Audio Video News

Final Sonorous III Headphones: $399

Headphone guru Steve Guttenberg said he’s never heard a mid-priced set of dynamic driver ’phones as transparent as the Sonorous III from Japan’s Final Audio Design. He was so impressed with their performance that he put ’em up against a set of heavyweight phones costing 10 times as much…and they held their own. That the III shares some design DNA with Final’s $5,000 flagship, the Sonorous X, might have something to do with that.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Uber clarity
Titanium drivers
Made in Japan
Minus
Doesn’t fold for compact storage

Full Review Here

Beyerdynamic iDX 200 iE In-Ear Headphones: $199

These beautifully machined titanium alloy earpieces are not only elegant looking but sound excellent with a neutral tonal balance and what reviewer Steve Guttenberg described as “freewheeling dynamics.” Add to that extraordinary comfort and excellent noise isolation and you have a set of earphones that are hard to beat for the price.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Designed in Germany
Titanium earpieces
Neutral sound balance
Minus
Wish they were a little cheaper

Full Review Here

 

Sony VPL-HW45ES 3D SXRD Projector: $2,000

With all of today’s hullabaloo about 4K and HDR, we tend to forget that there’s something special about a theater-like image on a big projection screen—even if it’s standard dynamic range 1080p. Projector maven Tom Norton was reminded of these simple truths the moment he fired up Sony’s VPL-HW45ES. His conclusion? “If your budget is small but not tiny, this projector demands a close look.”
Plus
Excellent color and detail
Bright, punchy picture
That price!
Minus
Middling blacks and shadow detail

Full Review Here