In this episode, the eCoustics team cut through a year of hype, delays, and eyebrow-raising price hikes to talk about the products that genuinely moved the needle across hi-fi, head-fi, and home theater. We cover the TVs and projectors that finally earned their bragging rights, the headphones and earbuds that didn’t just chase trends, and the loudspeakers and portable gear that reminded us why good engineering still matters.

It’s a wide-ranging, candid discussion about what impressed us.And because the timing couldn’t be better, the ink is barely dry on our massive eCoustics Editors’ Choice awards list. If you want to know which products actually earned a spot—and which ones quietly didn’t—you’ll want to listen first, then check the list.Less hype. More perspective. And no participation trophies.

Thank you to our sponsor SVS for a phenomenal year of collaboration and support of our programming! https://www.svsound.com

On the panel:

Brian Mitchell, Founder & CEO
Chris Boylan, Editor at Large
W. Jennings, Sr. Portables Editor
Eric Pye, Contributor / IG Influencer @audioloveyyc
Ealan Osborne, Mr. eCoustically Speaking
Mitch Anderson, Podcast Producer

Products mentioned:

Chris Boylan:
> Sony Bravia 8 II
> Hisense L9Q UST
> Kaleidescape Strato E and Strato V
> Denon AVR-X3800H
> Samsung Micro RGB
> Dirac Acoustic Room Treatment

Ealan Osborne:
> Sony STR-AZ7000ES
> Google Eclipsa
> DTS:X Profile 2

William Jennings:
> Sony WH-1000XM6
> Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
> Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
> Audeze CRBN2
> Questyle QCC Pro
> Astell&Kern SP4000 DAP
> Bose Ultra Open-Ear buds

Eric Pye:
> Vinyl reissues
> KLH Model Five
> KLH Model Seven

Mitch Anderson:
> MoFi UltraTracker
> Ray Tubes

Brian Mitchell:
> Canvas HiFi
> Canvas HiFi Frame
> Bacch 3D

Related links:
> https://www.ecoustics.com/best-right-now/


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

#ecoustics #avtrends #2025bestof #hifi #audiophile #vintageaudio #hometheater #dolbyatmos #headphones #vinylcommunity #yearinreview

This episode examines the results from the 2025 Ultra-Short Throw (UST) Projector Showdown with event organizer, Brian Gluck of ProjectorScreen.com and emcee, Phil Jones of ProjectorReviews.com. The UST Projector Showdown allowed 6 judges to rate 9 UST projectors side-by-side with identical 100-inch screens, which underwent testing 15 different categories.  The models in the competition included the:

• Epson QS100 3-Chip Laser-Lit LCD Projector – 4,500 Lumens ($4,999)
• Formovie Theater Premium Triple Laser DLP Projector – 2,200 Lumens ($2,799)
• Hisense L9Q Triple Laser DLP Projector – 5,000 Lumens ($5,999)
• Hisense PT1 Triple Laser DLP Projector – 2,500 Lumens ($2,999)
• Hisense PX3 Pro Triple Laser DLP Projector – 3,000 Lumens ($3,499)
• JMGO O2S Ultra Triple Laser DLP Projector – 3,600 Lumens ($2,999)
• Nexigo Aurora Pro MKII Hybrid Triple Laser/LED DLP Projector – 2,400 Lumens ($3,499)*
• XGIMI Aura 2 GTV Hybrid Laser/LED DLP Projector – 2,200 Lumens ($2,699)

The 2025 UST Projector Showdown was held November 8, 2025 at ProjectorScreen.com's headquarters in New Jersey, which crowed winners across four categories:

1. Best for Mixed use in Bright and Dark Rooms
2. Best for Home Theater
3. Best Value
4. Best Overall Picture Performance

Find out who won and how it all went down.

Panel:
• Brian Mitchell, Founder, eCoustics
• Chris Boylan, Editor-at-Large, eCoustics
• Brian Gluck, Owner, ProjectorScreen.com
• Phil Jones, Owner, ProjectorReviews.com

Related links:
https://www.ecoustics.com/news/best-ust-projectors-2025-showdown/
https://www.projectorscreen.com/blogs/insights/the-2025-ust-projector-showdown-results
https://www.projectorreviews.com/2025-ultra-short-throw-projector-showdown-recap/

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

#USTProjector #USTshowdown #miniprojector #ecoustics #projectorscreens #projectorshootout #hometheater #hdr #uhd #4k #8k #tvtech #2025bestoftech #2025tv

Confused by the Denon vs. Marantz AVR maze? Join eCoustics Founder Brian Mitchell, Editor at Large Chris Boylan, and Phil Jones, Global Director of Training at Harman International, as they break down 19 AVRs ranging from $400 to $7,200. Though Denon and Marantz have been under the same corporate roof for over a decade (now Harman International, owned by Samsung), not all AVRs are created equal.

Discover the subtle—and not-so-subtle—differences, what really matters for your Dolby Atmos setup, and which brand might make your wallet sigh. Perfect for home theater enthusiasts ready to cut through the hype and make a smart buy.

Thank you to our sponsor of this episode, HEOS! For more information please visit:

https://www.denon.com/en-us/plp/heos

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  #ecoustics #avr #heos #surroundsound #denon #marantz #soundunited #bowerswilkins #polk #hometheater 

Back in the 80s and 90s, earplugs at a concert were a one-way ticket to dweeb status. Protecting your hearing? Please. You might as well have stayed home with a VHS and some Tang. These days it’s the opposite—walk into any venue and half the crowd is rocking hi-fi earplugs that make the music sound better and keep your ears intact.

Etymotic’s new Music Pro Elite are at the front of that shift, and Tim Monroe, Sr. Director of Engineering, along with Chris Roth, Principal Engineer at Etymotic Research, join us to break down why and how these things work so damn well.

Thank you to HEOS, and SVS for supporting this episode!

www.svsound.com

https://www.marantz.com/en-us/world-of-marantz/heos

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

Don't forget to check our website for daily updates on the latest electronics, news, recommendations, and deals on high-end audio, loudspeakers, earphones, TVs, and more.

www.ecoustics.com

#ecoustics #hifi #audiophile #avtech #musicindustry #liveconcertexperience #hearingprotection #hifiearplugs #hearingsaftey #loudnesswars #hearingaid #etymotic #lifestyleav #earplugs

The Bowers & Wilkins 801 isn’t just another loudspeaker—it’s the one Abbey Road Studios trusted when the music actually mattered. For 45 years, the 801 has been part of legendary recordings that shaped how we hear music, and now it’s back in the spotlight with the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition. Andy Kerr, Director of Marketing and Communications at Bowers & Wilkins, joins eCoustics CEO and Founder, Brian Mitchell to dig into how this speaker became the reference at the world’s most famous studio, why Abbey Road didn’t exactly choose it by accident, and what makes this anniversary edition more than just a fancy finish.

Thank you to Denon, SVS and Shure for their support of our programming!

www.svsound.com

www.denon.com

www.shure.com

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

Don't forget to check our website for daily updates on the latest electronics, news, recommendations, and deals on high-end audio, loudspeakers, earphones, TVs, and more.

www.ecoustics.com

#abbeyroadstudios #bowersandwilkins #studiomonitors #signatureseries #B&W801 #ecoustics #hifi #audiophile #hometheater #avtech #musicindustry #projectors #recordingstudios

A/V industry expert and custom integrator John Sciacca joins the eCoustics team to break down our top picks from CEDIA Expo 2025, held September 3–6. The annual trade show covers everything from home theater and soundbars to architectural speakers and outdoor A/V systems—gear designed for the pros who install and recommend solutions for luxury homes and yachts. We’ll highlight this year’s “Best in Show” winners across multiple categories—and call out a few products that didn’t quite live up to the hype.

Panel:
John Sciacca, Partner at Custom Theater and Audio
Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-Large
Robert Silva, eCoustics Sr. News Correspondent
Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder and Host

Thank you to Marantz and SVS for their support of our programming!

www.svsound.com

www.marantz.com

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

Don't forget to check our website for daily updates on the latest electronics, news, recommendations, and deals on high-end audio, loudspeakers, earphones, TVs, and more.

www.ecoustics.com

#cedia2025 #ecoustics #hifi #audiophile #hometheater #avtech #custominstall #bestof2025tech #musicindustry #projectors #dolbyatmos #bestsoundbar #besttv #beststereo

The Rhino in the room can’t be ignored: after decades in the vault, Buckingham Nicks is finally getting a reissue. eCoustics Editors Eric Pye, Jeremy Sikora, and producer Mitch Anderson team up with mastering engineer Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) to dig into why this cult classic vanished, why it’s back now, and what it means for fans who’ve been chasing scratched LPs for years. Along the way, we get into the bigger picture—the state of the reissue market, the future of vinyl cutting, and why Fleetwood Mac drama still drives the mythology around this record. Chaos may have fueled the Mac, but this one’s all about clarity.

Thank you to Bowers & Wilkins and SVS for their support of our programming!

www.svsound.com

www.bowerswilkins.com

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

Don't forget to check our website for daily updates on the latest electronics, news, recommendations, and deals on high-end audio, loudspeakers, earphones, TVs, and more.

www.ecoustics.com

#fleetwoodmac #ecoustics #audiophilereissue #vinylreissue #buckinghamnicks #rhinorecords #kevingray #cohearentaudio #vinylcommunity #classicalbums #hifi #audiophile #vinylmastering #recordindustry #musicindustry

The eCoustics team discusses their "Best In Show" picks from Audio Advice Live 2025 -- the largest home theater show open to consumers. With over 1,700 attendees and more than 60 experience rooms featuring hifi and home cinema systems from $5,000 to over $250,000, it was a virtual Disneyland for audiophiles, videophiles and home theatre aficionados.

View a list of all award winners here:
https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/best-audio-advice-live-2025/

Thank you to SVS and HEOS for sponsoring this episode! 

On the panel:

Brian Mitchell - eCoustics Founder (and host)
Chris Boylan - eCoustics Editor-at-Large
Ealan Osborne - eCoustics Video Producer

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

This episode was originally recorded August 12, 2025. Audio Advice Live 2025 took place at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, NC from Aug 1-3, 2025.

#audioadvicelive #hometheater #hifi #bestinshow

Our friend and popular YouTube tech reviewer, B The Installer, joins us on the podcast to discuss the results of the 2025 TV Shootout, where the top-of-the-line 65-inch 4K OLED TVs all went head to head. The four models in the competition included the LG G5, Panasonic Z95B, Samsung S95F, and Sony Bravia 8 II.

Find out how it all went down with B The Installer who was in attendance, along with eCoustics Editor-at-Large, Chris Boylan, who was one of the 9 judges at the event.

With two different perspectives, each offers some surprisingly candid thoughts on the Value Electronics 2025 TV Shootout.

The Contenders:

• LG 65-inch G5 OLED TV (OLED65G5WUA) – $2999.99 – Amazon | Crutchfield
• Panasonic 65-inch Z95B OLED TV (TV65Z95BP) – $3399.99 – Amazon
• Samsung S95F QD-OLED TV (QN65S95F) – $3299.99 – Amazon | Crutchfield
• Sony BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED TV (K65XR80M2) – $3299.99 – Amazon | Crutchfield

This episode was recorded on July 29, 2025 and moderated by eCoustics founder, Brian Mitchell.

For even more details on this event, check out our in-depth coverage of the 2025 TV Shootout.

Thank you to Polk Audio and SVS for their support of our programming!

www.svsound.com

www.polkaudio.com

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

Don't forget to check our website for daily updates on the latest electronics, news, recommendations, and deals on high-end audio, loudspeakers, earphones, TVs, and more.

https://www.ecoustics.com

#2025TVs #tvshootout #bestoftech #sonybravia #sony #samsung #lg #panasonic #ecoustics #hometheater #besttv #oledtv #4ktv

In this episode, William Jennings, our Senior Headphones and Portables Editor, dives deep into the wireless headphone and earbud game. He'll name-drop his top picks for 2025 and share his thoughts on where this market is headed.

The good news? Bluetooth and noise cancellation are finally living up to their promises, and the sound gap between wired and wireless is closing fast—especially in the high-end stuff. Whether you're stuck on Sony or Bose, or willing to drop some serious cash on Focal or Bowers & Wilkins, or just wondering if wireless really can stack up to the wired heavyweights—this episode's got the answers. Get ready to feel the burn on your wallet, but at least the sound won't suck.

Thank you to Bowers & Wilkins and SVS for their support of our programming!

www.svsound.com

www.bowerswilkins.com


Hosted by Mitch Anderson, eCoustics Producer
Guest William Jennings, eCoustics Headphone & Portables Editor


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

Don't forget to check our website for daily updates on the latest electronics, news, recommendations, and deals on high-end audio, loudspeakers, earphones, TVs, and more.

www.ecoustics.com

#wirelessheadphones #headphoneindustry #2025headphones #audiophile #hifi #hiresaudio #musicindustrynews #ecoustics #hifinews #headfi #earbuds #vinylcommunity