Podcast
Audio Insider, an AXPONA Podcast
Hosted by AXPONA · EN
Step into the world of Hi-Fi audio with your host, Lenny Florentine, on the Audio Insider an AXPONA Podcast! Each week, Lenny sits down with some of the biggest names in the industry, bringing his signature mix of curiosity, boldness, and approachability. You're guaranteed candid conversations, surprising stories, and a deep dive into the gear that shapes our world. This is Hi-Fi like you've never heard it before. Get ready to be entertained and informed.
27episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Bringing the Live Concert Experience Home for Audiophiles
3w ago00:34:27Tap to summarizeIf you have ever stood in a room and felt music physically move through you, you already know what this conversation is about. Rob from Third Ear Speakers joins the AXPONA Audio Insider podcast and what he describes goes far beyond specs and measurements. We are talking about a speaker so focused in its imaging that you can walk out of the sweet spot entirely and the center image does not move. Not a little. Not at all. Rob comes from the pro audio world, has mixed in arenas, has stood on the floor at Metallica, and has listened in the nosebleeds at Madison Square Garden with Clapton's own engineer at the helm. When someone with that set of ears tells you a speaker changed how he thinks about sound, you listen. This is the kind of episode that reminds you why audiophiles never stop searching. Rob breaks down what separates a truly great listening experience from everything else, why most rooms are far from perfect and why that might not matter as much as you think, and what it actually feels like when a speaker just disappears and leaves only the music. Third Ear Speakers is the real deal and this conversation will make you want to hear them for yourself.
Transcribe →The Wildest Audio Brand on the Planet
Apr 600:22:19Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the AXPONA Audio Insider podcast, Lenny Florentine sits down with Jeff from Reel Sound Distribution to explore one of the most unique and artist-driven brands in high-end audio—Metaxas & Sins. From groundbreaking reel-to-reel tape machines and jaw-dropping turntables to omnidirectional electrostatic speakers and sculptural headphone amplifiers, this conversation dives into how Kostas Metaxas blends engineering, music, and pure artistic vision to create hi-fi unlike anything else in the world. They discuss the philosophy behind the designs, the pursuit of lifelike sound, and what makes these components as much collectible art as they are serious audio gear.
Transcribe →Every Audiophile Needs to Hear This
Apr 300:24:14Tap to summarizeIf you think you know what goes into building a truly world class speaker, this episode will make you think again. TJ from AXISS Audio Distribution takes us deep inside the Franco Serblin factory and what he describes is less like a manufacturing process and more like fine art. We are talking solid walnut cabinets that season for months before a single component is ever installed, matched serial number pairs built simultaneously so you receive a truly identical left and right, and acoustic measurements taken on bare cabinets before assembly even begins. The level of obsession here is rare, and it shows in every single pair that leaves that factory. Franco Serblin speakers are not just built to perform, they are built to last a lifetime. The craftsmen behind these cabinets come from a tradition of exotic furniture making and bring that same reverence for wood and form to every single build. When TJ calls these a forever speaker, he means it in every sense of the word. This is one of those conversations that reminds you why high end audio exists in the first place.
Transcribe →The "Diamond" Secret to Perfect Audiophile Sound
Mar 3000:35:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Lenny Florentine is joined by a powerhouse panel including Randy and Nick from Rhythm Distribution and Martin from Sweden's premier luxury manufacturer, Marten. Together, they pull back the curtain on a family-run legacy that has spent nearly 30 years perfecting the "DNA" of sound—using exotic materials like diamond mid-ranges and 7-inch beryllium drivers to create a level of realism that can't be unheard. The conversation moves beyond simple specs to explore the emotional weight of a true luxury system. You'll learn how these designers use a proprietary "live-to-recording" studio to voice their equipment, ensuring that every note—from a jazz trio to a full symphony—retains the raw energy of a live performance. Whether it's a limited-run extreme system or a handcrafted stand-mount speaker, this episode reveals why the world's most discerning listeners are looking toward Scandinavian engineering to redefine their sonic expectations. It's an essential deep dive into the craftsmanship, materials, and passion required to build a system that doesn't just play music, but recreates a moment in time.
Transcribe →This Tube Amp Makes Audiophiles Rethink Everything
Mar 2700:32:49Tap to summarizeLenny sits down with TJ from Axiss Audio to dive into Phasemation, a Japanese brand focused on high-end analog playback and tube-based electronics. TJ explains the company's roots in precision engineering and how that translates into meticulous, in-house manufacturing and long-term reliability. They break down the lineup, starting with phono cartridges that aim for an open, natural, slightly laid-back sound, scaling up in refinement, detail, and realism at higher price points. The conversation moves into phono preamps, highlighting the new EA1500, which combines tube sound with modern flexibility, including support for emerging optical cartridges while reducing noise through a separate power supply. A standout point is Phasemation's focus on lowering noise across all products, even using passive line-stage preamps that require no power at all. On amplification, TJ explains their tube-based designs, emphasizing a more lifelike, spacious, and "liquid" presentation compared to solid state, while noting system matching is key. They also touch on new tech like optical cartridges, the importance of system synergy, and upcoming product reveals at AXPONA. The episode wraps with a broader discussion on listening habits, demo music, and how different genres can reveal a system's true capabilities. https://axpona.com https://instagram.com/axpona https://facebook.com/axpona Host: @LennyFlorentine https://Instagram.com/lenny.florentine https://facebook.com/lenny.florentine Guest https://www.axissaudio.com https://www.facebook.com/AXISSAudioUSA/ https://www.instagram.com/axissaudiousa/
Transcribe →Modern Tech Meets Vintage Speakers
Mar 2300:26:43Tap to summarizeDon't settle for a "standard" sound system when the future of high-end audio is arriving in vibrant orange and handcrafted Polish timber. In this episode, Lenny Florentine sits down with Michael from Luxury Hi-Fi Distribution to go behind the curtain of the most talked-back brands heading to AXPONA 2026. Michael shares his lifelong journey from childhood listening sessions with McIntosh and Klipschorns to becoming a powerhouse in North American distribution. The heart of the conversation dives into the arrival of Pylon Audio, a Polish manufacturer offering everything from the "vintage-cool" Jade series to the ultra-modern, time-aligned Jasper speakers—all at price points that actually remain approachable. The "insider" talk doesn't stop at speakers. Michael breaks down the modular magic of Pink Fawn music servers, the low-noise revolution of fiber optic connections, and why you might just fall in love with a high-performance integrated amp from Perreaux—especially if it comes in Aston Martin Gray or eye-popping Orange. Whether you're a streaming skeptic or a seasoned audiophile, this episode is a deep dive into the gear that is redefining the AXPONA showroom floor. https://Axpona.com https://instagram.com/axpona https://facebook.com/axpona Host: @LennyFlorentine https://Instagram.com/lenny.florentine https://facebook.com/lenny.florentine Guest Luxury HiFi Distribution http://www.luxuryhifidistribution.com
Transcribe →The New Way Audiophiles Listen to Music
Mar 2000:34:00Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the AXPONA Audio Insider Podcast, Lenny Florentine sits down with Brad Lunde of Lone Mountain Audio to explore the world of professional studio monitoring and its connection to high end home audio. Brad shares his journey from aspiring musician and hi-fi salesman to becoming the U.S. importer for ATC speakers. The conversation dives into how ATC became one of the most respected studio monitor brands in the world by designing and manufacturing every component in house, focusing on extremely low distortion and true accuracy rather than exaggerated sound. Brad explains why many legendary artists and recording engineers rely on ATC to produce their music, and how audiophiles can hear recordings exactly the way they were intended to sound. They also discuss the surprising connection between audiophiles and recording engineers, famous studios using ATC, and what attendees can expect to hear from the brand at AXPONA.
Transcribe →Audiophile Amplifiers are on Another Level!
Mar 1300:30:00Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the AXPONA Audio Insider Podcast, host Lenny Florentine sits down with Randy Bingham and Nick Lucini of Rhythm Distribution to explore the extraordinary world of Goldmund and its flagship Telos amplifier lineup. The conversation dives into the full range of Telos amplifiers, from the Telos 800 stereo amplifier with its massive 3200VA transformer all the way up to the statement level Telos 8800, highlighting the engineering philosophy, performance goals, and luxury craftsmanship that define the brand. Randy and Nick share real world listening experiences, including customers comparing the Telos 800 against amplifiers costing several times more and still preferring the Goldmund sound. They also discuss Goldmund's broader ecosystem, including elegant lifestyle speakers, ultra limited statement designs, and fully integrated cinema systems designed entirely in house. The episode also previews the North American show debut of a Goldmund system at AXPONA, where attendees will be able to experience the Swiss brand's meticulous approach to high end audio firsthand.
Transcribe →The Speaker Design Audiophiles Can't Ignore
Mar 600:27:38Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the AXPONA Audio Insider Podcast, Lenny Florentine sits down with Jeremy Porter of J Porter Studios to explore his lifelong obsession with hi-fi and the engineering philosophy behind his striking, asymmetrical loudspeakers. Jeremy shares how growing up around his father's hi-fi system led him to study electrical engineering at UT Austin and spend decades refining speaker design. The conversation dives deep into his Baltic birch, multi-angled cabinets built to reduce resonances and diffraction, his folded transmission line architecture that reaches down to 16Hz, and the differences between ceramic and beryllium drivers in the Waterloo and Wellington series. They also discuss active vs. passive designs using Hypex amplification and DSP, the innovative three-way Waterloo Micro with dual opposed subwoofers, and what to expect from the new active Wellington Micro debuting at AXPONA. It's a technical yet passionate look at modern speaker design from a true audio obsessive.
Transcribe →Audiophiles Are Rediscovering This Legendary Brand
Feb 2700:28:55Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the AXPONA Audio Insider Podcast, host Lenny Florentine welcomes Randy and Nick of Rhythm Distribution, the U.S. importers for Luxman, for a deep dive into one of high-end audio's most iconic brands. Randy shares his decades-long journey through hi-fi retail and manufacturing, while Nick details his path from pro audio and recording into the high-end two-channel world. The conversation explores Luxman's 100-year legacy, its meticulous Japanese build quality, and the intentional design philosophy behind its celebrated integrated amplifiers—from the 505 and 507 to the flagship 509—as well as the leap into separates like the M10X and C10X. They also break down new product releases including the D-03R CD player/DAC, P-100 headphone amplifier, and E-07 phono stage, highlighting Luxman's signature balance of honesty, musicality, and emotional connection. Plus, the team teases major upcoming debuts at AXPONA and what the next century holds for the legendary brand.
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