Newsletter - August 2025

Music & CultureHi-Fi NewsHi-Fi BrandHi-Fi OffersEventsInspiration
Written By Ryan Nicolson

Published on
29th August 2025

Celebration of Underground Hip-Hop - Thurs. 18th Sept
“How to optimise your hi-fi” by Jason Kennedy
10% OFF selected Hi-Fi / Wattson Audio
Pre-owned Offers - dCS / Vitus Audio / Sugden
Polygon Window / Stanley Donwood & Thom Yorke Exhibit
Technics SL-1200s: How Two Turntables Revolutionised Music

Hi,

Hope you're keeping well.

As summer draws to a close, we're gearing up for what promises to be a busy September at Soundstage Hi-Fi — and we're very excited about what's coming up!

Growing up listening to hip-hop, we're thrilled to be hosting an event that celebrates the underground scene in collaboration with Velocity Press. Join us on Thursday, 18th September, for an evening that combines a book launch and DJ sets from author Ben Pedroche and the talented illustrator Dan Lish — both will also be in conversation with us here at the shop. It starts at 6pm and entry is FREE, so come and experience golden age hip-hop through our incredible TPI system. Bring the Noise!

While we're thinking about hip-hop culture, don't miss our latest blog post: ‘Technics SL-1200s: How Two Turntables Revolutionised Music – From Bronx Block Parties to Jungle’. We take a close look at the gear that shaped a generation of music & fashion.

We've also added new arrivals to our Pre-owned Hi-Fi — a perfect opportunity to own some outstanding gear at great prices. Highlights include dCS, Vitus Audio & Sugden.

And finally, our hi-fi tips series continues with Jason Kennedy's 'How to Optimise Your Hi-Fi: A Setup Tutorial', plus we share our latest cultural picks, including the Stanley Donwood & Thom Yorke exhibit running in Oxford.

See you soon,

Deano

P.S. Don't forget about our 10% OFF online discount! It's for first-time purchases, but as a newsletter subscriber, you get to enjoy the savings too. Use the code: SOUND10 at checkout.

Event

Celebration of Underground Hip-Hop

Thurs. 18th Sept, 6pm-9pm

Q&A + DJ Set + Book Signing @ Soundstage Hi-Fi

Join us for a hip-hop double book launch in collaboration with Velocity Press:

Ben Pedroche - Independent As F***
Underground hip-hop history 1995-2005 (MF DOOM, El-P, Mos Def, Madlib).

Dan Lish - Egostrip Book 2
170+ illustrations celebrating hip-hop's golden era (Gang Starr, Wu-Tang, MF DOOM and more).

Entry is FREE 

Shop Hi-Fi

Wattson Audio

For music lovers who want to move beyond their Sonos.

We are pleased to have a new addition to the shop. The Wattson Audio Madison LE Streamer and Amplifier is perfect for those seeking a significant upgrade in sound quality while maintaining the compact size and ease of use of a wireless system.

It has clarity, dynamic control, and most importantly musical engagement. This wasn’t built for background music!

It also has a very intuitive app, and we love how it looks - ideal for music lovers who want high-fidelity, high-end sound in a compact size.
Just add speakers.

Get in touch if you’d like a demo.

Latest Blog

Technics SL-1200s: How Two Turntables Revolutionised Music

From Bronx Block Parties to Jungle

“ Before the sampler, there was the turntable, specifically the Technics SL-1200. From the New York Bronx block parties of the 1970s to the basements of Bristol in the 1990s, the silver 1200 and its black twin, the 1210, became the heartbeat of hip-hop, the foundation of turntablism, and an essential tool in electronic dance and underground music culture…”


Latest Blog

‘How to optimise your hifi’ by Jason Kennedy

“This guide is designed to let newcomers and old hands optimise their sound system’s performance and was written by someone who has spent far too long doing just that with a wide range of audio components. It should help you understand both the basics and the finer points of the reasonably scientific sometimes artful and occasionally arcane pursuit of great sound so that your music sounds as good as it can.”

Hi-Fi Systems

Vol. 2 - Hi-Fi Systems

“ Here is the second part of my collection of recommended hi-fi systems. This carefully curated selection Vol. 2 - is a combination of dCS, Dan D’Agostino & Wilson Audio. These are the result of many hours spent listening & evaluating the best to create the best. I can't wait for you to hear them! “

Deano

 
Hi-Fi Offers

Pre-owned Hi-Fi - Latest Additions

Own a modern classic at a great price! Check out the latest additions to our Pre-owned hi-fi:

Please get in touch if you’d like to Book a Demo. 

Music & Culture

‘This Is What You Get’ Exhibit / Polygon Window Reissue

Soken Fern by Stanley Donwood

We visited ‘This Is What You Get’ exhibition earlier this month. It showcases the collaborative works between Stanley Donwood & Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. You’ll see the original paintings for the iconic album covers from Thom’s solo work and Radiohead, as well as hand-drawn lyrics. 

Tickets available here - it runs until 11th Jan 2026.

We always have Aphex Twin on the shop stereo, and Warp Records have just reissued an expanded edition of his Polygon Window “Surfing on Sine Waves” LP. It now includes tunes from his excellent Quoth EP. Also on repeat in the shop is a new album by Malcolm T**ker / Peter Capaldi, “Sweet Illusions”, not for everyone, but we’re enjoying it!

Surfing on Sine Waves LP

Sweet Illusions LP

 
 
Ryan Nicolson
Next

How to optimise your hi-fi - a set-up tutorial