Audio Unleashed

By Brent Butterworth & Dennis Burger

This is Audio Unleashed: the world’s only totally unfiltered, freewheeling, fearless discussion about the latest events in the world of audio, featuring veteran audio reviewers Brent Butterworth and D... more

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FAQs about Audio Unleashed:

How many episodes does Audio Unleashed have?

The podcast currently has 60 episodes available.

Audio Unleashed episodes:

August 20, 2025“Monkeys Farting Into Metal Trash Cans”
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:
“Why Tom Waits’ “Martha” Is the Ultimate Emotional Litmus Test for Hi-Fi Systems”: https://inews.zoombangla.com/tom-waits-martha-hi-fi-test-track/
“Why this iconic Tom Waits song is a regular in our test rooms – and can unveil the true essence of hi-fi” by Harry McKerrell: 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-fi
“Why Do Audiophiles Hate These 9 Legendary Speakers?” by Skylabs Audio: https://youtu.be/gR_s3dfDiHw?si=3MaZLz9D4oEbnpv_
“25 Best Speakers of All Time, as Voted by Thousands of Audiophiles Worldwide” by Andy G.: https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/08/best-speakers-voted-thousands-audiophiles
...more
1h 4min
August 06, 2025“We’re Free to Suck In a Way AI Is Not”
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:
“You’ve Heard Classical Music. But Not Like This” by Brainwave Research UK: https://brainwave-research.com/funnel/classical-magic-download/classical-magic-download-offer-meta/
“Ascendo Pushes World's Largest Subwoofer Record Further with New 64" and 100" Models” by Joao Martins: https://audioxpress.com/news/ascendo-pushes-world-s-largest-subwoofer-record-further-with-new-64-and-100-models
The Boston Audio Society Music and Test CD: https://www.bostonaudiosociety.org/bas_cd.htm
“Re-Tales 56: The Impact of Tariffs on the Hi-Fi Industry” by Julie Mullins: https://stereophile.com/content/re-tales-56-impact-tariffs-hi-fi-industry
“Paul Hales Unleashed” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/paul-hales-unleashed-the-realities-of-global-audio-manufacturing/
“New Focal Diva Mezza Utopia Reinforces Wireless High-End All-In-One Concept” by Joao Martins: https://audioxpress.com/news/new-focal-diva-mezza-utopia-reinforces-wireless-high-end-all-in-one-concept
“ELAC announces Debut ConneX DCB61” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2025/07/elac-announces-debut-connex-dcb61/
...more
1h 13min
July 23, 2025“Safe, Predictable, Mass-Produced Crap”
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:
“Speaker isolation devices, do they WORK?” by Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac: https://youtu.be/XAOD3aUfIYQ?si=X_BP6H1oZizIAxWk
"There's not a shred of evidence on the internet that this band has ever existed" by Matt Mullen: https://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-streams
“‘Indie Band’ Says Claims Their Music Is AI-Generated Is a Hoax, Then Admits It's Actually AI-Generated” by Victor Tangermann: https://futurism.com/the-byte/indie-band-hoax-ai-admit
“So It Begins...Is This A Real Band Or AI?” by Rick Beato: https://youtu.be/3Nlb-m_vKYM?si=C567rVfyk9xHaW2K
“This is ridiculous. Is this a joke?!!” by Wings of Pegasus: https://youtu.be/g2s9cF-r0Z4?si=NCKHNPCCPOfAhsbq
“What Your Speaker's Sensitivity REALLY Means for Your Power Needs?” by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/XGanNp8XYXw?si=3bT60jCboHrMDxSn
...more
1h
July 09, 2025“Pandering to McDonald’s to Get Free Coffee”
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:
“Comments Retired, Letters Welcome: We’re All Ears” by Stereophile Staff: https://www.stereophile.com/content/comments-retired-letters-welcome-we%E2%80%99re-all-ears
Warwick Acoustics Aperio - GoldenSound Edition: https://headphones.com/products/warwick-acoustics-aperio-goldensound-edition
“Apple's new Spatial Audio format goes beyond Dolby Atmos” by Rasmus Larsen: https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1750327296
...more
1h 3min
June 25, 2025“Like the ‘NASCAR Fans’ of Audio”
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:
“Why I Bought My First New CD Player in 25 Years” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/syitren-cd-player-review/
“An AudioQuest Cable Loom: Vodka network, Pegasus interconnects, Robin Hood speaker cables, Blizzard power cables” by Martin Colloms: https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-cable-loom-vodka-network-pegasus-interconnects-robin-hood-speaker-cables-blizzard
“ZU METHOD: Does It Compare With KEF LS50 META?” by Steve Guttenberg Audiophilia: https://youtu.be/VQ6NUaicjWg?si=F5QxCWEaIax87sUr
...more
1h 11min
June 11, 2025“Snake Oil is Snake Oil, Right?”
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:
“The last hi-fi show I will ever attend” by Darko Audio: https://youtu.be/SfQjv6H1dzk?si=LJPyoIIVRkQXpJnY
“Cheap vs Expensive Crossover (Blind Test)” by Audio Judgement: https://youtu.be/jx7OaMghqJU?si=5f3usI89gV6kXr52
“Do Blind Listening Tests Work? My Sessions with the Colorado Audio Society” by Steven Stone: https://pmamagazine.org/do-blind-listening-tests-work-my-sessions-with-the-colorado-audio-society/
“Magic Snake Oil: Roger Skoff Writes the Real Truth about HiFi” by Roger Skoff: https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/magic-snake-oil-roger-skoff-writes-the-real-truth-about-hifi/
“The History of Snake Oil” by Andrew Haynes: https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/the-history-of-snake-oil
...more
1h 8min
May 28, 2025“Steve Irwin and Charles Darwin Owned the Same Tortoise”
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:
“Masimo Sells Sound United to Harman/Samsung, Creates Audio Empire?” by Wayde Robson: https://www.audioholics.com/editorials/masimo-deals-sound-united-to-harman-samsung
“The VIABLUE Rocket cable lifter system briefing” by Tom Martin: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-via-blue-rocket-cable-lifter-system-briefing/
“Compressed music might be harmful to the ears”: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/05/07/compressed-music-might-be-harmful-to-the-ears
“Auditory changes in awake guinea pigs exposed to overcompressed music” by Thamara Suzi Dos Santos, Pierrick Bordiga, Paul Avan: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378595524001734
“8 Hour Music Video for Guinea Pigs! Natural Stress and Anxiety Relief for Guinea Pigs!” by PetTunes - Music for Pets: https://youtu.be/mxBk0ItjoEg?si=f5ByWuRwrjG5NwOb
Harriet (tortoise): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_(tortoise)
...more
1h 4min
May 14, 2025“Colorless green ideas sleep furiously”
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:
“Pure Audio Streaming”: https://pureaudiostreaming.com/
“audioXpress May 2025 Brings the Best in DIY Audio with Tubes” by audioXpress Staff: https://audioxpress.com/news/audioxpress-may-2025-brings-the-best-in-diy-audio-with-tubes
“Spinning a Record to Pieces at 12,500fps” by The Slow Mo Guys”: https://youtu.be/n-DTjpde9-0?si=cL98sZEXtdlhul3-
“dCS Varèse Music System D/A Processor” by Jason Victor Serinus: https://www.stereophile.com/content/dcs-var%C3%A8se-music-system-da-processor
“dCS Varèse” by Alan Sircom: https://hifiplus.com/articles/dcs-varese/
“dCS Varèse” by Andrew Everard & Paul Miller: https://dcsaudio.com/assets/hfnfebdcsvarese.pdf
...more
1h 4min
April 30, 2025“Maybe We’re the Chumps”
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:
“Chips for Chumps” by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/505awsi/index.html
“Chips Are Still For Chumps” by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/content/chips-are-still-chumps
Can't afford getting my MiniDSP Flex HTx out of Customs: https://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=1
“Nobody Warned Me Vinyl Would Turn Into a DIY Hobby” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1332-nobody-warned-me-vinyl-would-turn-into-a-diy-hobby
“AXPONA 2025 Audio Show Report” by The Absolute Sound: https://youtu.be/yma3eOoy3ts?si=OfWbec3_nunA8qei
...more
57min
April 16, 2025“More Useful Than Five Years’ Worth of Audio Magazines”
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:
“Mid-Fi: Cutting Plastic Records with Michael Dixon” by Scott Evans: https://tapeop.com/interviews/165/mid-fi-cutting-plastic-records-michael-dixon/
“How Would YOU Describe These Sounds? | Audiophile Challenge!” by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/Yu0VE2RVBGE?si=9Gk96P9JL48UlZqV
“Holly Cole's Dark Moon” by Robert Baird: https://www.stereophile.com/content/holly-coles-dark-moon
...more
56min

FAQs about Audio Unleashed:

How many episodes does Audio Unleashed have?

The podcast currently has 60 episodes available.

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