SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to discuss the remarkable technology behind JL Audio’s new fully active, DSP-optimized Primacy loudspeakers, including the three-way T6 tower and two-way T3 standmount model. Do these highly integrated speakers point toward the future of high-end audio, or are they a radical detour from traditional hi-fi thinking? Along with debating the concept itself, the group also digs into Doug’s early listening impressions and what makes these speakers so different from most of today’s high-end designs.
Sources:
“JL Audio’s First Hi-Fi Speakers Rethink Stereo—Primacy T6 and S3” by SoundStage Network: https://youtu.be/m2yuMHwr8TQ?si=rpIeewakT7ulK7Ja
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:03:06 The rumours of JL Audio’s demise…00:16:47 A radical approach?00:23:08 We can’t show, but we can tell00:26:08 Yeah, they cost that much!00:27:40 The real future of real high-end?00:32:48 Achille’s heel or nah?00:33:45 OK, but do they even sound good?00:42:28 Outro music: "Flying Above the Sun" by Yehezkel Raz feat. Sivan Talmor

In this episode, Steinway Lyngdorf CCO Peter Keller-Larsen draws on his experience at Nokia during the iPhone era to explain why user experience, simplicity, and real customer insight now matter more than ever. From gaming and home cinema to changing listening habits, he argues that hi-fi must evolve—or risk being left behind.
Sources:
“The Hi-Fi Generation Gap—and What the Industry Must Do”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-hi-fi-generation-gap%e2%80%94and-what-the-industry-must-do/
“Yet Another Navel-Gazing Editorial About Boomers, Kids, and the Future of Hi-Fi” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1368-yet-another-navel-gazing-editorial-about-boomers-kids-and-the-future-of-hi-fi
“German Hi-Fi Giant T+A's CEO on the Future of Audio”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/german-hi-fi-giant-ta-ceo-on-the-future-of-audio/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions and origin stories00:06:18 The Danish Steve Jobs?00:09:38 Dennis was right about gaming . . .00:18:01 . . . and the physiological benefits of good sound00:21:49 Plug and play00:24:52 Opposition research00:27:09 Who’s getting it right?00:34:26 Outro music: “Cloud Ten” by Novembers

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Simaudio’s product director, Étienne Gautier, for a wide-ranging conversation about where hi-fi is headed—and what needs to change. They discuss the lack of industry standards, what hi-fi can learn from other sectors, the real value of trade shows, the role of education, and how today’s “hustle culture” mindset affects both companies and consumers.
Sources:
“Inside the Moon 371: Étienne Gautier on Simaudio's New Compass Collection”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/inside-the-moon-371-etienne-gautier-on-simaudios-new-compass-collection/
“Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:03:31 Organizing the industry and setting standards00:12:03 Cross-polination in hi-fi00:14:01 Journalistic standards?00:17:46 Trade show blues00:19:35 Education and exposure00:25:33 Coming out of the basement00:32:03 Connected vs. disconnected00:31:49 Outro music: “Magilla Trench” by Art Against Agony 

In the Season 5 premiere of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth sits down with Conradin Amft, CEO of T+A Elektroakustik, to explore how high-end audio needs to evolve to reach a new generation.
The conversation digs into the headphone-to-hi-fi pipeline, the growing appeal of all-in-one systems, and why user interface, user experience, and industrial design now matter as much as sound quality. Amft also explains what hi-fi can learn from other industries—and how a legacy brand experiments without losing its identity.
Sources:
“Selling Emotions: Conradin Amft on T+A’s History and Future”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/selling-emotions-conradin-amft-on-tas-history-and-future-then-to-now-hi-fi-tomorrow/
“Made-in-Germany Hi-Fi and Playback-Control Software from T+A”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/made-in-germany-hi-fi-and-software-from-ta/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:06:00 The headphone-to-hi-fi pipeline00:12:00 The appeal of all-in-ones00:15:57 Inspiration from other industries00:22:06 UI and UX00:24:40 Aesthetics matter more than ever00:30:20 Testing new waters00:31:49 Outro music: “Take Me Home” by Channel 13

What does it mean for audio gear to be “technically correct,” and why should listeners care?
In the fourth-season finale of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth and producer Dennis Burger are joined by John Siau, vice president of Benchmark Media Systems. He discusses his background in the broadcast industry and how that experience shaped Benchmark’s engineering-driven approach to audio design.
The conversation explores the evolution of DAC technology, the relationship between hi-fi and professional audio, and the ongoing balance between listening impressions and objective measurements. Siau also explains why he believes accurate measurements ultimately lead to better musical performance and addresses common misconceptions about digital audio.
The episode concludes with a look at Benchmark’s commitment to designing and manufacturing its products in the United States, and why the Syracuse, New York–based company sees domestic production as both a practical and philosophical choice.
Sources:
“Florida International Audio Expo: Aretai and Benchmark Present a No-Nonsense Showstopper”: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/florida-international-audio-expo-2026-tampa-usa/1255-fiae-2026-aretai-and-benchmark-present-a-no-nonsense-showstopper
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:07:09 DACs of a different era00:10:03 Why hi-res matters for production00:12:43 What does transparency mean?00:16:00 Hi-fi vs. pro audio00:19:09 Listening vs. measurements00:23:32 Linear phase and the issue of ringing00:27:50 Nerding out on Nyquist00:33:41 Born (and built) in the USA00:40:03 Outro music: “Seven Seasons” by The Days

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast producer and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to offer a sneak peek at what’s ahead in season five of the podcast. They discuss Dennis’s recent editorial, “Yet Another Navel-Gazing Editorial About Boomers, Kids, and the Future of Hi-Fi,” as well as a manifesto from SoundStage! Network founder Doug Schneider titled “A New Year’s Wake-Up Call for the Hi-Fi Industry,” and what it all means for the long-term health of our hobby, our industry, and the media outlets that cover them both.
Sources:
“Yet Another Navel-Gazing Editorial About Boomers, Kids, and the Future of Hi-Fi” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1368-yet-another-navel-gazing-editorial-about-boomers-kids-and-the-future-of-hi-fi“A New Year’s Wake-Up Call for the Hi-Fi Industry” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/2024-a-new-years-wake-up-call-for-the-hi%E2%80%91fi-industry
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:01:27 The hi-fi demographic shift from 10,000 feet00:10:02 Can video games be hi-fi?00:13:51 Does the dominant entertainment medium influence the hobby?00:30:29 Why is “movies vs. music” a thing?00:43:05 The marketing trap00:54:36 Outro music: “Strata” by Lake Union

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Thomas Gunvaldsen, Project Lead at Arendal Sound, to discuss his path into audio, Arendal Sound’s evolution, and the design thinking behind the new 1610 series of loudspeakers. Gunvaldsen explains how the 1610 series applies key concepts from Arendal’s flagship 1528 series to deliver high performance at a lower price—and what truly sets it apart from the company’s earlier designs.
Sources:
“Arendal Sound 1610 Loudspeakers: Near-1528 Performance, Lower Price” on SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNKB5PML1LY 
“The Norwegian Speaker Company More Audiophiles Need to Know About: Arendal Sound” on SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Hmz0cYTBY 
“Arendal Sound’s Big Leap” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/arendal-sound-s-big-leap-innovation-impact-and-a-transformational-year/
“Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8 Loudspeaker” review by Philip Beaudette: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/2021-arendal-sound-1528-monitor-8-loudspeaker
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:05:42 From car to home00:08:33 Flirtations with snakeoil and the road to objectivity00:11:04 A side quest in China00:15:44 The longest interview ever00:19:08 Speaker evolution00:28:33 161000:35:00 A lot of holes00:37:35 Outro music: “Plantation” by Omri Smadar 

As Bryston marks its 50th anniversary, host Jorden Guth sits down with CEO James Tanner for a wide-ranging conversation about where the company came from—and where it’s going next.
Bryston’s roots trace back to medical electronics before the company transitioned into high-performance audio in the 1970s, when Chris Russell began designing amplifiers that would define the brand’s reputation. In this discussion, Tanner reflects on Bryston’s history, its long-standing commitment to manufacturing in Canada, how and why aspects of the famous warranty have evolved, and what the next 50 years could look like for one of high-end audio’s most enduring companies.
Along the way, the conversation touches on manufacturing realities, brand recognition, and—inevitably—some Canadian hockey talk.
Sources:
“The History of Bryston According to CEO James Tanner” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-history-of-bryston-according-to-ceo-james-tanner/
“Canadian Hi-Fi Trilogy: Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab—All Under One Expanding Roof” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1785-canadian-hi-fi-trilogy-axiom-audio-bryston-and-magnum-dynalab-all-under-one-expanding-roof
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:07:40 When’s our anniversary?00:11:39 Making more, not less00:14:20 Where does the factory end?00:15:17 Brand recognition matters00:18:38 Warranty changes00:21:49 The next 50 years of Bryston00:24:40 Two Canadians talking about hockey00:26:21 Outro music: “Blues for Leo” by Amos Ever Hadani