Joe N Tell

23/09/2024

It's been a while since I reviewed a product, but I'm back from my hiatus and ready to knock out some reviews. First up, the Kali Audio LP-UNF. Spoiler: they're beast!

Watch my full review at YouTube.com/joentell

01/07/2024

Don't miss our Independence Day sale! Save $100 off any True Target license at https://magicbeansaudio.com

Coupon expires 7/7/24 at 11:59 PM PT. Only valid at magicbeansaudio.com

Concurrent sale on the Spatial Audio Calibration Toolkit. Http://instagram.com/spatialgroup

01/07/2024

These $250 Polk Audio XT20's really take well to EQ. Some audio enthusiasts are still focused primarily on the on-axis response, and aren't putting enough weight on the importance of directivity index. When it comes to DSP, I would argue that there's nothing more important than the directivity index. Of course you will have to have extra headroom, but that's another topic.

Magic Beans Audio App: https://magicbeansaudio.comPolk XT20: https://amzn.to/3zsw5uPArendal 1723 THX Bookshelf S: https://arendalsound.com/product/1723-books...

05/06/2024

A bit late to post my review, but I was waiting for their update that allowed 10-bands of parametric EQ and subwoofer delay. They have another update that enables per-channel PEQ, but I didn't want to delay this review any longer.

WiiM Amp: https://amzn.to/4aSceSTWiiM Pro Plus: https://amzn.to/45cssVCMagic Beans Audio: https://magicbeansaudio.comErin’s Audio Corner’s Review of the WiiM...

18/05/2024

If you're in the So Cal area and plan on attending T.H.E. Show, June 7-9 in Costa Mesa, come by our room for a demo of our 7.1.4 system calibrated with Magic Beans Audio True Target. https://magicbeansaudio.com

This is mostly a 2-channel show and I've found that audiophiles are critical of most DSP "room calibration" software. They feel that it degrades the sound compared to no EQ. In some ways, they're absolutely right! I wanted to have them experience Magic Beans calibration for themselves and hear what proper tuning can do. If possible, we would like to do some blind A/B, ABX testing and we will post the results; even if it turns out people prefer no EQ, or generic target curves, to Magic Beans. I doubt it, but we'll see.

Some 2-channel folks are also not huge fans of multi-channel systems. Therefore, I'm bringing a 7.1.4 system (3 or 4 ELAC Varro RS500 subwoofers) to see if they still feel the same way after hearing our system. 😁 We will switch back and forth between 2-channel and multi-channel.

Techno Dad will be there with me and he's created some custom Dolby Atmos mixes of "typical" audiophile tracks we've all heard one too many times to prove a point about how immersive audio is not anti-audiophile. I may even do some Auro3D up mixing! 😉 We also plan on playing various tracks of different genres (music people actually listen to) and allow attendees to choose what they want to hear. (Limitations on Diana Krall.) We will have Spatial Audio Calibration Toolkits for sale as well. https://spatialcd.com

Visit http://theshownow.com for more info about the event. We will be in Room 247 next to SVS and RSL Speakers . If you have issues finding us, just listen for bass and you'll find us.

The Show

11/05/2024

Part 2 of 2 of my series on Target Curves and why generic ones don't work.

Get your True Target with Magic Beans Audio: https://magicbeansaudio.comMy Speaker Leaderboard: http://speakerleaderboard.comMy Subwoofer Leaderboard: http:/...

07/05/2024

https://youtu.be/8bRGKazxgXY

In part 2, I will go into more detail about what happens when you use a generic target curve with demonstrations and why various in-room measurements are useful for determining the correct target curves for your system.
https://magicbeansaudio.com

Get your True Target with Magic Beans Audio: https://magicbeansaudio.comDr. Floyd Toole's Book on Psychoacoustics: https://bit.ly/SoundReproductionBookDr. Fl...

20/03/2024

We've waited long enough...

20/03/2024

Live at 4pm PT at http://YouTube.com/joentell

I'm hosting a live Q&A this Wednesday, March 20, 2024, discussing our game-changing calibration app, True Target by Magic Beans Audio. It determines custom target curves based on your speakers' characteristics, your room acoustics, and your preferred listening distance. Your system deserves better than a generic target curve. The first thing you notice about a system is its tonal balance, which is determined by the target curve you set. No two rooms are alike, and your speakers aren't the same as everyone else's. So, why are you still using the same target response?

We've started working on this app over a year and a half ago, and are nearing 250 iterations. Before creating this app, a manual calibration used to take me 8+ hours. Now, the same thing can be done in under 20 minutes. I can't wait to make it available to you.

The public beta list is now closed and those who signed up will be able to purchase the app.

If you missed the public beta, go to https://magicbeansaudio.com where you still sign up for early access!

13/02/2024

Here's my review of the Monolith HTP-1.
https://youtu.be/eKQGxhw_Ksc
That one took me a while to make because this has so many features to cover.
Monoprice

Setup and review of the HTP-1 with a look at the Dirac Live calibration, various features and settings.Monolith HTP-1: https://bit.ly/Monolith-HTP-1HTP-1 Own...

10/12/2023

Watch the video on my channel.
https://youtu.be/MWBKihvBBaA

20/11/2023

**Black Friday Sale is HERE** Use code: BF2023 to get 15% off your order. The sale ends Friday night at 11:59 pm PT. Get yours today!

https://spatialcd.com

25/09/2023

Look out for my review of the Encore T5 Towers and Encore B5 Bookshelf.

From left to right: Encore T6, Encore T5, Audition T5, Encore B5.

Disclosure: Monoprice is a channel sponsor. They did not ask me to post this. I did it because I thought it was cool to see them all together.

05/08/2023

https://bit.ly/rsvpjnt

02/08/2023

I finally finished my review of this beast of a sub in the Speedwoofer 12s. Thanks for your patience. Hopefully you find that my review video is worth the wait.

https://youtu.be/vb11IKs_LaI

05/07/2023

Behind the scenes look at the filming of the New Varro Reference subwoofers!

06/04/2023

I'm speaking live with Eric Newman from Audyssey discussing some of the newest features in MultEQ-X version 1.5.
• Disabling auto-leveling
• EQ headroom expansion
• MultEQ-X Pro

05/04/2023

Ai81's are in for review. As far as I can recall, these are the first floor standing powered speakers I've ever reviewed.