Audio Video News

Sony VPL-HW65ES 3D SXRD Projector, $3,999

Thanks to its dynamic iris, Sony’s 1080p projector beams bright images with great contrast and delivers performance so good on 2D and 3D material that you may not care it’s not 4K. Reviewer Al Griffin put things in perspective: “It used to be you had to pay big bucks for a projector capable of beaming bright enough images that you didn’t feel the need to watch in a completely dark room. But those days are gone. The VPL-HW65ES can deliver ample enough light output that it can be used in a mixed-use room.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Great brightness for the price
Dynamic iris control enhances contrast
Very good 3D performance
Minus
Low Lamp Control setting greatly diminishes brightness
Manual focus, zoom, and lens shift controls

Full Review Here

SSE Ambient-Visionaire Black 1.2 Projection Screen, $2,257

If you need evidence that a high-quality ambient-light-rejecting screen can deliver spectacular results, look no further. The Ambient-Visionaire Black 1.2 screen from Seymour-Screen Excellence (SSE) is easy to assemble and does a great job enhancing contrast and black level as well. “Seen from front-on or within the maximum viewing radius in my room of around 75 degrees, this is the best execution of light rejection and lumens utilization I have yet experienced, that being with lights on,” wrote reviewer Michael Hamilton. “In theater mode with lights off, the Ambient-Visionaire Black 1.2 may be the screen that makes you forget white screens are still being made.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Uncanny ability to make any projection technology look exemplary
Greatly enhances contrast and black level, even with budget projectors
Easy assembly with superb fit and finish
Performance enhancement that would be banned if projection video were a sport
Minus
Slightly pearlescent sheen with some high-brightness, fully saturated, high-motion scenes
That it has appeared only recently

Full Review Here

Onkyo TX-RZ900 AV Receiver, $1,599

Ready for Dolby Atmos 7.2.2 action and primed for DTS:X, the RZ900 is a flagship-class receiver that can be had for considerably less than flagship prices. It delivers more clean dynamic power than most of us will need and is loaded with useful features including compatibility with high dynamic range content and THX Select2 Plus certification. Summing up, reviewer Mark Fleischmann wrote: “It does all the basics we require from an AV receiver very, very well, abetted by the full complement of up-to-the-minute technologies and features...that should satisfy the most demanding among us.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Equipped with Dolby Atmos, primed for DTS:X
Abundant clean, dynamic power
AirPlay, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi all on board
Versatile, usable, hi-res-ready streaming options
Minus
Only two height channels, whether powered or line
Failed to stream DSD recordings

Full Review Here