Opinion

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Opinion
Ted Jordan
Steve Harris  |  May 22, 2025
Across six articles for HFN beginning in 1959, speaker designer Ted Jordan taught DIY enthusiasts the tricks of the trade – and his full-range Eikona driver is still going strong, says Steve Harris
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Opinion
The scent of success
Peter Quantrill  |  Jun 02, 2025  |  First Published: May 01, 2025
A big prize for a contemporary composer – from an unexpected source – has Peter Quantrill wondering why we don’t see more cross-pollination and mutual recognition between art forms
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Opinion
Changing technology
Steve Harris  |  Jun 02, 2025  |  First Published: May 01, 2025
From Cecil Rhodes’ plan for an African telegraph line to early MP3 players with memory issues... Steve Harris on how rapid changes in technology can leave new ideas looking like old hat
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Opinion
Room service
Jim Lesurf  |  Jun 02, 2025  |  First Published: May 01, 2025
Even simple DIY acoustic treatments, plus careful positioning of loudspeakers, can have a positive impact on your system’s performance, says Jim Lesurf. You don’t always need an amp upgrade!
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Opinion
Online radio
Barry Fox  |  Jun 02, 2025  |  First Published: May 01, 2025
Technology developments and copyright concerns have left the world of online radio in a monster mess, says Barry Fox. Is a standalone Internet radio tuner the answer to his problems?
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Opinion
A visit to MSB
Barry Willis  |  Jun 02, 2025  |  First Published: May 01, 2025
Hi-fi manufacturer MSB has a boutique offering of high-end DACs and power amplifiers, all designed, assembled and evaluated at its California HQ. Barry Willis went behind the scenes
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Opinion
Music and activism
Steve Harris  |  Apr 25, 2025  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2025

From Dylan and Baez to Geldof and Sting there’s a long history of music and activism – now artists including Coldplay and Jacob Collier have climate change in their sights, says Steve Harris

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Opinion
Bass invaders
Mark Craven  |  Apr 25, 2025  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2025

They are the darlings of the home cinema world, but subwoofers aren’t only about bringing a T-Rex into your living room, says Mark Craven – your music system might welcome one, too

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Opinion
Component interactions
Jim Lesurf  |  Apr 25, 2025  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2025

Before you begin fine-tuning your system’s sound with room treatments and seating changes, you should pay attention to ‘interactions’ further back in the chain, says Jim Lesurf

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Opinion
The Record Plant returns
Barry Willis  |  Apr 25, 2025  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2025

The outside needs a lick of paint, but otherwise this famous Bay Area recording studio is ready to make music once more, this time as a non-profit. Barry Willis salutes its owners’ ambition

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Opinion
Return to Ronnie Scott’s
Barry Fox  |  Apr 25, 2025  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2025

Barry Fox heads along to Ronnie Scott’s in London to find out how the legendary live music venue has revamped its sound system, and why it’s in a ‘war of attrition’ with drummers...

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Opinion
Reviving radio's lost dynamics
Jim Lesurf  |  Apr 16, 2025  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2025
After concluding that a well-designed digital FM tuner can surpass the best analogue super tuners of old, Jim Lesurf wonders if software can be used to revive the lost dynamics of music on radio
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Opinion
Is it worth recording at hi-res?
Barry Fox  |  Apr 16, 2025  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2025
Are only certain musical genres and acoustics ‘worthy’ of recording at high sample rates, or is it more a case of cost and practicality? Barry Fox is in favour of capturing every overtone
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Opinion
A night at the opera
Barry Willis  |  Apr 16, 2025  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2025
Front-of-centre drama, battles behind the scenes... Barry Willis attends the opening of Verdi’s Un Ballo in San Francisco, but for him it’s the acoustics that truly bring down the house
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Opinion
Never too old
Peter Quantrill  |  Apr 16, 2025  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2025
The longevity of conductors can be misleading, says Peter Quantrill, when the sentiment of the occasion obscures the vitality of the music-making. Yet with age can come great wisdom...
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