Customer Reviews

Complete Guide to Audio

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About 4-5 months ago, I decided to take the plunge and invest in some new audio components. Though a few of the components I owned had been considered bottom level high end, I wanted to go the separate amplifier/tuner route with a new cd player and a new pair of modern day speakers. In other words, kick it up a notch. Partial to European components, I discovered the British publications HI FI Choice and What Hi Fi? Great glossy photos,with Excel/Powerpoint graphic charts rating different components by category.Very instrumental in assisting me purchase my tuner,amp,headphones and cables.But now I thirsted for more. I was hooked, a true audiophile was blossoming. There had to be a book somewhere. Much to my surprise one of the largest book chains here in the Northwest, who usually retails more shelf titles than anybody out there had not even a section devoted to high end audio. Fortunately I tracked this book down with Amazon. Mostly written in a definitional format with well emphasized headers,it explains the sound process in an understandable manner without overly technical descriptions which can befuddle and intimidate novices. Excellent diagrams and photos of various components are an additional welcome.Home theater and two channel audio are carefully distinguished and the Brands and Choices section,which is always a subject of controversy given it's subjective nature, was discussed in an unbiased manner. All this without the snobbery often accompanied by discussions regarding high end audio.My only gripe would be the segments on plugging in and set up. The author seems to imply the process of interconnecting cables between components is difficult.Perhaps in home theater,(which I don't partake in) but for two channel audio, it's not a difficult process and the manuals I have seen are quite good with their illustrated instructions. Connecting is but a a manner of minutes.The book is a solid audio primer. However as one possibly becomes more serious minded he or she might wish to look into Harley's Guide to High End Audio, a huge manual which get's into philosophic matters regarding the creation of sound with more emphasis on technical details.But for those getting their feet wet or wanting to build the confidence needed to walk into a high end shop and hold their own (and let's face it, this experience can rank second only to walking into a car dealership), then you can be assured this book will provide you with the necessary vocabulary. Reassuring to know that amidst the negative prognosis of some with regards to the future of two channel audio,(let's keep in mind that the turntable is making a bit of a comeback too),people like Adams and Harley are committed to seeing that those with the interest and belief get the necessary knowledge to put together a home system leading to many hours of rewarding listening surpassing previous listening experiences. Not a bad thing at that. And without in many instances, completely breaking the till.And as I'm still doing research to purchase new speakers(probably will buy within a couple of months of this review going on-line) and speakers probably the toughest purchase with over 400 brands out there and possibly committing to an arduous testing process,you can bet I will consult this book on quite a few occasions before committing my cash.

The basics of hifi equipment is clearly explained and the progression of sound systems from stereo to surround sound is clearly compiled, however these basics don't go beyond the very basics like what is a sub woofer and what components are needed for dolby digital sound.

In the preface the author does state that this book was written for the consumer and for people that want to know more about sound.Firstly, this is an understatement unless this definition of consumer is one of someone who has never seen a hifi of any kind - let alone has switched one on. Secoundly if one wanted to know more about sound, enough so that you'd buy a book on the subject, then frustration would be what one would be left with.

Initially sound systems may seem daunting, but save your money and set aside a few hours to compile all the basic questions you have on sound systems and then search the net. You'll get far more than this surface treatment. "A basic intoduction to sound and a basic overview of sound systems"

This book has a lot of problems: the title is completely misleading; there's far too little useful information; and overall it's very short in length.

Within the first five minutes of opening the book you realize that the editors really did a good job of misleading the buyer/reader. The "Complete" Guide to Audio? Uh, No. There was nothing "complete" about it. The title should be "A Brief Introduction to Audio". Take a couple of minutes and have a look at a different book, Robert Harley's "The Complete Guide to High-End Audio". You'll learn real fast what "complete" means.

For a beginner, there was some useful audio information: the author does a decent job of explaining the basics of sound, speakers, etc. However, there was just too little of this and he really just scratches the surface without going any deeper. I'd say, for every ten pages, there was one page of meaningful information. Way too much fluff.

Even with all the fluff, the book is still way too short. (162 pages, which could have fit in half that space.) As I said, just have a look and compare it to Robert Harley's book, "The Complete Guide to High-End Audio".