SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Creating Audiophiles, One Neighbor at a Time Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Ultra senior editor Jason Thorpe to talk about My Audiophile Neighborhood, his ongoing SoundStage! Global series chronicling what happens when he introduces friends and neighbors to better sound.

But the conversation quickly becomes about something bigger: If we want hi-fi to thrive, how do we actually create new enthusiasts? Jorden and Jason discuss why good communication matters, why the hobby’s obsession with constant upgrading can work against it, the realities of the generation gap, and why advocacy has to extend beyond preaching to people who are already converted. Most importantly, they explore why praxis—putting ideas into action—is every bit as important as theory when it comes to bringing new people into hi-fi.

Sources:

Jason’s blog posts on SoundStage! Global: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/blogging-on-audio/181-jason-thorpe

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introduction to Jason’s audiophile neighbors
00:09:35 Wanting something but not knowing what
00:15:09 The importance of Orwell and engaging prose
00:20:04 The compulsion to upgrade is optional
00:25:35 The generation thing
00:30:02 The importance of advocacy
00:36:15 The importance of praxis
00:39:22 The importance of incentive structures
00:43:40 Outro music: "Kumare Brothers" by Dialgo

Monitor Audio’s Ten-Year Plan for Hi-Fi—With Michael Johnson Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Michael Johnson, Global Marketing Director for Monitor Audio Group, to discuss the Monitor Audio Experience Centre, creating gateways to audiophilia, and the company’s ten-year roadmap. They also explore whether vinyl represents hi-fi’s past or future, the role active speakers might play at Monitor Audio, and why video games could be an important way to introduce a new generation to better sound.

Sources:

“Monitor Audio: From Concept 50 to Hyphn and Beyond” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/monitor-audio-from-concept-50-to-hyphn-and-beyond-into-hi-fi-making-monitor-audio-speakers-the-response/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:02:32 The Experience Centre
00:07:46 Sound and the tech that creates it
00:11:19 Conveying experiences
00:15:25 A gateway to hi-fi?
00:19:44 The ten-year roadmap
00:21:53 Is vinyl the past or the future?
00:28:39 What about active speakers?
00:36:12 Audio for video games
00:41:23 Outro music: “Let the Road Begin” by Ziv Moran

WiiM’s Recipe for Modern Hi-Fi—With Dominique Lingruen Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Dominique Lingruen, vice president of sales for Linkplay Technology Inc., parent company of WiiM—a fast-growing hi-fi brand whose expanding lineup includes streamers, amplifiers, wireless speakers, subwoofers, and other products designed for the modern connected audio system.

Topics of conversation include Dominique’s personal history in hi-fi, WiiM’s meteoric rise, the importance of personalization, how the company is reaching a younger and more female audience, what happened with AirPlay, and—perhaps most importantly—the best recipe for banana pancakes.

Plus, what does WiiM even mean? Jorden finds out.

Sources:

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Integrated Amplifier review by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1358-wiim-amp-ultra-streaming-integrated-amplifier

“The WiiM Amp Ultra—What’s Happened to Me?” by Jason Thorpe: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/opinion-menu/1297-the-wiim-amp-ultra-whats-happened-to-me

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:03:22 Manifesting Beckham
00:06:23 It’s pronounced “WiiM”
00:08:20 The pieces of the Linkplay puzzle
00:13:56 Taking a big bet
00:18:31 Appealing to different demographics
00:21:28 From hi-fi to home theater
00:24:32 What happened with AirPlay
00:28:30 The future
00:30:47 The headphone hook and the vinyl fad
00:35:39 My-fi?
00:40:14 What would a WiiM AVR look like?
00:41:23 Outro music: “Four Leaf Clover” by Louis Island

The Future of Hi-Fi with Emotiva's Dan Laufman Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Host Jorden Guth welcomes Emotiva founder Dan Laufman back to the podcast for a conversation about where hi-fi is headed. From the retro-inspired Nostala line to the need for high-value, long-lasting audio gear, Laufman explains why making great sound more accessible is essential to the industry's future.

Sources:

“Dan Laufman on the Value of Emotiva”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/dan-laufman-on-the-value-of-emotiva/

Emotiva BasX TA2+ stereo receiver by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1393-emotiva-basx-ta2-stereo-receiver

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions and the origins of Nostala
00:04:34 Listening to the music or the speakers?
00:07:23 Who is this retro-revival supposed to appeal to?
00:10:14 Retro-inspired electronics, too?
00:12:45 Making sense of model names
00:19:42 These young audiophiles are a different breed
00:23:11 Audio isn’t like other electronics
00:30:13 Education is empowerment
00:33:51 The return of Emofest
00:35:21 The soundtrack to Dan’s life
00:37:39 Outro music: “After 2AM” by Ziggy

How Great Hi-Fi Gets Made—Lenbrook's Matt Simmonds Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Host Jorden Guth is joined by Matt Simmonds, Vice President of Product Development at Lenbrook, for a behind-the-scenes look at how modern hi-fi products come to life. Simmonds discusses his family's history in audio, the origins of Bluesound, the importance of industrial design, and how companies weigh innovation, market trends, and emerging technologies like AI when deciding what products to build next.

Sources:

"Bluesound's High-Style Pulse Sub+ Subwoofer"—SoundStage! Talks (December 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2-ljBZQ4uE

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions and family traditions
00:06:34 Career-type decisions
00:10:19 Why Bluesound?
00:14:00 Design matters
00:20:53 Avoiding cannibalism
00:27:51 Polishing that crystal ball
00:33:51 AI versus the real world
00:43:04 Outro music: "Brother” by Montessori

Hi-Fi Nerd Fight Part 2—Dennis Burger vs. Paul Hales on Room Correction Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

This week, we pick up the ball from where the previous episode left off. Host Jorden Guth once again moderates a chat between podcast producer Dennis Burger and guest L. Paul Hales about the future of hi-fi and the place room correction has in that future. Topics include how one defines a good speaker, why kick drums can lose their oomph, why you wouldn’t EQ a piano, and a complete break-down of Paul’s five-point problem with room correction.

Sources:

“Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/are-jl-audio-s-primacy-speakers-the-future-of-stereo/

“JL Audio’s Primacy Active Loudspeaker Systems: Charting a New Course Under Garmin” by Roger Kanno: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/blogging-on-audio/232-roger-kanno/1266-jl-audios-primacy-active-loudspeaker-systems-charting-a-new-course-under-garmin

“Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?” (S5:E4): https://youtu.be/xdyxqp9kYvE?si=lZwAeCePVYoVOLl6

“Chest-Pounding Bass, Done Smarter 🔊 Theory’s Renegade Approach to LFE”: https://youtu.be/vtOgOT5hsu0?si=0J9qiAfDGGK-8XHR

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:01:59 What makes a speaker good?
00:07:28 A thought experiment
00:15:54 Get that kick drum out of my ass
00:25:07 Paul’s five-point problem with room correction
00:33:31 The question of burn-in
00:37:23 A band of speakers?
00:38:25 Outro music: "Goosefeet” by Javapysch

Hi-Fi Nerd Fight Part 1—Dennis Burger vs. Paul Hales on Room Correction Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth moderates a conversation between podcast producer Dennis Burger and returning guest L. Paul Hales, founder and chief designer of California-based Pro Audio Technology. Together, they explore the future of hi-fi and the role room correction may play in shaping it. This is the first installment of a two-part discussion.

Sources:

“Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/are-jl-audio-s-primacy-speakers-the-future-of-stereo/

“Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?” (S5:E4): https://youtu.be/xdyxqp9kYvE?si=lZwAeCePVYoVOLl6

“Chest-Pounding Bass, Done Smarter 🔊 Theory’s Renegade Approach to LFE”: https://youtu.be/vtOgOT5hsu0?si=0J9qiAfDGGK-8XHR

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:09:59 Can bad rooms benefit from room correction?
00:16:43 Dennis enters the chat
00:23:15 The parable of the piano
00:30:12 Direct vs. reverberant sound
00:36:14 Grimes theory of economic unfairness, but speakers instead of boots
00:40:59 Outro music: "Techné” by Art Against Agony

Vienna Verdict: Did High End 2026 Deliver? Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth sits down with SoundStage! Ultra’s Jason Thorpe and SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to discuss their trip to Vienna for High End 2026—the first time the world's most important hi-fi show has been held outside Munich in more than two decades. Did the move affect the show? Was there a demographic shift among attendees? What were the most impressive products, rooms, and demonstrations? And perhaps most importantly, were the Vienna sandwiches up to par?

Sources:

High End 2026 coverage from Vienna, Austria, on SoundStage! Global: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2026-vienna-austria

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:06:46 Taking attendance
00:09:22 Quantity and quality of the rooms
00:14:23 How’d it sound?
00:28:33 The best record Jason ever heard
00:31:30 Bowers & Wilkins 800 D5
00:32:40 A demographic shift?
00:35:02 The offsite controversy
00:36:27 A 21st century player piano
00:43:53 Outro music: "To Be the One” by Israel Wasserman

A Mission, Not a Job—JL Audio’s Doug Henderson Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

JL Audio's new Primacy active loudspeaker system has generated plenty of discussion since its debut, but how did the project come together—and what does it say about the future of high-end audio?

In this episode, host Jorden Guth speaks with Doug Henderson, Garmin's Director of Home Audio, about his 50-year journey in the audio industry, from selling hi-fi in Manhattan during the 1970s to leadership roles at Dahlquist, Bowers & Wilkins, and now JL Audio. Henderson explains how the Primacy project evolved, why active DSP-based loudspeakers represent a major shift in home audio, and how technologies developed for automotive and marine audio helped shape JL Audio's flagship home-audio system.

The conversation also explores changing listening habits, the importance of making high-performance audio more accessible, and what the next generation of music lovers may expect from hi-fi systems in the decades ahead.

Sources:

“Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/are-jl-audio-s-primacy-speakers-the-future-of-stereo/

“JL Audio’s Primacy Active Loudspeaker Systems: Charting a New Course Under Garmin”: by Roger Kanno: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/blogging-on-audio/232-roger-kanno/1266-jl-audios-primacy-active-loudspeaker-systems-charting-a-new-course-under-garmin

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:05:29 From Harmony Hut to Dalquist
00:09:09 Memories of Saul Marantz
00:10:35 JL Audio’s turf
00:16:46 DSP and the Art of High-Fidelity
00:19:31 The origins of Primacy?
00:22:52 Why speakers look the way they do
00:26:17 Pricing Primacy
00:30:01 What we got right and wrong
00:35:33 Peering into the crystal ball
00:39:51 Outro music: "The Buddha’s a Beatle” by 5 Sided Cube

Can Hi-Fi Survive? Paradigm, Anthem, WiiM, and the Future of Audio May 22, 2026

Show notes

This week on the SoundStage! Network Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Blake Alty, product manager for Paradigm and Anthem, along with John Bagby, managing director at PML Sound—the parent company behind Paradigm, Anthem, MartinLogan, and GoldenEar. Together, they discuss how brands maintain distinct identities under one corporate roof, how manufacturing scale affects modern hi-fi, the industry’s generational divide, the partnership with WiiM, and whether high-end audio risks losing touch with ordinary music lovers as million-dollar systems increasingly dominate the conversation.

Sources:

“Paradigm Shift—The Bagbys Are Back!”: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1350-paradigm-shift-the-bagbys-are-back

“A Fantastic Gateway: A Q&A with Paradigm's Zoltan Balla and Blake Alty on the New Monitor SE 8000F Loudspeaker”: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1186-a-fantastic-gateway-a-qa-with-paradigms-zoltan-balla-and-blake-alty-on-the-new-monitor-se-8000f-loudspeaker

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:07:21 Maintaining separate brand identities
00:11:30 Economies of scale
00:13:54 Defining value in an uncertain economy
00:17:11 The future of million-dollar hi-fi
00:20:39 The myth that kids don’t care about good sound
00:24:03 Headphones
00:25:55 The next generation
00:29:16 Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!
00:33:04 Education matters
00:34:52 Ten years down the road?
00:40:43 Outro music: "Crystal Ball” by Adv3n7ur35

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