Re: [ARSCLIST] electronic reading of physical media, was: Preservation policy question

[phillip holmes <insuranceman@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Why not a really good set of horn speakers.  Yes, some people don't use the 
words "good" and "horn speakers" in the same sentence, but when done right, 
they are very much like the ideal speaker (unless they say:  It sure was 
good to get rid of those horn speakers).  They are an impedance matching 
device between cone/diaphragm and the room, just like what a gramophone horn 
does for the machine playing back the disk acoustically.  They have a bad 
name because they were made so cheaply for PA use.  And, with horns, any 
distortion created by the electronics are seemingly much more obvious with 
horns (versus dynamic drivers).  I'm working on a complete Altec A4 VOTT 
horn system right now, but don't know where I'll be able to put it.  And you 
need a proper cartridge and EQ curve, which is where I think most electrical 
playback falls way short.  It's really hard to get the curve just right and 
pick the best stylus tip.
Phillip
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karl Miller" >
> Of course, the weak link, from my perspective, still being speakers, which
> do not vibrate in the same way as instruments...I am reminded of a
> fascinating visit I had about two weeks ago with a research scientist on
> our faculty. He has worked for 40 years with microbial cellulose. One
> application we discussed was the use of the material for audio playback.
> He has already been working with Sony. They have developed a pair of
> headphones...cost, about $2,500. I thought of a cellulose wall of sound,
> not unlike the idea of a large electrostatic speaker system, with the
> difference being that the cellulose would not break up like mylar when it
> came to handling the bass frequencies...and continuing the day
> dreaming...having recordings where each instrument would have its own
> microphone and the reproduction characteristics of the various part of the
> cellulose being adjusted to replicate the manner of the original vibrating
> medium...eg, string and sound board of a violin. But then, why go to the
> trouble when most people are happy with an MP3.