Midrange Magic: The Real Reason Monitor Audio Uses a 3″ Driver to Improve Speaker Sound (Ep:63) soundstagenetwork 2023-06-05 | Dispersion, which relates to how sound is projected from a loudspeaker in all directions, is one of the most important aspects of its performance, but also one of the least understood by consumers making purchases. To learn why it is so important to understand, we encourage you to watch this video about the Haas Effect: youtu.be/92A3RNpOBXwNumerous things affect speaker-dispersion characteristics, including cabinet design, crossover points, and the topic of this video, driver sizes. In this video, SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider speaks with Monitor Audio technical director Michael Hedges about the company’s choice to use a very small midrange driver in many speaker models to improve dispersion in the midrange, and to improve integration with the tweeter and woofer or woofers it is working with. Watch to learn more.#audiophile #hifi
James Hale on “Art+Tech” - Mixing Hi-Fi and Music | The Inspiration... | Technology and Art (S2:E8) soundstagenetwork 2023-07-07 | Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 How SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider inspired “Art+Tech”00:22:56 Musical interlude: "My Bet" by RocknStock00:24:05 It’s about the music, silly!00:39:39 …except for operaThis week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by James Hale, author of SoundStage! Xperience’s popular “Art+Tech” column, to discuss his unique approach to hardware and music reviews, how the column came about, the value of today’s audio gear as compared with that of decades past, and how technology influences the creation and enjoyment of art. Sources:"How Good Can the Focal Utopia Headphones Make Remarkable Recordings Sound?" by James Hale: soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/art-tech/1104-how-good-can-the-focal-utopia-headphones-make-remarkable-recordings-sound"Battling Anxiety with Arcade Fire and the Rotel A12MKII Integrated Amplifier-DAC" by James Hale: soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/art-tech/1072-battling-anxiety-with-arcade-fire-and-the-rotel-a12mkii-integrated-amplifier-dachttp://jameshale.ca/music.htmldownbeat.com/site/author/james-hale#audiophile #stereo #hifi
This Will Change the Way You Look at Loudspeakers - Bad, Better, Best Baffles (Ep:67) soundstagenetwork 2023-07-05 | The front part of a speaker seems pretty straightforward, right? You just have to worry about how many drivers are there. Think again. Due to something in acoustics called diffraction, the shape of a speaker—in particular, the front, which is also known as the baffle—has a profound affect on the sound you hear. In this short, informative video, Doug Schneider explains why the shape is so important, as well as which shapes are best. What he says may mean that you will never look the same way at speakers again.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Focal, Denon, Estelon, Meitner, Yamaha, Sennheiser, Soulnote, Lumin, Bluesound - New for July 1 soundstagenetwork 2023-07-01 | This video talks about the updates across the SoundStage! Network for July 1, 2023To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.All of our sites:www.SoundStage.comwww.SoundStageAccess.comwww.SoundStageAustralia.comwww.SoundStageGlobal.comwww.SoundStageHiFi.comwww.SoundStage.Lifewww.SoundStageSimplifi.comwww.SoundStageSolo.comwww.SoundStageUltra.comwww.SoundStageXperience.com#audiophile #hifi #stereo
High-Precision Hi-Fi - How the Monitor Audio Hyphn Loudspeaker M-Array Fits Together (Ep:66) soundstagenetwork 2023-06-28 | The new Monitor Audio Hyphn loudspeaker is a dazzling design. But one of the most impressive things that consumers will never see is how the M-Array assembly for the tweeter and midrange drivers goes together—with watch-like precision. In this video, SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider talks to Monitor Audio’s technical director, Michael Hedges, about the design elements that went into its creation. Once you see it, you’re likely to appreciate the Hyphn even more.#audiophile #hifi #luxury
Music Maven Mark Waldrep Rolls with the Changes - High-Res Controversy | MQA Snow Job? (S2:E8) soundstagenetwork 2023-06-23 | Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 Does high-res matter?00:35:25 Musical interlude: "Concerto in Fm (Bach)" by Ohad Ben-Ari00:37:21 The most important component of your system00:41:45 Is MQA a snow job?00:48:54 The beauty of BachThis week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Dr. Mark Waldrep of AIX Records fame to discuss changes in the audiophile music marketplace over the years, as well as Mark’s controversial and ever-evolving views on high-resolution music recording and playback, as well as why he stopped mastering records altogether.Sources:"Audibility of a CD-Standard A/DA/A Loop Inserted into High-Resolution Audio Playback" by E. Brad Meyerand David R. Moran: secure.aes.org/forum/pubs/journal/?ID=2#:~:text=The%20test%20results%20show%20that,Authors%3A%20Meyer%2C%20E"Researching HD-Audio: The Truth" by Mark Waldrep: realhd-audio.com/?p=6993aixrecords.comitrax.com“Music and Audio: A User Guide to Better Sound: by Mark Waldrep: musicandaudioguide.comyoutube.com/@markwaldrep5143artistconnection.net
Six for One - What You Need to Know About the Monitor Audio Hyphns Six 2″ Midrange Drivers (Ep:65) soundstagenetwork 2023-06-21 | The new Monitor Audio Hyphn loudspeaker is a revolutionary design with many cutting-edge features. Among them is the use of six 2″ midrange drivers that act as one bigger midrange driver—but with even better performance than a driver of that diameter. It’s part of something Monitor Audio calls M-Array. In this video, SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider talks to Monitor Audio’s technical director, Michael Hedges, about how the six drivers and the M-Array work.#luxury #hifi #audiophile
Beyond Cables - Bespoke Amplifiers and Speakers Are Also Part of Siltechs 40-Year Story (June 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-06-17 | Specialist hi-fi maker Siltech was founded in 1983 in the Netherlands, where it remains, so this year is Siltech’s 40th anniversary. As company CEO Edwin Rijnveld explains in this video, the company began by making high-quality silver cables, which, through careful research, have been steadily refined into the silver-alloy cables being made today. But did you also know that Siltech has made amplifiers and speakers—and continues to do so? Watch this video to learn the things about this unique Dutch brand that many people don’t really know.#hifi #audiophile #stereo
Yamaha, PMC, Sony, Technics, Polk, Pro-Ject, Cambridge, Gryphon, Denon - New for June 15, 2023 soundstagenetwork 2023-06-15 | This video talks about the updates across the SoundStage! Network for June 15, 2023.To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.All of our sites:www.SoundStage.comwww.SoundStageAccess.comwww.SoundStageAustralia.comwww.SoundStageGlobal.comwww.SoundStageHiFi.comwww.SoundStage.Lifewww.SoundStageSimplifi.comwww.SoundStageSolo.comwww.SoundStageUltra.comwww.SoundStageXperience.com#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Lowering Loudspeaker Distortion: How Monitor Audio Designs Its Drivers (Ep:64) soundstagenetwork 2023-06-11 | In March 2023, Doug Schneider and the SoundStage! video team traveled to England to visit speaker-maker Monitor Audio. While there, the team mostly focused on producing two videos about the groundbreaking Hyphn loudspeaker. You can view those two videos through the links below:youtu.be/uk5vckG5Imwyoutu.be/5BTZ5REwjCQ They also produced four technical videos with Michael Hedges, Monitor Audio’s technical director. The first video was on loudspeaker dispersion. In it, Doug and Michael focused on how Monitor Audio designs drivers to optimize dispersion in all its speakers. You can watch that video here:youtu.be/LOB7i7IcXJEThis second video is on how Monitor Audio designs its drivers for lower distortion in all its speakers. Watch to learn more.#audiophile #stereo #hifi
Bernie Grundman, the Music Master - Mastering | Digital vs. Analog | Radio vs. Streaming (S2:E7) soundstagenetwork 2023-06-09 | Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 What does a mastering engineer do? 00:20:25 Musical interlude: “Say No More” by Julian Hartwell00:22:49 Digital vs. analog and radio vs. streaming00:35:24 What music moves Bernie GrundmanIn this week’s episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by legendary mastering engineer Bernie Grundman to discuss what mastering is, what it isn’t, how mastering differs from remastering, and why vinyl sometimes sounds better than digital.Sources:“Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section” by Joseph Taylor: 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: 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/
Luxman, GoldenEar, Pro-Ject, Edifier, YBA - New for June 1, 2023 soundstagenetwork 2023-06-01 | This video talks about the updates across the SoundStage! Network for June 1, 2023.To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.All of our sites:www.SoundStage.comwww.SoundStageAccess.comwww.SoundStageAustralia.comwww.SoundStageGlobal.comwww.SoundStageHiFi.comwww.SoundStage.Lifewww.SoundStageSimplifi.comwww.SoundStageSolo.comwww.SoundStageUltra.comwww.SoundStageXperience.com#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Laurence Dickies Amazing Music Box, Silicone O-Ring Speaker-Cabinet Demonstration (Ep:62) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-30 | Legendary Laurence Dickie is the designer of the groundbreaking Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus loudspeaker, which was released in 1993, as well as the designer of all of Vivid Audio’s loudspeakers. Vivid is a company he cofounded in 2004. Over the years, Laurence has developed marvelous loudspeaker technologies, and in this fifth and final video about those technologies, he demonstrates how effective O-rings are at reducing the transfer of resonances from the speaker driver to the cabinet. As a result, there in use in all of Vivid Audio’s speakers.#audiophile #hifi
Laurence Dickie Demonstrates How Reaction-Canceling Woofers Reduce Speaker Resonances - (Ep:61) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-27 | Some people call them force-canceling woofers, while legendary speaker designer Laurence Dickie would rather call them reaction-canceling woofers. Laurence Dickie is famous for past work at Bowers & Wilkins, including the design of the Nautilus loudspeaker, which was released in 1993. Today, he is best known for designing Vivid Audio’s speakers, including the revolutionary Giya line. But whether you call them force-canceling or reaction-canceling, the goal with speaker design is the same—to eliminate the transfer of energy from the woofers to the speaker cabinet, which can cause resonances that could color the sound. In this video, Laurence Dickie explains what reaction-canceling woofers are, and he demonstrates why the system is so effective at eliminating that transfer of energy that could otherwise happen.#audiophile #stereo #hifi
What We Measure & Why - What Matters | S/N Ratio | Competence | (Im)Perfect Volume Controls (S2:E6) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-25 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 What we measure20:43 Musical interlude: “An Issue” by Lalinea21:52 How much do these measurements matter?1:03:59 Canadians rock!In this week’s episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and electronics measurements specialist Diego Estan to discuss the publication’s measurement philosophy and methodology, and also get to the root of what the heck quadrature is and why you should have paid attention in physics class. Along the way, they discuss some of the best-measuring gear they’ve experienced, some of the most idiosyncratic, and how and why these measurements matter. They also talk about an important topic to Doug: volume-control accuracy, something that surprised Jorden. Sources:“This is Why We Measure” by Dennis Burger: soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1240-this-is-why-we-measure“Should You Buy More Amplifier or More Speaker Than You Need?” by Dennis Burger: soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1172-should-you-buy-more-amplifier-or-more-speaker-than-you-need“NAD Masters M23 Stereo/Mono Amplifier Measurements” by Diego Estan: soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2912:nad-masters-m23-stereo-mono-amplifier-measurements&catid=97:amplifier-measurements&Itemid=154 “Atoll Electronique IN200 Integrated Amplifier Measurements” by Diego Estan: soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2772:atoll-electronique-in200-signature-integrated-amplifier-measurements&catid=97:amplifier-measurements&Itemid=154 “Is 'Trickle Up' Tech the Future of Hi-Fi?” by Dennis Burger: soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1243-is-trickle-up-tech-the-future-of-hi-fi
Going Inside the Worlds Best Compact Two-Way Speaker - Tapered Tubes and Vivids Kaya S12 (Ep:60) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-23 | Engineer Laurence Dickie is considered to be one of the few geniuses of modern-day speaker design. He masterminded the Nautilus for Bowers & Wilkins in 1993. In 2004, he cofounded Vivid Audio to carry on with his design ideas. His latest speaker for Vivid Audio is the Kaya S12, which is considered to one of the best compact two-way speakers available today. It looks simple on the outside but is stunningly complex on the inside.In third video about Laurence’s innovative tapered-tube technology, which dates back to the Nautilus, he explains to SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider how he had to employ radical thinking and design ideas to make the technology work in the S12. Watch this video to find out what Laurence Dickie did.#hifi #audiophile #loudspeaker
T+A, Mission, Bryston, Rotel, Pro-Ject, Audio Research, More - New for May 15, 2023 soundstagenetwork 2023-05-15 | These are the updates across the SoundStage! Network for May 15, 2023.To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Growing Up and Into Wilson Audio - Building WATT/Puppys | North-Star Design | Pink Floyd (S2:E5) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-12 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Growing up on Wilson Audio 21:54 Musical interlude: “Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Summer: 3. Presto” by the Dover Quartet22:18 Reference standards, the importance of time alignment, and the future of hi-fi47:28 Pink Floyd Fridays and guilty pleasuresThis week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Wilson Audio CEO Daryl Wilson to talk about what it was like to grow up alongside the storied brand, which his father, David, and mother, Sheryl, founded; how his path through life led him back to the company; and how Wilson speakers are designed, built, and voiced differently from other loudspeakers.Sources:“The Great North American Loudspeaker Tour: Wilson Audio Specialties” by Jeff Fritz: soundstageultra.com/twbas/twbas_200908_wilson.htmWilson Audio Specialties WATT/Puppy 7 Loudspeakers review by Jeff Fritz: soundstageultra.com/equipment/wilson_watt_puppy_7.htmWilson Audio website: wilsonaudio.com
Speaker-Cabinet Brilliance - How Vivid Audio Speakers Capture Unwanted Bass (Ep:59) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-09 | Laurence Dickie is known to audiophiles around the world for his design of the Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus loudspeaker, which debuted in 1993 and is still made today, and the complete range of Vivid Audio speakers, which initially came to market in 2004 with the B1. He cofounded Vivid Audio with Philip Guttentag.In our previous video, Doug Schneider talked to Laurence Dickie about his tapered-tube technology to capture unwanted rearward energy from drive units to produce a clearer sound. Laurence also demonstrated how it works. What this video explores is how Laurence deals with capturing the energy from the woofers, which requires an extremely long tapered tube—much longer than the ones that go behind the tweeters and midranges in his company’s speakers. As you’ll learn, the ingenious step was to use the cabinet itself as a tapered tube. Watch this video to learn more.
From the Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus to Vivid Audio Speakers - Laurence Dickie’s Tapered Tubes (Ep:58) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-06 | Laurence Dickie is known to audiophiles around the world for his design of the Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus loudspeaker, which was released in 1993 and is still in production today. He is also known to many as the co-founder and technical director of Vivid Audio—makers of the remarkable Kaya and Giya series of speakers. What the Nautilus and Vivid Audio speakers have in common is the use of his tapered-tube technology, which first showed up in the Nautilus. Watch this video where SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider quizzes Dickie on how it works. Not content with just talking about his invention, Dickie also demonstrates its effectiveness during the video.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Simaudios Best Hi-Fi Electronics - Technical Highlights of the New Moon North Collection (May 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-03 | In this second of two videos about the new Moon North hi-fi electronics series, Simaudio’s Thierry Dufour and Dominique Pouplart dive into some of the technical highlights of the products, including the special distortion-cancelling circuitry in the amplifiers and the three types of volume controls that are in use.The Moon North series is comprised of the all-analog 641 integrated amplifier, 681 network player and DAC, 791 and 891 network players and DACs, and 761 and 861 power amplifiers. Also new in the series is the beautiful BRM-1 remote control, which is intended to replicate the look and feel of Simaudio’s renowned volume control in a device that fits in the palm of your hand. #audiophile #hifi #stereo
Simaudios Best Hi-Fi Electronics - The New Moon North Collection Explained (May 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-03 | In this first of two videos about the new Moon North series hi-fi electronics, Simaudio’s Costa Koulisakis and Dominique Poupart give an overview of the products in the line and explain how the series came to be.As you’ll learn in this video, the name North was chosen for two reasons. One was to reflect the location the products come from, Canada, which is farther north than most countries. The other was to indicate a destination—something to aspire to. Fittingly, the products that make up the Moon North series are made in Canada and are claimed to be the brand’s best efforts yet.The Moon North series is comprised of the all-analog 641 integrated amplifier, 681 network player and DAC, 791 and 891 network players and DACs, and 761 and 861 power amplifiers. Also new in the series is the beautiful BRM-1 remote control, which is intended to replicate the look and feel of Simaudio’s renowned volume control in a device that fits in the palm of your hand. #audiophile #hifi #stereo
Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 2 - Advanced Acoustical Concepts and Daring Industrial Design (May 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-02 | The new Monitor Audio Hyphn loudspeaker is a landmark product for the 50-year-old British brand—it marries advanced acoustical concepts with daring industrial design. In this second of two videos on the Hyphn, technical director Michael Hedges and product design director Charles Minett explain this groundbreaking loudspeaker’s most important design details.#audiophile #stereo #hifi
Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 1 - From Visionary Concept to Cutting-Edge Completion (May 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-05-02 | The new Monitor Audio Hyphn loudspeaker is a landmark product for the 50-year-old British brand—it marries advanced acoustical concepts with daring industrial design. In this first of two videos on the Hyphn, CEO Robert Barford and global marketing director Michael Johnson explain the genesis of the Hyphn project and what the company hopes to achieve with it.#audiophile #stereo #hifi
Bryston, Pro-Ject, PSB, Focal, Totaldac, Audeze, More - New for May 1, 2023 soundstagenetwork 2023-05-01 | These are the updates across the SoundStage! Network for May 1, 2023.To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Simaudio’s Étienne Gautier & the Art of Marketing Moon - Baumgartner | Taskmaster (S2:E4) soundstagenetwork 2023-04-28 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Why brand awareness matters5:51 Musical Interlude I: "Jazz it Up" by Wesly Thomas6:18 In conversation with Simaudio’s Étienne Gautier23:45 Musical Interlude II: "Jazz it Up" by Wesly Thomas24:07 The importance of emotional connectionsHost Jorden Guth is trotting the globe this week and is tight on time, so he and producer Dennis Burger dug into the vaults to pull out an interview from last year with Simaudio’s marketing director Étienne Gautier. In this extended cut of the conversation, Dennis and Étienne discuss how the company’s marketing strategy is evolving and why Moon by Simaudio decided to sponsor the best art-restoration show on YouTube.Sources:“Moon by Simaudio Has Exited the Echo Chamber” by Dennis Burger: soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1201-moon-by-simaudio-has-exited-the-echo-chamber"The Maverick" by Baumgartner Restoration: youtu.be/LV2eOu14fQMTaskmaster on YouTube: youtube.com/c/TaskmasterHania Rani: haniarani.com
The Music Man - Joe Taylor on Vinyl and Cassettes | Next-Gen Audiophiles | Curated Music (S2:E3) soundstagenetwork 2023-04-27 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Why Joe still loves vinyl20:06 Musical Interlude: “Freerolling” by T. Bless & the Professionals20:32 Crafting “Curator” and picking desert-island discsIn this episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStageX.com senior editor Joseph Taylor to discuss his love for vinyl, the cassette tape revival, creating the next generation of audiophiles, and the ways in which music mastering has changed over the decades. They also dig into Joe’s ongoing “Curator” series of articles, how he finds his inspiration, why he focuses on certain artists, and how he and his daughters influence one another’s musical tastes. Sources:“Experience ‘Xperience’ Anew” by Joseph Taylor: soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/pulse-menu/1093-experience-xperience-anew“En Attendant Ana: Juillet" by Joseph Taylor: soundstageaccess.com/index.php/music-and-movie-reviews/featured-releases/1032-en-attendant-ana-juillet“Savak: Human Error / Human Delight" by Joseph Taylor: soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/recording-of-the-month-menu/1112-savak-human-error-human-delight“James Brown, Curated” by Joseph Taylor: soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/curator/1099You can also find links to all of Joe’s “Curator” articles at: soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/curator
The Rolex of Hi-Fi Cables - Siltechs Flagship Royal Crown Series | SoundStage! InSight (April 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-04-22 | The Siltech brand, which is now 40 years old, is known the world over for creating some of the very best hi-fi cables using a proprietary silver-and-gold metallurgy for the conductors and the best-quality materials for the other parts. Every cable the company makes is meticulously crafted in The Netherlands by skilled technicians. The resulting cables are expensive, but the quality of the products gives them an almost Rolex-type appeal among the most discriminating hi-fi aficionados around the world. In this video, Siltech CEO Edwin Rynveld describes the company’s flagship line, called Royal Crown. The line began with the Triple Crown models, but has now expanded to include Single Crown and Double Crown cables of various types. #audiophile #hifi #stereo
Hegel, Focal, Vyda Laboratories, Sony, Pro-Ject, More - SoundStage! Updates for April 15, 2023 soundstagenetwork 2023-04-17 | These are the updates across the SoundStage! Network for April 15, 2023.To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Made in the UK - Building Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Speakers | SoundStage! InSight (April 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-04-10 | In November 2022, the SoundStage! video team visited the manufacturing headquarters of Bowers & Wilkins, located in Worthing, UK. The company was founded in 1966 by hi-fi legend John Bowers. Inside of a facility that is approximately 120,000 square feet, Bowers & Wilkins employees labor over the creation of the company's flagship 800 series of loudspeakers, a line currently capped off by the 801 Series Diamond D4 model. Watch this video to find out the whole story from Andy Kerr, Bowers & Wilkins’s director or marketing and communication. The story of how these loudspeakers get made is inspiring!#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Some German T+A Before Bouncing Over to Britains Bowers & Wilkins | SoundStage! Travelers (Ep:4) soundstagenetwork 2023-04-04 | Go behind the scenes to two of the world’s best speaker makers!In November 2022, the SoundStage! video team first traveled to Germany to visit T+A before going to the UK to stop in at Bowers & Wilkins—and in this fourth “SoundStage! Travelers” episode, we take you there with the team. T+A and Bowers & Wilkins are companies with cutting-edge design resources, topflight manufacturing equipment and processes, and a keen sense of direction of what kind of speakers they make. This video shows you what went on at these companies and what went on while getting there. #audio #hifi #stereo
Hi-Fi & Music Enthusiasts: These Are Your SoundStage! Updates for April 1, 2023 soundstagenetwork 2023-04-01 | These are the updates across the SoundStage! Network for April 1, 2023.To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
The Inveterate Adventurer - Headphone Gateway | Bluetooth Quality | Noise-Canceling Cans (S2:E2) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-30 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Getting to know Geoff23:09 Musical Interlude24:15 YouTube, Noise canceling, and whether anybody can beat BoseIn this episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStageSolo.com editor Geoff Morrison to discuss headphones as a gateway drug into hi-fi, traveling with over-ears vs. on-ears, and mixing audio for a variety of headphones, speakers, and even YouTube. They also dig into dedicated music players vs. smartphones, whether or not Bluetooth can deliver good sounds, if anyone can do noise canceling better than Bose, and Geoff’s personal recommendations for good in-ears and on-ears for on the road and at home.By the way, Geoff’s first international trip since the pandemic was in 2022, not 2020, and feels horrified he said the wrong year during the podcast.Sources:“Bald Nomad – adventures described in words and pictures” by Geoff Morrison: http://baldnomad.com/ “A Bluetooth Blind Test” by Brent Butterworth: http://www.brentbutterworth.com/bluetooth-blind-test.html@GeoffMorrison on YouTube: youtube.com/c/GeoffreyMorrison914"Eardrum Suck: The Mystery Solved!" by Brent Butterworth: soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/178-eardrum-suck-the-mystery-solved“Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Hurt Your Ears? You’re Not Alone” by Brent Butterworth and Lauren Dragan: nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-do-noise-cancelling-headphones-work@inveterate_adventurer on Instagram: instagram.com/inveterate_adventurer/?hl=en
The New $499 Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player Explained | SoundStage! Talks (March 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-27 | SoundStage! editor-in-chief Jeff Fritz just received a Cambridge Audio MXN10 network player to write about on SoundStage! But what is an MXN10? Matt Reilly, head of business development for Cambridge, explains this new product: its features, connectivity, and system applications. Use it in a vintage audio system and bring it right up to date with the latest music streaming options. Did you know the MXN10 has an ESS Sabre DAC? Find out all about it!#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Classic Analog Integrated Amp - Why Simaudio Made the Moon 250i V2 | SoundStage! Shorts (March 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-24 | On March 13, 2023, Simaudio announced the Moon 250i v2 integrated amplifier, an upgraded version of the company’s previous 250i integrated amp. According to the Simaudio press release put out the same day, the 250i v2 “features an upgraded circuit design, a new shield for the power supply and, for the first time, an MM phono preamplifier.”We were visiting the Simaudio factory the day after the 250i v2 was announced, so we sat down with product manager Dominique Poupart to shoot a short video about the history of the product and its updates, as well as to learn why the company felt it important to continue with this integrated amplifier in its product line.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
How to Use the New Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 and PX8 S2 Headphones | SoundStage! Real Hi-Fi (Ep:57) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-20 | The PX7 S2 and PX8 S2 headphones are Bowers & Wilkins’ newest over-ear headphones. They are both wireless, though they can be use wired as well, and have built-in noise canceling. The PX8 S2 headphones are more expensive than the PX7 S2s, but they look similar and the way each functions is almost the same. In this video, Bowers & Wilkins’ Andy Kerr describes how to use the features on the headphones so consumer can get listening quickly. Watch and learn!#headphones #audiophile #hifi
Introducing Jorden - Hi-Fi Marketing | KEF Love Letter | The 3 Best at the Florida Expo (S2:E1) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-17 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Introducing Jorden25:22 Musical Interlude26:30 Florida International Audio Expo 2023 coverageTo hear all episodes, visit: http://www.soundstage.life/In this first episode of the second season of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, new host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to discuss the road forward.Although Jorden has been working for about ten years in high-end hi-fi as part of our video team, to most he is a new face in the hi-fi scene. But he has the experience and he is also keenly award of trends that appeal to young music listeners and to electronics purchasers in general. So when he and Doug start talking about Jorden and his background and where he will take this podcast from here, it quickly turns into a discussion about what the hi-fi industry is doing right and wrong from their perspectives–which Jorden inadvertently turned into a love letter to the UK brand KEF.The two also take a virtual tour of the Florida International Audio Expo 2023 by way of SoundStage! Global’s coverage by Hans Wetzel and Doug Schneider, and discuss three speakers that really stood out to Doug, which are featured in the coverage, as well as in an article by Doug on SoundStage! Hi-Fi this month.Sources:Florida International Audio Expo 2023 - Tampa, USA: soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/florida-international-audio-expo-2023-tampa-usa“The Best of Florida International Audio Expo 2023” by Doug Schneider: soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1762-the-best-of-florida-international-audio-expo-2023 #audiophile #hifi #stereo
Your SoundStage! Updates for March 15, 2023 - In Less than 4 Minutes soundstagenetwork 2023-03-15 | These are the updates across the SoundStage! Network for March 15, 2023. To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Monitor Audio Platinum G3 Flagship Loudspeakers and Beyond! | SoundStage! Talks (March 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-13 | In this video, SoundStage! editor-in-chief Jeff Fritz chats with Michael Hedges, technical director at Monitor Audio. Michael gives us the inside story on the development of the company’s new Platinum G3 loudspeakers. He goes through what’s new on the inside and what’s new on the outside? Michael also spent many hours listening to the new speakers as they were being developed and shared his listening impressions on the final products. Lastly, we get a preview of what 2023–2024 will look like at Monitor Audio in terms of future products we might see.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Crosszone CZ-10 Headphones Offer an Alternative Listening Experience | SoundStage! Take 2 (Ep:47) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-09 | On December 20, 2022, Brent Butterworth reviewed the Crosszone CZ-10 headphones on SoundStageSolo.com and wrote: “The CZ-10 headphones are a remarkable achievement. Not only are they one of only a very small number of multi-driver headphone models I’ve heard that present a natural tonal balance with minimal coloration, but they also create what I think is a more realistic stereo presentation than any headphones I’ve heard that don’t employ some sort of spatial processing.”You can read Brent’s full review here: soundstagesolo.com/index.php/equipment/headphones/365-crosszone-cz-10-headphonesIn this video, Mike Perez gives you his impressions through a follow-up review.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
NAD Masters M23 - The Best 200WPC Amplifier You Can Buy? | SoundStage! Real Hi-Fi (Ep:56) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-04 | In his March 1 review of the NAD Masters M23 amplifier on SoundStageHiFi.com, Roger Kanno wrote: “I’ve had the privilege of hearing a lot of truly excellent amplifiers in my system over the past few years, and the NAD Masters M23 is one of the very best.” You can read the full review here, complete with measurements:soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1760-nad-masters-m23-stereo-mono-amplifierIn this video, SoundStage! founder tells you his history with the Purifi Audio Eigentakt amplifier used inside the M23, and he explains why believes this amplifier represents the promise of Purifi’s Eigentakt technology finally being fulfilled.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Season 1 Grande Finale - TAS Speaker Rant | 500 vs. 250W Amp | Geoffrey Morrison | Goodbye (Ep:26) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-03 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:31 Introduction4:48 Voltage is scary!38:04 Musical Interlude I: “Breakwater” by Terry Landry38:46 Amplifiers: How do they even work?55:59 Musical Interlude II: “Kooky” by Brent Butterworth56:51 New SoundStage! Solo editor, who dis?1:21:06 Musical Interlude III: “Tomorrow’s Girl Today” by Terry Landry1:22:14 Coda and creditsIn their final episode as co-hosts of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger kick off a super-sized rant by digging into Robert Harley’s editorial from the February 2023 issue of The Absolute Sound to discuss what speaker sensitivity ratings actually mean and whether using volts instead of watts as a reference is deceptive (4:48 to 38:04).From there (38:46 to 55:59), they dig deep to get to the bottom of the most important question in the domain of audio reproduction: what makes a 500-watt amp sound different from a 250-watt amp?Next (56:51 to 1:21:06): an in-depth conversation with Geoffrey Morrison, the new senior editor of SoundStage! Solo, about his plans for the publication and how his travels influence his taste in and experience with headphones and portable audio in general.Finally, Brent and Dennis take a few minutes to say goodbye and thanks to everyone who made this first season of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast possible. Sources:The Absolute Sound: theabsolutesound.com"World Premier - Zesto Audio Eros 500 Select Class A Monoblocks" by Robert H. Levi: positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/zesto-audio-eros-500Bald Nomad: http://geoffreymorrison.com
Your SoundStage! Updates for March 1, 2023 - In 4 Minutes soundstagenetwork 2023-03-01 | These are the updates across the SoundStage! Network for March 1, 2023. To view live links to all of our new content, visit www.SoundStage.com and scroll past the videos on the main page.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Silver and Gold - High-End Hi-Fi Cable Maker Siltech is 40 Years Old! | SoundStage! (March 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-03-01 | SoundStage! editor-in-chief Jeff Fritz recently spent time with Edwin and Gabi Rynveld, the husband-and-wife team responsible for the Siltech and Crystal Cable brands, which are located in Elst, The Netherlands. Gabi and Edwin were in The Netherlands during this interview, where they discussed a momentous occasion for Siltech: the company’s 40th anniversary! Edwin gives us a history lesson on the brand’s beginnings in 1983, while Gabi relates her experience as a concert pianist and how that influences her work with the brand. Lastly, Gabi and Edwin take us into the future of the Siltech brand and what we can expect going forward.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Tweeters, Cabinets, and Plinths - The Improvements to PMCs Twenty5i Series Speakers (Feb. 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-02-24 | The PMC Twenty5i series was launched in 2020—so it isn’t brand new. In fact, we produced a video that describes the models in the lineup that same year. That video is called “’I’ for Improved - PMC's New Twenty5i Loudspeakers.” You can watch our original Twenty5i video here: youtu.be/wWkuGdJKq_UBut in the summer of 2022, we returned to PMC, which is headquartered in Biggleswade, UK, to learn more about what the improvements were and how they affect the speakers’ sounds. Watch this video find out what acoustics engineer Toby Ridley told us.#hifi #audiophile #speakers
Speaker Sensitivity Explained - 4-ohm/2.83V is Not a Trick Like Robert Harley Claims (Ep:55) soundstagenetwork 2023-02-21 | In the February 2023 issue of The Absolute Sound, editor Robert Harley wrote an article called “Lies, Damn Lies, and Speaker-Sensitivity Specs.” In it, he gives what SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider believes is some pretty questionable information about speaker-sensitivity specifications. Harley even goes so far as to say that a “4-ohm/2.83V” specification is a “trick.” As Doug explains in this video, it’s not only not a trick, using 2.83V as the input signal is the correct way to conduct speaker-sensitivity measurements. Watch to learn more.More: Dennis Burger and Brent Butterworth also talked about this in the 26th episode of the SoundStage! Audio Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/season-1-grand-finale-tas-speaker-sensitivity-rant-500-vs-250w-amp-geoffrey-morrison-plans-goodbye/#audiophile #hifi #stereo
SoundStage! Updates for February 15, 2023 - In About 3 Minutes soundstagenetwork 2023-02-17 | In this video, Kathleen tells you about the article updates across the SoundStage! Network sites for the middle of February. The SoundStage! Network is the largest group of audio-related publications in the world.To view our main portal, visit www.SoundStage.com
The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is a High-Transparency, Versatile, Low-Priced Audiophile Dream Machine (Ep:54) soundstagenetwork 2023-02-14 | The SoundStage! Network has reviewed the RME ADI-2 DAC FS twice. It currently sells in the United States for $1299. The first time was by Matt Bonaccio on SoundStageHiFi.com on January 15, 2023. The second time was by James Hale on SoundStageXperience.com on February 1, 2023. The links to the two articles are below:soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1744soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/art-tech/1094The praise in the reviews is also why SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider decided to write about it and another product in a feature on SoundStageHiFi.com on February 1, 2023. That article is linked below:soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1754The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is billed as a digital-to-analog converter, but it’s much more than that, which Doug Schneider explains in this video. Watch to learn more.#audiophile #hifi #stereo
Denon AVR-A1H vs. Marantz AV 10 and Amp 10: Same Parent Company, But the Same Inside? (Feb. 2023) soundstagenetwork 2023-02-10 | Denon and Marantz are both owned by Masimo Consumer, a large US-based company that also owns Bowers & Wilkins, Definitive Technology, Classé Audio, Polk Audio, Boston Acoustics, and HEOS. Recently, Marantz introduced the AV 10 surround processor and companion Amp 10 16-channel amplifier, while Denon introduced the AVR-A1H audio/video receiver. SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider was at the North American press launch in late January in Carlsbad, California. There, he got to examine these new products inside and out, as well audition them. In this video, Doug explains what he learned there—including how similar and how different these new statement-level audio/video products are. #audiophile #hifi #hometheater
The Connected Future of Something or Other - CES 2023 | Harman Curve Again | Looking Forward (Ep:25) soundstagenetwork 2023-02-04 | Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:30 Introduction2:26 Leaving Las Vegas22:02 Musical Interlude I: “Larry's Lament” by Brent Butterworth and Ron Cyger22:44 B&K 5128 vs. the Harman curve45:57 Musical Interlude II: “Soft Landing” by Brent Butterworth and Dan Gonda46:48 Past, present, and future…58:57 CreditsIn this week’s first segment (2:26 to 22:02), Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger talk about the former’s experiences at CES 2023, and reminisce about what the show used to be, both in terms of hi-fi and as an overall barometer of the state of the consumer-electronics market.Next up (22:44 to 45:57), they return to the Harman target curve well yet again to talk about a new video from The Headphone Show, which discusses their move away from the Harman curve as a result of their adoption of the B&K 5128 head and torso simulator.Finally (46:48 to 58:57), they wrap up this week’s episode with a bit of a retrospective and a look toward the future.Sources:"Best audio tech at CES 2023" by Hamish Hector: techradar.com/news/best-audio-tech-at-ces-2023-next-gen-soundbars-headphones-and-earbuds"Say goodbye to the Harman target" by The Headphone Show: youtube.com/watch?v=ut5WeqH0vcs"New Headphone Measurement Target FAQ" by The Headphone Show: youtube.com/watch?v=T-mcdEW66jc"Introducing the newest SoundGuy: The Bruel & Kjaer 5128" by AJ Wykes: soundguys.com/introducing-the-newest-soundguy-the-bruel-kjaer-5128-45973“A Fond Farewell” by Brent Butterworth: soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/366-a-fond-farewell#audiophile #hifi #hifiaudio
