Al Griffin

Editor's Eye
S&V’s Evolution Dovetails with the Evolution of A/V
Al Griffin  |  Apr 29, 2020
In a recent letter, long-time reader David K. Johnson laments the changes that have impacted the content of Sound & Vision in the years following its merger with Home Theater magazine back in 2013. My response to David attributes these changes to a resurgence in audio gear, spanning a number of categories.
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Audio Video News
Dirac Live Bass Control Now Available on Select AVRs
Al Griffin  |  Apr 28, 2020
Dirac Live, a room correction technology that Sound & Vision has evaluated recently on several preamp/processors and AVRs, is a feature that lets listeners measure and correct for room-based anomalies using a simple, yet sophisticated interface on PCs/Macs and Android/iOS devices. According to the company, Dirac Live Bass Control, an add-on for Dirac Live that provides bass management for multiple subwoofers, is now available.
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Audio Video News
Dynaudio Updates Contour Loudspeaker Lineup
Al Griffin  |  Apr 27, 2020
The last time Dynaudio updated its mid-range Contour speaker lineup was back in 2016. Since then, the company launched a retooled version of its high-end Confidence series that uses all-new drivers and revamped baffle design, along with updated cabinets and crossovers. Some tech from that effort has trickled down into Dynaudio’s just-announced Contour i series speakers, which consists of the Contour 20i bookshelf ($5,250/pair), Contour 30i ($8,250/pair) and Contour 60i towers ($10,750/pair), and Contour 25Ci center channel ($3,750 each).
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Audio Video News
Pearl Jam’s Gigaton Comes to Apple TV in Dolby Vision and Atmos
Al Griffin  |  Apr 24, 2020
Gigaton, the late-March release from 90s grunge-rock kings Pearl Jam and the band’s first album since 2013’s Lightning Bolt, was to be preceded by a one-night-only showing of the Gigaton Theatrical Listening Experience at select Dolby Atmos theaters around the world. But then, you know, the theaters closed and Pearl Jam was forced to cancel the screenings.
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Audio Video News
Samsung TVs Add Fitness and Apple Music Apps
Al Griffin  |  Apr 23, 2020
Among the first casualties of our new social isolation culture was gyms—for good reason since packing people together in a sweaty spin class or sauna is more or less a formula for viral spread. Fortunately, many new TVs feature fitness-related apps you can use to get a guided workout in the privacy of your own home. Recognizing the sudden massive need for people sheltering in place to burn off calories (and steam), Samsung has announced a wealth of new wellness app content available to stream for free on its smart TVs.
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Projector Reviews
Viewsonic X10-4KE Portable 4K DLP Projector Review
Al Griffin  |  Apr 22, 2020
Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1,500

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Portable
Auto-focus feature
Good-quality built-in audio
Minus
Below-average contrast
Poor HDR performance
Somewhat pricey

THE VERDICT
ViewSonic's X10-4KE is a cool- looking portable projector that delivers underwhelming performance given its $1,500 price tag.

The portable video projector market is packed with options for anyone seeking a convenient, compact beamer to carry from room to room, indoors to outdoors, or home to vacation home. Most portable models top out at 1080p resolution, however, and feature only basic, and usually far from adequate, built-in audio capabilities. With its X10-4KE, ViewSonic is targeting a more discerning portable video viewer—one who expects 4K resolution and high dynamic range, along with better-than-average audio from the projector's built-in speakers.

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Audio Video News
Fandango Acquires Video-On-Demand Service Vudu
Al Griffin  |  Apr 22, 2020
Walmart-owned VOD service Vudu has announced that it is being purchased by Fandango, owner of competing digital video online storefront FandangoNow. News of the deal was sent out to registered users of the site on Monday, with details posted on the company’s blog.
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Audio Video News
Sonos Launches Sonos Radio Streaming Service
Al Griffin  |  Apr 21, 2020
With a global pandemic driving streamed news consumption to record numbers, internet radio has become an essential part of our locked-down lives. To that end, smart speaker-maker Sonos today announced the launch of Sonos Radio, a free ad-supported radio streaming service available exclusively on the Sonos platform for owners of the company’s products.
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Audio Video News
Qobuz Gives Back With “Gimme Shelter” Program
Al Griffin  |  Apr 16, 2020
Curious about Qobuz? Since its February 2019 U.S. launch, the music streaming service has dramatically ramped up its high-res (up to 24-bit/192kHz) audio catalog and added plenty of exclusive editorial content to its desktop and portable apps. If you haven’t yet investigated Qobuz, the service’s “Gimme Shelter” campaign might be just the nudge you need to make a leap to high-res and lossless streaming.
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Ask S&V
Should I Replace My 20-Year-Old Subwoofer?
Al Griffin  |  Apr 16, 2020
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have a modest home theater in my basement that I have been slowly upgrading over the last two decades. The only component I haven’t upgraded yet is my Polk Audio subwoofer since it was a pretty decent model when I purchased it 20 years ago. Would I benefit from upgrading to a new 12-inch sub? —Cal Rempel, via email

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