Audio Video News

Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $400

The next generation of Blu-ray is here at last and it was definitely worth the wait. As the world’s first Ultra HD player, the UBD-K8500 isn’t perfect (what first-generation product is?) but with the right disc and a topnotch TV it will deliver a mind-blowing home theater experience that puts state-of-the-art advances such as as high dynamic range and wide color gamut on vivid display. Best of all, it’s only 400 bucks.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
World’s first UHD Blu-ray player
Outstanding overall performance
Reasonable price (for a “first”)
Minus
No auto picture adjustments for HDR, non-HDR, and 1080p discs with current UHDTVs
Small, frustrating remote

Full Review Here

Audeze LCD-4 Headphone: $3,995

If you’re a fan of planar-magnetic technology and are working with a four-figure budget, you owe it to yourself to audition the LCD-4. It may not look radically different from other models in the LCD series but its new carbon fiber and leather headband and gorgeous Macassar ebony wood earcups with gleaming metal faceplates are serious upgrades (as you can tell from the price). But the most serious upgrade is what you’ll hear: Sweet delicate sound with extreme clarity and a soul satisfyingly rich balance that’s about as natural and organic sounding as you can get.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Audeze ups their game, again!
Solid build quality
Made in Costa Mesa, California
Minus
They’re heavy!

Full Review Here

 

Denon AVR-X7200W AV Receiver: $2,999

The AVR-X7200W is made for those who simply must have it all: 9 x 150 watts of hulking power, state-of-the-art room correction courtesy of Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound with 11.2 channels of object-based potential and the option of upgrading to Auro-3D, HDMI 2.0a connectivity with Ultra HD passthrough, and the ability to play Hi-Res Audio files—and vinyl (yes, it has a phono input). “To call the Denon a top-of-the-line receiver with all the goodies would belabor the obvious,” concluded reviewer Mark Fleischmann. “It’s also a musically reliable amp with the best possible room correction—the kind that’s suitable for most music and pretty much all movie and TV content.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Gobs of power for almost any situation
Audyssey MultEQ XT32
Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro 3D
ISF certified
Minus
Daunting price

Full Review Here

TiVo Bolt Unified Entertainment System: $300 (500 GB), $400 (1 TB)

Far more than just a digital video recorder (DVR), Bolt is an indispensable tool for TV-obsessed viewers who hate commercials and value the ease of managing all their cable, online, and local-network-stored entertainment from one smartly designed media receiver/recorder. You can stream 4K/Ultra HD content from Netflix and YouTube, stream music from Pandora and Spotify, record up to four programs at once, and access Bolt via an app on your phone or tablet (Android or iOS). This is TiVo on steroids.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
One-touch leapfrogging of any size commercial block
Four tuners
Can play shows 30 percent faster
Mobile device transfer
Integrated search functions
4K UHD compatible
Minus
On-demand cable may not be available
No component video output
No clock on front panel

Full Review Here