Audio Video News

Looking back over our Top Pick posts in April, we find a small, eclectic collection of AV gear that we can recommend without reservation. Most intriguing is a super compact projector that delivers shocking value—and brightness—for considerably less than a grand.

Astell & Kern AK Jr Music Player: $499

Little brother to the AK100 we reviewed back in 2013, AK Jr is the most affordable portable music player from A&K, the company that has defined the state of the art in pocketable audio. If portability and high-resolution music are important to you, you owe it to yourself to check out the AK Jr and its winning combination of slim form factor and truthful sound.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
A&K’s most affordable player
Same Wolfson DAC as in classic models
Flatter form factor
Minus
DSD converted to PCM
Less than intuitive GUI

Full Review Here

 

Oppo PM-2 Planar-Magnetic Headphone: $699

Not content to rest on its laurels as a producer of state-of-the-art Blu-ray players, Oppo has expanded its headphone offerings with a follow-up to the exquisite PM-1 planar-magnetic headphone it introduced in 2014. Though the PM-1 costs $400 less than its impressive sibling, it possesses the smooth, sweet sonic signature you expect from planar-magnetic ’phones.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Planar diaphragms
Smooth, sweet, high-res sound
Long and short cables supplied
Minus
Not as airy as some competitive ’phones

Full Review Here

 

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2045 LCD Projector, $850

The PowerLite 2045 is a godsend for anyone who wants to get into the video projection game without having to drop a fortune. For less than a grand, you get a super bright, accurate image from a projector that is not only shockingly small but supports wireless streaming from WiDi-compatible Android phones and Windows laptops. As reviewer Kris Deering noted, the Epson delivers serious bang for the buck and is a great projector for all-around family use.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Fantastic portability
Super bright
High-end features at a low-end price
Minus
No lens shift
Focus uniformity less than stellar
A bit noisy

Full Review Here