Audio Unleashed

By Brent Butterworth & Dennis BurgerTechnology Arts

Audio Unleashed episodes

January 24, 2024“Best Audio Products on Temu?”
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Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):

💿The Dark Side of the Moon (Blu-ray Audio): https://amzn.to/3ObQ59n

📚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

This week, a text message from storied audio scribe Darryl Wilkinson prompts our pundits to ponder the pairing of pot and hi-fi. Then they contemplate the societal and sonic ramifications of a new $750,000 speaker from Sonos Faber; explore some cool new audio announcements from CES; and wonder what delights the new Auracast Bluetooth technology might bring.
Further Reading:
“New dispensary and music lounge opens in Uptown Minneapolis” by Tommy Wiita: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/new-dispensary-and-music-lounge-opens-in-uptown-minneapolis
Sonus Faber Suprema: https://www.sonusfaber.com/en/products/suprema
“Victrola unveils a turntable with 'repeat function' plus a slew of hot decks” by Becky Scarrott: https://www.techradar.com/audio/turntables/ces-2024-victrola-unveils-a-turntable-with-repeat-function-plus-a-slew-of-hot-decks
“Will the Music Frame herald Samsung’s return to multi-room audio?” by John Davidson: https://www.afr.com/technology/will-the-music-frame-herald-samsung-s-return-to-multi-room-audio-20240114-p5ex51
“The best audio products of CES 2024” by Chase Bernath: https://www.soundguys.com/best-audio-ces-2024-107864/
“The best audio gear of CES 2024” by Jada Jones: https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/home-entertainment/the-best-audio-gear-of-ces-2024/
“Klipsch and Onkyo joined forces for a soundbar — and it sounds awesome" by Nick Pino: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/klipsch-and-onkyo-joined-forces-for-a-soundbar-and-it-sounds-awesome
“I tried Bluetooth Auracast, and it'll change our relationship with headphones” by Matt Bolton: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/i-tried-bluetooth-auracast-and-itll-change-our-relationship-with-headphones
1 hr 7 min
January 10, 2024“Cultivating the Wrong Readers”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):

📚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

This week, Brent and Dennis dig into listener email, discuss some headphones that read your freaking mind, try to figure out whether GR-Research is praising or burying some Polk speakers, and ponder the merits of $4,000 active bass traps vs. much cheaper solutions.
Further Reading:
“Neurable Partners with Master & Dynamic to Launch Brain-Computer Interface Enabled Headphones” by Joao Martins: https://audioxpress.com/news/neurable-partners-with-master-dynamic-to-launch-brain-computer-interface-enabled-headphones
How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did by Kashmir Hill: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/?sh=7ea1fda46668
“Now These... Are LEGIT! Checking Out The Polk LSiM703!” by GR-Research: https://youtu.be/dPzupmAfSpg?si=BrouVPM1HBg8XP9X
“PSI Audio AVAA C214 Active Bass Traps Review” by The Absolute Sound: https://youtu.be/POq4sj3GTac?si=DMXDoP5Sjxgp8H6H
“How To Use Compression on Your Mix” by Rick Beato 2: https://youtu.be/fibaVrlAfnY?si=oXkv1DXaEtKkv-iz
1 hr 2 min
December 27, 2023“It’s Easy to Look Like an Idiot”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):

🎧Shanling UA1 Plus DAC-Headphone Amp Dongle: https://wclink.co/link/59182/0/4/175794/

🎧Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 Active Noise Cancellation Earbuds: https://amzn.to/3TCpF48

📻Dayton Audio HTA100 Integrated Stereo Hybrid Hi-Fi Vacuum Tube Class A/B Amplifier: https://amzn.to/3RUgRW3

📻Dayton Audio HTA200 Integrated Stereo Hybrid Hi-Fi Vacuum Tube Class A/B Amplifier: https://amzn.to/3Tyxlof

📻WiiM Amp: https://amzn.to/3TDnflP

💿Yamaha CD-C603BL 5-Disc CD Changer with USB Playback and PlayXChange: https://amzn.to/48wXwjc

🎵Alice Phoebe Lou: Shelter: https://amzn.to/3RXuKDb

📚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

This week, Brent and Dennis bid adieu to 2023 with a discussion about some exciting new CD players (who could have predicted that would be a thing?!), some thoughts on the validation of the SoundGuys’ target headphone curve, and a back-and-forth list of their favorite audio-related things from this year. And for Patrons: a discussion about Yamaha’s crazy-expensive new headphone amplifier.

Further Reading:
“The CD changer is back – and Yamaha’s new CD-C603 has something I wish mine had in 2005” by Beck Roberts: https://www.whathifi.com/news/the-cd-changer-is-back-and-yamahas-new-cd-c603-has-something-i-wish-mine-had-in-2005
“2023's BEST VALUE CD 'player' does SO MUCH MORE (and for less)” by Darko Audio: https://youtu.be/96JFEBc0xjY?si=RIEJxvgb2T_qbOXh
“Check Out this CRAZY little CD Player! Is the SMSL PL200 Awesome or Awful?” by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/DVZ8bH3qYGk?si=7xMe7HRogGI_YzQl
“PlayStation is erasing 1,318 seasons of Discovery shows from customer libraries” by Scharon Harding: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/12/playstation-is-erasing-1318-seasons-of-discovery-shows-from-customer-libraries/
“SoundGuys headphone preference curve validated in AES paper” by AJ Wykes: https://www.soundguys.com/soundguys-headphone-preference-curve-validated-in-aes-paper-102536/
“Do We Really Need All These Target Curves?” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/354-do-we-really-need-all-these-target-curves
“Evaluating the Knowles Preferred Response Curve” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/359-evaluating-the-knowles-preferred-response-curve
“2023 SoundStage! Awards—Best Hi-Fi Products and Outstanding Achievements with Dominique Fils-Aimé”: https://youtu.be/pQf2W60g5T0?si=2136X-GgiOSpz7J2
Darko's 'Best of 2023': https://youtu.be/_JfmG62rfJ4?si=vJThyU_BlotE4l0W
1 hr 8 min
December 13, 2023“This Aggression Will Not Stand!”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):
Master Handbook of Acoustics, Sixth Edition 6th Edition by F. Alton Everest: https://amzn.to/4aixQbO
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
This week, Brent and Dennis talk about one of the best values in hi-fi, dig into the physics of something that doesn’t seem likely to work, and debate whether Spotify is ripping off small artists.
Further Reading:
“WiiM AMP review: flying high on value for money” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2023/11/wiim-amp-review-flying-high-on-value-for-money/
Synergistic Research HFT: https://www.synergisticresearch.com/acoustics/passive/hft/
“HFT & EFQ” by Steve Marsh: https://6moons.com/audioreviews2/synergistic/1.html
“Spotify made £56m profit, but has decided not to pay smaller artists like me” by Damon Krukowski: https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/30/spotify-smaller-artists-wrapped-indie-musicians
“Headphone Handbook” on Twenty Thousand Hertz: https://www.20k.org/episodes/headphonehandbook
SVS Audiophile Happy Hour with Audio Unleashed Podcast Hosts - Episode #71: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpd8PYJXSP0&t=3132s&ab_channel=SVS
1 hr 5 min
November 29, 2023“A Clown-Car Driven by Neil deGrasse Tyson”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):

Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0

Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE

This week, Brent and Dennis talk about Miami’s best audiophile bar yet, discuss audio gear recycling with someone who knows what’s what, and take a virtual walk through Capital AudioFest 2023 thanks to Stereophile’s coverage of the show.

Further Reading:
“The Listening Bar at Kaori May Be Miami's Best Audiophile Bar Yet” by Douglas Markowitz: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/the-listening-bar-at-kaori-is-miamis-best-listening-bar-yet-18149917
“Classic Audio & Records: A Magical Musical Mecca in the Middle of Alabama” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1263-classic-audio-records-a-magical-musical-mecca-in-the-middle-of-alabama
“Emerson, Lake & Palmer at the Grocery Store”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/emerson-lake-palmer-at-the-grocery-store-audio-science-review-misses-audiophilia-in-harper-s-hi-fi-and-skateboarding/
Brilliant Corners playlist: https://www.mixcloud.com/brilliantcorners/
@TheSpeakerseeker on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpeakerseeker
Oliver Clark (@bass_vids) on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bass_vids?lang=en
LES Ecology Center: https://www.lesecologycenter.org/
Petition: Save Community Composting Now! https://www.grownyc.org/petition
“The True Cost of Saving a Few Bucks: A Q&A with Emotiva's Dan Laufman” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1144-the-true-cost-of-saving-a-few-bucks-a-q-a-with-emotivas-dan-laufman
Stereophile’s Capital AudioFest 2023 coverage: https://www.stereophile.com/category/capital-audiofest-2023
“Treehaus Audiolab Introduces Phantom of Luxury Updated Flagship Field-Coil Loudspeaker at Capital Audiofest 2023” by Michael Lavorgna: https://twitteringmachines.com/treehaus-audiolab-to-unveil-their-new-flagship-field-coil-loudspeakers-at-caf-2023/#:~:text=The%20Treehaus%20Audiolab%20%E2%80%9CPhantom%20of,real%2C%20rather%20than%20simply%20reproduced
“Test Report: Lirpa Labs Liberty Freedom 1776 A-FY Tower Speakers” by Geoffrey Morrison: https://www.soundandvision.com/content/test-report-lirpa-labs-liberty-freedom-1776-fy-tower-speakers
1 hr 12 min
November 15, 2023“Tay Tay & the Prince of Darkness”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):
Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0
Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE
This week, Brent and Dennis give audiophiles what they’ve been begging for: an in-depth discussion about Taylor Swift’s new re-recorded version of 1989. They also discuss a brilliant video about testing where the tone of a microphone comes from, as well as a new earphone from JLab that represents the first commercial product to be explicitly voiced to follow the Knowles Preferred Listening Response Curve.
Further Reading:
Taylor Swift masters dispute: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift_masters_dispute
"1989 (TV) Ground Loop Hums" by u/BitchExWife: https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/comments/17jundz/1989_tv_ground_loop_hums/
“For people who can hear the buzzing/static in 1989 (Taylor's Version), I fixed it! (Mostly)" by u/1616s: https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/comments/17iv3r2/for_people_who_can_hear_the_buzzingstatic_in_1989/
"What's up with this spike at around 15.7kHz on the interstellar soundtrack? Only some tracks have it but damn does it hurt my ears :/" by u/tomv92: https://www.reddit.com/r/audioengineering/comments/2mszh4/whats_up_with_this_spike_at_around_157khz_on_the/
"Bernie Grundman, the Music Master" on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/bernie-grundman-the-music-master-mastering-defined-digital-vs-analog-radio-vs-streaming/
"Tested: Where Does The Tone Come From In A Microphone?" by Jim Lill: https://youtu.be/4Bma2TE-x6M?si=mBkSEzeub1kzZNMl
"Tested: Where Does The Tone Come From In An Electric Guitar?" by Jim Lill: https://youtu.be/n02tImce3AE?si=xNniYyVDXH1WHNuA
"Subwoofers: 4, 2, or 1?" by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundandvision.com/content/subwoofers-4-2-or-1-0
"Knowles Corporation Teams Up with JLab to Bring Premium Sound to the Epic Lab Edition True Wireless Earbuds": https://castercomm.com/press/knowles-corporation-teams-up-with-jlab-to-bring-premium-sound-to-the-epic-lab-edition-true-wireless-earbuds/
"Fresh From the Bench: Knowles KN2 True Wireless Reference Design and Franklin 2 Developer Kit" by Brent Butterworth: https://audioxpress.com/article/fresh-from-the-bench-knowles-kn2-true-wireless-reference-design-and-franklin-2-developer-kit
"Do We Really Need All These Target Curves?" by Brent Butterworth: https://soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/354-do-we-really-need-all-these-target-curves
1 hr 2 min
November 02, 2023“The Only True Currency in This Bankrupt World”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):

High Performance Loudspeakers: Optimising High Fidelity Loudspeaker Systems 7th Edition by Martin Colloms: https://amzn.to/3tYQ01y

Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0

Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE

This week, Brent and Dennis answer the questions that everyone is asking: How do you get high-res audio from Apple Music? Why do smart people believe weird things? Why do audiophiles hate Beats?

Further Reading:
"Apple Music’s hi-res plumbing is still leaky" by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2023/10/apple-musics-hi-res-plumbing-still-leaks/
"HI-RES AUDIO & Apple Music done right (& WITHOUT an iPad)" by Darko Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxCt9cwmqXU&ab_channel=DarkoAudio
"Shaken, Not Stirred—and Welcome Back, Martin Colloms" by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/content/shaken-not-stirred151and-welcome-back-martin-colloms
"Working in the Front Line" by Martin Colloms: https://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/190/index.html
"Why Audiophiles Have Problems With Beats Headphones" by David Bixenspan: https://www.slashgear.com/1407524/are-beats-headphones-good-or-bad/
"After $32.5M Jury Win for Sonos, Judge Throws Out Jury Verdict and Finds for Google" by Ted Green: https://www.strata-gee.com/after-32-5m-jury-win-for-sonos-judge-throws-out-jury-verdict-and-finds-for-google/
1 hr 7 min
October 18, 2023“Reduced Wobble + Increased Moisture”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):

Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0

Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE

This week, Brent and Dennis remember Gary Merson of HDGuru.com, who passed away this month; answer the burning question as to whether or not unplugging your hifi from the wall even once will forever ruin it sounds; try to figure out what the heck a firewall for speakers is; and take a look at some really cool speaker technology by way of Stereophile’s show coverage.

Further Reading:
“Obit: Gary Merson, Founder of HDGuru.com”: https://hdguru.com/obit-gary-merson-founder-of-hdguru-com/
"DON'T Unplug Your HiFi Audio System!" by Michael's Hi-Fi Audio Adventures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBm_dpiCKC8
"LessLoss Firewall for Loudspeakers" by Dawid Grzyb: http://hifiknights.com/reviews/accessories/lessloss-firewall-for-loudspeakers/
"Firewall for Loudspeakers" by Srajan Ebaen: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lessloss12/
https://www.lessloss.com/firewall-module-p-216.html#a_55-655
"MC Audiotech's New TL-12 Loudspeaker" by Jason Victor Serinus: https://www.stereophile.com/content/mc-audiotechs-new-tl-12-loudspeaker
1 hr 4 min
October 04, 2023“Like... ‘Hotel California.’ Except Good”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):
Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0
Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE
This week, Brent and Dennis discuss Lenbrook’s acquisition of the highly controversial MQA codec and all the patents that come along with it. They also dig into a hot mess of a review from Stereophile about a hot mess of an amplifier: the Infigo Method-3 monoblock, and opine about a new music-generating AI that’s leaps and bounds better than any of its forebears.
Further Reading:
"Lenbrook Group Rescues MQA High-Resolution Audio Technology" by Mark Sparrow: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2023/09/19/lenbrook-group-rescues-mqa-high-resolution-audio-technology/?sh=bb4e60d5847f
"On a Mythical Quest of Ascension, Lenbrook Acquires MQA" by Ted Green: https://www.strata-gee.com/on-a-mythical-quest-of-ascension-lenbrook-acquires-mqa/
"Will UWB change the world of headphones? Because Bluetooth can't" by Jez Ford: https://www.whathifi.com/features/is-uwb-the-new-bluetooth
“Standards”: https://xkcd.com/927/
"Infigo Method-3 monoblock power amplifier Measurements": https://www.stereophile.com/content/infigo-method-3-monoblock-power-amplifier-measurements
"New AI Listened To 20,000 Hours Of Music. What Did It Learn?" by Two Minute Papers: https://youtu.be/BRWquZdEigw?si=YfREtm77qRRcfLSz
1 hr 13 min
September 20, 2023“Fancy Britches”
We’re on Patreon now! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases):

Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0

Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE

This week, Brent and Dennis are joined by Erin Hardison of Erin’s Audio Corner to discuss his controversial review of the beloved Triangle Borea BR03. We also discuss the merits of subjective versus objective evaluations, Erin’s pet peeves, and what dragons he’s on a quest to slay.

For segment three, Brent and Dennis discuss new best practices and recommendations for immersive audio from CEDIA and CTA. And for Patrons: a discussion of Dennis’s interview with Dr. Sean Olive about the history of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and why it makes such great test material.

Further Reading:
"Why I Don’t Recommend the Triangle Borea BR03 Speakers" by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/MNBWQGv2-SM?si=7wPMa9Se5SoZ95i7
"RP22 Immersive Audio Guidelines Set to Revolutionize Industry, Says CEDIA CEO" by Nick Boever: https://www.cepro.com/audio-video/media/rp22-immersive-audio-guidelines-set-to-revolutionize-industry-says-cedia-ceo/
A New Paradigm in Immersive Audio Design Excellence: https://cedia.net/advocacy/rp22
1 hr 5 min

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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…