There were several exciting jazz record announcements last week, with the most anticipated being the 2025 Blue Note Tone Poet release schedule. Not expected was the simultaneous reveal of a new subscription service dubbed the Tone Poet Society. In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, Mitch Anderson and Eric Pye break down the different service features and tiers, the pros and cons of the Society, and share both their own and social media reactions to the announcement. Thank you to our...

For the last 18 years the vinyl record industry in the U.S. has sustained a continuous uptick in sales. So when a report last month by Luminate, the leading music industry source for tracking music consumption, indicated a precipitous 33% drop during the first half of 2024, it caused quite a stir. Since then, Luminate has retracted its original report, and followed up with a corrected report saying vinyl sales were actually up 2.2% in 2024. To find why this happened, we speak with Chris...

Boutique electronics manufacturer LTA (Linear Tube Audio) offers cutting edge vacuum tube-based HiFi components designed in partnership with the legendary amp designer David Berning. Our Producer Mitch Anderson chats with LTA's Sales and Marketing Manager Nicholas Tolson about the company's new Aero DAC and Velo Headphone Amplifier, which LTA has been showing to much acclaim at high-end audio shows all over the country. As a show veteran, we also get Tolson's perspective on the best way for...

While TV picture quality continues to improve, TV sound quality is still pretty terrible, maybe even worse than it used to be. What's a poor movie and music lover to do? Will a cheap soundbar do the trick or is it really necessary to bite the bullet and go with a component-based sound system? Maybe something in between? Listen in as eCoustics founder Brian Mitchell and editor-at-large Chris Boylan discuss what options are out there now and whether you can get great sound at home without...

There’s no denying that movie theater attendance and revenues still haven’t recovered from the pandemic. In fact, 2024 looks like it may end significantly weaker than 2023 for box office revenue. With inexpensive 98-inch TVs, great sounding home theater systems and soundbars, is there even a future for the movie theater? And if so, what does that look like?  Join the conversation with eCoustics Editor-in-Chief Ian White and Editor-at-Large Chris Boylan as they discuss the current and...

Every year since 2004, the top TVs compete for the title of “King of TV” in the Value Electronics TV Shootout. This year, Sony won both the OLED and MiniLED competitions. Our Editor-at-Large Chris Boylan has covered the event in person since 2011. Here's how this year’s Shootout went down. Find out who won, what it revealed, and ultimately what matters to you if you’re hoping to buy the best TV in 2024.  View the results and scorecards...

Every year, CEDIA Expo showcases the very best architectural and outdoor audio and video solutions for homes, yachts, and more. Our Editor-at-Large, Chris Boylan and Sr. News Correspondent, Robert Silva fervently experienced all the show had to offer over three days (Sept 4-7), which varied from relatively affordable to million dollar home theater systems. In this episode, the eCoustics team reveals its Best in Show winners across 17 different categories at CEDIA Expo 2024.  For a list of...

Streaming has become the dominant format for both music listening and video viewing. Music streaming services account for 84% of all music listening and 89% of music industry revenue. Video streaming services account for approximately 95% of the home video market. Fully 99% of US households subscribe to one or more video streaming services as of 2023. Many video streaming services can deliver video in high quality 4K resolution with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for a gorgeous image. But those who...

While speaker company SVS is known for their bargain-priced high quality Prime Series loudspeakers, the company just launched a new flagship line called the Ultra Evolution. It's actually more of a revolution than an evolution with all new drivers, new crossovers and a completely new industrial design. With diamond-coated tweeters and an angled cabinet design to assure time alignment and phase coherence, the SVS Ultra Evolution offers both the sound quality and the look of much more expensive...

In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, Mitch Anderson sits down with Chief Engineer Clint Holley and Senior Mastering Engineer Dave Polster from Well Made Music to discuss the DSD audio format. Well Made Music located in Bristol, Virginia has over 1700 mastering credits to its name on Discogs, and not one, not two, not three, but four Neumann record cutting lathes inside their mastering facility.  This episode takes a look at how audio innovation from the 1950s played a huge role in Sony...

Now that all five major TV makers have shown off their 2024 flagship TVs, it's time to talk about which TVs we believe are in the running for best TV of 2024. Will OLED win the day or will it finally be toppled by a Mini LED TV? Ultimately, no TV is perfect for all content in every environment. But the key is to pick the best TV for your specific needs. We chat with Caleb Denison, Editor-at-Large for Digital Trends to compare notes on which new TVs from Sony, Hisense, TCL, LG and Samsung are...

In this episode we speak with Sven Mevissen, Director of Product Management, Home and Media Solutions, Xperi (parent company to DTS) to discuss the IMAX Enhanced program and the role that DTS:X plays in delivering immersive cinematic sound to home viewers. As of May 15, 2024, Disney+ is the first mainstream streaming service to bring the IMAX Enhanced experience with DTS:X sound into your home. The first of such titles includes the "Queen Rock Montreal" concert film as well as 18 films from...

The wireless loudspeaker category has made enormous strides over the past 5 years and there is no question that there are high-end options that offer better sonic performance, superior connectivity options, and greater value for your money than traditional passive loudspeakers. Don't listen to members of the Hi-Fi press who try to tell you that you must continue down the traditional path to achieve better sound quality at home. We have listened to more than two dozen of the best wireless and...

Today (April 17, 2024) Sony introduced its new 2024 line of BRAVIA 4K TVs, Soundbars and Theater speakers. Take a deep dive into the product launch with eCoustics Founder, Brian Mitchell and Editor at Large, Chris Boylan who got a hands-on tour of all the new products last month at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. Sony says, "Cinema is Coming Home" but is that true or just marketing hype? Join us and find out. Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Q Acoustics!...

Are you considering a turntable upgrade in 2024? Before you empty your wallet on a deck that might seem like the right path for you — we have a few suggestions that might make more sense long-term if your budget is between $600 and $2,000.  Does it make sense to spend more? We think the market has shifted and there are some outstanding options from Pro-Ject, Rega, Andover, U-Turn, and others worth exploring.  Further...

The gear fetishism that has stunted the mainstream growth of high-end audio for almost four decades is about to run out of runway and that might be the most positive development in years. How we consume music has completely shifted and whilst there will always be room on the credenza for a turntable, or even a CD player, the reality is that real estate at home is a hot commodity, and most consumers want fewer boxes for their music listening journey. Just what is a network amplifier and why...

Audeze’s Co-Founder & CEO, Sankar Thiagasamudram, joins eCoustics Senior Headphone & Portables Editor William Jennings and Producer (and Audeze Artist) Mitch Anderson to discuss its 16 year journey as an innovator in the global Head-Fi revolution. Founded in 2008 as a boutique audiophile brand, Audeze's first concept was a loudspeaker which never came to market. However, early innovations with planar magnetic technology led to the release of their first headphone, the LCD-1 for $600...

Can we finally stop pretending that wireless loudspeakers offer an inferior listening experience. The desire to sell high-end audio systems consisting of expensive boxes made of ticky tacky has become an impediment to the growth of the next generation of audiophiles and brands like Q Acoustics are working very hard to offer the best possible passive and wireless loudspeakers for less. And they are succeeding. Jamie McKay, Sales & Marketing Director, and Nick Renshaw, PR Manager, of Q...

With consumers spending tens of billions of dollars on headphones and earbuds, the product has become a commodity and one that is rather disposable. But does that need to be the case? Have you thrown away a perfectly good pair of earbuds or headphones because the ear pads or ear tips are worn down or busted up? Dekoni Audio have not only cornered the market on replacement pads for some of the most popular consumer and audiophile models on the market, but they have altered the way they sound....

In our second podcast with Jim Garrett, head of product strategy and planning at Harman Luxury Audio we discuss Arcam’s new product refresh. The British Hi-Fi brand has just introduced the sleek new Radia series of audio components, which consists of five new models: • Arcam A5 Integrated Amp – $699 • Arcam A15 Integrated Amp – $1,099 • Arcam A25 Integrated Amp – $1,499 • Arcam CD5 CD Player – $699 • Arcam ST5 Streamer – $799 All are available at...

In September 2023, vintage columnist Eric Pye (@audioloveyyc) spent three weeks in Japan pursuing audio perfection in all forms. In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, he and podcast producer Mitch Anderson (@black_circle_radio) discuss shopping in Japan for modern and vintage HiFi, and new and used music on vinyl and other mediums. Conversation meanders to Japanese audiophilia and the obsession with quality, Japanese jazz artists (including Ryo Fukui, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Isao Suzuki),...

In September 2023, vintage columnist Eric Pye (@audioloveyyc) spent three weeks in Japan pursuing audio perfection in all forms. In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, he and podcast producer Mitch Anderson (@black_circle_radio) discuss the history and current state of Jazz Kissa culture, how visiting a Jazz Kissa is such a special experience, and why that experience can’t really be recreated elsewhere. Going off topic they also discuss Japanese vinyl pressings and why those are so...

With consumers moving away from expensive multi-component systems and looking for more economical and space-spacing alternatives, the question has to be asked -- who is actually offering solutions that are affordable? Bob Hazelwood, Director of Engineering and Product Development, Andover Audio, joins us on the eCoustics podcast to discuss their rather extensive lineup of award-winning wireless speakers, turntables, streamers, and lifestyle systems that tick off every box for the next...

A new generation of music listeners are stepping outside their traditional comfort zones and looking for better ways to enjoy their music collections. But will they find that at a traditional Hi-Fi show? EIC Ian White and Producer Mitch Anderson break down CAF 2023 and why horrible music, unaffordable systems, and an aging customer base do not portend a strong future for high-end audio manufacturers if they don't make some massive changes. Sponsor: Thank you to the sponsor of this episode,...