Crutchfield: The Podcast
Helpful conversations, real opinions, and expert takes on A/V
How to listen
Follow, subscribe, add, or favorite "Crutchfield: The Podcast" on your streaming service of choice to stay up to date with the latest episodes.
Why we started a podcast
At Crutchfield, we have access to tens of thousands of products designed to enhance music, movies, and more. Plus, popular brands like Sonos, Klipsch, and Kicker regularly visit our headquarters to update us on essential information about their latest gear.
So, with all that knowledge and hands-on experience, we're constantly looking for new ways to share what we've learned with our customers. Join hosts J.R. and Eric as they do what we all do here at Crutchfield: chat about the gear that makes life fun. If you're contemplating a big A/V purchase but don't know where to start, check out what our experts have to say.
How to choose the best car speakers: Our expert tips for improving your sound
J.R. and Eric return for Part 2 of our series on how to build the perfect car audio system for your needs.
Once again, your hosts explain the jargon and answer essential questions like, "What is RMS wattage?" and "Do I need to think about 'sensitivity'?" Find out more about speaker sizes, the importance of speaker materials, and all the good reasons to upgrade the factory speakers in your older vehicle.
Ready to find out which speakers fit your vehicle? Start with our vehicle selector tool.
And for a recap of everything in this episode, check out our car speakers buying guide.
How to choose the best car stereo: Our expert tips for the perfect fit
Hosts J.R. and Eric kick off Season 4 with a nod to our 50th anniversary and an introduction to the show's new format. This episode kicks off our four-part series all about car audio and how to choose the right gear for you and your vehicle.
Your hosts dive into the car stereo category to explain the jargon, a little of the history, the main types of radios, and lots of favorite features. If you're unafraid of a little DIY and looking to refresh your audio experience in the car, add some safety features, or finally step up to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, this is the perfect listen. Plus, J.R. and Eric explain why integration gear is essential to getting the most from your new stereo.
Ready to find out what fits your vehicle? Start with our vehicle selector tool.
And for a recap of everything in this episode, check out our car stereo buying guide.
The art of the home theater demo
Cohosts J.R. and Eric are joined by Crutchfield's in-house A/V demo expert, Dave. The trio talk about what makes a great demo as well as their favorite (and least favorite) demos that they've experienced during their time at Crutchfield. Then, J.R. reveals results from a company-wide poll of Crutchfield employees' favorite scenes to throw on and put their home theater system to the test.
Tune in to hear if any of your favorite scenes are included in the conversation. If they aren't, be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Looking for some great music to test an audio system? Check out our Spotify profile! And if you want to get a sense of what new speakers can do before you buy them, try out our SpeakerCompare tool.
Andrew Jones & MoFi Electronics
Acclaimed speaker designer Andrew Jones returns to the podcast... er, Crutchfield LIVE... to discuss his latest creation, MoFi's SourcePoint 10 bookshelf speakers. He discusses an assortment of topics with J.R., from his decision to join MoFi's team to his thinking behind his newest design to his feelings on car audio. It's a casual and always entertaining conversation. And if video is your preference, check out the interview on our YouTube channel.
Norm answers customer questions
When we talk about Legendary Service at Crutchfield, Norm is always top of mind. In this audio version of our live-streamed show, Crutchfield Live, which you can watch on YouTube and Facebook, J.R. chats with Norm about his history as an A/V installer, his expertise, and what he does at Crutchfield these days. Plus, the duo answer customer questions about all kinds of gear.
Legendary mixing engineer Manny Marroquin
Our headphone guy Jeff got the rare opportunity to chat with Grammy award-winning mixing engineer Manny Marroquin. A veteran of the music industry for over 30 years, Manny has worked with the best artists in the business, including Alicia Keys, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar. Check out his full Spotify playlist here.
Jeff talks with him about his history in the business, his studio (shown above), his groundbreaking restaurant and live venue, and his recent work with Audeze designing the Audeze MM-500 open-back planar magnetic studio headphones.
Before, after, and at spots in between the interview, J.R., Eric, and Jeff provide the "Crutchfield take" on Manny's philosophy and work. Before all is said and done, J.R. breaks out the new Audeze MM-500 headphones for Eric and J.R. to try out for themselves!
Charlie and his ever-expanding home audio system
J.R. and Eric are back for Season 3! This time, J.R. interviews Crutchfield legend, Charlie Pastorfield, who helps craft our online experience for mobile electronics shoppers. Charlie is also a well-respected musician with decades of experience in the music industry. He chats with J.R. about writing songs during the pandemic, his gear-buying addiction, and the philosophy behind his enviable home audio system.
Meanwhile, Eric grapples with his feelings about Steely Dan, and they guys discuss big questions like, "What makes an audiophile?" and "Does quality speaker wire really matter?" If you're into high-fidelity audio, this is an episode you won't want to skip.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player
You can see some Charlie talks about in his home studio, including his Linn Sondek turntable and his guitar collection, in this video. Also, check out the story of his one-of-a-kind Telecaster guitar, made from the wood of a tree Thomas Jefferson planted.
J.R. and Eric answer popular customer questions
It's the end of Season 2, and what better way to celebrate than by answering real questions from real customers. J.R. and Eric cover a range of topics from car and home audio to vehicle warranties to whether you should buy or rent a modem.
Here's a full episode breakdown:
- Why do your holiday shopping now?
- What's a good way to compare speakers when shopping online?
- Will buying a router improve home internet speed?
- What's the best way to build a home audio system around one component you love?
- What's the best way to wire a sub (for your home and your vehicle)?
- Can you add a new stereo to a '17 Wrangler Unlimited on a budget?
- What should you keep in mind when matching car amps and subs?
- Will upgrading factory audio gear void your vehicle's warranty?
- What should you keep in mind when matching car speakers and stereos?
- Will you lose your factory USB and aux inputs when installing a new car stereo?
- What are J.R.'s and Eric's ideas for outfitting a '94 Ford Probe?
And, of course... the links!
Check out J.R. and guests every other week on Crutchfield Live, streaming on YouTube and Facebook.
Make shopping home and car speakers easier by using SpeakerCompare™.
Robin and Crutchfield's ReadyHarness™ service
J.R. interviews Robin, part of the team responsible for our ReadyHarness service. They chat about his work, the gear he loves, and some of his all-time favorite concerts. Plus, J.R. and cohost Eric react to a YouTube video review from Ryan at Silly Reviews — he purchased a car stereo for his Volkswagen Jetta and used a ReadyHarness wired by Robin!
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- Kicker car speakers
- Alpine iLX-W650 digital multimedia receiver
- Nikon DSLR cameras
- JBL Bluetooth speakers
J.R. and Eric also preview the next and final episode of the season. They'll be answering listener questions, so be sure to submit yours — use the Comments below or email the team at podcast@crutchfield.com.
Aaron, his McIntosh amp, his MoFi turntable, and more
J.R. catches up with Aaron Cochran of Balaton Marketing about the mountain of gear he owns and the select pieces he allows to take permanent residence in his home. A manufacturer's representative for companies like Yamaha, Klipsch, and Sennheiser, he's a familiar face in the halls of Crutchfield, thanks to his popular training sessions on the latest and greatest gear.
J.R. and Aaron talk about his history in the industry, the pleasures of listening to vinyl, some awesome benefits of streaming high-res content, and audio gear that's made in the U.S.A.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- McIntosh ampifiers
- Klipsch Heritage Forte speakers
- MoFi turntables and accessories
- Qobuz and Tidal high-res streaming
- Sennheiser Ambeo sound bar
Michael from Klipsch talks speakers, the Klipsch sound, and their 75th anniversary
J.R. interviews Michael Buratto, a musician and Senior Product Manager at Klipsch, about his history with the company, the gear he uses to make and enjoy music, and what has made Klipsch an enduring brand for 75 years. Michael also hints at some fun speaker projects in the works. After the interview, J.R. and cohost Eric explore wireless home theater solutions when they answer a customer comment on our small home theater ideas article.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- Klipsch headphones
- Klipsch The Three II powered speaker
- Klipsch The Fives powered speakers
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F floor-standing speakers
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-504C center channel speaker
- Klipsch SPL-150 powered subwoofer
For more on Klipsch, check out J.R.'s recent Facebook Live overview. Thanks to Michael for letting us use his song "Rule The World" in the episode outro. Find more of his music on Spotify.
Sujan from Qobuz talks high-res streaming, music history, and her home audio gear
J.R. introduces a Crutchfield exclusive — an interview with Sujan Hong, Head of US Music Content for Qobuz. Our headphone and high-res streaming expert Jeff caught up with Sujan to talk about all sorts of music-related topics, including music curation at Qobuz, Sujan's indie music credentials, and her favorite recent albums, available in high resolution. For video extras and photos, check out Jeff's full review of Qobuz.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase
- Audio-Technica turntables
- AudioQuest Dragonfly USB DAC
- Bowers and Wilkins headphones
- Audio-Technica headphones
Ziggy and the new system on his pontoon boat
J.R. leaves shore for a lake tour on Advisor Ziggy's Bentley Cruise pontoon boat. Naturally, that boat had a rockin' audio system on board, and Ziggy got to show it off at (almost) full volume. If you'd like to follow along and see the boat, check out our full article about the installation.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- Rockford Fosgate PMX-5CAN marine digital media receiver
- Rockford Fosgate marine amp
- Rockford Fosgate M2 Series Color-Optix™ marine speakers with LED illumination
- Rockford Fosgate PMX-RGB lighting controller for Color-Optix™ speaker systems
- Kicker marine-grade amp wiring kit
- Kicker 46CWTB102 weather-proof tube enclosure with 10" sub
- SoundSkins Pro sound damping material
Also, J.R. and cohost Eric answer a customer question about wakeboard tower speakers and their recommendations include Kicker's 46KMC4 marine digital receiver and JL Audio's M3 Series wakeboard tower speakers.
J.R., Eric, and Francis talk smart home gear
Co-hosts J.R. and Eric catch up with Francis, who works on our Crutchfield Business team, to take a deep dive on smart home gear and smart assistants. Eric, a big fan of Amazon Alexa, and Francis, who's all in with Google Assistant, discuss their home setups and how they made their choices.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- Amazon Echo Dot products
- Google Nest products
- Brilliant Smart Home Control
- Bluesound Node 2i
- Denon products with HEOS
Also, the gang answers a few customer questions about integrating smart controls with existing audio gear. If you'd like more info on integrating smart home products into your home, check out our smart home buying guide. Some other great resources are our wireless router buying guide, our guide to Alexa in the car, and our guide to Brilliant smart home control.
Carlos and his drones
J.R. talks to Carlos, one of our in-house drone experts, about growing up in Puerto Rico, his drone-racing experience, and what brought him to Crutchfield. From great starter drones for kids to professional-grade drones, Carlos also shares some of his favorite picks.For more drone recommendations, check out this year's buying guide which also includes tips related to drone safety, laws, and regulations.
J.R. upgrades the audio in his 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Season 2 of the podcast kicks off with a new formula — host J.R. is the interview subject this time. Co-host Eric digs in on the what, why, and how of J.R.'s recent 2020 Subaru Crosstrek audio upgrade. If you'd like to follow along, check out our full article about the installation.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- Kicker KS Series car speakers
- Kicker 47TRTP122 downward-firing loaded sub enclosure
- Kicker KX Series 5-channel amplifier
- AudioControl LC7i line output converter
- AudioControl load generating device
- Focal vehicle-specific car speakers
Also, J.R. and Eric answer a customer question about options for upgrading the audio gear in a leased vehicle.
Dan from Bose® reveals the history of noise-cancelling headphones
Co-hosts J.R. and Eric (safely) reunite in person to present a very cool Crutchfield exclusive — an interview with Bose Distinguished Engineer Dan Gauger. Our headphone expert Jeff chats with Dan about the origins of noise-cancelling headphones, his involvement in 1986's Rutan Voyager flight, what Bose fans can look forward to next, and more. For video extras and photos, check out Jeff's full article.
Also, J.R. shares his experience as the proud owner of Bose QuietComfort® Earbuds. And for more on the headphone comfort ratings test Eric references in the episode, check out our Top 5 most comfortable over-ear headphones.
Emily auditions Arc from Sonos
Emily writes articles and product copy on a wide range of home electronics including TVs and smart home gear. She's also clocked a lot of critical listening time, putting sound bars to the test. Her Best Sound Bars for 2020 article is among our most popular and is a great companion to this bonus episode, in which she and J.R. share their experiences with Sonos' latest sound bar, Arc. Check out Emily's full review.
Some of the gear discussed in this episode includes:
- Sonos products
- Klipsch subwoofers
- Turntables
- Devices with Amazon Alexa
- Audioengine powered speakers
- Marantz stereo receivers
- Martin Logan bookshelf speakers
After the interview, J.R. catches up with Chris from Sonos (check out Ep. 6!) to answer a customer question about Arc. Plus, Chris offers some pro tips on working from home.
The gang talks podcasting gear
The gang's (virtually) back together for the finale of Season 1. J.R. and Eric catch up on their work-from-home lifestyle and chat with Lex (aka Alexander H.), Crutchfield: The Podcast producer. They talk about the origin of the podcast, what they've learned along the way, some of their favorite podcasting gear, and what to look forward to in Season 2. For more info on how to start your own podcast, check out this article referenced in episode.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- USB interfaces
- Dynamic microphones
- Condenser microphones
- USB microphones
- Shure microphone
- Blue Yeticaster microphone
- Studio headphones
- Microphone stands
- Podcasting bundles
J.R. also answers a customer comment about replacing a Dynaudio speaker in his home theater system. If you have a question for J.R. and Eric, post it in the comments below, and they'll get back to you as soon as they can!
Marisa and her DSLR camera
Marisa, a Crutchfield Advisor who decided to revisit her love of her photography, discusses the fun of her DSLR camera and the challenges of using manual mode. Here's some of her work, spotlighting the wildlife around her new home...
Marisa uses manual mode to experiment with depth of field.
Her DSLR captures action with energy and detail.
Marisa and J.R. also talk about the importance of a solid home audio system. Some of the gear discussed includes:
- Nikon DSLR camera and lens kit
- Mirrorless cameras
- Harman Kardon Bluetooth® adapter
- Harmon Kardon stereo receiver
- Polk Audio TSi400 floor-standing speakers
- Polk Audio TSi CS10 center channel speaker
- Polk Audio TSi200 bookshelf speakers
For more info on DSLR cameras for beginners, check out our shopping guide.
Darren and his VW Golf Alltrack audio system
Darren, a Crutchfield employee and car audio integration guru, walks J.R. through the "head unit back" audio upgrade he installed in his '17 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. Check out these articles to follow along with Darren's installation and his custom fiberglass work.
Some of the gear discussed includes:
- Hertz Mille ML Power 5-channel amplifier
- Rockford Fosgate DSR-1 digital sound processor
- Hertz MP 250 D4.3 10” subwoofer
- Hertz Mille Pro component speaker system
- Hertz Mille Pro coaxial speakers
- Dynamat sound deadening
- Stinger Roadkill FAST Rings
After the interview, J.R. and Eric answer a question from the customer comments on our "What are line output converters?" article about where to tap into audio signal when keeping a factory radio in an audio upgrade.
Have a question for the podcast?
Puzzling over a new purchase or old gear? Got a question about a category? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below or email us at podcast[at]crutchfield.com, and we'll do our best to follow up in an upcoming episode. If you'd prefer to have an answer right now, reach out to an Advisor at the top of the page.
(Note: Some of the gear above may be discontinued. Reach out to us if you have questions about recommendations for similar gear.)
Some music provided by BIG!
Comments (9)
Please share your thoughts below.
Linda from Washington DC
Posted on 12/11/2023
Nice to have found your podcast. My late husband and audiophile, Tim, and I used to make pretty frequent trips to Charlottesville and Crutchfield. Lots of our home theater came from Crutchfield too. Speaking of that, I suggest a roundtable about migrating from an older setup to a new one. I have an old Sony AVR (STR-DN1030!) in our setup and want to change over to the STR-AV5000ES. We are almost entirely wired with DVD player, an old LaserDisc, and plenty of speakers. I plan on labelling all the cables/wires one snowy or rainy day soon, but I was surprised not to find anybody on YouTube or elsewhere discussing what to remember in the changeover process.
David from Scottsdale
Posted on 9/1/2023
When is the podcast returning?
Samir from Mount Laurel, NJ
Posted on 8/10/2021
The episode with Aaron Cochran of Balaton Marketing was the best one yet! I really enjoyed hearing his perspective on the industry, the various equipment he has at his home (including that fantastic McIntosh MAC6700), his thoughts on various music formats, and his overall enthusiasm. Plus he has good taste (I'm a fellow Klipsch fan).
J.R. Stoffel from Crutchfield
on 8/16/2021
Tanner from Oklahoma City, OK
Posted on 3/10/2021
Great podcast! I'm looking forward to Bill's interview.
J.R. Stoffel from Crutchfield
on 3/11/2021
Maryanne Young from State College,PA. 16
Posted on 6/11/2020
Very informative interview ! I hope that when I call, Marisa will be on the line as my personal sales advisor ! She sounds down to earth and willing to lead me in the right direction for my needs .
Alexander H. from Crutchfield
on 6/12/2020
Kevin from Montour Falls, NY
Posted on 5/13/2020
Great podcasts. Fun to listen to folks talking about their top tier gear. Luckily I'm having good luck with my budget line of Polks and El Cheap-O Sonys. But, I sure would like to be able to side by side listen to some more expensive speakers against my current ones. The SVS products look great and I have thought they must be much better than my cheap speakers. Proof is in the pudding. Like so many other folks, I can't afford to drop a mortgage payment into speakers that may or may not be better. I tried to get in on the SVS contest, but must be the $2000 shopping spree has been closed? The link goes to a holding page.
J.R. Stoffel from Crutchfield
on 5/20/2020
J.R. Stoffel from Crutchfield
Posted on 5/5/2020
Hi Mike! Thanks for reaching out to us. We did not carry Dynaudio back in 1999. So, to be 100% sure I had correct info for the speakers you have, I spoke to our Sales Rep and he assured me that Dynaudio still uses similar materials today for their soft dome tweeters as they did in your Audience 50s. So, a Dynaudio center channel is likely the closest thing to a perfect voice match as you are going to find. Besides tweeter materials, the other things to consider are mid/woofer size, impedance, frequency response, and sensitivity. Your Audience 50s are 4-ohm speakers, with a sensitivity around 87dB, with a 6-1/2" woofer, and a frequency response of around 46Hz -27kHz. The current Dynaudio center channel that is closest to those specs would be the Emit M15C. The tweeter is similar, the woofers are a tad smaller, but there's two of them that drop down almost as low as the 6-1/2" woofer on your 50s. They are 4-ohm, with a sensitivity of 86 dB, so, it really doesn't get much closer than that. If you want to have a perfect, voice matched front three home theater speakers, you'll want to upgrade those Audience 50 speakers to something that can be matched exactly to a modern center channel. And if you were to upgrade all three speakers, I'd recommend the Dynaudio Emit M20 to go with that same center channel.
Mike from Mequon
Posted on 4/29/2020
Love the podcast and look forward to it each week. I am wondering what you would recommend for a center channel in this setup. We have Dynaudio Audience 50 bookshelf speakers from 1999 and a Klipsch R-10WI sub we added a couple years ago. The receiver is a Denon AVRX2300W. Dynaudio no longer makes the Audience line and I am planning on getting new equipment in 5-6 years after a remodel, but am unsure what brand I would ultimately go with at that time. What would be a good option for the near term? Thank you.
Norm Hawes from Lynchburg, VA
Posted on 3/5/2020
Good job you guys!!! :)
J.R. Stoffel from Crutchfield
on 3/5/2020