Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
This week is about one of the most debated upgrades in tech: audio quality.
🎧 Audiophile Gear: Hype or Real?
A lot of people say they're a waste of money.
I used to think it was mostly hype.
But after slowly upgrading my setup over the past few years, I’ve realised something uncomfortable:
You actually can hear the difference.
Not always. Not everywhere. But in the right setup, it’s obvious.
🔍 What actually changes (and why some people hear it)
Most of the difference comes down to one thing:
How much of the original audio survives the journey to your ears.
Most music you hear every day is compressed.
Spotify, YouTube, podcasts… They all shrink audio files to make streaming faster.
It still sounds good. But some detail gets removed.
Lossless audio keeps everything.
And better speakers make those details easier to hear.
That’s when you start hearing things like:
• Subtle background instruments
• Texture in vocals
• Separation between sounds
Instead of everything blending together.
Audio Type | Data Kept | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Compressed (MP3 320kbps) | Partial | Casual streaming on the go |
Lossless (FLAC/ALAC) | Full | Hi-res setups revealing hidden details |
LDAC Bluetooth | High (990kbps) | Wireless without compromise |
🔊 My current setup
This is what I use at my desk:
• KEF LS50 Meta speakers
• USB DAC connected to my Mac
• Dedicated amplifier
• KEF surround sound system at home
These speakers are easily the biggest upgrade I’ve made.
You notice instruments you never realised were there.
It doesn’t change every track. But when it does, it’s incredible.
Source: What Hi-Fi?
✅ What I’d recommend depending on your level
Most people don’t need to go full audiophile. Start where it actually makes sense for you.
Level | Start Here | Cost | Big Win |
|---|---|---|---|
Budget | USB DAC + better headphones (or LDAC earbuds) | $50–200 | Cleaner sound from your Mac. Surprisingly big improvement for the price |
Mid | Proper desk speakers (KEF LS50 Meta-level) + basic amp | $1,500+ | This is where music starts to feel different. More detail, separation, and depth |
Premium | Full surround sound system | $5k+ | Completely immersive. Movies and music feel physical, not just audible |
🎧 3 dead-simple ways to test this yourself
Prove it to yourself: Download foobar2000 (free) and run an ABX test with a song you know well. Lossless vs. compressed.
Takes 5 minutes.Try a quick upgrade: Grab a USB DAC, plug it into your Mac, and replay your usual playlist. This is the easiest way to unlock full-quality audio.
Go LDAC: If your phone and headphones support LDAC, enable it. Phone > Settings > Developer Options > Enable LDAC. Pair headphones, crank Tidal. Hear more music tonight.
📱 Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend who’s as obsessed with tech as you are:
📰 News worth knowing
🎵 Google’s Gemini can now generate full songs
Google has introduced Lyria 3, a new AI music generator built into Gemini that can create complete 30-second tracks including lyrics, vocals, and cover art from a simple prompt.
This matters because music creation is becoming accessible to anyone not just musicians. You can generate custom background music for videos, experiment with song ideas, or create something entirely new in seconds.
If this keeps improving, AI won’t just help edit music. It will become part of how people create it from scratch.
Source: Thurrott
📱 Google launches Pixel 10a bringing flagship AI to $499
Google has officially announced the Pixel 10a, a $499 phone that includes many of the same AI features found in its flagship devices like AI photo editing, live translation, and on-device assistant tools.
This matters because advanced AI features are no longer limited to $1,000+ phones. You can now access most of the practical benefits such as better photos, smarter voice tools, and AI assistance at roughly half the price.
It’s another step toward AI becoming a standard feature.
Source: TechRadar