Audio Video News

Audio Electronics

Denon AVR-X6700H 11.2-channel A/V Receiver: $2,499

At a time when seemingly everything is made in China, Denon’s X6700H is actually made in Japan, harkening back to an era when most top-brand receivers were designed and assembled there. The X-Series flagship is a forward looking AVR featuring pass-through support for 8K and all high dynamic range (HDR) formats (including Dolby Vision and HDR10+), HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and promised support for the super high-end immersive audio format DTS:X Pro through a future software update. With 11 channels of power onboard (140 watts with two channels driven), the X6700H is flexible enough to accommodate a number of speaker configurations up to 7.2.4 or 5.2.6 and guaranteed to delight enthusiasts with it eight HDMI inputs, preamp outs, and dual subwoofer outputs. It also supports hi-res audio playback and is ready to decode Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D, and IMAX Enhanced soundtracks in addition to being equipped with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction and wireless multiroom streaming via Denon’s HEOS platform. Auditioned using a 5.2.4 layout with four overhead speakers and two subwoofers, the X6700H gave Tom Norton’s everyday $8,000-plus separates-based rig a run for its money: “Crushing dynamic bursts in Blade Runner 2049 were as clean and startling as I've ever heard them in my room.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb performance
Preamplifier Mode
Excellent onscreen setup guidance
Minus
Runs hot
Non-backlit remote

Full Review Here

NAD T 778 AV Surround Sound Receiver: $2,999

Canada’s NAD offers a refreshing take on the AV receiver with an 11-channel flagship built to deliver superb sound with movies and music while avoiding obsolescence through a clever modular architecture that allows new features and technologies to be added via plug-in cards. Given the central role an AVR plays in a home theater system and how quickly technology evolves, this is a highly practical and thoughtful design for a $3,000 piece of gear. The T 778 supports full-bore 7.1.4 Atmos/DTS:X speaker layouts and provides automated Dirac Live room correction, while embracing high-resolution music streaming through the compelling BluOS platform. Bringing a wealth of home theater experience to bear, reviewer and custom installation pro John Sciacca was impressed with the T 778’s organic sound and its ability to “place sounds accurately, locating me solidly in the middle of the action” on a wide range of Atmos-powered movies. If you’re looking for an AVR with a twist, this is it.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Striking front panel display
Excellent sound quality
Effective Dirac Live room correction
Future-ready modular chassis
Minus
No analog video inputs
HDMI Out 2 only supports 1080p

Full Review Here

Earbuds/Headphones

Amazon Echo Buds Noise-Canceling Earphones: $130

In June’s face-off comparing nine noise-canceling wireless earbuds, the Echo Buds led the pack with a five-star rating for value. They use technology developed by Bose to limit background noise, resist water and sweat, and provide 5 hours of listening per charge with the ability to adjust ambient sound levels and access tone controls through Amazon’s Alexa app. You get a selection of silicone ear tips and wing bands to ensure a tight yet comfortable fit while enjoying an open, airy soundstage with ample bass. Though reviewer Stewart Wolpin found the app to be a bit cumbersome and missed having a single-tap control option on the buds, the virtues outweighed these shortcomings in the final analysis. As of mid-December, Amazon has dropped the price of the Echo Buds to $80.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Open, airy sound
Customizable fit
Good overall value

Minus
No single-tap control
Cumbersome app

Full Review Here

1More True Wireless ANC Noise-Canceling Earphones: $200

Does it make sense to pay more than two hundred bucks for noise-canceling wireless earbuds? Not necessarily. Of the nine earbuds we tested in our recent face-off, the True Wireless ANC were the only ones to net a coveted Sound & Vision Top Pick with four- and five-star ratings in every category. Reviewer Stewart Wolpin was captivated by their “silky smooth” sound and detailed presence — something you just don’t get with most earbuds. Add to that a spacious soundstage with balanced bass and the ANCs are well suited for just about any type of music and excel at keeping external noise at bay with two levels of noise cancellation. On the other hand, they aren’t designed to resist water or dust and can’t play super loud, so sports enthusiasts and headbangers might need to look elsewhere. For everyone else, though, 1More’s earbuds are a great choice. As of mid-December, 1More has dropped the price of the True Wireless ANC earbuds to $150.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Silky, smooth sound
Excellent ambient-sound modes and noise cancellation
Generous selection of ear tips
Minus
No moisture or dust protection
Somewhat limited volume
No app for customizing sound

Full Review Here

Accessories/Miscellaneous

Record Doctor VI Record Cleaning Machine: $300

For the best possible vinyl listening experience, you need a good turntable that’s property set up but you also need to engage in the time-honored ritual of handling records with care and keeping dust, dirt, and grime out of those grooves. Enter Record Doctor VI, a specialized yet affordable cleaning system that uses a wet vacuum to remove gunk in minutes. “I was able to get excellent results even with its fully manual, hands-on approach,” wrote reviewer and longtime vinyl enthusiast Michael Trei. “Records that were plagued with fingerprints and other dirt came out looking shiny and bright, and surface noise was substantially diminished in listening tests while the clarity of the music itself was enhanced.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Digs deep to leave records sparkling
Far more effective than brush cleaners
Affordable
Minus
Hands-on manual operation
Loud vacuum motor

Full Review Here

Harmony Elite and Pro 2400 Remote Control Systems: $350 (Elite), $550 (Pro 2400)

The latest remote control systems in Logitech’s signature Harmony line — the Elite and Pro 2400 — make it easy to operate an entire A/V system and customize control with automated one-button routines like “Watch a Movie,” which turns on all of your gear and switches to the correct inputs. Setup is handled via an intuitive app with engaging color graphics that lets you add, edit, or delete components and otherwise fine-tune system control. The primary difference between the two systems is the Pro 2400 is available only through custom installation companies and includes a more flexible hub with six (instead of two) infrared (IR) ports and an RF antenna for increased range. Reviewer Kris Deering had no trouble programming either remote and using it to control a number of components in a sophisticated theater setup that includes a projector with variable masking, video and surround processors, an Apple TV 4K streamer and Xbox One Elite, a Kaleidescape Strato media player, and Lutron lighting. The app guides you through the process, asking relevant questions like which device will be used to control volume levels in the system and maps the appropriate buttons across all activities. “I didn't experience a single hiccup during my time with the Harmony remotes,” Deering wrote. It’s hard to beat that for a recommendation. As of mid-December, the Harmony Elite remote control was available on bestbuy.com for $270.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Easy setup and system integration
Cloud-based control and backup
Controls via IR, TCP/IP, and Bluetooth
Minus
Lacks Apple Siri support
Pro 2400 limited to custom installation channel

Full Review Here

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