the ecoustics podcast

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)
Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-Large

Credits:

Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:

https://www.ecoustics.com

#hifi #audiophile #boxoffice2024 #imax #amc #directtostreaming #ecoustics #hometheater #filmsound  #surroundsound #hiresplayback #filmproduction #movienews

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)
Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-Large

Credits:

Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting: https://www.ecoustics.com

#miniled #oled #qled #tv #4ktv #ecoustics #sony #samsung #lg #tcl #hisense #hometheater #hdr #uhd #4k #8k #tvtech #2024bestof #2024tv

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 our sponsors Chord, SVS & Q Acoustics! For more information on these stellar brands, please click the links below: 

https://soundorg.com/ultima-integrated-amplifier/

https://www.svsound.com

https://www.qacoustics.com

Related links:

https://www.ecoustics.com/news/cedia-expo-2024-highlights-1/

https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/jbl-modern-audio-2024/

https://www.youtube.com/ecoustics

Panel:

Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO (Host)
Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-Large
Robert Silva, eCoustics Sr. News Correspondent 

Credits:
• Original intro music by The Arc of All. sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:

https://www.ecoustics.com

#cedia2024 #cediaexpo #audiophile #hifi #hometheater #lifestylesound #interiordesign #audioindustry #ecoustics #projectors #4ktv #luxuryaudio #luxuryav #inwallspeakers #outdoorspeakers

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 than it should be. 

In this episode, eCoustics founder and CEO Brian Mitchell and Editor-at-Large Chris Boylan discuss the options out there for high quality audio including immersive sound, aka “spatial audio,” lossless music and even high resolution audio. Which services do it right? Which do it wrong? Listen in to find out. 

Thank you to our sponsors SVS & QAcoustics! For more information on these stellar brands, please click the links below: 

https://www.svsound.com

https://www.qacoustics.com

Credits:
• Original intro music by The Arc of All. sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:

https://www.ecoustics.com

#svsultraevolution #svsspeakers #svssubs #audiophile #hifihappyhour #hifi #2024speakers #hometheater #lifestylesound #interiordesign #speakerdesign #audioindustry #ecoustics #musictech #immersiveaudio #dolbyatmos #sony360 #spatialaudio #dtsx #mqa #hiresaudio #digitalaudioproblems

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 SVS who discuss the details of the SVS Ultra Evolution loudspeaker line: what makes them special and why they took more than two years to design and manufacture.

More details: https://www.ecoustics.com/products/svs-ultra-evolution-loudspeakers/

Hosted by:
Mitch Anderson, Producer 
Chris Boylan, Editor-at-Large 


Thank you to our sponsor CHORD! For more information on their breathtaking Ultima Integrated, please visit: 


https://soundorg.com/ultima-integrated-amplifier/

Credits:
• Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://www.sourceoflightandpower.com
• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:

https://www.ecoustics.com

#svsultraevolution #svsspeakers #svssubs #audiophile #hifihappyhour #hifi #2024speakers #hometheater #lifestylesound #interiordesign #speakerdesign #audioindustry #ecoustics #musictech 

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 from the audio industry in 2024. 

For more information on Well Made Music please visit: https://www.wellmademusic.net

Thank you to our sponsor CHORD! For more information on their breathtaking Ultima Integrated, please visit: 
https://soundorg.com/ultima-integrated-amplifier/



Credits:
• Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://www.sourceoflightandpower.com
• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:

https://www.ecoustics.com

#vintageaudio #vintagehifi #vinylcommunity #vinylmastering #musiconvinyl #wellmademusic  #audiophile #hifi #ecoustics #dsd #dsdaudio #lathecutting #audioformats #musiconvinyl #discogs #digitalmastering

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 the top marks overall and which factors, including black level performance, brightness, contrast, color reproduction, bright room performance and - of course - SIZE - go into the decision of which TV to buy in 2024.

*** Thank you to our home theater loving sponsor Q Acoustics at https://www.qacoustics.com ***

Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JjlmdqMtWJQ

Watch all of Caleb's videos at: https://www.youtube.com/digitaltrends

On the panel:

Caleb Denison, Digital Trends Editor-at-Large
Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO
Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-Large

Related links:

https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/sony-2024/
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/sony-bravia-tvs-soundbars-2024/
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/tcl-qd-mini-led-tv-2024/
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/samsung-tvs-2024/
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/lg-oled-tvs-2024/
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/hisense-u9n-tv-2024/

Credits:

Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting: https://www.ecoustics.com

#digitaltrends #calebdenison #miniled #oled #tv #4ktv #ecoustics #sony #samsung #lg #tcl #hisense #hometheater #hdr #uhd #4k #8k

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 dimension that enables sound to come from not just all around you but above you as well. The partnership between IMAX and DTS allows home viewers to experience IMAX visuals and the IMAX theatrical audio mix at home for the first time.
However, all subscribers of Disney+ may not be able to experience the full impact of IMAX Enhanced with DTS:X sound unless their equipment is compatible. We dive into all the details.

For more information on IMAX Enhanced with DTS:X please visit:
https://dts.com/discover/now-streaming-dtsx/

Thank you to our home theater loving sponsors SVS! For more information please visit: https://www.svsound.com

On the panel:

Sven Mevissen, Director of Product Management, Home and Media Solutions, Xperi
Brian Mitchell CEO and Founder, eCoustics
Chris Boylan, Editor at Large, eCoustics

Credits:

Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:

https://www.ecoustics.com

#hifi #audiophile #IMAXDTSX #DTS #ecoustics #hometheater #filmsound #soundforfilm #IMAXNews #surroundsound #hiresplayback #filmproduction #videopostproduction

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 can build out a system that is great for both music and movies around them. 

Thank you so much to our sponsor SVS!  

Read our review of the SVS Prime Wireless Pro Speakers here:
https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/svs-prime-wireless-pro-speaker-pair/

In this episode, our Editor in-Chief, Ian White discusses his picks for best wireless speakers of 2024 (so far) listed below in the order mentioned on the podcast (lowest to highest price).

Triangle BOREA BR03 BT – $699 at Amazon (light oak, black, oak green, light oak blue, cream)
Q Acoustics M40 – $999/pair at Amazon (black, white, walnut)
PSB Alpha iQ – $1,299/pair at Amazon (black, white, blue, yellow)
KEF LSX II – $1,299/pair at Amazon (black, white, red, blue, olive green, beige)
KEF LSX II LT – $999/pair at Amazon (graphite grey, sage green, stone white)
Sonus faber Duetto – $3,999/pair at Crutchfield (graphite, walnut)


Episode webpage: https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/best-wireless-speakers-2024/

On the Panel:

Brian Mitchell, Host & Founder
Ian White, Editor in-Chief 

Credits:

Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:

https://www.ecoustics.com

#hifi #audiophile #wirelessspeakers #ecoustics #bestwirelessspeaker #bestbluetoothspeaker #bluetooth #speakers #loudspeakers #musicstreaming

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/products/sony-bravia-tvs-soundbars-2024/

Pricing:

BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TVs:
85″ $5,499.99
75″ $3,999.99
65″ $3,299.99

BRAVIA 8 OLED TVs
77″ $3,899.99
65″ $2,799.99
55″ $1,999.99

BRAVIA 7 Mini LED TVs
85″ $3,499.99
75″ $2,799.99
65″ $2,299.99
55″ $1,899.99

BRAVIA 3 LED/LCD TVs
85″ $1,799.99
75″ $1,299.99
65″ $999.99
55″ $849.99
50″ $699.99
43″ $599.99

Soundbars & Speakers:
BRAVIA Theater Quad – $2,499.99
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 – $1,399.99
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 – $999.99
BRAVIA Theater U – $299.99

On the panel:
Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO
Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor at Large

Credits:
Original intro music by The Arc of All.
Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited.
Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Music, Home Theater, and Headphone news by visiting:
https://www.ecoustics.com

#sony #bravia #4ktv #hometheater #homevideo #hometheater #soundbar #theaterbar #televisions #ecoustics #productlaunch #bringingthecinemahome #oledtv #miniledtv #braviatheater