the ecoustics podcast
byBlack Circle Studios
BusinessMusicTechnology
Passionate about music, movies, HiFi audio, headphones and home theater, eCoustics has been covering the A/V industry since 1999. Join our diverse cast of journalists, audiophiles, industry experts and special guests for always spirited, sometimes controversial discussions about the latest news, happenings and trends in the audio, video and music industries. Whether you're listening through stereo loudspeakers with a vintage tube amp, rocking a multi-channel home theater, on-the-go with wireless speakers or headphones, streaming music or spinning vinyl, the experienced team at ecoustics breaks down what you need to know to really enjoy music and movies at home and on...
Episodes(40 episodes)
Biggest Surprises From CES 2025: The Good And The Bad
In our second podcast devoted to new products and technologies unveiled in Las Vegas at CES 2025, the eCoustics team discusses what you’ll want to be on the lookout for and what you may want to avoid. This wide ranging discussion addresses Eclipsa Audio, HDR10+ and new advancements in TVs and projectors, along with some surprises you won’t want to miss.Panel:Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO (Host)Chris Boylan, Editor at LargeRobert Silva, Sr. News EditorBest in Show CES 2025 Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ecoustics-podcast/id15...
Published: Jan 23, 2025Duration: 45:17
Best in Show from CES 2025: The Audio/Video Gear that Impressed Us
In amongst the AI and robots that invaded this year's CES, we found some cool and innovative audio/video gear and technology. Check out our 21 picks for "Best in Show."Find all of our in depth coverage of CES 2025 here: https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/best-ces-2025/https://www.youtube.com/ecousticsThank you to our sponsors SVS & Q Acoustics! For more information on these stellar brands, please click the links below: https://www.svsound.comhttps://www.qacoustics.comPanel:Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Fo...
Published: Jan 15, 2025Duration: 1:08:44
Gryphon Audio Embodies Nordic Noir with Global Sales Director Rune Skov
In this episode, we welcome back Rune Skov, Gryphon Audio’s Sales Director for his second appearance on the podcast. Rune discusses some of Gryphon’s new products and the secrets to creating an ultra-luxe high-end audio brand.Panel:Rune Skov, Gryphon Audio Global Sales DirectorMitch Anderson, Host & eCoustics Podcast ProducerBrian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEOPrevious Podcasts about Gryphon Audio:https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/gryphon-audio-rune-skov/https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/gryphon-dealer-joseph-cali/https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/gryphon-audio-anthony-chiarella/For more information:https://gryphon-audio.dk<br...
Published: Dec 20, 2024Duration: 54:06
Inside the 2024 UST Projector Showdown: Reference vs. Preference
The results are in for the 2024 UST Projector Showdown, and while some UST projectors shone brightly (quite literally), other strong performers didn't fare as well as expected. Event host Brian Gluck, emcee Phil Jones and judge Chris Boylan discuss the details of how the contenders were selected, what went down in the showdown and why the picture settings were what they were at the event.See the scorecards and full results here:https://www.ecoustics.com/news/best-ust-projector-ust-showdown-2024/Where to buy all projectors:http://www.projectorscreen.com/?af=e-bpbs-afPanel:Chris...
Published: Dec 6, 2024Duration: 45:54
Blue Note’s Tone Poet Society Subscriptions Are Making Us Feel Kind of Blue
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 sponsors SVS and Q Acoustics!Links for further information:Blue Note Tone Poet Society Website<...
Published: Nov 20, 2024Duration: 32:43
Vinyl Record Sales Are Not Down, Luminate and Warner Respond
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 Muratore, Director at Luminate and music industry insider Billy Fields from Warner Music Group.Ultimately...
Published: Nov 13, 2024Duration: 1:20:26
LTA: Not Your Grand-Daddy's Tube Amps, A Conversation with Nicholas Tolson
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 HiFi show attendees to make the most out of their visits. Find out why everything sounds better on Sundays, why song...
Published: Nov 3, 2024Duration: 52:33
The Best Path to Better TV Sound: Soundbar or Separates?
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 complicated set-up or a huge investment.Thank you to our...
Published: Oct 26, 2024Duration: 42:06
Home Theater vs. Movie Theater: Does Anyone Even Go to The Movies Anymore?
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 possible future state of movies in theaters and in the home.Panel:Ian White, eCoustics Editor-in-Chief (Host...
Published: Sep 27, 2024Duration: 1:04:40
What Makes a “King of TV?” Inside the 2024 TV Shootout
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 here:https://www.ecoustics.com/news/2024-tv-shootout/Panel:Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO (Host)<br...
Published: Sep 20, 2024Duration: 46:14
Best in Show Awards from CEDIA Expo 2024
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 all the winners and their products mentioned, please visit: https://www.ecoustics.com/news/best-cedia-expo-2024/Thank you to...
Published: Sep 13, 2024Duration: 1:11:16
All I Want to Do is Listen! Why is Streaming Audio So Complicated?
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 seek out and appreciate the finest possible sound quality may find actually getting that high quality sound through a streaming service is more complicated...
Published: Aug 9, 2024Duration: 52:31
SVS Ultra Evolution Speakers - The Audiophile Bargain of 2024?
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 audiophile loudspeakers. In this podcast, we chat with Gary Yacoubian, CEO and President and Nick Brown, VP of Marketing for S...
Published: Jul 30, 2024Duration: 1:00:40
From DSD to Analog Tape, Well Made Music Talks Formats from a Mastering Perspective
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 creating DSD in the 1970s and how DSD continues to demand hardware and software innovation f...
Published: Jun 14, 2024Duration: 57:18
No TV is Perfect, Which One is Perfect for You? With Caleb Denison of Digital Trends
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 most likely to earn...
Published: Jun 1, 2024Duration: 55:26
IMAX In Your Living Room? DTS:X Sound on Disney+ with IMAX Enhanced (a Deep Dive)
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 Marvel Cinematic Universe.DTS:X immersive sound differs from traditional surround by adding a height...
Published: May 25, 2024Duration: 56:02
Can We Finally Admit that Wireless Loudspeakers Don't Suck?
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 Bluetooth loudspeakers currently available below $5,000 and have some thoughts on what you should consider and how one...
Published: Apr 27, 2024Duration: 46:32
Sony is Bringing the Cinema Home with new 2024 BRAVIA 4K TVs and Soundbars
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! https://www.qacoustics.com Learn more:https://www.ecoustics.com/p...
Published: Apr 17, 2024Duration: 37:01
Rotate This? The Best Audiophile Turntables Between $600 and $2,000
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 Reading:https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/pro-ject-x2-b/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/u-turn-audio-orbit-turntable-2023/https://www.ecoustics.com/products/rega-system-one-analog-solution/<br...
Published: Mar 29, 2024Duration: 33:03
The Last Days of Gear Fetishism? How Network Amplifiers Are Going to Change Hi-Fi Forever
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 should you consider one as your last Hi-Fi system...
Published: Mar 23, 2024Duration: 40:29