Affordable$$Audio December Issue

Affordable$$Audio is pleased to announce that the December issue is now available for free download at: http://www.affordableaudio.org

Special articles on the science behind speaker break-in and the A$$A list of the best reviewed components of 2006.

Don't forget to visit the A$$A forum section here at Sound-Thinking!

Thanks for reading!!

Hi Mark,

Just downloaded the December issue, and had a quick browse through it.

Great stuff, as usual to read over the week-end.

Thanks for the full page add for Sound-Thinking.

On the subject of audio-forums, I´d like to add there´s a very good forum, leaning heavyly, if not completely, on vinyl over at:

http://www.vinylengine.com/

Jorge

Jorge:
I'll add them for the January listing, thanks for the tip.

Thanks for the mention and full-page for our forum, it is much appreciated. Your ezine made for a good read, as always. I'm impressed about the home-made RCAs, I never would've thought of that.

- JP

I like the home made RCA article as well although I dont' do mine like that.

You know what's easy and alot of people are actually afraid of doing it themselves, speaker cables. It never dawned on me that anybody would be afraid of trying this until I started noticing so many folks asking online. Audioholics even has an article for people so they can do it themselves.

Diy subs can be world class for little money and anybody with much woodworking/mechanical ability can do them. I will do one even though I sure don't need it. It will be fun. Total cost will be under 300 bucks as I already have an amp. Performance should rival 1,500 subs with ease.

Mark, any chance of doing a monthly feature reviewing one of the classic speakers? DQ10s, TimeWindows, a KLH, Advent etc? Maybe examine their place in history, how they hold up against modern designs and how to improve and upgrade them.

cubdog

cubby,

I think all writers at Affordable Audio have fond memories of "classic" speakers. I own a few pairs, (Dyanaco A25s, MF MC2s, old full rangers... etc. I am sure that many have similar line ups). Remember, we often purchase or already own, or borrow speakers as we can for review.

I'm in an audio wasteland, as far as old speakers go (although I'm always on the look out). The idea of doing perhaps a survey of classic designs, then perhaps asking for help if anyone has a pair to lend, may be a great way to get some of these speakers reviewed (or provide a self review of them if you have a pair).

Personally, I tend to write about social issues, a little DIY, and some stuff I've heard for extended periods of time. Classic amps/receivers are one of my interests, as well as speakers, turntables, and tuners. I really like Candice Bergen Audio ("the most for the least"). I've put together great systems that are emminently listenable for $50-80 USD. Losts of classic stuff can be bought inexpensively, and quite by accident.

Others often have better access to some of the new stuff. I can say this though, I personally have benefitted from the others' writings and information in Affordable Audio, and I consider myself pretty well versed in many things audio---certainly no "expert" status here, but somewhat experienced. I'm sure Mark will answer directly, but my 2 pennies.

stew

Great idea...one I'm sure Mark would support. The challenge, for me at least, is $$$. New speakers are (relatively) easy to get a hold of: manufacturers want their stuff promoted, so they're willing to send out review samples and even pay for shipping.

Any classic speakers that we review we'd pretty much have to source ourselves, and while great bargains can certainly be had, I doubt there's enough free speakers (that is, free and worth writing about) out there to support a monthly column. Mark encourages all the new writers to review their existing equipment, which is where most of our "classic gear" reviews have come from.

All that said, be sure you take a look at Bob Lombard's piece this month on the Acoustic Research AR94s!

Thanks for replying on that Clarke.

Finding used equipment available for lenghty reviews is somewhat difficult. For example, Echo Audio usually gives me a week to review equipment. Perfectly understandable, as they are one of the few 2 channel shops left, and used equipment needs to be on the floor to sell. Plus a large portion of their selection is on consignment, which means it must stay in the store.

It's actually easier to get guest reviewers to do pieces on used equipment. Be as that may, I continue to try to locate items such as the DQ10's. I had one strong possibility, but that crashed and burned.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Well, there's enough of us within driving distance of you, Mark, who have a few classic speakers to take care of nearly a year's worth of monthly articles. Just ask and I'd bet we could cover a few of the vintage classics, just plain cool vintage, and those that should have been classics. Though, bimonthly might be more practical. Shame I didn't know you were so close a year ago, I've had a fair number of "classic" vintage speakers in that time that have since been moved on to new homes (including DQ-10s).

In a bit more time, it might be possible to have even more, including some real high end models, back into working condition between we Pac Nor'Westers.

- JP

Just check our speaker inventory thread again. Scott (dingus), Kelly (Superfly), Todd (elroy), and I are pretty close and have a decent sampling. Bozak_Ron, Mark W, and others are even closer and have classics as well.

- JP