The Evolution of Sound

The Evolution of Sound

Sound is an art, and the award wining Focal Utopia headphones are a masterpiece. The audio industry has come a long way since Edison’s first sound recording machine in 1877. The journey to today’s near perfect audio has involved hundreds of innovations and revolutions in technology. After 35 years of development and manufacturing of high-end speaker drivers and loudspeakers, Focal is considered one of the best high-fidelity loudspeakers in the world. Their award wining Utopia headphones are beyond deserving with hundreds of gleaming reviews online. The headphones have been quoted as “the world’s best headphones” by Innerfidelity. Lucky for you, The Audio Guy is your proud dealer in the greater Dallas Fort Worth area!

The Acoustic Era 1877-1925

Throughout the 1870s and 80s, the world saw various loudspeaker-like devices. Stethoscopes were one of the earliest in-ear devices and they were invented for listening to a patient’s heartbeat and lungs. Most notably, the first headphones were actually part of Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone and they were used by telephone operators. In 1906 Lee DeForest invented the Audion, the first device capable of amplifying an electrical signal. It was the first triode, consisting of an evacuated glass tube containing three electrodes: a heated filament, a grid, and a plate.

The Electrical Era 1925-1945

The film industry and motion pictures during the 1950’s were a primary driver for improving and refining sound. After the invention of the electric guitar, the need for greater amplification increased. Then the 1960’s came and things got loud. With the birth of rock ’n’ roll and its rapidly growing popularity came the first large rock music festival, Monterey International Pop Festival.

The Magnetic Era 1945-1975

In the magnetic era, the ability to effect sound shape and quality was next on the agenda now that amplification was tackled. With the use of magnetic tape, audio engineers were able to record audio in multiple segments and still get the audio to line up. This technology lent itself to The Beatles, and The Beach Boys whose creativity led to various audio engineering techniques and tricks of the trade. Magnetic tape  led to the advent of multitrack analog recording and audio which begat stereo sound. Stereo sound, or “stereo image is the quality and realism of the soundstage created by the left and right loudspeakers in a listening system.” Recording on magnetic tape still persists today. 

The Digital Era 1975-Present

The digital era of sound was Pioneered by Philips, formerly one of the largest electronics companies in the world. Recording companies found that optical reflective videodisc could store up to 60 minutes of video and sound. Sony, who had independently create their own prototype optical disk, and Philips worked together to create the standard compact disc, the CD. This marked the beginning of the switch from analog recording to the digital recording we use today. Initially, CD players were $2000 and the target market was a classical music fan base. As a result more users preferred the clear crisp sound and higher fidelity. The price decreased and as demand rose CD’s took over sales above vinyl and eventually cassette tapes. Eventually, with the internet, users were able to digitally compress and store their own music. As technology continues to improve, music lovers everywhere are finding different ways and platforms for sharing and listening to music. 

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How will you start your decade?

Happy New Year!!!

 

Like most, this time of year always puts me in a contemplative mood. New Year’s is always a time to reflect on the past year and set forth plans for the next. As in past years, I plan to lose weight, go to the gym more, and generally, take better care of myself.

This particular new year, 2020, starts a new decade. From what I’ve seen on social media, it seems that people have been especially reflective, and I am no different. What have I done the past 10 years other than age, lose some hair, and add a few pounds? For me, this past decade was both exceptionally rewarding as well as challenging. That sums up my business pretty succinctly. On a personal level, it has been that as well. I lost both of my parents, both of my daughters are now “adulting” and out of the house, and my wife and I celebrated our fifteenth and twenty-fifths anniversaries!! Ups and downs for sure.

Where do we go from here?

As 2020 begins, and I start this decade with my usual resolutions, I have decided to add a particularly important one to me, and one that I hope inspires you as well.

A few days ago, while my daughter and son-in-law were visiting for Christmas, we were each sharing some of our favorite music videos.

A recent discovery for me is a version of The Band’s “The Weight” shared on YouTube by a charity organization, Playing for Change.

In short, the song is recorded as featuring Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr, but it also features several artists singing and playing from countries all around the world. It’s hard to watch this video and not find yourself singing along-loudly, for me. As the song builds to a resounding conclusion, I find that I am always in a much better mood than when it began!!! Music almost always puts me in a better mood. This video, with its global connections, speaks to me about something I want to do more of next year, next decade, and with however much time I have left here on this earth!

 

So what is this resolution?

Starting in 2020, I will focus more on the positive and good that people are doing. I will put more resources towards organizations that are working to change the world for the better and I will listen to more music that makes me sing loudly!!! Oh, plus lose weight, go to the gym more, and generally, take better care of myself!

Here is the video for your enjoyment, I hope you feel the same way. Happy New Year, and to you all: a safe and prosperous start to a new decade!!

 

 

For insights into adding music, video or smart tech to any space, visit audioguydfw.com or contact us for a free home consultation.

– Clay Hankins, President

My parents have passed to the next dance. But I’m so glad for the memories and the love of music they instilled in me. Vinyl records mean a lot to many, but for even more of you, there’s a world to discover and rediscover. We will spend a few newsletters talking about the magic of vinyl records. To think, they make music without any computer chips – it’s all mechanical!
A few things to consider. First, vinyl records actually do represent the pinnacle of music reproduction for many music lovers. It’s not only the full size album art, notes and wrapping – it’s the sound. There’s an ‘organic’ richness that’s found in only the best of digital sources. So much so that many musical artists have taken it on themselves to release their latest recordings on vinyl as well as digitally. Sometimes, they even include more songs in a deluxe vinyl release! Recent special editions came out from Bjork, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, and even the soundtrack to Guardians of the Galaxy (note to Marvel fans – records sound better than cassette tape!) Ready to take the spin? So are we.

 

 

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Mom, Dad, and listening to records – Part 2

 

Coming around full circle.

When I started to think about what to write for part two of our series on vinyl records and turntables, it occurred to me that as nostalgic as this may be for me, this is a new world of discovery for many of you!!
Being in the technology business, I have been an early adopter of many new technologies. Yes, I owned a Walkman. There, I said it.

I was so excited that I could take a cassette tape with me and, as the name implies, go for a walk and listen to my music on headphones. I upgraded to the Discman (the single CD version of the Walkman) but it was not well suited for vibration and it was big so it was impractical for anything other than car/air travel. Next came the iPod. Now THAT was revolutionary!! I could carry so much of my music with me in a device that fit into the palm of my hand. I had choices galore whether I was working out, or flying somewhere.

 

Today, with phone technology and streaming music, literally, the entire world of music is in the palm of your hand. We are no longer limited to what we owned. I can stream something different all day, every day, for the rest of my life and not hear the same song twice!! So what does that have to do with vinyl?

It’s my opinion that the resurgence in vinyl sales is partly due to people who are discovering the bandwidth that exists on this medium over the compressed sound that comes from streaming or stored mp3 files. That’s not to say that high-res audio files aren’t available digitally and via streaming because they are, but for someone that’s never heard a vinyl on a nice system, you’re in for a real treat. To many, this is opening up a whole new world and I, for one, am thrilled!

If you missed part 1 of this series, it’s available here.

Over the last (almost) 20 years, I have watched the business model for The Audio Guy change considerably. We started out as a small operation, mostly doing surround sound installs and some home theaters. For the first five years, the home theater market was really going strong and we were right there in the mix. It comprised a huge portion of our business. We’ve grown with the latest digital technologies, home automation, networks, commercial a/v, and we still do surround sound systems. Over the last few years, we have been focusing on adding more dedicated two channel products and as this and the last newsletter indicate, vinyl. There are many fine manufacturers of turntables out there and we currently represent two outstanding lines – VPI and Pro-Ject. They make products that start at $399 (Pro-Ject Debut) up to $40,000 for a VPI Titan.

Setting up a turntable properly is a painstaking process and essential to realizing the best performance from your table. We’ll address that in more detail in the next newsletter.

WELCOME VPI!!

If you’re not familiar with VPI Industries, let me introduce you. VPI Industries Inc. is a family owned high-end audio manufacturer that was started by Sheila and Harry Weisfeld, the founders of VPI. 35 years later the company is still family owned and run by Harry and son Mathew Weisfeld. Located in Cliffwood, NJ, about an hour drive outside of New York City, the VPI family builds its products here in the US. VPI has been recognized in the industry as a premier maker of fine tables and electronics, from the entry level Scout to the mighty Titan.

Check them out at www.vpiindustries.com and then give us a call to come in and take one out for a spin!

 

 

For insights into adding music, video or smart tech to any space, visit audioguydfw.com or contact us for a free home consultation.

 

 

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Mom, Dad, and listening to records – Part 1

 

Remembering how it was.

With the exception of the sense of smell, very few things evoke memories for me as much as music does. I remember my very first exposure to vinyl like it was yesterday- a very rare thing for me these days! We lived in Winter Haven, Florida, and I was around 8 years old. That was around 1970. My dad purchased a console record player that, for the lack of a better term, resembled a buffet.

I remember it was an all-in-one unit with the speakers built-in on the sides, a record player, and what we would probably call a receiver today. It stood proudly in our living room, effortlessly filling it with the great music of the day. It was likely an RCA, probably purchased from Sears.

The fondness of my memories of that record player revolve around seeing my parents dance to the soundtrack from Zorba the Greek, the electrifying music of The Ventures, Elvis, Patsy Cline, and other artists that I still love today (I still have some of my parents’ albums!!).

My vinyl system today is a bit more sophisticated than that system, but the vivid memory kicks in as the needle drops into place, and I hear the first few seconds of pop and hiss as the needle finds the groove. The overpowering emotion is just as strong today as it was all those years ago. As I sit back and close my eyes, settling in for a listening session, I am transported back in time, and for the moment, I am with my parents- watching them dance like they haven’t a care in the world.

My parents have passed on to the next dance. I’m so thankful for the memories and for the love of music they instilled in me. Vinyl records mean a lot to many, but for many more, there’s a whole new world to discover. We will spend the next few newsletters talking about the magic of vinyl records. And to think, they reproduce music without any computer chips – it’s all mechanical!
A few things to consider – first, vinyl records represent the pinnacle of music reproduction for many music lovers. It’s not only the sound, but the experience that comes with the full-size album art, notes, and wrapping. For me, it takes me back to the days of getting a new record from a favorite band, sitting down with the album sleeve in hand, and reading the lyrics as the songs introduce themselves to me.
Second, there’s an ‘organic’ richness to vinyl that’s found in only the best of digital sources. So much so, that many artists are releasing their latest recordings on vinyl in addition to digital. Sometimes, they even include bonus songs in a deluxe vinyl release! Examples include recent special editions from Bjork, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, and even the soundtrack to Guardians of the Galaxy (note to Marvel fans – records sound better than cassette tapes!) Ready to take the spin? So are we.

 MODERN TURNTABLES

Record players or turntables have come a long way. The first ‘breakthrough’ designs hit the market in the 1970s and have grown ever since in quality and sophistication. We are a dealer and endorser of American-made VPI turntables. We’ll have more on these in our next issue.

 

 

For insights into adding music, video or smart tech to any space, visit audioguydfw.com or contact us for a free home consultation.

 

 

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What’s in a NAIM?

The Naim Uniti Atom is a beautiful, very small and elegant music player combined with a 40-watt integrated amplifier.

 

Uniti Atom is perfect as a high-end main system or for use in the kitchen or study, where space is at a premium. Just add speakers.

The Uniti Atom connects to your home network and discovers music from storage or on your computer. The 5” color LCD screen lets you easily navigate menus. You control it all with the Naim app. Uniti natively connects with Google Chromecast, Spotify and internet radio.

 

 

Enjoy music or use it to connect your TV to experience audiophile sound quality from movies or games.

Of course, since this is Naim, the sound quality and construction are as good as it gets. The brushed aluminum casing and glass screen are durable and striking.

naim

For over 50 years, Scotland-based Naim has been one of the world’s most exclusive music equipment companies. This is an audiophile product in a very convenient package.

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Performance. Drama. Kanta By Focal

Getting inside a musical performance is truly relaxing, magical, and one of the most memorable ways to spend time at home. The first speakers we fell in love with were made by France’s Focal. And we are smitten again with the new Kanta’s.

 

Focal Kanta It took three years of research and development to create the new Kanta. Part of the reason is the unusual choice of materials for the drivers. As pioneered in Focal’s Aria line, the woofers and midranges are made of flax. Yes, that flax. Flax has low mass, high rigidity and proper damping which leads to ultimate clarity and precision.

Unusual too, is Kanta’s shape, curvy, modern and stylish. It’s all for a purpose actually.

This is no boxed rectangle. Kanta has a very distinctive look, with every detail serving the acoustics.

Everything has been done to for accuracy, smoothness and low distortion – from the density and rigidity of the materials used for the front panel and housing, the smooth edges and the dual port.

Focal Kanta

The Kanta’s are available with a lacquered black high-gloss cabinet or a walnut veneer and matching front panel. The front panel is available in four colors for each of the two finishes. With the black high-gloss cabinet, you can choose from four high-gloss colors – Carrara White, Gauloise Blue, Solar Yellow, Black Lacquer. With the Walnut cabinet, there are four matte finishes – Ivory, Warm Taupe, Gauloise Blue and Dark Grey.

 

 

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How to Audition Loudspeakers, Part II

AUDITIONING LOUDSPEAKERS (PART II)

 

In my last post, I discussed the first steps in the process of finding new loudspeakers for your home theater system.  The information in this post will complete that process.  Before we dive in, I want to note that these steps could be used to audition any piece of audio equipment, such as receivers or media players, not just loudspeakers.  Now, let’s find some great new speakers!

 

Narrow the Field

 

This stage is crucial and can be tricky.  If you audition too many speakers, you won’t be able to keep them all straight.  But, if you audition too few, you may be ignoring your best option.  I recommend that you choose three to five contenders using the following criteria:

  1. Budget:  Know how much you want to spend before you begin this quest.  Keep in mind that your speakers are often the most important aspect in determining your system’s overall sound.  Also, remember that while electronics will eventually become obsolete, speakers that are well maintained can last for decades.
  2. Independent Reviews:  Educate yourself on the subject, and see what experts are saying.  However, don’t put too much stock in specifications and measurements – your ear alone must be the final judge.  What really matters is the sound that gives you the most enjoyment.
  3. Dealer Advice:  Once you have a few ideas, contact a reputable home theater dealer, like The Audio Guy, and discuss your plans.  The dealer may have personal experience with some of the speakers you would like to audition and may have some suggestions that you had not yet considered.

 

Audition

 

Finally!  The time has come to start listening to your future speakers!  Before you start listening, though, try to arrange your audition so that it is as scientific as possible.

  1. Location:  If at all possible, try to audition your new speakers in your current theater/listening room.  Speakers’ performance is very dependent on the room, so hearing all of your contestants in the same space (if not your space) is key.
  2. Equipment:  Every piece of equipment in your system adds a signature to the sound.  Make sure that the signal path remains the same for each audition.
  3. Volume:  Some speakers respond to electric signals more efficiently than others.  So, before you begin each audition, make sure that you test the playback level with an SPL meter (using this measurement as your guide, the volume setting on your receiver may not be the same for all auditions).

 

Once you have made the necessary preparations, begin listening to your reference material.  It may help to prepare a list of criteria by which you will evaluate the speakers.  For example, there may be tiny musical details that you discovered while exploring your reference recordings; tonal balance among all of the instruments; width, height and, depth of the soundstage; and dynamic contrast, just to name a few.  Listen through your reference material many times, focusing on just one criterion with each run.  As you listen, take plenty of notes.  Otherwise, your listening sessions may blur together unintentionally.

 

After exploring the characteristics of the potential speakers, it is time to make a choice.  Let your notes be your guide.  I suggest looking for indications that you really enjoyed the experience, that you lost yourself in your reference recording.

 

Choosing new loudspeakers can be a big decision, but the process doesn’t have to be mysterious or stressful.  You don’t even have to have “golden ears”.  By following the steps outlined in this series of blog posts, you can be confident that you have made an informed, well-researched decision, the results of which you will certainly enjoy for years to come.  Enjoy your new speakers!

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How to Audition Loudspeakers

AUDITIONING LOUDSPEAKERS

 

With the arrival of the New Year, many people are starting to plan upgrades to their home theater systems.  Because of the plethora of excellent manufacturers available, choosing new loudspeakers for your theater can be a daunting task.  But, with a little time and patience, you can find the ideal speakers for your space.  In this series of posts, I will outline a step-by-step process for auditioning loudspeakers for your system.

 

Calibrate Your Ears

 

Ideally, your speakers should reproduce music and movies in such a lifelike way that you feel as if you are at a live performance or in the middle of the action.  So, the first step to finding great speakers is to research the sound of live performance and excellent theater.  Fortunately, the D/FW area offers plenty of opportunities to do so.  For music lovers, I suggest buying tickets to a favorite group when they pass through on tour.  Alternatively, you could attend a concert by one of the areas excellent local ensembles, such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Wind Symphony, or the North Texas Wind Symphony.  Those three groups would be particularly good choices because they all have produced audiophile quality recordings that are readily available (more on that later).  For movies, I suggest seeing a screening at one of the area’s smaller art theaters (they often offer Hollywood titles as well as art films).  These theaters generally have sound systems that are better calibrated and maintained than those in larger theaters.  Finally, while you are listening, take notes: What do you hear?  Where in space do you perceive the musicians when you close your eyes?  How many individual instruments and voices can you identify?  What sounds can you also feel (for example, kick drums often will “thud” in your chest)?

 

Find a Great Recording

 

Now that you know what ideal sound reproduction would be, it’s time to find a reference recording.  This recording will be your faithful companion as you begin to audition candidates for your new speaker system.  It would be in your best interest purchase a CD, SACD, Audio DVD, or download high resolution FLAC or ALAC files for this purpose.  Compressed MP3 and AAC files will only distort your ability to make an informed decision.  Choose two or three contrasting tracks, and become very familiar with the music.  Listen on your current system, on friends’ systems, and with good headphones.  Again, make some notes: What elements of the live performance does the recording reproduce well?  What elements does the recording reproduce poorly?  If you chose to attend a performance by one of the three D/FW ensembles listed above, you might consider using one of the following recordings as your reference:

 

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos / Paganini Rhapsody

Stephen Hough performing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Andrew Litton, cond.)

Hyperion Records

This live recording of the Rachmaninov piano concertos is widely hailed as one of the best available.  It would be a fun experiment to compare a live performance of a piano concerto in the Myerson Symphony Center to the performances on this recording.

 

Lincolnshire Posy: Music for band by Percy Grainger

Dallas Wind Symphony (Jerry Junkin, cond.)

Reference Recordings

Percy Grainger composed some of the most timeless music in the wind band repertoire, so you should have no trouble finding a DWS concert with a little Grainger on the program.  Moreover, Grainger’s music is filled with tiny details – perfect for putting new speakers to the test.

 

Encryptions

North Texas Wind Symphony (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, cond.)

GIA Publications

This recording includes music by some of today’s most important composers, including Joseph Turrin and Michael Colgrass.  The NTWS often performs works by these composers, and tickets to their concerts are very affordable.  The recording engineer, Bruce Leek, does an excellent job of capturing the acoustics of Winspear Hall.

 

Now that you have completed your homework (and I hope you had fun in the process), it’s time to begin auditioning your new speakers!  More on this process in my next post.

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