Ian White

3 days ago | ecoustics.com | Ian White

A new wave of affordable hi-fi brands is shaking up the audio world, proving you don’t need a royal budget to enjoy premium sound — and they’re doing it with the cunning of a Blackadder plot twist and far fewer turnips exploding in the background. These budget audiophile disruptors are redefining music listening for a new generation. In 2025, value-packed hi-fi gear delivers serious performance without forcing you to sell your sock drawer.

5 days ago | ecoustics.com | Ian White

Let’s talk about film noir—the genre that slinks out of the shadows, drags you into a smoke-filled room, and makes you like it. Since Double Indemnity set the gold standard for bad decisions and worse consequences, noir’s been the go-to genre for moral rot, cheap thrills, and slow-burning doom. You don’t watch film noir movies to feel good—you watch them to wallow in the gutter with gumshoes, grifters, and dames who’ll gut you with a smile.

6 days ago | ecoustics.com | Ian White

Audio-Technica has built its reputation on making high-quality, affordable turntables — the kind of gear that gets vinyl newbies hooked without draining their wallets. Most of its models sit comfortably between $200 and $500, making them a go-to brand for entry-level and budget-conscious audiophiles. But last fall, the company decided to raise the bar (and the price tag) with the AT-LP8X, a $1,000 direct-drive turntable aimed squarely at more serious listeners.

6 days ago | ecoustics.com | Ian White

Qobuz, the pioneering French platform known for high-quality streaming and downloading, has just announced a global partnership with the renowned German jazz label ACT Music, further solidifying its position as the go-to destination for audiophiles and music lovers alike. This collaboration showcases the exceptional musical legacy of ACT Music, founded by Siggi Loch in 1992, and brings it front and center for a whole new generation of listeners.

6 days ago | ecoustics.com | Ian White

Netflix posted a major earnings beat on Thursday, reporting a 13% jump in revenue for the first quarter of 2025 and showing no signs of being rattled by the tariff-fueled chaos rocking traditional media stocks. Not only is Netflix raking in revenue—it’s also revamping how you decide what to watch. As part of its forward-looking strategy, the company is testing a new AI-powered search feature in partnership with OpenAI.