In honor of our 100th podcast, the eCoustics team sat down to look back at four years of podcasting and some of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in the world of hi-fi, headphones, home theater, and physical media. It’s been a wild ride—from the vinyl and CD revival to the steady rise of vintage audio, the tug-of-war between TVs and projectors, and the never-ending debate over whether spatial audio is the future or just another gimmick.
We also talk about what’s gotten more expensive (spoiler: nearly everything), what’s gotten better, and where we think the industry is headed next.
Thanks to our growing community of listeners and to the sponsors who’ve helped keep the podcast going strong since 2021. Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or just found us recently, we’re glad you’re here. Drop a comment wherever you listen (or watch)—we want to hear what’s on your mind too.
Sponsors: Thank you to our sponsors SVS and Q Acoustics
This episode was recorded on May 29, 2025.
Where to listen:
- Apple Podcasts
- Amazon Music
- Spotify
- iHeart Radio
- Spreaker
- Stitcher
- Deezer
- Castbox
- Podcast Addict
- Pod-chaser
- TuneIn
- YouTube (video podcast)
On the Panel:
- Brian Mitchell, Co-host and eCoustics Founder
- Mitch Anderson, Co-host & eCoustics Podcast Producer
- Ian White, Editor-in-Chief
- Eric Pye, Vintage Audio Columnist
- W. Jennings, Sr. Headphone & Portable Audio Editor
- Chris Boylan, Editor-at-Large
- Ealan Osborne, Video Producer & YouTuber
- Robert Silva, Sr. News Editor
Topics Covered
- Hit The One In The Middle: Convincing People to Spend
- Top Affordable Hi-Fi Brands Leading the New Golden Age of Hi-Fi
- The Empire Struck First: How Streaming Killed (and Accidentally Resurrected) Physical Media
- Premium TV Streaming Plans are Getting Messy: Prices Up, Quality Down
- Focal’s Bathys MG Might Shatter the Wireless ANC Headphone Performance Ceiling
- Podcast: Why is Vintage Audio So Popular?
- Podcast: A Journey to the Japanese Jazz Kissa
- Podcast: Best TVs of 2025
Credits:
- Original intro music by The Arc of All.
- Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited.
- Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios.
Robert
June 21, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Congratulations on the milestone! Has anyone seen ORT and is he going to have a column here? A while back over at headfi he mentioned he might have one coming here and then he was gone for awhile and we don’t see much of him there or here but he said he’s been ill too so there’s that. Just curious as he can write really well and makes us all laugh but could be polarizing to some folks.
Thanks and love the site!
Robert
Ian White
June 21, 2025 at 5:31 pm
Robert,
We have met him a number of times and converse offline. It is my intention to get him going this summer once he’s feeling up to it.
Best,
Ian White