Audio Emporium Newsletter 2-1-2008

 

B&W ASW-608 Subwoofer: Back in Stock!

   When B&W introduced the ASW-608 sub last fall we were delighted that it was the best TINY (10 1/4h, 10 3/8w, 13d) sub we had yet heard. With Cast Frame 8” Kevlar-Pulp Fibre woofer and 200w ICEpower amp, we finally had the dinky sub with the big sound.

   Even B&W had no idea how well this $500 sub would sell. We have been back ordered on it for six weeks- all through the Christmas season to boot. But alas, the dam has broken and we have brought in a boatload so we don’t get surprised again!! It’s in stock in black and cherry. Walnut is a special order.

 

B&W Factory Tour

   If you click on our LATEST section you’ll find an up to date article about how B&W creates its speakers. You’ll see how B&W builds speakers from the raw materials on up. Many competitors out there just have drivers show up on the UPS truck and screw them into cabinets made by a third party. Hence many esteemed speakers in our business are simply assembled. Not B&W.

 

Plasma vs LCD: Again!

   Since most people trust what they read more than what they hear from us or see for themselves, you might check out the Feb/March 2008 issue of Sound And Visions. Here are some comments.

   “The LCD had reds that were slightly more saturated, as evidenced in the pinker, less natural facial tones…the plasma, we all agreed looked more natural.

   We agreed to award the LCD a solid 8 on a scale of 1-10 for color accuracy. But it couldn’t match the 9.5 we awarded the near perfect plasma.

   Where the LCD fell off the rails, though, was with its horizontal viewing angle. As we moved off-center, even from 6 or 7 feet away, picture contrast began to drop the moment you went beyond the left or right edge of the screen. The viewing angle was so narrow that it was impossible for the three of us to evaluate the LCD while sitting on the same couch centered between the two sets. Only the guy sitting on the end toward the LCD got a good picture and it wasn’t as good as what you saw directly in front of the TV. The plasma, by comparison had a very wide viewing window with a consistent image.

   This LCD has an unusually glossy screen surface- again, just like that of the 46 inch version we tested earlier. And like that model, it picks up a lot of screen glare in rooms with bright ambient light. The plasma was better here.

   When we looked over at the plasma we immediately knew we were seeing something special. The same features were so deep that it made the blacks on the LCD look gray- even though this Samsung had the best blacks we’ve ever seen from an LCD.

   Plasma’s extra image depth was fairly obvious. With the most challenging material the plasma trounced the LCD again and again. In giving the plasma a 9.5 for contrast, the best we could muster for this still very fine LCD was a generous 8.

   There was no question that the plasma was our winner. One more round goes to plasma.”

 

Alkan Concerto for Solo Piano

   How do you play a concerto for solo piano? It sounded interesting so I had to check it out! Charles-Valentin Alkan is an interesting character whose life largely coexisted with Franz Liszt. Alkan was considered a virtuoso, but wasn’t comfortable playing much in public. It is said even the masterful Liszt felt nerves playing when Alkan was in attendance. Alkan didn’t perform much. He died at 75 when a bookcase fell over on him!

   We have the new Hyperion release by Marc-Andre Hamelin. It sounds like about SIX hands playing the piano at times. Yet it is quite tonal and marvelous. The Concerto for Solo Piano runs almost 50 minutes. It’s a wonderfully big piece! Tacked on the CD are six other “encore” type works written by Alkan. It is nice to make Alkan’s acquaintance.