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Making Waves with WaveTheory

wavetheorysound

Finally! A podcast for audio nerds about audio! You may know me from my YouTube channel Reviews by WaveTheory (youtube.com/@wavetheorysound). Join me as I talk with an ever-rotating cast of guests about hot topics, controversies, and things of interest in our audiophile hobby.

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  • 16 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 24 min
  • English
  • #16
    August 19 · 1 hr 13 min

    Let's Go Shopping! Tips, Tricks, and Pitfalls of Buying & Selling Audio Gear - EP16

    Making Waves w/ WaveTheory EP16 - Jim and I discuss the buying and selling process of audio gear. Join us as we talk about tips, tricks, and pitfalls to be aware of in both the new and used markets. Listen to the episode on your favorite streaming platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-waves-with-wavetheory/id1838478407 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QQkxr6TjNs0FeyjQGqPRd Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9bd0af20-96b2-4381-aaed-51d41b497629/making-waves-with-wavetheory My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Follow me on… Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wavetheorysound.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavetheorysound/ The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #15
    August 5 · 1 hr 18 min

    TRUST NO ONE! With Eric of Not an Audio Review Channel - Finding a Healthy Skepticism of Reviews

    For Episode 15 of Making Waves w/ WaveTheory, Jim & I are joined by Eric of Not an Audio Review Channel to discuss his 2-part video series on why audiophiles should be skeptical of both subjective and objective reviews. Join us! Listen to the episode on your favorite streaming platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-waves-with-wavetheory/id1838478407 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QQkxr6TjNs0FeyjQGqPRd Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9bd0af20-96b2-4381-aaed-51d41b497629/making-waves-with-wavetheory My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Follow me on… Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wavetheorysound.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavetheorysound/ Eric's videos discussed in episode: https://youtu.be/2ApTpP7Xi_Q?si=wfUp1XwZTPqqcwhI https://youtu.be/IBc_HtZ9038?si=IkSiiSky2SMJ1jSk Subscribe to Eric's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC6wgCvecsQIGjQE01ILk1dA and join his Patreon: https://patreon.com/notareviewchannel The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden Google Drive Folder of Cables Research: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10sJkmfLmhSpMSTr0qhGOe747p9j83ryu?usp=drive_link

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  • #14
    July 22 · 1 hr 26 min

    EP14 What's the Most Important Part of Your Signal Chain? - And Other Related Topics

    Join Jim and I for episode 14 of Making Waves with WaveTheory as we discuss what the most important aspects of a signal chain are, among other things! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Follow me on… Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wavetheorysound.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavetheorysound/ The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden Mentioned Paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.specom.2016.04.005

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  • #13
    July 8 · 1 hr 7 min

    Detail? Frequency Response? Soundstage? What's Really Most Important for Good Sound? EP13

    In episode 13 of Making Waves with WaveTheory, Jim and I go back to our audiophile vocab list and discuss which of the terms are connected to aspects that are the most important in sound reproduction. Join us! Listen to the episode on your favorite streaming platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-waves-with-wavetheory/id1838478407 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QQkxr6TjNs0FeyjQGqPRd Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9bd0af20-96b2-4381-aaed-51d41b497629/making-waves-with-wavetheory Podbean: https://wavetheorysound.podbean.com/ My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Follow me on… Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wavetheorysound.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavetheorysound/ The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #12
    June 24 · 1 hr 21 min

    Coming to Terms with the Audiophile Vocabulary - Making Waves with WaveTheory EP12

    Join Jim and I as we try to make sense of all those words audiophiles throw around. Detail. Warm. Texture. Separation. What does it all mean? Listen to the episode on your favorite streaming platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-waves-with-wavetheory/id1838478407 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QQkxr6TjNs0FeyjQGqPRd Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9bd0af20-96b2-4381-aaed-51d41b497629/making-waves-with-wavetheory Podbean: https://wavetheorysound.podbean.com/ My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Follow me on… Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wavetheorysound.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavetheorysound/ The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #11
    June 10 · 1 hr 27 min

    Analog Vs Digital - The Pros, The Cons, The Comparisons - w/ New Co-Host! Making Waves w/ WaveTheory

    In episode 11 I reboot the podcast with a new Co-Host! Join us to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of consumer analog and digital audio formats and how they compare! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Follow me on… Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wavetheorysound.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavetheorysound/ Read about vinyl mastering best practices: https://www.groovehouse.com/blog/post/producing_great_sounding_phonograph_records Read Rob Watts Head-Fi post on new M Scaler Quartet: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-electronics-quartet-m-scaler.980480/ The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #10
    January 14 · 1 hr 21 min

    How Do You Integrate Hi-Fi Headphones Into Your Movie Watching System? Making Waves w/ WaveTheory 10

    If you're not watching on a PC, it can be a challenge to get a high quality audio signal from your movies/TV watching rig into good headphones when you need to watch quietly. Erik, a long time patron, returns to discuss our experiences in using headphones for movie and TV watching. Join us! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E The mentioned gear... Monoprice Bluetooth 5 transmitter/receiver (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4qLeyTU NVIDIA Shield Pro (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/45adgK1 Monoprice Optical USB Cable (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3NbiDT5 Singxer UIP-1 USB Isolator https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/singxer-uip-1-pro-isolate-processor-usb2-0-usb-interface iFi iPurifier 3 (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3ZgVfpH FiiO K19: https://youtu.be/mbn87XWmxkA FiiO S15: https://youtu.be/ZMYyIwyEwTY Lake People G111mk2: https://youtu.be/kSxg9OJWlXQ Holo Red: https://youtu.be/6bpJdhOWyC8 Sonore ultraRendu: https://youtu.be/qEOOE9rP6Rs The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #9
    Dec 24, 2025 · 20 min

    What Am I Watching for in the Year of Our Audio 2026? Making Waves with WaveTheory EP09

    In a brief looking-forward episode, I muse about what trends in our audio hobby I'll be watching for throughout 2026. Join me! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E The Final Audio closed back is the DX3000CL The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #8
    Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min

    Audiophile Roundtable: What Do Real Audiophiles Think About Topics In Our Audio Hobby?

    I am joined by 4 of my patrons/channel members to discuss some audio topics: what got them into this hobby? How did they figure out what they like? What are some mistakes they made and what did they learn from them? What do they like and dislike about the hobby? Join us! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E The featured music artist is David Allan. Check out his work here: 1) General landing page - https://artists.landr.com/055855261984 2) https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kbE5KgmYDuz7hMCD3cPhq?si=jC9FQedGRQqIUNc8uYxB3Q 3) https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-allan/1441139510 4) https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCwrq1aVRcoQ_5OngbAgnlcg 5) https://open.qobuz.com/album/vyiks8pb4ekpc?lf=82bc0b9832dd9a2d91bbdce7176a0de3 6) https://music.amazon.com/artists/B001AUWTHG/david-allan 7) https://tidal.com/album/374724886 8) https://www.youtube.com/@davidallanmusic The intro music in was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #7
    Nov 26, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min

    A View From the Top of Head-Fi: The Nature & State of the TOTL Headphone Market - With Director's Garage!

    I am joined by Michael from Director's Garage to discuss the nature and state of the TOTL headphone market! What does TOTL really mean? What do you pay for if you buy in the TOTL? Is it worth it? What are our favorites? All that and more in this episode! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Director's Garage YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DirectorsGarage The music in this episode was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #6
    Nov 12, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min

    Make It Make Sense! Navigating Conflicts of Interest in Audio Review - With Passion for Sound

    Lachlan Fennen of Passion for Sound joins me to finish our conversation about conflicts of interest in audio reviews and discuss tips for how the audience can manage them. Head-Fi thread to post discussion points and questions: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/wavetheorys-started-a-podcast.977886/ My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Passion for Sound YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PassionforSound The music in this episode was created by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #5
    Oct 29, 2025 · 2 hr 21 min

    Your Narratives Are Wrong! Or Are They? Exploring The Things We Audiophiles Tell Ourselves - With GoldenSound!

    I'm joined by Cameron Oatley, AKA GoldenSound to analyze narratives in the audiophile hobby. Is balanced better? Is USB really that noisy? Is there really a tube sound? And more! Are these narrative right? Wrong? Were they right and are no longer? Were they wrong but are becoming true? Or any combination thereof? Get our takes in this episode! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E GoldenSound's YT Page: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldenSound GoldenSound's Headphones.com profile: https://headphones.com/blogs/authors/cameron-oatley CS Rucker's SoundCloud Page: https://soundcloud.com/csrucker Listen to Retro Reverse album on... Amazon Music: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0D4PHQNWT?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_Rq3sEKLN07zC5hwVcd7JRRYO5 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/retro-reverse-feat-cs-rucker/1747991508 Qobuz: https://open.qobuz.com/album/uk7kt71900xoa Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1Kvqbh6u5zoK8rKipSpna0?si=r5feJfAcSDSkvW8PjMfFeQ The intro track is "All Behind" by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #4
    Oct 15, 2025 · 1 hr 39 min

    Should You Buy Closed-Back Headphones or IEMs? With Currawong!

    I'm joined by Currawong to discuss whether you should buy closed-back headphones or IEMs. Which product type is right for you and why? Which use cases do each fit better? What are the relative performance ceilings? Where should you start? On the way Currawong also explains some of the history of IEMs. Join us! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Currawong's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Currawong The out-of-commercial music clips and end-of-episode demo track were provided and created Valentiger. Valentiger homepage: https://www.valentigermusic.com/welcome Valentiger Bandcamp Page: https://valentigert3.bandcamp.com/music Listen to Valentiger on streaming platforms: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B001VSXAHK/valentiger Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/valentiger/307719439 Qobuz: https://open.qobuz.com/artist/7480131 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1YIkMpXKXQPTmYmtbjOQR8?si=Y4pMhUyIQoycsda0P-QpJg Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/5634406/u The intro track is "All Behind" by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #3
    Oct 1, 2025 · 1 hr 52 min

    Conflicts of Interest in Audio Reviews - Making Waves with WaveTheory EP 03

    I'm joined by Lachlan Fennen of the YouTube channel Passion for Sound to discuss conflicts of interest in audio reviews. What is a conflict of interest? How is it different than a bias? What are some sources of conflicts of interest? How much of a problem are they really? How can reviewers navigate them? All this and more discussed within! My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Passion for Sound YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PassionforSound The out-of-commercial music clips and end-of-episode demo track were provided and created by Cherelle-Renee Childs and performed by Legend's Ghost. Legend's Ghost Bandcamp page: https://legendsghost.bandcamp.com/ The intro track is "All Along" by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

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  • #2
    Sep 17, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min

    Never Break The Chain: Build A Headphone System You'll Love

    One of my patrons who is an experienced system builder, Erik, joins me to discuss tips, tricks, pitfalls, and philosophies on how to build your main headphone rig. How can you build that headphone system you'll love? My YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound My Patreon: patreon.com/wavetheory1 Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E Out of Commercial Music Clips & End of Episode Track Provided by Scider: https://ledechaine.bandcamp.com/ Intro Music Clip is "All Along" by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden

  • #1
    Aug 29, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min

    A Curve with Verve: Equalization in Audio

    I'm joined by Mark of Super*Review to discuss equalization (EQ) in audio. We discuss what EQ is, graphic vs. parametric EQ, our experiences using EQ, some EQ philosophy, and some examples of how EQ is used on the headphone side of the audiophile hobby. My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wavetheorysound Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wavetheory1 Mark's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperReview Music for this episode provided by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden: https://edenberg-shielden.com/ Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: https://hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden Learn about Analog Audio Design here: https://www.analogaudiodesign.com/

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