the ecoustics podcast

In the second of 7 podcasts recorded at T.H.E. Show 2023, we expand our conversation into the distrubtion arm of Denmark’s ultra-luxe brand, Gryphon Audio Designs ApS. We speak with Anthony Chiarella, Director of Sales & Marketing for Gryphon Audio Designs N.A., which was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the brand headquartered in Denmark, to extend Gryphon’s availability through it...

You know you want to. Say it twice. Naim. Founded by Julian Vereker MBE (1945-2000) in 1973, Naim Audio have been one of the linchpins of the high-end audio movement for fifty years and their hard-earned success is not something that they are taking for granted. The British manufacturer has never played by the rules and that has contributed significantly to their positioning and design ethos. It i...

Driving change in any industry is difficult; it took Apple more than two decades to become the leading media and technology brand in the world and in the process completely changed how people consume music, movies, and television. On a much smaller scale, Focal is changing how high-end consumers listen to music outdoors, while traveling, at their desks, and in the home. Their award-winning loudspe...

In the first of 7 podcasts recorded at T.H.E. Show 2023, we begin our conversation with Danish high-end audio manufacturer, Gryphon Audio Designs. We speak with Joseph Cali, owner of the premiere Southern California dealer for this ultra high-end Danish brand. Topics include Joe’s rich history in high-end audio, with a special focus on Gryphon Audio electronics and loudspeakers, as well the love o...

In the year 2000, veteran radio DJ William Goldsmith took a leap of faith and launched Radio Paradise, a streaming internet radio station. Tired of having to conform with the strict regulations and formatting restrictions of commercial radio, William vowed to bring his vision for radio to the world. Over two decades later, Radio Paradise is thriving with four high quality radio streams being deliv...

Has the time come for Bluetooth to take a necessary step forward? Does it really make a difference which codec your headphones or source device support? The quiet release of Bluetooth version 5.2 three years ago set the stage for the future of the wireless protocol. New features have been added to Bluetooth’s core specification, including improvements to audio fidelity, which are set to begin maki...

There is always a bit of a risk when a company introduces a new loudspeaker range meant to satisfy the needs of the middle of the market; especially when said manufacturer has already established itself as a category leader below $1,000 and in the segment above $3,000. Can they find that magic again in a segment of the market that often struggles to attract mainstream attention? The Q Acoustics 50...

One of the challenges facing those who want to enjoy immersive surround sound at home is the need for lots of speaker wires. WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) is eliminating the need for speaker cables by enabling up to 8 speakers to connect wirelessly from a single source. That means it can work for both stereo listening and for home theater, supporting Dolby Atmos 5.1.2. A few establ...

From Apple to Sony, from Dolby to Sonos, content providers and consumer electronics manufacturers are sounding a rallying cry for immersive sound a.k.a. Spatial Audio. Do consumers want to hear it? Despite a huge marketing push featuring Apple Music, Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, we’re not so sure. Join Chris Boylan and Brian Mitchell for an in-depth discussion of the current state of sp...

Meet Philip Jones, Director of Global Brand Activation at Masimo Consumer Audio Division (previously known as Sound United) and the co-owner of website Projector Reviews . Philip has a 30+ year history working in the A/V industry from his early days in specialty audio retail to product training positions at Yamaha, Sony and now Masimo (which recently acquired Sound United). Masimo now owns all Sou...

Wireless loudspeakers took a huge step forward in performance in 2022 and it is easy to understand why mainstream consumers and seasoned audiophiles are taking the plunge. How people consume music has changed and reflects shifting priorities when it comes to home audio/video systems. People want fewer components, easier connectivity, and the ability to create 2.0 or 2.1 systems that can enhance th...

eCoustics Editor in Chief Ian White and Editor at Large Chris Boylan discuss whether speakers really need wires any more, and whether the new wave of "Spatial Audio" is the next big thing or just another passing fad. Also, could the new trend of putting truly high end audio brands into cars help usher in the wide scale adoption of multi-channel music? Thank you to our friends and sponsor SVS for s...

In part 7 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we speak with vinyl mastering legend, Kevin Gray. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora. So what does an award winning mastering engineer think about the current state of hi-fi? Kevin Gray takes the eCoustics Vintage Audio team on a surprising journey with his...

In part 6 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk about oddities. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora. Over the past 7 decades, consumers have had access to a myriad of hi-fi components that were not necessarily good or even useful. Claims about accessories that could transform the sound of your sys...

In part 5 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk all things turntables. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora. Ten years have passed since the rebirth of vinyl, and thousands of vintage turntables have been dusted off by music listeners and found their way into hi-fi systems around the globe. Consume...

In part 4 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk reel-to-reel. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora. Reel-to-Reel Tape Decks get a lot of attention on the used market and with new models and pre-recorded open reel tapes gaining traction with audiophiles once again, there are a lot of factors to cons...

In part 3 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk speakers. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora. Consumers and manufacturers love to wax poetically about “vintage” when it comes to loudspeakers, but the truth is that many of them require a lot of work and some luck if the previous owners have been l...

In part 2 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we examine both old and modern playback devices you may want to consider. This episode is hosted by our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora and moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio. Integrating legacy devices including cassette decks and CD players into a vintage audio system is not difficult but are there any technica...

Our 7-part podcast series on vintage audio begins with a look at amplifiers. This episode is hosted by our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora; moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio. Does the concept of investing in a vintage tube or solid state amplifier or receiver sound like a solid path forward? Before you take that blind leap down the rabbit hole, the eCoustics Vintag...

The new line of SVS Prime Wireless Pro Speakers and SoundBase Streaming Amplifier bring some heat to the hi-res audio over wi-fi streaming arena. In this episode eCoustics podcast producer, Mitch Anderson sits down with SVS CEO, Gary Yacoubian and SVS VP of Marketing, Nicholas Brown to talk about the experiences these new hi-fi products can unleash into the homes (and dorm rooms) of sonic seekers...

Could the next generation of earphones offer a very different experience that transforms how we listen? Gary Spittle, Founder & CEO of Sonical, speaks with Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder, about the future of wireless earphones. Spittle believes that we have only scratched the surface of what's possible with wireless earphones and earbuds and provides a fascinating explanation of what's to come....

Have soundbars elevated or diminished the home theater experience? Is Dolby Atmos succeeding or failing to attract a new generation of home theater enthusiasts? The eCoustics team engage in a rather spirited debate about both of these topics and the impact of the Metaverse and Dirac Live in the home theater category. We go beyond Sonos and answer some of the hard questions you should be asking. Ha...

Hi-Fi components won’t last forever and when they break, there is nothing more frustrating than not knowing how to fix them. Who do you send it to? Can you do it yourself? Join us this week on the podcast as the eCoustics team discusses everything you need to know when things go awry. We get into basic maintenance, finding the proper tech, doing your own repairs, and how to perform upgrades or mod...

In conjunction with the worldwide release of Shure’s new SE846 Gen2 Sound Isolating Earphones, we welcome two experienced product managers from Shure and our own Sr. Headphone Editor to discuss the details. Take a deep dive into all the reasons why these earphones are so special, and be sure to check out our full in-depth review here: https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/shure-se846-gen2/ The Shure S...

Vinyl finds itself at an unexpected crossroads in 2022; a new generation of listeners has turned the format into a billion dollar industry again and there are not enough phono cartridges in stock to satisfy global demand. If you are in the market for an affordable audiophile turntable, or replacement cartridge, it’s easy to get lost looking through the hundreds of affordable phono cartridges that...