The Occasional Podcast

An interview with Robert Harley, Editor-In-Chief of The Absolute Sound. In the Season 14 premier, we enter our 2026 collection of conversations with none other than Robert Harley himself. One of the more prolific reviewers of the hobby, Robert chats about his long tenure in high-end audio, along with his unique perspective (and history) with analog, critical listening, regionalized sounds and just enjoying the music. He also drops in some of his favorite designers and engineers in audio from over the years. A really great interview with a massively influential personality in HiFi.
S14E1 Sponsors:
AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo
AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You
PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times
THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Joy Of Music
BORDERPATROLdotNET - For Music Lovers, Not Scope Jockeys

Marc and Brian take on pt.AUDIO's coverage of the Florida Audio Expo in Tampa, held February 20-22. This episode reports back on all the showroom highlights and the latest hifi product releases from the Q1 event. Best of show, standout gear and plenty of weekend observations. From proper room etiquette to stranded HiFi writers, this episode tells you everything you need to know about the first big audio event of 2026.
S13E11 Sponsors:
AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You
PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times
PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution
AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

A full breakdown of the history and ongoing legacy of one of, if not THE most iconic and legendary speaker of all time, the Quad ESL 57 Electrostatic Loudspeaker. In this informative and educational episode, we provide some context, impressions and observations about one of the most-longstanding reference HiFi speakers ever. What makes the ESL 57 so special? How did it earn its title in the pantheon of audiophile history books? Brian Hunter lays it all out in simple terms. Special thanks to pt.AUDIO Editor-In-Chief Marc Phillips for his help with the episode!
S13E10 Sponsors:
AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You
PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times
PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution
AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

An Interview With Brad Lunde, President of Lone Mountain Audio. This episode is packed with tons of amazing stories, tips, and advice - from both sides of the musical coin - Pro Audio and HiFi. Plenty of ink has been spilled on the differences between utilizing HiFi as a way to consume music, and the techniques for producing music using speakers and other production gear as "tools". However, the two are not as dissimilar as one might initially expect considering all this. Brad helps break down some of differences, but he really brings together a ton of common themes that exist for both goals. His commentary provides powerful insights on setting up systems, defining "perfection" and room acoustics. He even gives us a fantastic list of music from his favorite sound engineers to follow.
S13E9 Sponsors:
AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You
PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times
PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution
AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

19-year-old Lucca Chesky already has few speaker designs under his belt. The LC1 and LC2 Bookshelves have been touring the HiFi audio show circuit and earning some well-deserved accolades in the process. Implementing both 3D printing and a sub-$2k budget invites not only a younger crowd with more entry-level spending habits, but also some real HiFi intentions to a entirely new crowd of much-needed audiophiles. S13E8 also includes pt.AUDIO Editor-In-Chief Marc Phillips following up on the 2025 Buyer's Guide with a continuation of the pt.AWARDS season and the recipients of Product of the Year, Best Value of the Year and Best Bookshelf Speaker of the Year. 
See the full 2025 Buyers Guide in written form at PT.Audio. 
Video coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@PT-Audio
pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Copper
pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Gold
S13E8 Sponsors:
AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You
PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times
PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution