LATEST ADDITIONS

Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Blade Runner 2049
Chris Chiarella  |  Apr 13, 2018
Picture
Sound
Extras
The 1982 science-fiction opus Blade Runner remains an undeniable visual spectacle that fired the imaginations of many a viewer. While neither a bona fide critical or commercial success upon debut, it visualized a Los Angeles of the future beyond anything we’d seen before and set the stage for endless fan speculation that has led to five different studio-sanctioned cuts thus far. The sequel, 2049, was released to much of that same indifference. Thirty-five years coming, it still failed to generate a response befitting a cult franchise of this magnitude.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video NewsNew Products
iFi Unveils Battery-Powered Amp/DAC for Hi-Res On the Go
SV Staff  |  Apr 13, 2018
UK-based desktop audio specialist iFi audio has introduced a battery-powered ultra-portable amp/DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that makes hi-res audio transportable.
Continue Reading »
The Connected Life
Voice Control: The Next Frontier
John Sciacca  |  Apr 13, 2018
As audio/video systems have advanced in performance, features, and capabilities, they have also become increasingly more difficult to operate. Back in the day, a TV was just a TV, with a single remote control and about 13 channels to navigate. You pointed the remote at it, and if it didn’t work, you changed the batteries. A sound system had an input selector to choose what to listen to and a volume knob to make the music louder or quieter.
Continue Reading »
Power Amplifier Reviews
Parasound Halo A 52+ Amplifier Review
Al Griffin  |  Apr 12, 2018

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,995

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Ample power for all channels
Dynamic sound
Affordable
Minus
Signal-sensing power-on mode can be fussy

THE VERDICT
Parasound’s new five-channel amplifier is a versatile performer, delivering clean power with ample headroom for both movies and music.

While attending the 2017 CEDIA Expo in San Diego, I happened upon a small European audio electronics manufacturer that was showing a prototype five-channel amplifier. When I asked why the company was planning to release a multichannel amp after many years of making stereo-only gear, I was told matter-of-factly that home theater was “making a comeback.” A comeback? To me, home theater had never gone anywhere, so I found the response surprising.

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
How Do I Connect a PS4 and BD Player to My Soundbar?
Al Griffin  |  Apr 12, 2018
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q My system consists of a Sony XBR-X900E TV, a PlayStation 4Pro console, and a Yamaha YAS-207 soundbar. The PS4 Pro does not play Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs, so I’m planning to buy an Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Here’s my problem: I want to connect both the PS4 Pro and the disc player to the Yamaha, but the soundbar only has one HDMI input. I’ve looked around for an HDMI switcher that’s compatible with both 4K/60-Hz video signals and high dynamic range but haven’t been able to find one. Will I have to switch the cable connected to the soundbar from my sources on an as-needed basis to maintain best picture and sound quality? —Paul Trava / via e-mail

Continue Reading »
Audio Video NewsNew Products
Vizio Announces 2018 Performance Series Smart TVs
SV Staff  |  Apr 12, 2018
Vizio has announced three new models for its top performing P-Series line of smart TVs.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video NewsNew Products
Onkyo’s New $649 AV Receiver Is THX-Certified
SV Staff  |  Apr 12, 2018
Onkyo has introduced two 7.2-channel AV receivers, one of which brings THX Select certification into the fold for $649.
Continue Reading »
SmartStream
Spotify and Hulu Offer Discounted Bundle
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 12, 2018
Spotify has partnered with Hulu to offer a discounted subscription bundle.
Continue Reading »
Smart Speaker ReviewsWireless Multiroom Speaker Reviews
Apple HomePod Wireless Smart Speaker Review
Rob Sabin  |  Apr 11, 2018

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $349

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb sonics with extraordinary bass
Great build quality
AirPlay capable
Easy setup
Minus
Integrated music streaming restricted to Apple Music
No bluetooth
More limited smarts versus competition
No wired input for TV viewing

THE VERDICT
Apple has created the best-sounding small speaker we’ve heard to date, but its Apple-centricity and immaturity as a smart device may deter some buyers.

From conception through launch, the Apple HomePod speaker was six years in development. That’s a long time to bring to fruition something as ubiquitous and seemingly simplistic as a wireless tabletop speaker. If we account for the many poor examples of the breed, we can acknowledge that a truly excellent wireless speaker might require some extra time to create...but six years? The HomePod was so long in coming that the “smart speaker” with builtin voice assistant that it eventually became hadn’t yet been invented (by rival Amazon) when the project was begun. Which, I’m certain, delayed it even further.

Continue Reading »
The S&V InterviewAudio Video News
Bringing Back Victor Records
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 11, 2018
15 Minutes with Graham Alexander, President, Victor Corporation of America

Graham Alexander is a talented musician but he’s also an entrepreneur, historian, and music-label exec who has undertaken the enormous (and laudable) task of resurrecting Victor Records, the iconic brand that dates back to the earliest days of recorded music. We’re talking the label that recorded the likes of Sergei Rachaninoff and forged an exclusive recording deal with the legendary opera singer Enrico Caruso. More than that, Alexander has created a delightful live-performance space called The Vault in the small town of Berlin, NJ, about 20 miles from Center City Philadelphia and even closer to the site of the original Victor Talking Machine Co. in Camden. The venue is unique in that it’s home to the official Victor Records archive as well as an assortment of historical artifacts and memorabilia dating back to the earliest days of recorded music. We sat down with Alexander to learn more about his multi-faceted operation.

Continue Reading »

Pages

X