Friday flickr visit

I simply adore the serendipity of the internet-you? An awesome creative spirit out there-

speakers- its a boy thing!

SD Acoustics

“Steen Doessing – Open Baffle Speakers”

This is such a boy thing ‘let me tell you about my speakers’. The OBS SD1’s were sold in 1985 for the best part of a thousand pounds and were highly regarded in their day; the price tag and their unconventional design ultimately forced the companies’ demise. Steen Doessing (SD) was considered an audio equipment producer of note and many audiophiles around Brighton still talk of his product. I found them through a wonderfully experienced dealer called Peter Downs at Alternative Audio in Somerset, he matched them with my Audio Innovations valve amplifier, an Italian hybrid CD player the Unico, a Linn turntable and the size of my flat. I have to say I did not pay anything like their original retail price but having listened to them now for three years I understand the price tag.

Let me quote the techno boys “a hybrid speaker incorporating a ported downward firing bass chamber, a sealed mid unit on an open framed stand sitting above the bass chamber which also houses an open backed ribbon tweeter with the whole caboodle tri-wireable thanks to the easily accessed crossover sited externally above the bass unit. This strange concoction produces some of the best sounds I have ever heard…” Ok so they do look a bit wacky, huge flat unwieldy boxes, they are certainly difficult items of furniture. They stand 1metre 10cms from the floor and are flat in profile (around 15cms deep) with a beautifully figure Beech wood box at the base. They use ribbon tweeters, an open midrange cone and rear loaded open bass woofer. Hence OBS, open baffle speakers. They have been heavily doctored by the previous owner and are now fully dampened, tri-wired and pinned to spiked concrete, he has weighted/blu-tacked any lose connection in the enclosures and they are solid as –well concrete. Out of respect for my downstairs neighbour, a very sweet and long suffering Scandinavian woman, I have them sat on an isolating sandwich of concrete and rubber. I hope it takes out some of the more punchy bass and prevents her from thinking the angels are partying above her. I have also placed linen covered polystyrene blanks behind them to stop too much ‘bass’ being absorbed in to the walls. But boy oh boy the sound!!!!

They have made me listen again to my music, they just reveal so much more, nuances you miss and subtleties you always overlook. The sound is truly visual. Listening to music is an activity that brings me great joy, moments where I see what the composer imagined when writing. I understand the art of the producer and travel right inside the emotions of the musician. I begin to understand what the top-end reviewer’s talk about when they go on and on about the sound window. If you can imagine the standard hi-fi sound coming at you from two ‘cat-flap’ sized holes when you listen to bookshelf speakers, a point of sound you seem to have to concentrate on, it can be quite tiring. Well these babies deliver a punch through a pair of French doors, they are just huge and near perfect cinematic audio. The sound is full warm and very expansive- not sluggish at all – I can listen to crisp techno and they keep up admirably almost scarily. Then switch to HUGE opera and they fill my world, much of the house too. The size of the audio image should make them slow- stolid even- far from it the sound stage is realistic and precise. The response is breathtaking in its speed and at times it can take your breath away. Though the sound comes at you from the space between the two boxes and is full, paced, completely open, like the performer is bang smack in the room -you notice after a few moments that there is an orchestra off to the sides. Marvellous.

Can you tell I love my speakers? Well, just a bit. I close quoting again from a reviewer back in the day …. “most speakers are like watching a film through the letterbox- these speakers open the door and invite you in!” If you are ever in Dorset email me and I will invite you in for an espresso and a few moments of transcendent listening, I choose the tunes!! . dj

Huw's images

BIG hills
BIG beaches
BIG skies

off to aberystwyth

there are walks that go through the skies

where there are more shades of green than listed in the directory

....and I shall meet with Jack Dillon Jones for the first time

tango on a thursday

just a scarf

the art of the scarf robert jaso for chanel

(http://2photo.ru/2007/11/12/fotograf_robert_jaso.html)

perdonilo

Perdonilo, per favore...

I have made such heavy weather of letting go- you must think me a needy fool. No ..just a man who felt something so special.. just a man who loves beauty and just a man.

Now, through winter and with new eyes I do see my light at the end of the tunnel. It is the light of Easter- of promise - of sadness, sacrifice and then salvation. Still a great sense of unworthiness .. but just to know these promises! You told me of them- you were right and I love you for it- so thank you and perdinilo.

to 'shrive'

Shrove Tuesday-
Traditional time of penance followed by the absolution gained during lent and the joy of easter!


photo c loplop flickr

Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6

Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….

… when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…

Ash Wednesday

Happy Ash Wednesday flickr!, originally uploaded by Lori Elizabeth.

When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. (Matthew 6:6)

Ash Wednesday allows us to practice what Jesus taught as we observe this first day of Lent. We fast and receive God's blessing with ashes on our foreheads to express our sorrow for offending Him. Do this with sincerity, asking our Father for forgiveness openly and honestly, but from the inner rooms of our hearts.

I am grateful to Elizabeth A. Tichvon

Jack Dillon Jones

family, originally uploaded by lushlight.

Lord I am so proud

George-Hannah & Jack

George, originally uploaded by lushlight.

I love you George-congratulations on becoming a father- Jack Dillon Jones all 8 and a half pounds of you- welcome to this world- Gods greatest blessing on Hannah and such tender grace on you all. (cant wait to see my grandson) such pride and gratitude for His light in my life- lushlight