Audio Video News

As we usher in June and count the days to summer, let’s pause a moment to take in May—a standout month for Top Pick posts. From a state-of-the-art amplifier/digital audio converter (DAC) to a new sonically transformative flagship AV receiver to the world’s first Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the pinnacle of home theater beckons. Read on and let us know if you plan to add any of these beauties to your collection.

 

Moon by Simaudio Neo 230HAD Amp/DAC: $1,500

The Neo 230HAD, simply put, is a state-of-the-art headphone amplifier/DAC that makes good headphones sound great and great headphones sound extraordinary. Veteran audio reviewer Mark Fleischmann heaped rare praise on the little box: “The Neo 230HAD is the best-sounding headphone amp/DAC I’ve ever heard…It was, to my ears, tonally neutral, with tight, unexaggerated bass, a fully realized midrange, and plenty of top-end nuance and air…There was nothing about the sound that I would change.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Decodes 384/32 and DSD256
Eight-stage power supply
Doubles as a stereo preamp
Minus
Black, boxy styling
Sampling-rate LEDs can be tricky to read

Full Review Here

KEF M400 Headphone: $250

Apart from being stylish (and available in four colors), the M400 weighs only 6.2 ounces and boasts replaceable cables and earpads that swivel to conform to your ears, and projects a huge soundstage with impressive clarity. Headphone guru Steve Guttenberg wrote: “All in all, the M400 sounds refined and clear, with bass that is goosed up just a tad…The M400 strikes a perfect balance of comfort, value, sound quality, portability, and style.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Smooth, highly detailed sound
Svelte good looks
User-replaceable cables
Minus
Headband padding is too thin

Full Review Here

 

JVC Procision DLA-X750R 3D D-ILA Projector: $7,000

With nearly twice the brightness of its predecessor (the DLA-X700R), big improvements to 3D and 4K playback, and a healthy dose of UHD future-proofing, the DLA-X750R represents a significant upgrade. Granted, it’s not a true 4K projector but it supports HDR10 high dynamic range and is capable of stunning performance. As reviewer Kris Deering put it, “Nearly every area of performance has taken a big step forward. If you want to make the most of the content we have now and what is promised shortly, I can’t think of a better projector on the market today.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Twice as bright as predecessor, same contrast
HDR10 compatible and full P3 color support
HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2
Minus
Black uniformity hit or miss
New HDMI chips slower to sync
Still no native 4K

Full Review Here

 

Audioengine HD6 Wireless Speaker: $749/pair

The HD6 has a lot going for it. For starters, it’s just under a foot tall, it has built-in power, and it’s wireless—in other words, you won’t need to worry about speaker cables or having a separate receiver or amplifier. Further sweetening the deal is the choice of three gorgeous wood veneer finishes, simple setup, and awesome sound. “The speakers projected a huge, spacious soundstage, with a sense of width and depth that no single-box speaker can muster,” wrote reviewer Michael Trei. “The very top octaves were just a bit soft sounding…but I soon decided that this was a deliberate voicing decision made by Audioengine.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Easy, comfortable sound
Bluetooth with aptX, AAC
Simple to set up and use
Superb finish
Minus
No USB or Wi-Fi
A bit too large for desktop use

Full Review Here