There is nothing beginner about this podcast. The second guy talks about multi thousand dollar headphones and cables. The lead guy swears by HD audio downloads when it’s been proven that you can’t hear the difference in double blind tests. How do you upsample analog recordings from the 70s? It’s hard to take their gear reviews serious when they believe in placebo nonsense. No difference from the golden ear, magic cable people.

So you’re purist enough to pronounce Porsche with two syllables but not enough to stop yourself from putting a SUBARU engine into a 911 (of all things). How can I trust anything you say about now? You’ve lost all your credibility with me ☹️

Is this show coming back??

This guy is just complaining about not getting gear to test and calls out Elac for not responding to him. Cmon dude so unprofessional and I’m sure Elac has better things to do than cater to you and your 50 listeners. Gave it a try not for me but if you want to spend an hour listening to how a guy managed to set up two speakers and love drinking that KEF coolaid this is the show for you.

There have been 5 episodes in 2020. The year where the entire country is on lockdown we get 5 episodes. The latest one we wait 2 months to get and then have to hear about setting up a listening room and the master set yet again! Here’s the Cliff Notes; Buy Elac speakers and SVS subs. Whatever you do don’t buy AirPods. And as far as your components buy the most expensive stuff you can find. If your receiver or amp isn’t approaching a g then you’re not spending enough.

The Cerasulo episode was amazing. Between him and hearing the Nelson Pass interviews that Steve Gutenberg put out on YouTube, I have nothing but admiration for these enthusiasts who have made hi-fi audio their life’s pursuit! Way to go!!

I’ll agree with a few of the others. He talks over and interrupts the guests a lot. Came here for Mark’s talk and was very excited about it but it was definitely a beginners talk. Would love to hear Mark talk in depth about audio gear with someone a bit more aligned with vintage rather than “here’s what you should buy now” host.

What a great idea for a podcast. Really need this beginner audiophile information. Thanks so much. However, listening to your interview with Andrew Jones made me incredibly tense because I REALLY WANTED TO HEAR YOUR GUEST who has deep expertise and was a one time shot for your show. You kept interrupting and host-splaining over him. Please chill and have a bit more humility and respect for his airtime.

Wow...when the host can’t even pronounce properly the names of composers such as Wagner, Shostakovich, etc., it makes one wonder...what dies he know about music? Clearly, not much. And, knowing little about music suggests he...well, really knows very little about gear, technology, etc., that exists to present recorded music. He embarrassed himself regularly; but I’m done with this show...and this naive, uninformed wannabe. So adolescent.

I’ve enjoyed listening to this podcast for several years now- listening to spirited discussions on budget and higher end audio gear available. Through gear “bake offs” and reviews, the importance of source, speaker, amplification and wiring decisions are explained. The host has several interesting co-hosts that give testimonials and real-world opinions about how to enter and improve your listening experience. I think it appeals to the beginner with limited $$ as well as the intermediate audiophile. Worth a listen if you have any desire to know how to best experience the true experience of listening to your favorite music.

Unable to get through an episode, due to guys not understanding how to record themselves. Odd for “audiophiles”.

Incoherent. Hosts talk over and interrupt each other and have a hard time keeping a consistent thought or explanation going. I was listening to a show about towers vs bookshelf's and that wasn't discussed until almost the end, when they compared only two very expensive setups from one manufacturer. Show is terrible audio quality, mics sound awful and hosts cant even keep voice levels consistent. Poor showing for audiophiles. Lots of jargon and unnecessary complicated talking points.

After listening to one episode I was hooked and went back and went back and listened to all of them. Michael’s passion really comes through and I enjoy his sense of humor. I'm just delving into the world of hifi and I love that the focus is on great bang for the buck!

A great listen for anyone interested in hi-fi. Entertaining, down to earth, and full of information and great interviews. Thanks guys!

Really enjoy this podcast. While I don’t have a great ear for music I do appreciate good music and quality for a low price. I have learned a lot. I’ve purchased a few of the items (low end) and they sound great. Thanks !

Absolutely love this show.....when Paul isn’t there. Paul is exactly the “snobby stereo store people” the show aims to avoid.

tl;dr - if you're looking to get into audio past your airpods and $300 all-in-one Sony home theater package, this is a good place to start. Qualifier - I just finished listening to episodes 1-42 over the last few months, so this review is limited to those episodes. I get it. I'm going through the same thing. I call it scope creep, but I'm sure there's other terms for it. The gear gets more expensive as the show goes on; the phrasing becomes more like what you'd read on Stereophile. Michael and Co. still give a decent explanation of what everything means though, and their advice will lead you down different paths than what you'd see elsewhere. This is a good thing! Sometimes there's agreement, many times there's argument, but the podcast will open some eyes (and ears) to the greater world of possible audio. The fandom is obvious (Andrew Jones, SVS subs), but they explain the reasons. Entertaining, engaging, and great for the beginner audiophile. Recommended.

Knowledgeable and very interesting show. I enjoy how they interact with each other and make their shows enjoyable while passing on great information. Thank you !

I have learned a great deal from this podcast. Good quality and content.

Hands down the best podcast for those interested in audio equipment talk and product recommendations. My only complaint is that the episode don’t drop in a consistent manner.

It has become increasingly difficult to find informed and unbiased info on high end audio but this podcast is a great source! Highly recommended for long time audiophiles or those just getting started.

Now that host Michael O'Neil is back with his first and best co-host Dr. Paul Anderson, I can easily give this podcast 5 start. If he decides to return to his know-it-all co-host Patrick Norton, I'll be unsubscribing and looking for another home audio show.

Michael O’Neal is the perfect host for aspiring audiophiles....unpretentious and the listener learns right along with him. The show includes very knowledgeable and informative guests hosts and I especially enjoy Dr. Paul Anderson who has tried so much equipment and combinations in systems and explains his opinions clearly.

I love these guys. Energetic and engaging! This is one of the most interesting podcasts I have come across and I have tried a ton of them. They always have something engaging to talk about. I like the self defacing and "let's all learn this stuff together" attitude. I also like that they are not afraid to call bullxxxx on various audiophile ivory tower myths. I hope you are able to keep this thing going. Keep up the great work!

So poorly microphoned, as to be unlistenable! Over-modulated, obviously no breath shield used, and poorly balanced sound from these guys. (...and they are supposed to be audiophiles?) Come on fellas, you should try listening to the quality of your own recording! Couldn't get past your poor recording technique to have a chance of enjoying your content.

Just want to say how much I appreciate your show. Keep up the great work.

Thanks for the opportunity you are giving us in to learning more about the how and about gear and music in to the Hi-Fi affordable universe. Love the simplicity of this amazing podcast. You guys are really doing an awesome job, one podcast at a time.

This is a show Ive been looking for - it is hard to find stores that will talk to people who are not spending thousands. and the box stores dont seem interested to old stuff. Each show I learn something, Thank You

I love this podcast and especially enjoy listening to interviews from big names in the industry like Andrew Jones as well as vendors like 1more, Cambridge Audio, and Paradigm. I work in electronic sales and have recommended this podcast to many of the employees I have trained as a great way to begin understanding and appreciating audio components and speakers. There are so many hidden gems that can help you maximize your sound on a budget like speaker placement and using a good DAC. Keep the new episodes coming!

The beginner audiophile really accomplish its purpose! For so many times we don’t know what we don’t know! The cool thing about Michael is the he knows what we don’t know maybe because he might have passed thru a big portion of this journey! It is awesome how he do not take fancy audio terms for granted because he knows that may have people listening that never heard that before! And if you have never sent a msg to him you should try! He always answers! Great guy! Great podcast!

I've been using Beginner Audiophile as a way to research setting up my first system. Their instructions on how to place speakers were particularly of interest. Also, the segments where new, affordable products are reviewed and "baked off" make me crave the gear. Well produced. Highly recommend.

I can’t say enough good things about this podcast. As someone just starting to get their feet wet in the audiophile world, this podcast has given me a ton of practical knowledge about a wide range of topics. It's refreshing that most of the reviews are for affordable gear that most of us can afford. In the last two weeks, I have devoured every episode and I’m already listening to some a second time. I really appreciate how things are explained, there is no assumption that everyone listening understands all the audiophile jargon. As someone who listens to a lot of podcasts, I can honestly say this podcast is a joy to listen to. The conversations are interesting and informative without getting bogged down in technical details. If you have any interest in audio, you need to listen to this podcast.

This show is a great way to get into, and stay up to date on, the world of audio! Michael and his cohosts/guests are very informative and cover lots of options. I’m about 2 weeks into the show and went back to listen to previous episodes. Some of them more than once. The extensive show notes make it really easy to go back and research gear, companies, artists, tracks, etc. Can’t wait for more episodes!

Love this podcast. Makes me feel like I’m kicking it with the boys and talking about great audio gear. Michael does a great job tracking down some of the innovators in the game for interviews and insights into the industry today. Reviews, bake offs, they do it all. Great listen man. Keep it up!

I'm really enjoying the podcast. I've been a music nerd for all my life but never thought that much about the equipment I played it on until I bought a DAP recently to replace my old iPod (I got a Cowan Plenue D, by the way, affordable but good). It's opened up a new world and your podcast fits right in. I was a little dismayed to hear you dismiss the idea of carrying around a separate device for portable music, which I personally much prefer. And I would love to hear you you give some more attention to DAPs in future episodes. But otherwise keep up the great work!

I would give these guys 10 stars if I could. Their podcast is super informative, engaging and fun to listen to. I really appreciate the community that the Beginner Audiophile Podcast creates. Outside of this awesome podcast, be sure to check them out on Instagram and their Facebook group. Great stuff guys!!!

My favorite podcast. Hosts due a great job of explaining all aspects and various products of the A/V world. I'm learning a great deal.

This isn't just my favorite podcast. I simply can't wait for the next episode!! I loved music growing up. But, like so many of us, I have been listening to compressed MP3s for 10 years. Recently, I rediscovered the fidelity of uncompressed music and have been stricken with a newfound passion for hifi. Enter Beginner Audiophile. This podcast is PERFECT for those of us who are new to hifi, have real budgets, and share a love for audio and technology. As someone who is in the process of making my first real investment in a system since my college "frat speaker" purchase, Beginner Audiophile couldn't have come at a better time. Unlike many of the audiophile resources available today, each Beginner Audiophile episode is packed full of the equipment, companies, and technology topics relevant to today's real world budgets. Simply said, it makes the world of hi-end audio approachable, non-pretentious, and fun. I sincerely have listened to each episode 3 times. An amazing resource!!! Thank you, guys for this podcast. Keep up the great work.

I am am audiophile from the 70's and 80's that drifted from the pure faith as life got in the way. I'm getting back into it again and this show has sparked it even more. They talk audio like my friends and I use to back in that day. Every show hits on point of interest and has re-educated this old audio fanatic. Great show, I look forward to each episode. Double thumbs up!!!

GREAT sound for audiophiles is affordable. Believe it. MY STORY I've been in love with music since the mid-1970's. I remember standing in front of and looking up at my dad's huge Klipsch speakers; ELO, Elton John, Willie Nelson, the Moody Blues, Johnny Cash and many others pouring out of those speakers to my great delight. Now, I've found a way to rediscover the joy of great audio, as a beginner. No more flat compressed garbage MP3 files. Hi res. DACs. Steaming hi res with Tidal. Maybe even going back to vinyl. (I can't believe y dads hundreds of records are gone.....) The hosts and their guests dont push the listeners to buy $10,000+ speaker wires, or promote specific brands other than for sound reasons. Ah, a pun. Also, they understand the wife factor!!!! They help newbies get into the scene for small investments and build as they go. I love the line that your best possible music testing equipment is your own ears. The other stuff doesn't matter. If you personally can't hear the difference in a $500 piece of gear and a $1,000; $10k++++, why buy it? The host personally answers emails on the show, and sometimes by email also. Start at the first episode and listen to them all.

These two have some great topics and always keep it interesting and all about affordable high quality audio products. I was into the world of high end audio in the late 90s and lost interest over the years. Just starting to get back into the scene and man have things changed! I just started listening and have learned so much already. Sent them an email and they actually replied AND covered my question in an episode!! Thanks! Keep em coming!

These guys are very good entertaining to listen to. It seems like they've tried everything that is out there, so hearing their opinions and comparisons is very satisfying. Keep it up guys.

If you need a great podcast to listen to, then look no further. These guys talk about a wide variety of topics, brands, and gear. They have a lot of 1st hand experience with mostly everything they talk about, so you can get the best info.

This is a great podcast for many reasons, but mainly for the relaxed and entertaining conversational style. Michael and Paul are obviously enthusiastic about audio gear but they keep it so the beginner can understand. If they dive too deep into "tech speak", they quickly unpack the subject and add definitions, context and examples so the layman can quickly understand, appreciate and follow along. This is good because they talk about some really interesting and fun gear that I have never heard of, and I've been an audiophile in some form or another for about 30 years. Michael is an experienced podcaster who from the beginning on his other shows (the Solopreneur Hour and the Hines Ward Show) has raised the bar high so that people will adopt and appreciate podcasting as a medium. What I mean by this is that he repeatedly demonstrates the use of quality recording gear and use and stresses that if the show sounds good, people will listen and subscribe to more shows. Well Done Michael and Paul! Looking forward to more episodes!

These two gentlemen have put together such a nice podcast talking about audio gear. The audio world can be very confusing and these two do a good job of explaining things so simple folk can understand what's going on. They even answer your questions if you send them an email, awesome!! My brother and I share a common interest in this sort of thing and this show is a fun way for us to stay connected. He actually found this show first and turned me on to it as well. Great show guys!!

I have periodically searched for audiophile podcasts. Most have started and long ago stopped. I was about to consider doing one myself, when I discovered the Beginner Audiophile. Pretty much what I was considering doing myself. talking about hi-fi in a down to earth way that will not turn off the beginner. Kudo's guys, and I'll keep listening.

I've been waiting for a pod cast like this for ages. Great work guys! Keep it up!

Excellent, Just the show I was looking for!

New to the audio world, but learned some great tips. Check them out if you're looking to gain some insight in this space. New to me, but looking to learn more! Luke D

This show is great. It's a couple of real guys talking about what REALLY sounds better in the audiophile world, instead of the nonsense. And I'm not just saying that because I'm the host. Ok, I am slightly biased.