Podcast
The Absolute Sound Podcast
Hosted by Nextscreen, LLC · EN
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/
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51episodes
Episodes
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ATC EL50 Anniversary speaker system review: State of the Art Series
5d ago00:17:16Tap to summarizeAs you may know, there are technical reasons that active speakers can be advantaged, and as a result, I’ve covered a few of these speakers in the last year or so. ATC is also noteworthy as a major pro audio speaker-maker. I have had good experiences with some pro speakers, and active setups are common in that world, so it seemed interesting to try an active speaker from a pro company. The EL50 thankfully skips the industrial cosmetics typical in the pro world, since it has a consumer-only aesthetic. Let’s take a look at the results. This video is sponsored by: https://silent-angel-audio.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopnyOIgN8kBfCZ3raKqdX4cLI6GwOg6wQy1VkoF8Mc5siNLiEq0 00:00 ATC EL50 01:34 Description 05:42 Sound Quality 12:49 Comparisons 16:20 Summary What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →Technics EAH-AZ100 True Wireless Earbud Review
1w ago00:12:21Tap to summarizeCan true wireless earbuds satisfy the critical ear of a high-end audio enthusiast? In this video, John Quain, a reviewer for The Absolute Sound, puts the Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds to the test to see if they live up to their "Reference Class" branding. Priced at $299.99 USD, the EAH-AZ100s integrate advanced driver technology typically absent in consumer-grade wireless audio. John breaks down how these earbuds perform across various genres and technical categories. What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →Advance Paris A10 Apex Review
2w ago00:14:18Tap to summarizeThe Advance Paris A10 APEX integrated amplifier represents an intriguing proposition in the contemporary Hi-Fi landscape. Retailing at $3,499 US, it positions itself as a feature-rich, high-value hub designed to capture the emotional core of analog playback while anchoring a modern digital system. Does it succeed? Find out! This video is sponsored by: https://gttaudio.com/ 00:00 Advance Paris A10 Apex 02:05 Overview 04:24 The DAC 06:11 Phonostage 06:42 Input/Outputs 07:24 Reference Equipment 08:13 Sound Quality 13:08 Summary What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →Goldmund & Marten System Preview
3w ago00:03:59Tap to summarizeAlan Taffel provides a sneak peek of what's to come from his full review of the 1400 Wpc Goldmund Telos 8800 Monoblock Amplifiers. You'll have to check out the complete review in an upcoming issue of The Absolute Sound magazine. What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →Silent Angel Extreme Trio Stack Review
3w ago00:17:42Tap to summarizeWe've all heard of the word trifecta. So I was curious. What's the definition? There's a couple of them. One of them is any situation where three notable achievable are or outcomes occur together, especially if they're all positive. In short, it's a "triple win or powerful group of three". Does the Silent Angel Extreme Trio Stack live up to the name? Let's find out! This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/products/perlisten-audio-d8is-in-wall-on-wall-subwoofer-with-amplifier 00:00 Silent Angel Extreme Trio Stack 01:43 Overview 03:02 Specs & Design 13:35 Sound Quality 14:47 Is it for you? 15:56 Equipment 16:26 Conclusion Adrian's Reference Equipment: -VIP Avenger Dual Arm Turn-Table – Ortofon Cadenza Moving Coil Cartridge Stereo -Mono Cadenza moving coil cartridge -Pass Labs X 22 Pre -Amp -Pass Lab 260.8 Mono Blocks -Shunyata Delta X Power Distrbutors -Mola Mola Lupe Phono Stage -YG-Acoustics Ascent Speakers -Bricasti M-21 Dac -Kimber Kable Carbon Speaker Cables -Kimber Kable XLR, RCA -Shunyata Power Cords Alpha X -Silent- Angle Extreme Trio Stack -Silent – Angle Z1-Plus Streamer -Two PS Audio Foundry 12inch Sub-woofers -Audio Quest VODKA Ethernet Cable -Dtari – Reel to Reel What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →New 2026 Magico S7 speaker review: State of the Art Series
4w ago00:23:16Tap to summarizeWe got an early review sample of the new S7 (2026). Both interested and well-heeled audiophiles sometimes ask the question “what do I get when I spend $100k on product X, rather than, say $10k?”. Many people who ask this sort of question aren’t actually shopping in these elevated price ranges; and for personal reasons it seems some of them seem to want the answer to be “spending 10x doesn’t get you much.” Other audiophiles, of course, are simply interested in what our latest technology can do, and still others are interested in actually deciding whether to buy these products. This video is for those latter groups. This video is sponsored by: https://www.passlabs.com/ 00:00 Magico S7 01:57 The Context 05:37 Product Description 08:02 Sound Quality 18:52 Comparisons 21:44 Summary Magico S5 First Listen & Factory Tour: https://youtu.be/_GLO88IUAoc?si=POkSeKV_R_4mJKjt Tom's Listening Room: https://youtu.be/To3yKpFUMNI?si=zrdtupzG04obZZgc AXPONA 2026: https://youtu.be/_7imVySQqCo?si=5vWwXF0A8q7tq2Sf Sound Lab G7-7C: https://youtu.be/LfcstIpA6nQ?si=u9YbE3bGdzZw-YOx What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →DALI KUPID Bookshelf Speaker Review
4w ago00:08:24Tap to summarizeIn this video, John Quain takes a closer look at the DALI KUPID entry-level bookshelf speakers. Priced at $600 for a pair, these compact speakers feature a two-way design with a rear port. We’ll explore their design, specifications, and sound quality, highlighting their balanced and natural sound, especially at lower volumes. Are they the right choice for your audio setup? Let’s find out. 00:00 Dali Cupid Bookshelf Speakers 00:45 Overview 02:30 Specs & Design 04:15 Sound Quality 08:00 Summary What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →Opera Prima V2 Bookshelf Speakers Review
May 2700:10:12Tap to summarizeWhen introducing its second generation classic, a line of speakers, opera described them as embodying the classicism of both music and Italian craftsmanship. That's an intriguing description, but how does it apply to the Prima V2 bookshelf speaker? And is that speaker worth $3,600 a pair? This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/d8is/ Let's find out. 00:00 Opera Prima V2 Bookshelf 00:49 Overview 02:45 Specs & Design 04:22 Sound Quality 08:56 Summary What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →Pass Labs INT-250 Integrated Amplifier Review
May 2400:11:30Tap to summarizeMost amplifiers compete on features DACs, streaming room correction, app control. You guys know the 2026 menu that we just see so often lately. The Pass labs in 250 does the opposite here. No DAC, no streaming, no phono stage, no app. Just an amplifier and a preamp in one chassis. So the real question is, what does it mean to do one thing and do it well? This video is sponsored by: https://www.mofielectronics.com/products/mofi-electronics-sourcepoint-888-floorstanding-speakers-pair 00:00 Pass Labs INT-250 01:31 Overview 03:14 Specs & Design 06:13 Sound Quality 09:37 Is it for you? What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
Transcribe →Vimberg AMEA Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review
May 2200:10:20Tap to summarizeIn this video, Robert Taylor reviews the Vimberg AMEA speaker, an affordable yet high-quality option from a company owned by Tidal Audio. He delves into its specifications, sound profile, and unique design, showcasing why this speaker is a great addition to any audio setup. 00:00 Vimberg AMEA Overview 01:30 Design & Materials 05:00 Sound Quality 10:15 Comparisons 12:45 Summary What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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