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A/V Veteran
Back to the Future
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jun 13, 2023
Among the many time-sinks to be found on YouTube are predictions of the future, particularly those made years or even decades ago and anticipating what life today would be like. It's fascinating to revisit the 1950s vision of the "home of tomorrow."
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Audio Video News
StormAudio Activates Dirac Live Active Room Treatment
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 12, 2023
One of the best demos I heard at CES 2023 was Dirac Live demonstrating its Active Room Treatment (ART) technology. Now, StormAudio has flipped the switch and activated the feature in its ISP platform, meaning it works with all StormAudio processors and AVRs with firmware 4.5 on up and is included at no additional fee on any products purchased January 1 2023 onward.
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Music Reviews
Intrique — Steven Wilson Presents: Progressive Sounds in UK Alternative Music 1979-89
Mike Mettler  |  Jun 09, 2023
Performances
Sound
Steven Wilson has long been a man with a mission to push musical boundaries and stretch the limits of our listening expectations with his own music. He also has a passion for championing releases from other artists who have been underexposed or overlooked entirely, so is it really any wonder Wilson is behind a new and quite, well, intriguing import-only box set compilation Intrigue — Steven Wilson Presents: Progressive Sounds in UK Alternative Music 1979-89? All told, Intrigue presents 58 tracks spread across 5-plus listening hours on a 4CD set from Edsel Records.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
LG Adds Portable 4K Projector to CineBeam Lineup
Bob Ankosko  |  Jun 08, 2023
Just in time for summer, LG has added a portable 4K smart projector to its CineBeam lineup and is pairing it with a free Xboom 360 Bluetooth speaker valued at $300 on orders placed through June 11.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
New Unity Wi-Fi Headphones Built for Hi-Res Listening
Bob Ankosko  |  Jun 08, 2023
You think you’ve seen it all in the ever-bustling category of wireless headphones, but here’s something new: over-ear ’phones designed for listening to high-resolution music over Wi-Fi.
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Bookshelf Speaker ReviewsSubwoofer ReviewsSurround Sound System ReviewsTower Speaker Reviews
MartinLogan Motion Speakers and BalancedForce Subwoofer Review
Jim Wilson  |  Jun 08, 2023

Motion Speakers
Performance
Build Quality
Value
BalancedForce 210 Subwoofer
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $9,194 (as tested)
Motion F20 $1,749 (each)
Motion C10 $999 (each)
MotionB10 $599 (each)
BalancedForce 210 $3,499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Incredible mids and highs
Elegant appearance
Exceptional build quality

Minus
Not inexpensive
Perfect Bass Kit not included with sub
MAP (Manufacturers Advertised Pricing) enforced

THE VERDICT
MartinLogan blends exquisite detail with razor-sharp imaging and rich bass, then combines those elements into stylish enclosures. The Motion speakers and BalancedForce subwoofer provide a very compelling option for the serious audiophile.

MartinLogan, you know the name. They've been around since 1983 so pretty much everyone has heard of them. Renowned for its statement electrostatic speakers, the company also offers a full line of traditional cabinet speakers, subwoofers, wireless systems, architectural speakers, soundbars, even discrete outdoor systems.

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SmartStream
Apple’s Vision Pro Offers a Glimpse into the Future of Entertainment
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jun 07, 2023
Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) kicked off with a preview of the long-awaited Vision Pro, an AR (augmented reality) headset featuring micro-OLED display technology that has the potential of changing the way we experience entertainment in the future.
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Audio Video News
Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, and Integra AV Receivers Get Dirac Live Bass Control
Bob Ankosko  |  Jun 07, 2023
Dirac, the Swedish company specializing in sound optimization, today announced that its Live Bass Control feature is now available for license in high-end AV receivers from Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, and Integra.
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Editor's Eye
Summer’s Almost Here & the Writer’s Strike Continues
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 07, 2023
Summer 2023 is just around the corner and Hollywood writers have been on strike since May 2. If the strike ends soon, it may not have a significant impact but there are concerns that a prolonged strike could be catastrophic for movie theaters that depend on a constant flow of blockbuster releases to remain profitable.
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Director's IntentDirector's Intent: Kaleidescape 4KThe S&V Interview
How Rob Hahn's Life Work and "The Hahn Theater" Inspired his Kaleidescape Filmmaker Spotlight
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 06, 2023
Rob Hahn is an American film director of photography and a name you should be familiar with if you love movies. He worked as cinematographer for acclaimed director Frank Oz on The Stepford Wives, The Score, and In & Out.

Working as a camera operator for Academy Award-winning cinematographers Conrad Hall (American Beauty) and Owen Roizman (The Exorcist) influenced Rob's style. With a keen eye and love for exceptional sound and projection—and with help from Keith Yates Design—he built The Hahn Theater which I named Home Theater of the Decade back in 2019.

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