THORBURN ASSOCIATES INC. Acoustic and Technology Consultants Designing Quality Environments eNewsletter December 2006 In this issue: Whats New With Thorburn Focus on Acoustics: Noise Cancellation Headphones Focus on Technology: In the Zone Project Highlight: Mountain View Senior Center Product Preview: Where am I?
Happy Holidays! Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown Make some happy memories this joyful season: give of yourself, take time to savor, taste something new, follow a tradition, add a little spice, throw a snowball, give an unexpected gift, reflect on the past then turn to the promise of the blank page of the future. If you can't be with the ones you love this holiday season, keep them close in your hearts. We wish you and yours safe travels and Happy Holidays! Julia Nguyen, our Marketing Coordinator recently got marriedCongratulations, Julia! A former Thorburn Associates employee, Avi Bortnick has recorded his CD entitled, Clean Slate. His music is a blend of jazz, blues and rock and roll. Avis website is: http://www.avibortnick.com/ As always, it is our goal to make sure that Thorburn Associates is your single point of contact for all your Acoustical and Technology Design services. If you have an idea, question or suggestion, please drop us a note at TA@TA-Inc.com. The Low-Down on Noise Cancellation Headphones In a recent meeting, the gauntlet was tossed to us. I want to get a set of noise canceling headphones for Christmas, what should I ask Santa for? As a leader in helping make things quiet we eagerly took up this challenge. Noise canceling headphones are not new. Steve Thorburn started traveling with a pair of Sony MDR-NC-20 headphones almost six years ago. He felt they were the best option at the time. They worked very well, had an on/off switch, so the headphones could be used for standard listening and were cost effective at approximately $250 (about 1/2 of the price of the Bose product). Some general things that you should be aware of if you are looking for noise canceling headphones: The technology is based on active noise control - the headphones work by using a microphone that listens to the surrounding noise. A circuit inside the mechanism creates a sound wave that is equal and opposite in every way (volume and phase) to the unwanted source sound. When the two sounds meet, the unwanted source sound is cancelled out resulting in a significant reduction of perceived noise. This technology was first developed to control mechanical noise in large ducts and exhaust stacks. Bose took this concept and began developing headsets for the military, allowing pilots and others using the
Corporate Office: Regional Office: Regional Office Castro Valley, California Burbank, California Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Tel: 510-886-7826 Tel: 818-569-0234 Tel: 919-463-9995

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headphones for hearing protection to better communicate with each other. This early research is what gives Bose the lead in developing consumer headset products. If you are getting the headphones to reduce the cranky baby or yakking Andy next to you on an airplane, you will be disappointed. The computer that is in the headsets is not quick enough to guess what the next sound will be from the baby or your seatmate, so that sound will only be reduced by the actual ear muff system. If you want to cut out what we call transient or sporadic sounds then look for a head seat with a full earmuff or one that fully covers the ear. Remember, the technology was developed to reduce the constant background noise associated with mechanical systems, engine noise or wind noise on the exterior of the vehicle. Like a recent review at SeatGuru.com, we also got our hands on a number of different noise canceling headphones. Here is what we found. Headphone Panasonic RP-HC300 Panasonic RP-HC100 Sony MDR NC50 Sony MDR-NC-6 AKG K 28 NC Logitech Bose QC2 Bose QC3 Sennheiser PXC 300 Noise Canceling ** ** ***1/2 * **** *1/2 ***** **** **** Comfort ***** **** ***** *** **1/2 * ***** **** ***** Cost $199 $45 $199 $50 $160 $139 $299 $349 $199 By Quality By Cost 6 1

When we compared the common results between our research and SeatGuru.com results, the quality ratings were consistent. So, if you are asking Santa for headsets, the Bose QC2 would be the way to go, but if the money is coming out of your pocket try the Sennheiser PXC300-- and if you are happy with the feel and performance, then stop there! Our rating is based on a weighting of noise cancellation 60 percent and comfort 40 percent. The pricing is current from the Internet as of November 25, 2006. All names, trademarks, etc., including the rest of the fine print legal stuff is assumed. You can find out more about the reviewed headsets at http://www.TA-Inc.com/NCH.htm
In the Zone You may not know that Thorburn Associates also designs presentation lighting. Lighting is essential to the success of a facility. Lighting, like sound, creates its own ambience and either blends harmoniously while providing needed support or literally stands out like a glaring beacon, distracting from the intended mood as well as interfering with presentations and lectures. The human eye accepts and merges together different types of lighting sources: incandescent, florescent and daylight; however, video cameras require special treatment to accurately render color. All lighting fixtures in presentation spaces should be zone controlled to provide low ambient light levels on the projection screen when the screens are in use. Indirect lighting should be
Corporate Office: Regional Office: Regional Office
Castro Valley, California Burbank, California Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Tel: 510-886-7826 Tel: 818-569-0234 Tel: 919-463-9995

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used wherever possible. Night-light or emergency lighting should be located in the back of the room to keep interference with the projected image as little as possible. Lighting design includes the considerations of: quality of light, quantity, maximum contrast, fixture location, reflection and controls. Lighting design also includes the use of black out shades, either manual or motorized. Lighting controls compliment activities while minimizing glare. In the case of a presenter, lighting should minimize shadows, showcasing the person and lectern while allowing anything on the screen to also be seen. Lighting is basic to any project; how a space is lit is anything but basic.
TA Project Highlight: Mountain View Senior Center Thorburn Associates was hired to design the technology infrastructure, that is, locations for all the loudspeakers, projection screens, future locations for equipment racks, conduits and power requirements during the design phase of the Mountain View Senior Center. The onestory new construction building near San Jose, California, in the city of Mountain View, offers diverse programs and social services to those 55 years and over. The spaces include: a social hall with attached kitchen an exercise room a multi-purpose room equipped with surround sound for "movie nights" a computer teaching lab including a projection large screen to facilitate student learning an arts and crafts room a game room stocked with billiards tables, TV's, tables for board games small meeting rooms a large multi-purpose room equipped with projection and sound systems for lectures, presentations and events A paging and background music system runs through out the building. The intent was that the audiovisual systems would be installed as a design/build by an A/V contractor but the City of Mountain View, seeing that TA knew the facility and had worked with the Senior Center users, realized they would be best served if TA designed the full audiovisual systems. The result is better communication and a successful project. The facility is designed with technology in use in our everyday lives to continue to facilitate and enrich senior's lives at the highest level. From calligraphy to yoga classes, on-site health services and a community garden, Mountain View Senior Center offers challenges and social opportunities.

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Where am I? Or how fast am I going? Or how do I get there from here? GPS, or Global Positioning System, isn't just for finding the way from the airport to your hotel via the nearest Starbucks anymore. GPS is a satellite navigation system funded and controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense. The signals from the 24 satellites orbiting Earth at 12,000 miles above us are used to compute position, velocity and time. GPS receivers are used on land sea and air, for map-making, land surveying, gauging altitude and speed with great accuracy. The satellites send radio signals to receivers in any weather, 24 hours a day. The satellites are placed so that at least 4 will be above the horizon and any given time. Thee satellites are required to triangulate longitude and latitude, a fourth will figure out altitude as well. GPS receivers are installed in cars, are hand-held devices used by mountain climbers, hikers, bicycle enthusiasts, marathon runners, glider pilots even pets. GPS receivers are often available with PDA's, cell phones, watches and car computers. GPS can be used by emergency services to find cell phones. Assisted GPS technology is used by cell phones because it reduces the power requirements and increases accuracy. Some GPS units have maps, built in compasses and voice navigation. Purchasing a GPS unit is largely determined by what you'll be using the unit for. Units start at about $100 and go up from there. Battery life, memory, screen size, whether or not its waterproof these are just some of the criteria. Geocaching is a popular game using hand-held GPS units to travel to a specific site and search for objects hidden by other gamers. A cashe includes a logbook to record visitor's notes and often other items. A treasure hunt! The type of GPS you purchase should be based on its use. With so many ways to integrate GPS in your life, you can start plotting your next adventure with ease and with the confidence that youll always know where you are. Some websites to help you decide: http://garmin.com/ http://www.magellangps.com/
STAY SUBSCRIBED If you change your e-mail address, remember to re-subscribe just follow this link: http://www.ta-inc.com/eNewsletter.htm. Feel free to pass this eNewsletter on to your friends and colleagues. If you are getting this second hand and want your own copy just follow the link above. Feel free to quote any part of this newsletter; just give us credit and let us know how and where the quote will be used. TO UNSUBSCRIBE Follow this link http://www.ta-inc.com/eNewsletter.htm and click on the unsubscribe link. If you have any problems drop us a note at eNews@TA-Inc.com.

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THANK YOU FOR READING OUR NEWSLETTER We publish our eNewsletter once every two months. We are always looking for new topics and ideas. Please drop us a note at eNews@TA-Inc.com with any comments or suggestions. Copyright 2007 THORBURN ASSOCIATES INC. Acoustic and Technology Consultants 15 Years of Designing Quality Environments Corporate Office: Regional Office: Regional Office: Castro Valley, California Burbank, California Morrisville, North Carolina Tel: 510-886-7826 Tel: 818-569-0234 Tel: 919-463-9995
TA@TA-Inc.com General Information Email Address www.TA-Inc.com Web Site eNews@TA-Inc.com Newsletter Issue

Inserting the battery

Open the battery lid on the top part of the right housing. Insert the battery (included) and close the battery lid. Align the poles ( and ) correctly when inserting the battery. Battery: R03/LR03, AAA If rechargeable batteries are to be used, rechargeable batteries manufactured by Panasonic are recommended. When to change the battery The battery should be changed when the operation indicator fades or fails to light. You will not be able to hear anything when the battery becomes flat.

Utilisation du casque

Brancher la fiche du cordon dtachable (fourni) dans la prise situe sur le botier gauche. Aligner la marque sur la fiche avec la marque sur la prise, puis lintroduire dans la prise. Tourner la fiche sur 90 pour la verrouiller en position. Baisser le volume sur lappareil audio ou le systme audio de laronef , puis brancher la fiche (stro, 3,5 mm (1/8 po.) du cordon dans la prise de casque de lappareil audio (au besoin, utiliser ladaptateur pour avion ). Utiliser ladaptateur de fiche stro dans le cas o la prise de lappareil est de grand diamtre (6,3 mm (1/4 po.)). Il se pourrait que la fiche et ladaptateur pour avion ne conviennent pas aux prises de casque dans certains aronefs. Faire glisser linterrupteur sur le botier droit la position ON. Lappareil est alors en marche. Le voyant de marche sallume. Aucun son ne peut tre entendu si linterrupteur est laiss la position OFF. Reprer les cts (gauche (L) et droit (R)), et mettre le casque sur la tte. Dplacer les glissires vers le haut ou vers le bas de faon amener les botiers sur la position des oreilles. Lancer la lecture sur lappareil audio source, puis rgler le volume. Le signal de la source est entendu sur les couteurs. (La fonction dannulation du bruit est active.) Aprs usage, faire glisser linterrupteur sur la position OFF. Lappareil est alors hors marche. Le voyant de marche steint.

P PC Listening caution

Using the headphones
Connect the plug on the detachable cord (included) to the jack on the left housing. Align the mark on the plug with the mark on the jack and insert. Turn the plug 90 clockwise to lock it. Reduce the volume on the audio unit or inflight audio system and connect the plug (3.5 mm (1/8 in.) stereo) on the detachable cord to the audio units headphones jack (use the air plug adaptor if necessary). Use the included large stereo plug adaptor if the headphone jack is large (6.3 mm (1/4 in.) stereo). The headphone plug and the air plug adaptor may not suit the jacks in some airplane armrests. Slide the power switch on the right housing to ON. The power comes on. The operation indicator lights. No sound will be heard if the power switch is left OFF. Check the sides (L and R) of the headphones then put them on. Use the headphone housings to move the slider so that both ears are covered. Start play on the audio unit or in-flight audio system and adjust its volume. Music can be heard from the headphones. (The units noise canceling function is working.) After using the headphones, slide the power switch to OFF. The power turns off. The operation indicator goes out.

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America One Panasonic Way Secaucus, New Jersey 07094 http://www.panasonic.com
Panasonic Puerto Rico, Inc. Ave. 65 de Infantera, Km. 9.5 San Gabriel Industrial Park, Carolina, Puerto Rico 00985
2005 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Printed in China/Imprim en Chine/Impreso en China/ Impresso em China

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Do not play your headphones at a high volume. Hearing experts advise against continuous extended play. If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce volume or discontinue use. Do not use while operating a motorized vehicle. It may create a traffic hazard and is illegal in many areas. You should use extreme caution or temporarily discontinue use in potentially hazardous situations. Sound can be deceiving. Over time your hearing comfort level adapts to higher volumes of sound. So what sounds normal can actually be loud and harmful to your hearing. Guard against this by setting your equipment at a safe level BEFORE your hearing adapts. To establish a safe level: Start your volume control at a low setting. Slowly increase the sound until you can hear it comfortably and clearly, and without distortion. Once you have established a comfortable sound level: Set the dial and leave it there.
viter lcoute volume lev. Les spcialistes en otologie recommandent de ne pas prolonger lcoute afin de ne pas endommager loue. Si un bourdonnement se fait entendre, rduire le volume ou cesser lcoute. Ne pas utiliser au volant dun vhicule motoris. Cela peut tre dangereux et est interdit dans plusieurs rgions. Dmontrer une grande prudence ou interrompre lcoute dans des situations potentiellement dangereuses. Le son peut tre trompeur. Avec le temps, votre niveau de confort auditif sadapte des volumes plus levs. Ainsi, un niveau qui semble normal peut en fait tre trop lev et tre nuisible loreille. Vous protger en rglant le volume un niveau scuritaire avant que votre oreille ne sadapte un volume trop lev. Pour dterminer un niveau dcoute scuritaire : Rgler le volume au minimum. Monter lentement le volume jusquau niveau dcoute confortable avant quil ny ait distorsion. Aprs avoir identifi le niveau dcoute confortable: Rgler le volume et le laisser ce niveau.

Notes on use

Noise may occur due to dirt on the plug. Clean the plug with a soft dry cloth if this occurs. Discontinue use if you experience discomfort. Continued use may cause rashes or other allergic reactions. To avoid product damage, do not expose this product to rain, water or other liquids. When putting the headphones in the carrying case
Disconnect the detachable cord from the jack. Turn the plug 90anticlockwise to unlock it. Move the sliders up as far as possible. Rotate both housings approximately 90. Put both the headphones and the included accessories in the carrying case.