40242 KY 'UISVILLE PL WOOD YELLOW '900 . 068QD BUCHANAN S DAVID KR .".. 7'2 741J 8900Y091 BCH 430492 JAN90 0BCH8900Y09141 I 40242 *25913***********5-DIGIT 1o III The TrDi Series "Thep provide smooth, fast and incredibly well detailed sound." "Polk's RTA Tower Loudspeakers Combine Legendary Polk Performance with Contemporary Style." Big speaker performance with an efficient use of space. RTAlit Both Polk RTA series loudspeakers achieve the extremely rare combination of good looks and state- The RTA llt is the finest conventional (non-SDA) speaker of-the-art performance. The tall, elegantly slender, and deep "tower" design cabinets allow for that Polk Audio manufacturers. Its extremely high power handling (250 watts) and high efficiency (90dB) provide substantial internal volume for high efficiency and powerful bass, while requiring less than one remarkable dynamic range from both large and small square foot of floor space. The small baffle surface area around each driver minimizes diffraction amplifiers. The RTA Ilt utilizes the same technologically (sonic reflections), thereby insuring outstanding imaging and low coloration. advanced fluid -coupled subwoofer design found in Polkt flagship model. Dual 8" sub -bass radiators are coupled to Positioning the 1" silver -coil dome tweeter between the two 61/2" trilaminate polymer bass/midrange two 6t2" mid bass drivers, resuhing in a fast, powerful, drivers achieves what is called "coincident radiation." This means that both the mid- and high - deep, and ultra -accurate bass response. without the boomy, frequencies appear to radiate from the same place on the baffle resulting in perfect blending at the undetailed sound of large woofer systems. critical crossover point. (See illustration, below). Polk RTA speakers have an uncanny ability to perfectly reproduce the human voice, pianos, guitars, RTA 8t and every other instrument whose faithful reproduction demands superlative midrange and high - In a slightly smaller package, the RTA 81 offers the same frequency performance. Bass and percussion instruments are accurately reproduced with full driver complement as the larger, more expensive RTA Ilt, and thus shares its benefits of superior imaging, musi- visceral power and realism, without the heaviness, boominess, or lack of detail that plague cality, and detail. lesser designs. The discriminating listener who seeks state- of-the-art performance and design will find the quintessential combination of both in Polk's RTA series loudspeakers. THE PRINCIPLES OF COINCIDENT RADIATION Polk Audio's RI8t and RCA lit High Performance Tower Speakers The perceived source of sound The benefit of coincident waveform of two identical drivers is centered propagation resulting in precise in the area between them. imaging, uniform vertical dispersion and startling midrange accuracy. In the Polk RIN loudspeaker, the tweeter is positioned at the acoustic center of the drivers. polk audio The Speaker Specialists S601 Metro Drive, Baltimore, Md 21215 CIRCLE NO 90 ON READER SERVICE CARD The Monitor Series pone nud:o "Me best high pet:tin-mancepecker value on the market tod the Record polk audso The Speaker Specialists ° "Polk's Remarkable Monitors Redefine Incredible Sound/Affordable Price" "At their price, they're simply a steal"Audiogram Magazine Monitor 10B Matthew Polk's Vision: Superior Sound for Everyone Considered one of the world.s' best sounding loudspeakers Polk Audio is an American company that was founded in 1972 by three Johns Hopkins University and. in the words of Audiogram magazine,At the price graduates who were fanatical audiophiles with a common vision. They believed that it was possible they are simply a steal.- The Polk 10B utilizes dual trilami- nate polymer drivers coupled to a built-in subwoofer for to make speakers that performed as well as the most exotic and expensive systems at a fraction of accurate bass response and superior dynamic range. A 1" the price. Starting with only $200, they began by designing and manufacturing the Monitor Series dome tweeter perfectly complements the other drivers to loudspeakers. The Monitor Series combined the advantages of American high technology and insure outstanding reproduction of every type of music. durability with European styling and refinement. Over the years an unending stream of rave reviews, industry awards, and thousands of enthusiastic Polk customers have established the Monitor Series Monitor 7C as the choice for those looking for both incredible sound and an affordable price. There is no better Basically a smaller, less expensive version of the Monitor 10B. By offering superlative performance whether mounted value in audio equipment today than a Polk Monitor series loudspeaker. on a shelf or a speaker stand, the 7C is a highly versatile addition to any audio system. now good does it sound? Uncompromising Standards at Every Price Audio Ahernative magazine said. "It is amazing. - A limited budget does not mean a limited ability to appreciate fantastic sounding music. That's why we put our best engineering efforts and only the finest materials into every Polk product regardless Monitor 5B of price. Similar in design and performance to the Monitor 7C, Every Polk Monitor Series speaker uses the same trilaminate polymer cone technology as the however it utilizes an 8" subwoofer (rather than 10") and is more compact. The SB represents one of the best values of flagship SDA-SRS 1.2. Every Polk Monitor utilizes a 1" polymer dome tweeter, and most use exactly the entire Monitor Series. the same tweeter found in the SRS 1.2. All Polk Monitors employ costly multi -component crossover networks and 3/4" thick high density; non -resonant cabinets. Pick up a Polk Monitor 4A, then pick up Monitor 5Jr. + a comparably priced but larger speaker from a different manufacturer. You'll notice that the Polk Called the best sounding speaker of its price in the world is heavier, more solidly built, and sports a superior fit and finish. Now compare the sound. We are regardless of size. It achieves life -like three-dimensional sure you'll agree with Musician magazine, which said Polk Monitors are: "Vastly superior to the imaging which 10 years ago was not available in any book- shelf speaker at any price. competition." The Thrilling Sound of Polk Monitors Monitor 4.5 Polk Monitors achieve open, bodess, three-dimensional imaging Shares most of the high technology surpassed only by the SDA's. Their silky smooth frequency response components and rewarding musical performance of the larger Polk assures natural, non -fatiguing, easy to listen to sound, while their fast speakers at a surprisingly low price. transient response results in music that is reproduced with life -like A critically tuned bass duct insures clarity and detail. In addition, dynamic bass performance, ultra -wide high efficiency and great bass per- formance despite its convenient com- dispersion, high efficiency and high power handling are all hallmarks pact design. of Monitor Series performance. There is a Polk Monitor Perfect for You Monitor 4A Each time you advance through the six Monitor Series models, you'll Identical to the 4.5 in a smaller cabi- net. Audio critic Lawrence Johnson immediately hear a remarkable improvement in efficiency, bass called it. "an all around star of great response, and output volume. They are designed so that a smaller magnitude." The 4Als affordable price Polk played in a small room will sound nearly identical to a larger means that no matter how small your budget, you can afford the incredible Polk played in a large room. A larger Polk in a small room will, of sound of Polk! course, play that much louder with even better bass. No matter what Matthew Polk with his incredible soundi rg price range fits your budget, there is a spectacular Polk Monitor affordably priced Monitor Series loudspeakers. Series speaker waiting to fulfill your sonic dreams. Front row (L to R) Monitor 5Jr. + , Monitor 4A, Monitor 4.5 Back row (L to R) Monitor 10B, Monitor Where to buy Polk Speakers? 7C, Monitor 5B For your nearest dealer, see page 127. CIRCLE NO 40 ON READER SERVICE CARD JUST ANOTHER CD CHANGER LIKE LAMBORGHINI IS JUST ANOTHER CAR. If the Alpine CD Shuttle' bears any dusts the competition. resemblance to other CD changers, you Yet its compact 11x3x 7 chassis can can be sure it's only superficial. squeeze into the tightest spaces. In the It is really the first of a brand new trunk, under the seat, in the glove box. category of car audio components: seri- Horizontally or vertically. ous, high-performance CD changers. Add to these the flexibility to fit into Under the hood, the CD Shuttle fea- virtually any system, and you understand tures 4 -times oversampling, dual D/A why the Alpine CD Shuttle is the converters and Luxman S.T.A.R. cir- Lamborghini of changers. cuitry, for sonic performance that If you'll pardon the understatement. Fora poster of the 1989 Lamborghini, take this ad and $2.00 to your Alpine dealer c tlpvu E6rtronics of America, Inc., parent corporation of Alpine mobile electronics and Garman home audio products I -800 -ALPINE -I ALPINE CAR AU010 SYSTEMS CIRCLE NO9 ON READER SERVICE CARD Stereo Review BULLETIN 7 TECHNICAL TALK 28 LETTERS 14 POPULAR MUSIC 99 NEW PRODUCTS 18 CLASSICAL MUSIC 115 SIGNALS 24 RECORD MAKERS 134 AUDIO Q&A 27 THE HIGH END 136 EQUIPMENT HIRSCH-HOUCK LABS EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS 33 Sony CDP-680ESD Compact Disc Player, page 33 Celestion 3 Speaker System, page 42 Rockford Fosgate RF200 Preamplifier and PAGE 84 RF2000 Power Amplifier, page 50 Beyerdynamic IRS 690 Cordless Headphones, page 57 Proton SD -1000 Surround -Sound Decoder, page 62 AMERICAN AUDIO CLASSICS 68 Products that set the standards by Michael Smolen THE MAKING OF AN AMERICAN SPEAKER 75 The successor to a classic emerges from an American tradition of craftsmanship and innovationby Ian G.