the ecoustics podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The eCoustics podcast has made it to our 100th episode! Let's rewind and check in with our top contributors and editors to recap the highlights - and lowlights? - in the HiFi and home theater industry over these past four years.

Huge thank you to all of our subscribers, listeners, collaborators, friends, and sponsors for helping to keep us going!

Special thank you to SVS & Q Acoustics for being such longstanding supporters of our podcast messaging. 

www.svsound.com

www.qacoustics.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


#100thepisode #podcastmilestone #audiophile #hifi #hiresaudio #musicindustrynews #ecoustics #hifinews #homeentertainmenttech #tvreviews #vintageaudio #vinylcommunity

Qobuz, the leading audiophile-quality music streaming service, just got even better with the introduction of Qobuz Connect. Now subscribers can play their favorite lossless and high resolution audio tracks and albums directly from the cloud to their playback gear of choice, bypassing the phone, PC or tablet for elevated performance, improved functionality and even better sound quality.

We chat with Qobuz VP of business development and Hi-Res Music Evangelist David Solomon on where Qobuz came from, what its mission is and where it’s going in 2025 and beyond. 

Note: eCoustics readers, listeners and viewers can get an exclusive 60-Day extended trial of the Qobuz streaming service here: 

http://qob.uz/ecoustics

Special offer expires June 14, 2025

Thank you to our sponsors SVS & Qacoustics! For more information please visit:

www.svsound.com
www.qacoustics.com

Panel:
David Solomon, Qobuz V.P of Business Development
Mitch Anderson, Host & eCoustics Podcast Producer
Chris Boylan, Co-Host & 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

#qobuz #qobuzconnect #audiophile #hifi #hiresaudio #hiresstreaming #dac #musicindustrynews #highendmunich #streamingservices #musicstreamers #heos #ecoustics #hifinews

The results are in for the 2024 UST Projector Showdown, and while some UST projectors shone brightly (quite literally), other strong performers didn't fare as well as expected. Event host Brian Gluck, emcee Phil Jones and judge Chris Boylan discuss the details of how the contenders were selected, what went down in the showdown and why the picture settings were what they were at the event.

See the scorecards and full results here:
https://www.ecoustics.com/news/best-ust-projector-ust-showdown-2024/

Where to buy all projectors:
http://www.projectorscreen.com/?af=e-bpbs-af

Panel:
Chris Boylan, eCoustics Editor-at-Large and Host
Brian Gluck, Owner and President, ProjectorScreen.com
Philip Jones, Technical Editor and Lead Reviewer, ProjectorReviews.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

#USTProjector #USTshowdown #miniprojector #ecoustics #projectorscreens #projectorshootout #tcl #hisense #hometheater #hdr #uhd #4k #8k #tvtech #2024bestof #2024tv

There were several exciting jazz record announcements last week, with the most anticipated being the 2025 Blue Note Tone Poet release schedule. Not expected was the simultaneous reveal of a new subscription service dubbed the Tone Poet Society. In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, Mitch Anderson and Eric Pye break down the different service features and tiers, the pros and cons of the Society, and share both their own and social media reactions to the announcement.

Thank you to our sponsors SVS and Q Acoustics!

Links for further information:
Blue Note Tone Poet Society Website
Japanese Jazz Kissa and the Art of the Piano Trio: Exit to Vintage Street
Jazz Kissa Culture Goes Global: Exit to Vintage Street

In the Episode:

• Eric Pye, Vintage Audio Columnist
• Mitch Anderson, Podcast Producer

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

#hifi #audiophile #vintageaudio #jazzkissa  #vinylcommunity #ecoustics #bluenotetonepoet #tonepoetsociety #bluenoterecords #musicsubscriptionservice #vinylsubscriptionservice #musicindustrynews 

For the last 18 years the vinyl record industry in the U.S. has sustained a continuous uptick in sales. So when a report last month by Luminate, the leading music industry source for tracking music consumption, indicated a precipitous 33% drop during the first half of 2024, it caused quite a stir. Since then, Luminate has retracted its original report, and followed up with a corrected report saying vinyl sales were actually up 2.2% in 2024.

To find why this happened, we speak with Chris Muratore, Director at Luminate and music industry insider Billy Fields from Warner Music Group.

Ultimately counting record sales isn’t as easy as it may seem. Although Luminate gets accurate accounting of record sales from major online websites and big box retailers, sales from independent record stores (“indies”) are harder to come by. That wouldn’t be such a big deal, except for the fact that an estimated 40% of record sales are from indies in the U.S. So with only a small fraction of indies reporting vinyl sales, Luminate has always estimated the indie portion in its reports. But how they estimate matters.

A small change in Luminate’s estimation algorithm caused a dramatic turn of events. But there is more to the story of vinyls resurgence, so we hope you’ll tune in to take a deep dive into the vinyl music industry.

Thank you to our sponsors SVS and Q Acoustics!

For more information on these stellar brands, please click the links below: 
https://www.svsound.com
https://www.qacoustics.com

Related links:
https://luminatedata.com
https://vinylalliance.org
https://www.riaa.com/u-s-sales-database/
https://www.ifpi.org
https://www.wmg.com
https://www.discogs.com/digs/collecting/vinyl-sales-up-in-2024/

Panel:
• Mitch Anderson, Host & eCoustics Podcast Producer
• Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder & CEO
• Chris Muratore, Director, Luminate
• Billy Fields, VP Sales, Warner Music Group

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

#vinylcommunity #musicindustry #vinylrecordindustry #luminate #billboardcharts #wmg #warnermusicgroup #musicbusinessnews #ecoustics #mediamanufacturing #makingvinyl #vinylalliance #blackcircleradio #sourceoflightandpower 

Boutique electronics manufacturer LTA (Linear Tube Audio) offers cutting edge vacuum tube-based HiFi components designed in partnership with the legendary amp designer David Berning. Our Producer Mitch Anderson chats with LTA's Sales and Marketing Manager Nicholas Tolson about the company's new Aero DAC and Velo Headphone Amplifier, which LTA has been showing to much acclaim at high-end audio shows all over the country.

As a show veteran, we also get Tolson's perspective on the best way for HiFi show attendees to make the most out of their visits. Find out why everything sounds better on Sundays, why song requests should not never be shouted ("Freebird!") and other insider tips. 

For more information on Linear Tube Audio please visit:
https://www.lineartubeaudio.com

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
#audiophile #LTA #ZOTL #LinearTubeAudio #lifestylesound #interiordesign #tubeampdesign #audioindustry #ecoustics #musictech #HIFIShows #CAF2024 #Audio DAC#hiresaudio #hifi 

While TV picture quality continues to improve, TV sound quality is still pretty terrible, maybe even worse than it used to be. What's a poor movie and music lover to do? Will a cheap soundbar do the trick or is it really necessary to bite the bullet and go with a component-based sound system? Maybe something in between?

Listen in as eCoustics founder Brian Mitchell and editor-at-large Chris Boylan discuss what options are out there now and whether you can get great sound at home without complicated set-up or a huge investment.

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

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

#hometheater #soundbar #theaterbar #televisions #ecoustics #hifi #surroundsound #dolbyatmos #immersiveaudio #bringingthecinemahome #braviatheater #avtech #homelistening

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