SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

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. Sources: “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