Audio Unleashed

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed First, Dennis and Brent take a minute to praise a Stereophile article that harkens back to the good ol’ days of audio journalism. Before the dark times. Before … well, all sorts of unsavory developments in the publishing biz. Then they peruse a number of new articles about the state of Spotify, as well as one potential new alternative that’s pretty much just Bandcamp in a trenchcoat. Next, they run a serious risk of being tagged as “garbage” on YouTube by examining the claims of a young audio pundit who’s convinced he’s smarter than everybody else in the headphone industry. Finally, they rant against a Headphonesty scare piece about audio networking until they realize that Headphonesty completely misrepresented the views of the network engineer quoted therein. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading: https://stereophile.com/content/poor-mans-audio-show-reviewhttps://www.stereophile.com/content/sumiko-blue-point-blue-point-special-phono-cartridgeshttps://www.spotify.com/us/legal/end-user-agreement/https://www.pocket-lint.com/spotify-lossless-audio-launch/https://www.npr.org/2025/08/08/nx-s1-5492314/ai-music-streaming-services-spotifyhttps://techcrunch.com/2025/09/11/the-music-industry-is-broken-openwavs-new-app-aims-to-change-that/https://youtu.be/G2S-Agwxiy4?si=TPTGvDStmG2eYePUhttps://www.headphonesty.com/2025/09/tidal-qobuz-connect-ruining-hifi-sound-engineer/https://youtu.be/z3VC65XOhxg?si=UNNCNA8tHIvo_8-F

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent take a vicarious vacation to a couple of hi-fi hotels to discuss whether or not this is a trend worth taking seriously. (And, of course, judge the merits of their audio systems just by the brands.) Next up, they applaud John Darko’s efforts to make reviewing more legit, then ponder some ideas on how, exactly, we might do that. Then they venture halfway around the world in the company (figuratively speaking) of tech journo Geoffrey Morrison, who shares the ancient wonders of Tokyo’s Akihabara Electric Town while lamenting its apparent but perhaps inevitable soulsucking corporatification. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics Further Reading: https://www.audioholics.com/news/hi-fi-hotelshttps://darko.audio/2025/09/the-greatest-lie-never-told/https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/465-the-rise-and-fall-and-maybe-rise-again-of-akihabara-electric-townhttps://audioxpress.com/news/ascendo-unveils-halo-10-pro-active-ext-cardio-speaker-at-cedia-expo-2025https://youtu.be/A3ng4MASy4A?si=abi3pRMQ7F2QUqRh

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent gaze deep into what they assumed would be the abyss of the EISA Hi-Fi Awards and see some pretty sensible selections gazing back. Then, Brent humors Dennis by letting him rant about video game music, and the two of them dig into the mechanics of how a guy made some of the world’s most memorable music with just a few bloops and bleeps. Then, they dig deep into the sometimes glorious, sometimes sordid history of Monster Cable by way of a cheapaudioman video essay, and recount their own decades of struggle in dealing with a company that makes your average rock band look like a well-run business. And for Patrons: What goes through Brent and Dennis’ minds when they read a glowing review of an idiosyncratic speaker? Find out in real time… 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://stereophile.com/content/eisa-hi-fi-awards-2025-2026https://hometheaterhifi.com/press-releases/eisa-awards-for-2025-26-announced/https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/eisa/2025-2026-awards/2025-2026-hi-fi/2006-eisas-best-products-of-2025-2026https://www.20k.org/episodes/super-mario-broshttps://www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org/episodes/8-bit-to-orchestras-video-game-music-scoreshttps://youtu.be/6mmPkqVzhb4?si=mTWc-MU5VOOSSxWzhttps://youtu.be/tPLsS6kCebw?si=TjbQJkIFSDQUj9gchttps://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/mcp/index.htm

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent do some sleuthing work to ascertain whether a crackpot article about Tom Waits is A.I. slop or just straight-up plagiarism, and whether or not Dr. Sean Olive has a substance-abuse problem. Then they sort through two lists of speakers that audiophiles all either love or hate to find which speakers are on both lists, wonder why it seems like every audiophile who’s ever “polled” must be over 70, then (sort of) fondly reminisce about the (mostly) lousy speakers from the days of their youth—many of which are on one or both of these lists. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://inews.zoombangla.com/tom-waits-martha-hi-fi-test-track/https://www.whathifi.com/streaming-entertainment/music-streaming/why-this-iconic-tom-waits-song-is-a-regular-in-our-test-rooms-and-can-unveil-the-true-essence-of-hi-fihttps://youtu.be/gR_s3dfDiHw?si=3MaZLz9D4oEbnpv_https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/08/best-speakers-voted-thousands-audiophiles

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent dive deep into the subject of infrasonics by way of a “studio-quality” MP3 album that tunes baroque music to the planet’s Schumann resonance and thus allows you to be calm and focused (i.e., the sonic opposite of Audio Unleashed), and they also ponder the utility of two new subwoofers bigger than our dynamic duo put together. Next up, Dennis gets a rare opportunity to critique mindless capitalism (i.e., Brent) as he heaps surprising praise on an article about politics from Stereophile, of all places. Then they opine on whether Focal’s new $69K beast truly is the ultimate speaker and the one they’d buy if they were actually able to retire someday. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://brainwave-research.com/funnel/classical-magic-download/classical-magic-download-offer-meta/https://audioxpress.com/news/ascendo-pushes-world-s-largest-subwoofer-record-further-with-new-64-and-100-modelshttps://www.bostonaudiosociety.org/bas_cd.htmhttps://stereophile.com/content/re-tales-56-impact-tariffs-hi-fi-industryhttps://www.soundstage.life/e/paul-hales-unleashed-the-realities-of-global-audio-manufacturing/https://audioxpress.com/news/new-focal-diva-mezza-utopia-reinforces-wireless-high-end-all-in-one-concepthttps://darko.audio/2025/07/elac-announces-debut-connex-dcb61/

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent ponder the questions that everyone ought to be asking: Why hasn’t anyone tested speaker isolation devices before now? (Like, really tested them, not just gauged their emotional reaction to them.) Why does AI music sound so much more convincing than AI images look? (And can AI out-ButterBurger House Band the real ButterBurger House Band?) Why is Erin Hardison so damned good at YouTubing? (And why are manufacturers’ speaker sensitivity measurements so often meaningless?) 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading and Viewing: https://youtu.be/XAOD3aUfIYQ?si=X_BP6H1oZizIAxWkhttps://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/theres-not-a-shred-of-evidence-on-the-internet-that-this-band-has-ever-existed-this-apparently-ai-generated-artist-is-racking-up-hundreds-of-thousands-of-spotify-streamshttps://futurism.com/the-byte/indie-band-hoax-ai-admithttps://youtu.be/3Nlb-m_vKYM?si=C567rVfyk9xHaW2Khttps://youtu.be/g2s9cF-r0Z4?si=NCKHNPCCPOfAhsbqhttps://youtu.be/XGanNp8XYXw?si=3bT60jCboHrMDxSn

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent wonder why Stereophile killed the comments section on their website (besides the magazine’s desperate quest to deprive Audio Unleashed of a reliable source of entertainment). Next, they speculate about how juicy a deal reviewer Cameron Oatley got for voicing Warwick Acoustics’ $38,000 APERIO GoldenSound Edition headphone system, and discuss what it might be like to have their own endorsement deal. (Audio Unleashed fuses, anybody?) They conclude by trying to figure out what Apple’s new immersive audio standard does, why Apple did it, and whether Dolby Laboratories will survive being piled on by Apple, Google, and Samsung at the same time. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://www.stereophile.com/content/comments-retired-letters-welcome-we%E2%80%99re-all-earshttps://headphones.com/products/warwick-acoustics-aperio-goldensound-editionhttps://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1750327296

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent yet again ponder the question of whether or not CDs are making a legitimate comeback. Then they deconstruct one of Stereophile’s most controversial columns in ages. And what’s up with Zu Audio’s new speaker. Is this thing legit or what? 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/syitren-cd-player-review/https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-cable-loom-vodka-network-pegasus-interconnects-robin-hood-speaker-cables-blizzardhttps://youtu.be/VQ6NUaicjWg?si=F5QxCWEaIax87sUr

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent discuss Darko’s coverage of the Munich High End show, including his insistence that he’s noping out of trade shows going forward. Will we really never see him again IRL? Next up: did Audio Judgement do this crossover A/B blind test right … and can a chancy collection of cheap caps and chokes credibly conquer the chi-chi stuff? Finally, they contrast two articles from high-end audio sites that posit very different proposals about blind testing. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://youtu.be/SfQjv6H1dzk?si=LJPyoIIVRkQXpJnYhttps://youtu.be/jx7OaMghqJU?si=5f3usI89gV6kXr52https://pmamagazine.org/do-blind-listening-tests-work-my-sessions-with-the-colorado-audio-society/https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/magic-snake-oil-roger-skoff-writes-the-real-truth-about-hifi/https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/the-history-of-snake-oil

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent catch up with all the news we should have covered last episode, including the Harman acquisition of Sound United, and what it means for the fate of Bowers & Wilkins, Dolby, and the half-dozen audio dealers left in the U.S. Then they ask The Absolute Sound’s philosopher-in-chief Tom Martin to blink twice if he’s OK in his recent video about cable lifters before moving on to a discussion about guinea pigs being used as guinea pigs to answer science’s pressing questions about compression (but not that kind of compression!). 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://www.audioholics.com/editorials/masimo-deals-sound-united-to-harman-samsunghttps://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-via-blue-rocket-cable-lifter-system-briefing/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/05/07/compressed-music-might-be-harmful-to-the-earshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378595524001734https://youtu.be/mxBk0ItjoEg?si=f5ByWuRwrjG5NwObhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_(tortoise)

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent dig into the news about a new $25/month music streaming service that claims it’s the first to deliver lossless and immersive audio. (Please don’t tell Apple Music or Qobuz or Tidal or Amazon!) Then they look on as an AudioXpress writer does a Marianas Trench-level dive on the return of the 78 rpm record, and question whether these can deliver as profound a musical experience as lathe-cut records. They conclude by pondering which paper towel is best for cleaning up the drool after Stereophile, Hi-Fi+ and Hi-Fi News review dCS’s almost-$300K, five-chassis DAC. 💿 Michael Gaughn’s Jour et Nuit on Bandcamp: https://michaelgaughn.bandcamp.com/album/jour-et-nuit Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Further Reading: https://pureaudiostreaming.com/https://audioxpress.com/news/audioxpress-may-2025-brings-the-best-in-diy-audio-with-tubeshttps://youtu.be/n-DTjpde9-0?si=cL98sZEXtdlhul3-https://www.stereophile.com/content/dcs-var%C3%A8se-music-system-da-processorhttps://hifiplus.com/articles/dcs-varese/https://dcsaudio.com/assets/hfnfebdcsvarese.pdf

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent deconstruct the latest column by Stereophile’s editor-in-chief and contemplate whether his position on spooky woo-woo has devolved in the past decade. Then they ogle cool amps and preamps on AliExpress that borrow revered brands yet cost only hundreds—and also examine how crazy it’d be to buy this stuff right now (b/c tariffs, not b/c communism and chopsticks). They conclude with a not-terribly-deep dive into a new article from Dennis about audio DIY, but not the kind of audio DIY you’re probably imagining. Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/505awsi/index.htmlhttps://www.stereophile.com/content/chips-are-still-chumpshttps://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/1jw4agi/cant_afford_getting_my_minidsp_flex_htx_out_of/?share_id=8ttFl2ZUnK8f5iRYFUiXX&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1332-nobody-warned-me-vinyl-would-turn-into-a-diy-hobbyhttps://youtu.be/yma3eOoy3ts?si=OfWbec3_nunA8qei

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent explore the fast-growing world of made-to-order lathe-cut records – and even play one for you! (Prepare to be … well, prepared.) Then they delight in some made-to-order pink noise from Erin’s Audio Corner, and deconstruct Holly Cole’s new made-to-order (well, for audiophiles) album with the help of Stereophile. Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://tapeop.com/interviews/165/mid-fi-cutting-plastic-records-michael-dixon/https://youtu.be/Yu0VE2RVBGE?si=9Gk96P9JL48UlZqVhttps://www.stereophile.com/content/holly-coles-dark-moon

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent stop by Strata-gee to see how Sonos is strategorizing to scramble back to the summit of the sound souk with a new … oh, wait, change in plans! Then they ally themselves (very conditionally) with a British-ish mastering engineer who contends that high-priced DACs are a scam. Then they bring their incomparable incredulity to bear on the question of whether adding hobbled Dolby Atmos functionality to Cadillacs is the way forward for Atmos or Cadillac. Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://www.strata-gee.com/is-sonos-adrift-and-directionless-or-on-the-right-track/https://youtu.be/7Sg1nYLmLCw?si=SrQ47F74vdBWgNTXhttps://youtu.be/LbcEgxm6RTU?si=jICNAe4CLwDgEgAIhttps://audioxpress.com/news/general-motors-introduces-dolby-atmos-across-entire-2025-ev-lineup

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent page through the storied Gray Lady (known to some as the New York Times and to Brent as “employer”) and find, to their amazement, an in-depth profile of high-end vinyl company Acoustic Sounds and its iconoclastic proprietor, Chad Kassem. Then they check out what YouTube star Cheapaudioman says are the biggest mistakes audiophiles can make (besides failing to listen to the Audio Unleashed podcast). They conclude by digging through a Tape Op profile of a man in Burbank, California whose life’s work is getting messed-up tapes to play so you can finally hear A Flock of Seagulls as they were meant to be heard. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/arts/music/vinyl-albums-chad-kassem-acoustic-sounds.htmlhttps://youtu.be/m4ubVpSe_8M?si=oGUpiToYTT39eCuThttps://www.lifewire.com/make-your-own-audio-diffuser-3134903https://www.shibuyahifi.com/https://tapeop.com/interviews/165/dan-johnson/https://needlejuicerecords.com/products/nonagon-infinity-live-8-track

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent unexpectedly flip the phase of their podcast by lavishly praising another audio pundit. But they quickly get back to business with an in-depth report on what might be the most preposterous subwoofer review (and most preposterous subwoofer setup) in a long history of preposterous subwoofer reviews by audiophile mags. Then they try to figure out why a famed accessories manufacturer insists that blind testing doesn’t work yet employs it nonetheless, and contemplate Passion for Sound’s assertion that science disproves the validity of science. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://youtu.be/FHjy0ZV0V7U?si=yg19a1toVoVlAIfZhttps://www.stereophile.com/content/rel-no31-powered-subwooferhttps://youtu.be/OZMACL6z3OU?si=j84a3V4DvehHNZ_whttps://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/221-what-the-akg-k371-headphones-tell-us-about-slow-listening

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis wonders why a writer for The Atlantic is wondering why his cheap Bluetooth speaker can’t generate the feeling of community he got at a Beyoncé concert, while Brent wonders why Dennis was reading The Atlantic. Then they dig into a recent article on acoustics by one of audio’s most popular personalities to learn what’s better: a lousy speaker in a good room or a good speaker in a lousy room. They conclude with a deep dive into—surprise!—an article about hi-fi published in a mainstream scientific magazine, which recommends a whole new (well, kinda new) speaker layout. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/02/bluetooth-speakers-ruining-music/681571/?gift=UE260Y8zIMsW6uBskvxKEDxO5tYZ2efPoBTRLiJy30M&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharehttps://darko.audio/2025/02/why-your-room-is-your-most-important-hi-fi-component/https://www.lifewire.com/make-your-own-audio-diffuser-3134903https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-science-of-hi-fi-audiohttps://aes2.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=17500https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/445https://audioxpress.com/article/fresh-from-the-bench-usound-megaclite-4-0-uh-r2040-mems-earphones

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent discuss Danny Ritchie’s diagnosis of the legendary Wilson WATT/Puppy; can he find the cure for questionable engineering? Then they ponder whether Spotify is truly evil, and what malice might lurk in the hearts of other streaming services. And they wrap up with speculation about why a stupid article on vinyl seems to have been memory-holed entirely off the internet—and why a vinyl guru’s attempt to demo over YouTube says much about the psychology of crowds and nothing about vinyl. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://youtu.be/Tma9jFZ3-3k?si=ddg-crv3nFK7g03phttps://youtu.be/pIt2pcQvf6M?si=A9Y6-QLI6uig4-_thttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/30/mood-machine-liz-pelly-book-reviewhttps://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/time-to-admit-to-vinyls-dirty-secret/https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2024-golden-ear-wilson-benesch-gmt-one-turntable-system/?mc_cid=02535d5b76https://youtu.be/NBCnoVlFLDY?si=twY4G5cyczAXbgYDhttps://youtu.be/IM7sI7GZPbk?si=3StyrxM4fRRqlnqL

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent discuss how spending money and seeing measurements can influence subjective listening impressions, take a weird vicarious trip to a Japanese Kissa, and listen to a direct comparison between the same digital master delivered on a variety of different media. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! CD normally costs $13 ($10 + $3 for shipping); use code audiounleashedepi42 for 40% off the CD. (Offer extended! Now expires 2/1/25.) https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 📚 A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole: https://amzn.to/4h7kZwb 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://youtu.be/wAywgassj1Q?si=hvhFJwuaL_ToguSIhttps://youtu.be/ZYb6AnGOJ0I?si=UqYPJQnZsKdXuLuVhttps://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1305-is-hi-fi-a-kink-or-a-fetishhttps://youtu.be/6iohmhZWDNo?si=kRUeHQxxTf7jZVbHhttps://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/274-the-new-standard-that-killed-the-loudness-war

We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, while the Audiophiliac (Steve Guttenberg) questions whether we can trust audio reviewers, Dennis and Brent decide whether we can trust Steve Guttenberg. Then they make the mistake of watching one the audio world’s cringiest videos, in which audio icon Mark Levinson tries to explain how PCM audio is stressing everyone out, or not stressing everyone out, or something. Or nothing. Or whatever the lawyers let him say. Last, Dennis and Brent check out a Stereophile column by John Atkinson that definitely is not stressing anyone out—except perhaps makers of gratuitously expensive audio gear. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! CD normally costs $13 ($10 + $3 for shipping); use code audiounleashedepi42 for 40% off the CD. (Offer extended! Now expires 2/1/25.) https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading: https://youtu.be/as2IUMhxmJ0?si=kDLQIL7JUZdiAaj9https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1309-how-do-you-know-whether-you-can-trust-a-reviewhttps://youtu.be/kp2MmIqVjTA?si=p5AZvkScalmuEmNYhttps://www.stereophile.com/content/taking-care-business