Scott Wilkinson

Premiere Design
True Stereo: Forget 5.1--How About 304.8?
Scott Wilkinson,  |  Jul 13, 2010
Most consumers would probably apply the word "stereo" exclusively to 2-channel audio systems. So you might be surprised to learn that "stereo" has nothing to do with the number 2 per se—it derives from the Greek word for "solid." The word was applied to 2-channel sound systems when they first became available because those systems rendered a much more "solid" sonic image with more specific placement of individual elements (instruments, voices, etc.) than the monaural systems that had preceded them. Similarly, 5.1 surround systems are far more "stereo" than 2-channel systems.
Continue Reading >
Premiere Design
JL Audio Gotham g213 Powered Subwoofer
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 13, 2010

Everyone knows that subwoofers are an essential part of just about any home theater in order to rattle your bones with explosions, rocket launches, and dinosaur roars. But they must also be capable of reproducing—and differentiating—the lowest musical notes in the movie's score. Among the most well-regarded practitioners of both tasks is JL Audio, especially its flagship Gotham g213.

Continue Reading >
Premiere Design
Red Dragon Leviathan Signature Monoblock Power Amp
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 12, 2010

Founded in 2005, Utah-based Red Dragon Audio is dedicated to class-D power-amp technology. It's flagship product is the Leviathan Signature monoblock, which is designed to look—and feel—as good as it sounds.

Continue Reading >
3D Tech
Sony 3D Projector
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 09, 2010

At last week's Sony press event, the company's ES A/V receivers weren't the only things on display. (For more on these feature-packed AVRs, see my report here.) Tucked away at one end of the room was a mysterious shape tightly draped in a black shroud standing several feet from a projection screen. What could it be?

Continue Reading >
Premiere Design
Sony 2010 ES AVRs
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 08, 2010

As I've written many times, the Ultimate Gear blog is intended to cover A/V products that embody extreme performance, design, and/or price. The 2010 ES line of A/V receivers from Sony—which were unveiled last week at a press event in Beverly Hills, California—might not fit any of these criteria, but they include so many unique and highly useful features that I decided I could legitimately cover them here.

Continue Reading >
Ask S&V
Gamma, HDBaseT, Projectors
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 07, 2010
Gamma Chameleon
I notice that most projectors don't have a spot-on gamma of 2.2. They are either a little above or under the ideal 2.2. Is this less important than color temperature and contrast ratio?
Continue Reading >
Premiere Design
Qsonix Q2 Music Servers
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 07, 2010

Audiophiles know well the name Wadia Digital, a Michigan-based company that has been making high-quality digital-audio products for over 20 years. Now, Wadia has teamed up with California-based Qsonix to create the Q205 high-end music server, which joins the Q210 in the company's new Q2 series.

Continue Reading >
The Big Picture
Ups and Downs
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 02, 2010

With all the buzz about Toy Story 3, my expectations were pretty high, and I wasn't disappointed when I saw it in Imax 3D—that is, I wasn't disappointed in the story or the 3D, which was among the best I've ever seen. However, the particular presentation I attended at the AMC Burbank 16 did have some problems.

Continue Reading >
Premiere Design
Bolzano Villetri Campanile Speaker System
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 30, 2010  |  Published: Jul 01, 2010

Omnidirectional speakers are nothing new, though there are many variations. For example, Italian maker Bolzano Villetri has taken an interesting approach with its Campanile series, which includes floorstanders, a center-channel speaker, and a subwoofer to outfit a complete home theater.

Continue Reading >
Ask S&V
CRT Upgrade, 3D PJs, Best Connections
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 30, 2010
Golden Oldie
I have a 34-inch Sony KD-34XBR960 direct-view CRT HDTV, which works fine, but it's a beast. Are the current LCD/LED TVs equal in picture quality to the 960? Other than multiple HDMI inputs, weighing less, and consuming less electricity, are there any visual benefits to replacing the 960?
Continue Reading >

Pages

X