the ecoustics podcast

You know you want to. Say it twice. Naim. Founded by Julian Vereker MBE (1945-2000) in 1973, Naim Audio have been one of the linchpins of the high-end audio movement for fifty years and their hard-earned success is not something that they are taking for granted. The British manufacturer has never played by the rules and that has contributed significantly to their positioning and design ethos.

It is not a brand that creates feelings of ambivalence within the audio world; audiophiles either love or hate it. The marriage to Focal, one of the largest high-end loudspeaker brands in the world, took a lot of people by surprise and there were certainly some valid questions about how the two legacy brands situated across the English Channel from one another would work together and grow.

Has it worked?

Naim Brand Ambassador, Jason Gould, joins EIC Ian White to discuss the first fifty years, the legacy of the late-Julian Vereker, streaming, and why the brand is well-positioned to grow rather significantly over the next decade.

Thank you to our sponsor Naim Audio for the support of our programming!

https://www.naimaudio.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

#hifi #ecoustics #naim #hometheater #breakingthesoundbarrier #naimaudio #britishaudio #ukaudio #ukhifi #audiophile #musicstreaming #vintageaudio

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

Driving change in any industry is difficult; it took Apple more than two decades to become the leading media and technology brand in the world and in the process completely changed how people consume music, movies, and television.

On a much smaller scale, Focal is changing how high-end consumers listen to music outdoors, while traveling, at their desks, and in the home. Their award-winning loudspeakers and headphones can be found in every corner of the globe and their Focal Powered by Naim retail experience is winning converts across North America, Asia, and Europe. The French manufacturer took the long-term view and it is paying off.

How did Focal get here?

EIC Ian White sat down with Focal Marketing Product Manager, Rejean Bedel, to discuss the past, present, and where the Focal/Naim family is headed.


Thank you to our sponsor Focal for the support of our programming!

https://www.focal.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

#hifi #ecoustics #focal #customintegrationspeakers #hometheater #breakingthesoundbarrier #focal #naim #thevaspeakers #ourdoorspeakers #frenchdesign

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

In the first of 7 podcasts recorded at T.H.E. Show 2023, we begin our conversation with Danish high-end audio manufacturer, Gryphon Audio Designs. We speak with Joseph Cali, owner of the premiere Southern California dealer for this ultra high-end Danish brand. Topics include Joe’s rich history in high-end audio, with a special focus on Gryphon Audio electronics and loudspeakers, as well the love of music that led him to connect with Gryphon.

Currently, Joe is the CEO of Joseph Cali Systems Design, a bespoke high-end audio integrator with two locations in Los Angeles; however, he started as a Gryphon Dealer in 2017 in NY where he opened a dedicated Gryphon Demo System Showroom inside the Stereo Exchange Loft.

Joseph has a storied history in hi-fi and music as well as film and TV. He was a professional actor, with starring and co-starring roles in “Saturday Night Fever”, “The Competition”, "The Lonely Lady”, “Voices”, "Suicide Kings”, "Today's FBI”, and “Flatbush”. He has worked as a recording Engineer and Executive Producer on Lori Lieberman albums: Monterey, Bend Like Steel, Gun Metal Sky, Ready For The Storm, and The Girl and The Cat, and will continue those duties on future Lori Lieberman productions. He also Executive Produced: A Thousand Dreams, Home Of Whispers and Gone Is The Girl for Pope Music, and Truly for Drive On Records. In addition, he co-founded Cello Music and Film Systems with the renowned Mark Levinson.

Joseph has had a love affair with music since his parents pushed back the dining room table, put big band music on the RCA HiFi Console and danced the nights away. From there, he joined the Columbia Record Club in High School in the mid 60's and had a Garrard Turntable with a Stanton cartridge, KLH speakers and a Kenwood integrated amp. The obsession never stopped. System after system, for over 50 years from Audio Research and Magneplanars to his advocacy of Cello, and now Gryphon, sharing his love of music is in his soul.

https://jcsystemsdesign.com

https://gryphon-audio.dk

https://www.ecoustics.com/news/gryphon-audio-the-show-2023/

Thank you to our sponsors Q Acoustics & SVS for the support of our programming!

https://www.qacoustics.com

https://www.svsound.com


This episode was hosted by Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO and Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Studios. It was recorded on June 9, 2023 at T.H.E. Show at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.

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

#hifi #ecoustics #listeningroom #gryphonaudio #ultralux #luxuryaudio #joecali #danishdesign #audiophile #theshow2023 #theshowsocal2023 #highendaudio #breakingthesoundbarrier

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

In the year 2000, veteran radio DJ William Goldsmith took a leap of faith and launched Radio Paradise, a streaming internet radio station. Tired of having to conform with the strict regulations and formatting restrictions of commercial radio, William vowed to bring his vision for radio to the world. Over two decades later, Radio Paradise is thriving with four high quality radio streams being delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners worldwide.

In this episode, we sit down with William to discuss the past, present and possible future of Radio Paradise. From how new music is selected to the importance of lossless audio to the expansion of musical genres and live Virtual Reality broadcasts, we get an inside look at the station's operations and plans for the years to come. And not content just to deliver great music to the world, William also wants to help make the world a better place with their new project, Radio 2050. Check out this episode for a glimpse at the future of internet radio.

For more information and to listen to all Radio Paradise has to offer, please visit:

https://www.radioparadise.com

Thank you to our sponsor Q Acoustics for the support of our programming!

https://www.qacoustics.com

The Q Acoustics 5000 Series is available at Crutchfield.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

#hifi #breakthesoundbarrier #ecoustics #listeningroom #onlineradio #hiresstreaming #radioparadise #streamingmusic #audiophile #flac #burningman

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

Has the time come for Bluetooth to take a necessary step forward? Does it really make a difference which codec your headphones or source device support? The quiet release of Bluetooth version 5.2 three years ago set the stage for the future of the wireless protocol. New features have been added to Bluetooth’s core specification, including improvements to audio fidelity, which are set to begin making their way into the market this year.

Some of the new Bluetooth features are:

• Auracast enables audio broadcasting, allowing a single device to transmit to an unlimited number of devices in proximity.

• LC3 (Low Complexity Communications Codec) is the next generation Bluetooth audio (aka “LE Audio”) standard which improves upon the original (“classic”) audio protocol (SBC). Although still a lossy codec, it can use less power to extend battery life, while a new psychoacoustic compression algorithm improves audio fidelity.

In this episode, we speak with John Yi, Founder and CEO of Packetcraft — a provider of Bluetooth solutions for device makers. Join us on a deep dive into the future of Bluetooth and what to look out for later this year.

This episode is brought to you in part by, SVS. To learn more about SVS and their entire product line please visit https://www.svsound.com

Hosts:

• Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO: https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ecoustics/
• W. Jennings, eCoustics Sr. Headphone Editor: https://www.ecoustics.com/author/w-jennings/

Related:

• Bluetooth Audio Is Not Lossless (video) https://youtu.be/eljBbqnurAo
• LE Audio: https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/feature-enhancements/le-audio/
• Learn more about Packetcraft: https://www.packetcraft.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

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

https://www.ecoustics.com

#bluetooth #wireless #auracast #lc3 #packetcraft #wirelessearbuds #tws #truewireless #wirelessearphones

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

There is always a bit of a risk when a company introduces a new loudspeaker range meant to satisfy the needs of the middle of the market; especially when said manufacturer has already established itself as a category leader below $1,000 and in the segment above $3,000. Can they find that magic again in a segment of the market that often struggles to attract mainstream attention?

The Q Acoustics 5000 Series of loudspeakers aims to fill that void with 5 new models designed for both music and home theater systems. What makes them different from the award-winning 3000 series that have dominated the entry-level category?

EIC Ian White sits down in this exclusive podcast with Q Acoustics' Brand Manager, Alex Munro, to discuss everything you need to know about these exciting new products.

5000 Series Overview:
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/q-acoustics-5000-series-loudspeakers/

Learn more about Q Acoustics:
https://www.qacoustics.com

5000 Series is available at Crutchfield.com

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

#qacoustics #hifi #breakthesoundbarrier #ecoustics #listeningroom #homespeakers #audiophile #5000series #floorstandingspeakers #loudspeakers #bookshelfspeakers

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

One of the challenges facing those who want to enjoy immersive surround sound at home is the need for lots of speaker wires. WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) is eliminating the need for speaker cables by enabling up to 8 speakers to connect wirelessly from a single source. That means it can work for both stereo listening and for home theater, supporting Dolby Atmos 5.1.2.

A few established audio brands are already integrating WiSA into their products such as Bang & Olufsen, Klipsch, Platin, LG and Dynaudio. What makes WiSA appealing to audiophiles is its ability to transmit uncompressed lossless and hi-res audio wirelessly.

In this episode we talk about the future of wireless home audio with Tony Ostrom, President of WiSA. Tony has a 25-year career in the consumer electronics industry and has previously worked in product development and marketing roles for Klipsch, House of Marley, Powermat, and JL Audio. Tony has a BA in Music Engineering and a Minor in Physics from Ball State University.

Will your next wireless speakers support WiSA? There’s a good chance they will.

For more information: https://www.wisatechnologies.com

Sponsor: SVS is acclaimed for punching well above their class, experience thrilling and immersive sound from SVS speakers, subwoofers, and cables. Join the Sound Revolution today and visit: https://www.svsound.com

Related reading:

https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/wisa-explained/
https://www.ecoustics.com/news/wisa-ds-wisa-e/
https://www.ecoustics.com/news/hisense-wisa-soundsend-tvs/

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

#wisa #wireless #homeaudio #hifi #hometheater #dolbyatmos #hiresaudio

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

From Apple to Sony, from Dolby to Sonos, content providers and consumer electronics manufacturers are sounding a rallying cry for immersive sound a.k.a. Spatial Audio.

Do consumers want to hear it? Despite a huge marketing push featuring Apple Music, Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, we’re not so sure.

Join Chris Boylan and Brian Mitchell for an in-depth discussion of the current state of spatial audio for music.

Panelists:
• Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO
• Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-Large

Sponsor: https://www.svsound.com
• Acclaimed for punching well above their class, experience thrilling and immersive sound from SVS speakers, subwoofers, and cables. Join the Sound Revolution today.

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 #audio #dolbyatmos #spatialaudio #360sound #immersivesound #sonos #sony360 #sony360realityaudio #dolbyatmosmusic #applemusic

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

Meet Philip Jones, Director of Global Brand Activation at Masimo Consumer Audio Division (previously known as Sound United) and the co-owner of website Projector Reviews. Philip has a 30+ year history working in the A/V industry from his early days in specialty audio retail to product training positions at Yamaha, Sony and now Masimo (which recently acquired Sound United).

Masimo now owns all Sound United brands including: Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Classe Audio, Definitive Technology, Boston Acoustics, and Heos.

To view the videos Philip mentioned in this episode, please visit: Sound United Training

This episode sponsored by Focal:

Focal is currently running a 40% off sale on their Chora Collection!

https://www.focal.com/us/high-fidelity-speakers/collection#chora

Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KkmIBsUk0hI

Credits:

• Hosted by: eCoustics Founder, Brian Mitchell https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ecoustics/
• 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 #audio #sonar #denon #marantz #soundunited #bowerswilkins #polk #classeaudio #definitivetechnology #projectors #hometheater #soundbar #masimo



• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com

Wireless loudspeakers took a huge step forward in performance in 2022 and it is easy to understand why mainstream consumers and seasoned audiophiles are taking the plunge. How people consume music has changed and reflects shifting priorities when it comes to home audio/video systems. People want fewer components, easier connectivity, and the ability to create 2.0 or 2.1 systems that can enhance their listening and movie watching experience.

Ian White, eCoustics Editor in-Chief, explains why wireless loudspeakers are going to replace traditional passive systems in the next 5 years and selects some of his favorite high-end wireless loudspeakers of 2022. The next golden age of Hi-Fi is already here.

Sponsor: Focal is currently running a 40% off sale on their Chora Collection!

https://www.focal.com/us/high-fidelity-speakers/collection#chora

Products mentioned:

• Q Acoustics M20
• Triangle BOREA BR03 BT
• KEF LSX II
• Sonus faber Omnia
• Dynaudio Focus 50

Related Story: https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/editors-choice-2022/

Credits:

• Hosted by: eCoustics Editor in-Chief, Ian White https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ian-white/
• 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 #audioforbusiness #smallbusines #portableaudio #bluetoothspeaker #wirelessstreaming #speakers #musicindustry #musicpublication #publisher

• 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://mixcloud.com/blackcircleradio

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and product reviews on hi-fi, headphones, home theater, music and more. 

https://www.ecoustics.com