Pictured above (L-R): Phil Spector's original Wall of Sound, an early attempt at stereo localisation, and the oldest known prototype of the vinyl disk walkman. Actual explanations can be found on this page, courtesy of Douglas Self, who also brought the world the Museum of Retro Technology. Thanks Don!
It ain't retro but along the same lines check out the sub woofer on page 150 of the December issue of WIred! (I don't know why I can't find a link to it on the Wired site...)
Cheers,
Lipwak
Posted by: Lipwak | November 22, 2006 at 02:03 PM
You have to hand it to experimental composers who worked before computers made everything so small. I remember reading about Stockhausen wanting to achieve a large doppler effect of some sort, so he had to actually build a huge, spinning PA system. As I recall, it was over a few tons, and had to be installed in a giant cage for safety purposes. Obviously, if it ever broke loose, it could kill someone easily.
Posted by: DaveX | November 22, 2006 at 11:55 PM