LATEST ADDITIONS

Mark Henninger  |  Nov 20, 2024

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE
705 S3 Signature: $4500/pair
HTM71 S3 Signature: $3300
DB4S subwoofer: $2199

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Living room friendly, audiophile quality
Enveloping 3D soundstage
Tight and articulate
Center channel has tremendous clarity
Beautiful

Minus
Pricier than non-Signature versions

THE VERDICT
700 S3 Signature offers slick looks and a superbly smooth sound.

Here's the deal: I set up a 5.1 system aiming for both quality and aesthetic appeal without taking over the entire living room. The setup includes the Bowers & Wilkins 705 Signature bookshelf speakers for the front left and right, the HTM71 S3 Signature—the first Signature center channel from Bowers & Wilkins—for the center, regular 705 S3 bookshelf speakers for the rear channels, and a DB4S subwoofer. The electronics come courtesy of Marantz, specifically the Cinema 10 and Amp 10 combo.

Mark Henninger  |  Nov 20, 2024

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $79

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Flawless performance
Affordable
Tiny
Includes USB and lightning adapters
Minus
Cord is slightly too short for use with iPad on stand

THE VERDICT
The iFi Go Link Max delivers impressive performance for its size and price, offering hi-res audio compatibility, powerful amplification, and excellent sound quality. A standout choice for audiophiles on the go.

You know, I've grown to really appreciate high-quality corded passive headphones. They're like the enlightened path to audio nirvana. Sure, wireless is convenient, and I do appreciate noise canceling and DSP processing. But there's something about a great pair of passive cans that gets you where you want to be with zero fuss, 100% reliability, and often at levels of fidelity that remain elusive for wireless models.

Mark Henninger  |  Nov 19, 2024
Bose Corporation has announced its acquisition of the McIntosh Group, the parent company of high-end audio brands McIntosh and Sonus faber. This strategic move positions Bose to expand into the luxury and high-performance audio markets.
Dennis Young  |  Nov 19, 2024
The 2024 Capital Audiofest (CAF) was the 13th "Capfest" and the largest CAF show thus far. I visited a few key rooms that would be of special interest for Sound & Vision readers.
Mark Henninger  |  Nov 17, 2024  |  First Published: Nov 18, 2024

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $4800/pair

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent audio fidelity
Attractive
Easy to assemble

Minus
Expensive relative to capability
No Atmos speakers or dedicated surrounds
Center channel model is a 2-way

THE VERDICT
The Focal Aria Evo X No. 2 towers blend stunning design with powerful, detailed sound, making them a standout in high-end audio.

Focal, the French audio manufacturer with roots in professional and consumer speaker design, has seamlessly blended technical prowess with stylish aesthetics in its products. Their Aria Evo X series continues this tradition, featuring an organic Moss Green finish and flax drivers that not only perform exceptionally but also offer a unique, natural look.

Mark Henninger  |  Nov 17, 2024
I signed up for Netflix for the first time in a year just to catch the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. Having previously canceled my subscription due to lack of use, I shelled out $23 for the top-tier plan that includes 4K streaming. I had high hopes for a big, entertaining event—and, well, hopes were all I got.
Mike Mettler  |  Nov 14, 2024

Synchronicity is the album that vaulted the blended British/American trio The Police into the megaplatinum global-phenomenon stratosphere, itself a 10-track master class of envelope-pushing pop songwriting, clever and sometimes challenging song arrangements, and truly elite musicianship. To properly fete the band’s studio swan song, A&M/Polydor/Universal Music Recordings has issued several expanded multiformat editions of Synchronicity, including an 84-track 6CD box set and a more abbreviated 43-track 4LP box set. Read Mike Mettler’s review of both super deluxe editions to see if you should add either, or both, to your collection and listening rotation accordingly. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Nov 13, 2024

Immersive music, thy name be David Gilmour. Though Pink Floyd may be a semi-distant active memory, lead guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour has seen fit to issue some quite intriguing solo projects here and there over the past five or so decades. His fifth solo studio effort, Luck and Strange, which was released by Sony Music in multiple formats on September 6, 2024, may indeed be his best outing under his own name—most especially in its Dolby Atmos incarnation. Read Mike Mettler’s review to find out just how good that L&S Atmos mix really is. . .

David Vaughn  |  Nov 12, 2024

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Solid build quality
Intuitive controls
Fully customizable movie wall
Dual hard drive enclosures
Third-party app integration
Minus
Movie discovery needs improvement
Slow boot-up
Quirky handling of Dolby Digital Files

THE VERDICT
A best-in-class experience for accessing and playing your digitally stored movie and music collection.

For about a year and a half I had the privilege of having a Kaleidescape Strato C Movie Player paired with its Terra 48TB Movie Server in my home on an extended loan from the company. The plan was to test the system, write a review on it, and then continue to write reviews of titles available in the Kaleidescape store throughout the loan period.

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and when the evaluation period came to a close I was given an opportunity to purchase the review sample for a very good price, but chose not to for a variety of reasons...

Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 10, 2024
It has undoubtedly happened to all of us. We find ourselves subscribed to a service that we have no interest in or didn’t realize we had signed up for in the first place. The new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) "click-to-cancel" rule states that canceling a subscription should be as easy as signing up. While most users would celebrate this decision, many cable and entertainment companies aren't happy about it, and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) is already filing lawsuits to stop it.

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