We may earn a commission when you buy products through the links on our site. An audiophile’s search for nirvana, a Civil War chase at sea, Bach’s Easter masterpiece and more. Plus: books on monarchs ...

Complete sound attenuation by dissipation usually requires thick absorbing materials, with dimensions comparable to the wavelength of low-frequency airborne sound (typically 1–10 m). However, it ...

Today, The Washington Post publishes “The Search for the Perfect Sound,” an immersive project that presents people with a way to listen in and decide for themselves: what is the perfect sound? Over ...

A $2,000 stereo setup in 1980 included English speakers, a Scottish turntable and a Japanese receiver for top-quality sound. Essayist Garett Hongo's memoir describes his own “passionate quest” for the ...