EN 
FR Jonson Lee
As an audiophile and a voracious listener of all kinds of music, Jonson believes that the experience of being immersed in music is often something spiritual. Born and raised in Korea, he cut his teeth on western music mostly through the music of the 80s and the 90s. As of today, names that make his heart beat a little faster include Vladimir Horowitz, John Coltrane, Youn-Sun Nah, Francis Poulenc, Leonard Bernstein, Tannoy, and Magnepan. Jonson also runs a podcast and a YouTube channel about language learning, called SpongeMind.
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Prices listed in CA$ unless otherwise note. When I first heard Audio Physic speakers (the Classic 15) at Audio Element in Pasadena, California, I was immediately impressed. They were featured in PMA Magazine’s “Best Audio Systems For $10,000” series. I couldn’t believe that speakers costing less than US$ 5000/pair could sound so accomplished or have…
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Prices listed in CA$ dollars unless otherwise noted. SVS is a company almost exclusively known for its subwoofers. So I was surprised to learn that they also make speakers. Doing its Canadian debut in the Laliberté Électronique room at the Montreal show were the Ohio-based company’s Pinnacle Ultra Evolution speakers (US$ 5000/pr; Canadian price TBD).…
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Jonson Lee explores how excessive dynamic compression is warping our musical experience, comparing classic and remastered waveforms to show how “bigger” sound often means less nuance—and why old CDs may offer sonic salvation.
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After years of engaging with online audio debates, Jonson Lee shares how a shift in mindset—focusing on empathy over ego—transformed conflict into connection, making peace the real prize in audio discourse.
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First impressions can mislead with Magnepan speakers, writes Jonson Lee, who reflects on their lifelike realism, anti-forward presentation, and high-maintenance charm after more than a decade of devoted ownership.
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Skeptical of audio’s placebo effect, Jonson Lee tested AGD Productions’ class-D Audion amps—disguised as glowing tubes—and found their stunning design inseparable from their sonic magic, both subtly shaping the listening experience.
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The second part of this insightful series explores how Aversions, Desires, and Expectations subtly sabotage our music enjoyment—arguing that true listening begins only when we quiet the critical voice in our head.
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Jonson Lee argues that the real reason your audio system sounds “meh” might not be your gear or setup—it’s your thoughts: aversions, desires, and expectations, which sabotage the listening experience.
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From reel-to-reel romance in British Audio Guys’ room to the ultra-luxe finesse of Lansche speakers with Thrax amps, Jonson Lee captures T.H.E. Show 2023’s sonic splendor—with Katli, AGD, and Audio Limits all making standout impressions.
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Jonson Lee shares three surprising insights from his digital audio journey: your server matters more than your DAC, digital sources are highly vibration-sensitive, and even a reformat can revive sound quality.
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Audioguy CEO Jung-Hoon Choi champions the traditional Korean genre of sanjo—a hypnotic, rhythmically accelerating solo form—as the ultimate system test and spiritual reset, captured in stunning resolution on his label’s audiophile-grade recordings.
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Read the article in English here, et en français ici. 힌트: 답은 스피커가 아님 어렸을 때 이런 놀이를 자주 하곤 했다. 아이들이 한줄로 선다. 그리고 처음 아이가 옆 아이한테 귀속말로 무슨 얘기를 한다. 그러면 그 아이가 다음 아이한테 귓속말로 같은 말을 전한다. 이런 식으로 마지막 아이한테까지 처음 말을 그대로 전달하는 게 놀이의 목적이다. 물론 이건…
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Based on three key insights—room acoustics, system synergy, and installation—Jonson Lee argues that speakers account for just 12.5% of your system’s sound quality, challenging the conventional wisdom and prioritizing smarter investments.
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After testing 49 amps, Jonson Lee crowns the Danish-built Densen DM-30 for its balance of smooth neutrality, reliability, and cool operation—outshining even the visceral Proceed AMP5 and musical Audio Research D115.
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After testing 16 interconnects, Jonson Lee concludes that cables over $100 can offer real gains, price doesn’t predict performance, cleaning contacts boosts clarity, and a cable’s sonic character stays consistent across gear.