New Products

Last week Sonos previewed a new compact wireless subwoofer designed to pair with its One and One SL powered speakers and soundbars, including the new entry-level Ray (watch for our review) and Arc and Beam soundbars, both Sound & Vision Top Picks.

What’s not to like about a video projection system that throws a dazzling 147-inch 4K image on the wall from only a few inches away? No need to run wires and hang a bulky box from the ceiling or build an alcove in the back of the room to hide it away. And no distracting shadows when Uncle Ted stands up in the middle of the movie to stretch…again. Even better, the Sony LSPX-W1S is 21 inches deep and stands only 10.5 inches off the floor. Its decorative aluminum grille lends an air of elegance, concealing the projector in what could easily be mistaken for a high-end baseboard heating unit.

With Spring just around the corner, we’re starting to see press releases announcing portable audio products, especially outdoor Bluetooth speakers, like Monster’s new Rockin’ models.

PRICE $449

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Easy to use
Unstitched 360-degree photo and video
Compatible with standard tripod and GoPro mounts
Minus
No controls on the camera
Slightly soft video quality

THE VERDICT
While video quality lacks the crisp wow factor of modern GoPro footage, this single-lens camera represents a huge step in the immersive video market.

Launched in 2013, VSN Mobil is a new face in the tech crowd, and the company just set the bar in the immersive video market with an action camera that shoots unstitched 360-degree video—the V.360º. Comprised of hand-plucked talent from Foxconn, General Dynamics, Motorola, Pininfarina, and Samsung, VSN Mobil has a leg up on the competition out of the gate. With a creative director from the design house that brought us the timelessly elegant Ferrari F40 and a head of engineering who previously served one of the world’s largest defense contractors, you would be correct to assume that the V.360º is equal parts beauty and brain.