SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to discuss the remarkable technology behind JL Audio’s new fully active, DSP-optimized Primacy loudspeakers, including the three-way T6 tower and two-way T3 standmount model. Do these highly integrated speakers point toward the future of high-end audio, or are they a radical detour from traditional hi-fi thinking? Along with debating the concept itself, the group also digs into Doug’s early listening impressions and what makes these speakers so different from most of today’s high-end designs.

Sources:

“JL Audio’s First Hi-Fi Speakers Rethink Stereo—Primacy T6 and S3” by SoundStage Network: https://youtu.be/m2yuMHwr8TQ?si=rpIeewakT7ulK7Ja

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:03:06 The rumours of JL Audio’s demise…
00:16:47 A radical approach?
00:23:08 We can’t show, but we can tell
00:26:08 Yeah, they cost that much!
00:27:40 The real future of real high-end?
00:32:48 Achille’s heel or nah?
00:33:45 OK, but do they even sound good?
00:42:28 Outro music: "Flying Above the Sun" by Yehezkel Raz feat. Sivan Talmor

In this episode, Steinway Lyngdorf CCO Peter Keller-Larsen draws on his experience at Nokia during the iPhone era to explain why user experience, simplicity, and real customer insight now matter more than ever. From gaming and home cinema to changing listening habits, he argues that hi-fi must evolve—or risk being left behind.

Sources:

“The Hi-Fi Generation Gap—and What the Industry Must Do”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-hi-fi-generation-gap%e2%80%94and-what-the-industry-must-do/

“Yet Another Navel-Gazing Editorial About Boomers, Kids, and the Future of Hi-Fi” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1368-yet-another-navel-gazing-editorial-about-boomers-kids-and-the-future-of-hi-fi

“German Hi-Fi Giant T+A's CEO on the Future of Audio”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/german-hi-fi-giant-ta-ceo-on-the-future-of-audio/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions and origin stories
00:06:18 The Danish Steve Jobs?
00:09:38 Dennis was right about gaming . . .
00:18:01 . . . and the physiological benefits of good sound
00:21:49 Plug and play
00:24:52 Opposition research
00:27:09 Who’s getting it right?
00:34:26 Outro music: “Cloud Ten” by Novembers

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Simaudio’s product director, Étienne Gautier, for a wide-ranging conversation about where hi-fi is headed—and what needs to change. They discuss the lack of industry standards, what hi-fi can learn from other sectors, the real value of trade shows, the role of education, and how today’s “hustle culture” mindset affects both companies and consumers.

Sources:

“Inside the Moon 371: Étienne Gautier on Simaudio's New Compass Collection”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/inside-the-moon-371-etienne-gautier-on-simaudios-new-compass-collection/

“Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:03:31 Organizing the industry and setting standards
00:12:03 Cross-polination in hi-fi
00:14:01 Journalistic standards?
00:17:46 Trade show blues
00:19:35 Education and exposure
00:25:33 Coming out of the basement
00:32:03 Connected vs. disconnected
00:31:49 Outro music: “Magilla Trench” by Art Against Agony

In the Season 5 premiere of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth sits down with Conradin Amft, CEO of T+A Elektroakustik, to explore how high-end audio needs to evolve to reach a new generation.

The conversation digs into the headphone-to-hi-fi pipeline, the growing appeal of all-in-one systems, and why user interface, user experience, and industrial design now matter as much as sound quality. Amft also explains what hi-fi can learn from other industries—and how a legacy brand experiments without losing its identity.

Sources:

“Selling Emotions: Conradin Amft on T+A’s History and Future”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/selling-emotions-conradin-amft-on-tas-history-and-future-then-to-now-hi-fi-tomorrow/

“Made-in-Germany Hi-Fi and Playback-Control Software from T+A”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/made-in-germany-hi-fi-and-software-from-ta/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:06:00 The headphone-to-hi-fi pipeline
00:12:00 The appeal of all-in-ones
00:15:57 Inspiration from other industries
00:22:06 UI and UX
00:24:40 Aesthetics matter more than ever
00:30:20 Testing new waters
00:31:49 Outro music: “Take Me Home” by Channel 13

What does it mean for audio gear to be “technically correct,” and why should listeners care?

In the fourth-season finale of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth and producer Dennis Burger are joined by John Siau, vice president of Benchmark Media Systems. He discusses his background in the broadcast industry and how that experience shaped Benchmark’s engineering-driven approach to audio design.

The conversation explores the evolution of DAC technology, the relationship between hi-fi and professional audio, and the ongoing balance between listening impressions and objective measurements. Siau also explains why he believes accurate measurements ultimately lead to better musical performance and addresses common misconceptions about digital audio.

The episode concludes with a look at Benchmark’s commitment to designing and manufacturing its products in the United States, and why the Syracuse, New York–based company sees domestic production as both a practical and philosophical choice.

Sources:

“Florida International Audio Expo: Aretai and Benchmark Present a No-Nonsense Showstopper”: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/florida-international-audio-expo-2026-tampa-usa/1255-fiae-2026-aretai-and-benchmark-present-a-no-nonsense-showstopper

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:07:09 DACs of a different era
00:10:03 Why hi-res matters for production
00:12:43 What does transparency mean?
00:16:00 Hi-fi vs. pro audio
00:19:09 Listening vs. measurements
00:23:32 Linear phase and the issue of ringing
00:27:50 Nerding out on Nyquist
00:33:41 Born (and built) in the USA
00:40:03 Outro music: “Seven Seasons” by The Days