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Børresen

03 Cryo Edition


In the realm of high-fidelity audio, there's an invisible dance happening right in our living spaces – a performance by sound waves influenced by the very rooms we sit in. This is the world of room modes and standing waves, where physics meets the ear, often with less-than-desirable outcomes for audiophiles.

## The Essence of Room Modes

Imagine your room is a container, and sound is water. When you pour water into it, some waves crash against the walls and interfere with the incoming waves, creating ripples of varying sizes and strengths. Replace water with sound, and you have an analogy for room modes.

Technically, room modes are specific frequencies that resonate more than others due to the dimensions of a room. It's like when a singer hits a particular note and a glass shatters – the glass resonates with that note. Your room, too, has 'favorite' notes, which are the room modes. These favorites depend on the length, width, and height of the room, creating a unique acoustic fingerprint.

## When Waves Stand Still: Standing Waves

Standing waves, on the other hand, are the stubborn notes that seem to hover in the air. In a perfectly reflective room, a sound wave can bounce back and forth, eventually superimposing upon its own echo. When two such waves traveling in opposite directions meet, they form a standing wave – a spot where certain notes linger, refusing to fade away. These spots can either amplify the sound (making it louder) or cancel it out (creating dead zones).

## Technical Interlude: The Math Behind the Music

If you're curious about the technical nitty-gritty, room modes can be predicted using basic formulas. For instance, the lowest frequency that will create a standing wave between two parallel walls (axial mode) can be calculated by dividing the speed of sound (approximately 343 meters per second) by twice the distance between the walls. But fear not, you don't need to solve equations to understand the practical implications.

## The Real-World Effects on Your Listening Experience

The result of these acoustical phenomena is an uneven bass response. Some bass notes might boom, overwhelming the melody, while others might barely whisper. In the context of listening to music, this means the bass guitarist in your favorite band might sound like they’re playing a solo when they’re not, or they might seem to disappear altogether.

## Taming the Acoustic Beasts

How do we tame these unruly resonances? Acoustic treatment is the key. This includes adding absorptive materials, like acoustic panels or even bookshelves stuffed with books, to disrupt the path of the sound waves and reduce their ability to bounce back and forth. Strategically placing your speakers and listening position can also help you avoid the worst effects of standing waves.

Another ally in the battle against room modes is equalization (EQ), where you adjust the levels of specific frequencies. However, this is more of a band-aid than a cure, as it doesn't remove the cause of the problem.

## Accessibility for All Ears

Understanding and addressing room modes is essential because good sound should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. Whether you're in a cozy attic or a spacious living room, knowledge about how sound interacts with space can enhance your listening experience.

In the end, it’s all about balance. We can't completely eliminate room modes or standing waves, but we can learn to live with them harmoniously. By knowing your room's acoustic personality, you can set up your HiFi system to sing in tune with your space, ensuring that every note reaches your ears as the artist intended.

So, the next time you press play on your favorite album, remember the silent symphony playing in the architecture around you. With a little understanding and effort, you can conduct that symphony to support the soundtrack of your life, note by perfect note.

a modern living room focusing on a single speaker. Visible around the speaker are stylized, semi-transparent flutter echoes or waveforms that

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Understanding Room Modes and Standing Waves in HiFi

Understand the impact of room modes and standing waves on HiFi audio


Recently, JBL introduced their newest portable speaker, the Xtreme 4, and it's catching a lot of attention. Revealed at CES 2024, this speaker isn't just another loud box – it's packed with some pretty neat features that make it stand out.

#### What's New and Cool About It?

**Auracast™ Technology**: This is a big deal because it lets you connect multiple speakers, even different models, to create a bigger and more immersive sound. Imagine having a few of these at a BBQ or a beach day, all synced up. That's a serious upgrade to your music experience.

**AI Sound Boost**: Here's where it gets a bit techy but in a good way. The speaker uses AI to make the music sound better, adjusting the audio in real-time. So, whether you're listening to rock, jazz, or podcasts, it promises clearer, less distorted sound.

#### Environmentally Friendly

JBL is also thinking about the planet with this one. A large part of the Xtreme 4 is made from recycled materials, which is a step in the right direction for tech products. It's good to see a big brand taking environmental concerns seriously.

#### Designed for Real Life

The Xtreme 4 is built to last. It has a big battery that can keep the tunes going for up to 24 hours, and you can even use it to charge your phone. Plus, if the battery starts to wear out, you can just replace it instead of buying a new speaker.

And if you're clumsy like me, you'll appreciate that it's waterproof and dustproof. No worries if it gets splashed at the pool or caught in a bit of rain.

#### Bluetooth and More

With Bluetooth v5.3, it connects easily to your devices, and the connection is solid. No more annoying dropouts in the middle of your favorite song.

#### In Summary

The JBL Xtreme 4 isn't just another speaker. It's got some cool features that make listening to music more fun and convenient, and it's built in a way that's better for the environment. It's a solid choice if you're in the market for a portable speaker that can handle a variety of situations, from outdoor adventures to just chilling at home.

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Discover the AI Sound Boost Feature in the JBL Xtreme 4

JBL is a brand that specializes in audio equipment and is known for its high-quality speakers and headphones.

Never miss a beat with the JBL Xtreme 4's incredible 24-hour battery life, perfect for all-day audio

In the realm of high-end audio equipment, Lyra's latest offering, the Erodion EVO, is a significant development. This Moving Coil Step-Up Interface, tailored primarily for Lyra cartridges, is also adept at working with other low-impedance cartridges within the 2 to 10 ohms range. Its compatibility with Lyra's SL MC cartridges, including the Kleos SL, Etna Lambda SL, and Atlas Lambda SL, is particularly noteworthy.

The Erodion EVO stands out for its ability to reduce noise and minimize electronic artifacts more effectively than many phono stages. This feature ensures an elevated audio experience, often surpassing the performance of well-regarded high-gain, low-noise phono stages. Its wider bandwidth and dynamic range are other remarkable aspects, delivering a sonic impact that bridges the gap between an active head amp and a conventional step-up transformer.

Equipped with a 26dB gain, the Erodion EVO adeptly increases the signal voltage and output impedance of low-output, low-impedance MC cartridges, making it a suitable match for MM-compatible phono inputs of preamplifiers and phono stages with around 47 kohms load. This makes it versatile for a range of audio setups.

An integral part of the Erodion EVO is the Lyra-designed-and-made low-capacitance PhonoPipe output cable, which measures approximately 60 cm (2 ft.). This addition further enhances its performance. Moreover, the device offers two switchable grounding positions, with Position 2 (floating ground) being recommended for optimal performance.

In terms of its physical attributes, the Erodion EVO has a compact and sturdy build. It features three stainless steel spikes for stability and has a net weight of 2430 grams (5.2 lbs). Despite its technical sophistication, the device does not contain or require any electrical power supply, emphasizing its user-friendly nature and ease of integration into existing audio setups.

The release of the Erodion EVO is a testament to Lyra's commitment to advancing audio technology, offering audiophiles a product that enhances their listening experience with minimal electronic interference and maximal audio fidelity. For those interested in exploring this latest innovation in the audiophile world, visiting Lyra's official website or contacting their customer support would provide more detailed information and technical specifics. The Erodion EVO is priced at $6,500, reflecting its position in the high-end audio equipment market.

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Lyra Unveils Erodion EVO: A High-Fidelity Moving Coil Step-Up Interface with Exceptional Noise Reduction Capabilities

Experience unmatched 26dB gain with Lyra's Erodion EVO, a game-changer in audio fidelity.

03 Cryo Edition

by Børresen

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Understanding Room Modes and Standing Waves in HiFi

Discover the AI Sound Boost Feature in the JBL Xtreme 4

Lyra Unveils Erodion EVO: A High-Fidelity Moving Coil Step-Up Interface with Exceptional Noise Reduction Capabilities