PER PAIR WE CARRY A FULL LINE OF FAMOUSHIGH END BRAND CAR STEREO COMPONENTS BESTPRICEPLUS TOSHIBARCAMITSUBISHI VR667 M-657 HEHS -U57-U56 4 Head HiHi-FIHi-Fi -Fl StereoVCR Plus/Cable RemoteRemote Box Control 9 349499399 lociJBLSystem Watt 3 -Way 8' Woofer Satellite Pro HI Plus Station CDMAGNAVOX Pl3y9r Presets 30 AM/FM FW-20 .... NAM b1111101.101 010 I I 4 IM 410.141101i Magnetic5' Midrange Shielding 1' Tweeter DualRemote Cassette Control Deck 5240 ChannelPH Watt a Dolby'. AudioNideo Pro Logic with Receiver 399 FR-940PBK ATLANTICADVENTSuggested MINITECHNOLOGY Retail 8. SUBSEM 100 Home3 Piece Theatre Satellite Satellite System System .296 299 DEN ONSuggested Retail 5399 D-200 CD Player /AM/FM/Dual Tape Deck ,,,,ai. 1199 -44. SAMSUNGEffects CombinationDual DVPHILIPS -510016 20 Bit Track D/A CD/Laser ConverterProgramming coy Disc DigitalPlayer -400 Combo Laser Player/Karaoke ..... 341 Variable DigitalCARVER Display HRHR 772'732 Remote 14080 WattsPer WattsPer Channel Channel Remote Remote Suggested Retail $466 879579349 BOSEDESIGNATLANTIC$399 AM ACOUSTICS TECHNOLOGY-3-5 SERIES IIPSII ISO -3 3 PieceSubwoofer/SatelliteHome Acoustimass Theatre Satellite System System ... 449 .799 749296 TEALBOSEDEMON LIFESTYLE D-150'D-60' SYSTEM Acoushmess UN CD Music Sydow 1449 DC -C800 CD6 CD Player Changer /AM/FM/Dual/AWFM/Dual /AWFWDual Tape Tape Deck Deck 399879599 RCAPHILIPS LDR-300 CDV-600 ComboTop Rated! CD/Laser Laser Player ...... 71111 ..... 291 DEMONCARVER DRA-545R HR 895' 605 Channel Watts Per DolbytNR Channel RemotePro Logic 249 BOSE AM -7 4 Piece Acoustimass System ... 899 4;399 SENNET SH-600 6 Piece Home Theatre System .349 $299 DENDEMON ON AVR-2000'AVR-810'DRA-1035RAVR-3000' 505AudioNideo Channel Watt Receiver DolbytNR Receiver Remote RemotePro Logic 399949679549749 SHERWOODSANSUIPHILIPSNADNAB 71000705' RZ9500AVFR-910PBK RV-601OR NEW .50 Watt Receiver Remote 1101220100 Watt VoltReceiver Pro Logic Remote 349599189569 PortableLCD DisplayRCA CD PlayerFor RP Car -7901 And Home HiBuilt-in12.1 8 ViewcamZoomSHARP 4' Color Low Monitor Light VLHL100U LARGE SELECTION OF FAMOUS BRAND RECEIVERS BEST PRICE PLUS ADCOM MAGNAVOX AZ -6813 . Portable CD Player Suggested Retail$249.95 149 MAGNAVOX SpecialBuilt-in EISEffects CVN-715 .. 8x Zoom/Low LIOV8mmCamcorder .... 499 I 200 DirectranstormerADCOM Watt Coupled Per ConstantChannel Design GFA555MKII* Power Damping Toroidal Amplifier Suggested Retail $656 LARGEPHILIPSTEACMAGNAVOX SELECTION POD 6806 -8 AZ OF -6810 HEADPHONES . Portable CD Sennheiser/AKG/Beyer Player Dynamics Portable CD Player 189 99 Lame SelectionGECANONSHARP CG Of -671Famous INVLL-62U UCS-3Al Digital BrandSTOCK ...... 12x WI 10xCamcorders Zoom/Low - BEST Light/FullLighVRemote/H PRICE Size PLUS VHS 8 Etx12x Zoom/LowZoom/Low Light/Full LighVRemote/HI8 Size VHS 1299CALL 499599 AUDIOLABADCOM GFA-545GTP-500MKII"GFA-535 8000P MKII'Mkt!' 10060Remote WatVCh. WPCWatt/Ch. Pie Power -AmpPower Power Amplifier Tuner Amplifier Amplifier AM/FM .549 $679 799449299 AUDIO SOURCE SS3 MKII Pro Logic Surround Sound 289 TEAC Three Head V-3000Cassette Deck CARVER TFM-55*TFM-35* Power Amplifier ...... 1149549 Belt SemiDUAL Drive Automatic Turntable CS -431 HX PRO MPX Filter B,C Noise Reduction Suggested Retail 5500 DEMONCARVER C1-17* DPL-33' 35 ChannelCh Pro Logic Pro LogicPre Amp/Tuner Processor 369629 4 Point LiMass T Suspensiononea rm DEMON DRSORW-840'ORM -810' 710' Double3 Head DeckTape AutoDeck -Reverse HX Pro ...... 299289 NADHARMANDEMON AVC-3030'KARDON 1600' ... PMA-1080R CITATION 21 RemoteDigital105 W/Channel ProPre Amp Logic Tuner Integrated Processor Amp 449 369349979 199e--2 70, = .171 111.111111177i II:: PHILIPSNAD 6340' FCDCC-900 -950PBX ...... 3 Head Cassette Deck FIX Pro Digital DCC Deck Remote 3 Head Tape Deck HX Pro BEST PRICE PLUS 399 NAD 2400THX' 2160X'Power Amp 103 W/Ch THX Power Amp 499349 THORENSDUAL CS -750 TD -180 3 Speed TurntableBelt Drive Turntable Call AICAIMulti110/220 -System VoltVSX-400EGN VCR50-60 On Cycle Screen Remote Program Suggested Retail 5595 CALL FORTEAC W -530R ...... BRANDSWe Carry A Large Selection & of Professional MODELS DAT NOT USTED BESTPRICE...... Double Cassette PLUS Deck HX Pro 169 SHERWOODSSI TD -2220C 4000 SII Orval AM/FM tuner 249 99 THORENSDJ TURNTABLES& TD -280M101 CARTRIDGES AVAILABLE Semi -Automatic Turntable 269 50-60 CYCLE TV's. VCR's 8 Corm -onion - BESTLarge PRICE Selection PLUS 01 Multi System PAL/SECAM/NTSC/ $349 FOROPENIX Registered 711\1-4=0R1\ildeN711114::::1\11 TraiematDAYS Doty laboratories A WEEK Licensing Corporatcn MON-FRI NEXT DAY SERVICE AVAILABLE 9A1V1- F1CTURES 8PM SAT10-7New York Retail SUN 11-5 FOR MAIL ORDER CALLS ONLY PLEASE. New Jersey Retail ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY WE WELCOME MASTERCARD. AMERICAN EXPRESS. DISCOVER & VISA 'COME WITH I -YEAR 6' AVENUE ELKTRONICS WARRANTY PRIZES VALID THRU 5/1/93 New Jersey Retail Authorized Dealer For 1024 &1030 Gth Ave OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 331 Route 4 WestMONDAY THRU SATURDAY 10-9Paramus,OPEN 6 DAYS NJ A WEEK MONDAY -SATURDAY22 10-9 Route SUNDAY 11-6 22 West OPEN 7 VS A WEEK Z01-4--0100 MailMONDAY -SATURDAY 10-6:30Order SUNDAY 11-5 New1 York, NY800 394 6AVE Springfield, NJ Full Line of Audiotovi) and Video In Stock EER® CLASSICAL MUSIC

chronicles, his recording surely conveys the susceptible to the Boulezian objectivist analy- sense of yet another chapter in the seemingly sis. So, on its own terms, it works. Stereo Review endless tragedy of the Russian people. The Likable? Maybe not.Rimsky-Korsako- grim opening pages are just plain scary, and he vian? Definitely not. Boulez makes of Stravin- SUBSCRIBER SERVICE preserves a relentless underlying pulse through sky what Stravinsky himself always wanted to the variety of near -cinematic episodes, by be: the head of the class as one of the great turns grotesque and tragic, in the nearly 30 - founders of twentieth-century modern music. minute first movement. He also sees to it that How ironic that this recording comes accom- the episodes are held together by recurrent panied by a postmodern program note that thematic fragments and figurations; only in the implicitly contradicts the performance. E.S. wild string fugato midway through do things seem to get a bit out of hand, but this is music that could faze even the most experienced Collection players. The brief and shadowy intermezzo movement seems a bit square in its waltzlike Place episodes, but in the finale-with its five sections again nearly half an hour in length- label Rostropovich drives home the tragedy unre- here lentingly. The anguished quasi -chorale for brass and full percussion that leads to the mournful valedictory close is earthshaking. While this may not be the most virtuosic realization of this complex symphony, for me it ranks with Rostropovich's reading of the Shostakovich Eighth as one of his most moving interpretive achievements. And Teldec's production does full justice to the interpretation from start to finish. D.H.

STRAVINSKY: Petrouchka; YOURS 100110V: Legacy Le Sacre du Printemps CHANNEL 9213/16 (four discs. 261 min) Cleveland Orchestra, Boulez Performance: Superb MOVING? Please giveus 8 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 435 769 Recording: Consistently good weeks advance notice. Attach (68 min) youri Egorov's career was in a state of label with your old address, and Performance: The French correction partial eclipse when he died of AIDS at write in new address below. Recording: Rig -time age thirty-three in 1988. The excitement over Taruskin's program note for this his entry in the Van Cliburn Competition Richardrecording is a brilliant analysis of how (where people were appalled that he didn't RENEWING? Check box Stravinsky's Rile of Spring is deeply rooted in win) had died down, and his last few record- below and attach label with cor- Russian tradition-so much so, he argues, that ings for EMI hadn't shown him at his best. rections marked, if any. it is wrong to see it as the purely revolutionary But "Legacy," a four -CD set (the discs are also or avant-garde work that many (including available individually) of live recital record- SUBSCRIBING? Check Stravinsky himself) have tried to make of it. ings of music from Bach (the Partita No. 6) to box and fill in coupon. For gift sub- Unfortunately, this is exactly the wrong ver- Babadjanjan (atonal bon -bons called Bilder, or scriptions attach a separate sheet. sion of Le Sacre to illustrate the point. Pictures), shows that he could play magnifi- When Pierre Boulez was at the New York cently up to the very end. In fact, most of these Philharmonic, the musicians used to call him performances are so good that it can hurt to Send Stereo Review for "the French correction." It was a tribute to his listen to them, for it's a reminder of what a 1 year at $15.94 extraordinary ear and, by implication, a criti- huge talent has been lost. cism of his austere aesthetics. This recording Egorov was a colorist on a par with Walter 0 New subscription 0 Renewal illustrates very well the up and down sides of Gieseking. He often recalled the distilled puri- 0 Payment enclosed 0 Bill me the Boulez approach. The performances (and ty of Dinu Lipatti, and he had the fire -and -ice Canadian orders add $8 per year. the big -scale recordings) lay out and illumi- quality of Rachmaninoff, a Dionysian tem- nate the orchestral tapestry and rhythmic com- Foreign orders add $8 per year. perament kept in check by a strict sense of plexity of the music in the most brilliant, clear classicism. That classicism became increas- aural light. You can literally hear things you ingly relaxed in his later years: The tempo in never heard before. On the other hand, harsh Schubert's Moments Musicaux here is incredi- NAME frontal light also produces deep shadows. We bly slow but perfectly sustained. Had he lived, perceive the fine details incredibly well, but Egorov might now be an unrepentent roman- the big lines are often lost to view. ADDRESS tic. Although Schubert's Sonata in C Minor Petrouchka particularly suffers; Taruskin's never quite catches fire, virtually everything comments about Le Sacre actually apply even on these discs demonstrates a special sensibil- CITY more strongly to the earlier ballet, still clearly ity. Egorov's considerable expressive qualities within the Rimsky-Korsakov orbit. The big are heard at their most subtle in the Bach, street -fair scenes are meant to be frescoes, which exhibits a seemingly limitless variety of STATE and the paint is applied with a broad brush; touch, and at their most dramatic in the glitter- close-up analysis of the brush strokes does not ing fireworks of the Chopin Etudes, Op. 10.

ZIP get us any closer to what is being represented. The Prokofiev Sonata No. 8 and the Shostako- Some of the same comments could be ap- vich Sonata No. 2 have a wonderful iron -in - plied to Le Sacre, but, although it is derived velvet quality, and though the six Scarlatti from some of the same sources as the earlier sonatas seem a bit detached emotionally, they 1(303) 447-9330 ballets, it is really quite different from them. have breathtakingly colorful moments. Would The leanness of sound, the modular structure, it be too much to hope for live recordings of STEREO REVIEW the use of repetition, and the emancipation of Egorov's previously unreleased concerto rep- P.O. Box 55627 dissonance are striking features that are quite ertory? D.P.S. BOULDER, CO 80322 L 100 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 CLASSICAL MUSIC Ca LI DC FIXES indx to Advertisers Reeder P41.0 D VOitAK: Symphony No.8; heavy-handed in the songs, in which the Servise N.. Advertiser Nembor The Golden Spinning Wheel recording's balance puts the baritone solo- Czech Philharmonic. Belohlavek ist, Haan Hagegard, at a further disadvan- CHANDOS CHAN 9048 (61 min) tage. Apart from superior recent recordings I Adcom 12 A fine, brisk, and outdoorsy reading of the of the symphony alone, DG's budget -price - Atlantic Technology 56a, b 12 Audiofile Home Theatre 15 much -recorded G Major Symphony under disc of the same two works under Rafael JifiBelohlavek'sbaton,withbrilliant Kubelfk, with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in sound and alert playing to match.The Gold- theGesellen-Lieder, isfar more compelling - BMG CD Club 16a, b en Spinning Wheel,for all the gruesome- than this one. R.F. - Bose 11 ness of the story, is one of the most melodic - Bose Express 85 late-Dvotak scores, but this performance is MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer Night's marred by a disfiguring 31/2 -minute cut that Dream; Symphony No.4 ("Italian") destroys the dramatic coherence of tic Atlanta Symphony, Levi 6 Cambridge SoundWorks .... 37, 39, 41. musical narrative. Too bad! D.H. TELARC 80318 (57 min) 42-43, 44, 45 11 Celestion 62 From Mendelssohn's Shakespeare score - Columbia House CD Club 32a, b GRANADOS: Danzas Espariolas; we have the overture and the four most - Columbia House Laserdisc Club 9 Escenas Romanticas popular incidental pieces, with the thrice - - Crutchfield 33 Heisser (piano) familiar "Italian" Symphony as disc mate. ERATO 45803 (78 min) The readings strike me as very Toscanin- It takes nerve to record this repertoire if ian-brisk, precise, virtuosic. The sound is 26 DCM 8 you're not Alicia de Larrocha or, at the top-drawer, and the Wedding March is a 27 Definitive Technology 22, 23, 25 very least, Spanish. You hear the differ- real showpiece. D.H. enceimmediatelywithJean -Francois Heisser, whose understated performances MOZART: Symphonies Nos. 40 and 41 - Electronic Wholesalers 94 are more elegant and less highly colored English Baroque Soloists, Gardiner than usual. It takes some getting used to, PHILIPS 426 315 (75 min) and while he doesn't really pose substantial John Eliot Gardiner offers no radical re- - Illinois Audio competition for De Larrocha, he at least thinking in these period -instrument perfor- presents the music in a more systematic, mances of Mozart's last two symphonies, orderly fashion, allowing us to hear these but his tight -clipped, rigorous, nonsensual 20 J&R Music World 90-91 33JBL 20-21 sets of miniatures with a completeness and approach toward them works well because -Jensen -Car 69 order not usually found in Spanish piano - the performances always draw you inside. music anthologies. D.P. S. And, of course, there's alothappening inside these symphonies. Some may find 22 KEF 4-5 H AYDN:Symphonies Nos. 99 and 102 the performances too severe, others minor Orchestra of the 18th Century, Bniggen revelations. D.P.S. PHILIPS 434 077 (49 min) 40 M&K Sound 74 Frans Brtiggen often seems out to prove C. SCHUMANN:Lleder - Marlboro C2, 1 that historically authentic instruments can Uecker, Polk 39 Mitsubishi C3, C4 25 Mobile Fidelity 80 do everything conventional instruments ARABESQUE Z 6624 (47 min) can in terms of sustaining slowish tempos Nineteen of a total of two dozen or so of and producing a certain magnitude of Clara Schumann's lieder, including several sound. Though that seems to defeat the unpublished songs recorded here for the 28 Omnimount 87 purpose of using the instruments, these first time. Inspired by favored poets of the performances do offer a greater transparen- period-Goethe, Heine, Ruckert. Geibel, cy than a modern orchestra can, and, in all - PARA 89 and the lesser -known Hermann Rolle,- 17 Paradigm 58 fairness, he takes the minuets at an authen- they are brief, usually strophic settings Philip Morris/Marlboro C2, I tically brisk clip. The main attraction here dealing with familiar Romantic subjects. - Pioneer -Car 47 is the gorgeous playing. And though the The most interesting of these expertly - Pioneer -Home 2, 40 - Polk Audio 30-31 interpretations aren't terribly original, they crafted but rarely memorable songs are 41 Pyle 71 clearly work. D. P. S. those with adventurous piano parts:Lore- lei(where the piano writing recalls Schu- bert'sErika nig)andAm Strand.The sopra- - RDL 48 no Korliss Uecker does justice to their modest charm with her limpid, youthful sound, and she is well supported by the - Seagram's Gin 19 pianist Joanna Polk. GJ. - 6th Avenue Electronics 98-99 - Sound City 93 DMITRI NVOROSTOVSKT: Dark Eyes, PHILIPS 434 080 (56 min) - Tanqueray Gin 7 Siberia's greatest recent gift to opera, the youngbaritoneDmitriHvorostovsky, MAHLER:Symphony No. 1("Titan"); sings thirteen Russian folk songs of varying - Yamaha 27 Lieder eines Fahrenden Gesellen moods. Whether the songs are lusty or Hagegard; New York Philharmonic, Masur tender, he performs them with authentic- TELDEC 74868 (70 min) ity, vocal beauty, relish, and masculine Kurt Masur wins some points for avoiding strength. The Ossipov folk orchestra pro- excess, but his reading of the Mahler First vides suitable accompaniment with plenty April israther prosaic, and heis downright of balalaikas. William Livingstone

STEREO REVIEWAPRIL 1993 101 Stereo Review CLASSIFIED For Advertising Information Call 1-800-445-6066, 9am-5pm EST

RECORDS SPEAKER COMPONENTS KITS, Audax Vila Crossovers, Foam Speaker Grilles, Books, more, Catalog $2. Meniscus, 2575 28th PHONO CARTRIDGES & ORIGINAL REPLACE- St, SW, Unit 2. Wyoming, MI 49509. (616) 534-9121 MENT STYLI. CALL TOLL FREE INCLUDING CAN- SLEDGEHAMMER. AUDAX, PEERLESS, FOCAL, V1FA & DYNAUDIO LOUDSPEAKERS with good prices and fast service. ADA (800) 221-0906. FOR FREE CATALOG MADISOUND SPEAKER COMPONENTS. 8608 University Green, SPEAKER SEND SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. Box 44283. Madison. WI 53744-4283. (608) 831-3433. CATALOG LYLE CARTRIDGES, DEPT. SR, BOX 158, VAL- "STEREO WORLD" IS YOUR DISCOUNT SOUND SOURCE WITH Parts Express is a full -line GREAT DEALS ON HOME AND CAR STEREO PANASONIC. JBL- distributor of electronic parts LEY STREAM, NY 11582. NY STATE (516) Car..NC. SONY. MTX, PINNACLE, ORION, PIONEER, SHERWOOD. and accessories, geared toward 599-1112. HIFONICS. BLAUPUNKT, AUTOTEK, ADVENT, KENWOOD, theconsumerelectronics SCOSCHE EFX AND MANY OTHERS. CALL OR WRITE FOR FREE industry. and the technical LV/CD/RECORD COLLECTORS SUPPLIES Jewel boxes. record CATALOG FREE UPS IN 48 STATES VISA/MC: COD ACCE PEED. P.O. hobbyist. Stocking an extensive locket, sleeves, storage boxes. 78 sleeves. dividers. much BOX 596. MONROE, NY 10950 (914) 782-6044 line of speaker drivers and morel Free brochure. CABCO PRODUCTS. ROOM 641 POE accessories for home and car. 8212. COLUMBUS, OH 43201 (614) 267-8468. CAR'HOMENIDEO AUTHORIZED DEALER for: Send for your FREE 148 page NEEDLES/CARTRIDGES & Belts --Expert Consultations, NI Ma- SONY, DENON, INFINITY, AUDIO CONTROL, catalog today jor Brands, One of Largest Stocks in Country including Old Obsolete Models. NEEDLE EXPRESS. 1-800-982-2620. PPI, COUSTIC, CWD, ADVENT & VELODYNE. Parts Express (800) 321-0685 for prices & orders. (301) 340 East First Street HALF MILE VINYL AFFORDABLE PRE -OWNED LP'S. SELECTEE) Dayton. Ohio 45402 1-800-338-0531 W/CARE. CLEANED & GRADED ALL CATAGORIES CALL F/INFOR 729-3711 for info & consultations. C&C AUDIO MAT1ON SASE CATALOG/WANTS BOX 98, EAST WAREHAM, MA 10am-8pm EST. 02538 (508) 295-2508 AC COMPONENTS sells the finest drivers. components and RECORDS BY MAIL! LP/CD BARGAINS. DELETIONS/SURPLUS. ALL accessories for your speaker building projects. Free cataog STYLES EXCEPT CLASSICAL/RAP GREAT PRICES/GREAT SELEC- CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS P.O.Box 212, La Crosse, W 54602-0212 (608) 784-4579 TION, FREE CATALOG -LP OR CD. RPM SALES, DEPT SRC. P.O. llowYou Can Save Money on Cable Rental Fees BOX 1348, SOMERVILLE. MA 02144 1-800-388-1386/FAX EXPERIENCED. FRIENDLY ADVICE! FREE SHIPPING! MIRAGE, 1-617-776-2514. PS. CWD. CARY, KINERGETICS, KEF, PHILIPS. AUDIOQUEST, Jerrold,Pioneer, Scientific Atlanta FRIED, MONSTER, QUAD. SPICA. STRAIGHTWIRE, MORE!! READ 30 Day Money Back Guarantee/Best Prices AUTHORIZED BROTHERS, 593-B KING, CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA 29403. (803(723 7276 FREE20 page Catalog:1-800-772-6244 SAVE 40% ON HIGH -END home speakers, sub - US ('able TV Inc. Dept. KtiR043 FOR SALE woofers, amplifiers. FREE CATALOG! RTRD, 4100 N. Powerhne Rd, 1314 F-4 Pompano Beach, NY 33073 3021 Sangamon Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. 1 (800) 283-4644. CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS. BARGAIN HEADQUARTERS' WHOLESALE PRICES. ALL BRANDS. NOBODY BEATS OUR PRICES, EnTERPRIISES F7 ELECTRONICS 1800-497-6273. 1678 53rd St. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11204 Mon. '!r1. 8 7, Sun. 9-6 CALL US (800) 451-5851 NYC (718) 4384027 owri., NO BULL... . DETECTORS) HOME STEREOS ORDERS ONLY (g4) RECEIVERS CASSITI DICKS 990 113Li In 10 DN. 151 01 101 TN 1 -800 -NO -BULL -93 LAST 'via 111/16511111 11w a 1/1 NW 111 1150/1 711 'vista 71/ 17SS1 (All MW Ill NMI. III. NW II/ 175 (800-662-8559) INFO 1-908-566-7100 (III 115 (All 1110/N 111 INN /11 CD LATERS NW 70/ tailden* 7/1 11130111 111 ID 500W 91 ITT :LAIrOS WE WILL BEAT YOUR IN ic 111 WE WILL 10 6000W 101 AIM MIT $$$ IS 3109010 169 KA Ac iSI 1I/0 76I K. ICIINIU C BEST LEGIT PRICE Si! UD /000 151 MINI COMPONENT K51KA lip, 111 M. III11 Nal S11 105001 791 KI17. 6111110 7/1 10610 771 CALL US LAST WITH YOUR BEST A 17.EXIIMIIIM000111 ul Al 111 Ul AS 111 141,1,1, 7/1 BEAT ANY 151 111 1160 /9err 1016011119 100511 10/ IN 5010 1190 IN IMMO 01 NOM r11 DEAL & WE WILL BEAT IT!!! PRICE CAR STEREOS PA01,1 711 11301131M111 08 PIONEER.OD PIONEER' (015101 171 10111001 111 RECEIVERS A ALL MAJOR BRANDS . CALL NOW PRINTED IN THIS MAGAZINE 015760 /JD ISO ADVENT'. AIWA' ALTEC ALPINE (00160 101 DIMINO 1/1 111 (01116760 11311071:0 111 ',AD' SO1 AUDIO TECHNICA' BAZOOKA BLAUBUNKr BOSE ON HOME & CAR STEREO IN (01010N 011/7760 111 an 364 CASIO' CERWIN VEGA' CLFFORD CODE ALARM (MASS N. 110167N /11 (DI U100 01115501 TN DS DEMON* DESIGN ACOUSTICS' EXCALIBUR' IDIOM 311 MIASK0 77/ Ns 11U101 NO 0111700 71 761 HIFONICS HITACHI' INFINITY JBL JVC' KENWOOD DUNN MI 111111/60 CASSINI DICKS (010300N 51 KICKER Ma". MITSUBISHI MIT' NILES The SOUND Approach 0i1111111 11 711 (DI ASST 111 /11 11 7710 1111114$11 PANASONIC PHILIPS' PIONEER LASER KARAOKE' 6067 Jericho Tpke., Commack. NY 11725 111117M11 r1 751 !INN 111 NS PINNACLE' PYLE RCA' SHARP' SONY' TECHNICS' AINCO ISI 111111X001 /1 Full Manufacturers Warranty 751 113050 111 11.710)(11 TOSHIBA' VIPER YAMAHA' A MORE /SA 111100 ISA MISR 70/ 10600 II/ 11111S0/ "1 III 110110 111 111116/ : 160 ARUM TN 1441111 SI ATZIEIZ3ED (800) 368.2344 111. 11S LAU 7S1 +4111~11111W II U160 711 111111150 0.11 711 ilu/70 mom 111 AU. CAR AUDIO co PJALTELSI 8 ALARMS egt1"2" °,,::".79.[icon ISO '73:1 1,1 DOOM CALL TOLL FREE! 1(800) 826-0520. NAD * 11.../I1101 111 (101711 171 19 *Avon 50111 315 1111610 301 DIN SR 161 /0 711 RECEIVERS CAR STEREOS M&K a HARMAN KARDON a ONYKO HAFLER * Ms(1317 9 111111 IN (011.31 171 Orko61(0137 411.7001 NI 111111 161 CASSETTES CAR ALARMS loos.% MI 11111/5 VELODYNE * CARVER * CELESTION * MONS- IN m:110M 11S COMPACT DISCS SPEAKERS Seo1e0(11,7 1 (011105 111 (11111 115 Ovre--,,M7 I; 'C LASER PLAYERS LCD PROJ. TER CABLE a CWD a PRO -AC * AUDIO - 13ciairon (Asia KAYAKS 9 6700(0 7/1 155 MINI SYSTEMS T.V.'s (All Sizes) CONTROL * NILES AUDIO * LEXICON a DAHL- S1/1(1/ NI Sill ID 761 1.311, in 9 1/77 IN 17/1 M 111 V.C.R.S CAMCORDERS QUIST THORENS * GRADO * STAX * FRIED * .;(00/1 1/11 1641701 161 51/ 1,3511 RN IN NN IN PROTON * NITTY GRITTY * SOUND ANCHORS * ALL PAL & MULTI SYSTEMS .1.1 A...us I C oihdplel ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY a TARGET * ACOUS- Otto14.114.11 SIO% le INC. TAT * SANUS * SHARP VISION a. SOUND LEcricratAlcovems SELLER, P.O. BOX 224, 2808 CAHILL RD., MARINETTE, WI 54143-0224. FAXfr 715- 100 HWY. 34MATAWAN, NJ 07747 LOW PRICES' We have a wide selection of audiophile prod- FAX 1-908-566-8234 735-5838, phone 715-735-9002. ucts! FULL WARRANTY, plus extended warranties. PRICES TOO MASTERCARD VISA DISCOVER LOW TO PRINT' Sound Shop (206)692-8201 ., systems, speaker kits and the widest AMEX C.0 D. selection of raw drivers horn the world's finest manufacturers ACOUSTIC FOAM World-renowned since 1984, wedge cut, *FACTORY AUTHORIZED WITH FULL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY ON ALL For beginners and audiophiles. Free catalog. A&S SPEAKERS. improves any listening environment $120 covers 96 sq ft MC/ PRODUCTS ALL OTHERS CARRY ELECTROWORKS EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY 3170 23rd St., San Francisco, CA 94110. (415) 641-4573 VISA FREE INFO (800) 95 -WEDGE. FOR SALE STEVE'S AUDIO ADVICE. OFFERING THE ABSOLUTE BEST PRIC- AI FARM T' 1 -PA IR 1 II NM , ING ON B&K VMPS, PHIUPS, QUAD, ROMAN, ALON, MCCOR-

HARD TO FIND DEIX & ADC PARTS & SERVICE. CALUWR1TE RES. r `' 41. ' - .-- lr '7; MACK. SPENDOR. AND ALL HOME THEATER PRODUCTS. USED 5462 BUCHANAN PLACE. FREMONT. CA 94538. (510) 490-1622. NEW YORK 1111111.F.S.1.1. EQUIPMENT ALSO AVAILABLE. CALL TOLL FREE (800)752-4018. FAX (510) 656-8878. _ CALL FOR PRICES ON VCR'S & FAX MACHINES AAABIG DISCOUNTS!!! 2 PARKAVENUE, DEPT.15, NY, NY10016 WE HAVE EXCELLENT PRICES ON THE BEST STUFF WE Wholesale Connection SPECIALIZE IN "HOME THEATER SYSTEMS°, OUR UN- 212 684-6363 FAX:(212) 684-8046 BIASED ADVICE WILL HELP YOU GET THE MOST FOR CAR STEREO YOUR MONEY ALL U S A PRODUCTS, DENON, ONKYO, To order -Call: (711131 997-6644 NAKAMICHI, CARVER, HAD. B&K, POLK, KEF, B&W, PIONEER K IW6040 199 t ALPINE SPICA, A/DiSi, SNELL, GRADO, M&K, ROCK SOLID, DCM, CD PLAYER 5952Z 3497618 469 Cif HM9K. : 629 600,48500 399 Toon SLP0300 sin 1.W$040 C I ,ELODYME, THORENS V.P.I., BLUE POINT, SALE., 249 SLPOS27 179 Bony ECK.° 5957S 419 7525 439 DEH880 409KEHM8200 349 TCWR590 169 CHICAGO STANDS & RACKS, AND OTHERS. ALL U S A 519011127 99 7980 5297524 389 OEH780 3490447500 289 TCWR690 199 WARRANTIES, JVC SL2451 I SI1 ECWR790 Coll 7803S 419 7521 339 001730 329KEHM6500 259 4114307 199 290 %.4407 209 Hannan/ 104400 7802 3397517 299 DE11520 269XE1445500 239 STEREO TECH. 414-836-2942. 104600 Coll /11.0507 249 7915 3897514 249 CDXM30 299KEH2500 179 111.14703 209 HOME SPEAKERS 3339 3297513 219 CDXFM35 329 KEt700 149 Piorer PD1/1401 1119 Per Po. 3331 189 7502 209 TSA1390 591541670 79 P01/1701 209 104/01 NatItesle SSA P01/1901 271 %SS 3522 1193547 189 GM900 990101100 199 ADCOM, ADS, AUDIO RESEARCH, BANG & K entwood DP2040 140 Pro7igy Tower 219 3548 2193553 289 E06500 169 tP9EMIER Cali 134 01.4440 190 Baby 11 3555 3593527 219 t NAKAMICHI 00,46640 219 Boma 10.2 SerH x Call OLUFSEN, B&W, CARVER, CELESTION, DENON, 79 TUNER DECK 1 569 POKIER PORT 1 119 DPS17740 240 901 Coll 6396 129 6256 S ony CDP497 29 S 2 104 CALL FOR OTHERMODELS TUNER 0E0( 2439 PONS PORT 2109 FOSGATE, HARMAN/KARDON, INFINITY, JBL, COPCSal 249 42 234 t SAS BAZOOKA CO TUNER 1 529 POWER PORT3 49 COPC62S 279 41/15 Sw1 II Call COC101 649PA304 369 Coil AS13 SetHe II Cell 162 149 TWA 209 KEF, KLIPSCH, LEXICON, MIRAGE, NAKAMICHI, COPC725 SP1010 pair 299E0204 219 000,0910 21 1111rNnole PH50 el 982 199 239 SP65C 219SP50 119 Eros/ NO7400 219 PN70 Call 1102 139ea T102A 279 ONKYO, POLK, REVOX, TRIAD, VELODYNE, ItsoIon 1107450 114 PNS C11 t SONY 1107300 CJI PRSUB Cell t BOSTON CDXA55 299CDXA35RF 339 YAMAHA, AND MORE. MANUFACTURER'S Inon/ty REFS Call RECEIVERS 841 149 4 2 259 0)011303 379 CDXA55RF 379 REFS Coll Taohnlos SAGSSOS 851 169 52 REFS Cell 279 C1355060 249 CIOXU70CP 379 WARRANTIES. LIVE ASSISTANCE WEEKDAYS. SAGX530 321 861 179 62 SAGX730 CW REF] Call 293 COX5260 269CDX5460 299 757 SAGS910 Video 1 Call 89767 99 00506260 339 C00118000 449 AUTOMATED PRICING 24 HOURS. AMERI- 50112 Cell JOG 0%507 259 797 149 8.0 pair 259 XRU110 189 030660 299 R%707 319 50122 CYI SOUND SALES, INC. (904) 262-4000. 100 pair 299120 Re 399 081.1220 090770 449 ROW] Coll MINI SYSTEM 229 Call JVO All Yodels Call 1. KENWOOD 084400 149 X95603 189 1011050 Coll ISnwooyl All Models CM! KDC600 349KDCIER 399 XM4040 219004520 139 CAR STEREO VS%4S1 270 Bony All Boatels Call KRC77 339KDC67 309 t ADS V5%501 410 CAR STEREO 0165940 469KRC740 309 PS 5.2 179 PH 152 439 VSSO601 410 JVC ISSRG7 Coll KRC640 249KRC540 219 SRID7OIS Coll 155RGII Cell PO 10 2 299PO 20 2 499 VS1109015 Coll 111,2700 Coll 0RC3005 189 KRC440 219 30015 249320 IS 389 Kenwood KRV6040 240 CD Charge, StA1G700111F Coll FAC923 339540823 269 642 IX 189510 pair 299 No No 101V7040 310 KRC3005 Coll Itnwood 0GC4032 149 KGX6042 189 2001 219E 2 129 (513) 451-0112 15/011040 Coll N RC440 Coll Sony Pioneer 5500540 Cell 10CW Coll 155V9030 Coll 15.77R Cog ,HOMESTEREO Sony STRO590 199 CD Changer 15OCC600 Coll MB QUART' ORION* INFINITY* RECEIVERS CD PLAYERS STRO790 279 1.1700 149 SERO90 329 E450 041 YAMAHA DENON SONY PIONEER OM 215CX ...... _. Cal XTR 12._.699.. RS139 30( $175 pr 51501990 Coll NE 044500 Coll 9891050 899 CDPC325 19 1 '79 OM 2IICX . Cal XTR 15 ..115.. CS CIK 199 pr CHI 919 I459300 STRD2090 N EHOI 200 Call 909850 619 084635 379 CDPC725 329 I9134450'PDOP9' 219 OM 16010( Cal xTR 10 B9.. 55 0950 Coll DE EISSO Coil 9X750 CASSETTE DECKS 1153500 199 409 D8A345 229 H ownn/ 01111464 CMI DENON PIONEER 1(aJdon H53400 Coll PIONEER SONY KENWOOD* BOSTON* CO Chang., CDXF11135 Coll 229 190' 259 CO Changer CD0F MSS Call ,5X0901 '59I ST9D1090 439 §(7'8 TAPE DECK 299 150' 229 KRC-930 Cal 52 6279 p,2050 AM 9275 Twohnla RS1%222 149 Sony %RUM Call .50451 289 7110790 219 SONY NAN KDC-77R ...... Cal 62 __ ...... 299 Pr 2075 AM 375 RST111222 169 %RUM Call NA( 91 3 319 AV 1 959 179 100 ' KGC-6040 Cal851 18.5 Pr 0510513 CYI CDXSISO Coil TCWR590 699 2150AM._...... 489 CD PLAYERS SPEAKERS Cal88 175 r JVC TDVS41 229 COClumger CCAL13001,1F Call 10471790 279I, DP 3 3,9 .1 i . ,. YAMAHA DENON TOW )07 169 cD Change, CDXA551. Con tSPEAKERS DC735 32900.1320 239 COUSTIC TOW707 Call CAR AMP & SPEAKER Call for - Infinitv. Polk. Paradigm AUDIO CTRL' TOMOS Cut AVM... 6 Bnande ,00935 3991004520 379 Celestion. Bose. Meant. Pinnacle VA 3 -...... 9115 Pioneer CTWSOIR C11 7915 8430 4XS $1139 CINVSOIR CAMCORDER 8. VCR 'Factory Warranty -Authorized 9 actory Warranty -Ron -Authorized Amp 460 250 7914 399 Epcenler 189 JVC, Sony. Panatonl< 4 Canon CONN. COO tNY Wholesale Warr Illy -Non -Authorized Am 360 109 3331 199 enw000 545530 10 RADAR DETECTOR ASK FOR DETAILS AT TIME OF ORDER 3555 395 5%7010 249 sea V/IVtler, ilnkton & Cob.. POLK' SPEAKERSSPE Cal Friendly People & Expert Advice MM 3055 9265 ALPHASONIK XLG3700 Aulkonied CALL FOR PRICES on Models and Brands Not Listed 13M 3065 275 XLA4K500 Dealer PMA 2050...... 5139 XLMg700RF .. Cal HRS. Mon -Sal 9 AM -6 PM EST Pnces suNeci to change Prices MTV PMA 2150 shipping A handing Not responable for typographocal errorsM., ABC 1-800-354-1324 325 KSRX700 . Todayl V..Visa. American Einar.. and C 0 D acCefelled Nonaulhonzed o.,., Many Makes & Models Priced Too Low To Print RTP 124 689.. PMA 4039 215 ucts covered by irkiesale Connection warranty RTP is, 1,... PAS 1100 189 PMA 2075 179 Wholesale Connection 63 -48168th St. Forest H s 1, nformation Call 1-908-780-6600 wrEizzai RECELESTIZI SiZEILLIZ3 PARADIGM' NAD Carrot. Career Alpine. INFINITY' REMO H11895...... Call SD/A4901 Call 7516..... Call Ike_ .11 $535 pr1600 5359Ref 3 4309 pr SINGERS'VOCALSVE! Dimon H.Kardon 7915.....Call Phaream ...... 229 pr2400 THX 479 sm 82 159pr AVR3000 Call 718600 13051 Autotek Seel . 349 pr 5000 399Video 1 149pr Unlimited Backgrounds"' H.Kareon HD 76001 Price 7054915 Top 7,511 MOW 21003. 345 Ref 6 650 pr From Standard Records & CD's withthe AVR30 . New JVC 11sell. 639m 71 1199pr Thompson Vocal Eliminator'. Call for Free 7150 BITS Rated TO., too PARASOUND' Catalog & Demo Record. H03603 Call XLI1050 Top siapoli. Sk4 82 249 JVC XLM 505 Rated 189 Phone: (404) 4824189 Ed. 50 1111 T -62A V OMAHA' MCA-600 II 6339 JVC 8X8137 New Nakamichi T -82A Call HCA-1200 649 Sing9a railI Kenvirood M82 Call ikon RXV 850 ...,.. .sly,, HCA-2200 1245 MX -SS 5819 09V7010 Call MB 3 Call 0106.2 Call RXV 1050 P/Fet-90011 350 XLM 407Authonaed GA 30058 OSPA 1000 1199..' 24 Hour Demo Info Request NAD Onkyo 797 Cali RX 807 VTN...... Cal Line (404) 482-2485 Ext. 50 71000 Call DX -C606 Call coein. DSPE 1000 799 CARVER* X12 1050 ...... Cal Of& Nakiamichi Pioneer CDC z3.5 339 TOV 541 .... Cal Bevies supply We Have Anything & Everything Ate SJper Are NSC 90 109 CT -3 $350 %OMB, 1 Call CI.13401 Call Bar...Tubes.. in OSPE200 399 CT -17 629 ReceNer 2 Call PDIA 801 Call clan. POLK TFM 35 550 ()roily°. Philips 8203RT 95 NAKAMICHI* soa sippy sse RM 3000 9509 SV909pro In CDC 935 New Couple CS 100 140 RE -2-3 Cal 5V7Opro SOCk CD 95CP Call MAP -268...... New ONKYO' M 3 159 pr Pioneer Sony MB C101 S 4 189pr aud ioEXCELLENCE VOX D91315 Call COP C725 Can Echo. OR -3 Cal CALLIII S6 275 pr VSX 5115 Call COPC525 Can EC0310...... Call LS 50 599 pr AUDIO SRC audio video Sony BOSE Yamaha* EOS 1001...... Call LS 70 839 pr Phone us for expert advice, personal service, STR 01090 Call CDC835 In JBL SS3 n $299 CALLIII Yamahe CDC 735 Stock T 903...... Can TUNER I... 185 FRIED and great prices! RX V1050 Call I PRE ONE 199 NILES iSEPARATE 5 I 1-953 Call CA LLIII FLXV850 . Cal Keneood Specialists in Mini Disc DAT D/A Converters i Adcone CALL., SPEAKERS KRC 530 245 Prccuct not aulhon zed, covered by B J Audio's excluove limited 1 GIPSON' Call KRC 930 Call Transports CD Players Receivers Amplifiers Advent GFA 55511 Call Kicker warranty.10 day return policy - relurns subject In restocking charge Loudspeakers Turntables TV VCR's Al Models Call ACE 515 ....AMust 1154 Call Aulhonzsd forEkes, Fried, 11./K, Beyertlynarnic, JVC, Alphasonik, AR Carver. C12-4 85 IGmber, Audeoguest, and Ndes Camcorders and more! M6 Great TEM 55 . All LA Sound M5 Value TFM 35 le LA 735 New FROM ALL MAJOR MANUFACTURERS SAW* CT37 Stock NIA, Cal "The Quick Connection" Full manufacturers warranty plus auchoEXCELLENCE extended Al Models Call Haller Orion Bose 9270.. Cell 225 HCCA New warranty availablephone for details' 9300. Call B.J. AUDIO AM 511 1.001151 XTR 12 Call 99 1 licaclinicadow Li, (212)2291622 901Classc Price H.Kardon Pioneer Infinity PT2300 Call DEH-880 New Cincinnati. OH 452.5,- 143 west 26th Street N.Y., N.Y.10001 Reference 3 295 PA2200 New Polk 1', 1 (17 1 -, ALL MA.IOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED Mcroll Call NAD MM 3055 Call JBL 1600 Call MM 6920 Call 2700TI-IX Call ppie L5 New 5.4 Visa Klipsch Yamahe 2075040 Call Mastercard BEST $1,500 LOUDSPEAKERS!!! B&W ALON Many Models Call DSPA1000 Call 4200AM 399 Paradigm DSP E200 For Rock. Fosgate EMINENT TECHNOLOGY BANG & OLUFSEN 55ei1 Call MX1000 Price Punch 75 Call 75011 Call I Punch 159 365 1 CASSE III S 1 MIRAGE McCORMACK ADCOM POLK Polk Sony WANTED TO BUY S8 New Nakamichi Can CDX5180 Call LS70 New Yamahe VMPS HARMAN/KARDON CROWN NA- Fe, 0171-5550 Call LP's & CD's. BOUGHT & SOLD: Classical, Rock, Jan, Audi- RM 3000 Call Denon Your SouncIstream KAMICHI TRIAD DENON CARVER PARA- Pinnacle 14.Kardon.. Best 01001 245 ophile, Etc. PRINCETON RECORD EXCHANGE, 20 Tulane St.. SOUND + MORE. MANUFACTURER'S WAR- PNE1i, 265 Pioneer Price. MC245 Call Princeton, NJ 08542. (609) 921-0881. McIntosh and Marantz tube type Hi-Fi; and old JBL. Alec. RANTIES! TECH ELECTRONICS. (904) ionnoy, EV Patrician and Western Electric speakers. David: 376-8080. 1-800-356-4434. AUDIO VIDEO STORAGE Lowest prices on cable IV descramblers, converters. accessories. Name brands. Great service. Immediate delivery Call Prime Time Cable (800) 777-7731 for information and color catalog

CD STORAGE+ WHYSAVE! RENT SAVE! Soria Systems - Setting the Standards in CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS Audio/Video Storage Systems JERROLD OAK HAMLIN ZENITH PIONEER SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA Store 300 CD's in this Premium Solid Hardwood READY -TO -SHIP! Cabinet. 6 MONTH WARRANTY! ABSOLUTELY LOWEST WHOLESALE / RETAIL PRICES! Impeccably crafted in your choice of Solid Oak, MASTER CARD VISA AMEX C.O.D. Walnut, Teak or Cherry. FREE COLOR CATALOG! Fully adjustable Shelves store any combination of rio 1 (800) 950-9145 CD's, Videos and Cassettes - all in ONE cabinet. 1470 OLD COUNTRY ROAD, STE-315 tLICOECIIPLAINVIEW, NY 11803 No -Slot design maximizes storage space, simplifies NO NY SALES - SR organizing & re -arranging your collection, accommodates single & multiple CD sets, allows ARE YOU TIRED OF PAYING A HIGH MONTHLY for possible changes in the size of CD packaging. wrommlett. CABLE FEE? WE STOCK ALL MAKES & MODELS Adjustable Solid Brass Bookends keep Discs & OF CABLE EQUIPMENT. FOR FREE CATALOG Tapes upright and in place. SEND SASE TO: CABLE-TRONICS, INC., 450 Cabinets can be stacked, wall mounted or left SHAGBARK, ALGONQUIN, IL 60102 OR CALL free standing. (800) 232-5017. VISMAC/COD. NO ILLINOIS ORDERS. Optional Clear or Smoked Glass Doors are available. NEW PRODUCTS Completely enclosed back provides dust protection. PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT. Reduce or eliminate air -borne Compact size: 391/2"H x 231/2"W x 71/2"D particulates (dust. pollen. mold) from entering your sensitive electronic/optical components Clean air means clean Shipped to you fully assembled. equipment, fewer repairs, and a healthier listening environ- No. A 300 (Shown in Solid Brown Oak) ment Live & Learn. 1985 Tate Blvd. Suite 1, Hickory. North I Carolina 28602. (704) 585-6159 For Prices and Free Full Color Liter- LOUDSPEAKERS soRce ature on our Complete Line of Audio/ P.O. Box 747-A Nutley, NJ 07110 Video Storage Systems: Call Toll Free ROTTEN FOAM EDGES? LOWEST PRICES. BEST WARRANTY. In - walls, DIY Kits. VISA/MC/DISCOVER. SIMPLY SPEAKERS: accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Checks and Money Orders. All 1-800.432.8005or FAX your name 1-800-767-4041. Models come with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee and a Full One Year Warranty. and address to1.201.748.2592j SPEAKER REPAIR. ALL BRANDS. RECONING, SURROUNDS & CUS TOM SPEAKER SYSTEMS PERKINS ELECTRONICS (800) 769-9599 COMPACT DISCS BLANK TAPES (HOUGHTON, MI) "OVER 15,000 USED CD's! $2.99 $9.99. Send $200 for 28 page FOAM DRY ROW? Replacement of Foam Surrounds. My Size. catalog (refundable) or $1000 for 12 issues. 10th Year. Visa/MC. Any Brand. Two -Year Warranty SPEAKER CLINIC, Atlanta. GA Buy/Sell. AUDIO HOUSE, 4304B Brayan, Swartz Creek, Michigan For FREE Estimates. (404) 933-0101. 48473.313-655-8639." r4:61X441We've Got The Greatest REPAIR FOAM ROT !c_ II Hits Of All Time! FOR YOURSELF!

. THE MONKEES v. ("rent CDs IJPNI $2399 speaker Sutra/ : . LEVEL 42Remixes IJPNI $2699 AT Will MI you Auldrads of dollars PETER & GORDON 1st LP plus bonus Packs (JPN) S25 99 All sins, including AR INFINITY BOSE THE MOLLIES1st LP plus bonus tracks IJPNI S75 99 J Bi- ADVENT $27 95pair Drici S.N. HERMANS HERMITS1st LP plus bonus tracks WPM $2599 (No C 0 D si Do il yourself with SAT ELTON JOHN Greet Bos4 CDs (JPN) $T9 99

DEAN FRIEDMAN wen wen sad The Rocking De) mop$21 99 STEPP 88010 TECHNOLOGIES 1 800-747 3692 110A/C 046411 HENRY GROSS Release/Show Me To The Stage (UK)$71 99 PO GOT 1088 FLAT ROCK NC 28731 704 697 9001 RUPERT HOLMES3 CDs titles available IJPNI $26 99 TOM JONES Complete two $2399 HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS - Best 01 IJPNI $2699 LASER VIDEO S VHS GILBERT O'SULLIVAN -3 CO's Available IJPNI $2399 FRANK SINATRA - Twin Best Now 2CD s IJPNI S39 99 USED LASER DISC CLEARANCE. WE BUY, SELL & TRADE. FREE We Specialize in Oldies, Greatest Hits 6 Classic Rock & Roll ONLY! (No metal. No weird stuff') Call for FREE List CATALOG. VDI/J, 5339 PROSPECT #221, SAN JO`! rA ,r)-ro WE SHIP TODAY! ... ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS This Add 54 50 S -H per total order - NY Res add Tax BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES CDMO, INC., Dept. S0493, 900 Atilt), Melville, NY11747 WE'LL PAY YOU TO TYPE NAMES AND ADDRESSES FROM HO'.': Info: 516.385-2366 Orders Only: 1.800-FOR-COMO $500.00 PER 1000. Call 1-900-896-1666 ($1.49 min/18yrsC) or publication Write. PASSE - X5493, 161S. lincolnway. N Aurora. IL 60542 '6,000 CDs/CASSETIES,VHS MUSIC VIDEOS/LASER DISCS AT DISCOUNT PRICES! FREE INFORMATION. HOUGH'S (HUFFS). CABLE TV is available 4624 HANOVER. KALAMAZOO. MI 49002 1 800 382-0554 FAX 616-324-3164. CABLE TV CONVERTERS/DESCRAMBLERS. HUGE SELECTION OF CD'S. CASSETTES, MINI DISCS & DCC. in microform. Catalog $2 Pacific Coast Electronics, 1378-C Logan Ave.. Guaranteed lowest prices in U.S., Jerrold, Ham- Costa Mesa. CA 92626 (714) 545-8128 lin, Zenith-many others! Lowest dealer INVENTIONS WANTED prices! Orders shipped within 24 hours! UMI MasterCard-Visa-C.O.D. accepted. For Free INVENTORS! Comprehensive Patenting/Marketing services can help you profit. FREE ADVICE! Call ADVANCED PATENT catalog, orders and information, call (800) A Bell & Howell Company SERVICES. 1-800-458-0352 345-8927. Pacific Cable Co., Inc., 7325 1/2 300 North Zeeb Road MISCELLANEOUS Reseda Blvd., Dept. 1389, Reseda,CA91335. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 USA Cable TV Descramblers. Converters, Ac TERMPAPER assistance. 19,278 papers available! 306 -page ,rios Name 800-521-0600 toll -free Brands. Lowest prices. Best service. Call CABLE READY COMPA catalogrush- $200 Research. 11322 Idaho. #206SX. LosAn- NY. (800) 234-1006 for FREE 16 -page color catalog 313-761-4700 collect from Alaska geles, 90025. TOLL FREE HOTLINE. 800-351-0222. (California. (310) 477-8226) CABLE T.V. CONVERTERS. Jerrold', Zenith, Pioneer. Ook, Sci- and Michigan entific Atlanta. And Many More! 12 Years Experience Gives CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS' EXCHANGE' Nationwide link be- 800-343-5299 toll -free from Canada Us The ADVANTAGE Visa/MC. Amex. COD. ADVANTAGE ELEC tween unattached music lovers. Write CMLE. Box 31, Pelham, TRONICS. INC.. 1 800-952-3916; 1125 RIVERWOOD DR NY 10803 (800) 233-CMLS. , BURN- SVILLE, MN 55337. Stereo Review FACTORY tcv/47EkvvAireTNETE EDAUDIO/V1DEO ALL TAPES SOLD BY THE BOX (10) ONLY SONY MAXELL 5 YEAR WTY'SAVAILABLE.1-800-348-779' Sson 84 mlo 3 Nu 1121 HIFi 3 Moo Salm 91 nap 4.11,1 T171 Ri Pro Grads 5.49. INFINITY RETAIL MART acom 171 mil 4 39sa T121 10 Pro wAssoI 45.8 JVC VIDEO ADVENT mm 154 ml. 8 19 u TISO EX 3 ?gm INFINITESIMAL4 HRS68000599 HRVP66U FACTORY NEW lanm 34 min 141Grails 3.495, nee 141Grak 4.1s,, INFINITESIMAL 4 VIDEO HRS470011445 HRDX62U FACTORY Omni 64 min 141Grads 4 lOsa T11 SIMS Mack 7.495, MICRO II SATELLITE HIR0910U215 HRD990U U.S. W As. w ROA 111Grmis 5.1911 Tin APIS BOWXI Wiso MICRO SYSTEM II THE HRVP46U 111004211 MINI 09/PAIR Or 121 mio 'WM 5 Mos nu 5.ygg 8.90ss TAKE VIDEO 1 CENTER CHANNEL JXS900 489 jy8300 189 BABY II 125/PAIR 5"" 5"1" 151 5-791" 11131 24113 9191 12.4fiss SM 152 15#111 Ill MN 7 Miss SM 122 TC 34 min AVISS-C 7.49es AS100 89 JISV55 419 LEGACY II 259/PAIR SM 112 SM 112 APPROACH "'min ml" NN (Mg '"" TCP1 AWIAC 5 Paso ,IXTU311 111481 145 PRODIGY 199/PAIR FOR Imo 11 lit HIS Pew 12.21sa ml. 3.25. SM 82 SM 62 SOUND WY A JVC um/ADD HERITAGE 409/PAIR DEALERS 9=121 mi. mVO711017 2Iu '''"' REFRNCE 6 REFRNCE 5 1121 HIFI 4.54.. Eloom 91 olio 3 ma AND OFT 12 FREE TAPES! LAUREATE 3119/PAJR REFRNCE 4 REFRNCE 3 AUTHORIZED Till Pon Wm 5 119u s... I 21 Wei How SUBWOOFER 11 PR. GRS 5050 GRS X 9011 KICKER 1121 AVMS 7 sos. limoi 34 mio HIGrido3.4948 REFRNCE 2 REFRNCE 1 MINIS SPKRS oily 221 GRSZ1U GRAW-1U OR 19 2.89m lanii es mil SIGMA 3.1448 REFRNCE EA. EA. VIDEO 149/PAIR 25TH ANNIV ADSFHASONIK N.H.T. L544 PRO X 5.49. Mum 91 min NIGn94.495, KAPPA 9.1 KAPPA 1.1 GRAXSU GRAX500 CENTER CHNL 9PKR 99 L511 T 0. Isla 15.39,, Omni 121 ruin 9161114.9501 KAPPA 7.1 KAPPA 6.1 GRAX 33U GAM 7U NILES L751E8 295 GRADUATE 169/PAIR AL 99'9. 59 mil " "a" KAPPA CENTER CHANNEL GRM5U GRAD211 1754 EX HiGraill 3 59s48 earn 64 mio III4 COON WALL SPKRS129/PAIR OKA SSW11 SUBWOOFER HRPIU .ONKYO 1751 PROX 8 Se u mos os min la 5.29os GR303UINMINI SUBWOFER 129 BA- LOJI ES 1.29 twos Ito Ws NIS 8.495, SSW2111 SUBWOOFFR JVC AUDIO PIONEER CAR D A.T. 11 7.99 as RENAISSANCE 80 II LTD BOSE PIONEER 11010TOV1050TN50VDI XLZAX01050TH105091 FUJI EDITION FACTORY BRAND NEW TDK LTD FACTORY U.I. wni CARVERROCKFORD 1121 DIG 3 190S "29 AN 9T9 2199" RENAISSANCE 9/A FX1010TN y13.1400 p.330,34 nu THO AN Mao* o215.99ol EDITION minium FACTORY COMPLETE DEMON SONANCE 7 mom Till 211112 Poi 11.99.8 71211 2VMS MODULUS SATELLITES 11119e5Vnd RX8e7Vni DEHM 911 411 1161 HiGroilo 3 99ss 1124 4-4414 471 11.9022 ERS 801 Enssu RX717YTN RX5117YTN FOR 365 HAFLER CALL T1911 -VHS 1149., T144 44114 ho SIGH Egssos Run XLM7117T11 XLM507TN Del 284 MORE IC SI mlo. 2299C 7.9s 1111 AN Pro 5199 you oms xiumN 311 MANY TCMmil liGato3.915, IC3mln AV8 7.8911o INFINITY -CAR DR699 215 INFINITY lam MI ml. XLV451TN LV521T4 TC 71 mlo 1.161S -C 5 99u 3.3e. AUDIO LINE-UP CDX4 255 Smm 61 alio 3 72 di lam 911 silo 3.48" 116512119 cD0431 279 KENWOOD tuno fa mio 4 39 sa Mm 129 mkt 4.3948 ADS TD1/541TH TDR441TN am 11435 345 BRIM in min 4.29 so Saint 1114iGnslo 5.39,9 TDW80511 11341717Tli CDXFM31 399 APPROACHNY 11725 Iliorn 14 min NM 5 Na, Mom 121 mlo IMO 7.49.. JAMO SOUND Soon 121 MIR AM 721., SIMKO SYSTEMSDEXMOI 155 THE TIME .COMMACK. 6,,,T 61 min HM Eno9 395, KENWOOD GIIT71 145 SCOTCH UXA5 UXA3 6067JERICHO sou III or 144 Int II 5044 GEMH2001 175 T121 EG NM 3.1948 TECHNICS MX55 MX44 KEHKENN M 873007911 036862344 JVC 1121 HIFI (Mg MX99 MET! ,Zi, 1121 1111 Me T12* PrO calm mus.sen DEMON TA 211 PCXT7 PCXT5 7121 S -VHS 7.1m. 11/ 22118 7.311e KEHNI 7210 255 NHT RCM JVC TC311-3-VHSC 7.49s. 1184 EG Nu 4.34104 PCXT3 KEHM 6200 235 AK 1121 $163-312 Pro 11.59.. IC m mil 111111145.1ess POLK Pcxsai FICX721 KEHm 550e 219 .. a pair of speakers of this quality for less XLP911 PCX5003 lams?), BASF VIDBON.:.....iCS CARVER 225 than$750. is surely one of today's best bargains." 11311mlo 2 11.1 EDIT MAKER we ILP711 X1,28 KEHM45N 215 Julian Hirsch, Stereo Review, Sept. 1992. DAHLOUIST 1164 mio 329., TITLE MAIII1 379 JVCCAR 5E1532500R 185 TIN HtG9.1 829.. EOUILIZIR no KE37011 175 1794 HI -Grads 1.79.. ONKYO XLG37111 211 MUSD EFFECTS 135 FHM 75 729 XLG2700 219 SONY ES KEH 31198TR 211 RCA KSRGII 255 KSRG7 215 JSL MAD KEH 6969 171 991536 99657 LX55 KSRX93SJ 459 499/PAIR KEH 4449 145 V9667 XLMG18011 389 VR8011 1,144 369/PAIR LUXMAN DOH 210 365 PR0860 PRO807 XLMG709RF L7 CALL I-5 CALL HARMON KARDON 315 GMH III 255 PR0867 KSRX7111.J PC10879 L3CALL L1CALL 265 GMH1111 1/111 CC407 CC507 XPL 91 CALL XPL141 AIWA 9509111 355 GMH 51 145 CC445 CC517 XPL16I CALL XP1.2911 SHERWOOD KSA6444J 215 GMH 44 195 CC560 LORCA LUDO LX5I0 KSAG714 245KSE75.1145 GMH22 115 BIC HITACHI 15305 12010 6515199 171 6A1880IT GM914 95 12060 J2054 VM2500 V144400 PIONEER GNU, 59 048201 PRO 3 PLUS PR03 BOSE VP 5401 VSXDIS I VS00901 129 PRO PERFORMER PLUS 1.118:011 Malt System rsliPan VMH18 VME22A vsm VSX601 39sa VME23A VIAE254 JBL-CAR CALL VSX511S VSX501 AA Ppwer" System tsw251 428 1 llfastyls Mork Caster VMSPIA V10139 TSW161 WPAIR CANON SX311R $X301 MI7 Spir System 91262 91301 POM911 PDM801 TSWX161 135/PAIR A10 L1 AM5 Sada II Sys. VT362 VT462 POM711 POM601 TS -T31 139/PAIR ACI has been selling superior quality high -end AM5 Power Sys. speakers factory direct for more than 16 years. Too VT551 VT751 UCI PDM501 CTW9111R TS -C1601 109/PAIR UCSI "E63 A.43Spicy Sys. cant buy a better pair of speakers for your manes TI C1301 105/PAIR MINOLTA E65 CTW801R CTW701R We guarantee it or your money back. For a free N7 413 Pwr. Sys. 1S-TR1711 209/PAIR C918 CTW601R CTWM6OA catalog of our complete line of speakers including 1-1S1 E218 DV Roomsts II TS-TRX611 149/PAIR 6801 1438 6R777 CTWM70R hnnr theater models call 1-800-346-9183. Fns Style Sys. 11-TRX5I 119/AIR V228 C518 SONY VIDEOSW1001 SV4111 CCDFX411 SOB 9111 1/1 Kt 41 TSA6900 119/PAIR C618 Cm CCDFX311 CSG403 Audio Concepts, Inc. Since 1977 CCDFX511 CCDFX711 480071111 48005111 501 IV sin TSA6901 65/PAIR 901 South 4th St., La Crosse, WI 54601 DEMO. DEPT. CCDTR9 CCDTR71 CLDM401 CI.D61381 311 11 in III TSA6905 79/PAIR JVCHAS 6700U 519 CCOTRIII CC1386000 CLOV501 421 111 AND MOREI TSM715 69/PAIR JVCHRSC10001.1 589 cyppee TSA41115 15iPAIR GVS5111 CLDV72I KARAOKE SHARP JVCHRS 4700U 390 GVM29 68509 coven KARAOKE TSA1608 85/PAIR rACTORY NEW JVCHRD980U CALL sty3e3 S1V595 CLKV921 KARAOKF TSA1671 69/PAIR JVC IIRD970U 369 FACTORY WARR.ANTEED TSA1614 59/PAIR Ku% SL 611 AND ACCESSORIES JVCHAD 960U 339 $LS600 SLHF360 FACTORY COMPUTE TSA1391 49/PAIR CLD-1/343T LC -112M1 Byµ38 JVCHRPIU 569 SLHF8700 51.14F2101 2189 MARINE SPEAKERS PROFESSIONAL LASER $otirld $eller JVCHRD 850U IPIP) 399 MD045,5 LASER 011111 2119' TS -4R163 15/PAIR 2211 24411 NW JVCHRS 6800U 519 MDP605 LASER XVII1 2929 TO -N0165 111/PAIR AUDIO SYSTEMS JVCA01911 649 $8930110 RME7N 093251 For the Musical Difference CCS451 Wow SONY CAR JVCRX1010 11111 539 X5551 XV-C901 RME300 XVII NEW CALL FACTORY US VT1 JVC EyDy2 Authorized Dealer For: 0090501911 499 Eys3000 MITSUBISHI 00144.30 CALL FACTORY NEW JVCRX 903 VIII 369 SONY AUDIOMUI/2 HSUS7 VMT34V NEW HI-RES FACTORY COMPLETE JVCRX 805 V TN 289 M UM Acoustat NAD OTC670 TCDD3 NSU57 I' Color T.V.Nline odor bumf cnutom JVCRX 807 VTN 309 C1305008 COX4040 Audio Control Onkyo STRI32091 STRD1098 PANASONIC AX, DiC CALL JVCT0054111 189 COX -ASS C00-A5RF STRD990 STRD791 P9S62 PV42 YU. 310 WiCASE 611 M&K Harmon Kardon JVCTLIII 531 145 XTC1114 RMX2001 STRO590 TCWR875 P932 PV22 VLI.60 VI/CASE 741 Nitty Gritty Lexicon JVC01.6 512 199 COX -0381 COX-U3OORF P98771 JVC 240 TCWR791 TCWR690 PT111 VII 62 ROSE 611 cmut48 8A.5858 Celestion PROAC JVCGAS 5050 849 CDPC725 CDPC625 PV761 PV758 VLL 72 111/CASE 11911 8B8288 XR-0339 Carver Dahlquist 289 CDPC525 COPC425 P972I PVS372 JVCPCXT7 VLAIV6 WiCASE 999 XR-U55. X11-0771 P14332 Kinergetics Target JVCPCX500 219 CDPC325 COPC225 P9362 YLMX7 WiCASE 721 yr.00mpoi u.epeen CDPC911 TCK690 5G1966 Monster Cable Velodyne JVCRC GO? 56556 RAN 91 4 HD XEC-780 XEC-1008 TCK690 AG455 (Karaokej 329 CDP997 864" RANDOM AND X141 -5541F XM-4840 Nakamichi Grado COP497 CDP397 A0451 AG -101 PLAY VCR X439610/11 -C6001 Niles Atlantic Technology USED90 DAYmums MHC27SI WJMX12 WJAVES CALL IN STOCK AND MORE CAW Fried Apature JVCFACTORY MIC1601 MHC1211 After POO Rebate Thorens CWD WARRANTY L1110517C5 AND 167011700 MORE! WE'LL TRY TO BEAT YOUR BEST PRICE!. Proton STAX JBL L7 899 PAIR MZ-1 OCC AUDIO VIDEO 1404 north slate road 7.building IA C F' tole 152 Margate. FL 33063 JR /2600139 PAIRWITH Component GuardSony FULL LINE OF C 0 0 . MasterCard. Visalard welcome AV IS NOT THE FACTORY AOTFORIZED OEALER All USED 5 YEAR merchandise carries manufacturers' 11 Swarranty7 day exchange on defective merchandise 2806 Cahill Road J BL PITY BOOMBOXES only. if returned in original mint condition Some merchandise service after sale only Inquire, ora restocking leewillapply,'Specialfactory purchaseUsed 90 day warrantyRol P.O. Box 224 CALL WALKMAN responsible for typo errorsShipporg charges not refundableInquiries welcome willisell Marinette, WI 54143 addressed stamped envelope I I- - k..!',' DISCMAN 1-800-826-0520 (715) 735-9002 Where Audio -Video Connect Stereo Review Custom Total Car Home RETAIL MART installation USA Installation

',1twipSIOCk cilI) P tc(:)PDt OS ',,6111,x-, f pc -)m flf1T y ,U1),( 0 I lef,1 I., " 1nOnlIbit wit ()11VIIIII,)11ei ;...0' ili SiOec. ''SCOC_DPt\ fl IT ptcc-)RD(P 30 Day Money -Back Guarantee III Tot .,r\tli I ',MIN, ',lit Cn \St III tc_)0c, blIllt PT lilt W/ 1000/..SATISFACTION II 1111(JltrillbniitQT Diviint sitia( , Pt, TAA )in,, tir GUARANTEED Defectives Gladly Exchanged IX E. Diolini etc(L/D/PLIITOIVN w/c7mISInriDifi4 V--wrir) CD -PLAYERS RECEIVERS r Junta I utnybficK( I )t11)1111bIllIT < AI( K Iptik K it« tSSw/et/DlitSS011111 ItAlifilc >WARR( )fl INSIDi tit SONY CDP 40/ 152 JVC 07 319 PIONEER VSX D601

iii -, imi,:- ',JI lliNIIIii....Av IL)Lk. rAlil I DISC

...-.,,, LA a IC)Ifil Dupnbillir \11,. y 0 0 \Num Le )PInGIIIIT Pt /PI ,IINI 111)1 vr, cc VAPII( IrltV., , Alf1111T1,. IIIII HAR KAR 436 PIONEER VSX 451 286 HAR KAR HK 31300 CALL PIONEER VSX D901S 756 ill STOaSIIKt POO! Dil T R tcORDtRS JVC XI M 307 197 NAN KAR AVR 30 795 SONY JR D790 273 ADVENT BABY 63 , ,,,, le 'I', nrim ,o n otis %flits utninis wpm, JVC I." 507 249 JVC RX 507 CALL SONY i1R 01090 CALL ADVENT HERITAT0 229 imipt lc ni lc Ins, 1,01 IC -31381a LAU I( 3( D 0 4PV1 1-410 JVC 0.7 1050 593 JVC FIX 807 398 SONY Iii D2090 672 AR M2 134 (111711211,

PIONEER '30 329 JBL 108 AIWA'.r 429 SONY 263 INFINITY 5903 145 JVC'.'- 569 SONY 297 KICKER 72 JVC'.'' 676 SONY 299 KICKER CALL KENWOOD 659 AUTOTEK 237 ORION 011110 78 KENWOOD UD 700M 898 AIWA ADI CALL HIFONICS CAN 251 ORION 0112 CALL PIONEER CCS 450 647 The needle doctor sells all major lines of needles JVC TDW 30/ 174 HIFONICS MINI 456 PIONEER 'A 6904 63 SONY MHC 1750 488 and cartridges. Great variety, He stocks audio, KENW000 KXW 8040 229 ORION ; LT 260 192 PIONEER,A 1680 97 'SONY MHC 3750 CALL video. phone accessories, record care, ' PIONEER CTW 601R 215 ORION CS HCCA 344 SONY ,,, 3022 66 too. & headphones SONY I CWR 590 173 The lowest prices on your favorite car stereo brands Custom wiring & M -Sat 10-7Sun 12-5 Jerry Raskin's SONY ICK 690 248 in -wall projects 419 14th Avenue SE Needle Doctor TEAC X 200081 1644 Home Theatre Dolby Surround PREMIUM CABLING & Minneapolis, MN 55414 Laser Disc Powered Subwoofers ACCESSORIES (612) 378-0543FAX: (612) 378-9024 DAT Separates Interconnect COMPONENTS SEPARATES THE FINEST IN VIDEO TV II LASER THE FINEST IN HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO GEAR CAPITAL® MUSIC & SOUND AUDIO SOURCE AU I C8/ L_ =0 Pa I IC N HT CARVER AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ONKYO DYNACO TOP BRANDS & CUSTOM OHM HITACHI 569HITACHI 351 HAFLER THORENS HITACHI 898JVC 335 LUXMAN HOME THEATER INSTALLATIONS HITACHI 1091 SONY 419 YAMAHA JVC 369TOSHIBA .4; 323 MITSUBISHI ADS LEXICON JVC . 1113Mi 997TOSHIBA '58 426 ADVENT MONSTER CABLE Custom Installers SONY 271S31 598PANASONIC [X 900 846 If you don't see AUDIO SOURCE NAD for surround SONY 5V 32TS20 937PIONEER DM 301 407 what you want... BIC NILES SONY 32XBR35 1444PIONEERii3 0701 756 Call for price and BOSE ONKYO systems & set-up TOSHIBA CF 2768 464SONY MDP 455 419 CANTON PIONEER LASER KARAOKE information availability CERWIN VEGA CALLTOSHIBA 0RW 70A PSB MONDAY - FRIDAY 10 -7 TOSHIBA CF 32728 598 SATURDAY 10 - 5 CITATION DAHLQUIST RUNCO BOSE. KENWOOD. HARKAR. CARVER, HAFLER AND ONKYO- NOT AUTHORIZED BUT CONTAIN MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EPI SSI FINE LINE SHERWOOD FROX SOUNDSTREAM 11:10% Money -Back Satisfaction Guarantee HAFLER SONANCE HARMAN KARDON SONY 30 -Dsaayt oa ney k 1137 Bloomfield Ave. W. Caldwell, NJ 07006 Def Gladlytrctciizaensgee HARMAN VIDEO TERK JBL TRIAD CE DIA "At CAPITAL your investment is more then sound" 120 DUANE STREET NYC 10007 1 -800 -USA -11002 Telephone: (212) 608-3720 WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR Fax: (212) 619-2918 STORE: 201-227-9002 CREDIT CARDS INFO: 800-872-1002 Steve Says: Stereo Review "The Best Product, The Best Advice- Straight Talk.... Making Gammen Happy Since 1948" 106 Brands Available! ADS I Advent Jamo / JBL / JVC AUTHORIZED DEALER RETAIL MART Aiwa Mission NAD Acoustic Research Panasonic Altec Lansing Parasound AWARD WINNING Adantic TechnologyPioneer DEALER CAMBRIDGE Apaturc Polk Audio MASSACHUSETTS Bang & Olufsen Proton I Revox for AUTHORIZED Beyerdynamics Sony ES 34 YEARS DEALER FOR Carver Sony Video Cdestion / DenonetSurround Sound, Inc JVC Dual / Fladine CabkTedmics THX We are not aware ofany LEXICON AUDIO MARANTZ Harmon Kardon Terk / Thorens one facility that has M & K All with manufacturers' Infinity / Luxman the unique combina- NAD warranty tion of physical size, NILES depth of inventory, AIWA PARADIGM and number of APATURE PS AUDIO IMAL quality lines to BOSE SONY GRADO SONY ES PLUS... complement our HAFLER 493 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA 01840 STAX approach to display, K THORENS (508) 688-6364 demonstration and competitive pricing. (617) 547.2727 O AUDIO M -F 10:00-7:00 95 Vassar Street KANSAS UNIVERSITY SAT. 10:00-8:00 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISERS Cambridge, MA 02139 STUDENTS & ALUMNI = You can reach millions of prime prospects for ASK ABOUT OUR WE LOVE TRADE-INS. your mail order products or services through Please bring us your old gear. low-cost Marketplace Classified advertising. SPECIALS

To place an ad, or for further information Mon-Thur.10am-Bpm, Fir & Sat lOom-6pm including rates, ad styles. sizes and multi -title discounts, call Toll -Free More than (800) 445-6066 9am-5pm EST KIEV'S AT -7 C) Z-NTI IDP F:11:30 In Canada: (212) 767-5750 55,000CDs 913-842-1811 24TH & IOWALawrence, KS 66046 0N -LINE WORLD'S LARGEST ON-LINE AUDIO COMPACT DISC STORE Beforeyouinvestyour money, Discount Prices Fast Delivery I Free Shipping for Orders of $100 or More Modem: 408-730-9015 spendsome time with us. Up to 9600 bps 8-N-1 In Chicago: 312-751-2447 In New York: 212-532-4045 Be well informed before you make a major purchase. COMPACT DISC %WI Our staff of knowledgeable professionals will guide you through today's maze of state-of-the-art components, CONNECTION 4:10 as we help you design asystem that is perfect for your Voice & Fax 408-733-0801 environment and lifestyle. We feature the latest in audio and video technology at This affordable prices. We offer fast, convenient shipping and provide unparalleled service after the sale to make your publication investment a sound one. is available iboSINE84, V 44/ in microform. 3105 1 7 - 1 7 0 0 O REFERENCE FAX310 517-1732 TO Alt' U -M -I AUDIO. VIDEO 18214 DALTON AVENUE, DEPT S, GARDENA, CA 90248 ABell & Howell Company

I , 1.11"LJ 4r4NJI10111:PW11111711111M11111011111X01'ClIllI 111:11.1111111 )111711ire;' OM .0 300 North Zeeb Road AUDIO ALCHEMY AUDIO CONTROL BEYER DYNAMIC BOSE CAL AUDIO LABS CARVER Ann Arbor, MI 48106 USA CELESTION CLEARFIELD COUNTERPOINT CWD DAH UIST DCM FOSGATE GENESIS 800-521-0600 toll -free GRADO SIGNATURE HAFLER HARMAN KARDON HUGHES INFINITY AMO BL LEXICON 313-761-4700 collect from Alaska MAGNUM/DYNALAB McCORMACK MERIDIAN MUSE NAD NESTOROVIC NHT NILES and Michigan ONKYO PARASOUND PHILIPS PIONEER POWERWEDGE PROTON PROAC PS AUDIO 800-343-5299 toll -free from Canada PSB ROOMTUNE SONANCE SONY STAX TARGET II 10RENS TICE VELODYNE VPI walk. ra8 4-01-)

ol THE HIGH END

BY RALPH HODGES

flective sources of acoustical energy. affixed to baffle boards that mount An Idea Allison found that sound reflected directly on the wall; but the pleasing from behind a speaker system is capa- sounds that some of them can make Still Coming ble of interfering strongly with the are undoubtedly attributable in part to sound the system is trying to make as the absence of boundary effects. the reflection is occurring. The effect Unfortunately, you cannot expect F the remnants of the once - amounts to an acoustical comb filter. whatever is within and behind a wall to mighty Cambridge, Massachu- Wavelengths equal to some multiples constitute a suitable or reliable woofer setts, loudspeaker industry, Alli- or fractions of the distance from the enclosure, although it is often fine for son Acoustics was the company woofer cone to the wall behind it will tweeters and midranges, especially if that hewed most closely to the bounce back to reinforce what the they have closed backs. But Allison 0original pattern definitively es- cone is doing at the reflection's mo- does give you a proper box and a tablished by Acoustic Research in the ment of return. For other multiples or woofer that's positioned just about late Fifties. It employed drivers creat- fractions, the result will be cancella- where it should be. ed specifically for its designs and not tion. In the end, the speaker's re- That Roy Allison can make a proper found elsewhere. It was conservative sponse, when measured at a distance box is not to be doubted. A thirteen - about these designs, changing them typical of a listener's position in a year veteran of the original Acoustic rarely and dropping them almost nev- domestic room, will show a pattern of Research, he had a major hand in all er. It was not aggressive about ven- alternating dips and peaks somewhat models dating from the seminal AR -3a tures outside its area of specialty (the resembling the profile of a very blunt to the somewhat controversial LST, a original AR did offer turntables and comb. speaker that even Mark Levinson has electronic components now and then; This mechanism was well under- come to appreciate. Before that, he Allison stuck to home speaker sys- stood many decades ago, but the held important positions at High Fidel- tems). And it was driven by an idea. In actual measurements and aural evalu- ity, this magazine's strongest competi- other words, the company isolated a ations that Allison undertook persuad- tor at the time, and also developed his factorin loudspeaker performance ed him that it needed immediate atten- own short-lived audio journal. that, although not consistently recog- tion in home -speaker design. Given HAVING said all the above, I now nized by any other manufacturer, was that the problem is the distance be- must glumly report that Roy Alli- considered so important by Allison as tween a speaker and a close reflecting son and Allison Acoustics are no to be the foundation of all its efforts. surface, he reasoned, the solution is to longer together-evidently the Allison speakers are built to interact eliminate that distance-or at least result of difficult economic cir- predictably and, insofar as it is possi- make itso small that it ceases to cumstances. The Allison name ble, benignly with the interiors of nor- approximate wavelengths the speaker will live on, as will, for the time being, mal listening rooms. This goal exists is producing. Hence the characteristic the products. But their distribution for most speaker designers of any Allison speaker enclosure, intended to will be through Stanford Acoustics, a competence, but not quite to the de- be placed back against a wall and subsidiary of a large South Korean gree it concerns Roy Allison, who configured so that the woofer is very outfit. Allison speakers just as Allison founded Allison Acoustics in 1974 to close to that wall. The resulting box designed and built them are therefore follow up, with actual products, re- shapes, particularly for floor -standing still available, but it cannot yet be search on room interactions that had models, are interesting and highly in- predicted what will happen when the occupied him for several years before. dividual in appearance, even in an era current inventory is exhausted. For the midrange and treble parts of when industrial engineers and archi- As for Roy Allison himself, there the spectrum, room interactions have tects often play a role in developing was a perilous moment when it looked in large part to do with driver directiv- new speaker systems. like further evolution of his grand con- ity. As ever, different designers have The artifacts that Allison has been cept had been halted for good. Then in different views on the matter, with trying to subdue have come to be stepped Edgar Villchur, inventor of Allison opting for wide but by no called "boundary effects," and even the acoustic -suspension woofer and meansomnidirectionaldispersion. though his company attracted few imi- one of the founders of the original AR, But it is in the low -frequency region, tators when it began operations, and to assist in founding a new company, where many simply let what is going to none that really stayed the course, the RDL Acoustics, "RDL' standing for happen happen, that Allison has taken underlying concepts remain valid and Room Designed Loudspeakers. Thus, a tack unlike almost anyone else's. provocative. They have even influ- what at first looked like unequivocally Because bass wavelengths are so enced microphone design, most nota- bad luck has resulted in the reforma- much larger than the speakers repro- bly in the PZM devices marketed by tion of one of U.S. high fidelity's most ducing them, woofers are essentially Crown International. Now they are potent and influential design teams omnidirectional over much of their experiencing an unexpected and large- and has given a fine idea the opportu- range, meaning that room boundaries ly unwitting renaissance in the form of nity to keep coming. not just in front of but also behind so-called architectural speakers.In Look for RDEs first products this speaker systems become important re - many cases these are simply drivers spring. 0

108 STEREO REVIEW APRIL 1993 Canyou spotthe Mitsubishi 35" TV in this ad? (Hint: it's theone sittingbehindour new407)

It's 31% bigger than a 357 119% bigger than a 27" and 1000% bigger than we could show you in this ad. It's the newMitsubishi 407 the largest tube television you can buy. Once you've seen it, it's kind ofhard to see anything else.

MITSUBISHI TECHN \ATHINO !- © 1993 Mitsubishi Electronics America, nc. Curiosity is a good thing. Call 1-804374-4402 if you'd liketo hear more about the Mitsubishi 40" CIRCLE NO. 39 ON READER SERVICE CARD