The Audiophiles Guide
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.
Episodes
18 episodes
The source or the loudspeaker?
Is it better to invest in the source or the loudspeakers? In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, we take on one of the oldest debates in high-end audio. Speakers shape the final sound, but the source defines what gets there in the ...
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12:18
The truth behind speakers and sources
Which matters more—the speakers or the source? In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, we dig into one of high-end audio’s most debated questions. Speakers define what you hear, but the source determines what’s being heard. Explore ...
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10:14
Network Streamers
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, hosts Robert and Sandra explore the growing role of network streamers in high-end audio. More than just convenience, a well-designed streamer can rival or even surpass traditional disc players...
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17:00
How loudspeaker crossovers work
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, the conversation turns to loudspeaker crossovers—what they are, how they work, and why they matter so much to the final sound. From dividing frequencies between woofer, midrange, and tweeter t...
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6:37
Maximizing your system's Soundstage
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, the conversation turns to soundstage—the illusion of a real, three-dimensional space unfolding between and beyond your speakers. Learn what it takes to achieve that magic: the sense of width, ...
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10:02
Learn about impedance in HiFi systems
What is impedance, and why does it matter in a high-end audio system? This episode of The Audiophile’s Guide unpacks how impedance affects amplifier-speaker synergy, tonal balance, and control. It’s not just numbers—it's the hidde...
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9:07
Passive radiators and ports
Welcome back to The Audiophile’s Guide podcast. Today, Sandra and Robert open with a quick question about Paul’s post this morning. Did you read it? It stirred up some interesting thoughts. From there, they dive into a lively discussio...
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9:51
Loudspeaker Toe In maximization
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, our hosts explore the subtle but powerful art of speaker toe-in. How much is too much? What happens when you aim straight ahead versus crossing in front of the listener? Learn how toe-in affec...
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9:37
The Audio DAC
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, hosts Robert and Sandra take a deep dive into the world of DACs—digital-to-analog converters—and why they’re one of the most important links in a modern audio system. From how they translate o...
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14:11
Speakers and the Listening room
Speakers don’t live in a vacuum—they live in your room. In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, we explore the powerful relationship between loudspeakers and the space around them. From boundary reflections to standing waves, discov...
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11:07
Taming Room Reflections
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, the spotlight is on taming the room—the final and often most overlooked component in any high-end system. Reflections, standing waves, and boundary effects can smear imaging and rob music of i...
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11:16
The synergy of the HiFi chain
What makes a great system more than the sum of its parts? In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, explore the often-overlooked art of synergy—how components speak to each other, electrically and sonically. Learn how matching tonal c...
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11:06
Planar Magnetic speakers
Planar magnetic speakers offer a listening experience that’s fast, revealing, and nearly weightless—closer to the sound of real instruments than most traditional designs. In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, explore what makes th...
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11:15
How to tune your HiFi room
In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, hosts Robert and Sandra take on the art of room tuning. From speaker placement to listening position to subtle acoustic tweaks, they share how to transform an ordinary space into a revealing, ...
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17:35
The foundation of your audio system: the Subwoofer
A great system starts from the ground up—and nothing lays that foundation like a properly integrated subwoofer. In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, discover how a sub does far more than add bass. It anchors the music, balances t...
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14:31
Understanding Dynamic Range
What makes music leap from the speakers and grab your attention? In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, the focus is on dynamic range—why it matters, how it’s lost, and what it takes to preserve it. A closer listen to the quie...
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8:59