David Vaughn

Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
The Greatest Showman
David Vaughn  |  Aug 22, 2023  |  2 comments

Picture
Sound
Kaleidescape Scenes
Extras
The Greatest Showman is a musical inspired by the life of Phineas Tayler “P.T.” Barnum, creator of the world famous (and now defunct) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. It’s the story of how an ambitious and imaginative entertainer rises from humble beginnings to become a showbiz pioneer and one of the best looking and sounding movies available on home video.
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Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
Black Book
David Vaughn  |  Aug 04, 2023  |  16 comments
Picture
Sound
Extras
Set in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation, the film follows the story of Rachel Stein (Carice van Houten), a Jewish singer who becomes involved with the Dutch Resistance after the family hiding her is killed in a bombing raid. Disguised as a blonde Gentile, Stein successfully infiltrates German headquarters as a spy, using her charm, wit, and sex appeal to gain valuable information. However, as her undercover work intensifies, she finds herself entangled in a web of deceit, danger, and unexpected alliances.
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Subwoofer Reviews
Rythmik FV15HP 15" Ported Subwoofer Review
David Vaughn  |  Aug 03, 2023  |  7 comments

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $2,189

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Foundation-shaking bass
Outstanding Build Quality
Servo-control is the real-deal
Minus
Very Heavy
Large footprint can make room placement challenging

THE VERDICT
Rythmik’s direct servo technology isn’t a marketing slogan—it provides the most precise bass these ears have ever heard.

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Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
1923 – Season One
David Vaughn  |  Jun 23, 2023  |  1 comments

Picture
Sound
1923 — exclusive on Kaleidescape through early August — is a prequel to the popular TV show Yellowstone that follows the Dutton family in the early 20th century as they struggle to survive the harsh realities of the American West. Set in 1923 during Prohibition — a time of cascading hardships including drought and the lead-up to the Great Depression — the Duttons must fight to keep their Montana ranch and preserve their way of life amid challenges by new enemies and rapid change brought on by the transition to electricity, modern appliances, and automobiles.
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In-Wall Speaker Reviews
RSL W25E In-Wall Speaker System Review – Invisible Treasure
David Vaughn  |  Jun 22, 2023  |  3 comments

RSL W25E In-Wall Speakers
Performance
Build Quality
Value

RSL CG25 Center Speaker
Performance
Build Quality
Value

RSL Speedwoofer 12s
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $2,020 (as tested)
(2) W25E left/right speaker, $199
(1) CG25 center speaker, $425
(2) W25E surround speaker, $199
(1) Speedwoofer 12s subwoofer, $799

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clean output
Edgeless magnetic grille
Angled baffle design improves imaging
Minus
Installation requires insulation behind the speaker

THE VERDICT
Outstanding sound quality at an affordable price that will please even the most demanding audiophile listener.

I recently upgraded from traditional box speakers to in-wall speakers after delving into the world of in-walls with my recent review of the SVS 3000 In-Wall Subwoofer, which I installed in my den. My wife never liked the aesthetics of the entertainment system because the first thing you saw walking through the door was a wall-mounted bookshelf speaker, which stuck out a good 8 inches from the wall. Despite the great sound, it wasn't so easy on the eyes.

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Subwoofer Reviews
SVS 3000 In-Wall Subwoofer - Hidden Bass
David Vaughn  |  May 31, 2023  |  0 comments

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $2,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Tight and fast bass response
Adjustable tuning controls via handy app
Frees up floor space
Minus
Installation limitations based on room construction
In-wall convenience comes with a steep price

THE VERDICT
The SVS 3000 In-Wall subwoofer is a powerful and customizable high-end subwoofer that delivers impactful bass without taking up any floor space.

Renowned for its expertise in crafting high-performance subwoofers, SVS has carved a niche for itself within the home theater and music system communities. Established in 1998 by a team of passionate audio enthusiasts their mission was to revolutionize the subwoofer market by delivering exceptional performance that exceeded existing offerings.

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Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
The Last Of Us
David Vaughn  |  May 14, 2023  |  1 comments

Picture
Sound
Kaleidescape Scenes
Extras
HBO has a long tradition of creating “must watch” shows over the past 25 years. Their latest hit, The Last of Us, is based on the video game of the same name that was developed by Naughty Dog and released back in 2013 for the PlayStation 3. The series is created by Craig Mazin, known for his work on the HBO series Chernobyl, and Neil Druckmann, the writer and creative director of the video game.
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Streaming Device Reviews
Kaleidescape Simplifies Disc-to-Digital Conversion
David Vaughn  |  Apr 25, 2023  |  3 comments
For eight months, I've had a Kaleidescape Strato-C and 48TB Terra server in my system and the user experience has been outstanding. At the time my initial review posted many readers argued that the system offered poor value compared to ripping discs onto local storage solutions and playing them through an Nvidia Shield or similar front-end device.
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Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
Kaleidescape vs. Streaming – Avatar: The Way of Water
David Vaughn  |  Apr 11, 2023  |  7 comments

Picture
Sound
Kaleidescape Scenes
Extras
James Cameron’s epic sci-fi film Avatar changed the landscape of movie-making when it debuted in 2010. Fans of the celebrated director flocked to theaters, ultimately producing box office receipts that topped $2.9 billion worldwide and making it the top grossing film of all-time. Now, 13 years later, Avatar: The Way of Water is enjoying the same mega-blockbuster success, having grossed over $2.3 billion since the sequel was released to theaters in December, making it the third highest grossing film in history behind 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, which raked in $2.8 billion.
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Subwoofer Reviews
Polk Monitor XT10 Subwoofer Review
David Vaughn  |  Mar 22, 2023  |  1 comments

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $299

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact Design
Plenty of output above 30 Hz
Wallet-friendly street price
Minus
Weak output below 30 Hz
A bit boomy

THE VERDICT
If you’re on a tight budget and aren’t looking for subterranean bass output, the XT10 will provide some oomph down to 30 Hz for a wallet-friendly price.

Polk Audio is an American manufacturer of high-performance audio products, founded in 1972 by Matthew Polk, George Klopfer, and Sandy Gross. The company quickly made a name for itself in the audio industry by introducing innovative technologies such as the first ever satellite speaker for home use...

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