Audio Unleashed

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent take a surface-level dive into the biggest controversy to hit the pro-audio world this year: Jim Lill’s exhaustive investigation of the source of a mic preamp’s tone, or lack thereof. They also slog through maybe half a percent of the response videos in the quest for one that has more to say than “trust me, bro.” They wrap up with an attempt to give veteran Stereophile technical editor John Atkinson the tribute he deserved upon the announcement of his retirement.  💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   Further Reading:  “Tested: Where Does The Tone Come From In A Microphone Preamp?” by Jim Lill: https://youtu.be/K-vIeA7yy6Q?si=2PIoW0nYlvlunSiq “Jim Lill Is Wrong About Microphone Preamps” by Andrew Chapman Creative: https://youtu.be/cJRaHFg1ojA?si=8PJyaD4_1Ggn8SnE “Someone Said All Preamps Sound the Same. So I Tested 8.” by Spinlight Studio: https://youtu.be/pZiFS6HSdLY?si=CBZL8nFp9cQxZIth “Why that mic pre test is whack.” by JJBlair: https://youtu.be/WIm_1Vglvs4?si=1twB4bMTErdVT1s9 “The End of an Era: John Atkinson Retires” by Jim Austin: https://stereophile.com/content/end-era-john-atkinson-retires “Audio Note Meishu Tonmeister Phono integrated amplifier” review by Ken Micallef: https://www.stereophile.com/content/audio-note-meishu-tonmeister-phono-integrated-amplifier “Tannoy Revolution XT 6 loudspeaker” by Herb Reichert: https://www.stereophile.com/content/tannoy-revolution-xt-6-loudspeaker

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis dig into a review of Sonarworks’ SoundID Virtual Monitoring PRO system, which aims to go toe-to-toe with the Smyth Realiser for a tenth of the cost. Is this, at long last, a practical and effective way to simulate speakers through headphones? Then they dig into the coverage of High End Vienna to discuss the venue change and the coolest new products shown at the show, and confidently opine about the current relevance (or not) of B&W and JBL. After that, they talk about sound systems as an aesthetic vibe completely divorced from their function as sound systems. Are audiophiles suddenly hip? (Spoiler: No.) 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “Sonarworks: SoundID Virtual Monitoring PRO” by Adam Kagan: https://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/173/soundid-virtual-monitoring-pro “High End 2026 coverage fromVienna, Austria” on SoundStage! Global: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2026-vienna-austria “10 of the most exciting hi-fi products we saw at High End Vienna 2026” by Kashfia Kabir: https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/turntables/10-of-the-most-exciting-hi-fi-products-we-saw-at-high-end-vienna-2026 “Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with sound systems?”: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYqMiX4v_6c/

This week, Brent and Dennis are just asking questions. Questions such as: Do VU meters really make everything sound better? (Obviously, yes.) Can you do science if you don’t even understand science? (Probably not on purpose!) If our music is going to be made by taste-making hacks using AI, does hi-fi even matter anymore? (Nerd fight!) 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “Keith Pray Acquires Stereophile in a Management Buyout”: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/keith-pray-acquires-stereophile-in-a-management-buyout.42487/ “This HiFi Upgrade Changed How I Hear Everything” by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/XqELlz_vl5U?si=0lPX7GaXSVu7K-Sp “What the Spec Sheet Doesn’t Capture” by Theodore W. Denney III: https://www.synergisticresearch.com/fundamentals/tunein-with-ted/what-the-spec-sheet-doesnt-capture/ “Independent Perceptual Evidence for Electromagnetic Field Effects in High-End Audio Systems” probably written by Claude (in our opinion): https://www.synergisticresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SR-WhitePaper-CanJam2026-v4.pdf “Music After the Generative AI Creative Big Bang” by Kylie Bylin: https://www.hypebot.com/music-after-the-generative-ai-creative-big-bang/

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off by considering whether lack of cred is as big a problem with audio critics as it is for music critics, and debate whether or not Billy Joel is one of our greatest songwriters, even though both of them would happily pay to never hear “Uptown Girl” again. Then they dig deep into the latest retro revival sweeping through the speaker industry: field coils. Are electromagnets better for inner detail than permanent magnets? What do they do to microdynamics? We report; you decide. And wrapping up the conversation for most listeners, they riff on the announcements of two radically different personal audio products: a $7500 “quad-brid” IEM from Campfire and an adorable little headphone amp and DAC from Fosi.    💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.    📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930   Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   Further Reading:  “The NYT ‘Greatest Songwriters’ List is an Absolute Disaster” by Rick Beato: https://youtu.be/Dr2nuKFM33s?si=CgxO5cQpIhZhkpby “Watch This NYT "Music Critic" Embarrass Himself...AGAIN” by Rick Beato: https://youtu.be/IQTMkjQvHoc?si=b0kbWV9mIH7_HqWg “Rick Beato Versus the NY Times” by Ted Gioia: https://www.honest-broker.com/p/rick-beato-versus-the-ny-times “Jon Caramanica is a bad cliché” by Brad Mehldau: https://bradmehldau.substack.com/p/jon-caramanica-is-a-bad-cliche Jones and Cerreta: https://jonesandcerreta.com/ “The HiFi Five Episode 29: Field Coil Loudspeakers” by The HiFi Five: https://www.youtube.com/live/NW0FBrwVq1w?si=os6YvtuUurs7WA9O Campfire Audio Chimera - Quad-brid IEM: https://www.campfireaudio.com/products/chimera Fosi MD3 MagDac: https://fosiaudio.com/pages/fosi-audio-md3-magnetic-dac-headphone-amp

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis dig deep into the new “Meta” for in-ear monitors, which some say will replace all IEM target curves even though it’s not a target curve. Got it? Yeah, us neither. Then they ponder whether the radical creations of a new artsy fartsy speaker company have any merits other than loosely resembling Chewbacca. In segment three, they are forced to discuss Wilson’s new flagship speaker based only on what legacy audio publications said about it, since it appears Audio Unleashed’s invite to the unveiling slipped unnoticed into our spam folder. 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “Redefining Neutral? A Buyer's Guide to IEMs from the ‘New Meta’” by Caleb Loo: https://headphones.com/blogs/buying-guides/redefining-neutral-comparing-iems-from-the-new-meta “The New IEM Meta Explained” by Minimum Phase: https://youtu.be/EZoKPtzjdtQ?si=3qTzvdtWlpOO7YMH “This Los Angeles brand is blurring the line between audio and art – for a price, of course” by Harry McKerrell: https://www.whathifi.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/this-los-angeles-brand-is-blurring-the-line-between-audio-and-art-for-a-price-of-course “Gramophone Dreams #108: AER & Brian Charney Horns, the Voxativ Hagen2” by Herb Reichert: https://stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-108-aer-brian-charney-horns-voxativ-hagen2 “Wilson Audio Autobiography preview” by Alan Sircom: https://hifiplus.com/articles/wilson-audio-autobiography-preview/ “Wilson Audio's New Flagship Speaker Marries Sound with Clockwork Precision” by Miguel Barrio: https://stereophile.com/content/wilson-audios-new-flagship-speaker-marries-sound-clockwork-precision “Wilson Audio Autobiography: The Most Accurate Speaker Ever Built?” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/jia5y_TXY_4?si=0y2xgHMfM8V4SqZM

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off by giving major props to Amir of Audio Science Review for one of the best “click-bait” cable videos we’ve seen to date. He’s relentless. He’s right. (And this time, he’s very relatable!) Then they dig into another Darko article, in which John forces readers and viewers to choose between two distinct definitions of “snake oil,” while Dennis regales us with a fascinating explanation of why “snake oil” actually works. Wrapping it up for most folks this week, they ponder what the heck is going on with Western Electric’s new $150,000 power amp and why you need to understand impedance if you really want to comprehend how amplifiers even work. 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  “$4000 Audio Cable vs $7!!!” by Audio Science Review: https://youtu.be/QjvgL9_zL80?si=ib_B42agORL5XUnl “Global feedback: The two faces of snake oil” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/04/global-feedback-the-two-faces-of-snake-oil/ “Western Electric Room at AXPONA 2026” by Miguel Barrio: https://stereophile.com/content/western-electric-room-axpona-2026 Sengpiel Audio on input and output impedance: https://sengpielaudio.com/calculator-InputOutputImpedance.htm

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off with a discussion about whether or not DACs are a distraction before welcoming guest David Chesky to discuss The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album, as well as a special discount code just for Audio Unleashed listeners. Also, has Dennis found common ground with Herb Reichert?! What’s next: Dogs and cats living together? MASS HYSTERIA?! 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  “The great DAC distraction 🌶️” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/03/the-great-dac-distraction/ “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album “Gramophone Dreams #107: LAiV GaNM monoblock, Record Doctor VI (20th Anniversary Edition)” by Herb Reichert: https://stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-107-laiv-ganm-monoblock-record-doctor-vi-20th-anniversary-edition “Record Doctor X Dual-Sided Record Cleaning Machine” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1304-record-doctor-x-dual-sided-record-cleaning-machine  

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis spend yet another segment talking about a review of the Klipsch ProMedia Lumina Speakers, but this time it’s a super-in-depth review from Erin’s Audio Corner—one that dives deep into territory Brent was too lazy to explore. Then they share their thoughts about Darko’s latest article bemoaning the glut of cheap audio product reviews on YouTube, and whether or not decades of messing around with audio gear will give you the chops to tell a $300 amp from a $3,000 amp. Finally, they wonder if Apple’s new AirPods Max 2 headphones are a significant-enough upgrade to deserve another digit—and puzzle over what marketing people mean when they say something’s “1.5 times better.” 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  “2 Reasons You'll Want These Klipsch ProMedia Lumina Speakers” by Erin’s Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/_M8_yGJqOYU?si=o1JY_5fL02cYsyTx “Do we really need more YouTube reviews of affordable hi-fi gear? 🌶️” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/03/do-we-really-need-more-youtube-reviews-of-affordable-hi-fi-gear-%f0%9f%8c%b6%ef%b8%8f/ “Apple Introduces AirPods Max 2 with H2 Processor and Advanced Computational Audio” by Joao Martins: https://audioxpress.com/news/apple-introduces-airpods-max-2-with-h2-processor-and-advanced-computational-audio Sean Olive on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/seanolive_the-discrepancy-between-headphone-measurements-activity-7440814363541893121-McTm

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week’s episode is a long one, y’all! Brent and Dennis lead off the discussion by digging into an actually useful post from Headphone Sty about a collection of audio tools you can download for free, and comment about their own experience with these, which runs from extensive to non-existent. Then they’re joined by buddy Geoffrey Morrison, who has a bit of a tongue-lashing for our dynamic duo over their apparent (to Geoff) distaste for any music of the post-Scott Joplin era. Then they use a questionable review of Klipsch’s new ProMedia Lumina 2.1 speaker system to get into a discussion of how reviewers should deal with (or not deal with) bass reproduction issues. 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  12 Free Audio Tools That Expose Hidden Flaws in Your Audiophile Setup by Alexandra Plesa: https://www.headphonesty.com/2026/02/free-tools-expose-hidden-flaws-audiophile-setup/ Snyderman’s Choice: Are You an Audiophile or a Music-Lover? by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1373-snydermans-choice-are-you-an-audiophile-or-a-music-lover Have you been listening to the same music for 30 years? by u/taosaur: https://www.reddit.com/r/Xennials/comments/1rdjfp5/have_you_been_listening_to_the_same_music_for_30/?share_id=RrjD81wp_lvvm7n5XgJdo Klipsch ProMedia Lumina Review: Surprisingly Uneven Bass Mars This 2.1 Speaker System by Mark Knapp: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/klipsch-promedia-lumina

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off by wondering whether or not you should grind up your headphones and use them as face cream, and somehow or other that’s not the silliest topic of conversation for this episode. That leaves the question of whether the silliest topic is a blind test involving audio cables, wet mud, and bananas, or is it the notion of whether your speakers would sound better if they were in the middle of a forest made of dowels. Or something like that. 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930   Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  Hazardous substances found in all headphones tested by ToxFREE project by Damien Gayle: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/18/hazardous-substances-headphones The Sound of Contamination: A Comprehensive Analysis of Endocrine Disruptors and Hazardous Additives in the Headphones: https://arnika.org/en/publications/the-sound-of-contamination In a blind test, audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between audio signals sent through copper wire, a banana, or wet mud by Jowi Morales: https://www.tomshardware.com/speakers/in-a-blind-test-audiophiles-couldnt-tell-the-difference-between-audio-signals-sent-through-copper-wire-a-banana-or-wet-mud-the-mud-should-sound-perfectly-awful-but-it-doesnt-notes-the-experiment-creator Acoustic Grove System AGS-MN1 Small Curved Wave Diffusor (each): https://upscaleaudio.com/products/ags-mn1-small-curved-wave-diffusor-each Ultimate Audiophile Listening Room Setup - HiFi Speaker Set Up by The Greek Audio Geek: https://youtu.be/w6NQBdE1T1Q?si=obHjFP_2LPOcFERs

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis flaunt their unmatched talent at finding an audio angle in anything, with a fascinating examination of what long-range acoustic devices (LRADs) do and whether hearing protection products can guard your ears against them (and your power tools). Next up, they dig into cheap audio’s biggest controversy: Whether or not an $80 boutique op amp can transform the sound of a $100 power amp. And how does The Absolute Sound work, really? This one isn’t a hostage video, we promise 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  Minnesota State Patrol uses long range acoustic device, first used by military, to disperse Maple Grove protesters by Derek James: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-state-patrol-long-range-acoustic-device/ Defeating LRAD by Tech Ingredients: https://youtu.be/CXKTBQBugIA?si=3fSJfexSUB5z2cMG Does Rolling Opamps Make Amps Sound Better? by Audio Science Review: https://youtu.be/nGy-Q8jKXr4?si=in-MnDG8yb2trkia Hell Yeah Rolling Opamps Makes Your Amps Sound Better! (Hear It For Yourself!) by GR-Research: https://youtu.be/-E8wEJF5jAs?si=ZXZ_3Ok2o54lbuDi Cheap upgrade, HUGE sound improvement! Virtual HiFi opamp review by Passion for Sound: https://youtu.be/Mub-xo619PY?si=RRM1Gv-3YCt38qvZ How The Absolute Sound Works – Incentives and Ethics by Tom Martin: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/how-the-absolute-sound-works-incentives-and-ethics/

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off by using their unmatched business acumen to analyze what the new Sony/TCL deal means for the audio industry—and pine for the days when audio products were mostly expensive and mostly not good. Then they bring on Danny Kaey of the Hi-Fi Five to discuss a recent Headphone Sty post about how Audio Science Review and Erin’s Audio Corner are sending speaker and amp makers to the bread line. Then they ponder the significance of Marshall’s dinky new streaming box, which promises to Make Auracast Great for the First Time. 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics   Further Reading:  Sony to spin off TV and home audio division to TCL by Rasmus Larsen: https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1768912998 Industry is Abuzz – What’s Happening With Sony TVs & Audio? What is China’s TCL’s Involvement? by Ted Green: https://www.strata-gee.com/industry-is-abuzz-whats-happening-with-sony-tvs-audio-what-is-chinas-tcls-involvement/ Independent Measurements Are Triggering Shutdowns and Sales Losses Across Legacy Audio Brands by Alexandra Plesa: https://www.headphonesty.com/2026/01/measurements-triggering-shutdowns-losses-audio-brands/ Marshall's dinky streaming hub brings wireless multi-room and vinyl support to its rock'n'roll Bluetooth speakers by Kashfia Kabir: https://www.whathifi.com/streaming-entertainment/music-streaming/marshalls-dinky-streaming-hub-brings-wireless-multi-room-and-vinyl-support-to-its-rocknroll-bluetooth-speakers

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed Although Brent and Dennis will probably never again work up the gumption to attend CES, they can muster the courage to read through others’ CES reports and weigh in with their own opinions. That’s this week’s first segment. Then they check out an article from Darko about age-related hearing loss and its relationship with audio copium, and think real hard about whether buying a $10,000 DAC is worth it if you can’t hear above 12 kHz. They then take a TAS hostage video hostage and use it as a jumping-off point for a deep dive into Class G and H amp topologies.    And for Patrons: What the heck is Snyderman’s Maxim? And would you want a million-dollar audio system if you could only use it to listen to “Hotel California”?   📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930   Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  Can You Identify Famous Guitarists From A Single Note? by Rick Beato: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gESY87hn7_Q CES 2026: With Onkyo, Premium Audio Co Proves It Can Walk & Chew Gum at the Same Time by Ted Gree: https://www.strata-gee.com/ces-2026-with-onkyo-premium-audio-co-proves-it-can-walk-chew-gum-at-the-same-time/ Best of CES 2025: The Audio Gear That Matters by Adam Birney: https://www.soundguys.com/best-of-ces-2025-the-audio-gear-that-matters-130847/ Eclipsa Audio on GitHub: https://github.com/google/eclipsa-audio-plugin Klipsch Demos New Powered Speakers, Shows Off High-End Concepts at CES 2026 by Jacob Green: https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/klipsch-80th-ces The Best of CES 2026: The Products We Want to Get Our Hands On Most by Wirecutter Staff: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ces-2026-products/ The LG Sound Suite Soundbar changed the way I think about surround sound by Nick Pino: https://www.tomsguide.com/audio/speakers/the-lg-sound-suite-soundbar-changed-the-way-i-think-about-surround-sound How age-related hearing loss emboldens hi-fi cope by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2025/12/how-age-related-hearing-loss-emboldens-hi-fi-cope/  

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed Brent and Dennis ring in the new year by finding the very fine line between clever and stupid when it comes to A/B tests on YouTube, courtesy of AP Mastering. Next up: John Darko says lazy phrases are the norm in audio coverage but don’t mean anything. Is Darko punching above his weight class without breaking a sweat? And lastly for most listeners, we wonder if the rumors of the audio hobby’s death have been greatly exaggerated, and pine for the days when all audiophiles wore bowler hats.   And for Patrons: When Stereophile does blind testing, Brent and Dennis sit up and take notice… a full 37 years late.   📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930   Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  Audiophiles are wrong about YouTube's audio quality by AP Mastering: https://youtu.be/Xq1n9oYKiZU?si=2L6KhfoMimpLf12z Ready-made phrases: how hi-fi reviews dress up laziness as expertise by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2025/12/ready-made-phrases-how-hi-fi-reviews-can-dress-up-laziness-as-expertise/ YouTube Indicates What the Future is For Audiophiles - Interesting Demographics: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/youtube-indicates-what-the-future-is-for-audiophiles-interesting-demo/post?postid=2725195 40% of Audiophiles May Be Gone Soon, and No One Is Replacing Them by Alexandra Plesa: https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/09/audiophiles-gone-soon/ Lumines: Arise: https://lumines.game/  

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis begin with a discussion about the design and manufacture of high-end audio cables courtesy of Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity. How much art is there to appreciate? How much science is there to check? And most importantly, which aspects of the article pissed off our curmudgeonly duo the most?  Speaking of being pissed off, Brent has a bone to pick with Erin Hardison over his most recent video about flat frequency response. You don’t want to miss that. And finally for most listeners this week, Dennis finally gets to do an entire segment about King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, thanks to an AI clone of the band that popped up on streaming services. Did this whole story somehow prove that Google is more evil than Spotify? Perhaps!  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  The Art and Science of Designing High-End Audio Cables by John E. Johnson, Jr.: https://hometheaterhifi.com/technical/technical-reviews/the-art-and-science-of-designing-high-end-audio-cables/ Why "Flat" Response Sounds TERRIBLE! by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/LXX6zzA2AY0?si=WgArCIF_uu9TX6Kc Børresen X3 Floorstanding Speaker Review by Erin’s Audio Corner: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/b%C3%B8rresen_x3/ 5,000 Podcasts. 3,000 Episodes a Week. $1 Cost Per Episode — Behind an AI Start Up’s Plan by Caitlin Huston: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ai-podcast-start-up-plan-shows-1236361367/ ‘We are truly doomed’: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard despair at AI clone appearing on Spotify: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/10/king-gizzard-and-the-lizard-wizard-despair-at-ai-clone-appearing-on-spotify “Rattlesnake” by the fake AI band King Lizard Wizard: https://youtu.be/9MKm5HMth5A?si=rb7FuqHo4EnJeEOC “Rattlesnake” by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: https://youtu.be/Q-i1XZc8ZwA?si=OAdN3LLq90DpcM7s I've Lost 180 lbs. (82kg) on CPAP. Now What?! by Adventures with CPAP: https://youtu.be/uDD7Ft2jx4w?si=Ge7_bqFyTGeY3zKd

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off by investigating whether translating the words of non-English speakers in a way that suits your agenda might be a promising new business model for bad audio websites. Then they’re joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider for a post-mortem on Dennis’ historic and fateful appearance on The HiFi Five. Wrapping things up for normies, they respond to a request from numerous Patrons to look into New Record Day’s power cable conversion testimony to answer the question: Is it worthwhile to do a deep dive into the testing procedures of people who haven’t themselves done a deep dive into the subject of testing procedures? 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  Veteran Speaker Designer Reveals the Top 3 Reasons Why Designers Can’t Build Great Speakers Anymore: https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/11/veteran-designer-explains-why-speakers-declined/ GPM Monitor One: il bookshelf di riferimento by G.P. Matarazzo: https://www.avmagazine.it/articoli/diffusori/2077/gpm-monitor-one-il-bookshelf-di-riferimento_index.html Test: Sonus Faber Lumina II by G.P. Matarazzo: https://www.avmagazine.it/articoli/diffusori/2051/test-sonus-faber-lumina-ii_index.html The HiFi Five Episode 6: Guest Dennis Burger of SoundStage! by The HiFi Five: https://www.youtube.com/live/OORvfQh_zjo The Most Pathetic Excuse in High-End Audio (Ep:94) by SoundStage! Network: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3e7dD-Yij0 I Tried to Debunk Power Cords & Conditioners… and Failed Spectacularly by New Record Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIWVDNiRCiM

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis once again stare the impending A.I. apocalypse in the face and ponder about what it all means, especially for audiophiles. As a palate cleanser, they then bring in their buddy Geoffrey Morrison of SoundStage! Solo to discuss some fancy new replacement ear tips and how they may affect the sound of your earphones. Then they ask why audio journalists don’t have methodological standards that measure up to a bass-playing comedian on the internet. 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  50,000 AI tracks flood Deezer daily – as study shows 97% of listeners can’t tell the difference between human-made vs. fully AI-generated music: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/50000-ai-tracks-flood-deezer-daily-as-study-shows-97-of-listeners-cant-tell-the-difference-between-human-made-vs-fully-ai-generated-music/ Azla SednaEarfit Mithryl and Flare Magic Tips Aftermarket Eartips by Geoffrey Morrison: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/equipment/accessories/473-azla-sednaearfit-mithryl-and-flare-magic-tips-aftermarket-eartips I bought the most EXPENSIVE Guitar Picks on the internet by Davie504: https://youtu.be/0JaOCZhjpaQ?si=5F-B3BgGktUWxIF3

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis weigh in on whether or not cheapaudioman is really telling the truth about tubes that nobody else is talking about, and answer the literally burning question: Is buying a McIntosh 275 really a death sentence for your chihuahua? Then they dive deep into the philosophy of intention-driven audio, whatever the heck that is, and ponder whether a monastery is really the best place to learn how to calculate standing-wave frequencies. Next, they engage with a LinkedIn post from Steve Temme of Listen, Inc., mostly as a backdoor excuse to talk about THD (total harmonic distortion) and how much it matters, or doesn’t. 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics   Further Reading:  The Truth About Tube Amps Nobody Is Talking About by cheapaudioman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIGVeHUPg0g Synergistic Research: Cables, Power, and the Philosophy of Intention-Driven Audio by Michael Horne: https://tmraudio.com/blog/synergistic-research-cables-power-and-the-philosophy-of-intentiondriven-audio/ Why Headphone Target Curves and THD Don’t Tell the Whole Story by Steve Temme: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-headphone-target-curves-thd-dont-tell-whole-story-steve-temme-strme/

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed Tony Stark once famously said, “We have a Hulk.” Brent and Dennis have a secret weapon much more powerful than that. We have a Floyd Toole! And this week, we sit in conversation with him about the release of the fourth edition of his legendary book, Sound Reproduction, and why it has a different subtitle this time: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones. 📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent: https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  Dr. Floyd Toole: An Oral History 1 on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/dr-floyd-toole-an-oral-history-1-two-ears-and-a-brain-transistors-rules-and-data/ Dr. Floyd Toole: An Oral History 2 on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/dr-floyd-toole-an-oral-history-2-ab-tests-bass-athena-brains-rooms-hearing-listening/ Read These 2 Books to Know More about Speakers than Most Hi-Fi Reviewers Do by the SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/YfIde7VTA7g?si=XjxdvEhY52wdzDvi The Biggest Lie in Audio by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/246-the-biggest-lie-in-audio

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed First things first this week, Brent and Dennis wonder why Wired is doing pretty good blind panel testing when actual audio publications almost never dare, or bother. Then they have a conversation with their buddy Joe Mariano, aka Joe N Tell, about his new speaker measurement and target-curve-calculating app Magic Beans. How does it fare against Brent’s bazillion years of measurement experience and Dennis’s kazillion years of calibrating audio systems? Finally, Dennis asks Brent WTF a “notoriously musical” CD drive even is.    And for Patrons: Can Bowers & Wilkins and other former Sound United brands maintain their identity under their new Samsung/Harman umbrella? And should they?   💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  We Asked Audio Pros to Blind Test Headphones. The Results Were Surprising by Chris Haslam: https://www.wired.com/story/we-asked-audio-pros-to-blind-test-headphones-the-results-were-surprising/ Joe N Tell: https://joentell.com/ Magic Beans: https://magicbeansaudio.com/ Gramophone Dreams #101: The Shanling ET3 CD transport by Herb Reichert: https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-101-shanling-et3-cd-transport  

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed First, Dennis and Brent take a minute to praise a Stereophile article that harkens back to the good ol’ days of audio journalism. Before the dark times. Before … well, all sorts of unsavory developments in the publishing biz. Then they peruse a number of new articles about the state of Spotify, as well as one potential new alternative that’s pretty much just Bandcamp in a trenchcoat. Next, they run a serious risk of being tagged as “garbage” on YouTube by examining the claims of a young audio pundit who’s convinced he’s smarter than everybody else in the headphone industry. Finally, they rant against a Headphonesty scare piece about audio networking until they realize that Headphonesty completely misrepresented the views of the network engineer quoted therein. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  A Poor Man's Audio Show Review by Roy Midyett: https://stereophile.com/content/poor-mans-audio-show-review A random 1993 Corey Greenberg article: https://www.stereophile.com/content/sumiko-blue-point-blue-point-special-phono-cartridges Spotify Terms of Use: https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/end-user-agreement/ Lossless audio finally comes to Spotify - here's how to enable it by Craig Donaldson: https://www.pocket-lint.com/spotify-lossless-audio-launch/ AI-generated music is here to stay. Will streaming services like Spotify label it? by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento: https://www.npr.org/2025/08/08/nx-s1-5492314/ai-music-streaming-services-spotify The music industry is broken: OpenWav’s new app aims to change that by Sarah Perez: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/11/the-music-industry-is-broken-openwavs-new-app-aims-to-change-that/ The B&K5128 Is Garbage by Sharur: https://youtu.be/G2S-Agwxiy4?si=TPTGvDStmG2eYePU Tidal and Qobuz Connect Are Ruining Your Hi-Fi Sound Without Dropping a Single Bit, Warns Principal Network Engineer by Alexandra Plesa: https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/09/tidal-qobuz-connect-ruining-hifi-sound-engineer/ Audiophile Streaming in 2025 - Zoom Event by Audiophile Foundation: https://youtu.be/z3VC65XOhxg?si=UNNCNA8tHIvo_8-F

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent take a vicarious vacation to a couple of hi-fi hotels to discuss whether or not this is a trend worth taking seriously. (And, of course, judge the merits of their audio systems just by the brands.) Next up, they applaud John Darko’s efforts to make reviewing more legit, then ponder some ideas on how, exactly, we might do that. Then they venture halfway around the world in the company (figuratively speaking) of tech journo Geoffrey Morrison, who shares the ancient wonders of Tokyo’s Akihabara Electric Town while lamenting its apparent but perhaps inevitable soulsucking corporatification.    💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading:  Hi-Fi Hotels: The Audiophile Vacation Destination by Jacob Green: https://www.audioholics.com/news/hi-fi-hotels The Greatest Lie Never Told by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2025/09/the-greatest-lie-never-told/ The Rise and Fall and Maybe Rise Again of Akihabara Electric Town by Geoffrey Morrrison: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/465-the-rise-and-fall-and-maybe-rise-again-of-akihabara-electric-town Ascendo Unveils HALO 10 Pro Active EXT Cardioid Speaker at CEDIA Expo 2025 by Alfred Moody: https://audioxpress.com/news/ascendo-unveils-halo-10-pro-active-ext-cardio-speaker-at-cedia-expo-2025 World Premier Unboxing of Ascendo’s HALO – The WILDEST Speaker Design You’ve Ever Seen! by AV NIRVANA: https://youtu.be/A3ng4MASy4A?si=abi3pRMQ7F2QUqRh

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent gaze deep into what they assumed would be the abyss of the EISA Hi-Fi Awards and see some pretty sensible selections gazing back. Then, Brent humors Dennis by letting him rant about video game music, and the two of them dig into the mechanics of how a guy made some of the world’s most memorable music with just a few bloops and bleeps. Then, they dig deep into the sometimes glorious, sometimes sordid history of Monster Cable by way of a cheapaudioman video essay, and recount their own decades of struggle in dealing with a company that makes your average rock band look like a well-run business.   And for Patrons: What goes through Brent and Dennis’ minds when they read a glowing review of an idiosyncratic speaker? Find out in real time…   💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   Further Reading:  A roundup of EISA Hi-Fi Awards for 2025-2026: https://stereophile.com/content/eisa-hi-fi-awards-2025-2026; https://hometheaterhifi.com/press-releases/eisa-awards-for-2025-26-announced/; https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/eisa/2025-2026-awards/2025-2026-hi-fi/2006-eisas-best-products-of-2025-2026 “Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo’s 8-Bit Masterpiece”: https://www.20k.org/episodes/super-mario-bros “8-Bit to Orchestras: Video Game Music Scores”: https://www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org/episodes/8-bit-to-orchestras-video-game-music-scores “The Truth About an Audio Empire That Almost Ruled” by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/6mmPkqVzhb4?si=mTWc-MU5VOOSSxWz “Audiophile Music Scandal EXPOSED! The UNTOLD Story…” by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/tPLsS6kCebw?si=TjbQJkIFSDQUj9gc “Monster Cable Correspondence”: https://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/mcp/index.htm

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent do some sleuthing work to ascertain whether a crackpot article about Tom Waits is A.I. slop or just straight-up plagiarism, and whether or not Dr. Sean Olive has a substance-abuse problem. Then they sort through two lists of speakers that audiophiles all either love or hate to find which speakers are on both lists, wonder why it seems like every audiophile who’s ever “polled” must be over 70, then (sort of) fondly reminisce about the (mostly) lousy speakers from the days of their youth—many of which are on one or both of these lists.   💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   Further Reading:  “Why Tom Waits’ “Martha” Is the Ultimate Emotional Litmus Test for Hi-Fi Systems”: https://inews.zoombangla.com/tom-waits-martha-hi-fi-test-track/ “Why this iconic Tom Waits song is a regular in our test rooms – and can unveil the true essence of hi-fi” by Harry McKerrell: https://www.whathifi.com/streaming-entertainment/music-streaming/why-this-iconic-tom-waits-song-is-a-regular-in-our-test-rooms-and-can-unveil-the-true-essence-of-hi-fi “Why Do Audiophiles Hate These 9 Legendary Speakers?” by Skylabs Audio: https://youtu.be/gR_s3dfDiHw?si=3MaZLz9D4oEbnpv_ “25 Best Speakers of All Time, as Voted by Thousands of Audiophiles Worldwide” by Andy G.: https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/08/best-speakers-voted-thousands-audiophiles

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent dive deep into the subject of infrasonics by way of a “studio-quality” MP3 album that tunes baroque music to the planet’s Schumann resonance and thus allows you to be calm and focused (i.e., the sonic opposite of Audio Unleashed), and they also ponder the utility of two new subwoofers bigger than our dynamic duo put together. Next up, Dennis gets a rare opportunity to critique mindless capitalism (i.e., Brent) as he heaps surprising praise on an article about politics from Stereophile, of all places. Then they opine on whether  Focal’s new $69K beast truly is the ultimate speaker and the one they’d buy if they were actually able to retire someday. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   Further Reading:  “You’ve Heard Classical Music. But Not Like This” by Brainwave Research UK: https://brainwave-research.com/funnel/classical-magic-download/classical-magic-download-offer-meta/ “Ascendo Pushes World's Largest Subwoofer Record Further with New 64" and 100" Models” by Joao Martins: https://audioxpress.com/news/ascendo-pushes-world-s-largest-subwoofer-record-further-with-new-64-and-100-models The Boston Audio Society Music and Test CD: https://www.bostonaudiosociety.org/bas_cd.htm “Re-Tales 56: The Impact of Tariffs on the Hi-Fi Industry” by Julie Mullins: https://stereophile.com/content/re-tales-56-impact-tariffs-hi-fi-industry “Paul Hales Unleashed” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/paul-hales-unleashed-the-realities-of-global-audio-manufacturing/ “New Focal Diva Mezza Utopia Reinforces Wireless High-End All-In-One Concept” by Joao Martins: https://audioxpress.com/news/new-focal-diva-mezza-utopia-reinforces-wireless-high-end-all-in-one-concept “ELAC announces Debut ConneX DCB61” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2025/07/elac-announces-debut-connex-dcb61/

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent ponder the questions that everyone ought to be asking: Why hasn’t anyone tested speaker isolation devices before now? (Like, really tested them, not just gauged their emotional reaction to them.) Why does AI music sound so much more convincing than AI images look? (And can AI out-ButterBurger House Band the real ButterBurger House Band?) Why is Erin Hardison so damned good at YouTubing? (And why are manufacturers’ speaker sensitivity measurements so often meaningless?) 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading and Viewing:  “Speaker isolation devices, do they WORK?” by Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac: https://youtu.be/XAOD3aUfIYQ?si=X_BP6H1oZizIAxWk "There's not a shred of evidence on the internet that this band has ever existed" by Matt Mullen: https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/theres-not-a-shred-of-evidence-on-the-internet-that-this-band-has-ever-existed-this-apparently-ai-generated-artist-is-racking-up-hundreds-of-thousands-of-spotify-streams “‘Indie Band’ Says Claims Their Music Is AI-Generated Is a Hoax, Then Admits It's Actually AI-Generated” by Victor Tangermann: https://futurism.com/the-byte/indie-band-hoax-ai-admit “So It Begins...Is This A Real Band Or AI?” by Rick Beato: https://youtu.be/3Nlb-m_vKYM?si=C567rVfyk9xHaW2K “This is ridiculous. Is this a joke?!!” by Wings of Pegasus: https://youtu.be/g2s9cF-r0Z4?si=NCKHNPCCPOfAhsbq “What Your Speaker's Sensitivity REALLY Means for Your Power Needs?” by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/XGanNp8XYXw?si=3bT60jCboHrMDxSn

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent wonder why Stereophile killed the comments section on their website (besides the magazine’s desperate quest to deprive Audio Unleashed of a reliable source of entertainment). Next, they speculate about how juicy a deal reviewer Cameron Oatley got for voicing Warwick Acoustics’ $38,000 APERIO GoldenSound Edition headphone system, and discuss what it might be like to have their own endorsement deal. (Audio Unleashed fuses, anybody?) They conclude by trying to figure out what Apple’s new immersive audio standard does, why Apple did it, and whether Dolby Laboratories will survive being piled on by Apple, Google, and Samsung at the same time.   💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   Further Reading:  “Comments Retired, Letters Welcome: We’re All Ears” by Stereophile Staff: https://www.stereophile.com/content/comments-retired-letters-welcome-we%E2%80%99re-all-ears Warwick Acoustics Aperio - GoldenSound Edition: https://headphones.com/products/warwick-acoustics-aperio-goldensound-edition “Apple's new Spatial Audio format goes beyond Dolby Atmos” by Rasmus Larsen: https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1750327296  

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent yet again ponder the question of whether or not CDs are making a legitimate comeback. Then they deconstruct one of Stereophile’s most controversial columns in ages. And what’s up with Zu Audio’s new speaker. Is this thing legit or what? 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading:  “Why I Bought My First New CD Player in 25 Years” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/syitren-cd-player-review/ “An AudioQuest Cable Loom: Vodka network, Pegasus interconnects, Robin Hood speaker cables, Blizzard power cables” by Martin Colloms: https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-cable-loom-vodka-network-pegasus-interconnects-robin-hood-speaker-cables-blizzard “ZU METHOD: Does It Compare With KEF LS50 META?” by Steve Guttenberg Audiophilia: https://youtu.be/VQ6NUaicjWg?si=F5QxCWEaIax87sUr

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent discuss Darko’s coverage of the Munich High End show, including his insistence that he’s noping out of trade shows going forward. Will we really never see him again IRL? Next up: did Audio Judgement do this crossover A/B blind test right … and can a chancy collection of cheap caps and chokes credibly conquer the chi-chi stuff? Finally, they contrast two articles from high-end audio sites that posit very different proposals about blind testing. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading:  “The last hi-fi show I will ever attend” by Darko Audio: https://youtu.be/SfQjv6H1dzk?si=LJPyoIIVRkQXpJnY “Cheap vs Expensive Crossover (Blind Test)” by Audio Judgement: https://youtu.be/jx7OaMghqJU?si=5f3usI89gV6kXr52 “Do Blind Listening Tests Work? My Sessions with the Colorado Audio Society” by Steven Stone: https://pmamagazine.org/do-blind-listening-tests-work-my-sessions-with-the-colorado-audio-society/ “Magic Snake Oil:  Roger Skoff Writes the Real Truth about HiFi” by Roger Skoff: https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/magic-snake-oil-roger-skoff-writes-the-real-truth-about-hifi/ “The History of Snake Oil” by Andrew Haynes: https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/the-history-of-snake-oil

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent catch up with all the news we should have covered last episode, including the Harman acquisition of Sound United, and what it means for the fate of Bowers & Wilkins, Dolby, and the half-dozen audio dealers left in the U.S. Then they ask The Absolute Sound’s philosopher-in-chief Tom Martin to blink twice if he’s OK in his recent video about cable lifters before moving on to a discussion about guinea pigs being used as guinea pigs to answer science’s pressing questions about compression (but not that kind of compression!). 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading:  “Masimo Sells Sound United to Harman/Samsung, Creates Audio Empire?” by Wayde Robson: https://www.audioholics.com/editorials/masimo-deals-sound-united-to-harman-samsung “The VIABLUE Rocket cable lifter system briefing” by Tom Martin:  https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-via-blue-rocket-cable-lifter-system-briefing/ “Compressed music might be harmful to the ears”: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/05/07/compressed-music-might-be-harmful-to-the-ears “Auditory changes in awake guinea pigs exposed to overcompressed music” by Thamara Suzi Dos Santos, Pierrick Bordiga, Paul Avan: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378595524001734 “8 Hour Music Video for Guinea Pigs! Natural Stress and Anxiety Relief for Guinea Pigs!” by PetTunes - Music for Pets: https://youtu.be/mxBk0ItjoEg?si=f5ByWuRwrjG5NwOb Harriet (tortoise): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_(tortoise)

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent dig into the news about a new $25/month music streaming service that claims it’s the first to deliver lossless and immersive audio. (Please don’t tell Apple Music or Qobuz or Tidal or Amazon!) Then they look on as an AudioXpress writer does a Marianas Trench-level dive on the return of the 78 rpm record, and question whether these can deliver as profound a musical experience as lathe-cut records. They conclude by pondering which paper towel is best for cleaning up the drool after Stereophile, Hi-Fi+ and Hi-Fi News review dCS’s almost-$300K, five-chassis DAC. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit   Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   Further Reading:  “Pure Audio Streaming”: https://pureaudiostreaming.com/ “audioXpress May 2025 Brings the Best in DIY Audio with Tubes” by audioXpress Staff: https://audioxpress.com/news/audioxpress-may-2025-brings-the-best-in-diy-audio-with-tubes “Spinning a Record to Pieces at 12,500fps” by The Slow Mo Guys”: https://youtu.be/n-DTjpde9-0?si=cL98sZEXtdlhul3- “dCS Varèse Music System D/A Processor” by Jason Victor Serinus: https://www.stereophile.com/content/dcs-var%C3%A8se-music-system-da-processor “dCS Varèse” by Alan Sircom: https://hifiplus.com/articles/dcs-varese/ “dCS Varèse” by Andrew Everard & Paul Miller: https://dcsaudio.com/assets/hfnfebdcsvarese.pdf

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent deconstruct the latest column by Stereophile’s editor-in-chief and contemplate whether his position on spooky woo-woo has devolved in the past decade. Then they ogle cool amps and preamps on AliExpress that borrow revered brands yet cost only hundreds—and also examine how crazy it’d be to buy this stuff right now (b/c tariffs, not b/c communism and chopsticks). They conclude with a not-terribly-deep dive into a new article from Dennis about audio DIY, but not the kind of audio DIY you’re probably imagining. Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Chips for Chumps” by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/505awsi/index.html “Chips Are Still For Chumps” by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/content/chips-are-still-chumps Can't afford getting my MiniDSP Flex HTx out of Customs: https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/1jw4agi/cant_afford_getting_my_minidsp_flex_htx_out_of/?share_id=8ttFl2ZUnK8f5iRYFUiXX&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 “Nobody Warned Me Vinyl Would Turn Into a DIY Hobby” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1332-nobody-warned-me-vinyl-would-turn-into-a-diy-hobby “AXPONA 2025 Audio Show Report” by The Absolute Sound: https://youtu.be/yma3eOoy3ts?si=OfWbec3_nunA8qei

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent explore the fast-growing world of made-to-order lathe-cut records – and even play one for you! (Prepare to be … well, prepared.) Then they delight in some made-to-order pink noise from Erin’s Audio Corner, and deconstruct Holly Cole’s new made-to-order (well, for audiophiles) album with the help of Stereophile.  Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET   Further Reading:  “Mid-Fi: Cutting Plastic Records with Michael Dixon” by Scott Evans: https://tapeop.com/interviews/165/mid-fi-cutting-plastic-records-michael-dixon/ “How Would YOU Describe These Sounds? | Audiophile Challenge!” by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/Yu0VE2RVBGE?si=9Gk96P9JL48UlZqV “Holly Cole's Dark Moon” by Robert Baird: https://www.stereophile.com/content/holly-coles-dark-moon

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent stop by Strata-gee to see how Sonos is strategorizing to scramble back to the summit of the sound souk with a new … oh, wait, change in plans! Then they ally themselves (very conditionally) with a British-ish mastering engineer who contends that high-priced DACs are a scam. Then they bring their incomparable incredulity to bear on the question of whether adding hobbled Dolby Atmos functionality to Cadillacs is the way forward for Atmos or Cadillac. Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Is Sonos Adrift and Directionless? Or On the Right Track?” by Ted Green: https://www.strata-gee.com/is-sonos-adrift-and-directionless-or-on-the-right-track/ “The DAC Scam - Almost everyone believes the hype” by AP Mastering: https://youtu.be/7Sg1nYLmLCw?si=SrQ47F74vdBWgNTX “DAC Delusion: These test results are insane!” by AP Mastering: https://youtu.be/LbcEgxm6RTU?si=jICNAe4CLwDgEgAI “General Motors Introduces Dolby Atmos Across its Entire 2026 EV Lineup”: https://audioxpress.com/news/general-motors-introduces-dolby-atmos-across-entire-2025-ev-lineup  

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent page through the storied Gray Lady (known to some as the New York Times and to Brent as “employer”) and find, to their amazement, an in-depth profile of high-end vinyl company Acoustic Sounds and its iconoclastic proprietor, Chad Kassem. Then they check out what YouTube star Cheapaudioman says are the biggest mistakes audiophiles can make (besides failing to listen to the Audio Unleashed podcast). They conclude by digging through a Tape Op profile of a man in Burbank, California whose life’s work is getting messed-up tapes to play so you can finally hear A Flock of Seagulls as they were meant to be heard. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET   Further Reading:  “The Wizard of Vinyl is in Kansas” by Ben Sisario: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/arts/music/vinyl-albums-chad-kassem-acoustic-sounds.html “Don't Waste Money on These Audiophile TRAPS!” by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/m4ubVpSe_8M?si=oGUpiToYTT39eCuT “How to Make Your Own Audio Diffusers” by Brent: https://www.lifewire.com/make-your-own-audio-diffuser-3134903 Shibuya Hi-Fi Vinyl Bar: https://www.shibuyahifi.com/ “Dan Johnson: Preserving the Past” by Larry Crane: https://tapeop.com/interviews/165/dan-johnson/ Nonagon Infinity Live - 8-Track: https://needlejuicerecords.com/products/nonagon-infinity-live-8-track

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent unexpectedly flip the phase of their podcast by lavishly praising another audio pundit. But they quickly get back to business with an in-depth report on what might be the most preposterous subwoofer review (and most preposterous subwoofer setup) in a long history of preposterous subwoofer reviews by audiophile mags. Then they try to figure out why a famed accessories manufacturer insists that blind testing doesn’t work yet employs it nonetheless, and contemplate Passion for Sound’s assertion that science disproves the validity of science. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Improve Your Stereo With These Three EASY Tips!” by Erin’s Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/FHjy0ZV0V7U?si=yg19a1toVoVlAIfZ “REL No.31 powered subwoofer” by Rogier van Bakel: https://www.stereophile.com/content/rel-no31-powered-subwoofer “Why you SHOULDN'T trust blind audio tests (according to science)” by Passion for Sound: https://youtu.be/OZMACL6z3OU?si=j84a3V4DvehHNZ_w “What the AKG K371 Headphones Tell Us About Slow Listening” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/221-what-the-akg-k371-headphones-tell-us-about-slow-listening

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis wonders why a writer for The Atlantic is wondering why his cheap Bluetooth speaker can’t generate the feeling of community he got at a Beyoncé concert, while Brent wonders why Dennis was reading The Atlantic. Then they dig into a recent article on acoustics by one of audio’s most popular personalities to learn what’s better: a lousy speaker in a good room or a good speaker in a lousy room. They conclude with a deep dive into—surprise!—an article about hi-fi published in a mainstream scientific magazine, which recommends a whole new (well, kinda new) speaker layout. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Bluetooth Speakers Are Ruining Music” by Michael Owen: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/02/bluetooth-speakers-ruining-music/681571/?gift=UE260Y8zIMsW6uBskvxKEDxO5tYZ2efPoBTRLiJy30M&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share “The most important hi-fi component is your room” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2025/02/why-your-room-is-your-most-important-hi-fi-component/ “How to Make Your Own Audio Diffusers” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.lifewire.com/make-your-own-audio-diffuser-3134903 “The Science of Hi-Fi Audio” by John Beerends, Richard Van Everdingen: https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-science-of-hi-fi-audio “The Influence of Listeners’ Experience, Age, and Culture on Headphone Sound Quality Preferences” by Olive, Sean; Welti, Todd; McMullin, Elisabeth: https://aes2.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=17500 “MEMS!” by Geoffrey Morrison: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/445 “Fresh From the Bench: USound Megaclite 4.0 UH-R2040 MEMS Earphones” by Brent Butterworth: https://audioxpress.com/article/fresh-from-the-bench-usound-megaclite-4-0-uh-r2040-mems-earphones

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent discuss Danny Ritchie’s diagnosis of the legendary Wilson WATT/Puppy; can he find the cure for questionable engineering? Then they ponder whether Spotify is truly evil, and what malice might lurk in the hearts of other streaming services. And they wrap up with speculation about why a stupid article on vinyl seems to have been memory-holed entirely off the internet—and why a vinyl guru’s attempt to demo over YouTube says much about the psychology of crowds and nothing about vinyl. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “The $27,900 disappointment? Wilson Audio Watt Puppy 8 issues…” by GR-Research: https://youtu.be/Tma9jFZ3-3k?si=ddg-crv3nFK7g03p “Upgrade Success or Failure With Wilson Audio?” by GR-Research: https://youtu.be/pIt2pcQvf6M?si=A9Y6-QLI6uig4-_t “Is There Any Escape from the Spotify Syndrome?” by Hua Hsu: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/30/mood-machine-liz-pelly-book-review “The Physics of Vinyl (A Sonic Hug in a World of Noise)” by Andrew Oattes (if you find it, let us know!)  “It’s time we admit to, and accept, vinyl’s dirty secret” by John Higgins: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/time-to-admit-to-vinyls-dirty-secret/ “2024 Golden Ear: Wilson-Benesch GMT One Turntable System” by Michael Fremer: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2024-golden-ear-wilson-benesch-gmt-one-turntable-system/?mc_cid=02535d5b76 “LIsten to "Babylon Sisters" UHQR on $370K Wilson-Benesch GMT One Turntable” by TrackingAngle: https://youtu.be/NBCnoVlFLDY?si=twY4G5cyczAXbgYD “Hard truth: most vinyl is digital anyway” by AP Mastering: https://youtu.be/IM7sI7GZPbk?si=3StyrxM4fRRqlnqL

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent discuss how spending money and seeing measurements can influence subjective listening impressions, take a weird vicarious trip to a Japanese Kissa, and listen to a direct comparison between the same digital master delivered on a variety of different media. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! CD normally costs $13 ($10 + $3 for shipping); use code audiounleashedepi42 for 40% off the CD. (Offer extended! Now expires 2/1/25.)  https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 📚 A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole: https://amzn.to/4h7kZwb 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Was ASR right on the Power Plant?” by Paul McGowan, PS Audio: https://youtu.be/wAywgassj1Q?si=hvhFJwuaL_ToguSI “On Listening - Part 7: The Japanese Kissa” by OMA ǀ Oswalds Mill Audio: https://youtu.be/ZYb6AnGOJ0I?si=UqYPJQnZsKdXuLuV “Is Hi-Fi a Kink or a Fetish?” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1305-is-hi-fi-a-kink-or-a-fetish “I Compared Vinyl vs Tape vs Cassette vs Streaming – Results were SHOCKING!” by Dom Sigalas: https://youtu.be/6iohmhZWDNo?si=kRUeHQxxTf7jZVbH “The New Standard That Killed the Loudness War” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/274-the-new-standard-that-killed-the-loudness-war

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, while the Audiophiliac (Steve Guttenberg) questions whether we can trust audio reviewers, Dennis and Brent decide whether we can trust Steve Guttenberg. Then they make the mistake of watching one the audio world’s cringiest videos, in which audio icon Mark Levinson tries to explain how PCM audio is stressing everyone out, or not stressing everyone out, or something. Or nothing. Or whatever the lawyers let him say. Last, Dennis and Brent check out a Stereophile column by John Atkinson that definitely is not stressing anyone out—except perhaps makers of gratuitously expensive audio gear. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! CD normally costs $13 ($10 + $3 for shipping); use code audiounleashedepi42 for 40% off the CD. (Offer extended! Now expires 2/1/25.) https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “POLL: Are AUDIOPHILE Reviews BS?” by Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac: https://youtu.be/as2IUMhxmJ0?si=kDLQIL7JUZdiAaj9 “How Do You Know Whether You Can Trust a Review?” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1309-how-do-you-know-whether-you-can-trust-a-review “Can Daniel Hertz C-Wave ‘Fix’ PCM and Even Improve Your Health?” by Audiophile Junkie: https://youtu.be/kp2MmIqVjTA?si=p5AZvkScalmuEmNY “Taking Care of Business” by John Atkinson: https://www.stereophile.com/content/taking-care-business

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis dig into the latest drama surrounding a sus audio manufacturer trying to suppress bad press; riff on yet another article about the increasing appeal of vintage audio gear; and talk about king-of-all-audio-media John Darko’s experimentations with different amps driving KEF’s Q Concerto Meta speaker. Should you run screaming (or quietly exit) from any dealer who insists there's some perfect amp for your speakers? Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! CD normally costs $13 ($10 + $3 for shipping); use code audiounleashedepi42 for 40% off the CD. (Offer expires 1/1/25.)  https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “We Answer Floyd Toole's Burning Question (And Yours, Too!)” by Audio Unleashed: https://youtu.be/x4w33TTgRpE?si=9R5mgwfGAIf8fwUn “Tom Evans audio proves that their $30,000 audio preamp is garbage by filing a bogus copyright claim” by Louis Rossmann: https://youtu.be/gJYIhLQJtTs?si=ghaXydj05zmCJzv7 “The £ 25, 000 Pre Amp That Went Wrong Tom Evans Mastergroove SR Mk III” by Mend It Mark: https://archive.org/details/the-gbp-25-000-pre-amp-that-went-wrong-tom-evans-mastergroove-sr-mk-iii-rjbp-fsfzi-i “Why is vintage audio equipment booming?” by Suzanne Bearne: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyjvn658n6o “Amplifier matching with the KEF Q Concerto Meta” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2024/12/amplifier-matching-with-the-kef-q-concerto-meta/

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis bemoan the sordid tasks mainstream tech journalists are forced to do these days; dig deep into the current state of audio recording methods as an excuse to promote Brent’s new album; and shine a light on a great review of FiiO’s new portable CD player, which really might change the way we consume music. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! CD normally costs $13 ($10 + $3 for shipping); use code audiounleashedepi42 for 40% off the CD. (Offer expires 1/1/25.)  https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Apple’s headphone adapter for older iPhones sells out, possibly never to return” by Samuel Axon: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/11/apples-headphone-adapter-for-older-iphones-sells-out-possibly-never-to-return/ “Fiio DM13 review: Get ready to fall in love with CDs all over again” by Derek Malcolm:  https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/fiio-dm13-portable-cd-player-review-bluetooth/ Plaid Pants by Cyger & Butterworth: https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis welcome headphone expert and friend of the podcast Lauren Dragan to answer the question: does the new hearing-aid functionality of Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 really work, or is it just another quickly tacked-on feature everybody else will have to copy? But before that: Some bloviating about Bose’ purchase of the McIntosh Group and some gushing about Erin’s Audio Corner’s review of the Børresen X3 speaker (and some not-so-gushing about a few other reviews of the same speaker). Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “The Gift” by Twenty Thousand Hertz: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thegift “Bose buys McIntosh” by Kif Leswing: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/19/bose-buys-mcintosh-storied-maker-of-high-end-luxury-audio-equipment.html “Bose Corporation Snaps Up High-End Audio Brand McIntosh” by Mark Sparrow https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2024/11/19/bose-corporation-snaps-up-high-end-audio-brand-mcintosh/ “Bose Corporation Acquires McIntosh Group” by Mark Henninger: https://www.stereophile.com/content/bose-corporation-acquires-mcintosh-group “The Hidden Secrets of BØRRESEN X3 SPEAKER Audiophiles Need to Know” by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/EfasOu928tQ?si=uHRVnbchWAKJ5sMN “RF: A Phantom Menace?” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/346-rf-a-phantom-menace “The Børresen X3 Floor Standing Loudspeaker Review” by The Absolute Sound: https://youtu.be/XD0ihyCGnmM?si=o-hCj0oMoHwZKjYZ “Børresen X3, You Gotta Hear These Speakers!” by Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac: https://youtu.be/mXloRt4pmN8?si=hbQtR2WPLkwEL6-o “Børresen X3 Loudspeaker” by Stuart Smith: https://www.hifipig.com/borresen-x3-loudspeaker-review/ “Troubling Trend: 2024 CEDIA Expo Loses Hundreds of Attendees This Year” by Ted Green: https://www.strata-gee.com/troubling-trend-2024-cedia-expo-loses-hundreds-of-attendees-this-year/ “CEDIA 2019 Report: A Tale of the Haves and the Have-Nots” by Dennis Burger: https://hometheaterreview.com/cedia-2019-report-a-tale-of-the-haves-and-the-have-nots/

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis learn a thing or four about how everything they thought they knew about modern class-D amps was totally wrong; discuss some new FTC rules that might actually affect the audio industry (or at least, the high-end audio industry), and dig into a review of a “magickal” new amplifier. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/silicone-face-scrubber-review/ 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Life on the Edge – A Personal Perspective on the Past, Present, and Future of Class D Audio Amplifiers” by Bruno Putzeys: https://hometheaterhifi.com/30th-anniversary/the-now/life-on-the-edge-a-personal-perspective-on-the-past-present-and-future-of-class-d-audio-amplifiers/ “Audioholics Petition to Reopen FTC Final Amplifier Rule of 2024” by Gene DellaSala: https://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/ftc-final-amplifier-rule-2024 “The FTC Updates the ‘Amplifier Rule’” by John Atkinson: https://www.stereophile.com/content/ftc-updates-amplifier-rule “Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody Review” by Alan Sircom: https://hifiplus.com/articles/trafomatic-audio-rhapsody/ “Trafomatic Rhapsody” by Ken Kessler: https://absolutesounds.com/pdf/main/press/HFN%20Dec%2023%20Trafomatic%20Rhapsody_Reprint-LOW.pdf “Marantz steps into the unknown w/ Horizon, Grand Horizon” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2024/10/marantz-steps-into-the-unknown-w-horizon-grand-horizon/ “Marantz - Toronto Audiofest 2024” by Robert Schryer: https://www.stereophile.com/content/marantz-toronto-audiofest-2024 “DEVIALET Renegotiates Its Debt”: https://startup-in-europe.com/2024/10/between-financial-crisis-and-repositioning-strategy-devialet-renegotiates-its-debt/

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis finally lift the lid on the secret Audiophile Society project Brent has been teasing for months, dive deep(ish) into the subject of soundstage in headphones, and check out a new video from Audioholics’ Gene DellaSala about whether or not you should upgrade your speakers’ crossovers.  Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/silicone-face-scrubber-review/ 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET   Further Reading:  “The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album “Soundstage Is (Much) More Complicated Than You Think” by Griffin Silver: https://headphones.com/blogs/features/soundstage-is-much-more-complicated-than-you-think “After Half a Century of My Skipping Skin Care, This $9 Scrubber Finally Got Me Washing My Face” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/silicone-face-scrubber-review/ “Loudspeaker Crossover Upgrades - Are They Worth the Effort?” by Audioholics: https://youtu.be/3cbe7q2bnvA?si=rlrFePFKYGO9uWPn

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis are joined by industry legend Sandy Gross—co-founder of Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and GoldenEar Technology—to reflect on the legacy of Sound & Vision and its forebear Stereo Review, following the news that S&V is ceasing print circulation. And in an Audio Unleashed first, Sandy sticks around for the second segment to talk about home theater, personally and professionally. Next up: a discussion of John Atkinson’s Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature loudspeaker in this month’s Stereophile.  Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Sound & Vision Magazine Takes a Bow” by Mark Henninger: https://www.soundandvision.com/content/internet-killed-magazine-star “Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature loudspeaker” by John Atkinson: https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-wilkins-805-d4-signature-loudspeaker “Do We Really Need All These Target Curves?” by Brent Butterworth https://soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/354-do-we-really-need-all-these-target-curves “How Far Have Headphones Come?” by Brent Butterworth https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/233-how-far-have-headphones-come

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis discuss the death of music hard drives (and the inevitable doom of all music recordings?); riff on a  cut’n’paste review of a Coherence Systems… something or other, and worry whether a podcast they created about the Harman target curve using A.I. might actually be better than … well, not Audio Unleashed, of course, but much of what passes for audio journalism. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Music industry’s 1990s hard drives, like all HDDs, are dying” by Kevin Purdy:https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/09/music-industrys-1990s-hard-drives-like-all-hdds-are-dying/ “New five pound note plays vinyl records” by Blowfelt: https://youtu.be/MtNXDTPBzB0?si=3nL6eNrKeVCbnE3X “Coherence Systems/ADD Powr Sorcer Apprentice Review” by Alan Sircom: https://hifiplus.com/articles/coherence-systems-add-powr-sorcer-apprentice/ “Google is using AI to make fake podcasts from your notes” by Emma Roth: https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/11/24242138/google-notebook-llm-ai-fake-podcasts-research “Segmentation of Listeners Based on Their Preferred Headphone Sound Quality Profiles” by Olive, Sean; Welti, Todd; Khonsaripour, Omid: https://aes2.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=20289 “We Used A.I. to Make a Fake Podcast About the Harman Target Curve for Headphones” by Audio Unleashed: https://youtu.be/H_rx7UMMYq4?si=tU_Wx4xPYi7PMol6

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis opine about whether or not an elaborate AI-powered streaming music scam is any worse than most of what Spotify does, pontificate about whether or not anyone needs to read amplifier reviews, and dig through the mid-year revenue report from the RIAA for clues about the future of music formats.   Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):   📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET   📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp   📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE   📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0   Further Reading:  “FBI busts musician’s elaborate AI-powered $10M streaming-royalty heist” by Benj Edwards: https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/09/fbi-busts-musicians-elaborate-ai-powered-10m-streaming-royalty-heist/ “Eleven Predictions: Here's What AI Does Next” by Ted Gioia: https://www.honest-broker.com/p/eleven-predictions-heres-what-ai?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=296132&post_id=148502330&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=130q1&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email “Hegel H600 and H400: Unleashing the Power of the New Control App” by CE Critic: https://cecritic.com/news/integrated-amplifier/hegel-h600-and-h400-unleashing-the-power-of-the-new-control-app “RIAA MID-YEAR 2024 RECORDED MUSIC REVENUE REPORT” Analysis by Matt Bass, RIAA Vice President, Research | Gold & Platinum Operations: https://www.riaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RIAA-Mid-Year-2024-Revenue-Report.pdf “Music Keeps the Groove in the First Half of 2024” by RIAA: https://riaa.medium.com/music-keeps-the-groove-in-the-first-half-of-2024-8844d6c9949d The Tronosonic Experience: https://thetronosonicexperience.bandcamp.com/

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off with everyone’s favorite: a vocabulary lesson! What’s the difference between decibels and SPLs, and how are those distinct from loudness? Also, what the heck are LUFS? Next: If EarFun’s new earphones are all that, why pay more? And can Sonos un-punch its own face? Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 Further Reading:  “EVerything Explained | Episode One: What Do ‘dB’, ‘Loudness’and ‘SPL’ Actually Mean? by Electro-Voice Official: https://youtu.be/SrOiveJvlFE?si=mvHVLeGBjZiaufMw “For the Love of Music: Loudness Normalization” by Thomas Lund: https://audioxpress.com/article/for-the-love-of-music-loudness-normalization Harry Styles - “As It Was” (Official Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5v3kku4y6Q “Spirit They've Vanished” by Avey Tare & Panda Bear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_pyaRPzZ3A “Earfun Air Pro 4 review: the best budget wireless earbuds on the planet” by Simon Cohen: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/earfun-air-pro-4-review/ “The Sound Of Failure At Sonos” by Dan Pontefract: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danpontefract/2024/08/24/the-sound-of-failure-at-sonos/ “Apple’s War on Windows” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/feature-articles/259-apples-war-on-windows  

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis ponder whether our objective measurement techniques are keeping up with the sorts of audio gear people are actually buying, talk more trash about Spotify, and dig into the pros and cons of single-driver speakers.     Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):   📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET   📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp   📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE   📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0   Further Reading:  “New Ways to Measure Noise Cancelling, Transparency, and Other Modes in Headphones and Earphones” by Brent Butterworth: https://audioxpress.com/article/new-ways-to-measure-noise-cancelling-transparency-and-other-modes-in-headphones-and-earphones “We're changing our scoring” by Christian Thomas: https://www.soundguys.com/were-changing-our-scoring-103635/ “Why I Finally Quit Spotify” by Kyle Chayka: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/why-i-finally-quit-spotify “Why Crossoverless Single-Driver Speakers Are (Mostly) Crap! (Ep:84)” by soundstagenetwork: https://youtu.be/Uc7dtawhSVg?si=HLOhQknvyXbh-fE3 GR Research LGK 2.0 Speaker Review (A Joke): https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/gr-research-lgk-2-0-speaker-review-a-joke.34783/ “Voxativ Ampeggio 2024 loudspeaker Measurements” by John Atkinson: https://www.stereophile.com/content/voxativ-ampeggio-2024-loudspeaker-measurements