Thanks for the topic, audiodwebe.
Home in the wilds of Maine for the last 40+ years, with an enduring passion to better good sound, the journals provided much sought after information. Music lovers are a generous lot. JGH, HP, Art, REG, JA, Herb and others provided nourishment of music choices and audio wisdom to so many. Oddly, the IMPORTANCE of the room - system integration is a more recent phenomenon, in my memory. The early years focused on how a speaker measured and sounded, then reverse engineering the sound of the components through said speakers.
There was an early focus on DIY and kits, with Phile and TAS introducing the subjective approach, others following. Understandable, clear writing was extremely helpful in helping us build good systems. JGH & HP broke much ground in describing sound and pioneering the language of hi-fi.
For so many of us, Art Dudley became our go-to. Art told stories. Each had a beginning, middle and a conclusion. Art brought musicianship (guitar); mechanical prowess (turntables and loudspeakers); broad music appreciation and knowledge (several genres with depth.) The legibility of Art's writing left us thirsting and eagerly awaiting the next issue. Both Art's sound rooms in two houses were sparsely furnished, everyday living spaces without room tuning. Art wanted it that way. Over time, you felt you had a trusted friend reporting his findings, with full integrity.
Before Greg Roberts, owner of Volti Audio, moved his loudspeaker company from Maine to outside Nashville, a friend and I visited Greg to hear his horn Vittora speakers in a "Paul Klipsh ratio" living room. Greg is a former house builder. Turned out, Greg was bringing a Vittora set (18" active sub included) to Dudley's house the following week, for review. In emails with Greg later, he reported that he found Art's sound, "amazing."
We live in times of distrust and suspicion. We rarely give something, someone the time required for trust and friendship. Wife Mary long ago that a friend is someone with whom you've worked through disagreements. I have little doubt that many reviewers have less than optimal rooms. I felt that way towards Art too, wondering what he would make of my obsession with room tuning, electricity, mods, fuses, dsp and the rest. But, damn, I loved Art and others who build my confidence and trust.
More Peace (bold print for old eyes) Pin