Prochnik leaves the noisy confines of New York City and goes on a global quest to find those who still value silence. He examines the never-ending series of sounds that pervade his thoughts on a daily basis — the traffic helicopters, the leaky iPods, the neighbors who hold loud parties — and researches the scientific effects of noise on our bodies. Prochnik also dives into the subculture of competitive loud car-stereo tournaments. (“I didn’t hear sound,” the author observes of one window-shattering system. “I just experienced my bones and heart bursting apart through my skin.”)

In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise

Book website/blog
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Video
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TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 10, 2009 – Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, has been honored with the award for “Best Ever” CD receiver by Mobile Electronics magazine.  The online poll of the mobile electronics industry was conducted during the fall of 2008 and Mobile Electronics recently presented the award to Alpine.

In 1989, Alpine introduced the 7909 (with an SRI of $1,200) as the company’s flagship AM/FM CD receiver, targeted to audiophile consumers and auto sound competitors.  The 7909 was best known for its incredible sound quality at a time when the CD format was gaining major popularity in the car.  It used a dual Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) architecture designed to outperform other single DAC-based CD receivers.  The 7909’s 18 bit, 18x oversampling technology used with a 1 bit DAC delivered the best possible sound reproduction for CDs.  The unit also featured CD Straight, which allowed the audio signal to bypass the bass, treble, balance and fader controls for the purest sound reproduction in the automotive aftermarket.  Its 4-volt preamp outputs helped to further reduce noise.

The 7909’s performance made it a favorite among consumers and a popular source unit for International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) competitions.  In 1998, Alpine re-introduced the 7909 Anniversary Edition, tied-in to the company’s 20th anniversary in North America.  Acknowledging the changes in consumer use, the Anniversary Edition did not have the Quick Release Bracket (QRB) pull-out chassis design that was found on the original 7909.  Today, the 7909 still enjoys a strong cult following among car audio enthusiasts.

“Alpine has always held exceptional sound quality as one of our key tenets, and the 7909 set this foundation for Alpine’s Engineering Team.  This knowledge ultimately influenced Alpine’s product design principles, resulting in its strong reputation for sound quality,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, marketing, Alpine Electronics.

One option for those of wanted the best of both worlds of XM and Sirius, they’ve ironically came up with the “Best of Both” programming options. As part of “Best of Both” programming, most current XM customers will continue to receive their existing XM service, and be able to obtain select SIRIUS programming. Likewise, most current SIRIUS customers will continue to receive their existing SIRIUS service and be able to obtain select XM programming.

In addition to their existing service, SIRIUS and XM subscribers will be able to purchase the following channels:

        SIRIUS on XM                          XM on SIRIUS

Howard 100                            NBA
Howard 101                            NHL Home Ice
Martha Stewart Living                 Oprah & Friends
SIRIUS NFL Radio                      Public Radio with Bob Edwards
SIRIUS NASCAR Radio                   College Sports
Playboy Radio                         PGA Tour

“Best of Both” programming will be available to satellite radio consumers beginning October 6, 2008 on most existing satellite radios at a monthly cost of $16.99. Also, the company’s full slate of new packages will be available to consumers on Oct. 6, including the opportunity to choose programming on an a la carte basis for the first time ever in subscription media.