Editor's Review (Jun. 1973)

IHF Standards

At a recent meeting of the IHF Standard committee, we were unanimous in our support for a pink noise sensitivity measurement for loudspeaker sensitivity. This involves the use of one-third octave pink noise, centered on 400Hz and measured with one watt applied signal at a distance of one meter. This measurement will be included in our future tests of loudspeakers.

Don Davis, who is an occasional contributor to AUDIO, recently formed his own company Synergetic Audio Concepts-which specializes in training audio systems engineers. He will be conducting seminars in 21 cities during the next few months. Courses last for three days and pupils use programmable computers and latest test instrumentation. Details can be had from: Syn-AudCon, P.O. Box 1134, Tustin, CA 92680.

On Test

The following receivers are now being tested: Sony 7065, Sansui 2000X, Onkyo 555, KLH 52 and 55.

Tuners include the new Pioneer TX 9100 and Dynaco AFM-6. Tape recorders include the Akai GXC-46D and Wollensak 4750 cassette units and the Akai 4000DS and Dokorder 9100 open-reel decks. Among the loudspeakers are the APL 16, Bozak Sonora, Microstatic HF unit, the ESS Heil system and the Magnaplanar. The last named systems have been in the listening room for some weeks now and I really hate to part with them. As the radiation pattern is a doublet, bass is slightly attenuated but overall sound is clean with the kind of transparency associated with the KLH Nines.

Demonstration records

The "Organ Music from Westminster" record mentioned in the April issue (Design Acoustics D-12 review) was made by Robert Fulton and another disc I can recommend is his recording of Robbinsdale Senior High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble, directed by Robert Thompson. Wind instruments are notoriously difficult instruments to record but this particular record is exceptionally clean with excellent dynamic range. The performance is good too--I had trouble in convincing listeners that this is just a High School Band! Mr. Fulton builds his own microphones at a reputed cost of $6000 each and the two used were electrostatic types having a polarizing voltage of 6000! Price of the record is $5.95 and it can be obtained from: Romans, 8012 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn. 55420.

4 (2) Channels

The new Schwann catalog contains a 4-page listing of quadraphonic records and it is suggested that many records sold as two-channel are actually matrix records. In other words, they say--a four channel compatible record is sold as stereo because many people are not yet ready to accept 4-channel. Maybe so; in any case it is an interesting thought. See page 28 for the quadraphonic headphone tests. Owing to space limitations, we couldn't print the cassette tape survey this month, but we'll try and find room in the next issue-patience!

Open-Reel

Interested in open-reel tapes? Barclay-Crocker of 11 Stone Street, New York 10004 issue an interesting supplement to their catalogue, called "Reel News." The catalogue itself contains listings of more than 3000 tapes and is well worth the price of one dollar.

Congratulations

Our best wishes to H.W. Barnard who retires from the "Wireless World's" Editorial Chair this month.

And congratulations to Bill Rollins who has just celebrated his 40th year in the loudspeaker business. Bill started his career in 1933 working for Utah at the princely salary of 35¢ an hour. In 1954, he started Oaktron Industries who now make more than 4 million speakers a year. Finally, to Walter Hullsiek who is the new President of Fisher. He was formerly a top executive with Admiral and more recently, V.P. of corporate development at Amana. Mr. Hullsiek holds a E.E. from the University of Minnesota.

(Source: Audio magazine.)

Also see:

Editor's Review (Jul. 1973)

Audio, Etc. (Jun. 1973)

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