LATEST ADDITIONS

Mike Mettler  |  Nov 10, 2022
Burgeoning fan-oriented livestreaming platform Mandolin is making all the right moves when it comes to offering high-quality live music options for home consumption.
Thomas J. Norton  |  Nov 09, 2022

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1900

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb HDR
Outstanding contrast
Wide viewing angle
Minus
No Dolby Vision
Frustrating menus

THE VERDICT
An appealing price for what is essentially a new and ground-breaking application of OLED is almost as much of a surprise as how much Samsung has upped the ante on what we can expect from an OLED HDTV.

We've become so accustomed to what an OLED TV can do that we risk reciting its benefits in our sleep. Great black levels, check. Viewable with little picture change from as far off center as you might want to sit, double check. Bright enough for modestly lit to very dark rooms (but not a sun porch!), check. High prices? That too. But in the past few years, nothing dramatic has muscled its way into the OLED world, though prices have slowly become less intimidating—until now. Samsung, which for years resisted joining the OLED TV parade, has developed a relatively radical way to build an OLED display with Quantum Dot Technology.

Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 09, 2022
The Netflix ads tier has launched. After years of being considered the antithesis of commercial broadcast TV, Netflix has succumbed and now offers a less expensive option with ads. But is Netflix’s new ads tier a good choice?
Bob Ankosko  |  Nov 09, 2022
MQA, the high-resolution audio technology developed by Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, announced today that the prestigious Japan Audio Society (JAS) has certified the new MQAir codec for its ability to transmit high-resolution audio wirelessly.
David Vaughn  |  Nov 07, 2022

Picture
Sound
Kaleidescape Scenes
Extras
After surviving the near suicidal assault on Omaha beach, Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and his band of brothers receive orders from the desk of General Marshal to find and bring home Private James Francis Ryan, a paratrooper lost in action behind enemy lines. Sadly, Ryan’s three older brothers lost their lives in the war effort so Miller and his team of eight men must risk their lives to save the Ryan family from further heartache.
Bob Ankosko  |  Nov 07, 2022
Capital Audiofest 2022 returns to the metro Washington, D.C. this Friday and runs through Sunday, November 13, offering enthusiasts the chance see and hear the latest audio gear. Sound & Vision will be there to cover the event.
Mark Henninger  |  Nov 06, 2022  |  First Published: Nov 07, 2022

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $3500

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Peerless sense of immersion in video games
Like having your own private IMAX theater
One Connect box eliminates cable clutter
Matte screen coating eradicates reflections

Minus
Expensive for a 55" display
Might be too large or heavy to place on some desks
Need to sit in sweet spot for full visual benefit
Requires two people to assemble and to move

THE VERDICT
Samsung's over-the-top gaming monitor is beyond compare. It puts you in the action with a huge curved screen and pumps out some of the most jaw-dropping visuals I've seen, thanks to the optimal close-range viewing experience. It is the most badass gaming monitor I have ever used.

When it comes to 4K gaming displays, the Samsung Odyssey ARK monitor doesn't just push the envelope, it bursts right out of it. The massive 55" curved, rotatable screen is unique among displays of its type. If you enjoy total visual immersion, this outrageous gaming monitor offers next-level performance.

Mark Henninger  |  Nov 06, 2022
Whether you are into DIY or you are a custom installer, one of the tricky parts of putting together a projection-based system is figuring out where to put the projector, what size and gain of screen to match it with, and whether a particular projector will work in a given situation.
Mark Henninger  |  Nov 05, 2022
The new SVS Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase ($699) is a compact streaming integrated amplifier equipped with 2-channel class D amplification and a 24-bit/192kHz DAC. It connects via Wi-Fi, offering wireless connectivity via Play-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, plus it has Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and aptX support. For wired connections, it has HDMI ARC/eARC, analog RCA, 3.5mm aux, optical-digital, and Ethernet. For simple 2-channel systems where you don't need a surround-sound AV receiver, it is an easy way to get great stereo sound using the speakers of your choice.
Mike Mettler  |  Nov 04, 2022
Picture
Sound
Extras
What becomes an iconoclast the most? Some pop culture icons stand the test of time (The Beatles, The Godfather), while others only capture the zeitgeist of the era/movement they oh-so perfectly served (Strawberry Alarm Clock, we hardly knew ye!).

And then there are those larger-than-lifers who ride the sine wave of the popularity index, depending on which way the cultural-acceptance winds are a-blowing at any given moment.

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