5 Links to Consider | May 21, 2025
A round-up of this week's compelling and considered clicks, compiled from The Absolute Sound's veteran staff of experts and reviewers.
The 2024 Munich High-End Show: Robert Harley on Loudspeakers
"The Munich show is traditionally the coming out party for many new speaker models, and this year didn’t disappoint. As is typical of Munich, most of the speaker introductions were of the upper-end variety, but there were some promising lower-priced models as well." Read the full report...
Nielsen’s 2025 Ad Trends Report: Radio And Audio Stay Strong Amid Industry Shifts.
Despite the ongoing shift toward digital, Nielsen highlights that radio maintains one of the highest ROI scores among all media channels, ranking fourth globally in effectiveness, outpacing even many digital formats. While perception trails reality, savvy marketers continue leveraging AM/FM’s scale and trust to build brands and drive response. Moreover, audio advertising is expanding across platforms. Podcast and streaming audio buys continue to grow, with 14% and 16% of marketers, respectively, saying they plan to increase their spend on these channels by over 50% this year. While not leading the pack in digital ad growth, both formats held steady or grew modestly year over year — a notable feat in a cautious market. Read the full article...
Report shows traditional media channels like AM/FM radio continue to play a vital role, especially in industries that value reach, trust, and storytelling. The 30 Most Intriguing Musicians of 2025
Sound doesn’t just enter your ears – it may actually talk to your cells. New research out of Kyoto University shows that acoustic waves, even those in the audible range, can alter cellular behavior. Using specially designed equipment, scientists found that sound can suppress the formation of fat cells and influence gene activity. These surprising findings open the door to non-invasive treatments that harness sound to affect our bodies at the cellular level. River Eckert is just 15 years old, but he is channeling more than a hundred years of New Orleans piano music through his ten fingers. So many of the great keyboardists of the Crescent City are now departed—Professor Longhair, James Booker, Dr. John, Jelly Roll Morton, Mamie Desdunes, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, and others. So who will bring this endangered tradition to the next generation?
The Growth of Marine Audio Industry: What’s Next for 2025 and Beyond In New Report
In the coming years, the marine audio market is projected to experience stable growth. By 2029, it's anticipated to expand to $2.12 billion with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. This growth in the future can be linked to environmental factors, the rise of electric boats, customization, attention to user satisfaction, and the inclusion of augmented reality (AR).
Key emergent trends during this forecast period involve advancements in waterproof technology, a shift towards sustainability and eco-friendly products, greater emphasis on product durability, health monitoring capabilities, and better connectivity features.
Stayin’ Alive by Say Lou Lou (2015)
Say Lou Lou, twin sisters Elektra and Miranda Kilbey, are a Swedish-Australian indie pop duo known for their ethereal sound. They released "Lucid Dreaming" in 2015 and returned with "Dust" in 2024 after a hiatus.
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