We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis kick things off by giving major props to Amir of Audio Science Review for one of the best “click-bait” cable videos we’ve seen to date. He’s relentless. He’s right. (And this time, he’s very relatable!) Then they dig into another Darko article, in which John forces readers and viewers to choose between two distinct definitions of “snake oil,” while Dennis regales us with a fascinating explanation of why “snake oil” actually works. Wrapping it up for most folks this week, they ponder what the heck is going on with Western Electric’s new $150,000 power amp and why you need to understand impedance if you really want to comprehend how amplifiers even work.

💿 “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:

“$4000 Audio Cable vs $7!!!” by Audio Science Review: https://youtu.be/QjvgL9_zL80?si=ib_B42agORL5XUnl

“Global feedback: The two faces of snake oil” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/04/global-feedback-the-two-faces-of-snake-oil/

“Western Electric Room at AXPONA 2026” by Miguel Barrio: https://stereophile.com/content/western-electric-room-axpona-2026

Sengpiel Audio on input and output impedance: https://sengpielaudio.com/calculator-InputOutputImpedance.htm

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