The secrets behind PS Audio's speakers

What were legendary speaker designer Arnie Nudell and Paul up to just before his unexpected passing? And check out our newest KZbin channel / @octaverecordsanddsdst... Octave Records.

[@googoo-gjoob]

now THIS is a beautiful speaker

[@rayofcreation3996]

This was quite a touching video and a tribute to that great engineer, your friend. My sympathies. 😊

[@yt0500323022]

I love watching Ask Paul because you genuinely bring to the table a sense of who you are as a person without any pretense. I’m sure losing Arnie has been tough at a personal level; not to mention the challenge of losing his input in the midst of product development. I’m proud that you are choosing to move forward to cement his legacy. Alas, I can’t afford any of your equipment; but, that doesn’t mean I can’t live vicariously through your videos!

[@arongatt]

maybe one day Pual will make us a $2000 set of speakers that sound awesome.

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Thank you for the kind words of support.

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Thanks!

[@anthonybarker9123]

If they could market a $2-3000 system with planar upper-mids and highs... I would drive from Missouri myself to pick them up.

[@ixfxi]

Arnie's creations were unique and special. He made a huge impression in the industry hence the reason why Infinity had such a huge following. Its important that people remember where the products came from and who designed them, so that they dont get things confused with the (now) Harman owned Infinity. I cant even imagine how difficult it was to come up with new designs and concepts while still managing the "business & finances" which in itself, is a struggle. Thank you for the videos, Paul. Keep Arnie's legacy alive, we're listening.

[@C6438911]

I must agree with other commenters, sorry to repeat them, but I also think you are one of the best high end people that exist. You truly listen to customers and answer questions of youtube viewers. This is so great, you are very honest and have such a cool personality. I hope you have the time and feel like to continue creating youtube videos. I'm not from the united states, I'm from europe, but your videos make me feel very good and I learn alot from them. I'm also sorry to hear about the loss of a friend.

[@chasevineland1508]

CEO’s should be like Paul.

[@parrisgeorge9708]

I'm really glad that i was directed to these videos a while back. My biggest takeaway from them is that yes Paul and company are in the high end part of the hobby the man just seems really jazzed to share info freely with people that love music and gear. Well done and I hope to see your posts for a long time!

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Thanks!

[@Si1983h]

I wish you the greatest success with this Paul, I’m sure you’ll do Arnie proud!

[@AndyBHome]

Fascinating. I'm very sorry about Arnie's unexpected passing. I don't own any PS Audio gear and those speaker price ranges are a little higher than I have so far planned to spend, but I am eager to hear them when they are available. Never say "never" when it comes to HiFi. I may hear the middle-priced offering and be unable to sleep until I have a way to get them. Based on your description of the goals for your new speakers, they sound like they may well be the best speakers ever made for use in a home.

[@edd2771]

“They are going to sound great or we will never put them out”. So far you are keeping your word on that!

[@scarmenl]

Very much looking forward to the new speakers. Thank you.

[@christopherward5065]

Exciting. Thank you for sharing your vision and giving us a sense of Annie Nudell.

[@53patsfan]

Class act using his memory to move on. You could have easily just moved on , but you obviously have a lot of respect for him and his work!

[@Trev9]

Paul reminds me of the likeable engineers I have worked with. Was a real pleasure interacting with them. Genuinely warm and always willing to share their vast knowledge.....and oh, those quirky gestures from time to time... really loved it

[@mexiatexas1]

Can’t wait for the new designs. Thank you from Texas.

[@BC-fy1wn]

Well,Paul,and company,I do not know what to say.I remember Arnie,when I was no more than a young buck,stuffing design boards,for ,a then much younger Borginio,then just starting G.A.S..Arnie's Infinity speaker,still gives me awe inspiring memories.Hearing its reproduction of the voice of a young lady,with whom I was recording with,was mind blowing at that time.Look forward to the next speaker to transcend the morass of commonality.To the Nudell family I pass on my sincerest wishes. BC

[@liquidamber]

RESPECT Paul......r.i.p Arnie.....good work Paul...thanks great info...Love it...

[@DrJens-pn5qk]

It's a great encouragement to see a guy who likes what he does and knows what he is talking about. Where are the people of this kind gone nowadays? I hardly meet them in real life, let alone in the job.

[@jackvan8125]

Paul, you are the best out there and this new line from PS Audio is so very exciting, thank you. I cannot say I will be able to ever afford them, but who knows what the future brings. Again thank you for all you do.

[@HiFiman4u]

I love that you're keeping the legacy of Arnie Nudell alive.

[@b1e2m3]

Paul, I just want to say what a great video. I’m 29 and have been building speakers since I was 19 I now own some infinity RS IIIb’s and they just sing I appreciate your vision and the vision of your fallen friend. Keep up the great work

[@herrlindner]

Great video, very insightful. Following his work is the best homage you can do.

[@douglasbonner6543]

Paul you're a good man, I can feel the emotion in your voice, you are a great man Charlie Brown ❤

[@sposotedesco]

From Italy (close to Sonia Faber headquarter) you can really feel the passion for your job! Congratulations!!

[@tseumd58]

I love Paul coz he always shares his audio passion with others and so educative

[@sidvicious3129]

It is so great to hear from people like you, Paul and to hear your passion and you taking time out of your busy schedule to even do these You Tube Videos. It is sad that we are losing these great designers like Arnie Nudell and Jim Thiel and others, who's contribution to our hobby is timeless. I remember owning a set of Infinity Kappa Speakers and a set of Magnepans. It is so good that guys like you Paul, Jim Winey, Richard Vandersteen, Gayle Martin Sanders and Ron Logan Sutherland, Nelson Pass and Bob Carver are still alive and are taking the current technology to new levels. It is truly amazing that Audio Research still has one guy that listens to every piece of equipment before it goes out and will veto anything that doesn't sound right to him and the reputation McIntosh has built as a company. The up and coming Prima Luna is a rising star in the Audiophile world. I wish you and your company great success and I hope that your speaker line is highly successful and please keep us informed when the speakers are released. This is truly a great time to be an Audiophile.

[@chasevineland1508]

Can’t wait!!!!! One of my favorite speakers - Infinity SM 102’s. 10” driver with a tweeter... almost crazy to think of a two way book shelf speaker with a 10” driver. Regretfully sold them for college books. They were so good sounding and efficient speakers.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

I feel your pain Paul and I know you have already made Arnie very proud !

[@terryreese663]

Couldn't be happier. The way you paid respect and covered the topic with grace. I was just thinking to purchase a set of used 501's. Maybe I should hold off. I still would have to part with my purchased new Kappa 9's. That would be a sad day as well. Thank you for all the information and the "tone" that you bring to the conversation.

[@soulfood4good]

Sad to hear about Arnie. What a decent gentelman he was. Looking forward to those speakers...

[@nativesun7661]

Love it! Great heartfelt knowledgeable talk Paul!

[@MichelLinschoten]

Always been a Arnie Nudell infinity fan that will never change, the Kappa series is legend, Sigma, Eclipse, IRS always been amazing to listen to those "amp killers"

[@joshuasterling2144]

I know its car audio, but I have the Kappa Perfect 6.5 components and they are BEASTS. I to have always liked Infinity as a company.

[@timschutte6924]

The more I watch videos about PS Audio, the more respect I have for the people involved with it. But even at the lowest priced speakers @ , $6,000 dollars. I will probably never be able to afford a set like that.

[@leemartin2978]

Interesting and very well presented video. I look forward to hearing those speakers .

[@atishaysingh5114]

God bless him and you... May he rest in peace...

[@sdn1528]

I am sorry to hear about the lose of your friend arnie.. a true genius who lives on whenever we play our old infinitys. Good luck with your mission paul ..

[@ettepet9308]

I pre-ordered (and paid for) the RSL II in 2006, which very much was an earlier version of what we see here. It is sad that Arnie never got to finish them. Currently own a pair of Danley Sound Labs SM60F’s, which are reasonably high-end and mostly a point-source. Will be keeping track of PS Audio’s offerings and these speakers. All the best Paul!

[@MrFreddy1201]

Hello Paul, my sympathies to you and your collegues. I am sad to hear that, he seemed like a genuinely good guy and a good friend. Have a great day.

[@RobertKohut]

Looking forward to your speaker offerings!!

[@isettech]

I'm older now and over the years I have learned quite a bit about the engineering of loudspeakers as this simple device is far from simple. One of the best educations I received was at the Winter CES show in Orlando. Off the main floor there were additional rooms with gear being demonstrated and as a progressed down the hall with all the TV demos and video games, I heard a live grand piano in a room up ahead. For a break I ducked into the room an a black ebony Yamaha Grand Piano was at the far end of the room, but nobody was seated at it. So I walked up to see the player piano. There next to the piano on the floor were 2 3 way acoustic suspension speakers. Having never before been fooled by a sound system, I found out as much as I could about the system. The engineer switched off the system and proceeded to demonstrate one often overlooked component of a speaker, the cabinet. I was invited to knock on the cabinet. I did and found it was solid cement. It did not drum at all. Sounded about the same as knocking on the sidewalk outside. The face of the speaker with the 3 drivers was also solid cement, but contoured into each driver for no sharp transitions from the cone to a flat face. This was an extension of the cone, much like a short horn for each driver. I have not been fooled since by any sound system. The reason for the 3 drivers instead of a planar or multi-driver mid, is the same reason we don't use diffraction gratings in our windows. The multiple sources of the same signal produce double slit or diffraction grating interference patterns in the sound, even though they are better at producing high SPL. Phased array drivers are OK for rock concerts where dispersion patterns must be controlled and you remain in your seat, but are not realistic for a walk though the room. The piano music fully convinced me it was live, even after entering the room, crossing it, and walking up the the piano to see the player piano. It wasn't a player piano. Due to the demo, and a budget, I have a more modest system comprising of a pair of acoustic suspension 3 way speakers with Ber ilium dome midrange and tweeters. It is not nearly as heavy as the concrete speakers, but much more reasonable on my budget and shipping costs. They have held up well over the years with no driver failures. I run them on a vintage receivers with 0.003% THD and SN ratio in excess of 130 DB. Most modern stuff is mass produced and nowhere the quality, with the exception of some high end manufactures. When ever I take friends to a music store to audition systems, most salesmen have no clue what I am up to when I ask the system be shut off. Only after one or two pairs are picked out from the knock test are they auditioned with program material. Some stereo stores don't have any speakers that can pass the knock test. Their salesmen don't like me very well. Those with passing speakers appreciate someone who understands the differences. The cheap speakers never pass. Preferred audition material includes Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Not the re-mastered CD, the Mobile Fidelity Labs release.

[@zoltangz]

Paul, I have just found your KZbin channel by chance, and wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your videos. I heard about Arnie Nudell's passing, but did not realize till now that he was a good friend of yours. I am truly sorry to hear about his death, and my condolences to you as his friend. He definitely was ahead of his time as far as speaker design and quality. Wishing you great success in continuing his work on Infinity designs. I purchased a pair of Infinity Kappa 8's back in 1989, and have been my prized possessions since then. It is just this past year that I had to re-edge the woofers since the foam edge surround have completely disintegrated from age, and having done that, they are back to as good as new, and continue in providing beautiful music. I was wondering what your opinion is or was about those speakers, if you ever sold them back when they were popular. Again, sorry for your loss, and to in effect to ALL our loss in missing Arnie and his genius.

[@cubinn149]

I love your stories on your audio experience I really learned alot about audio from your channel I thank you that

[@Justwantahover]

I just finished making a pair of home hacked (3" coaxial driver + woofer semi omni speakers) and they are the best speakers I have ever made. The "tweeter" is a stripped down 1.5" micro FR driver (with no cone) and a very thin bamboo stick is super glued to the voice coil tube of the micro FR driver, and the stick pokes through a hole (drilled through another larger 3" FR driver) and the frame of the mico FR driver is hot glued to the back of the 3" FR driver (with the stick inserted into the hole). And a thin 1/4" foil "tizzer" is super glued to the other end of the stick that is just poking through the front of the hole in the 3" FR driver (just above the start of the 3" cone). It's a coaxial driver and it's "time aligned" for point source sound! And that's the only purpose of doing it like that. And to keep it time aligned I covered up any holes in the mico FR driver frame to stop any residual sound coming from the driver itself. I also run the 3" drivers slightly above the speaker enclosure hole, with a 4" polypipe tube going down into the box (to clear up med and also acts as a bass vent for the 3" coaxial driver) and the outside part of the 4" polypipe is also a mount for the 3" driver (in a slanted position). And I run it with an extra woofer below (also slanted). The 3" driver being ran above the hole helps clear up resonances (if it's done right that is) and boosts treble and sweetens the voice sound and some of the sound escapes through the gap and goes behind the box (and is less "muffly" from behind). But the size of the gap between the driver and the speaker box hole is incredibly critical! Move the 3" driver inwards by 1 mm and you get a "squarky" loud voice tone and move it 1mm out and you get a soft "husky" voice sound (with not enough "squark"). And "in between" is the best position for sound, but you have to have the gap withing 1 mm up or down. lol And the gap is way larger on the top of the driver, than the bottom. It's angled above the hole to get a variation in resonances cos of the odd slanted geometry. The gap is just a bit more than 1/4" on the bottom of the driver and about 5/8th" gap on the top of the 3" driver. But that only for that particular enclosure, for any other enclosure it would be a different gap. Hard to do but you can move a driver up&down way quicker than changing the crossover. They are also semi omni style speaker boxes with the drivers angled at like 40 degrees, with inverted pyramids above the drivers that act as dispersing "horns". The woofer has inductors set up for 3-way (cos it is) and all the signal is put through the 3" driver except the lower bass, which is handled by the extra woofer. Also the 3" driver is slightly resisted and it is "tizzed off" with a small value cap in par'l with the resistor. And the "super tweeter" in the center has a 1 mf cap (very important to have a cap on it cos otherwise you will have a dancing tizzer)! It's made from a micro FR driver, and moves without a small value cap on it. They are the best speakers I have ever had and I plan to sell the coaxial drivers by themselves) (and with a 1 mf ceramic cap on the "super tweeter"). I'm planning to make them from 3" to 5" diam (best med size). The med is sweet cos of the small driver and treble has way better transients at high frequencies cos the stick and tiny tizzer is way lighter than the 3" cone (and point source "headphones effect" to boot). Also you don't have to run them above the speaker box hole (I just do, cos it's my style).

[@snowpuppy77]

Very exiting news. My Dad and I hope to be back at RMAF 2018. Hope we get to hear a pair.

[@SwirlingDragonMist]

Heartwarming.

[@stevehuk902]

Those speakers look incredible

[@thunderpooch]

Yeah, but why the insistence on line arrays for home audio? Placing tweeters and domes in a line array isn't accurate sound. The drivers can never be close enough to avoid comb filtering. Speakers designed to sound live are using tricks to sound live. It's not accurate sound. The problem with these speakers is I'd probably love them for some listening situations and content but not all. Point source speakers with a rear firing tweeter one can turn on or off to one's preference is the direction I'd go. Paul, I'd love to buy a speaker if you could incorporate accuracy and live effects I could control.

[@kcjones7634]

A line array?😒 Trash Better off getting a pair of magnapan Pair Klipsch subwoofer (powered) ,crown power amp,and tube preamp from amazon and smsl dac, less than half the price and so much better sounding.🤩

[@robpeters5204]

I love audio gear! Always have since I was 4 or 5. I just love the sound and the beat of the music. I could watch speakers all day long. If given the chance I would live in an RV parked behind Paul's shop and work for free. Lol!!! Paul isn't your typical rocket scientist. He knows how to treat people with kindness and that everyone belongs. Not like some snobby audio file that has his nose in the air. thanks for sharing Paul!

[@anthonybarker9123]

I still dream about having a pair of IRS Gammas (or Epsilons). Such amazing designs that still rival the best speakers made.

[@MegaF1guy]

Very sorry for your loss of a dear friend. Keep up the great viedos

[@dhmallet]

I agree wholeheartedly with your concept. I am curious about you will match the input sensitivities of the built in mps with those used externally. Love Paul's Posts, these videos, and the way you do business.

[@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio]

Interesting and heart-warming video, Sir. I'd love to come visit your factory some day.

[@socksumi]

Paul I appreciate all your efforts and those of Arnie Nudell but when will you actually demo some of your stuff on KZbin?

[@rayofcreation3996]

Dear Mr. Paul. Thank you so much for all the videos. I am delighted watching them. Its a fascinating subject and you explain stuff so well. Its inspiring. Well I've a question for you, pls. One of my friends own a NAD D3020 hybrid amp with KEF Q700 floor standers and he says he's not quite happy with it. I'm disappointed to hear that and I wish to offer him a great suggestion and I found the right person who could advice me on that and that's you. What's you take on it and how can it be made better? Thank you once again and wishing you good luck. Cheers!

[@enlitenaudio6517]

Paul, please let us know when you get this room going? I'll drive to Boulder from BV to share in Arnie's legacy.... miss him big time.... such a fine human being and you're doing right by his legacy buddy!

[@greglee7759]

You’re a class act, Paul. Sorry to hear about Arnie Nudell. :(

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

Even those who didn't know Arnie - KNEW Arnie!! His Products spoke loudly for Him! Infinity Reference Speakers have Graced nearly every Vehicle I've owned. Those, or MB Quart Main Drivers and usually JL Audio or Rockford Fosgate Subs..... Sadly, Fosgate has slipped in Quality - but the other three, still Rock with the Fidelity that I've always demanded!! A Great Mind, he will be sorely missed. It is so Cool that you are going to continue his Top Shelf work. Given the quality of the mind blowing Equipment that you've been bringing out, your new Speaker Lines WILL be very exciting to check out!! I think there will be even an extra Level of Performance - because you can better MATCH those Speakers to YOUR Power going IN to them!! 👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@michaelbarrett8803]

Creating an IRS killer, with, or sadly now, without Arnie is a tall order! Your might want to hold off on the name ;-) Thanks for the videos Paul!

[@cardtrix1970]

I will never give up my Utah speakers(front)or my Panasonic "Thrusters"(rear)! My Soundesign receiver has a built-in 8-Track & a Turntable with ceramic cartridge I'm...set for life.

[@bananasplitbrain476]

My sympathies Paul!

[@filippiasec]

Nice vid, nice to see you involved and committed to doing something great:) How is it going?

[@dilbyjones]

Great Video

[@Bobsmith-ot6si]

luv u man x

[@TheJosa007]

I am very sorry for your lose. I hope you make an affordable system for the masses? Without sacrificing quality. I’d love to talk to you one day. May God keep you in good health!!

[@tingokuman]

I'm looking foward to hearing these IRS killers. I also in the near future will be building my own Hi-Fi stereo system. All PS audio of course. I like the fact that your products are actually attainable to regular people.

[@kencohagen4967]

My mains are Focal Two Ways. Really nice speakers for as small as they are. I couldn’t afford a pair like you make, but for the level of audio you sell, there is nothing else that would do the job right. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love for you to hear mine Paul, but something like these are what an audiophile dreams of. What I would like to see, or be able to look at on line, is how these are built.

[@no1uno691]

I remember back in the 80s you could buy a whole system that all matched...I miss them day's...I do have a set of infinity Compositions overture 3 that I absolutely love.

[@purpasmart_4831]

RIP Arnie

[@einsteindrieu5117]

Nice video Paul ! Sorry Arnie's gone.

[@net_news]

My sympathies Paul, I hope I can enjoy these speakers someday.

[@proteus1]

Are you going to upload a video of these speakers playing the music.

[@MrMarantzman]

Awesome video as always Paul. Please think about either adding 5 speaker's in that lineup or make more that 1 line of speaker's. Perhaps your company can do 2 or 3 lines of speaker's ranges from 20000 down to 3000 dollars..

[@omgwtfpwnd]

Snake oil. $20,000 for speakers is a rip off. Pttf.

[@ronaldarchibald2506]

I guess i am not as enthusiastic as pauls target purchaser. I have been very selective on my systems components and have yet to spend more than 800 on any component. Albeit much of it is used but i am getting a lot of sound by buying used.

[@kitz8127]

Hope you made some sound demo of your speakers.

[@mrtearaz]

I'm new to your videos I've always wanted a pair of irs v I was a kid when I saw them at at demo and have always wanted that kind of quality I am stuck in the high mid range audio like Klipsch and Onkyo I hope to see you finish you and Arnie's dreams and I wish your company ps audio the best I will be looking in the future for your speakers

[@ReeWebster]

Stumbled across these vids the other day (said before I know!) #binge I'd heard of Arnie, and yourself of course... after finally understanding the importance of what you've both done for the industry, seems to me there should be a line of PS speakers called the Nudells. PS: No pun intended! Excuse my ignorance if that already exists, or has been mentioned by yourselves before.

[@dilbyjones]

Infinity are Brilliant Speakers Indeed

[@olegariomartinez6807]

After watching your videos, I have decided to buy some of your products. I have enjoyed watching your videos and your personality shines through. I owned a pair of Genesis V speakers and regretted selling them. If your new speakers better them, then I am in.

[@KlipschHead281]

I may have missed it, has there been an update to where PS Audio is an putting out speakers?

[@luisacevedo324]

Hey paul.. just curious can the power plant 12 the direct stream can it be used in home theater system and if so what's the wattage in them thank you Luis Acevedo

[@humnaset]

Love your videos. One suggestion though, can you make your voice louder during the editing? I need to turn my laptop's volume to 100 to hear you clearly, while the intro and outro become too loud.

[@jacobwang604]

Will you plan into multi channel speakers ?

[@florinbizu5018]

I'm still waiting for this new loudspeakers series to come out for sale.

[@johnsweda2999]

Can you buy the driver's as kits and what are they called? Is that cabinet fibreglass been looking for some good quality tweeter and midrange

[@helthuismartin]

If you want a live concert experience in your livingroom try a very small PA soundsystem in your room..I did it and i can feel now the music in my stomach ,just like being on a concert.I can even jack up the sound to over 140 DB if i want to and it still sounds very very good.Ever wonder why 15 and 18 inch speakers are so many used in the PA world??????Thats because they have the same size as a drums from a drum kit.

[@JoshWBergeron]

RIP Arnie Nudell

[@ivenhoho]

RIP, Arnie.

[@bob3093]

A full review of that latest speaker

[@stevenkordos6909]

Does the Classic AR10pi. And AR9 Tower speaker sound the same?

[@jaywoodson2231]

Good luck!

[@SuperAudionut]

I sure have enjoyed watching your videos particularly those where you collaborated with Arnie. Your excitement when you both were on to something was fun to watch. To honor his work, I really think you can do better than "IRS Killer". You should set a new bar and strive to create a new legacy. How about using Arnie's initials as part of the name such as AN Series 1, Series 2 and 3? Too simple perhaps.

[@TheRockerxx69]

I love a 6.5 ft tall loudspeaker.

[@ikol798]

Arnie isn't dead his legacy lives on.

[@preppersintent]

Would there be something suitable for the sprout 100?

[@sickjohnson]

Found it!

[@Bluuplanet]

Paul, Sorry to hear of the passing of your partner Arnie. A young budding and passionate piano player wanted to purchase something she could carry with her to play in public. To finance her purchase, she sold her cherished upright grand piano. She purchased a fantastic electric stage piano that had many world renowned acoustic pianos digitized into it. What she wasn't aware of was that her new instrument was very good at putting an amazing sound into one end of a wire. Getting that signal out of the other end of the wire and making it into what she wanted people to hear was something entirely different. And apparently, someone else's job. When I talked to her, she felt that she had made the worst decision in her life. She was crying. I think that if she ever gets to play in a large venue, she would depend on house amplification and speakers. But what about at home or about playing in a small venue where she has to provide her own amplification? What would you have to say to her?

[@danaolson2871]

The style with an oversized front baffle board is just like the Genesis G7 designs.

[@n3d.studio]

A lot of speakers can hit 120db. Also depends on the volume of room and distance to speakers but it's not like it's "never been done before".

[@bradt.3555]

That's why GNP valkiries had the lead lined mid bass box.

[@michaelbarrett8803]

Who's going to design the crossovers for these sense Arnie is no longer in the picture? Anyone can put a bunch of drivers in a box but Arnie Nudell was the master at crossover design. IRS killer is a tall order; I hope you can do it Paul!!

[@eddiegalindo1770]

I can not wait until you are done with this project so I can buy, something......

[@MegaF1guy]

To pay homage to Arine Nudell that speaker range should bear AN as part of the speaker naming convention. RIP Arnie Nudell.