the ecoustics podcast

Every year since 2004, the top TVs compete for the title of “King of TV” in the Value Electronics TV Shootout. This year, Sony won both the OLED and MiniLED competitions. Our Editor-at-Large Chris Boylan has covered the event in person since 2011. Here's how this year’s Shootout went down.Find out who won, what it revealed, and ultimately what matters to you if you’re hoping to buy the best TV in 2024. View the results and scorecards here:https://www.ecoustics.com/news/2024-tv-shootout/Panel:Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO (Host)Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-LargeCredits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.comVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting: https://www.ecoustics.com#miniled #oled #qled #tv #4ktv #ecoustics #sony #samsung #lg #tcl #hisense #hometheater #hdr #uhd #4k #8k #tvtech #2024bestof #2024tv

Every year, CEDIA Expo showcases the very best architectural and outdoor audio and video solutions for homes, yachts, and more. Our Editor-at-Large, Chris Boylan and Sr. News Correspondent, Robert Silva fervently experienced all the show had to offer over three days (Sept 4-7), which varied from relatively affordable to million dollar home theater systems.In this episode, the eCoustics team reveals its Best in Show winners across 17 different categories at CEDIA Expo 2024. For a list of all the winners and their products mentioned, please visit: https://www.ecoustics.com/news/best-cedia-expo-2024/Thank you to our sponsors Chord, SVS & Q Acoustics! For more information on these stellar brands, please click the links below: https://soundorg.com/ultima-integrated-amplifier/https://www.svsound.comhttps://www.qacoustics.comRelated links:https://www.ecoustics.com/news/cedia-expo-2024-highlights-1/https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/jbl-modern-audio-2024/https://www.youtube.com/ecousticsPanel:Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO (Host)Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-LargeRobert Silva, eCoustics Sr. News Correspondent Credits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#cedia2024 #cediaexpo #audiophile #hifi #hometheater #lifestylesound #interiordesign #audioindustry #ecoustics #projectors #4ktv #luxuryaudio #luxuryav #inwallspeakers #outdoorspeakers

Streaming has become the dominant format for both music listening and video viewing. Music streaming services account for 84% of all music listening and 89% of music industry revenue. Video streaming services account for approximately 95% of the home video market. Fully 99% of US households subscribe to one or more video streaming services as of 2023. Many video streaming services can deliver video in high quality 4K resolution with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for a gorgeous image. But those who seek out and appreciate the finest possible sound quality may find actually getting that high quality sound through a streaming service is more complicated than it should be. In this episode, eCoustics founder and CEO Brian Mitchell and Editor-at-Large Chris Boylan discuss the options out there for high quality audio including immersive sound, aka “spatial audio,” lossless music and even high resolution audio. Which services do it right? Which do it wrong? Listen in to find out. Thank you to our sponsors SVS & QAcoustics! For more information on these stellar brands, please click the links below: https://www.svsound.comhttps://www.qacoustics.comCredits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#svsultraevolution #svsspeakers #svssubs #audiophile #hifihappyhour #hifi #2024speakers #hometheater #lifestylesound #interiordesign #speakerdesign #audioindustry #ecoustics #musictech #immersiveaudio #dolbyatmos #sony360 #spatialaudio #dtsx #mqa #hiresaudio #digitalaudioproblems

While speaker company SVS is known for their bargain-priced high quality Prime Series loudspeakers, the company just launched a new flagship line called the Ultra Evolution. It's actually more of a revolution than an evolution with all new drivers, new crossovers and a completely new industrial design. With diamond-coated tweeters and an angled cabinet design to assure time alignment and phase coherence, the SVS Ultra Evolution offers both the sound quality and the look of much more expensive audiophile loudspeakers. In this podcast, we chat with Gary Yacoubian, CEO and President and Nick Brown, VP of Marketing for SVS who discuss the details of the SVS Ultra Evolution loudspeaker line: what makes them special and why they took more than two years to design and manufacture.More details: https://www.ecoustics.com/products/svs-ultra-evolution-loudspeakers/Hosted by:Mitch Anderson, Producer Chris Boylan, Editor-at-Large Thank you to our sponsor CHORD! For more information on their breathtaking Ultima Integrated, please visit: https://soundorg.com/ultima-integrated-amplifier/Credits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://www.sourceoflightandpower.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#svsultraevolution #svsspeakers #svssubs #audiophile #hifihappyhour #hifi #2024speakers #hometheater #lifestylesound #interiordesign #speakerdesign #audioindustry #ecoustics #musictech 

In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, Mitch Anderson sits down with Chief Engineer Clint Holley and Senior Mastering Engineer Dave Polster from Well Made Music to discuss the DSD audio format. Well Made Music located in Bristol, Virginia has over 1700 mastering credits to its name on Discogs, and not one, not two, not three, but four Neumann record cutting lathes inside their mastering facility. This episode takes a look at how audio innovation from the 1950s played a huge role in Sony creating DSD in the 1970s and how DSD continues to demand hardware and software innovation from the audio industry in 2024. For more information on Well Made Music please visit: https://www.wellmademusic.netThank you to our sponsor CHORD! For more information on their breathtaking Ultima Integrated, please visit: https://soundorg.com/ultima-integrated-amplifier/Credits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://www.sourceoflightandpower.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#vintageaudio #vintagehifi #vinylcommunity #vinylmastering #musiconvinyl #wellmademusic  #audiophile #hifi #ecoustics #dsd #dsdaudio #lathecutting #audioformats #musiconvinyl #discogs #digitalmastering

Now that all five major TV makers have shown off their 2024 flagship TVs, it's time to talk about which TVs we believe are in the running for best TV of 2024. Will OLED win the day or will it finally be toppled by a Mini LED TV? Ultimately, no TV is perfect for all content in every environment. But the key is to pick the best TV for your specific needs.We chat with Caleb Denison, Editor-at-Large for Digital Trends to compare notes on which new TVs from Sony, Hisense, TCL, LG and Samsung are most likely to earn the top marks overall and which factors, including black level performance, brightness, contrast, color reproduction, bright room performance and - of course - SIZE - go into the decision of which TV to buy in 2024.*** Thank you to our home theater loving sponsor Q Acoustics at https://www.qacoustics.com ***Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JjlmdqMtWJQWatch all of Caleb's videos at: https://www.youtube.com/digitaltrendsOn the panel:Caleb Denison, Digital Trends Editor-at-LargeBrian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEOChris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-LargeRelated links:https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/sony-2024/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/sony-bravia-tvs-soundbars-2024/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/tcl-qd-mini-led-tv-2024/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/samsung-tvs-2024/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/lg-oled-tvs-2024/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/hisense-u9n-tv-2024/Credits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.comVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting: https://www.ecoustics.com#digitaltrends #calebdenison #miniled #oled #tv #4ktv #ecoustics #sony #samsung #lg #tcl #hisense #hometheater #hdr #uhd #4k #8k

In this episode we speak with Sven Mevissen, Director of Product Management, Home and Media Solutions, Xperi (parent company to DTS) to discuss the IMAX Enhanced program and the role that DTS:X plays in delivering immersive cinematic sound to home viewers. As of May 15, 2024, Disney+ is the first mainstream streaming service to bring the IMAX Enhanced experience with DTS:X sound into your home. The first of such titles includes the "Queen Rock Montreal" concert film as well as 18 films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.DTS:X immersive sound differs from traditional surround by adding a height dimension that enables sound to come from not just all around you but above you as well. The partnership between IMAX and DTS allows home viewers to experience IMAX visuals and the IMAX theatrical audio mix at home for the first time.However, all subscribers of Disney+ may not be able to experience the full impact of IMAX Enhanced with DTS:X sound unless their equipment is compatible. We dive into all the details.For more information on IMAX Enhanced with DTS:X please visit:https://dts.com/discover/now-streaming-dtsx/Thank you to our home theater loving sponsors SVS! For more information please visit: https://www.svsound.comOn the panel:Sven Mevissen, Director of Product Management, Home and Media Solutions, XperiBrian Mitchell CEO and Founder, eCousticsChris Boylan, Editor at Large, eCousticsCredits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.comVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#hifi #audiophile #IMAXDTSX #DTS #ecoustics #hometheater #filmsound #soundforfilm #IMAXNews #surroundsound #hiresplayback #filmproduction #videopostproduction

The wireless loudspeaker category has made enormous strides over the past 5 years and there is no question that there are high-end options that offer better sonic performance, superior connectivity options, and greater value for your money than traditional passive loudspeakers.Don't listen to members of the Hi-Fi press who try to tell you that you must continue down the traditional path to achieve better sound quality at home. We have listened to more than two dozen of the best wireless and Bluetooth loudspeakers currently available below $5,000 and have some thoughts on what you should consider and how one can build out a system that is great for both music and movies around them. Thank you so much to our sponsor SVS!  Read our review of the SVS Prime Wireless Pro Speakers here:https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/svs-prime-wireless-pro-speaker-pair/In this episode, our Editor in-Chief, Ian White discusses his picks for best wireless speakers of 2024 (so far) listed below in the order mentioned on the podcast (lowest to highest price).Triangle BOREA BR03 BT – $699 at Amazon (light oak, black, oak green, light oak blue, cream)Q Acoustics M40 – $999/pair at Amazon (black, white, walnut)PSB Alpha iQ – $1,299/pair at Amazon (black, white, blue, yellow)KEF LSX II – $1,299/pair at Amazon (black, white, red, blue, olive green, beige)KEF LSX II LT – $999/pair at Amazon (graphite grey, sage green, stone white)Sonus faber Duetto – $3,999/pair at Crutchfield (graphite, walnut)Episode webpage: https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/best-wireless-speakers-2024/On the Panel:Brian Mitchell, Host & FounderIan White, Editor in-Chief Credits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.comVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#hifi #audiophile #wirelessspeakers #ecoustics #bestwirelessspeaker #bestbluetoothspeaker #bluetooth #speakers #loudspeakers #musicstreaming

Today (April 17, 2024) Sony introduced its new 2024 line of BRAVIA 4K TVs, Soundbars and Theater speakers. Take a deep dive into the product launch with eCoustics Founder, Brian Mitchell and Editor at Large, Chris Boylan who got a hands-on tour of all the new products last month at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles.Sony says, "Cinema is Coming Home" but is that true or just marketing hype? Join us and find out.Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Q Acoustics! https://www.qacoustics.com Learn more:https://www.ecoustics.com/products/sony-bravia-tvs-soundbars-2024/Pricing:BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TVs:85″ $5,499.9975″ $3,999.9965″ $3,299.99BRAVIA 8 OLED TVs77″ $3,899.9965″ $2,799.9955″ $1,999.99BRAVIA 7 Mini LED TVs85″ $3,499.9975″ $2,799.9965″ $2,299.9955″ $1,899.99BRAVIA 3 LED/LCD TVs85″ $1,799.9975″ $1,299.9965″ $999.9955″ $849.9950″ $699.9943″ $599.99Soundbars & Speakers:BRAVIA Theater Quad – $2,499.99BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 – $1,399.99BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 – $999.99BRAVIA Theater U – $299.99On the panel:Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEOChris Boylan, eCoustics Editor at LargeCredits:Original intro music by The Arc of All.Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited.Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios.Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Music, Home Theater, and Headphone news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#sony #bravia #4ktv #hometheater #homevideo #hometheater #soundbar #theaterbar #televisions #ecoustics #productlaunch #bringingthecinemahome #oledtv #miniledtv #braviatheater

Are you considering a turntable upgrade in 2024? Before you empty your wallet on a deck that might seem like the right path for you — we have a few suggestions that might make more sense long-term if your budget is between $600 and $2,000. Does it make sense to spend more? We think the market has shifted and there are some outstanding options from Pro-Ject, Rega, Andover, U-Turn, and others worth exploring. Further Reading:https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/pro-ject-x2-b/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/u-turn-audio-orbit-turntable-2023/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/rega-system-one-analog-solution/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/andover-audio-spindeck-2-turntable/Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, SVS!For more information on SVS and their line of stellar products, please visit: https://www.svsound.comCredits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#streaming #hifi #highendaudio #musicindustry #vinylcommunity #budgetaudio #turntables #newtovinyl  #audiophile #homelistening #recordplayers #nowspinning 

The gear fetishism that has stunted the mainstream growth of high-end audio for almost four decades is about to run out of runway and that might be the most positive development in years. How we consume music has completely shifted and whilst there will always be room on the credenza for a turntable, or even a CD player, the reality is that real estate at home is a hot commodity, and most consumers want fewer boxes for their music listening journey.Just what is a network amplifier and why should you consider one as your last Hi-Fi system? We explain this week on the podcast with some help from our friends at NAD, WiiM, Bluesound, Naim, Cambridge Audio, and more…Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, SVS!For more information on SVS and their line of stellar products, please visit: https://www.svsound.comCredits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#streaming #hifi #highendaudio #music #networkamplifiers #futurefi #naim #technology #cambridgeaudio #wiim #arylic #audiophile #hiresstreaming #digitalmusictrends

Audeze’s Co-Founder & CEO, Sankar Thiagasamudram, joins eCoustics Senior Headphone & Portables Editor William Jennings and Producer (and Audeze Artist) Mitch Anderson to discuss its 16 year journey as an innovator in the global Head-Fi revolution.Founded in 2008 as a boutique audiophile brand, Audeze's first concept was a loudspeaker which never came to market. However, early innovations with planar magnetic technology led to the release of their first headphone, the LCD-1 for $600 — making it one of the most expensive headphones available in 2008. All 25 models sold, which led to the release of the LCD-2 in 2009 and LCD-3 in 2011. Both models became award-winning benchmarks for headphone design and turned what was a cottage industry aimed exclusively at high-end headphone listeners into a billion dollar segment. Audeze's success also created opportunities for its competitors to expand into the planar magnetic category, forcing the brand to push the envelope with state-of-the-art professional monitoring headphones, electrostatic headphones for the medical industry, and innovative gaming headphones that attracted the attention of Sony Interactive Entertainment which purchased the company last year -- exposing the brand to a much larger mainstream global audience and giving it a growing customer base for the future. Nearly all of Audeze’s products are hand-made in Costa Mesa, CA, including all LCD and MM series headphones and the Playstation headset drivers.Sankar takes us on a journey through Audeze’s history and reveals interesting insights about the company’s history, headphone manufacturing, and their path ahead.For more information on Audeze please visit https://www.audeze.comFor details and related links, visit: https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/audeze-sankar/This episode is brought to you in part by Audeze Artists, The Source of Light & Power. Hear the sounds from their recently completed one record a month for all of 2023 sonic adventure here: sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.comOn the Panel:Sankar Thiagasamudram, Audeze Founder & CEOWilliam Jennings, eCoustics Sr. Headphone & Portables EditorMitch Anderson, eCoustics Podcast ProducerCredits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#audeze #headphones #lcdx #canjam #maxwellheadphones #playstation #gamingheadset #planarheadphones #audiophile #headfi #audezeartists #vinylcommunity #audioforgaming #studioheadphones #masteringheadphones

Can we finally stop pretending that wireless loudspeakers offer an inferior listening experience. The desire to sell high-end audio systems consisting of expensive boxes made of ticky tacky has become an impediment to the growth of the next generation of audiophiles and brands like Q Acoustics are working very hard to offer the best possible passive and wireless loudspeakers for less. And they are succeeding.Jamie McKay, Sales & Marketing Director, and Nick Renshaw, PR Manager, of Q Acoustics join us on this edition of the eCoustics podcast to discuss their award-winning 5000 series loudspeakers and the new M40 wireless micro-towers that are going to turn a lot of heads. High-end audio is evolving and it's time to cut the cord. Credits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#qacoustics #audiophile #hifi #vintageaudio #wirelessspeaker #awardwinningsound #towerspeakers #newproductalert #podcast #ecoustics #vinylcommunity

With consumers spending tens of billions of dollars on headphones and earbuds, the product has become a commodity and one that is rather disposable. But does that need to be the case? Have you thrown away a perfectly good pair of earbuds or headphones because the ear pads or ear tips are worn down or busted up?Dekoni Audio have not only cornered the market on replacement pads for some of the most popular consumer and audiophile models on the market, but they have altered the way they sound. If you think you have heard "everything" from your existing pair of headphones or earbuds? Think again. Tal Kocen and Dylan Scarzafava of Dekoni have a great story to tell and a lot to teach you. Thank you to this episode's sponsors:SVS: https://www.svsound.comQ Acoustics: https://www.qacoustics.comCredits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#dekoni #headphones #hifi #headfi #canjam #diyaudio #headphonecommunity #audioupgrades #audiophile #livesound #audioengineer #recordinggear

In our second podcast with Jim Garrett, head of product strategy and planning at Harman Luxury Audio we discuss Arcam’s new product refresh. The British Hi-Fi brand has just introduced the sleek new Radia series of audio components, which consists of five new models:• Arcam A5 Integrated Amp – $699• Arcam A15 Integrated Amp – $1,099• Arcam A25 Integrated Amp – $1,499• Arcam CD5 CD Player – $699• Arcam ST5 Streamer – $799All are available at Crutchfield:https://bit.ly/arcam-radia-at-crutchfieldJim reveals key details about each product, how they work together, and what’s different between each model. In addition, Jim shares updates about JBL’s “vintage looking” Classic hi-fi components which are now shipping along with MKII (2nd generation) versions of the JBL Classic L100, L82 and L52 Loudspeakers.Finally, we talk about Harman’s surprise acquisition of Roon and what to expect going forward.Previous podcast with Jim Garrett:https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/harman-luxury-audio-2023/Related links:https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/arcam-radia-st5-a25/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/arcam-radia-series/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/jbl-classic-loudspeakers-black/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/harman-acquires-roon/Credits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#arcam #radia #hifi #audiophile #harman #harmanluxury #ecoustics #jbl #loudspeakers #roon