Mark Henninger

Mark Henninger  |  Apr 03, 2024  |  0 comments

Home theater comes in many shapes and sizes, but one constant is that it could be a more portable experience. But it’s not impossible! Elite recently sent an ezCinema Tab-Tension CineGrey 4D screen to evaluate, which is an excellent match for an Anker Nebula Mars 3 projector ($1,099) that I have on hand. The Mars 3 has a built-in battery with up to five hours of playtime, although using the projector at its full light output lowers that to around two hours.
Mark Henninger  |  Apr 02, 2024  |  1 comments
When Apple first announced the Vision Pro mixed reality headset, it set off a chain reaction of responses and predictions. Its extremely high-resolution OLED display holds promise for entertainment experiences like movie watching, but can a personal device visually surpass what’s achievable with a traditional TV screen or projection system?
Mark Henninger  |  Mar 20, 2024  |  0 comments

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $3,600/each

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Exquisite detail rendering
Cohesive soundstage projection
Deep bass extension
Elegant aesthetic design
Minus
Pricey investment
Grille not removable
Requires power cord and speaker cable connection

THE VERDICT
The T66 offers audiophile-grade soundstage and aesthetics. With exceptional detail, powerful bass, and sleek design, these GoldenEar speakers are an outstanding investment in high fidelity.

GoldenEar’s new T66 tower speaker offers audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts high performance in a slender and stylish design. It is a speaker that takes what is already great about the brand and elevates it to a higher level of fit and finish.

Mark Henninger  |  Feb 14, 2024  |  2 comments

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $3499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact size
Deep, clean bass
Easy to set up and adjust
Available in three finishes

Minus
High price
One sub might not be powerful enough for large rooms

THE VERDICT
The Bowers & Wilkins DB3D is an excellent choice for those who want a compact subwoofer with powerful performance. Its high price may be a deterrent for some, but its features and performance make it worth the investment.

In the realm of high-fidelity audio, the Bowers & Wilkins DB3D subwoofer offers a fusion of compact design and powerful performance. Priced at a premium $3,499, this subwoofer is a statement piece that offers performance to match Bowers and Wilkins speakers like the 700 Series S3 models used in this review.

Mark Henninger  |  Feb 06, 2024  |  3 comments
What a difference a year makes. In early 2023, I was thinking about ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors in the living room, but saw evidence that TVs would compete in the 100-inch size category. Now it’s a year later, and 100-inch TVs are multiplying like rabbits while prices continue to drop.
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 31, 2024  |  2 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $7,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Balanced outputs for all channels
Supports four subwoofers
Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with Directional Bass
Dirac Live Bass Control
Easy on-screen setup
Minus
Antiquated front panel interface
Dirac features cost extra

THE VERDICT
An engineering marvel from Marantz with just about everything you could ask for in an AV processor. Just add an amp and speakers for total immersion.

The AV preamp and surround processor is the less well-known sibling of the AV receiver. The main difference being that processors don’t have built-in amplification. This is a reasonable approach because as a rule amplifiers last a rather long time, and don’t come obsoleted by things like new immersive sound formats or updates to HDMI standards. Going the AV separate route also lets you tailor the amplification to the speaker system whereas AV receivers are forced to split the difference between whatever speakers are connected to it and hope for the best.

Mark Henninger  |  Jan 21, 2024  |  3 comments
Introducing Sound & Vision CES 2024 Editor's Picks! Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas sets the stage for the latest trends in audiovisual (AV) technology, serving as a prime platform for companies to unveil and exhibit their newest products, technologies, and services to an international audience. Here are some that caught our eye.
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 16, 2024  |  5 comments
On day three of CES 2024, having seen many of the AV-related booths at the show, I got together with S&V contributor and long-time custom installer John Sciacca to discuss the latest technologies. We focused on their impact on both commercial and residential uses. Our talk covered product details, industry challenges, and changing consumer preferences.
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 15, 2024  |  10 comments
The results are in! A total of 18 products have made Sound & Vision’s prestigious 2023 Top Picks of the Year list. See if your favorite pick made the cut.
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 15, 2024  |  0 comments
With over four decades of innovation, Focal has continually set the bar for sound fidelity and speaker design. Today, we're diving into their latest creation, the Aria Evo X, and exploring how Focal's approach to developing and marketing audio technology has evolved and led to this exciting new update to the popular, but decade-old Aria speaker line.

Joining me are Cedrick Boutonet—CEO of Vervent Audio Group, overseeing both Focal and Naim, and Arnaud Hendoux—managing director for Americas at Vervent Audio Group. We discuss the strategic importance of in-house speaker development and manufacturing, a cornerstone of Focal's identity and success.

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