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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition: Iconic Sound and Design
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 15, 2024
British audio manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins, a leader in high-performance audio technology since 1966, has launched the Zeppelin Pro Edition. Building on the acclaim and success of the Zeppelin wireless loudspeaker series, the Pro Edition offers superior performance, innovative design enhancements, and advanced smart features.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
XGIMI Horizon S Series: Disrupting Home Cinema with Dual Light 2.0 Technology
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 15, 2024
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Headphone Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 and Pi8 Earbuds Review: Higher Fidelity
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 14, 2024

Pi8
Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

Pi6
Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $249 (Pi6) $399 (Pi8)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Small and low profile
Excellent sound
Audio retransmission with case (Pi8)
Minus
Pi8 is better but more expensive

THE VERDICT
Both sets of earbuds are excellent true wireless options. But the Pi8's sound quality and features set it apart, making it an attractive upgrade even for AirPods Pro owners.

These two new true wireless earbud models from Bowers & Wilkins are updated replacements to the Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2. While the $250/pair Pi6 could be seen as an AirPods Pro alternative based on price, the Pi8 sits well above them, a $400 flagship in-ear with a very neat trick up its sleeve carried over from the Pi7 S2: You can connect the charging case to a USB-C source and the headphones will pair directly with the case.

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4K TV ReviewsLCD TV Reviews
Sony K-65XR90 65-inch Bravia Series 9 4K Mini-LED TV Review
Greg Tarr  |  Oct 12, 2024

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2998

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Very bright
Excellent processing
Automatic calibrated modes
Snappy Google TV interface
ATSC 3.0 NextGen Tuner
Rechargeable Remote
Minus
Small amount of blooming
Sub-OLED-quality off-angle viewing
Only 2 of the 4 HDMI ports are 2.1 compliant
Onboard speakers sound boxy and hollow

THE VERDICT
The Sony K-65XR90 delivers an outstanding, ultra-bright flat-panel display that closely matches the look of high-end Hollywood grading monitors, setting it apart from most TVs on the market. It can also integrate with Sony's optional Bravia 9 Theater Bar, wireless subwoofer, and wireless rear speakers, offering a seamless 360-degree Dolby Atmos/DTS surround sound experience.

This 4K mini-LED series features advanced automatic calibration, allowing streaming services to adjust picture settings automatically. While not inexpensive, the performance level makes it a worthwhile investment for serious home theater enthusiasts.

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Music Reviews
Trentemøller: “Dreamweavers” and “Closure” Music Review
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 11, 2024
Copenhagen-based indie/electronic mixmaster Anders Trentemøller recently served up a cool breeze of synthesized fresh air for the fall season on September 13 with his new album Dreamweaver—which arrived via his own label, the perfectly named (and no doubt Brian Wilson-inspired) In My Room.
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New Products
Focal Launches Diva Utopia: A New High-End Active Wireless Loudspeaker
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 10, 2024
Focal's Diva Utopia loudspeaker recently debuted in the U.S., showcasing the combined expertise of French audio company Focal and British partner Naim. This launch marks their first fully active, wireless, and connected loudspeaker.


In this video, Focal's Réjean Bedel highlights the speaker's features and demonstrates its music playback capabilities.

At the event held in Manhattan's Par Excellence store—located in the trendy East Village and Bowery neighborhoods—Focal and Naim Audio CEO Cedrick Boutonet and Marketing Manager Réjean Bedel introduced the Diva Utopia to an eager audience of audio reporters and reviewers.

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Music Reviews
Remaster Class – Stone Temple Pilots: Core
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 08, 2024

These Are the Eyes of Disarray: S&V music editor Mike Mettler evaluates multiple versions of Stone Temple Pilots’ September 1992 debut album Core, which laid the foundation for a hard-rocking rollercoaster ride steeped in the three G’s—garage, glam, and groove. . .

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Bad Boys: Ride or Die 4K Blu-ray Review – Explosive Atmos, Razor-Sharp Visuals
Chris Chiarella  |  Oct 05, 2024
Picture
Sound
Extras
The Bad Boys action-comedy franchise will be turning 30 next year, and there’s no denying that—with this fourth film, Ride or Die—it’s feeling a little long in the tooth.

As if to illustrate that point, too-cool detective Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) is finally tying the knot, while his partner Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) suffers a near-fatal heart attack that compels him to reevaluate his life.

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Best TV Shows on Disc
Chris Chiarella  |  Oct 03, 2024
Even in the face of streaming’s runaway success, TV shows on physical media remain pretty damned popular, aided in large part by the studios’ aggressive ongoing HD and 4K remastering of the classics—largely in service to archiving and to providing the best possible quality on the aforementioned streamers—in addition to the collectability of the latest and greatest series. Whatever the reason, a generous and eclectic new crop has arrived for our viewing enjoyment, so clear some room on those shelves.

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New Products
Hisense Flexes Marketing Muscle with $20K NBA Championship Edition TV
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 03, 2024
Just in time for the start of the 2024-2025 season: if you love basketball, need a new TV, and have $20K to spend, Hisense has something special for you. The 110UX Championship TV is its latest offering and it was unveiled today at NBA headquarters in NYC. And while the NBA "enhancements" on this TV do not include a special "Basketball" picture mode, they do include memberships, aesthetic touches and collectors items.
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