Geek with Family

This weekend I finally got around to finishing my Audio Concepts B-Flat Coax 8" in-ceiling surround speaker install. I detached the B-Flats from their ceiling mount and stuffed fiberglass insulation (the cotton candy kind, rated R13) in the cavity between ceiling joists. According to the B-Flat installation instructions and in-ceiling/wall tips elsewhere, the insulation should improve sound quality. The end result was not what I expected.

Continue reading Howto: In-Ceiling Speaker Install - Audio Concepts B-Flat Coax 8″

Popularity: 9% [?]

The only hifi and home theater reviewers/experts I trust, Richard Hardesty and Shane Buettner, have expanded their print magazine, Audio Perfectionist Journal, and moved its past and future articles that can’t fit in the Journal to the Critical Ear. The Critical Ear’s Mission:

Our intent is to give readers the information needed to extract every ounce of enjoyment and passion from this wonderful hobby and to make intelligent purchasing decisions on hardware and software. This is in contrast to the biased and/or misleading information presented in advertising-supported publications and from self-proclaimed experts on the Internet who disseminate misinformation for free. Our standing as consumer advocates dictates that we will act as watchdogs to alert consumers whenever we feel they are being misled.

The Critical Ear will offer in-depth feature articles of unparalleled quality that teach you how to get the most out of the hi-fi you have now, and we’ll review equipment that matters in a thorough, logical, and methodical fashion so you can not only purchase the best equipment, but purchase the equipment that represents the best value for any budget.

Continue reading Criticalear.com - Audio Perfectionist Journal Crew Online

Popularity: 30% [?]

The IE-35 Audio Analysis System gives me serious calibrator envy:

The IE-35 Audio Analysis System from Ivie is a second generation, calibrated, handheld audio instrument delivering a broad range of acoustical measurements displayed in stunning color. In-the-field functions include real time analyzer measurements (RTA), sound pressure level (SPL) measurements, seat-to-seat level variation measurements, strip chart recordings of sound level over time, polarity checking, oscilloscope measurements, Noise Criteria (NC/NR) measurements, a built-in signal generator, audio level volt meter, RT60 reverb and more.

Continue reading Ivie IE-35 Audio Analysis System - Magic Bullet for my Theater Room Setup

Popularity: 68% [?]

My Music Hall MMF-5’s setup is lacking after professionals in an audio specialty shop set it up and I set it up again using the HiFi News Test LP. Though this is a modest deck, I don’t feel I am getting the most out of the records I play. Luckily, in June Stereophile Magazine’s Michael Fremer will be releasing his 3 hour long Turntable Setup DVD.

Music Direct says:

How does Michael Fremer (Stereophile Contributing Editor and Analog Guru) start off his new turntable set-up DVD? With over 10 minutes of comedy, of course! But the coolest part of this three hour DVD is that it is filled with insight and expertise to help anyone get the most from their turntable! It’s a practical guide, no math and no complex geometric formulas. He goes through all the basic parameters on a Pro-Ject RM-5, a Rega P5 and a VPI Scoutmaster. There will be cool animation to highlight certain points and the most important part: he makes all this fun and easy, in a way only Mr. Fremer can! This is a project that will alleviate everyone’s fears regarding turntable set-up. That was his number one goal: To make everyone feel at ease attempting turntable set-up and optimization. This is a DVD that every analog lover will want on their shelves. Get a copy for yourself and one for your analog lovin’ friends! Turntable set-up has never been this much fun!

Joy, preorder pending.

Popularity: 5% [?]