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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Chris Chiarella  |  Jan 18, 2019
Picture
Sound
Extras
Say what you will about controversial superstar Tom Cruise, his dedication to the big-screen Mission: Impossible franchise he launched in 1996 is nothing short of inspiring. Performing stunts that would give a professional thrill-seeker pause, he literally throws himself into his work with unparalleled zeal. For this sixth go-round, secret agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is in hot pursuit of terrorists out to tear down our world order, bad guys armed with an apocalyptic manifesto, and some nuclear weapons. Expect betrayals and frame-ups that force Ethan to go rogue...again.
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Audio Video News
Can a Game App Offer Relief for Tinnitus?
SV Staff  |  Jan 18, 2019
Immersive Therapy thinks so. The French company has introduced a gaming app that it hopes will bring relief to the millions of Americans who suffer from tinnitus, an inner-ear condition typically characterized by a constant ringing in the ears.
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Smart Speaker Reviews
Riva Concert Wireless Smart Speaker Review
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 17, 2019

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $179

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Audio playback from connected USB drive
Portable with optional external battery
Solid bass performance
Minus
Narrow soundstage at close range
Treble could be more transparent

THE VERDICT
The Concert is an affordable, feature-packed smart speaker with natural, warm sound.

The first smart speakers were cute little gadgets; no one mistook them for serious audio playback devices. Soon, they started getting bigger and somewhat better, with more attention paid to sound quality. Riva, a company known for multi-room speakers, just introduced the Concert, a compact smart speaker that combines the convenience of voice control with sound that can be taken seriously. Finally, a smart speaker worth listening to.

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Throwback Thursday
Flashback 1984: Supreme Court Upholds Right to Tape
SV Staff  |  Jan 17, 2019
The video cassette recorder (VCR) seems quaint today but 35 years ago today the Supreme Court handed down a landmark 5-4 decision that upheld the consumer’s right to record TV shows (and ultimately other video content) for personal use — a “right” we take for granted.
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Audio Video News
Half-Price Deal on Klipsch Speakers for SoundandVision.com Readers
SV  |  Jan 17, 2019
New York-based retailer Adorama is offering an outstanding deal on one of the top speakers made by the legendary speaker company Klipsch.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Sonos Introduces Accessories for Sonos One & Play:1
SV Staff  |  Jan 17, 2019
Last week amid the flying drones, robots, and controlled chaos of CES 2019, Sonos quietly introduced new accessories designed to enhance its two of its wireless speaker systems.
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Audio Video News
NBCUniversal Announces Free Streaming Service
SV Staff  |  Jan 16, 2019
Comcast’s NBCUniversal division has announced plans to launch a free, ad-supported streaming service in early 2020.
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Audio Video News
Stream TV Unveils 8K "Lite" Glasses-Free 3D Monitor
SV Staff  |  Jan 16, 2019
Stream TV Networks, developer of Ultra-D optical/rendering technology that enables a video panel to deliver 3D images without viewers having to wear 3D glasses, is not giving up on 3D TV, even though major TV makers have largely abandoned the concept.
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Audio Video News
LG Targets Sports Fans with ‘Best-Ever’ OLED Deals
SV Staff  |  Jan 16, 2019
As Super Bowl LIII approaches, LG is targeting sports fans with “best ever” pricing usually reserved for Black Friday on two 4K OLED TVs.
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Bookshelf Speaker Reviews
Totem Acoustic Sky Loudspeaker Review
Al Griffin  |  Jan 15, 2019
Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $1,850/pair

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive dynamics
Extended bass for a compact speaker
Solid build quality
Minus
Finicky about setup and placement

THE VERDICT
The Totem Acoustic Sky delivers dynamic, exciting sound for a compact speaker, though it requires careful placement and equipment-matching for best results.

Compact “bookshelf” speakers have their advocates, but I'll admit up front that they've never been my bag. I guess you could say there's something about the stateliness of floorstanding towers that appeals to my personal taste. And then there's the problem of the shelf itself: every time I've tried to listen to compact speakers installed in a place where books would typically sit, I've been thoroughly unimpressed with the sound. Flat imaging, indistinct bass—to me, those are the hallmarks of shelved speakers. Not a problem for background music, but for critical listening, stands are a must.

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