Episodes
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to discuss the 2024 SoundStage! Awards for Products of the Year and Outstanding Achievements. Doug gives the insight on what the awards me and how they are chosen, as well as explain the special awards video SoundStage! created with singer Kellylee Evans.
Sources:
The 2024 SoundStage! Network Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1927-the-2024-soundstage-network-awards-for-outstanding-achievements-and-products-of-the-year
The SoundStage! Australia Products of the Year Awards 2024 by Edgar Kramer: https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/features/929-the-soundstage-australia-products-of-the-year-awards-2024
Best Hi-Fi Products and Top People 2024âSoundStage! International Hi-Fi Awards by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/FYH1bDPczbA?si=-w2b7pGQudQSmIfU
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:30 Products of the Year: categories and choosing00:05:03 Explaining the Outstanding Achievement awards00:05:03 Outstanding Achievement award winners00:13:02 Music Break: "The Wassail Song" by The Reed Pittman Trio00:15:03 Welcome back from the break00:15:14 Products of the Year: Distinction category (core sites)00:15:14 Products of the Year: Outstanding Performance category (core sites)00:24:58 Products of the Year: Outstanding Performance category (SoundStage! Australia)00:26:53 Products of the Year: Distinction category (SoundStage! Australia)00:29:16 Products of the Year: Exceptional Value category (SoundStage! Australia)00:30:22 Products of the Year: Exceptional Value category (core sites)00:34:22 Where to find the awards (core sites)00:35:31 Outro: âJingle Bellsâ by TEO
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by podcast producer and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to discuss his latest editorial, âThe Stuff in the Middle.â The premise: everyone understands what source devices are. They also know speakers. But these days, most normies doesnât have a clue what black boxes go in betweenâif thereâs anything between them at all.
Sources:
âThe Stuff in the Middleâ by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1317-the-stuff-in-the-middle
âDo You Care About Features?â by Geoffrey Morrison: https://soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/434-do-you-care-about-features
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:30 Adventures in hi-fi at the Y00:18:11 âMarch of the Peopleâ SĂ©mĂž00:20:20 Are old audiophiles the problem?00:50:40 Outro: âNullâ by VESHZA
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Jan Lassesen, founder of Norwayâs Arendal Sound, to discuss the companyâs origins and history, its distinctive philosophy, the benefits of direct-to-consumer sales, and the evolution of the product line that has led to the 1528 series.
Sources:
EISA Awards: Home Theater Audio 2020-2021: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/testbed/mm4/index.php/eisa/2020-2021-awards/2020-2021-home-theater-audio/1463-arendal-sound-1961-series-eisa-2020-2021
Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S loudspeaker review by Philip Beaudette: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1848-arendal-sound-1723-tower-s-loudspeaker
Arendal Sound 1528 Tower 8 Loudspeaker: âWhy Iâm Going 3500 Miles to Learn How it Happenedâ by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1920-arendal-sound-1528-tower-8-loudspeaker-why-im-going-3500-miles-to-learn-how-it-happened
Arendal Sound Club: https://club.arendalsound.com/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 Introductions00:04:51 The road to Arendal00:29:35 âWrite a Sentence: The Headbangerâs Confusionâ by Art Against Agony00:30:33 The evolution of Arendal00:53:35 Outro: âCelestial Rhythmsâ by Ariel Dahan
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Ultra editor Jason Thorpe to discuss Warsawâs Audio Video Show 2024, including what was different about this year, what was the same, and what it all means for the state of the hi-fi industry.
Sources:
SoundStage! Audio Video Show 2024 coverage from Warsaw, Poland: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/audio-video-show-2023-warsaw-poland
Audio Video Show: https://audioshow.pl/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 Introductions00:03:53 Millionaireâs Row and beyondâŠ00:35:16 Music Break: "Emissary" by Art Against Agony00:36:58 What has changed? What hasnât?01:02:15 Outro: âBorderline Loveâ by Jessy Gerber
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Host Jorden Guthâs new baby finally made his debut, so weâre taking a break again this week and resharing one of our favorite season 2 episodes, in which Jorden was joined by legendary mastering engineer Bernie Grundman to discuss what mastering is, what it isnât, how it differs from remastering, and why vinyl sometimes sounds better than digital.
âArt Pepper Meets the Rhythm Sectionâ by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/recording-of-the-month-menu/1175-art-pepper-art-pepper-meets-the-rhythm-section
âIs It Just Me, or Are CDs Too Loud?â by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/feature-articles/on-music/944-is-it-just-me-or-are-cds-too-loud
âThe Music Manâ on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-music-man-joe-taylor-on-vinyl-and-cassettes-next-gen-audiophiles-curated-music-selections/
Chapters:00:00:00 News!00:00:31 Announcement00:00:51 What does a mastering engineer do? 00:20:56 Musical interlude: âSay No Moreâ by Julian Hartwell00:23:19 Digital vs. analog and radio vs. streaming00:35:55 What music moves Bernie Grundman
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to discuss all of the hot new speakers coming out right now, including models from DALI, Treble Clef Audio, Radiant Acoustics, Arendal Sound, and Focal. They dig deep into the specifics, and also touch on why so many new and noteworthy loudspeakers are coming out now.
Sources:
âDALI Epikore 11 Loudspeakerâ by Jason Thorpe: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1225-dali-epikore-11-loudspeaker
âNew DALI Epikore 9, 7, and 3ââAffordableâ Flagship Speakers from Denmarkâ by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/BSVHm31EmV4?si=_traJo-IQqWVZZZv
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 New Speakers from ALI, Treble Clef Audio, Radiant Acoustics, Arendal Sound00:31:36 Music Break: âMojoâ by Jimit00:32:50 Focal, too. But why now?00:59:24 âMirleftâ by Guy Buttery
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Host Jorden Guth is expecting another child with his wife. Producer Dennis Burger has a few written reviews to catch up on for the SoundStage! Network. As a result, we decided it is a good time to take a quick break before we resume season 3 in a couple of weeks.
But we're not going to leave you hanging with nothing to listen to. Jorden Guth went through our archives and thought this was a good change to revisit the 12th episode from season 2: "Anthony Grimani on Speakers, Rooms, Acoustics." If you have not listened to it, we think you will enjoy it. If you have listened to it, you might want to listen again because there is a good change you will pick up on something that you didn't pick up on before. Enjoy!
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Trinnov Audio general manager Jon Herron to discuss the companyâs history, the synergy between physical room acoustics and DSP room optimization, why different frequencies of sound require a different approach, and how the companyâs new WaveForming technology is a whole new approach to perfecting bass performance in-room.
Sources:
âTrinnov Amethyst DAC-Preamplifier-Processor" by Al Griffin https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/39-trinnov-amethyst-dac-preamplifier-processor
Trinnov Audio: https://www.trinnov.com/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions and origins stories00:09:51 What makes Trinnov different?00:26:59 The broken promise of Atmos00:31:59 Music Break: âOnce Upon a Time in the West Elevatorâ by Jamison Dewlen00:33:17 A deeper dive into old-school acoustics00:36:23 Why bass misbehaves00:43:59 How WaveForming works00:59:24 âDance of the Sugar Plum Fairyâ by Will Taylor
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Pro Audio Technology owner/president L. Paul Hales to discuss his history in audio, how audio research has guided the development of his speakers over the years, what really matters in audio and what doesnât, and why most consumer speakers fall short in one significant way.
Sources:
âTheory Audio Design Sys5.2.2.8515 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos Surround Speaker Systemâ by Vince Hanada: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1111-theory-audio-design-sys5-2-2-8515-5-2-2-dolby-atmos-surround-speaker-system
Dr. Floyd Toole: An Oral History 1: https://www.soundstage.life/e/dr-floyd-toole-an-oral-history-1-two-ears-and-a-brain-transistors-rules-and-data/
Dr. Floyd Toole: An Oral History 2: https://www.soundstage.life/e/dr-floyd-toole-an-oral-history-2-ab-tests-bass-athena-brains-rooms-hearing-listening/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions and origins stories00:30:16 Music Break: âHarpstrings and Chill (GymnopĂ©die No. 1)â by Lalinea00:31:19 Hi-fi PA speakers?00:43:08 The origins of Pro Audio Technology00:59:40 What really matters in audio?01:12:14 âGymnopĂ©die No. 1â by T. Bless and the Professionals
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by the SoundStage! Networkâs Joseph Taylor, Jason Thorpe, and Dennis Burger to discuss records and turntables, from the perspective of two old pros and one recent convert to the format.
Sources:
âA Vinyl-Apathistâs Quest for His Perfect First Turntableâ by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1297-a-vinyl-apathists-quest-for-his-perfect-first-turntable
âConfessions of a Recent Vinyl Convertâ by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1301-confessions-of-a-recent-vinyl-convert
âRecord Store Day and Vinyl Cultureâ by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/pulse-menu/1151-record-store-day-and-vinyl-culture
âRead the Instructions! The Perils of Cartridge Setupâ by Jason Thorpe: https://soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/opinion-menu/1231-read-the-instructions-the-perils-of-cartridge-setup
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:15:01 Tea ceremony for music 00:26:39 Music Break: "Homecoming" by Rex Banner00:27:27 How much difference do cartridges make?00:36:34 The psychology of sound quality01:03:08 "Afternoon Dissection" by Chameleon Treat
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Simaudio product director Dominique Poupart and marketing director Ătienne Gautier to discuss how making its products locally affects the quality of the components, their serviceable life, rolling changes to production, and adapting to tough times like global pandemics.
Sources:
North Collection: https://simaudio.com/en/product-category/north-collection/
âSimaudioâs North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?â on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/
âSimaudioâs Moon 791 Streaming Preamplifier: Uncompromisedâ by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1841-simaudio-s-moon-791-streaming-preamplifier-uncompromised
âMoon by Simaudio Has Exited the Echo Chamberâ by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1201-moon-by-simaudio-has-exited-the-echo-chamber
âSimaudioâs Ătienne Gautier & the Art of Marketing Moonâ on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-etienne-gautier-the-art-of-marketing-moon-baumgartner-restoration-taskmaster/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 The origins of Simaudio00:04:03 How manufacturing at home keeps a company nimble 00:22:03 Music Break: "Threads of Smoke" by Tamuz Dekel00:23:14 Local manufacturingâs impact on repairability00:49:24 "Alice Loses Her Temper" by Maybird
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This week, host Jorden Guth continues his conversation with Dr. Floyd Toole, exploring the origins of the Athena project at Canadaâs NRC, the reasons for and details of his move to Harman International, some of the most misunderstood aspects of his research, the origins of his legendary book Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms, his legacy, and the music that moves him.
Closing credits music: âLongitudeâ by Rowan Hudson's Passing Ships
Sources:
âCanadaâs NRC: A Forthcoming Look at Its Role in the Advancement of Canadian Loudspeaker Designâ by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1849-canadas-nrc-a-forthcoming-look-at-its-role-in-the-advancement-of-canadian-loudspeaker-designâThe Loudspeaker Class of â74: A Canadian Reunionâ by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1866-the-loudspeaker-class-of-74-a-canadian-reunion
âFloyd Toole, NRC, SoundStage!âFilming of Our Upcoming Documentaryâ by the soundstagenetwork on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k8ykCTEOhZI?si=BfcmIAWg1s6BKyQm
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:01:19 The limits of A/B testing00:04:59 Why you have to measure everything00:15:42 All about that bass00:18:40 Athena, assemble! 00:23:47 How our brains make sense of rooms 00:27:28 âEmahoyâ by Rowan Hudson's Passing Ships00:28:45 Working with the CBC00:31:14 How hearing loss impacts judgment00:37:48 Another fateful phone call00:41:20 L.A. is no place to live00:44:02 The hint of a corporate target00:46:22 Herding engineers00:51:13 Listening tests at Harman00:53:22 Publishing the Harman research00:55:55 A feature, not a bugbear00:58:47 âHorse Latitudesâ by Rowan Hudson's Passing Ships01:00:10 Evolution or revolution?01:02:35 The two-sub solution01:07:54 The birth of Sound Reproduction01:11:05 Rewriting the book01:13:42 Unanswered questions and Dr. Tooleâs legacy01:45:59 The music that moves Dr. Toole
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by the loudspeaker legend himself, Dr. Floyd Toole, whose research at Canadaâs National Research Council (NRC), followed by his tenure at Harman International, resulted in arguably more improvements to the fidelity of audio we hear at home than anything attributable to any one person. In this first of our two-part discussion, Dr. Toole discusses his path from university to the NRC and right up to the onset of the Athena project, where weâll pick up in the second part.
Sources:
âCanadaâs NRC: A Forthcoming Look at Its Role in the Advancement of Canadian Loudspeaker Designâ by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1849-canadas-nrc-a-forthcoming-look-at-its-role-in-the-advancement-of-canadian-loudspeaker-design
âThe Loudspeaker Class of â74: A Canadian Reunionâ by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1866-the-loudspeaker-class-of-74-a-canadian-reunion
âFloyd Toole, NRC, SoundStage!âFilming of Our Upcoming Documentaryâ by the soundstagenetwork on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k8ykCTEOhZI?si=BfcmIAWg1s6BKyQm
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:04:39 The dawning of the age of the transistor00:11:05 Two ears and a brain00:21:28 A fateful interview00:27:58 Music break: "Turkish Marchâ by T. Bless & the Professionals00:29:24 Friday afternoon experiments00:33:54 The differences between musicians and audiophiles00:38:54 An industry operating without rules00:49:45 What can we learn from a set of data?00:54:01 âWhen I Get Homeâ by Brian Claxton
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Dr. Sean Olive, senior fellow at Harman International, to discuss his time at NRC with Dr. Floyd Toole, his move from there to Harman, the development of the Harman target curves for headphones and earphones, and his thoughts on the future of immersive audio and more.
Sources:
Dr. Sean Olive on 35 Years of âFast Carâ by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1259-dr-sean-olive-on-35-years-of-fast-car
Audio Musings by Sean Olive: https://seanolive.blogspot.com/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:04:27 What is a Tonmeister?00:12:19 Sponsored by Canadaâs best and brightest00:18:10 All roads lead to California00:24:54 Music break: "Paris CafĂ©â by Wesly Thomas00:26:13 Manager of subjective evaluation00:36:03 The origins of the Harman target curve00:42:41 How to train your listeners00:49:09 âI Will Always Remember Youâ by Marek Jakubowicz
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStageâs Doug Schneider, Jason Thorpe, and Matt Bonaccio to discuss the biggest audio show in the world, whatâs new, whatâs different, and what were their favorite sights and sounds this time around.
Sources:
Coverage of High End 2024 - Munich, Germany: https://soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2024-munich-germany
High End Society: https://www.highendsociety.de
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Whatâs Munich all about?00:20:01 Music break: "Scapes" by Gray North00:20:48 Favorite sights and sounds00:46:30 âDiagrammaticâ by Oliver Michael
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by James Tanner, CEO of Bryston Ltd., to discuss the companyâs origins in the medical industry, the design of its original amplifiers, how the company has evolved over time, and how he eventually joined forces with Axiom Audioâs Ian Colquhoun.
Sources:
âCanadian Hi-Fi Trilogy: Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum DynalabâAll Under One Expanding Roofâ: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1785-canadian-hi-fi-trilogy-axiom-audio-bryston-and-magnum-dynalab-all-under-one-expanding-roof
Bryston: https://bryston.com/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:01:52 Brystonâs origin story 00:16:11 Expanding product lines00:25:40 Music break: "Deadman Pass" by The Talbott Brothers00:27:32 Bryston in the 2000s and beyond00:53:25 âPirate Bluesâ by Leon Laudenbach
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by sound engineer, educator, and content developer Marcela Rada to discuss her obsession with sound, her personal history, how she became involved with the recording industry, and whatâs different about mixing for immersive formats like Dolby Atmos.
Sources:
Marcela Rada: https://marcelarada.com/
âAudiophile AtmosâDominique Fils-AimĂ© Surrounds with âOur Roots Run Deepââ: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/encore/1120-audiophile-atmos-dominique-fils-aime-surrounds-with-our-roots-run-deep
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:04:12 An education in audio 00:09:05 Experimentations with immersive audio00:20:37 Music break: âYou Won't Be the Lastâ by Moon00:21:29 Maxing mixes that translate well00:33:06 Different flavors of immersive audio00:45:39 âSmileâ by Aves
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Ian Colquhoun, founder of Axiom Audio and now also the owner of Bryston and Magnum Dynalab, to discuss the origins of the company, its connection with the National Research Council, his own relationship with Dr. Floyd Toole, and how the companyâs speakers evolved after the legendary NRC research wound down.
Sources:
âCanadian Hi-Fi Trilogy: Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum DynalabâAll Under One Expanding Roofâ: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1785-canadian-hi-fi-trilogy-axiom-audio-bryston-and-magnum-dynalab-all-under-one-expanding-roof
Axiom Audio: https://www.axiomaudio.com/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:03:31 Axiomâs origin story 00:12:30 Busting the myth of different speakers for different music00:25:46 Music break: âEmpty Pocketsâ by Bamtone00:26:52 Axiom as OEM00:30:27 OEM no more00:29:34 The twin-tweeter controversy00:47:07 Measurement artifacts01:08:34 âWherever I Amâ by Bamtone
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This week, host Jorden Guth continues his conversation with Dr. Peter Schuck, technical director at Paradigm Electronics Inc. The two cover the birth of Anthem Room Correction, the pros and cons of IIR and FIR filters, side quests, diversions, why flat in-room response isnât actually the goal, and how ARC has evolved in response to market pressures.
Sources:
âThe History of Anthem Room Correction (ARCÂź)â: https://www.anthemarc.com/advanced-topics/the-history-of-arc.php
âThe Detection Thresholds of Resonances at Low Frequenciesâ by Olive, Sean E.; Schuck, Peter L.; Ryan, James G.; Sally, Sharon L.; Bonneville, Marc E.: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=7868
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:03:15 IIR vs FIR 00:09:15 Pesky patents and water picks00:11:58 Untested waters00:17:01 Music break: âHulullĂșluluâ by Art Against Agony00:08:01 ARC is finally born00:23:46 Why flat sounds flat00:26:59 Removing the cap00:38:56 âFirstâ by IamDayLight 00:40:51 The music that moves Peter
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This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Dr. Peter Schuck, technical director at Paradigm Electronics Inc., to discuss his history in hi-fi, how he ended up at the NRC, how his work with Dr. Floyd Toole evolved into the pioneering Athena project, and exactly what sorts of tests he and others constructed and conducted to determine listener preference with regard to the effects of the room on loudspeaker performance.
Sources:
âThe History of Anthem Room Correction (ARCÂź)â: https://www.anthemarc.com/advanced-topics/the-history-of-arc.php
âThe Detection Thresholds of Resonances at Low Frequenciesâ by Olive, Sean E.; Schuck, Peter L.; Ryan, James G.; Sally, Sharon L.; Bonneville, Marc E.: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=7868
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:28 Introductions00:07:58 The Energy 22 crossover00:15:41 Commerce or science?00:29:35 Music break: âPrecursorâ by Aquartos00:30:22 The five-point preference scale00:34:54 What makes a good test track?00:36:01 The circle of confusion keeps spinning00:50:38 âDay 1â by Aquartos
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