From the desk of Paul McGowan

Paul's Posts

Notes on music, gear, and the long pursuit of better sound. New most mornings.

Paul's Posts

More from Paul

  1. PausesMusic isn’t just made of notes—it’s made of pauses. In live performance, silence sets the stage for impact. The decay of a piano note, the hush... Pauses
  2. The quiet momentsSilence is part of the music. In all my years of listening, designing, and tweaking systems, one of the most profound realizations I've had is this:... The quiet moments
  3. ShynessThe best speakers are the ones you forget are there. We spend so much time comparing specs, materials, designs. But when a speaker is truly right,... Shyness
  4. VoodooAs I have pointed out over the past few days, measurement and perception don’t always walk hand in hand.  It’s tempting to believe the oscilloscope or... Voodoo
  5. The power of wrongThe best engineering lesson comes wrapped in failure. I used to cringe when someone proved me wrong. Now I get excited. Being wrong, especially in audio,... The power of wrong
  6. StoriesWe understand the world not as it is, but as the story we tell ourselves about it. These stories explain to us how everything works and... Stories
  7. LivelyA lively system engages us. It’s not about volume. It’s about pace, timing, and dynamics that feel natural. Liveliness is what makes your foot tap. When... Lively
  8. Too muchMore detail isn’t always better. We’ve all heard systems that sound hyper-detailed: every pick on a guitar string, every lip smack from a vocalist, every squeak... Too much
  9. It's show time!Flying in to New Jersey yesterday morning to setup the Aspen FR20s and PMG equipment stack at the New York Audio Show, I had forgotten just... It's show time!
  10. DepthDepth in a soundstage isn’t recorded as a measurement—it’s created as an illusion. What makes some recordings feel like they stretch back beyond the speakers, while... Depth
  11. PatienceA turntable only sounds as good as its setup. Vinyl is uniquely rewarding, but it’s also unforgiving. If the cartridge isn’t aligned properly, if tracking force... Patience
  12. SingSome rooms just sound better than others. I’ve walked into empty living rooms where a stereo system almost sets itself up. You drop the speakers down,... Sing
  13. SilenceSilence reveals everything. The quieter the system’s noise floor, the more detail emerges: microdynamics, spatial cues, and timing live in the quietest moments between notes. Noise... Silence