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From: smb@ulysses.UUCP (Steven Bellovin)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: stereo
Message-ID: <3@ulysses.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 20-Feb-85 13:37:56 EST
Article-I.D.: ulysses.3
Posted: Wed Feb 20 13:37:56 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Feb-85 20:06:03 EST
References: <630@houxa.UUCP>, <191@moncol.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 32

I agree with moncol!ben that one shouldn't worry too much about receiver
choice.  At least in that price range (and probably in most higher price
ranges as well....), amplifier quality is about the same, and quite good.
FM behavior varies more; still, what you're really paying for are features
and power.  Decide what features you need/want, and don't worry too much
about moderate differences in power -- you have to double the power output
of an amp to make a significant difference.

For speakers, I agree with the recommendation -- listen for yourself -- but
not the comments on Consumer Reports.  When they rate speakers, they tell
you (a) closely-ranked units are of very comparable quality; (b) even with
units ranked significantly lower, taste is very importnat; (c) they're
measuring overall deviation from ideal -- but different speakers diverge
from 'flat' in different ways, which affects the way they sound.  Bring
with you some favorite records (in good condition -- buy a new copy if
necessary), ones that you know by heart, and listen closely.  Compare only
two pair of speakers at a time; after you eliminate one, compare it with
the next.  Insist that the output levels be matched -- it's well-known that
imperceptible differences in volume will significantly affect one's perception
of quality (the louder speaker sounds "better").  You may want to listen to
the best speakers in the store as well, for reference purposes.  To compare
speakers from different stores, arrange for a home trial -- most stores will
allow you to do this if you give them a post-dated check or credit card
receipt for the full price.  Apart from anything else, your listening environ-
ment makes a tremendous difference in the way the speakers will sound.  (I
realize that this is problematic if you don't have some receiver at home
already.)  Finally, one comment -- after taking up all this time of assorted
sales people at assorted stores, consider the ethical implications before
buying the identical speaker from a discount house.


		--Steve Bellovin