the ecoustics podcast

Black Circle Studios
  • 4.5 (14)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
the ecoustics podcast

Passionate about music, movies, HiFi audio, headphones and home theater, eCoustics has been covering the A/V industry since 1999. Join our diverse cast of journalists, audiophiles, industry experts and special guests for always spirited, sometimes controversial discussions about the latest news, happenings and trends in the audio, video and music industries. Whether you're listening through stereo loudspeakers with a vintage tube amp, rocking a multi-channel home theater, on-the-go with wireless speakers or headphones, streaming music or spinning vinyl, the experienced team at ecoustics breaks down what you need to know to really enjoy music and movies at home and on the road. https://www.ecoustics.com

  1. 23 HR. AGO

    The Best Path to Better TV Sound: Soundbar or Separates?

    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

    42 min

  2. SEP 27

    Home Theater vs. Movie Theater: Does Anyone Even Go to The Movies Anymore?

    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

    1h 5m

  3. SEP 20

    What Makes a “King of TV?” Inside the 2024 TV Shootout

    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

    46 min
  4. Best in Show Awards from CEDIA Expo 2024

    SEP 13

    Best in Show Awards from CEDIA Expo 2024

    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

    1h 11m

  5. AUG 9

    All I Want to Do is Listen! Why is Streaming Audio So Complicated?

    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

    53 min

  6. JUL 30

    SVS Ultra Evolution Speakers - The Audiophile Bargain of 2024?

    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

    1h 1m

  7. JUN 14

    From DSD to Analog Tape, Well Made Music Talks Formats from a Mastering Perspective

    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

    57 min

  8. JUN 1

    No TV is Perfect, Which One is Perfect for You? With Caleb Denison of Digital Trends

    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

    55 min
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4.5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Passionate about music, movies, HiFi audio, headphones and home theater, eCoustics has been covering the A/V industry since 1999. Join our diverse cast of journalists, audiophiles, industry experts and special guests for always spirited, sometimes controversial discussions about the latest news, happenings and trends in the audio, video and music industries. Whether you're listening through stereo loudspeakers with a vintage tube amp, rocking a multi-channel home theater, on-the-go with wireless speakers or headphones, streaming music or spinning vinyl, the experienced team at ecoustics breaks down what you need to know to really enjoy music and movies at home and on the road. https://www.ecoustics.com

Information

  • Creator
    Black Circle Studios
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Black Circle Studios
  • Show Website
    the ecoustics podcast

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