Chris, Crutchfield training manager, chats with JR about the in-house demo system he designed for our Southwest Virginia call center. It lets Crutchfield Advisors get hands-on with new home audio gear as often as possible so they can share their listening experiences with customers.

Want to demo our wide selection of home speakers too? Check out our online SpeakerCompare tool. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6G7)

Some of the home audio gear discussed in this episode includes:

Bluesound Vault 2i streaming music player

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6G8

McIntosh preamplifier

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6G9

McIntosh MC152 stereo power amplifier

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GA

Cambridge Audio DacMagic stereo DAC

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GC

Denon turntable

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GD

Turntable catridges

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GE

PSB floor-standing speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GF

Furman power line conditioner and surge protector

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GH

Chris also talks to JR about the system in his Jeep Wrangler. If you’d like to see his '06 Wrangler Unlimited and follow along, check out his vehicle profile.

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GI

Some of the car audio gear discussed in this episode includes:

JL Audio car amplifier

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GJ

Infinity Kappa Series car speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GK

Kicker car subwoofers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GL

Pioneer DEH-80PRS CD car stereo

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GM

Alpine Power Pack compact car amplifier

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GN

After the interview, JR and Eric answer a customer’s question about whether he can use an Alpine Power Pack amplifier in his Wrangler. If you're interested in upgrading your car audio and have compatibility questions too, find out what fits your vehicle by using our online vehicle selector. (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6GO)

Marisa, a Crutchfield Advisor who decided to revisit her love of her photography, discusses the fun of her DSLR camera (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E3) and the challenges of using manual mode. Check out her photos at https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6DY.

Marisa and JR also talk about the importance of a solid home audio system. Some of the gear discussed includes:

Nikon DSLR camera and lens kit

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E4

Mirrorless cameras

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E5

Harman Kardon BTA 10 Bluetooth® adapter

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E6

Harmon Kardon stereo receiver

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E7

Polk Audio TSi400 floor-standing speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E8

Polk Audio TSi CS10 center channel speaker

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6E9

Polk Audio TSi200 bookshelf speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6EA

For more info on DSLR cameras for beginners, check out our shopping guide at https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6EB.

Carter, former Crutchfield Advisor and unabashed headphone-phile, talks to JR about his Bose® Frames and why they're a unique sound solution for him. JR and Eric also chat about headphone comfort, other Bose wearables (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BM), and the legendary Bone Fone (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/bone-fone-the-terror/279474/).

Some of the gear discussed includes:

Bose® Frames Alto and Rondo

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BL

Bose Frames replacement lenses

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BN

Bose® Soundwear™ Companion® Speaker

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BO

Audeze planar magnetic headphones

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BP

AudioQuest DragonFly® DAC/headphone amplifier

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BQ

Sony Walkman® high-resolution portable digital music player

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BR

After the interview, JR and Eric answer a customer question about the best use cases for noise-canceling headphones (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/6BS). 

Note: In the time between recording this interview in 2019 and its publication in 2020, Carter moved on from working at Crutchfield, so you won't find him in our current list of Advisors. We miss him already, wish him the very best, and hope to see him at Crutchfield again someday!

SVS president Gary Yacoubian talks with JR about how he started in the electronics industry, his history at Beats, and how he transitioned SVS (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68Q) from being all about that bass to being all about great sound (and that bass). He also reveals his Top 6 favorite movies to enjoy on his Dolby Atmos-equipped home theater system (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68R). Plus, Gary talks 2-channel audio and the fun of his Linn Sondek turntable and Mark Levinson amplifier.

Some of the gear discussed includes:

SVS Ultra Tower speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68S

SVS Ultra Center speaker

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68T

SVS Ultra Surround speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68U

SVS Prime Elevation speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68V

Denon AVR-7200WA receiver

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68W

LG OLED 4K TV

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68X

Sony Blu-ray player

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68Y

Apple TV 4K

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/68Z

Linn Sondek LP-12 turntable

Mark Levinson No 532H power amplifier

Mark Levinson No 26 preamp

After the interview JR gives a preview of upcoming episodes.

Rex is a Crutchfield Advisor, musician, and major music fan. Like most Crutchfield employees, he's been working from home since Virginia's shelter-in-place order began. He chats with JR about how he makes working from home work for him, his new-and-improved man cave, and his most recent Crutchfield purchase.

Some of the gear discussed includes:

Klipsch The Sixes powered stereo speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66L

Mobile Fidelity phono preamp

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66N

Pro-ject turntable

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66O

Shure SM58 microphone

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66P

Mackie Thump powered PA speaker

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66Q

Yamaha mixer

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66R

55" Samsung TV

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66S

Polk Audio powered subwoofer

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66U

Audioquest audio cables

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66V

Tascam CD player

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/66W

After the interview, JR calls up co-host Eric to compare notes on who has the better work-from-home setup. Eric also does a deep dive on a pair of headphones that are so comfortable he's used them for twenty years.

Chris, regional trainer for Sonos (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/637), pays a visit to Crutchfield and discusses his 7-zone multi-room audio system with JR. Plus, he explains the latest updates from Sonos, including their decision to create a separate app for use with legacy Sonos products.

Some of the gear discussed includes:

Sonos Move wireless portable speaker

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/638

Sonos Port streaming music player

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/639

Sonos One wireless smart speaker

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/63A

Also, JR talks with co-host Eric about how the latest news from Sonos will affect Eric's elaborate home audio system. For more on multi-room audio solutions, check out our Sonos buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/63B).

Brady, a Crutchfield Advisor and full-time yacht-rocker, gives JR a virtual tour of the marine audio gear he installed on his boat. Check out this article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60R) to follow along with Brady's installation.

Some of the gear discussed includes:

Wet Sounds STX Micro 4 amplifier

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60S

Wet Sounds REVO 8 speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60T

Wet Sounds speaker/LED wire combo

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60U

Wet Sounds STEALTH AS-8 powered subwoofer

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60V

Wet Sounds 5-meter multicolor LED spool

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/60W

After the interview, JR and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on one of our many marine audio articles.

Drummer, a Crutchfield Advisor and serious vinyl collector, talks about his analog roots and how his listening routine has changed since investing in digital media. JR also references our helpful video on setting up a turntable (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5Y9).

Some of the gear discussed includes:

Teac turntable

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YB

Klipsch Reference powered speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YC

Ultimate Ears Boom Bluetooth® portable speaker

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YF

Wireless multi-room audio

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YH

Streaming video components

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YK

After the interview, JR and Eric respond to a customer comment on our turntable buying guide (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5YL) about reviving a retired turntable — invest in restoration or buy a replacement?

Jess, a Crutchfield Advisor who's a serious classic rock fan, talks to JR about the resurgence of cassettes, her mega-sized home theater system, and listening to vinyl on her days off. JR also references our handy TV Sizes And Viewing Distances article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WS).

Some of the gear discussed includes:

70" LG TV

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WT

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 9.2-channel home theater receiver

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WU

Denon turntable

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WV

Monitor Audio Silver home speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WW

Cassette decks

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WX

Audioengine S8 8" compact powered sub

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WY

Auralex subwoofer isolation platform

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5WZ

After the interview, JR and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on our Intro To Home Theater Speakers article (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5X0). They dig into finding an alternative to in-ceiling speakers for enjoying Dolby Atmos®.

Darren, a Crutchfield employee and car audio integration guru, walks JR through the "head unit back" audio upgrade he installed in his '17 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. Check out these articles to follow along with Darren's installation (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5V7) and his custom fiberglass work (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5V8).

Some of the gear discussed includes:

Hertz Mille ML Power 5-channel amplifier

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5V9

Rockford Fosgate DSR-1 digital sound processor

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VA

Hertz MP 250 D4.3 10” subwoofer

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VB

Hertz Mille Pro component speaker system

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VC

Hertz Mille Pro coaxial speakers

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VD

Dynamat sound deadening

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VF

Stinger Roadkill FAST Rings

https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VG

After the interview, JR and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on our What Are Line Output Converters? (https://www.crutchfield.com/r/5VE) article about where to tap into audio signal when keeping a factory radio in an audio upgrade.