SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Pro Audio Technology owner/president L. Paul Hales, who shares his unique perspective about manufacturing in America and overseas, why different products for his different brands are made where they are made, how the current trade war chaos is affecting manufacturing and business decisions, and what the future may hold.  Sources: “Marrying Hi-Fi with Pro Audio - Paul Hales”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/marrying-hi-fi-with-pro-audio-paul-hales-pro-audio-technology-origins-what-matters/ “What Do Knitting and Hi-Fi Have in Common? (Hint: It's Politics)” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1339-what-do-knitting-and-hi-fi-have-in-common-hint-its-politics Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:11:13 Supply chains matter 00:14:48 Are trade deficits all that bad? 00:19:49 When American manufacturing makes sense 00:21:38 How tariffs actually work 00:26:59 Why this trade war is unwinnable 00:28:58 How tariffs could work effectively 00:40:42 Looking to the future 00:57:33 Outro music: "Baby I'm Stuck in a Cone” Ge Filter Fish

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth chats with SoundStage! Ultra editor Jason Thorpe about his adventures at High End 2025, the final year in Munich. Jason was there with SoundStage! Contributor Matt Bonaccio and SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider. They dig into the best gear Jason saw, his sense of larger trends, and what the upcoming move may or may not mean.  Also, sandwiches. Sources: High End 2025 coverage on SoundStageGlobal.com: https://soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2025-munich-germany Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:05:39 Spools of wire 00:10:37 What do air hockey tables and turntables have in common? 00:14:31 The sound of speakers 00:22:07 More techno! 00:26:19 Black boxes 00:29:46 The future of High End 00:38:44 Outro music: "Look Up” by Diffie Bosman

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is sits down for a one-on-one with Gabi Rynveld, PR and brand ambassador for International Audio Holding, to discuss the history of Siltech and Crystal cable, the importance of manufacturing in the Netherlands, how distinct companies maintain their personality and brand identity under the umbrella of one manufacturer, and more. Sources: “The Rolex of Hi-Fi Cables - Siltech's Flagship Royal Crown Series”: https://youtu.be/yN-nEreboLE?si=gTkHHRv4FGSwsyB- “Ultra Hi-Fi: Crystal Cable's "Core" Silver-Gold Cable Line—the Diamond Series 2 Update”: https://youtu.be/vpWM6DeyXDE?si=GPM0Sgo8QqTyy6o_ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 The origin of Crystal Cable 00:12:40 HMS Elektronik enters the chat 00:22:47 New/old brand or old/new brand? 00:43:00 Don't forget the music 00:47:50 Outro music: "Thaïs" by Jules Massenet, performed by Ohad Ben Ari

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Jack Oclee-Brown,  VP of Technology at KEF, to discuss the decisions that go into what products are made where, and the intricate relationship between measurements and manufacturing. Sources: “KEF's Jack Oclee-Brown” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/kef-jack-oclee-brown-the-tangerine-waveguide-blade-loudspeakers-aspirational-hi-fi/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Discussions about quality and quantity 00:09:45 Lab standards vs. line standards 00:23:10 What about headphones? 00:28:37 Outro music: “Ohio Country” by When Mountains Move

This week, host Jorden Guth joins Martijn Mensink of Dutch & Dutch to discuss what aspects of the company's beloved 8c speakers are made where, how the decision is made to craft some things in-house and outsource other elements, why driver manufacturing and DSP development are very different enterprises, and what the future holds for the design and manufacture of products of its type. Sources: “Martijn Mensink On the Magic of Dutch & Dutch”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/martijn-mensink-on-the-magic-of-dutch-dutch-active-speakers-cardioid-dispersion-acoustics/ "Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeakers Reviewed" by Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1270-dutch-dutch-8c-active-loudspeakers "Intro to Dutch & Dutch and the 8c Active Loudspeaker - SoundStage! InSight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2R9lEJH4Og&ab_channel=soundstagenetwork "Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeaker in Detail - SoundStage! InSight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW-6R5HP8SE&ab_channel=soundstagenetwork Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:21:43 Unexpected lessons 00:26:24 Outro music: “Get it Right” by Water on Mars

In this week's episode, host Jorden Guth chats with T+A elektroakustik COO Conradin Amft to learn more about the value proposition of where components are manufactured, why German manufacturing still has value in and of itself irrespective of the financial considerations, and why the choice fo where to manufacture is different for products with and without software. Closing music: “Leaf by Leaf” by Yoed Nir and Ziv Moran Sources: “44 Years of T+A—Germany's Hi-Fi Giant in Detail”: https://youtu.be/lzW18SuAJW0?si=SUjQkUfzU-obTWDv “T+A Elektroakustik Criterion S 230 Loudspeaker” by George de Sa: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1932-t-a-elektroakustik-criterion-s-230-loudspeaker “The T+A Elektroakustik R 2500 R Proves Why the Stereo Receiver Might Make a Comeback” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/system-one/1938-the-t-a-elektroakustik-r-2500-r-proves-why-the-stereo-receiver-might-make-a-comeback Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions/What gets built where and why? 00:14:44 The software factor 00:26:36 “Leaf by Leaf” by Yoed Nir and Ziv Moran

This week, host Jorden Guth chats with Dynaudio's Otto Jørgensen about the company's manufacturing processes, its massive Jupiter speaker-measuring room and how it compares to anechoic chambers, and why some things must still be made locally from a practical perspective. They also dig into why you can't look at the “Made in X” label on a component and truly tell where it's made.  Outro music: “Raising the Stakes” by T Bless and the Professionals Further reading: Meet Otto: https://dynaudio.com/magazine/2016/march/ask-the-expert-with-otto-joergensen Measures of success: how Jupiter delivers Dynaudio's trademark quality: https://dynaudio.com/magazine/2018/december/how-jupiter-delivers-dynaudio-s-trademark-quality Ibrahim Electric: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_Electric

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by industry legend Sandy Gross to discuss his passion for hi-fi and his insider perspective on the three brands he co-founded and remains mostly closely associated with: Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and GoldenEar Technology.   Sources: “The 2024 SoundStage! Network Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year”: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1927-the-2024-soundstage-network-awards-for-outstanding-achievements-and-products-of-the-year GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R loudspeakers by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1277-goldenear-technology-triton-oner-loudspeakers Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 Introductions 00:09:55 The origins of Polk Audio 00:21:30 That famous labcoat advert 00:26:01 Lights, camera . . . action? 00:29:14 The road to Definitive 00:36:02 Music Break: “Hypnotized” by Ian Post 00:37:02 GoldenEar and the art of the demo 00:43:05 A Triton by any other name00:54:19 Outro: “Blown Again” by Morphlexis

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Dr. Sean Olive, senior fellow at Harman International, to dive deeper into the development of the Harman target curve for headphones, the reason why so many alternative target headphone curves have cropped up in recent years, and what it all means for music fans.  Sources: “Sound Researcher Dr. Sean Olive” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/sound-researcher-dr-sean-olive-tonmeister-nrc-harman-and-floyd-toole-target-curves/ “Dr. Sean Olive on 35 Years of ‘Fast Car'” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1259-dr-sean-olive-on-35-years-of-fast-car Seong-Jin Cho: https://seongjin-cho.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 Introductions 00:02:09 A deeper dive into the origins of the Harman target curve 00:18:26 Music Break: “Rush Hour” by Peter John 00:19:24 Everybody and his brother has a target headphone curve 00:38:02 Outro: “Piano Concerto (Ravel)” by Ohad Ben-Ari

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Ole Siig to discuss his history in hi-fi and the development and design of Treble Clef Audio's distinctive and much-ballyhooed TCA-M active loudspeaker, which the SoundStage! Network video team covered when they traveled to Denmark last year to cover. Sources: “Treble Clef Audio's TCA-M Loudspeaker—Danish, Active, Expensive, and Dazzlingly Original” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/TNV6U9H1Rcc?si=62GFmSq_6iQs5Nw0 “January Snow Days—Treble Clef Audio and the David Chesky Trio” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1933-january-snow-days-treble-clef-audio-and-the-david-chesky-trio Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 The origins of Treble Clef 00:21:00 Music Break: “Heavy Traffic” by Amos Ever Hadani 00:22:20 What makes the TCA-M different? 00:53:00 Outro: “Baker St” by Duffmusiq

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by hi-fi industry legend Peter Lyngdorf for a supplemental chat, following the release of SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider's one-on-one video interview on the SoundStage! Network YouTube channel. Peter Lyngdorf is the founder of many hi-fi brands, including DALI, Lyngdorf Audio, Steinway Lyngdorf, and he is also the founder the the HiFi Klubben retail chain, which has nearly 100 stores throughout Europe. Sources: “How Peter Lyngdorf Became Denmark's Most Prolific and Successful Hi-Fi Entrepreneur” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/QxTsEqlnEC0?si=LcSCeuGEZ2AAzESR Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 Origin stories 00:20:12 Music Break: “Less Than Tomorrow” by Raphaël Angelini 00:22:44 A different approach to room correction 00:54:09 Outro: “The Desert” by Patrick Ussher

Do discs matter anymore? This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Rob Jones, president of Magnetar Audio North America, to discuss the brand's high-performance universal disc players, the fuzzy lines between hi-fi and home theater, and the future of physical media. Source: “Magnetar UDP900 4K Ultra HD Universal Blu-ray Disc Player–DAC” by Roger Kanno: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1854-magnetar-udp900-4k-ultra-hd-universal-blu-ray-disc-player-dac Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 The road to Magnetar 00:23:23 Music Break: “IDK” by Modern Aquatic 00:24:15 The intersection of home theater and hi-fi 00:37:47 Outro: “Let's Not Rush Out and Tell Everyone” by Glories

Axiom is a Canadian loudspeaker brand founded by Ian Colquhoun in 1980. It was one of the first companies to adopt the design principles based on the research Dr. Floyd Toole was conducting at Canada's National Research Council (NRC). Today, Colquhoun not only owns Axiom Audio, but also Bryston and Magnum Dynalab. This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Ian Colquhoun to discuss the value engineering that made the company's new Performance44 loudspeaker line possible.  Sources: “Axiom Audio's Ian Colquhoun and NRC” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/axiom-audio-s-ian-colquhoun-and-nrc-origin-dr-floyd-toole-music-types-twin-tweeters-measurements/ “Axiom Audio's M100 v4 Loudspeaker”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cdPUHJKx70 “Canadian Hi-Fi Trilogy: Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab—All Under One Expanding Roof” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1785-canadian-hi-fi-trilogy-axiom-audio-bryston-and-magnum-dynalab-all-under-one-expanding-roof Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 What makes Performance44 different? 00:15:00 Music Break: “My Bet” by RocknStock 00:16:12 Why now? 00:30:41 Outro: “Batteries Are for Flashlights, Not for Pickups” by Art Against Agony

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to discuss the 2024 SoundStage! Awards for Products of the Year and Outstanding Achievements. Doug gives the insight on what the awards me and how they are chosen, as well as explain the special awards video SoundStage! created with singer Kellylee Evans. Sources: The 2024 SoundStage! Network Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1927-the-2024-soundstage-network-awards-for-outstanding-achievements-and-products-of-the-year The SoundStage! Australia Products of the Year Awards 2024 by Edgar Kramer: https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/features/929-the-soundstage-australia-products-of-the-year-awards-2024 Best Hi-Fi Products and Top People 2024—SoundStage! International Hi-Fi Awards by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/FYH1bDPczbA?si=-w2b7pGQudQSmIfU Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 Products of the Year: categories and choosing 00:05:03 Explaining the Outstanding Achievement awards 00:05:03 Outstanding Achievement award winners 00:13:02 Music Break: "The Wassail Song" by The Reed Pittman Trio 00:15:03 Welcome back from the break 00:15:14 Products of the Year: Distinction category (core sites) 00:15:14 Products of the Year: Outstanding Performance category (core sites) 00:24:58 Products of the Year: Outstanding Performance category (SoundStage! Australia) 00:26:53 Products of the Year: Distinction category (SoundStage! Australia) 00:29:16 Products of the Year: Exceptional Value category (SoundStage! Australia) 00:30:22 Products of the Year: Exceptional Value category (core sites) 00:34:22 Where to find the awards (core sites) 00:35:31 Outro: “Jingle Bells” by TEO

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by podcast producer and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to discuss his latest editorial, “The Stuff in the Middle.” The premise: everyone understands what source devices are. They also know speakers. But these days, most normies doesn't have a clue what black boxes go in between—if there's anything between them at all. Sources: “The Stuff in the Middle” by Dennis Burger:  https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1317-the-stuff-in-the-middle  “Do You Care About Features?” by Geoffrey Morrison: https://soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/434-do-you-care-about-features Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:30 Adventures in hi-fi at the Y 00:18:11 “March of the People” Sémø 00:20:20 Are old audiophiles the problem? 00:50:40 Outro: “Null” by VESHZA

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Jan Lassesen, founder of Norway's Arendal Sound, to discuss the company's origins and history, its distinctive philosophy, the benefits of direct-to-consumer sales, and the evolution of the product line that has led to the 1528 series.  Sources: EISA Awards: Home Theater Audio 2020-2021: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/testbed/mm4/index.php/eisa/2020-2021-awards/2020-2021-home-theater-audio/1463-arendal-sound-1961-series-eisa-2020-2021 Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S loudspeaker review by Philip Beaudette: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1848-arendal-sound-1723-tower-s-loudspeaker Arendal Sound 1528 Tower 8 Loudspeaker: “Why I'm Going 3500 Miles to Learn How it Happened” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1920-arendal-sound-1528-tower-8-loudspeaker-why-im-going-3500-miles-to-learn-how-it-happened Arendal Sound Club: https://club.arendalsound.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:04:51 The road to Arendal 00:29:35 “Write a Sentence: The Headbanger's Confusion” by Art Against Agony 00:30:33 The evolution of Arendal 00:53:35 Outro: “Celestial Rhythms” by Ariel Dahan

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Ultra editor Jason Thorpe to discuss Warsaw's Audio Video Show 2024, including what was different about this year, what was the same, and what it all means for the state of the hi-fi industry. Sources: SoundStage! Audio Video Show 2024 coverage from Warsaw, Poland: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/audio-video-show-2023-warsaw-poland Audio Video Show: https://audioshow.pl/  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:03:53 Millionaire's Row and beyond… 00:35:16 Music Break: "Emissary" by Art Against Agony 00:36:58 What has changed? What hasn't? 01:02:15 Outro: “Borderline Love” by Jessy Gerber

Host Jorden Guth's new baby finally made his debut, so we're taking a break again this week and resharing one of our favorite season 2 episodes, in which Jorden was joined by legendary mastering engineer Bernie Grundman to discuss what mastering is, what it isn't, how it differs from remastering, and why vinyl sometimes sounds better than digital. “Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section” by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/recording-of-the-month-menu/1175-art-pepper-art-pepper-meets-the-rhythm-section “Is It Just Me, or Are CDs Too Loud?” by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/feature-articles/on-music/944-is-it-just-me-or-are-cds-too-loud “The Music Man” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-music-man-joe-taylor-on-vinyl-and-cassettes-next-gen-audiophiles-curated-music-selections/ Chapters: 00:00:00 News! 00:00:31 Announcement 00:00:51 What does a mastering engineer do?  00:20:56 Musical interlude: “Say No More” by Julian Hartwell 00:23:19 Digital vs. analog and radio vs. streaming 00:35:55 What music moves Bernie Grundman

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to discuss all of the hot new speakers coming out right now, including models from DALI, Treble Clef Audio, Radiant Acoustics, Arendal Sound, and Focal. They dig deep into the specifics, and also touch on why so many new and noteworthy loudspeakers are coming out now. Sources: “DALI Epikore 11 Loudspeaker” by Jason Thorpe: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1225-dali-epikore-11-loudspeaker “New DALI Epikore 9, 7, and 3—‘Affordable' Flagship Speakers from Denmark” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/BSVHm31EmV4?si=_traJo-IQqWVZZZv Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 New Speakers from ALI, Treble Clef Audio, Radiant Acoustics, Arendal Sound 00:31:36 Music Break: “Mojo” by Jimit 00:32:50 Focal, too. But why now? 00:59:24  “Mirleft” by Guy Buttery

Host Jorden Guth is expecting another child with his wife. Producer Dennis Burger has a few written reviews to catch up on for the SoundStage! Network. As a result, we decided it is a good time to take a quick break before we resume season 3 in a couple of weeks. But we're not going to leave you hanging with nothing to listen to. Jorden Guth went through our archives and thought this was a good change to revisit the 12th episode from season 2: "Anthony Grimani on Speakers, Rooms, Acoustics." If you have not listened to it, we think you will enjoy it. If you have listened to it, you might want to listen again because there is a good change you will pick up on something that you didn't pick up on before. Enjoy!

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Trinnov Audio general manager Jon Herron to discuss the company's history, the synergy between physical room acoustics and DSP room optimization, why different frequencies of sound require a different approach, and how the company's new WaveForming technology is a whole new approach to perfecting bass performance in-room. Sources: “Trinnov Amethyst DAC-Preamplifier-Processor" by Al Griffin https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/39-trinnov-amethyst-dac-preamplifier-processor Trinnov Audio: https://www.trinnov.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions and origins stories 00:09:51 What makes Trinnov different? 00:26:59 The broken promise of Atmos 00:31:59 Music Break: “Once Upon a Time in the West Elevator” by Jamison Dewlen 00:33:17 A deeper dive into old-school acoustics 00:36:23 Why bass misbehaves 00:43:59 How WaveForming works 00:59:24  “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” by Will Taylor

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Pro Audio Technology owner/president L. Paul Hales to discuss his history in audio, how audio research has guided the development of his speakers over the years, what really matters in audio and what doesn't, and why most consumer speakers fall short in one significant way. Sources: “Theory Audio Design Sys5.2.2.8515 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos Surround Speaker System” by Vince Hanada: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1111-theory-audio-design-sys5-2-2-8515-5-2-2-dolby-atmos-surround-speaker-system Dr. Floyd Toole: An Oral History 1: 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: https://www.soundstage.life/e/dr-floyd-toole-an-oral-history-2-ab-tests-bass-athena-brains-rooms-hearing-listening/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions and origins stories 00:30:16 Music Break: “Harpstrings and Chill (Gymnopédie No. 1)” by Lalinea 00:31:19 Hi-fi PA speakers? 00:43:08 The origins of Pro Audio Technology 00:59:40 What really matters in audio? 01:12:14  “Gymnopédie No. 1” by T. Bless and the Professionals

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by the SoundStage! Network's Joseph Taylor, Jason Thorpe, and Dennis Burger to discuss records and turntables, from the perspective of two old pros and one recent convert to the format. Sources: “A Vinyl-Apathist's Quest for His Perfect First Turntable” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1297-a-vinyl-apathists-quest-for-his-perfect-first-turntable “Confessions of a Recent Vinyl Convert” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1301-confessions-of-a-recent-vinyl-convert “Record Store Day and Vinyl Culture” by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/pulse-menu/1151-record-store-day-and-vinyl-culture “Read the Instructions! The Perils of Cartridge Setup” by Jason Thorpe: https://soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/opinion-menu/1231-read-the-instructions-the-perils-of-cartridge-setup Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:15:01 Tea ceremony for music  00:26:39 Music Break: "Homecoming" by Rex Banner 00:27:27 How much difference do cartridges make? 00:36:34 The psychology of sound quality 01:03:08  "Afternoon Dissection" by Chameleon Treat

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Simaudio product director Dominique Poupart and marketing director Étienne Gautier to discuss how making its products locally affects the quality of the components, their serviceable life, rolling changes to production, and adapting to tough times like global pandemics.  Sources: North Collection: https://simaudio.com/en/product-category/north-collection/ “Simaudio's North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/ “Simaudio's Moon 791 Streaming Preamplifier: Uncompromised” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1841-simaudio-s-moon-791-streaming-preamplifier-uncompromised “Moon by Simaudio Has Exited the Echo Chamber” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1201-moon-by-simaudio-has-exited-the-echo-chamber “Simaudio's Étienne Gautier & the Art of Marketing Moon” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-etienne-gautier-the-art-of-marketing-moon-baumgartner-restoration-taskmaster/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 The origins of Simaudio 00:04:03 How manufacturing at home keeps a company nimble  00:22:03 Music Break: "Threads of Smoke" by Tamuz Dekel 00:23:14 Local manufacturing's impact on repairability 00:49:24  "Alice Loses Her Temper" by Maybird

This week, host Jorden Guth continues his conversation with Dr. Floyd Toole, exploring the origins of the Athena project at Canada's NRC, the reasons for and details of his move to Harman International, some of the most misunderstood aspects of his research, the origins of his legendary book Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms, his legacy, and the music that moves him. Closing credits music: “Longitude” by Rowan Hudson's Passing Ships Sources: “Canada's NRC: A Forthcoming Look at Its Role in the Advancement of Canadian Loudspeaker Design” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1849-canadas-nrc-a-forthcoming-look-at-its-role-in-the-advancement-of-canadian-loudspeaker-design “The Loudspeaker Class of '74: A Canadian Reunion” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1866-the-loudspeaker-class-of-74-a-canadian-reunion “Floyd Toole, NRC, SoundStage!—Filming of Our Upcoming Documentary” by the soundstagenetwork on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k8ykCTEOhZI?si=BfcmIAWg1s6BKyQm Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:01:19 The limits of A/B testing 00:04:59 Why you have to measure everything 00:15:42 All about that bass 00:18:40 Athena, assemble!  00:23:47 How our brains make sense of rooms  00:27:28 “Emahoy” by Rowan Hudson's Passing Ships 00:28:45 Working with the CBC 00:31:14 How hearing loss impacts judgment 00:37:48 Another fateful phone call 00:41:20 L.A. is no place to live 00:44:02 The hint of a corporate target 00:46:22 Herding engineers 00:51:13 Listening tests at Harman 00:53:22 Publishing the Harman research 00:55:55 A feature, not a bugbear 00:58:47 “Horse Latitudes” by Rowan Hudson's Passing Ships 01:00:10 Evolution or revolution? 01:02:35 The two-sub solution 01:07:54 The birth of Sound Reproduction 01:11:05 Rewriting the book 01:13:42 Unanswered questions and Dr. Toole's legacy 01:45:59 The music that moves Dr. Toole

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by the loudspeaker legend himself, Dr. Floyd Toole, whose research at Canada's National Research Council (NRC), followed by his tenure at Harman International, resulted in arguably more improvements to the fidelity of audio we hear at home than anything attributable to any one person. In this first of our two-part discussion, Dr. Toole discusses his path from university to the NRC and right up to the onset of the Athena project, where we'll pick up in the second part. Sources: “Canada's NRC: A Forthcoming Look at Its Role in the Advancement of Canadian Loudspeaker Design” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1849-canadas-nrc-a-forthcoming-look-at-its-role-in-the-advancement-of-canadian-loudspeaker-design “The Loudspeaker Class of '74: A Canadian Reunion” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1866-the-loudspeaker-class-of-74-a-canadian-reunion “Floyd Toole, NRC, SoundStage!—Filming of Our Upcoming Documentary” by the soundstagenetwork on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k8ykCTEOhZI?si=BfcmIAWg1s6BKyQm Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:04:39 The dawning of the age of the transistor 00:11:05 Two ears and a brain 00:21:28 A fateful interview 00:27:58 Music break: "Turkish March” by T. Bless & the Professionals 00:29:24 Friday afternoon experiments 00:33:54 The differences between musicians and audiophiles 00:38:54 An industry operating without rules 00:49:45 What can we learn from a set of data? 00:54:01 “When I Get Home” by Brian Claxton

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Dr. Sean Olive, senior fellow at Harman International, to discuss his time at NRC with Dr. Floyd Toole, his move from there to Harman, the development of the Harman target curves for headphones and earphones, and his thoughts on the future of immersive audio and more. Sources: Dr. Sean Olive on 35 Years of Fast Car by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1259-dr-sean-olive-on-35-years-of-fast-car Audio Musings by Sean Olive: https://seanolive.blogspot.com/  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:04:27 What is a Tonmeister? 00:12:19 Sponsored by Canada's best and brightest 00:18:10 All roads lead to California 00:24:54 Music break: "Paris Café” by Wesly Thomas 00:26:13 Manager of subjective evaluation 00:36:03 The origins of the Harman target curve 00:42:41 How to train your listeners 00:49:09 “I Will Always Remember You” by Marek Jakubowicz

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage's Doug Schneider, Jason Thorpe, and Matt Bonaccio to discuss the biggest audio show in the world, what's new, what's different, and what were their favorite sights and sounds this time around. Sources: Coverage of High End 2024 - Munich, Germany: https://soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2024-munich-germany High End Society: https://www.highendsociety.de  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 What's Munich all about? 00:20:01 Music break: "Scapes" by Gray North 00:20:48 Favorite sights and sounds 00:46:30 “Diagrammatic” by Oliver Michael

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by James Tanner, CEO of Bryston Ltd., to discuss the company's origins in the medical industry, the design of its original amplifiers, how the company has evolved over time, and how he eventually joined forces with Axiom Audio's Ian Colquhoun. Sources: “Canadian Hi-Fi Trilogy: Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab—All Under One Expanding Roof”: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1785-canadian-hi-fi-trilogy-axiom-audio-bryston-and-magnum-dynalab-all-under-one-expanding-roof Bryston: https://bryston.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:01:52 Bryston's origin story  00:16:11 Expanding product lines 00:25:40 Music break: "Deadman Pass" by The Talbott Brothers 00:27:32 Bryston in the 2000s and beyond 00:53:25 “Pirate Blues” by Leon Laudenbach

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by sound engineer, educator, and content developer Marcela Rada to discuss her obsession with sound, her personal history, how she became involved with the recording industry, and what's different about mixing for immersive formats like Dolby Atmos. Sources: Marcela Rada: https://marcelarada.com/ “Audiophile Atmos—Dominique Fils-Aimé Surrounds with ‘Our Roots Run Deep'”: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/encore/1120-audiophile-atmos-dominique-fils-aime-surrounds-with-our-roots-run-deep  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:04:12 An education in audio  00:09:05 Experimentations with immersive audio 00:20:37 Music break: “You Won't Be the Last” by Moon 00:21:29 Maxing mixes that translate well 00:33:06 Different flavors of immersive audio 00:45:39 “Smile” by Aves

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Ian Colquhoun, founder of Axiom Audio and now also the owner of Bryston and Magnum Dynalab, to discuss the origins of the company, its connection with the National Research Council, his own relationship with Dr. Floyd Toole, and how the company's speakers evolved after the legendary NRC research wound down. Sources: “Canadian Hi-Fi Trilogy: Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab—All Under One Expanding Roof”: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1785-canadian-hi-fi-trilogy-axiom-audio-bryston-and-magnum-dynalab-all-under-one-expanding-roof Axiom Audio: https://www.axiomaudio.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:03:31 Axiom's origin story  00:12:30 Busting the myth of different speakers for different music 00:25:46 Music break: “Empty Pockets” by Bamtone 00:26:52 Axiom as OEM 00:30:27 OEM no more 00:29:34 The twin-tweeter controversy 00:47:07 Measurement artifacts 01:08:34 “Wherever I Am” by Bamtone

This week, host Jorden Guth continues his conversation with Dr. Peter Schuck, technical director at Paradigm Electronics Inc. The two cover the birth of Anthem Room Correction, the pros and cons of IIR and FIR filters, side quests, diversions, why flat in-room response isn't actually the goal, and how ARC has evolved in response to market pressures. Sources: “The History of Anthem Room Correction (ARC®)”: https://www.anthemarc.com/advanced-topics/the-history-of-arc.php “The Detection Thresholds of Resonances at Low Frequencies” by Olive, Sean E.; Schuck, Peter L.; Ryan, James G.; Sally, Sharon L.; Bonneville, Marc E.: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=7868 Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:03:15 IIR vs FIR  00:09:15 Pesky patents and water picks 00:11:58 Untested waters 00:17:01 Music break: “Hulullúlulu” by Art Against Agony 00:08:01 ARC is finally born 00:23:46 Why flat sounds flat 00:26:59 Removing the cap 00:38:56 “First” by IamDayLight  00:40:51 The music that moves Peter

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Dr. Peter Schuck, technical director at Paradigm Electronics Inc., to discuss his history in hi-fi, how he ended up at the NRC, how his work with Dr. Floyd Toole evolved into the pioneering Athena project, and exactly what sorts of tests he and others constructed and conducted to determine listener preference with regard to the effects of the room on loudspeaker performance.   Sources: “The History of Anthem Room Correction (ARC®)”: https://www.anthemarc.com/advanced-topics/the-history-of-arc.php “The Detection Thresholds of Resonances at Low Frequencies” by Olive, Sean E.; Schuck, Peter L.; Ryan, James G.; Sally, Sharon L.; Bonneville, Marc E.: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=7868 Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:07:58 The Energy 22 crossover 00:15:41 Commerce or science? 00:29:35 Music break: “Precursor” by Aquartos 00:30:22 The five-point preference scale 00:34:54 What makes a good test track? 00:36:01 The circle of confusion keeps spinning 00:50:38 “Day 1” by Aquartos

This week, host Jorden Guth continues his conversation with Paul Barton, founder of PSB Speakers. If you haven't listened to season 3, episode 1 yet, do check that out first! In this second half of their conversation, the two discuss how the research at NRC contributed to the evolution of PSB speakers. Along the way, Paul gives the most cogent explanation ever of baffle diffraction and waveguides, and discusses how different driver materials affect the performance of a speaker. Sources: PSB Speakers: https://www.psbspeakers.com/ “PSB's Paul Barton (Part 1)”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/psbs-paul-barton-part-1-music-and-violins-starting-making-speakers-dr-floyd-toole-and-nrc/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:00:44 Why the measurements matter  00:06:07 Explaining diffraction 00:10:04 Waveguides are more than felt 00:16:21 Music break: “Scorched Earth” by Maya Belsitzman 00:17:59 Room correction and exotic materials 00:22:21 Exploring different driver materials 00:24:25 Diminishing returns and setting priorities 00:38:06 “Your Papa and Mama” by Dialgo

Welcome to season 3! This week, host Jorden Guth sits down with Paul Barton, founder of PSB Speakers, to discuss his personal history, his love of music, his passion for violin, and the origin story of PSB Speakers—all as a lead-in to a discussion about his time at the NRC doing research with Dr. Floyd Toole. Sources: PSB Speakers: https://www.psbspeakers.com/ Messiah Violin, by Stradivari: https://www.ashmolean.org/messiah-violin-stradivari “Making the Violin”: http://www.makingtheviolin.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:28 Introductions 00:01:06 The origins of Paul's love of music and hi-fi  00:12:11 Making speakers in high school 00:14:50 Pre-industrial light & musical magic 00:18:00 The small world of Canadian hi-fi00:21:23 The road to meeting Dr. Floyd Toole 00:29:23 Planting seeds for the future

For the final episode of season 2 of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by T+A COO Condradin Amft to discuss the company's history and heritage, its entry into the headphone market, and how hi-fi will evolve into the future. Sources: “44 Years of T+A—Germany's Hi-Fi Giant in Detail”: https://youtu.be/lzW18SuAJW0?si=SUjQkUfzU-obTWDv Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:01:53 The long road to today's T+A  00:20:44 Music Break: “Finale” by David Morton 00:22:15 Where does T+A—and the hi-fi industry—go from here? 00:34:05 Outro: “Mirrors Sometimes Lie” by Marco Martini

When Sonus faber introduced its massive new flagship loudspeaker system, Suprema, at this year's CES, most of the press responded by asking about the price and finishes and little else. In this episode of the podcast, host Jorden Guth and SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider ask the real (and really tough) questions about the design and technical specifications of this world-class 4.5-way system comprised of two towering speakers and one or two massive subwoofers. Sources: Sonus faber Suprema product page: https://www.sonusfaber.com/en/products/suprema “Suprema: the Sonus faber sonic revolution”: https://youtu.be/8rvz6C-D6Ng?si=f9aCKCfleNgivNRu  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:01:53 Supreme in minute technical detail  00:38:58 Music Break: “Memory Lane” by Vox Portent 00:22:01 The 30,000-foot view of the Suprema experience 01:06:27 Outro: “Turquoise Soil” by Vox Portent

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Access editor and producer of the podcast Dennis Burger to discuss his recent article about how reviewers' reference systems are often necessarily different from the systems they wish they could own. Dennis also gives Jorden some tips on writing a good review. Sources: “The Needs of the Many versus the Needs of the Reviewer” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1273-the-needs-of-the-many-versus-the-needs-of-the-reviewer “Martijn Mensink On the Magic of Dutch & Dutch”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/martijn-mensink-on-the-magic-of-dutch-dutch-active-speakers-cardioid-dispersion-acoustics/ “Speaker and Headphone Measurements Mash-Up”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/speaker-and-headphone-measurements-mash-up-misinformation-what-matters-active-vs-passive-listening/ “Simaudio's North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/ Baumgartner Restoration: https://www.youtube.com/c/baumgartnerrestoration Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:05:44 The needs of the many vs. the needs of the reviewer  00:19:52 Music Break: “Threads of Smoke” by Tamuz Dekel 00:22:01 How does Dennis write a review? 00:50:50 Outro: “Turquoise Soil” by Tamuz Dekel

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Australia editor Edgar Kramer to discuss their respective 2023 year-end awards. Sources: “The 2023 SoundStage! Network Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1843-the-2023-soundstage-network-awards-for-outstanding-achievements-and-products-of-the-year “The SoundStage! Australia Products of the Year Awards 2023” by Edgar Kramer: https://soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/features/832-the-soundstage-australia-products-of-the-year-awards-2023 Audiophile Atmos—Dominique Fils-Aimé Surrounds with Our Roots Run Deep: https://youtu.be/74YJo-KM_Po?si=pWqHAGO6nRCOYomd 2023 SoundStage! Awards—Best Hi-Fi Products and Outstanding Achievements with Dominique Fils-Aimé: https://youtu.be/pQf2W60g5T0?si=iIsNb1Os2lSlkJIH “Tell Me Taylor Swift Fans Don't Care About Sound Quality” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1270-tell-me-taylor-swift-fans-dont-care-about-sound-quality “Seven Shades of AC/DC's Back in Black–Finding the Best Version to Test Your System With” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/system-one/1280-seven-shades-of-acdcs-back-in-black-finding-the-best-version-to-test-your-system-with Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:05:44 How SoundStage! does it different  00:18:25 Music Break: "Walkabout Australia" by Hans Johnson 00:19:21 Recognizing the people who make the magic happen 00:46:26 Outro: “Too Many Steps” by Oran Loyfer

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to tell the origin story of SoundStage! Network's InSight video series, how they've evolved, and the details of their most recent globetrotting trip to Wilson Audio and T+A. Sources: Muraudio's Domain Omni Series Speaker | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/VkHQC8pz2H8?si=Lax4bC_UDAXXxSkj Axiom Audio's M100 v4 Loudspeaker | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/7cdPUHJKx70?si=bNa83Mkf2R08yY8N Totem Acoustic's Torrent Technology | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/GTIpO19Eg-k?si=O5M9YYEgUioRq6Vs Vivid Audio's Giya Series Speakers | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/RT2ytbENY34?si=4RoFWyyMbBN8J8dw Paradigm's Prestige Series | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/_q7pMJ3LSjs?si=IO6pPLHwz-7714g9 MartinLogan's Neolith Loudspeaker (February 2015): SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/XIinQTD36cE?si=cODB7nSvy2pZ0ORi Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 1 - From Visionary Concept to Cutting-Edge Completion | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/uk5vckG5Imw?si=dL753LtRdgLAE_Cz Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 2 - Advanced Acoustical Concepts and Daring Industrial Design | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/5BTZ5REwjCQ?si=VSEyOua-ZKRjJHRv Daryl Wilson: Growing Up and Into Wilson Audio: https://www.soundstage.life/e/darylwilson-growing-upand-into-wilsonaudio-the-wilsonhouseholdbuildingwattpuppy-speakersnorth-star-measurements-andlisteningpink-floyd-fridays/ 44 Years of T+A - Germany's Hi-Fi Giant in Detail | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/lzW18SuAJW0?si=AsMDlMuEuCaraWqO Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:00:52 The Two-Day Rule  00:14:16 Music Break: "Ocean Depth" by Veaceslav Draganov 00:15:39 This ain't marketing 00:21:45 Touring a facility and picking up slack 00:24:35 From Jazz to T+A and beyond 00:34:51 Picking favorites?

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Simaudio product director Dominique Poupart and marketing director Étienne Gautier to discuss the company's new North Collection, how it was developed, what it means for the future of hi-fi, why the remote control is the best in the world, and how the lineup has been embraced by audiophile press and customers alike. They also dig into how a brand radically reinvents itself after four decades without losing its identity, and why it's scary for a manufacturer to pack so much functionality into fewer and fewer boxes.  Sources: North Collection: https://simaudio.com/en/product-category/north-collection/ "Simaudio's Moon 791 Streaming Preamplifier: Uncompromised" by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1841-simaudio-s-moon-791-streaming-preamplifier-uncompromised "Moon by Simaudio Has Exited the Echo Chamber" by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1201-moon-by-simaudio-has-exited-the-echo-chamber "Simaudio's Étienne Gautier & the Art of Marketing Moon" on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-etienne-gautier-the-art-of-marketing-moon-baumgartner-restoration-taskmaster/ "The Maverick" by Baumgartner Restoration: https://youtu.be/LV2eOu14fQM?si=eiVbtAhMteYG2taI Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Greetings and salutations 00:01:07 The development of the Simaudio North Collection  00:23:45 Music Break: "Funkymania" by Omri Smadar and The Original Orchestra 00:25:11 Controlling the North Collection and where Simaudio goes from here 00:51:48 The soundtrack to Dominique's and Étienne's lives

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SVS president Gary Yacoubian and VP of marketing Nick Brown to discuss the company's history, its unique approach to hi-fi and home theater, and how it actively engages with its customers.  Sources: SVS: https://www.svsound.com/ “The Only True Currency in This Bankrupt World” by Audio Unleashed: https://audiounleashed.podbean.com/e/the-only-true-currency-in-this-bankrupt-world/ “SVS Prime Wireless Pro Active Loudspeaker System” by Gordon Brockhouse: https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/217-svs-prime-wireless-pro-active-loudspeaker-system “SVS Prime Pinnacle Loudspeakers” by Philip Beaudette: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1358-svs-prime-pinnacle-loudspeakers Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Greetings and salutations 00:06:32 SVS: A brief history  00:22:47 Music Break: "Everyday with You" by Ben Sharkey and Ziggy 00:24:09 How SVS builds its community 00:42:21 The soundtrack to Nick and Gary's lives

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Ultra senior editor Jason Thorpe to discuss Warsaw 2023, why it's such a special show, what it's like to be there, and what it was like to see it through the eyes of a young audiophile. Sources: SoundStage! Coverage of Audio Video Show 2023 - Warsaw, Poland: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/audio-video-show-2023-warsaw-poland Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:01:07 What makes Warsaw special?  00:27:12 Music Break: "Let Me Show You" by Eldar Kedem & Floating World 00:28:47 A vicarious walkthrough of the show00:50:20 The soundtrack to Jason's life

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Emotiva's Dan Laufman to discuss the origins of his passion for hi-fi, the history of electronics manufacturing in the neoliberal era, how to make an profit in the audio business ethically, the long hard road to revitalizing North American manufacturing capabilities, and the virtues of being inclusive instead of exclusive.  Sources: Emotiva: https://emotiva.com/ "The True Cost of Saving a Few Bucks: A Q&A with Emotiva's Dan Laufman" by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1144-the-true-cost-of-saving-a-few-bucks-a-q-a-with-emotivas-dan-laufman Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:01:11 The road to Emotiva 00:23:01 Music Break: "Terems" by Amit Sagie 00:24:07 The realities of 21st century manufacturing 00:55:02 The soundtrack to Dan's life

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Martijn Mensink of Dutch & Dutch to discuss how an old clock radio incubated a love of music that developed into a passion for good sound that evolved into a career in speaker design. During the course of the conversation, they explore Martijn's history of speaker development, the business ventures that preceded Dutch & Dutch, how the company's cardioid speaker design is transformative, and where the company is headed in the future. Sources: Dutch & Dutch: https://dutchdutch.com/ Dutch & Dutch 8c Active loudspeaker review by Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1270-dutch-dutch-8c-active-loudspeakers "Intro to Dutch & Dutch and the 8c Active Loudspeaker" - SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2R9lEJH4O "Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeaker in Detail" - SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW-6R5HP8SE  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:01:02 From AM radio to a life in speaker design 00:15:50 Why cardioid speakers hit different 00:31:12 Music Break: "Astra" by Magiksolo 00:32:31 Room acoustics, app development, and the future of Dutch & Dutch 00:50:23 The soundtrack to Martijn's life

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by David Mascioni, Global Director of Brand Marketing for McIntosh, to discuss the origins of the original World of McIntosh Townhouse in New York City, how it developed, why it closed, and how the concept evolved into the new House of Sound at a new location, with much more representation for the entire McIntosh Group and its collaborators.  Sources: “Inside the Incredible World of McIntosh Townhouse - SoundStage! InSight (December 2019)”: https://youtu.be/PeskkKlY4ds?si=SZBLugld9miiLyMp "McIntosh Sound in the Jeep Grand Cherokee - SoundStage! Talks (January 2021)": https://youtu.be/d7_EoVrq12o?si=Ma7PhS3rS7QSLrX4 "Sonus faber Olympica Nova at World of McIntosh Townhouse | SoundStage! InSight (October 2019)": https://youtu.be/TBJRoH5uGQE?si=4TYfeW9rz7B6rB_U https://houseofsoundnyc.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:00:45 David fell in love with hi-fi at the World of McIntosh 00:27:54 Music Break: "Tell Me All the Lies" by Funky Giraffe 00:28:52 What's different about the House of Sound? 00:43:53 The soundtrack to David's life

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by legendary speaker designer Laurence Dickie to discuss his history with Bowers & Wilkins, the design of the iconic Nautilus, how his thinking on speaker design has evolved over to years, whether or not he draws inspiration from nature, and why his speakers are an exercise in engineering, not industrial design. Sources: "From the Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus to Vivid Audio Speakers - Laurence Dickie's Tapered Tubes (Ep:58)" by SoundStage!: https://youtu.be/dcef8tuxezU?si=6BDD7fWbYLp4ypiG "A Family of Linear-Phase Crossover Networks of High Slope Derived by Time Delay" by Lipshitz, Stanley P.; Vanderkooy, John: https://secure.aes.org/forum/pubs/journal/?elib=4598 https://vividaudio.com/ https://www.blastloudspeakers.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:01:05 The road to Bower & Wilkins and beyond 00:25:40 Music Break: "The Magnetic Buzz" by Moon Walk 00:26:33 Convergent evolution vs. convergent design 01:02:23 The soundtrack to Laurence's life 01:04:45 "Golden Diamond" by Shahead Mostafafar

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and podcast producer Dennis Burger to discuss what Jorden has learned in six months of hosting the podcast, since he's been able to speak to some of the hi-fi industry's most influential and respected luminaries. As Doug often tells him, “Talking to these people is like getting a PhD course in hi-fi.” So has doing so helped Jorden? Listen and find out. Sources: Status and Culture by W. David Marx: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659558/status-and-culture-by-w-david-marx/ How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog by Chad Orzel: https://chadorzel.com/?cat=4 Why Amplifiers Don't Sound the Same - Understanding Voltage and Current for Loudspeakers (Ep:71): https://youtu.be/pTeAJJQ9a10?si=huMJjMK62SiAEFCk Neil Young and Rick Rubin: World Record, Recording on Tape, and Creative Process | Apple Music: https://youtu.be/PZ-AVFpB3KI?si=FcAlAmr3OrXf10r4 Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:01:48 Lessons learned from the experts 00:23:43 Music Break: "Baby I'm Stuck in a Cone" by Ge Filter Fish 00:24:38 Artist's intent, analog vs. digital, and more 00:40:45 What's next? 00:47:52 The music that moves us

This week on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Monitor Audio global marketing director Michael Johnson and technical director Michael Hedges to discuss how the Concept 50 speaker was developed; how it evolved into the company's new flagship retail offering, the Hyphn; what makes a Monitor Audio speaker sound like a Monitor Audio speaker; and what's in store for the future.  Sources: Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 1 - From Visionary Concept to Cutting-Edge Completion: https://youtu.be/uk5vckG5Imw Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 2 - Advanced Acoustical Concepts and Daring Industrial Design: https://youtu.be/5BTZ5REwjCQ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 Introductions 00:00:40 How Michael and Michael fell in love with hi-fi 00:06:38: Making speakers the Monitor way 00:24:27 Music Break: "Dollshade" by Van Crankin 00:25:29 How the Concept 50 and Hyphn actually came together 00:33:26 The response so far… 00:40:49 We love rock'n'roll

This week on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Anthony Grimani, former director of technology for THX and founder of Performance Media Industries, to discuss his history with Dolby and THX, why the room is such a crucial component of any sound system, home theater vs. hi-fi, room correction, and whether the world needed yet another speaker company. Sources: Grimani Systems: https://www.grimanisystems.com/ Performance Media Industries, Ltd.: https://pmiltd.com/ Sonitus USA: https://www.sonitususa.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:01:06 From Dolby to THX and beyond 00:06:34 Why the room is a crucial component 00:21:49 Home theater vs. hi-fi? 00:28:09 How to start dealing with the room 00:42:55 Music Break: "Talk" by Con Davison 00:44:09 Did we really need another speaker company? 00:55:36 How to find the right speaker for your room 00:58:30 Is room correction the answer? 01:08:04 No, but seriously, what is hi-fi?

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and former SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast cohost Brent Butterworth to discuss the what, how, and why of speaker and headphone measurements. What measurements correlate with listening impressions? How do active and wireless products complicate measurements? And what's the right balance of listening versus measuring when it comes to fully evaluating a product Sources: "Is the miniDSP EARS the Death of Headphone Measurement? Or its Savior?" by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/152-is-minidsp-ears-the-death-of-headphone-measurement-or-its-savior SoundStage! Network speaker-measurements resource URL: www.SpeakerMeasurements.com  Sean Olive on Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car": https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7084958885526065153/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:20 What we measure with transducers and why 00:25:09 Musical interlude: "You Don't Really Exist" by Nim Sadot 00:26:40 When measurements go wrong and why bass always wins 01:04:01 Brent on the music that moves him