• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Interesting old story on Acoustic Research

Wigwam Jones

Wigwam Jones

Caesar non supra grammati
I found this while perusing the vaults of Google Books...

I'm referring to the story at the bottom of the page below...

http://books.google.com/books?id=bf...AEwAQ#v=onepage&q="acoustic research"&f=false

books


So I wondered what ever happened to the so-called "Adaptive Digital Signal Processor," and I turned up this fellow:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Kantor

Kenneth Kantor was apparently the inventor of this technology, was deeply involved in psychoacoustics, and later founded Now Hear This loudspeakers (NHT of SuperZero speaker fame):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHT_Loudspeakers

All in all, an interesting little trip through history.

Now, when I set up my h/k AVR using that funny little microphone that came with it to automagically set up my speakers, I am wondering; is this the technology that Kenneth Kantor invented, or something different?

Anyway, I'm interested in your thoughts or opinions...
 
Register to hide this ad
Wigwam Jones said:
I found this while perusing the vaults of Google Books...

I'm referring to the story at the bottom of the page below...

http://books.google.com/books?id=bf...AEwAQ#v=onepage&q="acoustic research"&f=false

books


So I wondered what ever happened to the so-called "Adaptive Digital Signal Processor," and I turned up this fellow:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Kantor

Kenneth Kantor was apparently the inventor of this technology, was deeply involved in psychoacoustics, and later founded How Hear This loudspeakers (NHT of SuperZero speaker fame):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHT_Loudspeakers

All in all, an interesting little trip through history.

Now, when I set up my h/k AVR using that funny little microphone that came with it to automagically set up my speakers, I am wondering; is this the technology that Kenneth Kantor invented, or something different?

Anyway, I'm interested in your thoughts or opinions...
Click to expand...


That would be the AR Adaptive Digital Signal Processor, or "ADSP." The technology was invented by Ron Genereux and Bob Berkovitz, who went on to become Sigtech. I was heavily involved with the circuit design and construction of the first ADSP when I worked for Berkovitz, but was not an inventor. When I took over R&D at the company, the ADSP fell under my pervue. We got the system working in a box, and showed it around, which is probably where the magazine article came from. It was a ground-breaking technology that continues to be influential to this day. However, the digital technology of the era could not keep up with the processing requirements, even in a cost-no-object implementation. And, like all "time domain" based room correction systems, it was hindered by some serious inherent issues that were not well understood at the time and that are hard to overcome in a deployed product.

Fun stuff, and happy to answer any questions you have, if I can.

-k
 
Mr. Kantor... I cannot overstate how pleased (and honored!) I am that you spend some quality time here with us at AK.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Seconded. Ken Kantor being here is really special. One of my favorite speaker system design people of all.
Click to expand...


C'mon... you guys are so nice; your kind words are really appreciated! But, I honestly feel like the real credit goes to the AK admins and community, who have somehow managed to forge an online audio group that is fun, informative and reasonably civil. Many have tried. I like hanging out here, to learn, to comment, to procrastinate and fill insomniac hours.

-k
 
ZebraBlvd said:
I myself will chip in one dollar to listen to your thoughts, Sir! As for the collar, sit bear naked if you wish.
Click to expand...
.
Sorry, bud. Naked is $2. No exceptions.


So to bring this back to a useful topic....

The AR room correction methods, and similar ones based on a time domain approach to cancelling room reflections, are still being made; generally for expensive, stand-alone units. The process that is commonly used in consumer products these days is different. These concentrate on finding a frequency equalization curve that works decently at a number of listening locations at the same time, as opposed to one curve that is highly optimized for one location. Additional correction techniques may be added to supplement this process.

-k
 
Last edited:
Hi Ken-- Thanks for sharing the information and history of this R&D. I used to spend hours and hours reading audio reviews and tech descriptions about many different speaker manufacturers' products. I would add that the AR MGC speakers were on my short list during the mid-80's. I still would like to own a pair some day. The acoustical research and engineering is truly impressive. I echo what the others have stated-- Thank You Sir! :thmbsp:
 
GoRNR said:
Hi Ken-- Thanks for sharing the information and history of this R&D. I used to spend hours and hours reading audio reviews and tech descriptions about many different speaker manufacturers' products. I would add that the AR MGC speakers were on my short list during the mid-80's. I still would like to own a pair some day. The acoustical research and engineering is truly impressive. I echo what the others have stated-- Thank You Sir! :thmbsp:
Click to expand...


Thanks! I occasionally hear about a pair floating around. But refurbishing an MGC-1 can sometimes be a rather tedious and complex process...

What else was on your short list, and what did you wind up with?

-k
 
Hi Ken- I had Klipschorns, Dahlquist DQ-10's, Ohm Walsh III's and a couple different model Polks on my short list. I was amazed when I got to audition a pair of Polk SDA-1's. The sales guys knew what to put on for my "session". Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Between PF's incredible job recording and the ability of the Polks to create a huge and wide soundstage, I decided then and there those were the winners. I did listen to some KEF 104's or 105's in the same store, and while they were very good, they didn't create the same excitement for me. I do admit that I couldn't find an AR dealer nearby that had the MGC's setup at that time. I did listen to a pair of JBL 250ti's if I recall. They were impressive too, but a bit more costly. I bet I missed out on something special not being able to audition the MGC's. I still have the Polks (1985) and thanks to the Web and sites like AK a few of the others too! Thanks for taking the time to ask. :thmbsp:
 
Last edited:
Nice! That's a pretty wide range of excellent speakers you listened to, so the chances are good you found something ideal for your tastes. I also love the kind of enhanced soundstage that the SDA can do, particularly with the right recording and an appropriate kind of music. DSOM was a classic. Fragile. LZ4. For Your Pleasure. Thick as a Brick. Foxtrot. Glass House. Brain Salad Surgery and a couple of joints convinced me to set up a multichannel system the very next day....

-k
 
FWIW, I seem to prefer some of the newer generations of Acoustic Research speakers and would love to hear designs in which Ken Kantor was involved.
Appropos of nothing:), I think the 1992 AR Classic 30 is a fine example of a really good sounding late model AR.
 
Last edited:
ken kantor said:
C'mon... you guys are so nice; your kind words are really appreciated! But, I honestly feel like the real credit goes to the AK admins and community, who have somehow managed to forge an online audio group that is fun, informative and reasonably civil. Many have tried. I like hanging out here, to learn, to comment, to procrastinate and fill insomniac hours.

-k
Click to expand...

Ken your words are SOOOO true. Ive tried other audio forums and the words "precious" and "stuckup" and generally "unfriendly" really do come to mind. Ive been reading quite a few threads here on AK and the vibe is def laid back and very friendly - very refreshing. As you say a warm round of applause to the AK forum admins and community - pls keep it up. :beerchug:

Oh yeah and having people of your calibre and expertise available is great. I well imagine youve got some very interesting stories to tell.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom