In this episode meet Randy, aka cheapaudioman. He’s built-up one of fastest growing hi-fi channels of 2020-2021, in-part by shedding light on the absurdities of high-end audio industry. Learn about the origins of his channel, what he thinks is wrong with the audio industry, and what it means to be an audiophile. Randy has proven that getting good sound at home doesn’t need to be expensive if you know what to look for. By mixing humor and advice, Randy is welcoming a new generation of audiophiles who want to both enjoy their home stereo and have some fun at the same time. Host: Brian Mitchell, Founder ecousticsGuest: Randall Messman (aka cheapaudioman)Cheapaudioman YouTube channel;https://www.youtube.com/c/cheapaudiomanCheapaudioman social channels:https://www.facebook.com/cheapaudiomanhttps://www.instagram.com/cheapaudioman/https://twitter.com/cheapaudioman/Support Randy:https://www.patreon.com/cheapaudiomanBetween 2 Speakers - Episode 1 - New Record Dayhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONSUEXQhPhoHear more podcasts:https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/Our homepage:https://www.ecoustics.com#audiophile #hifi #cheapaudioman #randy #interview #ecoustics #sony #kef #elac #smsl #jbl #speakers #amplifiers #dacs #turntables #hometheater #stereo #music #humor #comedy #youtube #comedian #homeaudio

The high-end audio industry has a problem that has been swept under the rug for decades. Age. The ecoustics team takes a deep dive into the generational issue and why it's been so hard to attract the next generation of audiophiles. Is it the culture or prices that have made it so hard to attract new blood?This episode features commentary from the ecoustics team:Brian Mitchell - Founder & CEO - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ecoustics/Ian White - Editor-in-Chief - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ian-white/Lauren Halliday - Music Editor - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/lauren-halliday/Eric Pye - Vintage Hi-Fi Columnist - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/eric-pye/Jeremy Sikora - Vintage Hi-Fi Columnist - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/jeremy-sikora/Related links:https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/ohm-acoustics-loudspeakers/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/best-affordable-phono-cartridges/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/best-vinyl-accessories/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/best-audio-accessories/Credits:Original intro and outro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://www.sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com#audiophile #ohmspeakers #ohmwalsh #audiokarma #instagram #facebook #headfi #hifi #budgetaudio #vintageaudio #turntables #loudspeakers #vinylcommunity #audiocommunity #vinyl #cartridges #mcintosh #phonostage #bosch #marantz #records #audiophilecommunity #hificommunity #forums #chatboards #newbie #avnews #avchat #ecoustics #avforums #audioforums #audiophiles

We go on the record this week with Dr. Mark Waldrep; an innovator, educator, and author of the book “Music and Audio: A User Guide to Better Sound.” After more than 40 years in the audio and music industry as an audio engineer, music producer, and owner of a Hi-Res audio music label (AIX Records) and download platform (iTrax.com), Dr. Waldrep has some rather candid views about the state of the high-end audio industry and its marketing campaign to sell Hi-Res audio to the masses. Host: Brian Mitchell, Founder ecousticsGuest: Dr. Mark Waldrep, M.A., M.F.A., M.S., Ph.D. Professor of Audio Engineering, California State University, Dominguez HillsOriginal music by The Arc of AllVoice-Over Provided by Todd Harrell of https://www.sspunlimited.comProduced by Black Circle StudiosRelated links:https://www.realhd-audio.comhttps://www.realhd-audio.com/?p=6713 (HD-Audio Challenge II)https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/spotify-hifi-wishful-thinking/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/apple-music-lossless-dolby-atmos-upgrade/https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/lossless-music-streaming-confusion/#audiophile #highendaudio #audioengineering #hifi #music #proaudio #hiresaudio #hiresmusic #redbook #cd #sacd #dsd #cdquality #digitalaudio #compactdisc #lossless #hireslossless #spatialaudio #immersiveaudio #stereo #amazon #apple #spotify #metadata #audiomastering #audioproduction #musicindustry #mqa #badcompany #musiclabels #mp3 #lossy #loudnesswars #fidelity #ecoustics #stayhifi

Physical media is dead right? The 2021 H1 sales data would beg to differ. Americans purchased more than 20 million new records during the first 6 months of 2021, 18 million new CDs, and over 100,000 new audio cassettes. Physical media is the only “real” way artists make money – especially when they have not toured for the past 18 months. We have strong opinions about this and you might want to find out why physical media and the concept of “ownership” is refusing to die. This episode features commentary from the ecoustics team:Brian Mitchell - Founder - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/brian-mitchellIan White - Editor-in-Chief - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ian-white/Eric Pye - Vintage Columnist - https://www.ecoustics.com/aurthor/eric-pyeMitch Anderson - Producer - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/mitch-anderson/Original Music by The Arc of All - https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice-Over by Todd Harrell - https://www.sspunlimited.comRelated Resources:https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/cassettes-refuse-to-die/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/discogs-driving-record-sales/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/vinyl-sales-double-half-2021/#hifi #ecoustics #audiophile #audio #music #physicalmedia #physicalmusic #royalties #musicians #podcast #hifinews #audionews #sound #audioindustry #musicindustry #vinyl #cassettes #cds #playback #streaming #musicstreaming

The ecoustics team takes a hard look at the future of VOD, movies, movie theaters, and how we all adapted to a new reality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Black Widow has already proven that moviegoers are desperate for stale popcorn and mayhem on the big screen, but the opening weekend VOD numbers tell a very different story and suggest that millions of consumers have warmed to the idea of blockbuster movies at home. This episode features commentary from the ecoustics team:Brian Mitchell - Founder - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/brian-mitchellIan White - Editor-in-Chief - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ian-white/Mitch Anderson - Producer - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/mitch-anderson/Original Music by The Arc of All - https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice-Over by Todd Harrell - https://www.sspunlimited.com#ecoustics #blockbuster #moviestreaming #movierentals #latefees #intheaters #bosch #walshohm #ohmspeakers #darthvader #markhamill #itonya #f9 #driveinmovies #covid #hollywood #hbomax #boxoffice #aquietplace2 #cruella #boxofficemojo #trolls #trollsworldtour #soulmovie #godzillavskong #warnerbros #sonypictures #jamesbond #danielcraig #notimetodie #intheheights #dune #disney #videostreaming #wonderwoman #amctheatres #comcast #roku #hisense #walmart #cabletv #bluray #movies #hometheater #VOD #disneyplus #blackwidow #cinema #marvelmcu #netflix #starwars

Record Store Day has turned into a global celebration of music and a very important event for the music industry, independent record store owners, and those of us committed to vinyl playback. Music fans around the globe just celebrated Part One of Record Store Day 2021, and while for most the day was a huge success, not everything about it went off without a hitch. The flippers and gougers have returned. Grumblings about favoritism towards specific retailers abound and we interviewed one Michigan-based retailer who had a lot to say about the importance of the day and the politics behind it. The ecoustics team digs deep into the topic and how it was experienced across N. America.Special thank you to Jordan Pries, co-owner of The Electric Kitsch in Bay City, Michigan for taking the time to have this conversation with us. More information on the store here: https://www.facebook.com/electrickitschThis episode features commentary from the ecoustics team:Ian White - Editor-in-Chief - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ian-white/Eric Pye - Vintage Hi-Fi Columnist - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/eric-pye/Jeremy Sikora - Vintage Hi-Fi Columnist - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/jeremy-sikora/Mitch Anderson - Producer - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/mitch-anderson/Original Music by The Arc of All - https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice-Over by Todd Harrell - https://www.sspunlimited.comRelated links:https://www.ecoustics.com/news/record-store-day-2021-06-12-report/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/record-store-day-2021-release-list/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/record-store-day-2021-06-12/https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/the-record-strikes-back-episode-1/https://www.ecoustics.com/podcasts/blue-note-tone-poet-episode-3/https://www.ecoustics.com/home-audio/phono/https://www.ecoustics.com/music/

Apple, Amazon and Spotify have jumped onboard the lossless and Hi-Res lossless streaming train finally but what will it really mean for music listeners. Is Apple really committed to lossless steaming or is Spatial Audio the next new thing for them as none of their existing wireless headphones support lossless streaming. What will this mean for Tidal and Qobuz who have carried the torch for more than 5 years already.In this episode, the ecoustics team continues the discussion about the dramatic changes in digital music streaming and what you need to know before upgrading, migrating, and picking the right one for you. It’s a bit of a mess right now to be quite honest. This episode features commentary from the ecoustics team:Brian Mitchell - Founder & CEO - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ecoustics/Ian White - Editor-in-Chief - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ian-white/Lauren Halliday - Music Editor - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/lauren-halliday/Eric Pye - Vintage Hi-Fi Columnist - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/eric-pye/Mitch Anderson - Producer - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/mitch-anderson/Related links:https://www.ecoustics.com/news/apple-shareplay-wwdc-2021/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/apple-music-spatial-audio-streaming/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/apple-music-lossless-mqa/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/amazon-music-hd-drops-upcharge/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/apple-music-lossless-dolby-atmos-upgrade/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/will-spotify-hifi-create-audiophiles/For up to the minute news, reviews and advice, visit https://www.ecoustics.comCredits:Original intro and outro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://www.sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com#streaming #musicstreaming #lossless #hiresaudio #mqa #mp3 #cd #audiophile #hifi #digitalmusic #applemusic #spotify #tidal #qobuz #amazonmusic #apple #amazon #spotifyhifi #amazonmusichd #highendaudio #spatialaudio #alexa #siri #stayhifi #ecoustics

In case you haven’t noticed, Blue Note Records has been killing it over the last couple of years with the “Tone Poet” series of classic and contemporary jazz reissues. The all-analogue, Joe Harley curated, Kevin Gray remastered series launched in 2019. Each release is mastered from the original master tapes, pressed on 180g audiophile vinyl at RTI and packaged in an old-style Stoughton “Tip-On” jacket. Harley picks top sellers and underrated classics from the Blue Note catalogue and their umbrella labels, including Pacific Jazz and United Artists. New titles sell like hot-cakes, and can be gone within days if you don’t strike quick. This episode features a conversation with Joe and Kevin in the studio at Cohearent Audio. They discuss how new titles are selected, the challenges of using original master tapes, the mastering and production process, and more. There may even be a slip of a title or two from the yet-to-be-announced 2022-23 line-up.For more information please visit https://www.ecoustics.comFor a running list of Blue Note Tone Poet Releases please visit https://store.bluenote.com/collections/tone-poetsAppearing in the episode is:Joe Harley - Blue Note Records Tone Poet ProducerKevin Gray - Mastering engineer and owner of Cohearent AudioEric Pye - ecoustics contributing editorJordan Pries - Owner of brick and mortar record store, "The Electric Kitsch"Mitch Anderson - ecoustics ProducerCredits:Original intro and outro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://www.sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com#streaming #musicstreaming #lossless #hiresaudio #mqa #mp3 #cd #audiophile #hifi #digitalmusic #applemusic #spotify #tidal #qobuz #amazonmusic #apple #amazon #spotifyhifi #applemusichd #stayhifi #ecoustics

With the flip of a switch, the world's 3 largest digital music streaming platforms tossed MP3s into the dustbin of history this week. And not a moment too soon. Apple Music and Amazon Music have enabled CD-quality or higher streaming for all subscribers for $9.99/month. Spotify have announced they will follow suit, but haven’t set a date. All Amazon Music subscribers now have access to higher quality music, which previously incurred a $5/month surcharge for Amazon Music HD. Apple Music subscribers simply need to opt-in on their Apple device beginning June 2021. How do all of these developments impact Tidal and Qobuz? This episode examines all of these announcements and how it will impact digital music streaming going forward. This episode features commentary from the ecoustics team:Brian Mitchell - Founder & CEO - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ecoustics/Ian White - Editor-in-Chief - https://www.ecoustics.com/author/ian-white/Related links:https://www.ecoustics.com/news/amazon-music-hd-drops-upcharge/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/apple-music-lossless-dolby-atmos-upgrade/https://www.ecoustics.com/news/spotify-hifi-announced-2021/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/will-spotify-hifi-create-audiophiles/For more information please visit https://www.ecoustics.comCredits:Original intro and outro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://www.sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com#streaming #musicstreaming #lossless #hiresaudio #mqa #mp3 #cd #audiophile #hifi #digitalmusic #applemusic #spotify #tidal #qobuz #amazonmusic #apple #amazon #spotifyhifi #applemusichd #stayhifi #ecoustics

Even after 10 years of double-digit growth, the vinyl industry can barely keep up with the demand for records in 2021. Fueled by the lockdown of hundreds of millions of consumers around the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the music industry is looking for ways to keep the momentum going as live music begins again and people venture out to travel and return to the office. In this debut episode, the ecoustics editorial team takes a deep dive into the state of vinyl, record stores, the importance of social media for artists during the pandemic, and the newfound interest in turntables, record collecting, and vinyl playback at home. Original intro and outro music by The Arc of All. https://www.instagram.com/the_arc_of_allVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://www.sspunlimited.comMeet the ecoustics editorial team:Brian Mitchell - Owner - https://www.instagram.com/ecousticsIan White - Editor-in-Chief - https://www.instagram.com/theremotezombieMitch Anderson - Producer - https://www.instagram.com/black_circle_radioLauren Halliday - Music Director - https://www.instagram.com/record_lady/Jeremy Sikora - Vintage Hi-Fi Columnist - https://www.instagram.com/budget_audiophilerEric Pye - Vintage Hi-Fi Columnist - https://www.instagram.com/audioloveyycCheckout these recently posted articles by our editorial team for more insight:https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/record-lady-awakens/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/vintage-audio-king-buffalo/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/unlikely-vintage-audio-journey/https://www.ecoustics.com/articles/best-affordable-audiophile-turntables/For more information please visit https://www.ecoustics.com #records #audiophile #turntables #hifi #vinyl #recordstoreday #recordstores #stayhifi #ecoustics