The Absolute Sound Podcast

Edifier 1700BTS Speakers Review

In the world of high end audio. $230 isn't a lot of money, especially when those $230 gets you a pair of two way active bookshelf speakers with Bluetooth, dual RCA inputs, and a subwoofer output. The big question, of course, is how do they sound? So let's dig into the Edifier 1700BTS speakers.This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/00:00 Edifier 1700BTS 01:40 Overview03:08 Specs & Design05:25 Set Up 06:15 Sound Quality11:39 SummaryNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com 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. #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Eversolo DAC Z10 and T8 Transport Streamer Review

The Eversolo DAC Z10 is a logical step-up option for audiophiles building their systems beyond, say, the $5000 level. At $5000, plus or minus a bit, you probably spend $1000 on a streamer and DAC, $1500 to $2500 on amplification and $1500 to $2500 on speakers. You might balance this differently, but you just don’t have budget for a $1400 streamer and a $2000 DAC, which is what the two Eversolo products we’re looking at cost at review time. If, however, you are working on upgrades or just straight-up buying a system around $10,000 or so, these products might fit nicely. Let’s see what they offer. This video is sponsored by: 00:00 DAC Z10 and T802:13 DAC Z10 Features09:50 Sound Quality13:34 Voicing16:00 T8 Streamer20:26 Additional Important Thoughts21:01 SummaryNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com 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. #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Review

In this video, John Quain dives into the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 wireless headphones, exploring their refined sound profile and standout features. Priced at $479, these over-ear noise-canceling headphones boast 40mm dynamic drivers and support Bluetooth 5.3 with AptX Lossless codec. I’ll discuss their impressive battery life, customizable EQ via a smartphone app, and a sound stage that delivers clarity and detail across various music genres. If you're an audiophile looking for your next pair of headphones, this review is for you!This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/collections/matrix-audioNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com 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

Wattson Madison Stereo Amp Review

I am well aware that audio coverage on YouTube has something of a histrionic slant. In an algorithmic media world, I suppose that is to be expected. The problem of course is that when something truly special comes along, if treated with the standard approach, it can get mentally dumped by viewers into the “more BS hysteria” bucket. I offer this warning because the product I’m covering today is, I think, truly special, but since I try to avoid histrionics, I’m not going to attempt to express that with wild exaggerations or shouting. This amplifier will not alter audio history, transform your music or improve your sex life. This is however, a very good amplifier and a real bargain in the right system. As always, its particular sonic profile and capabilities may not fit your needs, so that must be kept in mind. Okay, let’s take a look at the Wattson Madison power amplifier. This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest8000/

Head-Fi Meet-Up: Brief Sampling

Senior reviewer Steven Stone returns with a brief overview of his experience at Denver's Head-Fi meet up. Not quite a Can-Jam or major show a Head-Fi Meet Up sits right in the sweet spot between casual enthusiast get together and large professional show. What did he find out? Tune in to learn more! This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest-x/Who is Steven Stone? https://youtu.be/JMHqM4ixlEM?si=wc6ZBl6WT293v9SaNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat 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.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

D’Agostino Launches Momentum Z Mono Amplifier | Michael Fremer Reports…

In January 2026, Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems celebrated its 15th anniversary with the launch of the Momentum Z Mono Amplifier at their Cave Creek, Arizona facility. Priced around $125,000 per pair, this flagship amplifier features new Kinetic Drive Regulator technology. Michael Fremer reports, tune in to learn more! This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/collections/matrix-audioNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat 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.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Amphion Krypton3X Loudspeaker Review

Michael Johnson reviews the hefty, unique Krypton3X floor standing loudspeaker. With a frequency response primed for revelation, Michael discovers some of his hi-fi test tracks aren’t what he thought they were. Is this inviting or distracting? Tune in to find out. This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/collections/matrix-audioTom’s Listening Room: https://youtu.be/To3yKpFUMNI?si=e6D_49RWcZIUG5_h00:00 Krypton3X 01:34 Specs & Design 05:21 Set Up08:04 Sound Quality 20:22 Is it for you? 23:04 SummaryNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat 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.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Solving for Smoother Frequency Response: Subwoofer Solution

When it comes to bass performance in hi-fi playback using the conventional setup of two speakers, there are three major problems that are difficult to overcome without beginning to integrate separate subwoofers. Bass extension, room modes, and overall frequency balance. In this video, I’m not going to focus too much on the first problem, as this isn’t always a problem with just two speakers. Many multiway speakers can play down to 25 Hz and, some argue, there isn’t much musically relevant information below this depending on the music you listen to. So, I spent a little bit of time experimenting with what a system sounds like if you mainly focus efforts on solving those two remaining issues: smoothing out room modes and tuning for a more desired frequency response. As it turns out, doing this brought some bass extension that I welcomed in my particular setup. This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest8000/00:00 Bass Performance in Real Rooms02:01 Overview03:17 What Needs Solving?09:32 Measurements20:10 ConclusionNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat 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.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

YG Acoustics Peaks Ascent Loudspeaker Review

YG Acoustics Ascent is the second from the top model in the company's new peak series, and it's priced at $23,800. This represents a significant departure their first speaker to use a hybrid cabinet construction rather than their signature all aluminum enclosure. What makes the ascent particularly interesting is it incorporates the same driver technology as GS Reference Series speakers, while achieving a price point roughly half that of the comparable vantage model.00:00 YG Acoustics Peak01:33 Overview02:36 Design04:43 Driver Technology07:20 Specs08:15 Set Up08:56 Sound Quality12:20 Is it for you?13:29 SummaryNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat 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.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Lumin T3X streamer-DAC: Do QRONO and LEEDH Matter?

Streamers and Digital to Analog converters are the key source for modern high-end audio systems. For most people at least, if for no other reason than the availability of nearly the entire catalogue of recorded music. And ease of use. And low cost. What can be confusing is the degree of sonic difference between various streamers – devices that request music from a streaming service and convert the music files from network protocols to music file types – and various DACs – devices that convert digital signals to analog signals that amps and speakers use. They’re just computers dealing with files. Simple, right? Well, no, apparently. Which brings us to the Lumin T3X with QRONO and LEEDH technology. Right now, I’d rate this as the lowest cost way to get 95% of more of what digital can do. It isn’t inexpensive, but I think it is a benchmark that helps everyone think about audio system building and budgeting. This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/pages/introducing-perlisten00:00 Lumin T3X02:12 Overview03:24 Features09:36 Sound Quality16:28 User Interface17:57 Summary