Hi-Fi, Stereo Refer To Diverse Systems

Even at this late date there remains some confusion between the terms "hi-fi" and "stereo." Although both words refer to acoustic conditions the first deals with quality of sound while the second is concerned with spatial characteristics.

We know a gentleman who owns about a thousand dollars worth of Marantz amplifiers and KLH loudspeakers in a monaural (non-stereo) hook-up. This system's faithfulness to the qualities of the original sounds played on it ranks it ranks it among the highest of "fi's". We also know people with $150 "stereos" which do a good job of reproducing stereo width and direction.

The first system is noted for the manner in which violins and bass drums played on it sound like real violins and bass drums (even though they both come from the same place). This is hi-fi without stereo.

The second system is noted for the way the violins come from the listener's left, as they would in a concert hall, and the bass drums from the left-of-center rear. But with this system one notices that violins sound like flutes and bass drums are hardly audible. This stereo without hi-fi.

The first of our two systems can be brought up to the highest of today's standards by duplicating the first "channel" and adding stereo controls. The second system can never be made a true high fidelity unit, even though it now reproduces fine stereo.

Stereo then is no "higher hi-fi". It is rather a whole new dimension completely unrelated to quality but intimately concerned with depth, width, and direction of sound.

Stereo enhances the reproduction of music in such a way as to make even the best monaural system seem flat and unappetizing--providing comparable fidelity is carried through in both systems.

Thus, of the two systems mentioned above, the first could be much improved in listening pleasure by conversion to stereo. But even in its monaural state it is probably much more pleasing to its owner than any good stereo lower fidelity could ever be.

Note carefully that stereo is more than "two holes in the concert-hall wall instead of one" as a die-hard monaural fan we know described it. When properly installed and adjusted a stereo system should give sound over the entire areas from one speaker to the other.

To the uninitiated it is quite a thrill to hear sounds coming from points between the two speakers, from where, it seems, nothing should be coming. This is the stereo centre illusion.

If you have been disappointed in the stereo you're heard or if you thin something is not quite right with your own stereo system, your skepticism or suspicions are very possibly justified. Speaker placement, phasing, and balancing in a stereo installation are fairly critical and very important.

Stereo does not mean dividing the orchestra, combo, or what-have-you into two groups and having one on either side of the room. Sound should come from each and every point between the speakers. Some records are made with exaggerated stereo, but if all yours sound as if there are "two windows to the orchestra instead of one", watch out.

STEREO FM RADIO

Sources of stereo sound are now more available than ever. Practically all new record releases are available in stereo as well as mono. Stereo tapes, of the four-track variety, are winning a surprising chunk of the recorded music market. But the biggest development since stereo first became commercial in 1957 was the recent approval by the FCC of a system for broadcasting stereo music over FM radio.

Briefly, the system used for this (called in technical circles "multiplex stereo") consists of a coded signal combined with the station's regular broadcast. And unscrambler attached to your FM set (called a "multiplex adapter") will allow separation of the two stereo signals, which are then fed through the system as any other source would be.

We are lucky to be in one of the best areas in the nation for these stereo FM broadcasts. The H. H. Scott firm, manufacturer of audio components and the only company at the moment which is in full-scale production of a working and reliable multiplex unit, is located in near-by Maynard and naturally keeps an eye on the home front.

Reception of WCRB's fine broadcasts--they excell musically as well as technically--on our Scott 350 multiplex tuner which has the unscrambler built in is all we could expect from any source.

The live broadcasts of the Boston Symphony have been a resounding success. In addition to WCRB the music listener can choose WUPY in Lynn, and have at has fingertips a source of jazz in stereo.

Our tuner is getting more use now than it has anytime since 1957 when we converted to stereo discs. Frankly, we were surprised at how well stereo FM is working out. We are sure that with a little bit of cars and consultation anyone can achieve perfect reception of this new, free (and recordable!!) source of stereo.