Tilting your speakers—just a few degrees—can sharpen imaging, improve clarity, and bring your soundstage into better focus. On today’s episode, we explore how small changes to speaker angle, or rake, affect how sound reaches your ears. You’ll learn when to try it, what to listen for, and how to dial in the tilt for your room and seating height. It’s a simple tweak that can reveal hidden depth and detail in your favorite recordings—and it’s easier than you think.The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.
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11:30
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11:30
Some easy setup tweaks for your system
Have a free Saturday afternoon? Join our hosts as they walk you through a handful of easy setup tweaks that can make a real difference in your system’s sound. From speaker toe-in to listening position, cable dressing to component placement, these small changes take just minutes—but can unlock better imaging, clarity, and musical flow. No new gear needed, just a little time and a fresh listen. If you’re ready to make your system sing, this episode’s for you.The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.
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14:05
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14:05
How the tiny drivers in headphones make bass
How do those tiny headphone drivers manage to create deep, powerful bass? On today’s episode, hosts Robert and Sarah explore the science behind low-frequency reproduction in miniature. From driver design and enclosure tricks to the role your ear canal plays, they’ll break down how headphones pull off the illusion of full-range sound. It’s not just magic—it’s smart engineering. Whether you’re a headphone junkie or just curious, you’ll never hear your favorite tracks the same way again.The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.
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15:12
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15:12
The mighty vinyl stylus
It’s one of the smallest parts in your system—but the most important. On today’s episode, hosts Robert and Sarah take a close look at the mighty vinyl stylus. This microscopic diamond traces the grooves of your records with astonishing precision, converting physical motion into music. They’ll explore how stylus shape, size, and alignment affect sound, why it wears out, and how to care for it. If you love vinyl, it all starts with that tiny, remarkable tip.The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.
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28:40
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28:40
How to maximize the Vertical Tracking Angle of your table
Getting your turntable’s vertical tracking angle (VTA) right can unlock a new level of clarity, depth, and realism in your vinyl playback. On today’s episode, we’ll look at what VTA actually is, why it matters, and how small adjustments can have a big sonic payoff. Whether your tonearm is adjustable or fixed, we’ll walk through simple ways to get the most from your cartridge—and help your records sound the way they were meant to.The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.
The Audiophile's Guide podcast is your invitation into the world of high-end audio, and connecting with me, Paul McGowan—a 50-year veteran in the art and science of sound and the co-founder and CEO of PS Audio. We do kind of a mind meld between me and our technologically connected hosts. Each episode is a fresh, no-nonsense exploration of how to bring music to life in your home, drawn from my decades of hands-on experience designing the gear that makes it happen.
Österreich