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Harmony Newsletter vol. 205
 
Book review
Hit Me, FRED
Fred Wesley, Jr.


For those who don't know, Fred Wesley Jr. was the trombonist in the JB’s, as well as the musical director and arranger on many of James Brown’s greatest funk hits. But his memoir, Hit Me, FRED is not just about his time with James Brown.

He begins with his childhood in Alabama and his development as a musician. However, what makes this book really different from many other biographies is that Fred Wesley Jr. does not pull any punches with his storytelling – he tells it like it is! The good, the bad and the downright ugly side of a working musician’s life.

The result is one of the best books ever written about the life of a working musician.

Both musicians and non-musicians should definitely enjoy this fabulous book. As such, Hit Me, FRED gets our very highest recommendation!


 

Tips & Techniques
Loudness

Over the years, you might have come across a knob or button on your stereo labeled “loudness”, but never knew what it was for.

Even today, Sonos offers a loudness control for playback through their devices. So what’s it for and what does it do?

It may come as a surprise, but human hearing, as capable as it is, is essentially non-linear when it comes to frequency. Play a midrange tone, and then a bass tone at the same exact level and humans will hear two different volumes.

The first research into why this is was conducted by Fletcher and Munson back in 1933. By 1937, they had created the equal-loudness contours chart that is still in use today.

It basically plots the frequency response of the human ear over various volume levels, noting that there is a significant drop-off in the lowest and highest frequencies at low volume.

So what does a loudness control do? Essentially, it boosts the highest and lowest frequencies. When used at lower volumes, it compensates for our insensitivity at low levels and the result is a richer, fuller sound at low volumes.


 


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Featured item
Sonos Port



Sonos makes great sounding wireless speakers, and they have been extremely popular with our customers for years. But what if you have a traditional hi-fi system and want to add wireless streaming? Fear not, we’ve got you covered!

Port is the successor to Connect, delivering richer sound and extending Sonos’ sound platform to your traditional home audio equipment.

Port includes an updated digital-to-analog converter for clearly detailed sound and a 12V trigger, which automatically turns on your amplifier to more reliably initiate playback.

While the digital to analog converter sounds great, if you have a high-end DAC, simply use the coaxial digital out put to connect it to your system.

Port also allows you to control content using Apple AirPlay 2 so you can stream sound directly from your iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music.

Port also includes an audio line-in to bring your record player, CD player, or other audio source into the Sonos ecosystem.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) creates a wireless personal area network so that Port can temporarily communicate with your phone or tablet to simplify the first-time setup process. Once setup is complete, Port relies on WiFi for streaming and automatic updates.

The new Sonos Port is a perfect way to take your older system into the new world of streaming. Currently in stock at Harmony and selling for just $449! Stop by today and check it out!



Clearance item

Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature



Bowers & Wilkins have been producing headphones for several years now, and we are more than happy to feature the P9 Signature.

As the largest of their over-ear headphones, the new P9 is an exceptional product, and raises the performance bar substantially for Bowers & Wilkins.

Conceived by the engineering team at the Steyning Research Establishment in West Sussex, England, the P9 earcups contain sophisticated acoustic cabinets for the drivers.

The drivers themselves are a new advanced design with a clever suspension system that enables them to provide precision at high frequencies, yet compliant enough for optimum bass response.

Additionally, the drivers are angled to provide a more natural and balanced musical experience.

Isolation has been introduced in the headband itself, as well. The earcups are de-coupled from the headband and this prevents unwanted vibrations from being transmitted. This removal of vibration reduces distortion and adds to the P9s clear and open sound.

Adding to the beautiful sound is luxurious styling. The P9 Signature is crafted using the finest Saffiano leather by Scabrenta. A unique stamping technique gives the leather a distinctive cross-hatch pattern to the leather’s finish.

The Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is currently normally sells for $899, but we currently have one new set available for just $799!

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