Without dredging up the unpleasantness that is the current state of the economy, it's probably safe to say that many of us have made some adjustments in our lives. And whether that means cutting back on travel, skipping the morning latte, or not eating out as often, you might find that you're staying home more and going out less.
The first "real" A/V component I ever bought was a subwoofer - a glorious 15-inch beast that made no attempt to hide what it really was: a big, black, utterly style-less cube. At the time, there weren't really any other options available, so adding a sub meant a big, black cube.
If you've never heard of XStreamHD, that's OK. Up until now, they've kept a pretty low profile. But that doesn't mean they haven't been busy quietly building the groundwork and infrastructure for a system that may very well be a total game changer for the way you view movies, listen to music and play games. I actually had heard of them.
Without question, bass performance is one of those factors that define a great system. Admit it: You've never loaded up a kick-ass tweeter demo when guests come over. Instead, you select DVDs where bombs and bullets eviscerate the landscape, planets explode, and vehicles perform 100-mph mating dances. Fact: Solid bass brings the emotion and excitement to movie watching.
Illustration by Chris Gould; room photo by Tony Cordoza
See if this doesn't sound familiar: You don't just love movies, you love the whole moviegoing experience. When the time comes to check out a film, you drive miles out of your way to go to the best theater around-one with stadium seating, digital surround sound, and that awesome THX trailer that comes on before the movie.
Illustration by Turnstyle Imaging Years ago, if you wanted a new piece of gear, you'd go down to your local stereo shop, describe what you were looking for, audition a couple of pieces, make your selection, and then pay the sticker price.
The quest for the perfect remote control has earned a place in the pantheon of noble but futile human endeavors alongside those for the Holy Grail or a fabulous "undiscovered" wine under $10. For some people, remotes are a necessary evil, creating clutter and increasing complexity until it seems you have to solve a puzzle like Rubik's Cube just to watch a movie or play a CD.
Photos by Tony Cordoza Now that you know what the hottest games are, why are you still playing them on a small screen using the TV's anemic speakers? Jacking your game console into your home theater is a no-brainer that will take your gaming to the next level. Using a big screen draws you into the action, and the surround sound totally envelopes you.
