We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off with a discussion about whether or not DACs are a distraction before welcoming guest David Chesky to discuss The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album, as well as a special discount code just for Audio Unleashed listeners. Also, has Dennis found common ground with Herb Reichert?! What’s next: Dogs and cats living together? MASS HYSTERIA?!

💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.

📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930

Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP

Brent’s audio projects:

💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants

💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album

💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent

https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics

Further Reading:

“The great DAC distraction 🌶️” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/03/the-great-dac-distraction/

“The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album

“Gramophone Dreams #107: LAiV GaNM monoblock, Record Doctor VI (20th Anniversary Edition)” by Herb Reichert: https://stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-107-laiv-ganm-monoblock-record-doctor-vi-20th-anniversary-edition

“Record Doctor X Dual-Sided Record Cleaning Machine” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1304-record-doctor-x-dual-sided-record-cleaning-machine

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis spend yet another segment talking about a review of the Klipsch ProMedia Lumina Speakers, but this time it’s a super-in-depth review from Erin’s Audio Corner—one that dives deep into territory Brent was too lazy to explore. Then they share their thoughts about Darko’s latest article bemoaning the glut of cheap audio product reviews on YouTube, and whether or not decades of messing around with audio gear will give you the chops to tell a $300 amp from a $3,000 amp. Finally, they wonder if Apple’s new AirPods Max 2 headphones are a significant-enough upgrade to deserve another digit—and puzzle over what marketing people mean when they say something’s “1.5 times better.”

📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930

Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP

Brent’s audio projects:

💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants

💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album

💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent

https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics

Further Reading:

“2 Reasons You'll Want These Klipsch ProMedia Lumina Speakers” by Erin’s Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/_M8_yGJqOYU?si=o1JY_5fL02cYsyTx

“Do we really need more YouTube reviews of affordable hi-fi gear? 🌶️” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/03/do-we-really-need-more-youtube-reviews-of-affordable-hi-fi-gear-%f0%9f%8c%b6%ef%b8%8f/

“Apple Introduces AirPods Max 2 with H2 Processor and Advanced Computational Audio” by Joao Martins: https://audioxpress.com/news/apple-introduces-airpods-max-2-with-h2-processor-and-advanced-computational-audio

Sean Olive on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/seanolive_the-discrepancy-between-headphone-measurements-activity-7440814363541893121-McTm

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week’s episode is a long one, y’all! Brent and Dennis lead off the discussion by digging into an actually useful post from Headphone Sty about a collection of audio tools you can download for free, and comment about their own experience with these, which runs from extensive to non-existent. Then they’re joined by buddy Geoffrey Morrison, who has a bit of a tongue-lashing for our dynamic duo over their apparent (to Geoff) distaste for any music of the post-Scott Joplin era. Then they use a questionable review of Klipsch’s new ProMedia Lumina 2.1 speaker system to get into a discussion of how reviewers should deal with (or not deal with) bass reproduction issues.

📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930

Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP

Brent’s audio projects:

💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants

💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album

💿 tics by Flip City, mixed by Brent

https://davidaaron4.bandcamp.com/album/tics

Further Reading:

• 12 Free Audio Tools That Expose Hidden Flaws in Your Audiophile Setup by Alexandra Plesa: https://www.headphonesty.com/2026/02/free-tools-expose-hidden-flaws-audiophile-setup/
• Snyderman’s Choice: Are You an Audiophile or a Music-Lover? by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1373-snydermans-choice-are-you-an-audiophile-or-a-music-lover
• Have you been listening to the same music for 30 years? by u/taosaur: https://www.reddit.com/r/Xennials/comments/1rdjfp5/have_you_been_listening_to_the_same_music_for_30/?share_id=RrjD81wp_lvvm7n5XgJdo
• Klipsch ProMedia Lumina Review: Surprisingly Uneven Bass Mars This 2.1 Speaker System by Mark Knapp: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/klipsch-promedia-lumina