Audio Video News

The spring and summer of 2024 produced a bumper crop of exceptional audio and video gear, ranging from a $169 gaming headset to a unique $12,000 set of speakers (no, that’s not a typo) from a French company you never heard of — plus a dozen more Sound & Vision Top Picks. It’s an eclectic harvest featuring a great sounding portable wireless speaker from a company specializing in audio, a mini streaming amp that proves good things come in small (and affordable) packages, a top performing mini-LED TV, a flagship AV receiver with everything an audiophile could ask for, and a home theater speaker system guaranteed to leave your jaw on the floor. There’s even a high-end universal audio/video universal disc player in the mix and a modern take on the classic boombox. Let’s take a closer look...

Bluesound Pulse M Streaming Speaker: $399

Not to knock Amazon’s Echo line of speakers or any one of the gazillion no-name wireless speakers out there, but the Pulse M is the handiwork of Bluesound, a company specializing in wireless audio that also happens to belong to the hi-fi-centric Lenbrook Group, which owns the venerable PSB and NAD brands. The Pulse M is certainly stylish but it won’t win any awards for originality. What it will do is put a wealth of music streaming services at your fingertips and deliver rich, full-bodied sound wherever you put it, thanks to an “omni hybrid” driver arrangement comprising an up-firing 5.25-inch woofer and two angled tweeters; the woofer gets 50 watts and each tweeter has its own dedicated 15-watt amp channel.

The Pulse M is built around the tried-and-true BluOS multiroom streaming platform, meaning it’s quite versatile and super easy to set up and use. It also supports the convenience of streaming via Bluetooth aptX HD and Apple’s popular AirPlay, which lets you create synchronized speaker groups within a room or around the house, and has a handy Front Row setting that brightens up the midrange and vocals. The speaker even has an analog minijack input plus USB-A and optical digital inputs for added flexibility. The Pulse M isn’t the cheapest wireless speaker in town, but it’s a strong performer.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Full bodied, room-filling sound
Attractive, modern design
BluOS 4 Controller App is easy to navigate
Capacitive controls only light up when in close proximity
Minus
Equalizer controls limited to treble and bass controls
No built-in voice control
Alexa and Siri voice control spotty
Play queue wipes out previous songs when adding a new track

Full Review Here (posted 4/17/24)

Hisense C1 Mini RGB Laser Projector: $1,799

Yes, the Hisense C1 is unusual looking for a projector. At around 10 x 7 x 8.5 inches, it’s also relatively small. But don’t let any of that dissuade you from checking it out — especially if the idea of a grab-n-go light cannon that can put up a 300-inch (diagonal) image appeals to you. The Chinese-made C1 has a lot going for it. Thanks to “AutoMagic” features like obstacle avoidance, automatic keystone correction, and screen alignment, the projector is easy to set up and offers a nice range of features, including a long-lasting RGB laser light source, onboard streaming, two HDMI inputs (one eARC-ready), a surprisingly robust set of calibration controls, and support for Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut.

When paired with a quality screen (the Elite Aeon CLR in this case), video pro Michael Hamilton reported thoroughly enjoying his time with the C1, dubbing the unit’s general performance “magnificent” — except for input lag, which while fine for casual gaming, is a deal breaker for serious gamers. He also wondered why the projector lacks a carry handle given that it seems purpose-built for impromptu movie sessions. Quibbles aside, the Hisense C1 does its job admirably at a price that is reasonable.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Wide color gamut
Superb lens with state-of-the-art autofocus
Auto keystone correction
Comprehensive suite of non-global calibration controls
Stylish, conversation-starting design
Minus
Physical placement determines image size
Input lag is tolerable only for casual gaming
Lacks codecs like VVC likely to be used with future 8K content
No carrying handle

Full Review Here (posted 4/24/24)

Magnetar UDP800 Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player: $1,599

For enthusiasts who prefer watching movies on disc over streaming, there aren’t many choices these days if you’re looking for a new high-performance player. Enter Magnetar, a Hong Kong-based company you never heard of that offers two high-end models, the UDP900 and the UDP800, the latter of which David Vaughn reviewed. The UDP800 is an impeccably built universal player that will appeal to audiophiles and videophiles alike for its ability to handle just about any disc might want to play, including SACD, DVD-Audio, and even Kodak Picture CD in addition to the expected 4K and HD Blu-ray (including 3D!), DVD, and CD. The player boasts a sturdy disc tray and is designed to minimize vibration and noise when a disc is spinning. Magnetar also provides regular firmware updates to keep the player current.

Making a good thing even better, the UPD800 supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) and plays media files encoded in the H.265 and H.264 format as well as music and movie files from your home network or a connected external hard drive. “The UDP800 played back every disc flawlessly,” Vaughn confirmed, adding that the good-as-it-gets 4K Blu-ray presentation of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was “mesmerizing.” Quibbles? There are a couple operational quirks and no app is provided. Instead, you get an old-school remote overflowing with buttons (48 in all!). And the player doesn’t have onboard Wi-Fi or streaming apps, but do you really needs this from a disc player? The UDP800 doesn’t come cheap but it is ideal for performance-minded AV-philes who enjoy spinning high-quality music and movie discs.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Fantastic build quality
Universal disc compatibility
Analog XLR balanced audio output
Minus
No Wi-Fi or onboard streaming apps
Horrible remote

Full Review Here (posted 5/2/24)

Denon AVR-A1H AV Receiver: $6,499

For AV enthusiasts who simply must have the best of the best, we submit yet another piece of gear for your inspection. The Denon AVR-A1H lives up to its flagship appellation and then some. If 15 channels of power (150 watts apiece) isn’t enough, consider the inclusion of Auro-3D and IMAX processing along with the usual Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 room correction and (extra cost) Dirac Live Bass Control, four independent subwoofer outputs with optional balanced XLR connections, seven HDMI inputs and three outputs, the ability to feed stereo music to two additional rooms…the list goes on and on and on. You really need to read the full report.

Pressing this behemoth (did I mention it weighs 71 pounds?) into action in a 13-channel surround setup, audio guru Daniel Kumin relied an arsenal of topnotch audio and video recordings, including Atmos music and state-of-the-art movie soundtracks, to render final judgement. Though not a fan of the Apple TV+ miniseries Masters of the Air, Kumin reveled in how the Atmos soundtrack captured the intensity of WWII aerial battles: “All the dogfights, fly-bys, and chattering machine guns and explosions were quite mesmerizing, and the AVR-A1H reproduced them faultlessly.” Likewise, the Denon did a phenomenal job up-mixing Oppenheimer’s meticulous 5.1 soundtrack to 13 channels. If the best is what you seek, the AVR-A1H belongs on your audition list.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
15 x 150 watts of power
Audyssey and Dirac (extra-cost) room correction
Comprehensive surround and up-mixing abilities
Flexible amplifier, channel assignments
HEOS multiroom/streaming platform
Minus
No system-wide user-presets
HEOS streaming omits some services

Full Review Here (posted 5/8/24)

Samsung 65" QN95D Neo QLED 4K TV: $3,299

Between the display technologies, ever-growing screen sizes, and sheer volume of brands and models to choose from, buying a new TV can be quite a chore these days. That’s where Sound & Vision reviews come into play: Let us vet the latest models for you. One of the newest models in Samsung’s 2024 lineup, the QN95D Neo QLED uses its thousands of mini-LED backlights to produce a bright, colorful 4K image whether you're watching movies or live sports, especially in darker rooms. The set also boasts the enthusiast-focused Filmmaker Mode and a new NQ4 AI Gen2 processor that renders images with greater apparent depth and color in addition to the new Tizen v.8 operating system, which is snappier than last year’s models when navigating menus and accessing movies from streaming services or games from the growing list of cloud-gaming services.

Following in the footsteps of 2023’s QN95C, the 95D comes with a handy solar-powered remote control and supports adaptive HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) processing but not the more popular Dolby Vision format. The TV handles ambient room light well, though it doesn’t entirely eliminate blooming or screen reflections when lights are on in the room. And, as you might expect, shadow detail and black level purity don’t quite measure up to what you get with an OLED set like the S95. The QN95D is, however, a master at upscaling HD resolution content, producing remarkably clear, bright, and naturally colorful “4K” images and has an Auto Game Mode that supports variable refresh rates up to 144 Hz, making it a good choice for serious gaming.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Bright SDR and HDR peak luminance
Low input lag and new Game Bar
Attractive design, narrow bezel border
Attractive and snappy smart TV interface
Minus
Glossy screen reflects light
Some noticeable blooming and loss of shadow detail
No Dolby Vision support

Full Review Here (posted 5/15/24)

Xgimi Horizon Ultra Mini RGB Laser Projector: $1,700

As TV screen sizes continue to grow, with many now approaching or exceeding 100 inches (diagonal), the world of video projection has no choice but to evolve and maybe even reinvent itself, which helps explain the boxy form factor of two similarly priced laser projectors we recently reviewed: the Hisense C1 and the XGIMI Horizon Ultra. Measuring about 9 x 9 x 10 inches, the Ultra is slightly larger than the C1, though still fairly compact. XGIMI hails from China (as does Hisense) and claims to be the country’s largest projector maker.

The Horizon Ultra, successor to the company’s previous top model, the Horizon Pro, offers built-in streaming (though no Netflix), supports Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR), and is equipped with optical zoom for adjusting screen size to accommodate minor changes in placement. It’s a good all-around projector that builds on the performance of its predecessor, delivering natural color and bright images, though it still falls short in the contrast department and doesn’t quite measure up to C1 in this area. The Horizon Pro won’t appeal to cinephiles, and that’s fine because it isn’t meant to. It is, however, a good choice for casual viewers who want a projector that’s easy to move around.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Accurate color out of the box
User-friendly auto-geometry set-up
Movie-friendly Dolby Vision HDR
Amazing autofocus application
Unique hybrid laser/LED light engine
Minus
Image size relies principally on physical placement
Weak contrast
Ergonomic quirks
Mediocre remote lacks backlighting
No carrying handle

Full Review Here (posted 5/22/24)

WiiM Streaming Amp: $299

The all-in-one streaming speaker is a modern convenience few of us could live without. Problem is, there’s nothing to swap out if you don’t particularly like how it sounds. The Wiim Amp solves this dilemma by combining streaming smarts and power in an inconspicuous 7.5 x 7.5 x 2.5-inch box that turns an ordinary passive speaker (or two) into an app-controllable streaming speaker that can also be operated using voice commands from Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. The app can even function as a media server/music manager when the amp is connected to a computer or NAS drive.

Rated to deliver 2 x 60-watts into 8 ohms (120 watts into 4 ohms), the WiiM Amp streams music in resolutions up to 24 bits/192 Hz from virtually all of the popular music services, including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and Pandora to name a few. It also offers a number of surprises, including an eARC-enabled HDMI port in addition to analog RCA and optical digital inputs, a sub output, a 10-band graphic equalizer, and a 4-band parametric EQ audiophiles will love. Bottom line: The WiiM Amp is one of the most versatile and affordable streaming amps you will find.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Converts passive speakers into streaming speakers
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
Equalizer settings for each input
Streaming via Bluetooth and AirPlay
Minus
App required to see what song is playing
App navigation could be more streamlined
No headphone jack
No aptX Bluetooth

Full Review Here (posted 5/29/24)

Samsung 32" Odyssey OLED G80SD Monitor: $1,299

To anyone who’s in the market for a topnotch video monitor, Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G80SD is a force to be reckoned with. The 32-inch monitor is an all-out state-of-the-art powerhouse that will delight hard-core gamers and video pros alike with its drop-dead gorgeous 4K image and ultra-wide viewing angles, vanishingly low input lag, support of refresh rates up to 240Hz, and comprehensive set of calibration controls (even though its picture is accurate right out of the box). The parade of features is long and continues with extensive onboard streaming capabilities for a TV-like viewing experience, a half-dozen TV-like picture modes, Alexa and Bixby voice support, and a remote control with quick-access buttons for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and, of course, Samsung TV+.

When it comes to console gaming, the G80SD is a dream come true with auto HDR, variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode, and an app-rich Gaming Hub featuring streaming support for NVIDIA’s GeForce Now and game-specific capabilities like virtual aim point, minimap zoom, Auto Game Mode (ALLM), and Game Motion Plus motion processing. “It's easy to get distracted by the smart features, but the most fundamentally awesome feature of this monitor is its picture quality,” wrote Mark Henninger. “The image it produces is refined to the point of being sublime.” The Odyssey G80SD might be a bit pricey for a 32-inch monitor but its versatility, powerful feature set, and outstanding performance make it hard to beat.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb SDR and HDR picture quality
Low input lag and Game Bar
Attractive design, easy assembly
Extensive and responsive smart TV features
Minus
Peak brightness could be higher
A bit pricey for a 32-inch display

Full Review Here (posted 6/4/24)

Sony Pulse Elite Headphones: $149

Sony wasted no time in harnessing the planar-magnetic technology that’s central to Audeze, the headphone specialist it acquired in 2023. The new PlayStation-branded Pulse Elite headset is built around — you guessed it — a set of high-performance planar-magnetic drivers ensconced in sealed, earcups. The Bluetooth headset features a futuristic extendable boom mic and comes with a dedicated PlayStation Link USB adapter to facilitate high-quality, ultra-low latency two-way audio; the USB receiver also works with PCs.

The idea behind the use of planar-magnetic technology instead of traditional dynamic drivers is to bring a home audio-like high-fidelity listening experience to gamers. And that it does, with crystal-clear clarity to ensure you can hear the faintest sound effects while discerning distance and direction. As reviewer Mark Henninger put it, “It is a highly dynamic headphone that adds impact to percussive sounds, rendering explosions and gunshots realistically.” But there is a caveat: The Pulse Elite headset doesn’t play particularly deep — bass rolls off significantly below 30 Hz. Even so, its audiophile chops make it a contender worthy of a Top Pick.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Detailed sound
Low latency
Good voice pickup
Long battery life
Wired option
Minus
No noise canceling
Lacks deep bass

Full Review Here (posted 6/19/24)

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Bluetooth Boombox Speaker: $250

Boomboxes were all the rage in the ’80s. The bigger the better. Nothing like seeing a scrawny kid with huge sound machine on his shoulder, serenading (for better or worse) the world around him while strutting down the street. In recent years, the boombox has reemerged with updated tech in the form of Bluetooth streaming capability (sorry, no more cassette well) and a new, streamlined form factor à la the new Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. You probably won’t see anyone hoisting this boombox up onto their shoulder and marching around (even though it weighs 8 pounds) but you will find this portable sound blaster on backyard patios, at the beach, and at picnics in the park. That’s not to say it can’t be used indoors — it surely can and will be used to strike a mood for parties and get-togethers.

Designed and built by Soundcore, a brand owned by China’s Anker Innovations Co., the Boom 2 Plus is a serious party speaker that not only plays loud and clear with surprisingly robust bass but puts on a light show, courtesy of the pulsing LEDs built into either end. The speaker will run for up to 20 hours on a single charge and is waterproof for poolside soirees. It even floats. Imagine that — a floating boombox. One potential caveat: If your idea of fun includes karaoke (or having the ability to “talk over” everyone), the Boom 2 Plus lacks the microphone jack found on other modern-day boomboxes. The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus was built for parties and will get the job done in style without costing you and arm and a leg.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Distortion-free sound at high volume
Easy to carry
Plays loud and clear outdoors
Auxiliary-in
Minus
No microphone for calls or voice assistant
No dustproof rating
Can’t pair more than one phone

Full Review Here (posted 7/3/24)

SVS Ultra Evolution Titan Surround Loudspeaker System: $6,000 (as tested, no subwoofer)

Sometimes you just have to go for it and get the big speaker — you know, one that pushes your audio adventures to the next level. Or, maybe it’s a full-on home theater rig built to deliver the bombast and the subtleties of the best movie soundtracks and music — something like the pièce de résistance Ultra Evolution Series ensemble we reviewed from SVS. The system was anchored by the $4,000-a-pair Titan tower, one step down from the top Pinnacle model and featuring a conspicuous “time-aligned” baffle that curves inward to ensure output from each of its five drivers arrives at the listener’s ears simultaneously; the driver complement comprises a centrally located 1-inch diamond-coated aluminum tweeter with a 4.5 glass-fiber midrange driver above and below and four glass-fiber 6.5-inch woofers (two on the front baffle above and below the mids and two on the back). We completed the surround-sound setup with the Ultra Evolution Center, a pair of Ultra Evolution Bookshelf speakers (used as rear surrounds), and (at times) a pair of SVS PB-3000 subwoofers.

The thing with speakers is you can run all the measurements you want but listening is the only way to judge their ability to captivate you. And listen we did, starting with a wide range of stereo music played on the Titan towers running solo. The result: a rich detailed presentation with solid imaging and a believable sense of depth. Shifting over to movies, the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack played over the full surround system was even more riveting. “It’s always been one of the best soundtracks in my collection, observed veteran reviewer Tom Norton, "but its dynamic punch on the Titan system + subs was more bone-jarring than I’ve ever heard it before.” The SVS Ultra Evolution system conveyed everything from the subtlest whispers to the most violent scenes with finesse and authority, leaving little to the imagination. Yet another triumph for SVS.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Dynamic, powerful sound
Tight, well-defined bass
Crisp detail
Minus
Best with subwoofers

Full Review Here (posted 7/10/24)

Klipsch Flexus Core 200 Soundbar System: $1,050 (as tested)

Klipsch is not the first company that comes to mind when you think soundbar. Not by a long shot. But that may all change as enthusiasts looking for simplified home theater solutions learn about its new mix-and-match Flexus Core series. The system offers the choice between two “Powered by Onkyo” soundbars, either of which can be mated with an optional wireless subwoofer and wireless surround speakers. We reviewed the top Flexus CORE 200 model, featuring eight drivers in an Atmos-ready 44-inch-wide enclosure, and paired it with the Flexus SUB 100 and two Flexus SURR 100 surrounds to create a 5.2.1 Atmos system. We were not disappointed.

The four-piece ensemble created a sonic bubble that brought movies and music to life in exciting ways. The Atmos remix of the Al Green’s soulful “Let’s Stay Together” placed the listener in the middle of the music for a fresh take on the revered classic, and the screaming fighter jets and special effects in Top Gun: Maverick were thrillingly lifelike. Reviewer Rob Sabin praised the Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 for its audiophile sound quality, ease of use, and value, calling the CORE 200 soundbar on its own a steal at $499. “It’s a sophisticated, well-thought-out product whose performance and refinement can only be exceeded for several hundred dollars more.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Exceptional value in build and sound quality
Thoughtful and extensive adjustments
Easy-to-use remote and app interface
Optional wireless sub and surrounds
Minus
Needs the add-on sub for best dynamics
No DTS decoding
No rear-height surrounds...yet

Full Review Here (posted 7/16/24)

Diptyque DP 115 Ribbon/Planar-Magnetic Speaker: $12,000/pair

There’s no way around it: Diptyque is, well… a strange name for a speaker company, then again it is a French firm (Google it and a French perfume company comes up…). The word translates into “diptych” in English, which means a “work of art in two parts.” Moniker aside, the company behind the 4-foot-tall DP 115 dipole speaker, which sandwiches a 17-inch-long ribbon tweeter and large planar-magnetic diaphragm between thin sheets of steel, means business. A pair of these unique speakers is insanely expensive but the payoff is an awe-inspiring listening experience you can’t get from traditional “cone and dome” speakers — one completely free of cabinet colorations and resonances.

“Addictive” is how reviewer Mark Henninger described their sound. “The responsiveness of the ribbon drivers in the DP 115s is remarkable,” he observed. “They deliver texture and resolution in spades. The dynamics achieved make for compelling listening that has a live feel to it. Their ability to produce clean, pure sound and get the most out of any recording made playing full albums both a pleasure and an exploration.” As with any speaker there are caveats, apart from the obvious sticker shock. With a relatively low rated sensitivity of 86 dB (1w/1m), you will need a beefy amp to drive the DP 115s, and you will also need a subwoofer. The laws of physics prevent these speakers from playing much below 40 Hz.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Exquisitely detailed sound
Exceptional imaging
Excellent bass for a dipole planar speaker
Modern aesthetics
Easy to assemble
Neighbor-friendly
Minus
Expensive
Power hungry
Dipoles are not for everyone
Limited optimal listening area
Could use a sub for some applications

Full Review Here (posted 7/25/24)

JBL L42ms Integrated Music System: $1,000

All-in-one wireless speakers are all the rage today with just about every speaker brand you’ve ever heard of (and many you haven’t) offering tabletop models. Even the storied JBL brand has gotten into the act with the superb sounding L42ms, which borrows design cues from the iconic L100 of the 1970s. (Dig that waffle pattern foam grille.) Easy to set up and use, the system combines four drivers — dual 4-inch woofers and 0.75-inch tweeters arranged in left/right stereo pairs — with a 200-watt Class D amplifier and 24-bit/96kHz digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in a low-slung 2-foot-wide cabinet featuring a classy, wood-veneer finish.

Apart from its classic, two-way stereo design, the L42ms is quite versatile. It’s Roon Ready and supports streaming via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast. It even boasts an ARC-enabled HDMI input for TV hookups in addition to RCA and minijack analog inputs and a subwoofer output. Most important, the speaker honors the JBL name with sonic clarity, accurate tonality, and exceptional stereo imaging reminiscent of what you’d hear from a set of high-quality bookshelf speakers — quite an accomplishment from a one-box speaker. Want more authoritative sound? Just add a subwoofer. JBL’s L42ms is the perfect solution for space-challenged listeners who want the convenience of an all-in-one speaker without sacrificing sound quality.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Rich, detailed sound for an all-in-one
Excellent build quality
Comprehensive connectivity
High-resolution audio support
Subwoofer output
Minus
No visual display
App is very basic
No S/PDIF input

Full Review Here (posted 7/31/24)

To browse all Sound & Vision-recommended AV gear, broken out by category, visit our Top Picks page.

Also see 2023 Top Picks of the Year.