Nikko

Alpha 130


In recent times, the landscape of music streaming services has become a battleground for audio quality. With Spotify's rumored "Supremium" tier, a volley has been fired that adds a complex layer to the ongoing conversations about sound quality, value, and the features that users genuinely desire.

## The Value of Quality: Spotify vs. Competitors

Deezer offers Redbook quality FLAC at $11 a month. Meanwhile, Apple Music is comparably priced and boasts hi-res audio. Users often argue that the quality of Apple Music far exceeds that of Spotify, even in standard AAC formats. However, others appreciate Spotify's robust feature set, particularly its music discovery algorithms.

### AAC vs. OGG Vorbis

The encoding format also plays a significant role in audio quality. While Spotify uses a mix of OGG Vorbis and AAC across platforms, many audiophiles believe AAC provides superior quality over MP3. The effectiveness of OGG Vorbis is debatable, especially on Android devices where AAC hasn't been implemented well.

## What's in a Price? 

The proposed price for Spotify's "Supremium" tier is causing a stir. While some users think $20 a month isn't unreasonable, others find it steep, especially when compared to offerings from Deezer, Apple Music, and Amazon. What complicates matters is Spotify's attempt to justify the higher price by bundling in additional features like audiobooks, which don't appeal to everyone.

### The Playlist Limit Woes

Deezer also comes under scrutiny for its playlist limitations. In contrast, Spotify offers greater flexibility, allowing users to create extensive playlists with thousands of songs.

## The Algorithm Game

Where Spotify often wins is in its sophisticated algorithms for music discovery. The platform introduces users to a wide range of new music, which is seen as one of its strongest points. However, some users argue that the algorithms have become less effective, circling back to music they've already listened to.

### The Convenience Factor

When it comes to multi-room and multi-device experiences, Spotify tends to win out. The convenience of Spotify Connect, which seamlessly finds speakers on your network, often trumps the audio quality debate for casual listening scenarios.

## Can You Even Tell the Difference?

Many are skeptical about the perceptible differences between high-res audio and Spotify's current maximum of 320 kbps. While the debate rages on, even among audiophiles, it remains a critical point for potential subscribers. Can most people discern the difference, and even if they can, is it worth the additional cost?

## Conclusion

The forthcoming Spotify "Supremium" tier is bound to shake up the existing landscape of music streaming services. However, whether it will fulfill the audiophile's dream or become a jack-of-all-trades offering that dilutes the brand's musical focus remains to be seen. In the end, the choice may boil down to what users prioritize most: is it audio quality, algorithmic discovery, convenience, or price?

As the world of streaming services continues to evolve, users are left to navigate this complex landscape, weighing the pros and cons to find their ideal musical home.

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A Look at Spotify's "Supremium" Tier

Explore the nuances of the music streaming wars as Spotify introduces its "Supremium" tier. Learn how it stacks up against competitors like Apple Music and Deezer in audio quality, features, and pricing. Is the higher cost justified by its offerings? Dive in to find out.

Anyone who appreciates high-fidelity sound understands that a good set of speakers or headphones is just the tip of the iceberg. The room in which you're listening can either enhance your audio experience or detract from it, turning a masterpiece into a muddled mess. Three common issues often undermine acoustic quality: echo, flutter echo, and phase issues. Each of these problems has its own set of complexities and solutions. Addressing them is not just beneficial but essential for anyone who seeks an optimal auditory experience.

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## The Echo Factor

#### What is Echo?

Echo is the time-delayed repetition of sound that occurs when sound waves reflect off surfaces such as walls, ceilings, or floors. In a nutshell, when you hear an echo, you're hearing the same sound more than once because it took different amounts of time to reach your ears.

#### Real-World Examples

-   **Domestic Settings**: In large living rooms with bare walls, echoes can distort TV audio, making dialogue difficult to understand.
    
-   **Professional Settings**: In conference rooms or theaters, the issue of echo can interfere with clarity and disrupt the communication process.
    

#### The Effects on Sound Quality and Experience

Echo doesn't just add an extra layer of sound; it creates confusion. Musical notes can blur into one another, and vocal clarity can become muddled. The original intent and emotion of the audio get lost, reducing the overall enjoyment and appreciation of the sound.

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## Flutter Echo – The Accelerated Echo

#### What is Flutter Echo?

Flutter echo is a specific kind of echo characterized by a series of rapid, repeated echoes. It’s like an echo on fast-forward and generally occurs between two parallel reflective surfaces.

#### How Flutter Echo Amplifies the Problems Caused by Regular Echo

Regular echoes may go unnoticed or be mildly irritating, but flutter echoes create a jarring auditory experience. Imagine hearing a sound and then almost immediately hearing it repeated several times, rapidly — this is flutter echo.

#### Common Environments Where Flutter Occurs and Its Impact

-   **Recording Studios**: With highly reflective surfaces, studios can become a nightmare for flutter echo if not treated properly. This leads to compromised recording quality.
    
-   **Auditoriums and Cinemas**: In these venues, the audience may perceive the rapid repetition of sound as a strange, unnatural effect, thereby negatively impacting the experience.

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## Phase Issues – The Complex Interference

#### What Are Phase Issues?

Phase issues occur when two or more sound waves meet and either amplify or cancel each other out, based on their phase relationship. This can significantly alter the character of the audio, resulting in a "phasey" or "hollow" sound.

#### Technical Explanation

In audio, 'phase' refers to the position of a point within the cycle of a waveform, usually in degrees (0-360). If two identical signals are 'in-phase' (both signals reach their peak and trough at the same time), they will amplify each other. If they are 'out-of-phase' (one signal reaches its peak while the other reaches its trough), they will cancel each other out.

#### Impacts on Sound Imaging and Fidelity

Phase issues can ruin stereo imaging, making it difficult to localize sound sources. They also affect tonality, making certain frequencies inaudible and causing a general loss of fidelity.

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## Diagnosing and Measuring Acoustic Problems

#### Tools and Methods

-   **RTA (Real-Time Analyzer)**: Measures the frequency response of a room in real-time.
    
-   **Impulse Response Measurement**: Helps in identifying reflection points in the room.
    

#### Utilizing Acoustic Panels, Diffusers, and Software

-   **Acoustic Panels**: Use NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) ratings to choose the most effective panels.
    
-   **Diffusers**: Opt for QRD (Quadratic Residue Diffuser) or PRD (Primitive Root Diffuser) types for optimal scattering of sound.
    
-   **Software**: Softwares like SMAART or Room EQ Wizard can identify room modes, comb filtering, and other phase issues.
    
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## Solutions and Treatments

#### Comprehensive Solutions

-   **For Echo**: Use absorptive materials like acoustic foam or fiberglass panels with high NRC ratings.
    
-   **For Flutter Echo**: Incorporate diffusers or 3D geometric surfaces to disrupt the pattern of the sound wave reflections.
    
-   **For Phase Issues**: Time-align your speakers and employ phase correction via digital signal processing (DSP).
    

#### Importance of a Combined Approach

A balanced combination of absorption, diffusion, and reflection is often the best approach. For instance, mixing absorptive panels with diffusers can work well to treat a variety of acoustic problems.

#### When to Consult an Acoustics Professional

Despite your best DIY efforts, some acoustic problems may persist, requiring specialized solutions such as room tuning or custom-built acoustic treatments. In such cases, a consultation with an acoustics professional is advisable.


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Problems Caused by Poor Room Acoustics: Echo, Flutter, Phase Issues

Inadequate acoustics can lead to various problems, such as echo, flutter, and phase issues. Echo is a time-delayed repetition of sound, while flutter is a series of rapid, repeated echoes. Phase issues occur when sound waves interact in a way that causes them to either reinforce or cancel each other out.


In Melbourne, there's a spot called Waxflower Bar that's catching the attention of music lovers who are serious about their sound. This isn't your average bar; it's a place where the sound system takes center stage, thanks to some pretty impressive gear they've got set up.

The centerpiece is this ISO420 mixer, hand-built by Justin Greenslade from Isonoe in London. It's a beast of a mixer and pre-amp, known for its top-notch quality. For those who appreciate the finer details of sound, this piece of equipment is a big deal because it's designed to deliver music as it's meant to be heard, with all its depth and nuances.

Then there are the turntables – restored Technics decks equipped with Nagaoka cartridges. This combo is like the holy grail for vinyl enthusiasts. It's all about precision here, ensuring that every record spun sounds as vibrant and clear as possible.

Waxflower is also hinting at some special speakers they're planning to introduce. While they haven't spilled all the beans yet, the buzz is that these speakers will be something quite exceptional. Given the care they've put into the rest of their audio setup, it's safe to say we can expect something that will make our ears very happy.

But it's not just about the gear. Waxflower is setting up a vibe that's all about appreciating music in its best form. They're planning to feature a mix of local DJs and record collectors, with an eye on bringing in some international artists too. The idea is to create a diverse listening experience, catering to various tastes but always focusing on quality sound.

For folks who love music, enjoy dissecting the layers of sound, or just want to hear their favorite tracks played on a top-notch system, Waxflower Bar is shaping up to be a go-to place. It's not about flashy marketing or gimmicks; it's about creating a space where the music speaks for itself, supported by some seriously good audio equipment.

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Inside Melbourne's Waxflower

Experience the pinnacle of auditory bliss at Waxflower Bar, featuring custom audio gear and vibrant musical selections.

Alpha 130

by Nikko

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Interesting articles

A Look at Spotify's "Supremium" Tier

Problems Caused by Poor Room Acoustics: Echo, Flutter, Phase Issues

Inside Melbourne's Waxflower