SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Cars to Hi-Fi: Toyota Principles Drive the Paradigm Group's Premium Sound Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Jorden Guth talks with Badar Qureshi, president of PML Sound International—the company behind Paradigm, Anthem, MartinLogan, and GoldenEar Technology—about how his years at Toyota shaped his approach to building world-class audio gear. They discuss where and how each brand’s products are made, why lean manufacturing matters in today’s unpredictable world, how the pandemic affected production, and the surprising parallels between crafting high-performance cars and high-fidelity speakers.

Sources:

“Paradigm's Prestige Series | SoundStage! InSight” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/_q7pMJ3LSjs?si=6CuOUDp72lZLX-h0

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions and getting to know Badar
00:03:14 How to decide what gets made where
00:10:17 GoldenEar enters the chat
00:12:11 The ABCs of supply chains
00:17:31 The chaos of COVID and its lingering effects
00:25:34 Applying the lessons of the past to the future
00:35:11 Long-distance quality control
00:43:38 Outro music: “Nuevos Colores” by Tomas Novoa

On the Water (Literally) with Ian Colquhoun of Axiom, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is is once again joined by Ian Colquhoun, founder of Axiom Audio. This time, they’re on Ian’s boat having a conversation about the ins and outs and what-have-yous of hi-fi manufacturing in the 21st century, with topics including the current trade war, as well as the unconsidered logistics of this sort of work. Ian’s company, Colquhoun Audio Laboratories, owns the Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab audio brands.

Sources:

“Axiom Audio’s Ian Colquhoun and NRC”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/axiom-audio-s-ian-colquhoun-and-nrc-origin-dr-floyd-toole-music-types-twin-tweeters-measurements/

“Axiom Audio’s Ian Colquhoun and NRC” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/axiom-audio-s-ian-colquhoun-and-nrc-origin-dr-floyd-toole-music-types-twin-tweeters-measurements/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions and a history lesson
00:06:02 A revolution in manufacturing
00:10:17 Making stuff in the current geopolitical climate
00:13:02 Tariffs and such
00:26:11 The unconsidered logistics
00:29:23 Outro music: “Get Outta Way” by Where’s Lulu?

Silence Speaks: Hi-Fi Truths from an Anechoic Chamber with Andrew Welker Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Andrew Welker, Chief Product Officer at Colquhoun Audio Laboratories, owner of Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab, This podcast is a first for us: it is recorded entirely inside an anechoic chamber! The two discuss Welker’s history with hi-fi, as well as the importance of having a human element in quality control despite the fact that we’re living in an increasingly automated world.

Sources:

“Axiom Audio’s Ian Colquhoun and NRC”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/axiom-audio-s-ian-colquhoun-and-nrc-origin-dr-floyd-toole-music-types-twin-tweeters-measurements/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions and a personal history with audio
00:04:23 The Paul Barton connection
00:05:44 A fortuitous education
00:11:55 Ian Colquhoun enters the chat
00:13:52 The basics of quality control
00:27:06 Problem solving and preparedness
00:31:55 Outro music: “How We Fell in Love” by Tom Meira Armony

Inside VECO—KEF’s Breakthrough Active-Speaker Technology Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Jack Oclee-Brown, VP of Technology at KEF, to discuss the company’s new VECO technology, what inspired it, how it works, how it was developed, and the new products that rely heavily on it.

Sources:

“Xio with VECO: KEF’s Revolutionary Velocity Control Technology in Its First Soundbar Explained”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K842LVG1Ur0

“KEF's Breakthrough VECO Speaker Technology to Lower Distortion–Explained by Its Inventors”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pXeETlY4uU

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 What is VECO
00:07:54 The inspiration for VECO
00:20:15 The ups and downs of voltage amplification
00:24:05 New soundbar, who dis?
00:31:53 Building a better playlist
00:33:44 Outro music: “Nao’s Lullaby” by Rafi B. Levy

Why We’re Holding Episode 8 — KEF Has Something Big Coming! Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

Due to an embargo on confidential information, we have to delay the release of our 8th episode this season until July 8. In that episode, we'll feature a podcast with KEF's VP of Technology, Jack O'Clee-Brown, discussing some exciting new KEF loudspeaker technology!

Paul Hales Unleashed: The Realities of Global Audio Manufacturing Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Pro Audio Technology owner/president L. Paul Hales, who shares his unique perspective about manufacturing in America and overseas, why different products for his different brands are made where they are made, how the current trade war chaos is affecting manufacturing and business decisions, and what the future may hold.

Sources:

“Marrying Hi-Fi with Pro Audio - Paul Hales”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/marrying-hi-fi-with-pro-audio-paul-hales-pro-audio-technology-origins-what-matters/

“What Do Knitting and Hi-Fi Have in Common? (Hint: It’s Politics)” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1339-what-do-knitting-and-hi-fi-have-in-common-hint-its-politics

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:11:13 Supply chains matter
00:14:48 Are trade deficits all that bad?
00:19:49 When American manufacturing makes sense
00:21:38 How tariffs actually work
00:26:59 Why this trade war is unwinnable
00:28:58 How tariffs could work effectively
00:40:42 Looking to the future
00:57:33 Outro music: "Baby I’m Stuck in a Cone” Ge Filter Fish

Bye-Bye Munich! High End 2025 Recap Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth chats with SoundStage! Ultra editor Jason Thorpe about his adventures at High End 2025, the final year in Munich. Jason was there with SoundStage! Contributor Matt Bonaccio and SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider. They dig into the best gear Jason saw, his sense of larger trends, and what the upcoming move may or may not mean.

Also, sandwiches.

Sources:

High End 2025 coverage on SoundStageGlobal.com: https://soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2025-munich-germany

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:05:39 Spools of wire
00:10:37 What do air hockey tables and turntables have in common?
00:14:31 The sound of speakers
00:22:07 More techno!
00:26:19 Black boxes
00:29:46 The future of High End
00:38:44 Outro music: "Look Up” by Diffie Bosman

Built in the Netherlands: The Heart of Siltech, Crystal Cable, HMS, and Sphinx May 23, 2025

Show notes

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is sits down for a one-on-one with Gabi Rynveld, PR and brand ambassador for International Audio Holding, to discuss the history of Siltech and Crystal cable, the importance of manufacturing in the Netherlands, how distinct companies maintain their personality and brand identity under the umbrella of one manufacturer, and more.

Sources:

“The Rolex of Hi-Fi Cables - Siltech's Flagship Royal Crown Series”: https://youtu.be/yN-nEreboLE?si=gTkHHRv4FGSwsyB-

“Ultra Hi-Fi: Crystal Cable's "Core" Silver-Gold Cable Line—the Diamond Series 2 Update”: https://youtu.be/vpWM6DeyXDE?si=GPM0Sgo8QqTyy6o_

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 The origin of Crystal Cable
00:12:40 HMS Elektronik enters the chat
00:22:47 New/old brand or old/new brand?
00:43:00 Don’t forget the music
00:47:50 Outro music: "Thaïs" by Jules Massenet, performed by Ohad Ben Ari

The Science and Precision Behind KEF’s Speaker Production May 09, 2025

Show notes

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Jack Oclee-Brown, VP of Technology at KEF, to discuss the decisions that go into what products are made where, and the intricate relationship between measurements and manufacturing.

Sources:

“KEF’s Jack Oclee-Brown” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/kef-jack-oclee-brown-the-tangerine-waveguide-blade-loudspeakers-aspirational-hi-fi/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Discussions about quality and quantity
00:09:45 Lab standards vs. line standards
00:23:10 What about headphones?
00:28:37 Outro music: “Ohio Country” by When Mountains Move

Dutch Decibels: The Netherlands-Built Sound of Dutch & Dutch Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth joins Martijn Mensink of Dutch & Dutch to discuss what aspects of the company’s beloved 8c speakers are made where, how the decision is made to craft some things in-house and outsource other elements, why driver manufacturing and DSP development are very different enterprises, and what the future holds for the design and manufacture of products of its type.

Sources:

“Martijn Mensink On the Magic of Dutch & Dutch”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/martijn-mensink-on-the-magic-of-dutch-dutch-active-speakers-cardioid-dispersion-acoustics/

"Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeakers Reviewed" by Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1270-dutch-dutch-8c-active-loudspeakers

"Intro to Dutch & Dutch and the 8c Active Loudspeaker - SoundStage! InSight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2R9lEJH4Og&ab_channel=soundstagenetwork

"Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeaker in Detail - SoundStage! InSight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW-6R5HP8SE&ab_channel=soundstagenetwork

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:21:43 Unexpected lessons
00:26:24 Outro music: “Get it Right” by Water on Mars