The Absolute Sound Podcast

The Absolute Sound Podcast

The Absolute Sound is the world’s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music. Since 1973, TAS has set the standard for quality audio and music journalism, helping to shape the industry and guiding audio enthusiasts and music lovers to components and recordings that faithfully reproduce the sounds one might hear in a good concert hall. The Absolute Sound is a monthly print and digital magazine, an online destination for those interested in better sound, and a community of audiophiles and music lovers. For a Brief History of The Absolute Sound: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/fifty-years-of-the-absolute-sound/ Sign up for our weekly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/iPNIR2 Subscribe to our monthly magazine: https://theabsolutesound.secure.darwin.cx/J200BNRA

Episodes

October 16, 2025 12 mins

There are a couple of sentences on the website of German high end audio company AVM that caught my eye. They read, we believe that any kind of music, whether it be classical, jazz or pop, has been composed to bring joy and emotion to the listener. Technical equipment such as amplifiers and loudspeakers must try to transport this joy and emotion into the living room. The reason I was on EVMs website in the first place was because I ...

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I find it refreshing when design form and function meld into an inspired synergy. Many of you may not have heard of J. Porter Studios, and after hearing the standmount creation from Engineer/Designer, Jeremy Porter, I've got a sneaking suspicion that's about to change.

Today, we’re looking at a product that genuinely surprised me. The J. Porter Studios Waterloo Micro packs a whole lot of speaker into a small package. This seale...

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October 10, 2025 14 mins

Everything about these feels like a luxury product. The aluminum isn't just functional - it's beautifully finished with that sandblasted surface. The magnetic grilles attach with serious force but complete invisibility. Those speaker terminals have a mechanical precision you don't find on mass-market gear. This is Swiss watchmaker-level attention to detail applied to speakers.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaud...

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October 8, 2025 19 mins

Hifiman has unveiled their update to the originial Susvara. What's new? What's the same? How do these two models size up? Tune in to hear Grover's thoughts on the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled

This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/

00:00 Susvara Unveiled

00...

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October 8, 2025 5 mins

Hifiman has unveiled their update to the originial Susvara. What's new? What's the same? How do these two models size up? Tune in to hear Grover's thoughts on the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled

This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/

00:00 Susvara Unveiled

00...

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The Bathys MG is an update to the original focal Bathys. So what is it that the Bathys MG offer above the original? Tune in to find out.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/

00:00 Focal Bathys MG

00:53 Overview

02:35 Accessories

03:50 Sound Quality

...

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September 26, 2025 15 mins

Over 30 years ago, Linn began an aggressive march into the future, expanding their line to include networked electronics and making a heavy investment in software engineering. This came on the heels of a long line of speakers and amplification products, which complemented their famous turntables, toned arms, and cartridges that date back to the 1970s. The Klimax System with 360 integrated exact speakers, is Lynn's flagship offering...

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Robert Taylor reviews the affordable, powerful PS Audio Aspen FR 5 loudspeakers. Relatively small but effortlessly powerful across the entire frequency range, Robert tests the Aspens in two different room sizes to uncover their sonic signature. What is that signature? Tune in to find out...

This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/detailed-frequency-ranges...

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Grover Neville stops by the AVM Factory to see their manufacturing HQ first-hand, while taking the opportunity to stop by AMG as well for a second helping of German-engineering.

This video is sponsored by: www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

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Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sou...

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The world of high-end audio is full of fantastic-looking gear, but not everyone wants their sound system to be the visual center of attention—or, in the case of the CI-Uniti 102 from British hi-fi company Naim Audio, may not even want it be to visible at all. So while the CI-Uniti's appearance might not attract your attention, will its sound? Let's find out.

This video is sponsored by: www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

00:00 ...

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The Lumina Amator series speakers are beneficiaries of the trickle-down economy at play when a brand has the breadth to produce speakers ranging from $1600 a pair to upwards of 100 times that. Stick around while I share what I heard when auditioning the elegant Sonus faber Lumina 5 Amator floorstanding loudspeaker.

This video is sponsored by: javahifi.com/home

00:00 JM_Sonus faber Lumina 5 Amato

01:32 Overview

04:17 Refere...

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September 14, 2025 16 mins

What happens when you take stone, precision ceramic drivers, and decades of acoustic engineering? Then you ask them to reproduce the subtlest emotional details in your favorite recordings? You get something that fundamentally changes how you think about what a speaker cabinet should be made of. This is the Acora Acoustics MRC-2 Loudspeaker...

This video is sponsored by: https://www.javahifi.com/home

Newsletter: https://www.th...

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Over time, we are investigating several of the interesting speakers in the $20,000 to $50,000 per pair range. We’ve done the Magico A5 and the Perlisten S7t and the Wilson Watt/Puppy and the Sound Lab G7-7C to name a few. And there are more on the schedule, including today’s subject the Borresen C3, which is priced at $40,000 per pair.

This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/pages/introducing-perlisten

00:00...

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September 10, 2025 21 mins

Last year, Technics unveiled an expansion to their acclaimed Grand Class series with the SL-1300G, the first direct-drive turntable in the lineup since its debut in 2016. While the absence of iconic DJ-associated controls, like pitch adjustment and strobe, may draw attention for its sleek, revamped aesthetic, my month-long experience with the SL-1300G revealed there’s more to this model than meets the eye. I’m Michael Johnson with ...

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Robert Taylor reviews the pricey yet formidably impressive TSI-300 Integrated Amplifier. Engaging, relaxing, and extremely natural, this integrated amplifier has Robert reminiscing on one of his favorite childhood albums. Will you feel the same? Tune in to find out.

This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/pages/introducing-perlisten

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/art...

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Meze has been releasing a lot of new headphones in the last couple of years. And this is kind of a new generation of what I think of as their mid-range line of headphones. Do they strike balance between fidelity and affordability? Tune in to find out.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-revi...

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Denafrips is a manufacturer of audio electronics, primarily known for its series of advanced ladder DACs. In this test I cover the Terminator 15th DAC which is positioned as Denafrips flagship, but at a price of $6099 is affordable compared to some of the other flagship DACs I’ve been covering. Let’s see how it performs.

This video's sponsor: https://www.javahifi.com/home

00:00 Denafrips Terminator 15th

01:34 The Absolute S...

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D'Agostino Pendulum integrated amplifier made from Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, the company belonging to the man who was founder, CEO and chief designer of KRELL until 2009. They mostly manufacture megabucks electronics like preamps, power amps and integrated amps, which sell for up to $385,000. But the Pendulum is their new most affordable amp at $18,000 base, or $22,500 as reviewed, with both options and capable of 120W p...

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As you may recall, we have outlined seven major problems with audio believability. A link is in the description for details. One of these items is the problem of recording standards. Today, we look at a new electronics product from Vandersteen that is designed to address this issue. Let’s see what Richard and team have done.

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With a price per pair coming in at $23.5k (USD), for me they’ll remain a memory for now, but when my hi-fi budget grows, I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on these beauties. However, if you currently find yourself looking for equipment in this price range, you’re gonna wanna stick around while I share what I heard while listening to the AGD SOLO Monoblock amps.

This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest-x/

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