Register to win a set of Focal Spirit One Mobile Headphones (MSRP $279.00) we are giving away.

According to the company:

The result of 33-years of creating exacting sound in the finest homes, the most demanding sound studios and the most luxurious automobiles, multi-patent recipient Focal offers you their Spirit One portable stereo headphone - your sonic sanctuary in todays hectic noisy environment. Whether you commute across country in a plane, or just across town a few train station stops away, our Spirit One will comfortably immerse you inside the very heart of your musical experience.

[This Sweepstakes is now closed.]

It’s been just over a month since my last Payday Albums post, but it feels much longer than that. I had been trying to spend less money on records, so that I could actually spend more time listening to the records that stood quietly on my shelves. A valiant endeavor, if I do say so myself, but one that didn’t really work out as intended: Instead of spending money on records, I spent money on books. I almost posted a Payday Books list, but I figured the grumpy old audiophiles would stone me for reading.

The advertisements run by Colorado manufacturer YG Acoustics in 2008, when it launched its flagship loudspeaker model, the Anat Reference II Professional, unequivocally claimed it to be "The best loudspeaker on Earth. Period." They caused a stir. The YGA speaker cost $107,000/pair at the time of Wes Phillips's review in the March 2009 issue. Wes didn't disagree with the claim, concluding that, "Like my pappy used to say, it ain't braggin' if you can actually do it."

Peter Crossno of Salt Lake City, Utah is the lucky winner of Stereophile.com's Westone 4R in-ear monitor sweepstakes. He says, "They sound phenomenal." Look at that smile!

We're happy to make you happy Peter. Thank you for your participation!