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If you've put stereo speak­ ers or a sound system at the end of your Christmas shop­ ping list because the jungle of technical jargon has got you down, here's help. Even if you can't tell a woofer from a tweeter, your ears will tell you all you need to know, says John C Koss. president and chairman of Koss Corporation, world's leading manufacturer of high fidelity stereophones and loudspeakers. " I 've always viewed choosing stereo equipment as an auditory experience, rather than a physics experi­ ment," Koss said. "Learn­ ing what sounds are pleasing to you and what best ex­ presses your excitement and response to a particular sound is just as important as technical knowledge." he said Listening is perhaps the only way to judge which speakers are best for you. After all, "hearing is believ­ ing." he said. Remember the excitement you feel at a live perfor­ mance? Good speakers should make you feel as if you are listening to the musi­ cians themselves. It's this "live performance" sound of each instrument all good speakers try to reproduce as accurately as possible. What about price? Surpris­ ingly. in the world of speak­ ers, big isn't always best. Choose speakers that you feel do the best job of repro­ ducing your favorite music. They may not be the most expensive or the biggest in the store. For example, the new computer maximized Koss CM'530 books he If-size speaker provides the deepest bass response in its price range ($175). Yet, it mea­ sures only 24 inches high by 13 inches wide. Other speakers in the CM series range in price from $225 for the CM/1010 to $425 for the CM/1030. Select your speakers first. Because speakers affect the quality of sound more than any other component, those you selcct often will deter­ mine the requirements of your other equipment, Koss said. Good speakers can compensate for an amplifier of lesser quality. But it s dif­ ficult to change the sound of inferior speakers. Whether or not you're on a budget, speakers should be your first purchase. Select your speakers your­ self. Surprises are nice, es­ pecially on Christmas morn- ing. But someone else's choice of speakers may not be nght for you. Koss said. Because musical enjoyment is so personal, take time to develop your own musical tastes and "sonic vocabu­ lary." Compare speakers hy lis­ tening to different types of music. Take along your fa­ vorite recordings when shopping, and play them with several speakers. Music you are familiar with should give you a good idea of how each sounds. But a variety of music is the best to help you judge the overall musical bal­ ance of each speaker you lis­ ten to." Koss said. Often a speaker that produces great classical sounds can be a dis­ appointment when playing rock, and vice versa. A good musical variety should include an orchestral a r r a n g e m e n t , a j a z z ensemble, and a solo voice with a piano accompaniment, in addition to personal favor­ ites. Do the violins and flutes sound canned or squeezed? Are the bassoons overpower­ ing? Can you feel the sound of the deep bass? Does the piano sound boomy? Does a male vocalist sound as if he is singing in a barrel or through a large tube? "The human voice and piano lie in the same range and are the most difficult to reproduce accu­ rately. They also are the most familiar." Koss said. What you hear is what you get. But room conditions will vary the sound, both in the showroom and in your home. Koss said that the location of the speakers in relation to you,the sizeand shape ofthe room, the type and kind of f u r n i s h i n g s -- e v e n t h e n u m b e r o f p e o p l e i n a room--affect the quality of sound. Alsoaskthe salesperson to check the settings on the back of the speakers and ad­ just the volume so that all the speakers you listen to can be played at the same level of loudness. "All musical reproduction s h o u l d b e e x c i t i n g a n d stimulating." Koss said. "It's a sound that's really worth your own personal discovery." why take less when our 1979 Christmas Club gives you more.' When you join McHenry Savings 1979 Christmas Club you'll receive a free gift right away. It's a set of 4 Currier and Ives place mats of old fashioned winter scenes. We'll also pay you 5M% on your savings. (Even if you don't complete your club savings program!). All of which means you'll have the cash you need for next year's Christmas shopping. Now who does more for you Stop in and join our 1979 Christmas Club today! Now Compounding Interest Daily * McHENRY S A V I N G S | t t in imt i tT i i i J McHenry SayjoBS 1209 North Green Street, McHenry 815/385-3000 10520 Main Street, Richmond 815/678-2061 10402 North Vine Street (Huntley Center on Route 4 7). Huntley 312 669-3333 &AVHSMXMK f»<m lolXp m AAontfoy ond 1hur»dOT 'Wo r" lolOCpm h*ic, «» 00 « » 10 3 00 v ir V<j.U'<*oy Wtfxiow opTi T OCo m to I OOP m Clo»«rfW«di»»tdo» .n ftxhmond SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER - PAGE 5 -FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 3,1978 Shop with your ears for a gift of stereo speakers