Crutchfield: The Podcast

Cohosts J.R. and Eric are joined by Crutchfield's in-house A/V demo expert, Dave. The trio talk about what makes a great demo as well as their favorite (and least favorite) demos that they've experienced during their time at Crutchfield. Then, J.R. reveals results from a company-wide poll of Crutchfield employees' favorite scenes to throw on and put their home theater system to the test. Tune in to hear if any of your favorite scenes are included in the conversation. If they aren't, be sure to let us know in the comments below. Looking for some great music to test an audio system? Check out our Spotify profile! (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4z0kIU5KvlzbK0wUBDJiEa) And if you want to get a sense of what new speakers can do before you buy them, try out our SpeakerCompare tool. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/BI5) Read episode transcript

Acclaimed speaker designer Andrew Jones returns to the podcast... er, Crutchfield LIVE... to discuss his latest creation, MoFi's SourcePoint 10 bookshelf speakers. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/BEV) He discusses an assortment of topics with J.R., from his decision to join MoFi's team to his thinking behind his newest design to his feelings on car audio. It's a casual and always entertaining conversation. And if video is your preference, check out the interview on our YouTube channel. (https://youtu.be/2T0M3492BcE)

J.R. and Eric can't resist kicking off the show with a little hard selling in the spirit of Black Friday deals (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/B5F) but then quickly segue into an easygoing interview with Crutchfield employee Tara. Tara leads our video and social media team — she's a self-professed headphone addict (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/B5G) and has also been a Sonos fan (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/B5H) from the very start. During their chat, she and J.R. chat about their history as onscreen cohosts way back when, their favorite old gear, and Tara's totally one-of-a-kind treehouse (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/B5I), which is a full-functioning listening and screening room. If you're in need of A/V inspiration, this episode is not to be missed!

When we talk about Legendary Service at Crutchfield, Norm is always top of mind. In this audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube and Facebook, J.R. chats with Norm about his history as an A/V installer, his expertise, and what he does at Crutchfield these days. Plus, the duo answer customer questions about all kinds of gear.

Our headphone guy Jeff (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/B0Q) got the rare opportunity to chat with Grammy award-winning mixing engineer Manny Marroquin (http://www.mannymarroquin.com/). A veteran of the music industry for over 30 years, Manny has worked with the best artists in the business, including Alicia Keys, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar. Jeff talks with him about his history in the business, his studio, his groundbreaking restaurant and live venue (https://www.verse.la/), and his recent work with Audeze (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/B0R) designing the Audeze MM-500 open-back planar magnetic studio headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/B0S). Before, after, and at spots in between the interview, J.R., Eric, and Jeff provide the "Crutchfield take" on Manny's philosophy and work. Before all is said and done, J.R. breaks out the new Audeze MM-500 headphones for Eric and J.R. to try out for themselves!

J.R. introduces this audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube and Facebook. He talks with Mark of Car Audio Fabrications (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4FiN46mPTtkJxzRXJY21lQ), a YouTube channel devoted to making the car audio gear we sell look and sound great in all sorts of vehicles. Be sure to check out the Crutchfield Live episode with Mark (https://youtu.be/VaeYWaGOz6Y) to see the custom builds that he talks about in the episode!

Eric H. returns as co-host, and J.R. interviews Dolly in our corporate sales department. In this episode they discuss building a home entertainment system over time, musical tastes, and Dolly's work designing A/V systems for retail clients. Plus, J.R. decides he might have a future as a music rights enforcement officer! Oh, and visit https://www.crutchfield.com/learn/crutchfield-podcast.html to see Eric's pic of his improvised soundproofing.

J.R. and Crutchfield staff writer Eric A. (not to be confused with regular cohost Eric H.) chat with Chris Stringer (Syng CEO/Chief Design Officer) and Chris Kyriakakis (Syng Chief Audio Scientist) about Syng's Cell Alpha powered speaker. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/ATQ) They discuss balancing design with audio performance, the true meaning of stereo, the concept of "sweet spots" and a lot more. It's an informative discussion that might challenge your ideas about what home audio can and should be.

J.R. welcomes Advisor Tony to the show in this mash-up of two episodes of Crutchfield Live, which you can catch every other Thursday on YouTube and Facebook. The duo walk us through the process of qualifying Tony's 2010 Mazda 3 using our vehicle selector tool (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9X9) and then using filters to narrow down choices for all types of car audio gear. Some of the gear discussed includes: Hertz car speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9XA) Boss car stereos with Apple CarPlay (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9XB) Kicker subwoofers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9XC) JL Audio amplifiers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9XD) Plus, J.R. answers a number of customer questions, including one that a listener named Buzz sent into the show! If you'd like to have your question answered on the podcast, send an email to us at podcast@crutchfield.com.

Cohosts J.R. and Eric are back in the studio to discuss a recent interview with Advisor Rodell, who's really into wireless gear (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9T1). They chat about all kinds of topics, from similarities between Crutchfield and a fine dining experience, specialized short throw projector screens (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9T2), covering songs by Katy Perry, and JBL's recent visit to our HQ (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9T4).  Check out some of the gear they talk about: Eton Aqualite solar powered lantern and water bottle (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9T6) NAD D 3020 V2 integrated amp and DAC (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9T7) Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear noise-cancelling headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9T8) Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 portable Bluetooth speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9T9) Portable chargers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9TA) Plus, don't forget to check out what's happening on our livestream show, Crutchfield LIVE (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9TB).

In this episode we have something very special — Jeff, our resident headphones pro, conducts an exclusive interview with speaker visionary, Andrew Jones. Andrew shares his philosophy behind speaker design, his reasons for joining the team at MoFi, and what's next for him. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9PV) But before that, enjoy this audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube (www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/crutchfield/live_videos/). J.R. plays the "ported vs. sealed" game with Matt, our mobile electronics catalog editor. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9PW)They take music suggestions from Live viewers and compare notes on the best sub style for job. Then, Jeff walks J.R. through his visit to AXPONA, an audio electronics expo in Chicago. Intrested in finding out more about Jeff's AXPONA experience? Check out his photos and read the full story. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9PX)

J.R. and Eric are joined by Chris, Crutchfield trainer and resident Jeep pro, to discuss the ups and downs of owning a Wrangler, as well as ideas for customization. J.R. also interviews Crutchfield employee, Wendy, about her Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, all the upgrades she's made since buying it, her many off-road adventures, and the cool stuff she does with our Corporate Sales department (https://business.crutchfield.com/Corporate/Index.aspx). Some of the gear discussed in this episode includes: Polk Audio car speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9OK) JBL's DSP4086 8-channel amp with digital signal processing (crutchfield.com/r/9OL) JBL BassPro 12 ported powered sub (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9OM) Garmin's Overlander® portable navigator for off-road use (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9ON) Wrangler-specific audio gear (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9OO) If you'd like to find gear for your Jeep Wrangler, be sure to enter your vehicle info before shopping (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9OP). And if you need a little inspiration, check out the gear Chris installed in his '06 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9OR).

Who doesn't love free stuff? J.R. delivers the details on our regular gear giveaways (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9MP) which we announce on our live-streamed video show, Crutchfield Live. You can catch it every other Thursday on YouTube (www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/crutchfield/live_videos/). This special audio version of Crutchfield Live #10 reveals what else J.R. has added to his Subaru Crosstrek (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9MQ), Advisor Dylan's experience with the Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth® speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9MR), staff writer Jeff's picks for best audiophile headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9MT), and more. Be sure to tune in next time when cohost Eric in an original podcast episode to discuss Jeep Wrangler-specific audio gear (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9MU).

J.R. and Eric introduce this audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube (www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/crutchfield/live_videos/). First, J.R. talks with Peter, one of our in-house marine audio experts, about the benefit of using tinned copper wire (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9L5). Then, he chats with Advisor Cam about our handy Connect ID shopping tool that makes getting help from an expert easier than ever. And finally, J.R. circles up with Zak from our video team to discuss DACs (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9L6) and some quirks he found when streaming high-resolution audio (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9L7) using a web browser. Plus, J.R. answers customer questions about ported vs. sealed sub boxes (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9L8) and more!

J.R. and Eric are back for Season 3! This time, J.R. interviews Crutchfield legend, Charlie Pastorfield, who helps craft our online experience for mobile electronics shoppers. Charlie is also a well-respected musician with decades of experience in the music industry (https://www.skipcastro.com/skipcastrobandstory.htm). He chats with J.R. about writing songs during the pandemic, his gear-buying addiction, and the philosophy behind his enviable home audio system. Meanwhile, Eric grapples with his feelings about Steely Dan, and they guys discuss big questions like, "What makes an audiophile?" and "Does quality speaker wire really matter?" If you're into high-fidelity audio, this is an episode you won't want to skip. Some of the gear discussed includes: Polk floor-standing speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9JT) Elac amplifiers and speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9JX) NAD amplifiers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9JZ) McIntosh amplifiers and more (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9K0) Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9K1) You can see some Charlie talks about in his home studio, including his Linn Sondek turntable and his guitar collection, in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1PZBPWsys8&t=413s). Also, check out the story of his one-of-a-kind Telecaster guitar, made from the wood of a tree Thomas Jefferson planted (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/9K2).

It's our final bonus episode before Season 3 arrives in March. Check out this audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube (www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/crutchfield/live_videos/). J.R. and Eric review news from this year's Consumer Electronics Show and what technology to look for in 2022. Some of the gear discussed, like Mark Levinson's No. 5909 wireless noise-canceling headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/97J) and Sony's Airpeak S1 quadcopter drone (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/97K), are available for order or pre-order now. Plus, J.R. gets exclusive access to a virtual walkthrough of Klipsch's CES booth and finds out what's next from them. (https://www.crutchfield.com/brands/klipsch.aspx) Enjoy, and we'll talk to you again in Season 3!

It's yet another special audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/crutchfield/live_videos/). First, J.R. talks with Advisor Francis about the differences between OLED and LED TVs. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/95D) Then, he and Cris from Crutchfield Tech Support discuss what we know about upgrading car audio gear in electric vehicles. J.R. and Eric A. wrap up the show, chatting about cool home audio gear from Wharfdale (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/95E), ELAC (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/95F), Parasound (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/95G), Syng (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/95H), and more!

Check out another special audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/crutchfield/live_videos/). After watching Dune in both an IMAX theater and Eric's home theater (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/91R), J.R. and Eric chat about the best parts of each experience. Also, Cris from Crutchfield's Tech Support (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/91S) stops by to talk about component car speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/91T) and how his team of experts help customers every day. Staff writer and demo pro (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/91U), Dave wraps up with the show with J.R. and they chat about integrating new and vintage gear.

Check out this special audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which is available to watch on YouTube (www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/crutchfield/live_videos/). J.R. talks with a bunch of our category experts about the latest car and home audio, answers viewer questions, and shares holiday shopping advice. Some of the gear discussed in this episode includes: Sony Mobile ES Series speakers and subs (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8ZU) Sony Mobile ES Series XAV-9500ES digital multimedia receiver (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8ZV) Enclave Audio home theater speaker systems (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8ZW) Andover Audio turntables and components (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8ZX) Phono preamps (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8ZY) Be sure to stick around until the end of the episode for helpful tech tips, and look out for our next bonus episode in early December!

It's the end of Season 2, and what better way to celebrate than by answering real questions from real customers. J.R. and Eric cover a range of topics from car and home audio to vehicle warranties to whether you should buy or rent a modem. Here's a full episode breakdown: - Why do your holiday shopping now? - What's a good way to compare speakers when shopping online? - Will buying a router improve home internet speed? - What's the best way to build a home audio system around one component you love? - What's the best way to wire a sub (for your home and your vehicle)? - Can you add a new stereo to a '17 Wrangler Unlimited on a budget? - What should you keep in mind when matching car amps and subs? - Will upgrading factory audio gear void your vehicle's warranty? - What should you keep in mind when matching car speakers and stereos? - Will you lose your factory USB and aux inputs when installing a new car stereo? - What are J.R.'s and Eric's ideas for outfitting a '94 Ford Probe? And, of course... the links! - Check out J.R. and guests every other week on Crutchfield Live, streaming on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/crutchfield/videos)and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/crutchfield/videos). - Make shopping home and car speakers easier by using SpeakerCompare™ (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8VR). Thanks for listening and talk to you again soon in Season 3!

J.R. interviews Robin, part of the team responsible for our ReadyHarness service (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8O1). They chat about his work, the gear he loves, and some of his all-time favorite concerts. Plus, J.R. and cohost Eric react to a YouTube video review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX8pYUz0-xc) from Ryan at Silly Reviews — he purchased a car stereo for his Volkswagen Jetta and used a ReadyHarness wired by Robin! Some of the gear discussed includes: Kicker car speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8O4) Alpine iLX-W650 digital multimedia receiver (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8O5) Nikon DSLR cameras (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8O6) JBL Bluetooth speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8O8) J.R. and Eric also preview the next and final episode of the season. They'll be answering listener questions, so be sure to submit yours — email the team at podcast[at]crutchfield.com or leave a comment at https://www.crutchfield.com/podcast.

J.R. catches up with Aaron Cochran of Balaton Marketing about the mountain of gear he owns and the select pieces he allows to take permanent residence in his home. A manufacturer's representative for companies like Yamaha (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8II), Klipsch (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IJ), and Sennheiser (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IK), he's a familiar face in the halls of Crutchfield, thanks to his popular training sessions on the latest and greatest gear.  J.R. and Aaron talk about his history in the industry, the pleasures of listening to vinyl, some awesome benefits of streaming high-res content, and audio gear that's made in the U.S.A. Some of the gear discussed includes: McIntosh ampifiers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IL) Klipsch Heritage Forte speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IM) MoFi turntables and accessories (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IN) Qobuz (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IO) and Tidal (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IQ) high-res streaming Sennheiser Ambeo sound bar (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8IR)

J.R. interviews Michael Buratto, a musician and Senior Product Manager at Klipsch, about his history with the company, the gear he uses to make and enjoy music, and what has made Klipsch an enduring brand for 75 years. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8D4) Michael also hints at some fun speaker projects in the works. After the interview, J.R. and cohost Eric explore wireless home theater solutions when they answer a customer comment on our small home theater ideas article. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8D5) Some of the gear discussed includes: Klipsch headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8D6) Klipsch The Three II powered speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8D7) Klipsch The Fives powered speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8D8) Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F floor-standing speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8D9) Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C center channel speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8DA) Klipsch SPL-150 powered subwoofer (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8DB) For more on Klipsch, check out J.R.'s recent Facebook Live overview. (www.facebook.com/22833929554/videos/309641007477554) Thanks to Michael for letting us use his song "Rule The World" in the episode outro. Find more of his music on Spotify. (open.spotify.com/artist/6qbNwhv0TSLyMvOia12whP)

J.R. brings in special cohost Colin to assist with a panel discussion about video games and the gear that makes gaming more immersive. J.R. talks to four Crutchfield employees about their console preferences, the A/V gear they use when they game, and the gear they wish they owned!  Some of the gear discussed includes: JBL gaming headsets (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/89Q) Astro gaming headsets (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/89T) JBL sound bars (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/89U) Klipsch speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/89W) Sony XBR-85X950H 85" Smart LED 4K UHD TV with HDR (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/89X) For more info about great gear for gaming, check out Colin's guide to the best gaming headsets for 2021 (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/89Y), Logitech gaming accessories (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/89Z), and our best TVs for next-gen consoles (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/8A0).

J.R. introduces a Crutchfield exclusive — an interview with Sujan Hong, Head of US Music Content for Qobuz (www.qobuz.com/us-en/discover). Our headphone and high-res streaming expert Jeff caught up with Sujan to talk about all sorts of music-related topics, including music curation at Qobuz, Sujan's indie music credentials, and her favorite recent albums, available in high resolution. For video extras and photos, check out Jeff's full review of Qobuz (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/87N). Some of the gear discussed includes: SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/87P) Audio-Technica turntables (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/87Q) AudioQuest Dragonfly USB DAC  (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/87R) Bowers and Wilkins headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/87S) Audio-Technica headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/87T)

J.R. leaves shore for a lake tour on Advisor Ziggy's Bentley Cruise pontoon boat. Naturally, that boat had a rockin' audio system on board, and Ziggy got to show it off at (almost) full volume. If you'd like to follow along and see the boat, check out our full article about the installation. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85P) Some of the gear discussed includes: Rockford Fosgate PMX-5CAN marine digital media receiver (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85Q) Rockford Fosgate TM1000X5AD 5-channel marine amp (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85R) Rockford Fosgate M2 Series Color-Optix™ marine speakers with LED illumination (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85S) Rockford Fosgate PMX-RGB lighting controller for Color-Optix™ speaker systems (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85T) Kicker marine-grade amp wiring kit (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85U) Kicker 46CWTB102 weather-proof tube enclosure with 10" sub (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85V) SoundSkins Pro sound damping material (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85W) Also, J.R. and cohost Eric answer a customer question about wakeboard tower speakers and their recommendations include Kicker's 46KMC4 marine digital receiver (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85X) and JL Audio's M3 Series wakeboard tower speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/85Y).

J.R. interviews Maria, one of Crutchfield's sales team leaders, about her history as a pro musician, the headphones that her husband and son love, and car installation whoopsies. After the interview, J.R. goes deep into the mail bag with co-host Eric, answering three customer questions about headphones. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82N) Some of the gear discussed includes: Klipsch T5 II true wireless earbuds (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82O) Klipsch The One powered Bluetooth® speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82P) JBL JR300BT kids' wireless on-ear headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82Q) Bose® Soundlink® Revolve Bluetooth® speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82R) Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82S) Meze Audio 99 Classics over-ear wired headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82T) Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear wireless noise-cancelling headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82U) Sennheiser headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82V) Audeze LCD-1 open-back planar-magnetic headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82W) iFi Audio ZEN DAC desktop USB DAC and headphone amp (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82X) For more headphones resources, check out our Top 5 Most Comfortable Headphones article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82Y) and our headphones buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/82Z).

Co-hosts J.R. and Eric catch up with Francis, who works on our Crutchfield Business team, to take a deep dive on smart home gear and smart assistants (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/800). Eric, a big fan of Amazon Alexa (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/801), and Francis, who's all in with Google Assistant (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/802), discuss their home setups and how they made their choices. Some of the gear discussed includes: Amazon Echo Dot products (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/803) Google Nest products (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/804) Brilliant Smart Home Control (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/805) Bluesound Node 2i (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/806) Denon products with HEOS (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/807) Also, the gang answers a few customer questions about integrating smart controls with existing audio gear. If you'd like more info on integrating smart home products into your home, check out our smart home buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/808). Some other great resources are our wireless router buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/809), our guide to Alexa in the car (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/80A), and our guide to Brilliant smart home control (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/80B).

J.R. talks to Carlos (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7WF), one of our in-house drone experts, about growing up in Puerto Rico, his drone-racing experience, and what brought him to Crutchfield. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7WE) From great starter drones for kids to professional-grade drones, Carlos also shares some of his favorite picks. Some of the gear discussed includes: DJI Telo (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7WG) DJI Mavic 2 drones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7WH) DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ V2.0 Quadcopter (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7WJ) Drone bundles (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7WK) For more drone recommendations, check out this year's buying guide which also includes tips related to drone safety, laws, and regulations. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7WL)

J.R. talks to Brooke, a Crutchfield Advisor for over 15 years, about how gear has contributed to the expansion of her family compound, which includes a large home gym and classic car garage. For more on what's in that garage, check out this spotlight on the audio gear she installed in her 1971 Chevy Blazer and the car shows her family attends. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SM) Some of the gear discussed includes: Sonos Move wireless portable speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SN) Sonos Roam wireless portable speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SP) Jaybird true wireless Bluetooth ear buds (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SQ) Sony true wireless Bluetooth ear buds (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SR) Retrosound car audio (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SS) Marine audio tower speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7ST) Kicker car audio (crutchfield.com/r/7SU) More articles on the topics discussed: Brooke's home gym spotlight in our Spring 2021 catalog (https://catalog.crutchfield.com/Spring-2021/36/) Best headphones for working out (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SV) Wireless speakers buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SW) Sonos Move video spotlight (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SX) After the interview J.R. and Eric answer a customer question about affordable true wireless headphones. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7SY)

J.R. and Eric head over to our Returns Processing Center (RPC) to talk to Simon about his involvement with The Crutchfield Outlet (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PN) and our in-house employee store. With incredible access to so much cool gear, Simon has been able to build "dream" systems for his cars and his home, including a one-of-a-kind "three 5.1 home theater system" screening and gaming room. Check out some of the gear discussed: OLED (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PO) and LED TVs (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PP) weBoost cell boosters (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PQ) Drones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PR) Car stereos with Apple CarPlay (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PS) Kicker car audio gear (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PT) Kenwood powered subs (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PU) Posi-Products connectors (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PV) Check out the articles referenced: OLED vs. LED: How to choose (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PW) 4 ways to get great TV sound (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PX) What are line output converters? (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7PY) Plus, J.R. and Eric answer two customer questions about car audio!

Season 2 of the podcast kicks off with a new formula — host J.R. is the interview subject this time. Co-host Eric digs in on the what, why, and how of J.R.'s recent 2020 Subaru Crosstrek audio upgrade. If you'd like to follow along, check out our full article about the installation (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7MG). Some of the gear discussed includes: Kicker KS Series car speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7MH) Kicker 47TRTP122 downward-firing loaded sub enclosure (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7MI) Kicker KX Series 5-channel amplifier (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7MJ) AudioControl LC7i line output converter (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7MK) AudioControl load generating device (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7ML) Focal vehicle-specific car speakers (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/7MM) Also, J.R. and Eric answer a customer question about options for upgrading the audio gear in a leased vehicle.

If you're a satellite radio fan or if you just plain love music, you won't want to miss JR's interview with Paul Trueman from SiriusXM (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/76C). A roadie at the age of 16, a car audio installer in his 20s, and a member of the SiriusXM team for decades, Paul has a lifetime of rock 'n' roll stories. He gives us a peek behind the scenes at SiriusXM headquarters, shares a preview of what's coming next from the company, and of course, reveals his favorite gear for enjoying SiriusXM content. Some of the gear discussed includes: SiriusXM SXV300V1 satellite radio tuner (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/76D) SiriusXM SXWB1V1 TOUR Dock & Play satellite + streaming radio vehicle kit (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/76E) Pioneer DMH-C5500NEX digitial multimedia receiver (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/76F) Sony XAV-AX7000 digital multimedia receiver (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/76G) Kenwood touchscreen car stereo (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/76H) Yamaha home receiver (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/76I) After the interview, co-hosts JR and Eric reveal a little bit about their plans for the next bonus episode, coming in January 2021.

Co-hosts JR and Eric (safely) reunite in person to present a very cool Crutchfield exclusive — an interview with Bose Distinguished Engineer Dan Gauger. Our headphone expert Jeff chats with Dan about the origins of noise-cancelling headphones, his involvement in 1986's Rutan Voyager flight, what Bose fans can look forward to next, and more. For video extras and photos, check out Jeff's full article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/72S). Also, JR shares his experience as the proud owner of Bose QuietComfort® Earbuds (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/72T). And for more on the headphone comfort ratings test Eric references in the episode, check out our Top 5 most comfortable over-ear headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/72U).

JR and Eric take a "lightning round" approach to interviewing the latest class of Crutchfield Advisors (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6Y6), who are now available to help find the right gear for your needs. Each Advisor tells a little about themselves and the gear they couldn't resist buying since joining us. Check out our new Advisors and their gear (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6Y7): Felicia chose Polk RTi A9 floor-standing speakers Dwayne chose a Boss BV900ACP DVD receiver and Polk DB+ Series car speakers MJ chose a Kenwood DNX576S navigation receiver and Infinity Kappa Series car speakers Ethan chose a Pioneer MVH-1400NEX digital multimedia receiver, Kicker DS Series car speakers, and RTi A1 bookshelf speakers Seth chose a Alpine iLX-W650 digital multimedia receiver, Polk Mobile Monitor Series car speakers, Alpine SBR-S8-4 enclosed 8" sub, and a JL Audio 5-channel amp Lucas chose a Kicker L7 Series car subwoofer Colin chose Martin Logan Motion 40i floor-standing speakers, Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2080 home theater receiver, a Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 center channel speaker, Definitive Technology SuperCube 4000 home subwoofer Bo chose Focal's Performance P30F 12' car sub and a JL Audio JD500/1 mono amplifier Ringo chose a JBL 5-channel amplifier, Kicker CompRT Series subwoofer, and JBL GX Series car speakers Leo chose a Fortin EVO-ONE remote start system For updates on bonus episodes and Season 2, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Emily writes articles and product copy on a wide range of home electronics including TVs and smart home gear. She's also clocked a lot of critical listening time, putting sound bars to the test. Her Best Sound Bars for 2020 article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UG) is among our most popular and is a great companion to this bonus episode, in which she and JR share their experiences with Sonos' latest sound bar, Arc (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UH). Check out Emily's full review (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UI). Some of the gear discussed in this episode includes: Sonos products https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UJ Klipsch subwoofers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UK Turntables https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UL Devices with Amazon Alexa https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UM Audioengine powered speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UN Marantz stereo receivers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UO Martin Logan bookshelf speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6UP After the interview, JR catches up with Chris from Sonos (check out Ep. 6!) to answer a customer question about Arc. Plus, Chris offers some pro tips on working from home. For updates on bonus episodes and Season 2, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

The gang's (virtually) back together for the season finale. JR and Eric catch up on their work-from-home lifestyle and chat with Lex, Crutchfield: The Podcast producer. They talk about the origin of the podcast, what they've learned along the way, some of their favorite podcasting gear, and what to look forward to in Season 2. For more info on how to start your own podcast, check out this article referenced in episode: https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6IW Some of the gear discussed includes: USB interfaces https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6IX Dynamic microphones https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6IY Condenser microphones https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6IZ USB microphones https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6J0 Shure MV88+ microphone https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6J1 Blue Yeticaster microphone https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6J2 Studio headphones https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6J3 Microphone stands https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6J4 Podcasting bundles https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6J5 JR also answers a customer comment about replacing a Dynaudio speaker (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6J6) in his home theater system. If you have a question for JR and Eric, post it in the comments below, and they'll get back to you as soon as they can! For updates on bonus episodes and Season 2, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Chris, Crutchfield training manager, chats with JR about the in-house demo system he designed for our Southwest Virginia call center. It lets Crutchfield Advisors get hands-on with new home audio gear as often as possible so they can share their listening experiences with customers. Want to demo our wide selection of home speakers too? Check out our online SpeakerCompare tool. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6G7) Some of the home audio gear discussed in this episode includes: Bluesound Vault 2i streaming music player https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6G8 McIntosh preamplifier https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6G9 McIntosh MC152 stereo power amplifier https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GA Cambridge Audio DacMagic stereo DAC https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GC Denon turntable https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GD Turntable catridges https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GE PSB floor-standing speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GF Furman power line conditioner and surge protector https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GH Chris also talks to JR about the system in his Jeep Wrangler. If you’d like to see his '06 Wrangler Unlimited and follow along, check out his vehicle profile. https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GI Some of the car audio gear discussed in this episode includes: JL Audio car amplifier https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GJ Infinity Kappa Series car speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GK Kicker car subwoofers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GL Pioneer DEH-80PRS CD car stereo https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GM Alpine Power Pack compact car amplifier https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GN After the interview, JR and Eric answer a customer’s question about whether he can use an Alpine Power Pack amplifier in his Wrangler. If you're interested in upgrading your car audio and have compatibility questions too, find out what fits your vehicle by using our online vehicle selector. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GO)

Marisa, a Crutchfield Advisor who decided to revisit her love of her photography, discusses the fun of her DSLR camera (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E3) and the challenges of using manual mode. Check out her photos at https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6DY. Marisa and JR also talk about the importance of a solid home audio system. Some of the gear discussed includes: Nikon DSLR camera and lens kit https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E4 Mirrorless cameras https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E5 Harman Kardon BTA 10 Bluetooth® adapter https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E6 Harmon Kardon stereo receiver https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E7 Polk Audio TSi400 floor-standing speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E8 Polk Audio TSi CS10 center channel speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E9 Polk Audio TSi200 bookshelf speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6EA For more info on DSLR cameras for beginners, check out our shopping guide at https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6EB.

Carter, former Crutchfield Advisor and unabashed headphone-phile, talks to JR about his Bose® Frames and why they're a unique sound solution for him. JR and Eric also chat about headphone comfort, other Bose wearables (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BM), and the legendary Bone Fone (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/bone-fone-the-terror/279474/). Some of the gear discussed includes: Bose® Frames Alto and Rondo https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BL Bose Frames replacement lenses https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BN Bose® Soundwear™ Companion® Speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BO Audeze planar magnetic headphones https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BP AudioQuest DragonFly® DAC/headphone amplifier https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BQ Sony Walkman® high-resolution portable digital music player https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BR After the interview, JR and Eric answer a customer question about the best use cases for noise-canceling headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BS).  Note: In the time between recording this interview in 2019 and its publication in 2020, Carter moved on from working at Crutchfield, so you won't find him in our current list of Advisors. We miss him already, wish him the very best, and hope to see him at Crutchfield again someday!

SVS president Gary Yacoubian talks with JR about how he started in the electronics industry, his history at Beats, and how he transitioned SVS (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68Q) from being all about that bass to being all about great sound (and that bass). He also reveals his Top 6 favorite movies to enjoy on his Dolby Atmos-equipped home theater system (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68R). Plus, Gary talks 2-channel audio and the fun of his Linn Sondek turntable and Mark Levinson amplifier. Some of the gear discussed includes: SVS Ultra Tower speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68S SVS Ultra Center speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68T SVS Ultra Surround speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68U SVS Prime Elevation speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68V Denon AVR-7200WA receiver https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68W LG OLED 4K TV https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68X Sony Blu-ray player https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68Y Apple TV 4K https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68Z Linn Sondek LP-12 turntable Mark Levinson No 532H power amplifier Mark Levinson No 26 preamp After the interview JR gives a preview of upcoming episodes.

Rex is a Crutchfield Advisor, musician, and major music fan. Like most Crutchfield employees, he's been working from home since Virginia's shelter-in-place order began. He chats with JR about how he makes working from home work for him, his new-and-improved man cave, and his most recent Crutchfield purchase. Some of the gear discussed includes: Klipsch The Sixes powered stereo speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66L Mobile Fidelity phono preamp https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66N Pro-ject turntable https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66O Shure SM58 microphone https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66P Mackie Thump powered PA speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66Q Yamaha mixer https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66R 55" Samsung TV https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66S Polk Audio powered subwoofer https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66U Audioquest audio cables https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66V Tascam CD player https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66W After the interview, JR calls up co-host Eric to compare notes on who has the better work-from-home setup. Eric also does a deep dive on a pair of headphones that are so comfortable he's used them for twenty years.

Chris, regional trainer for Sonos (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/637), pays a visit to Crutchfield and discusses his 7-zone multi-room audio system with JR. Plus, he explains the latest updates from Sonos, including their decision to create a separate app for use with legacy Sonos products. Some of the gear discussed includes: Sonos Move wireless portable speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/r/638 Sonos Port streaming music player https://www.crutchfield.com/r/639 Sonos One wireless smart speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/r/63A Also, JR talks with co-host Eric about how the latest news from Sonos will affect Eric's elaborate home audio system. For more on multi-room audio solutions, check out our Sonos buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/63B).

Brady, a Crutchfield Advisor and full-time yacht-rocker, gives JR a virtual tour of the marine audio gear he installed on his boat. Check out this article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60R) to follow along with Brady's installation. Some of the gear discussed includes: Wet Sounds STX Micro 4 amplifier https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60S Wet Sounds REVO 8 speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60T Wet Sounds speaker/LED wire combo https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60U Wet Sounds STEALTH AS-8 powered subwoofer https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60V Wet Sounds 5-meter multicolor LED spool https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60W After the interview, JR and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on one of our many marine audio articles.

Drummer, a Crutchfield Advisor and serious vinyl collector, talks about his analog roots and how his listening routine has changed since investing in digital media. JR also references our helpful video on setting up a turntable (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5Y9). Some of the gear discussed includes: Teac turntable https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YB Klipsch Reference powered speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YC Ultimate Ears Boom Bluetooth® portable speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YF Wireless multi-room audio https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YH Streaming video components https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YK After the interview, JR and Eric respond to a customer comment on our turntable buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YL) about reviving a retired turntable — invest in restoration or buy a replacement?

Jess, a Crutchfield Advisor who's a serious classic rock fan, talks to JR about the resurgence of cassettes, her mega-sized home theater system, and listening to vinyl on her days off. JR also references our handy TV Sizes And Viewing Distances article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WS). Some of the gear discussed includes: 70" LG TV https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WT Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 9.2-channel home theater receiver https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WU Denon turntable https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WV Monitor Audio Silver home speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WW Cassette decks https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WX Audioengine S8 8" compact powered sub https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WY Auralex subwoofer isolation platform https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WZ After the interview, JR and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on our Intro To Home Theater Speakers article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5X0). They dig into finding an alternative to in-ceiling speakers for enjoying Dolby Atmos®.

Darren, a Crutchfield employee and car audio integration guru, walks JR through the "head unit back" audio upgrade he installed in his '17 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. Check out these articles to follow along with Darren's installation (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5V7) and his custom fiberglass work (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5V8). Some of the gear discussed includes: Hertz Mille ML Power 5-channel amplifier https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5V9 Rockford Fosgate DSR-1 digital sound processor https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VA Hertz MP 250 D4.3 10” subwoofer https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VB Hertz Mille Pro component speaker system https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VC Hertz Mille Pro coaxial speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VD Dynamat sound deadening https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VF Stinger Roadkill FAST Rings https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VG After the interview, JR and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on our What Are Line Output Converters? (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VE) article about where to tap into audio signal when keeping a factory radio in an audio upgrade.

Mac, a Crutchfield Advisor who's a big fan of British audio engineering, walks JR through the thinking behind his home audio system. Plus, they talk about watching the infamous dark episode of Game Of Thrones on a Sony TV. Some of the gear discussed includes: Wharfedale Diamond 230 floor-standing speakers https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5SV Cambridge Audio Topaz SR20 stereo receiver https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5SW Harman Kardon BTA 10 Bluetooth® adapter https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5SZ Definitive Technology wireless music adapter https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5T0 Definitive Technology 8" powered subwoofer https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5T1 After the interview, hosts JR and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on Crutchfield's Stereo Receiver Buying Guide article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5SU) about powering indoor and outdoor speakers from the same stereo receiver. Find out more about Crutchfield at https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5ST Facebook: @crutchfield Instagram: @crutchfield Twitter: @crutchfield YouTube: @crutchfieldtv All music provided by BIG! https://thebandbig.com/