The Absolute Sound Podcast

KEF XIO Soundbar High-End (Dolby Atmos 5.1.2) Review

Big screen TVs are notorious for having really minuscule or poor sound quality. That's because just the dimensions of them dictate the fact that you can't fit a huge speaker into a thin LCD or OLED big screen TV, so soundbars are supposed to be a convenient solution to that one piece of equipment that can bring expansive sound in that immersive, enveloping quality to the soundtrack of a movie or even a TV show. KEF, known for their high-end products and technology, look to lead the way amongst the market. Do they deliver? Listen in to find out!00:00 KEF XIO Soundbar02:33 Specs & Design04L48 Set Up05:39 Calibration06:24 Sound Quality11:58 Dolby Atmos14:50 SummaryThis video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/pages/opera-loudspeakersNewsletter: 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

Best Speakers Under $5k Series: New Chesky Audio LC2

Chesky Audio is a relatively new company. Today I’ll be reviewing their second speaker model, the LC2. Like the original LC1, the LC2 features a compact 3D-printed monocoque cabinet, with a 2-way design using dual side-mounted passive radiators. It is priced at $1995per pair, including shipping in the US. That specification seems pretty ho-hum, and this price point might lead to modest expectations. But! Those understandable expectations would be a mistake, in my view a big mistake if you’re shopping in this price range. Let’s take a look at some details to understand why and how. 00:00 Chesky Audio LC201:25 Overview02:57 Sound Quality09:36 Tradeoffs12:02 Under the Hood12:36 SummaryThis video is sponsored by: https://rel.net/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21640833068&gbraid=0AAAAADNXZ2wx_gvvKYO04_eWR9H3nWjkZ&gclid=CjwKCAiAt8bIBhBpEiwAzH1w6RR6KmeIZlRqqPIEnrLHIWUdRbEib-goYxh8oBW6wVyw1Hogx-fiBxoCNXsQAvD_BwENewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comTom's reference system:Aurender N20 Streamer/ServerRoon Nucleus serverMac Mini (M2) serverWiim Pro server/DACBluesound Node server/DACTopping D70 Pro DACdCS Lina DAC/Master clockBerkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input moduleMSB Premier DACJ Sikora Initial Max turntableTechnics SL-1210G turntableKuzma 4Point 9” armJ Sikora KV12 tone armDS Audio 003 cartridgeBenz Gullwing SLR cartridgeHana Umami Blue cartridgeHegel V10 phono preampMusical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preampDS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizerPS Audio BHK 600 mono power ampsMBL N51 integrated ampAudio Research 160S power ampMagico A5 speakersPerlisten S7t speakersWireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cablesShunyata Omega digital cablesShunyata Venom power cables and directorAudioquest Niagara 3000 power conditioner (for analog)Audioquest Niagra 7000 power conditioningRediacoustic diffusers and absorbersRediacoustic bass trapsPSI Audio AVAA active trapsSalamander racksSolidsteel Turntable rackWhat 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

Sound Lab G5-4C Electrostatic Speaker Review

A couple of months back, Tom Martin reviewed the Sound Lab G7-7C – the G5-4C’s big brother (although still not the largest speaker Sound Lab makes). In that video, Tom did such a fabulous job getting into the technical minutia of Sound Lab speakers that there’s likely nothing beneficial I could add to that. I would recommend going back to that video to get a clearer overview of Sound Lab’s design principles and processes. Here, I would like to provide viewers with a detailed description of how the smaller G5-4C sounded in my room. So, stick around while I share what I heard when auditioning the Sound Lab G5-4C.00:00 Sound Lab G5-4C electrostatic speakers01:33 Overview03:17 Reference Equipment4:04 Sound Quality08:46 ConclusionThis video is sponsored by: https://www.devialet.com/en-us/amplifiers/?srsltid=AfmBOorbOG8jY6AYnlddhTyDqqV8wOhQ91MZyqEYi0dlWTxeNqI0gSiQNewsletter: 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

Recordings of the Month: Recommendations from The Absolute Sound Reviewers

Welcome to this edition of Recordings of the Month. Here we recommend recordings that our audio reviewers have enjoyed. They may be new recordings or older recordings that we have recently discovered. Sometimes, they are recordings our reviewers have come to appreciate more and more as they use them in audio review work.This video is sponsored by: https://www.mofielectronics.com/products/mofi-electronics-masterdeck-turntableNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comTom's reference system:Aurender N20 Streamer/ServerRoon Nucleus serverMac Mini (M2) serverWiim Pro server/DACBluesound Node server/DACTopping D70 Pro DACdCS Lina DAC/Master clockBerkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input moduleMSB Premier DACJ Sikora Initial Max turntableTechnics SL-1210G turntableKuzma 4Point 9” armJ Sikora KV12 tone armDS Audio 003 cartridgeBenz Gullwing SLR cartridgeHana Umami Blue cartridgeHegel V10 phono preampMusical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preampDS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizerPS Audio BHK 600 mono power ampsMBL N51 integrated ampAudio Research 160S power ampMagico A5 speakersPerlisten S7t speakersWireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cablesShunyata Omega digital cablesShunyata Venom power cables and directorAudioquest Niagara 3000 power conditioner (for analog)Audioquest Niagra 7000 power conditioningRediacoustic diffusers and absorbersRediacoustic bass trapsPSI Audio AVAA active trapsSalamander racksSolidsteel Turntable rackWhat 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

T+A Criterion S240: Best Speakers $10k-20k Series

T+A elektroakustic is a venerable German company with extensive engineering and manufacturing capabilities for speakers, amplifiers, D/A converters, turntables and headphones. The Criterion Series S240 which is our review subject, are part of the T+A Criterion range of speakers, each of which uses transmission line loading for the bass drivers. Let’s see what all this experience and technology delivers.  00:00 T+A Criterion S24001:50 Overview 04:49 Sound Quality14:17 Tradeoffs15:25 SummaryThis video is sponsored by: https://www.devialet.com/en-us/amplifiers/?srsltid=AfmBOorbOG8jY6AYnlddhTyDqqV8wOhQ91MZyqEYi0dlWTxeNqI0gSiQT+A Factory Tour: https://youtu.be/13fQesU3J2o?si=rBpG8HEnSYhK8NTcSiegfried Amft interview: https://youtu.be/zsilt_q_oY0?si=xzU0Z9E_vabar6wqNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comTom's reference system:Aurender N20 Streamer/ServerRoon Nucleus serverMac Mini (M2) serverWiim Pro server/DACBluesound Node server/DACTopping D70 Pro DACdCS Lina DAC/Master clockBerkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input moduleMSB Premier DACJ Sikora Initial Max turntableTechnics SL-1210G turntableKuzma 4Point 9” armJ Sikora KV12 tone armDS Audio 003 cartridgeBenz Gullwing SLR cartridgeHana Umami Blue cartridgeHegel V10 phono preampMusical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preampDS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizerPS Audio BHK 600 mono power ampsMBL N51 integrated ampAudio Research 160S power ampMagico A5 speakersPerlisten S7t speakersWireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cablesShunyata Omega digital cablesShunyata Venom power cables and directorAudioquest Niagara 3000 power conditioner (for analog)Audioquest Niagra 7000 power conditioningRediacoustic diffusers and absorbersRediacoustic bass trapsPSI Audio AVAA active trapsSalamander racksSolidsteel Turntable rackWhat 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

Best DACs $10k-$20k Series: Grimm MU2 streamer/DAC

Grimm is a manufacturer of audio equipment that take a somewhat different path than normal. Eelco Grimm, the CEO, is a fascinating person if you like audio tech because he comes at many problems from a systems perspective, integrating knowledge of the influence of the recording process, acoustics, ear and brain on the sound. This is in addition to knowledge of the component elements necessary for music reproduction. I find some correlation between this broader perspective and the ability of resulting equipment designs to address important problems, so I was excited to test Grimm’s streamer/DAC, the MU2. Let’s see how it performs. This video is sponsored by: https://www.svsound.com/collections/7 Major Problems of Audio Believability: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-six-major-problems-of-audio-believability/00:00 Grimm MU2 Streamer/DAC01:24 Overview03:14 What's the issue?08:05 Sound Quality16:45 Subjective Coda17:49 Design19:07 SummaryThe Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/Newsletter: 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 Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Innovators Series: Perlisten Audio

At times, audiophiles tend to think of innovation in the field as something dramatic – technologically dramatic. In the case of speakers, the mind imagines new driver physics or driver configurations. I get it: plasma drivers or radiastrahlers or large electrostatic panels look dramatically different and sometimes sound quite different too. And yet, such exotic concepts have made limited headway in the market, although they show tempting promise. But what if significant progress lies in another direction? Perlisten Audio asks, and answers, that question. Let’s take a look. This video is sponsored by: https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-200:00 Perlisten Audio Redefines The Modern Speaker 6:00 Problem #1: Bass in Real Rooms10:08 Problem #2: Spatial Presentation16:05 Problem #3: Dynamics19:46 Problem #4: System Integration22:40 Demo Time23:40 Wrap UpThe Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/Newsletter: 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 Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

dCS Lina Master Clock Review

In this review, Robert Taylor explores the dCS Lina Master Clock, the problem it's trying to solve, and its synchronization with this dCS Bartók APEX Streaming DAC. Does it clock a higher fidelity sound? Tune in to find out.This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest-x/The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com00:00 dCS Lina Master Clock01:07 Overview01:53 Specs & Design03:02 What's the problem?04:17 Sound Quality08:40 SummaryWhat 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 Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Dynaudio Sub 6 Powered Subwoofer Review

This spring, I reviewed the new Dynaudio contour 20 Black Edition bookshelf speakers and I found these speakers to be one of the most highly resolving stand out monitors I've heard in the sub $10,000 price range, but like most stand mounts, they were still bound by the limitations of size and of course, frequency response. But Dynaudio has come prepared for this scenario with the Sub 6. And in this review, we're going to explore what this tech packed subwoofer can accomplish, especially in a small to medium sized rooms.This video is sponsored by: https://www.hegel.com/en/00:00 Dynaudio Sub 601:20 Overview04:45 Set Up06:04 Sound Quality12:46 ConclusionThe Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/Newsletter: 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 Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Magico S2 Review: Best Speakers $20k-$50k v2

One thing I love about audio reviewing is the element of surprise. Sometimes you get a product in for review and you might expect it to be good and then you start listening and you find out that it is…great! Who knew? And for me, despite best efforts, this often happens with straightforward products that don’t have an obvious “breakthrough” element. This was, indeed, the case with the Magico S2 speakers. Let’s see what impressed me and how this may or may not fit with your needs. 00:00 Magico S201:37 Overview04:31 Sound Quality14:52 SummaryThis video is sponsored by: https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-2The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/Newsletter: 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 Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved