High Fidelity

Average customer rating:

Good, but Rob's stubbornness makes for sometimes tiresome read

I'm not musical enough for it to be my favorite...

Brings back good memories.

Fun and relaxing

More than just the top 5 lists...

High Fidelity
Nick Hornby
Manufacturer: Riverhead Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Hornby, Nick | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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High Fidelity

ASIN: 1573225517

Amazon.com

It has been said often enough that baby boomers are a television generation, but the very funny novel High Fidelity reminds that in a way they are the record-album generation as well. This funny novel is obsessed with music; Hornby's narrator is an early-thirtysomething English guy who runs a London record store. He sells albums recorded the old-fashioned way--on vinyl--and is having a tough time making other transitions as well, specifically adulthood. The book is in one sense a love story, both sweet and interesting; most entertaining, though, are the hilarious arguments over arcane matters of pop music.

Book Description

Rob is a pop music junkie who runs his own semi-failing record store. His girlfriend, Laura, has just left him and he's both miserable and relieved. After all, he could have spent his life with someone who has a bad record collection. Rob seeks refuge in the company of Barry and Dick, the offbeat clerks at his store who endlessly review their top five films, top five Elvis Costello songs, and top five episodes of Cheers. Rob tries dating a singer called Marie. Maybe its just that he's always wanted to sleep with someone who has a record contract. But then he sees Laura again. And Rob begins to think that a life as an episode of Thirty-something might not be so bad.

"...as funny, compulsive and contemporary a first novel as you could wish for" (GQ)

Customer Reviews:

Good, but Rob's stubbornness makes for sometimes tiresome read.......2007-07-03

High Fidelity is the third Nick Hornby book I've read. And like About a Boy and A Long Way Down, it features a lot of the insightful, often funny navel-gazing I've found appealing in Hornby's other books. In this case, we get to listen in on the thoughts of Rob, a sort of neurotic, disconnected thirtysomething who's just broken up with his fifth or sixth girlfriend. He's vaguely reminiscent of the Will Lightman character from About a Boy. He can't maintain stable relationships and has obsessions with things that interfere greatly with his social life. My main gripe with this book though is that his observations rarely seem to show some sort of growth or progression of character. Only after a particular, tragic event, late into the novel, do we finally begin to see a different Rob, one who begins to realize that he's got his priorities all mixed up and begins to take responsibility for more important things. It's a refreshing change of pace after a lot of the confused, sad self-centered ramblings, funny and dead-on as some of them may be. It's hard to be too critical of this lack of drive in the novel, because Hornby obviously wanted to develop a fully realized character in Rob, which I feel he has done successfully. It sometimes, however, makes for a tiring read, especially when one can't always rely on the pop culture references for laughter or knowing amusement. (I got like maybe half of them!) More interaction with some of the supporting characters would've been nice too--especially Barry, Rob's co-worker at the record shop, who's even more socially inept and out of touch, and Marie, an underground country singer who Rob has a one night fling with. An enjoyable, readable book about a pretty unsympathetic guy--that's sort of an accomplishment in of itself, but I can't say I'm as enthusiastic of the book overall as the majority of reviewers.

I'm not musical enough for it to be my favorite..........2007-06-28

Allow me to clarify the above statement. I had read Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down, at the recommendation of a friend. I loved it and definitely feel the sense that I could read it over again at some point. High Fidelity, on the other hand, while a very well written book, with funny moments, very real characters, and a good story, just isn't the same for me. I liked it a lot, but I didn't love it, and most likely would not pick it up again.

And as I sit here I can't help but wonder if it's because I'm not that into music and obviously the main character, his life, and a large bulk of the story revolve around it. I realize there are relationships, real life thoughts, fears, and moments, and that's what I enjoyed and took from this book. However, I couldn't help but think that if these were sports references and not musical ones, I'd be much more interested in the details.

Despite all that, I was interested in the story. It was a quick read, and like the other Hornby book I read, filled with some funny moments, some poignant thoughts about life, and a strong dose of reality. I appreciate all of that. My favorite part of the book, probably, was the interaction between Rob and Barry's characters. Their exchanges were sharp and funny. The record shop, itself a big character, and all the other odd characters that found their way there, were equally enjoyable. I also must admit that I liked the top five lists, despite my not knowing many of the musicians on them.

Overall, I give High Fidelity four stars because I really do appreciate most of what the book was about and the overall journey of reading it. I just find that I liked A Long Way Down much better.

Brings back good memories........2007-06-10

Just a fun, easy read about guy/girl relationships...from the guy's point of view. While the main character was different from me in many ways, I could completely relate in 9 out of 10 experiences. I hope you enjoy too.

Fun and relaxing.......2007-02-28

I had big expectations on this novel and fortunately, it didn't disappoint me. It's easy to read, all the cultural references just make the text even more entertaining. The best part? It really gives you lights about guys' behavior.

More than just the top 5 lists..........2007-02-10

"High Fidelity" is a near-perfect novel. Not only is it almost too entertaining for its own good, it also is brilliantly written by Hornby and it provides and excellent look into the world of relationships. Rob is a failing record store owner who recently broke up with his girlfriend and needs to go back and re-examine his life to realize where he needs to be is where he was all along. Mix in some of the greatest music lists ever assembled and you have a great novel. Hornby rarely lets people down and along with "Songbook," this could be his most enjoyable work.

Average customer rating:

Couldn't put it down!
Great guide to understanding high-end audio
indispensable
Robert Harley Responds
Something 4 Everyone

The Complete Guide to High-End Audio
Robert Harley
Manufacturer: Acapella Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Recording & Sound | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Consumer Guides | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0964084961

Book Description

This newly revised directory brings readers up to speed on the latest in cutting-edge audio equipment. Included are updates on multichannel music reproduction, surround sound, DVD-Audio, and Super Audio CD. Extensive tips on how to listen critically and judge audio-equipment quality, how to optimize the performance of an existing system, and how to best allocate an audio budget are included. Practical techniques for improving the acoustics of existing stereos and listening rooms are also featured.

Customer Reviews:

Couldn't put it down!.......2007-08-22

I love this book. I'm an audio/videophile going on over thirty years now and though I don't agree with alot of what's perpetuated in high-end audio especially concerning cables, I did enjoy this read. You can tell that the author really loves audio and video and is doing his best to describe his passion. It's a good book for the novice as well as the seasoned veteran who thinks he knows it all. He covers the gamut from A to Z. You may or may not agree with everything in this book, but it's well worth the price.

Great guide to understanding high-end audio.......2007-05-15

I found this book to be quite useful. It goes into detail on all components starting from the wire to the final output. Highly recommended!

indispensable.......2007-05-14

Much more than you thought you needed to know in order to effectively negotiate the process of buying the equipment that'll be best for you. It vastly expands your knowledge base, while it systematically and painlessly sorts through the details of the current universe of Audio/Video. Your job becomes eliminating as you go, the functions and equipment that you learn no longer fit with what will work best for you. At the end, the mystery is solved, you know both what your ideal system is and how to go about getting it. It's a treasure.
-Kerry O'Neil

Robert Harley Responds.......2007-03-28

The negative "reviews" of my book The Complete Guide to High-End Audio are a cleverly disguised attempt to discredit an entire field of audio with which the book's "reviewers" fundamentally disagree. Specifically, a vocal minority of audio hobbyists believes that all competently designed amplifiers or CD players, for examples, sound identical, and that high-end audio is an organized consumer rip-off. They also reject critical listening in the belief that measurements can completely define audio-component performance. The posted "reviews" are an attempt to discredit not just my book, but also the entire field of observation-based evaluation of audio products. Moreover, the "reviewers" resent the fact that I have a large and dedicated following through my books and as Editor-in-Chief of The Absolute Sound magazine. They also don't want you to read Appendix D of The Complete Guide to High-End Audio, an update of the highly controversial paper I presented at the 1991 Audio Engineering Society convention that makes perhaps the most compelling argument to date for the observational-listening approach to audio.
The main line of attack is that the book is filled with technical errors and that I am technically incompetent. First, I have a degree in audio engineering and have taught a college degree program in that field. Second, I have been Technical Editor (or de facto Technical Editor) of the two leading English-language audio magazines (Stereophile or The Absolute Sound) since 1989. Third, I sent each chapter before publication to experts in specific areas of audio for technical review. For example, a world-class acoustician and physicist reviewed the acoustics chapter; a designer of reference-quality digital products reviewed the digital chapter; and so on. Fourth, The Complete Guide to High-End Audio has sold more than 100,000 copies and has been translated into three other languages. Fifth, the book has received rave reviews from highly technical audio experts around the world (excerpts are posted on my website).
I invite readers to see through the agenda of those posting "reviews" and to form their own opinions of The Complete Guide to High-End Audio.

Something 4 Everyone.......2007-03-27

I'm one of those guys that need to study hard to get onto new concepts. So when I set out to fill in the spaces between what I knew, thought I knew, & didn't know about "high end audio" this book looked to be a godsend! I'm not the worlds most voracious reader but I found myself engrossed in this lengthy & comprehensive explanation of all things audio. Frankly tho there is so much info you may find yourself in "skim mode" here & there. I've read other reviews prior to getting this book that suggest that some of the authors science is askew but if that is the case it was over my head anyway. I think most audio hobbiests will find plenty of useful & interesting info. One note, I pre-ordered Harleys' newest book but since it was to take a couple of months to arrive I got this one first. It is far more thorough but the latest book cuts all his passing on of knowledge closer to the bare bones & much of it is a direct copy from the latter. So the choice is the full or condensed version. Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Public Address Portion of Handbook

Audio and Hi-Fi Handbook

Manufacturer: Newnes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0750649755

Book Description

Written by a team of experts and specialist contributors, this comprehensive guide has proved to be an invaluable resource for professional designers and service engineers.

Each chapter is written by a leading author, including Don Aldous, Nick Beer, John Borwick, Dave Berriman, John Linsley Hood, Geoff Lewis and John Watkinson, which provides as wide a perspective as possible on high-quality sound reproduction as well as a wealth of expertise.

The third edition includes new chapters on servicing, Nicam stereo and digital satellite radio. For the first time in paperback, this revised edition features a completely new chapter on the most recent digital developments, CD-R/RW, HDCD, Internet audio, MP3 players and DAM-CD.

Ian Sinclair has written over 140 books on aspects of electronics and computing and has been a regular contributor to the electronics and computing press.

A comprehensive - and comprehensible - guide to audio electronics
Enables enthusiasts to understand and modify their Hi-fi equipment
Electronics and design principles make this book a handy reference tool for anyone involved in audio design, manufacture, installation and use.

Customer Reviews:

Public Address Portion of Handbook.......2002-01-08

I found the public address portion of this handbook the most complete and helpful of any in the largest technical book store in Washington, DC. It discusses practical and theoretical aspects of public address system design. I finally "got" the Haas effect.

High Fidelity Haptic Rendering (Synthesis Lectures on Computer Graphics and Animation)

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High Fidelity Haptic Rendering (Synthesis Lectures on Computer Graphics and Animation)
Miguel A. Otaduy
Manufacturer: Morgan and Claypool Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Rendering & Ray Tracing | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1598291149
Release Date: 2007-03-14

Book Description

The human haptic system, among all senses, provides unique and bidirectional communication between humans and their physical environment. Yet, to date, most human-computer interactive systems have focused primarily on the graphical rendering of visual information and, to a lesser extent, on the display of auditory information. Extending the frontier of visual computing, haptic interfaces, or force feedback devices, have the potential to increase the quality of human-computer interaction by accommodating the sense of touch. They provide an attractive augmentation to visual display and enhance the level of understanding of complex data sets. They have been effectively used for a number of applications including molecular docking, manipulation of nano-materials, surgical training, virtual prototyping, and digital sculpting. Compared with visual and auditory display, haptic rendering has extremely demanding computational requirements. In order to maintain a stable system while displaying smooth and realistic forces and torques, high haptic update rates in the range of 5001000 Hz or more are typically used. Haptics present many new challenges to researchers and developers in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Some of the critical issues include the development of novel data structures to encode shape and material properties, as well as new techniques for geometry processing, data analysis, physical modeling, and haptic visualization. This synthesis examines some of the latest developments on haptic rendering, while looking forward to exciting future research in this area. It presents novel haptic rendering algorithms that take advantage of the human haptic sensory modality. Specifically it discusses different rendering techniques for various geometric representations (e.g. point-based, polygonal, multiresolution, distance fields, etc), as well as textured surfaces. It also shows how psychophysics of touch can provide the foundational design guidelines for developing perceptually driven force models and concludes with possible applications and issues to consider in future algorithmic design, validating rendering techniques, and evaluating haptic interfaces.

Perceptual Audio Evaluation - Theory, Method and Application

Average customer rating:

Extended elaboration of methodology

Perceptual Audio Evaluation - Theory, Method and Application
Søren Bech , and Nick Zacharov
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0470869232

Book Description

As audio and telecommunication technologies develop, there is an increasing need to evaluate the technical and perceptual performance of these innovations.

A growing number of new technologies (e.g. low bit-rate coding) are based on specific properties of the auditory system, which are often highly non-linear. This means that the auditory quality of such systems cannot be measured by traditional physical measures (such as distortion, frequency response etc.), but only by perceptual evaluations in the form of listening tests.

Perceptual Audio Evaluation provides a comprehensive guide to the many variables that need to be considered before, during and after experiments. Including the selection of the content of the programme material to be reproduced, technical aspects of the production of the programme material, the experimental set-up including calibration, and the statistical planning of the experiment and subsequent analysis of the data.

Perceptual Audio Evaluation:

Provides a complete and accessible guide to the motives, theory and practical application of perceptual evaluation of reproduced sound.
Discusses all the variables of perceptual evaluation, their control and their possible influence on the results.
Covers in detail all international standards on the topic.
Is illustrated throughout with tables, figures and worked solutions.

Perceptual Audio Evaluation will appeal to audio and speech engineers as well as researchers in audio and speech laboratories. Postgraduate students in engineering or acoustics and undergraduate students studying psychoacoustics, speech audio processing and signal processing will also find this an essential reference.

Customer Reviews:

Extended elaboration of methodology.......2007-02-06

I ordered this [highly specific] book because my own research is in the audio and sonification discipline. The methodologies described in the book, it must be said, are inherently subjective as examples of those employed by the authors. Greater objectivity would have been achieved by including a broad spectrum range of methods, particularly in an extensive literature review. The authors, demonstrated through their extensive references, clearly have a deep knowledge of the field, so it is somewhat tantalising to be presented with their own approaches as the authoritative and correct catalogue of experimental techniques. This said, it is a very welcome contribution to the field in which there is a dearth of literature assisting young researchers and provoking discussion of valid audio evaluation. I am confident that my research students will benefit from this book. I was surprised to find no section discussing different binaural and spatial reproduction calibration/techniques. It is more a methods than techniques book. Hence, the the first two words of its title, more than the last, describe it accurately for me.

Nick Hornby's High Fidelity: A Reader's Guide (Continuum Contemporaries)

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Nick Hornby's High Fidelity: A Reader's Guide (Continuum Contemporaries)
Joanne Knowles
Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0826453252

Book Description

This is part of a new series of guides to contemporary novels. The aim of the series is to give readers accessible and informative introductions to some of the most popular, most acclaimed and most influential novels of recent years - from `The Remains of the Day' to `White Teeth'. A team of contemporary fiction scholars from both sides of the Atlantic has been assembled to provide a thorough and readable analysis of each of the novels in question.

Man of High Fidelity: Edwin Howard Armstrong

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Man of High Fidelity: Edwin Howard Armstrong
Lawrence Lessing
Manufacturer: Bantam
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Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KBK0O0

THE FABULOUS PHONOGRAPH from Foiltin to High Fidelity

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THE FABULOUS PHONOGRAPH from Foiltin to High Fidelity
ROLAND GELATT
Manufacturer: J.B.LIPPINCOTT.CO
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High-Fidelity Multichannel Audio Coding (Second Edition) (EURASIP Book Series on Signal Processing & Communications)

Average customer rating:

Good audio coding book with AAC discussion

High-Fidelity Multichannel Audio Coding (Second Edition) (EURASIP Book Series on Signal Processing & Communications)
Chris Kyriakakis, and C.-C. Jay Kuo Dai Tracy Yang
Manufacturer: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Introduction to Digital Audio Coding and Standards (The Springer International Series in Engineering and Computer Science)

ASIN: 9775945240

Product Description

This invaluable monograph addresses the specific needs of audio-engineering students and researchers who are either learning about the topic or using it as a reference book on multichannel audio compression. This book covers a wide range of knowledge on perceptual audio coding, from basic digital signal processing and data compression techniques to advanced audio coding standards and innovate coding tools. It is the only book available on the market that solely focuses on the principles of high-quality audio codec design for multichannel sound sources. This book includes three parts. The first part covers the basic topics on audio compression, such as quantization, entropy coding, psychoacoustic model, and sound quality assessment. The second part of the book highlights the current most prevalent low-bit-rate high-performance audio coding standardsMPEG-4 audio. More space is given to the audio standards that are capable of supporting multichannel signals, that is, MPEG advance audio coding (AAC), including the original MPEG-2 AAC technology, additional MPEG-4 toolsets, and the most recent aacPlus standard. The third part of this book introduces several innovate multichannel audio coding tools, which have been demonstrated to further improve the coding performance and expand the available functionalities of MPEG AAC, and is more suitable for graduate students and researchers in the advanced level.

Customer Reviews:

Good audio coding book with AAC discussion.......2007-08-21

I borrowed this book along with Audio Signal Processing and Coding.
This one seems better in MPEGx or AAC part, for other general theory I feel the other is better. This book doesn't discuss MDCT or other filter banks that would be added in new ed - I don't know whether it is in 2nd ed. Now Amazon's content list of books are unacceptable becasue incomplete. I'd like to call these good books are green books and others (90%) are gabages.
It also has very good introduction on other hot research spots like VQ and KLT.
My suggestion is you buy both. I'd rate it 3.5. The price is too high becasue of the paper I guess.

Good Sound: An Uncomplicated Guide to Choosing and Using Audio Equipment

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Good Sound: An Uncomplicated Guide to Choosing and Using Audio Equipment
Laura Dearborn
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Complete Guide to High-End Audio

ASIN: 0688064248

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