NEWS: The Absolute Sound’s Golden Ear Club Launches Today

Austin, TX-based Nextscreen, LLC announced that The Absolute Sound’s Golden Ear Club launched today. The Golden Ear Club, LLC (or GEC for short) was conceived from the outset as a means of helping audiophiles get more out of their relationships with The Absolute Sound (as well as Hi-Fi Plus and Playback), with the high-end audio manufacturers who help drive the hobby forward, and with local audio dealers. To this end, the club offers members a wide range of benefits, as outlined below.

Inside Information & Special Events

GEC club member gain access to select TAS reviews, industry news, and other audio-related content weeks before the material will appear in print. They also receive additional reviews and audio commentary provided exclusively for GEC members. Finally, club members will receive exclusive quarterly briefings prepared by the editorial staff of The Absolute Sound.

But another appealing aspect of club membership involves the opportunity to take part in both local and national-level audio-related events. For example, GEC members may have the opportunity to buy reduced-cost passes to events such as the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, where club members will be invited to attend a special TAS Editors briefing. Similar, GEC will help sponsor a number of manufacturers’ product “preview” events held at local dealerships across the country.

Special Offers

A large number of audio manufacturers have already agreed to become Golden Ear Club Participating Manufacturers (with more joining daily), and together they provide club members with a variety of special offers that promise to make audio equipment dollars stretch further than ever before. Offers include:

• Factory rebates
• Extended warranties
• Special pricing or “extra goodies” on purchases made through authorized dealers
• Incentives for multi-component purchases
• Attractive pricing on demo, factory reconditioned, or “B-stock” units
• “Special Edition” versions of desirable products offered only to GEC members (for example, products offered with special one-of-a-kind cosmetics or upgraded parts, or that are fully tricked-out “hot rod” versions of standard products).

Finally, some Participating Manufacturers have agreed to provide a limited number of “Commentary Seed Units:” that is, new models offered to GEC members at special prices in exchange for members providing user reviews or commentary on the products on the www.avguide.com Web site.

Participating Manufacturers

The following manufacturers have agreed to support the Golden Ear Club (and more are joining every day):

• Audio Space
• BG Radia
• Castle Acoustics
• Electrocompaniet
• Esoteric/TEAC Reference Series
• GINI Systems
• Guru Loudspeakers
• Holographic Audio
• Hyperion Design
•  JPS Labs
• MartinLogan
• MBL of America
• Meridian
• Moserobie Jazz
• Odyssey Audio
• Quad USA
• Supra Cables
• Symphonic Line
• Teresonic
• Usher Audio
• Vincent Audio
• Von Schweikert Audio
• Wharfedale

Conclusion

 “The Absolute Sound’s Golden Ear Club is designed by and for high-end audio enthusiasts,” said Nextscreen Vice President/Group Publisher Consumer Electronics, Jim Hannon. “It creates a win-win-win scenario, opening up new relationships that will benefit enthusiasts, manufacturers, and dealers alike.”

Golden Ear Club memberships are offered at a special introductory price of $49.95. For more information, visit: www.avguide.com/golden-ear-info.