While at Axpona, I had enough time to discuss the speaker design and goals with Neil. I have started to understand the Mass Loaded Transmission Line speakers better. I do not understand the math, so I will not delve too deep into that. The goal and the result are a smaller speaker with better low-bass response and a very smooth and detailed midrange.
Cutting the cabinets on a CNC machine allows for much greater precision in construction, ensuring that the transmission line is “perfect”.
Over the last several years, I have been using stand-mounted speakers in my living room system. I have been frustrated by the stands and all the little goodies between the speaker and the floor. While thrilled with the sound, I have been noodling over changing to a floor-standing speaker if there were only something out there I liked. I was not looking, just a tickle in the back of my brain, until Axpona 2025.
Last time, I discussed some of the issues related to building systems in your home. Today, I want to discuss creating a shared listening experience.
Some audiophile systems have accessibility problems. Either the system is not accessible to others, or nobody else can run it.
I regularly find issues like these: • The system is located away from family life. • It has a very complex setup and operation • The equipment is too fragile to let “just anyone” use it • The “owner” does not let anyone touch the system.
Building a new music system in our homes today presents both technical and personal challenges. We need to make sure that a few things are ready before we start.
The first challenge is the local network in the home and the feed from the Internet. While audio is not as intense as say video streaming they both require a stable, consistent internal network. If the system streams files from the Internet, then some additional requirements have to be met.
I have been obsessed with music playback systems since the 1960s. I have 8-track tapes, Akai 4-track reel-to-reel tapes, and Koss Pro–4aa headphones!
It was not until 1985 that I started to understand clean-sounding systems: Thiel CS 3.5 speakers, Bryston 3B power amp, and APT Holman preamp. The system was set up in the basement because it was too big and “ugly” to be part of family life. I started learning about room reflections from the paneling on the walls and the low ceiling.
Last time, I discussed some of the issues related to building systems in your home. Today, I want to discuss creating a shared listening experience.
Some audiophile systems have accessibility problems. Either the system is not accessible to others, or nobody else can run it.
I regularly find issues like these:
• The system is located away from family life. • It has a very complex setup and operation • The equipment is too fragile to let “just anyone” use it • The “owner” does not let anyone touch the system.
Building a new music system in our homes today presents both technical and personal challenges. We need to make sure that a few things are ready before we start.
The first challenge is the local network in the home and the feed from the Internet. While audio is not as intense as say video streaming they both require a stable, consistent internal network. If the system streams files from the Internet, then some additional requirements have to be met.