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4K TV ReviewsLCD TV Reviews
Sony K-65XR90 65-inch Bravia Series 9 4K Mini-LED TV Review
Greg Tarr  |  Oct 12, 2024

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2998

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Very bright
Excellent processing
Automatic calibrated modes
Snappy Google TV interface
ATSC 3.0 NextGen Tuner
Rechargeable Remote
Minus
Small amount of blooming
Sub-OLED-quality off-angle viewing
Only 2 of the 4 HDMI ports are 2.1 compliant
Onboard speakers sound boxy and hollow

THE VERDICT
The Sony K-65XR90 delivers an outstanding, ultra-bright flat-panel display that closely matches the look of high-end Hollywood grading monitors, setting it apart from most TVs on the market. It can also integrate with Sony's optional Bravia 9 Theater Bar, wireless subwoofer, and wireless rear speakers, offering a seamless 360-degree Dolby Atmos/DTS surround sound experience.

This 4K mini-LED series features advanced automatic calibration, allowing streaming services to adjust picture settings automatically. While not inexpensive, the performance level makes it a worthwhile investment for serious home theater enthusiasts.

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Music Reviews
Trentemøller: “Dreamweavers” and “Closure” Music Review
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 11, 2024
Copenhagen-based indie/electronic mixmaster Anders Trentemøller recently served up a cool breeze of synthesized fresh air for the fall season on September 13 with his new album Dreamweaver—which arrived via his own label, the perfectly named (and no doubt Brian Wilson-inspired) In My Room.
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New Products
Focal Launches Diva Utopia: A New High-End Active Wireless Loudspeaker
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 10, 2024
Focal's Diva Utopia loudspeaker recently debuted in the U.S., showcasing the combined expertise of French audio company Focal and British partner Naim. This launch marks their first fully active, wireless, and connected loudspeaker.


In this video, Focal's Réjean Bedel highlights the speaker's features and demonstrates its music playback capabilities.

At the event held in Manhattan's Par Excellence store—located in the trendy East Village and Bowery neighborhoods—Focal and Naim Audio CEO Cedrick Boutonet and Marketing Manager Réjean Bedel introduced the Diva Utopia to an eager audience of audio reporters and reviewers.

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Music Reviews
Remaster Class – Stone Temple Pilots: Core
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 08, 2024

These Are the Eyes of Disarray: S&V music editor Mike Mettler evaluates multiple versions of Stone Temple Pilots’ September 1992 debut album Core, which laid the foundation for a hard-rocking rollercoaster ride steeped in the three G’s—garage, glam, and groove. . .

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Bad Boys: Ride or Die 4K Blu-ray Review – Explosive Atmos, Razor-Sharp Visuals
Chris Chiarella  |  Oct 05, 2024
Picture
Sound
Extras
The Bad Boys action-comedy franchise will be turning 30 next year, and there’s no denying that—with this fourth film, Ride or Die—it’s feeling a little long in the tooth.

As if to illustrate that point, too-cool detective Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) is finally tying the knot, while his partner Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) suffers a near-fatal heart attack that compels him to reevaluate his life.

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Best TV Shows on Disc
Chris Chiarella  |  Oct 03, 2024
Even in the face of streaming’s runaway success, TV shows on physical media remain pretty damned popular, aided in large part by the studios’ aggressive ongoing HD and 4K remastering of the classics—largely in service to archiving and to providing the best possible quality on the aforementioned streamers—in addition to the collectability of the latest and greatest series. Whatever the reason, a generous and eclectic new crop has arrived for our viewing enjoyment, so clear some room on those shelves.

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New Products
Hisense Flexes Marketing Muscle with $20K NBA Championship Edition TV
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 03, 2024
Just in time for the start of the 2024-2025 season: if you love basketball, need a new TV, and have $20K to spend, Hisense has something special for you. The 110UX Championship TV is its latest offering and it was unveiled today at NBA headquarters in NYC. And while the NBA "enhancements" on this TV do not include a special "Basketball" picture mode, they do include memberships, aesthetic touches and collectors items.
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The Connected Life
Thanks For a Great Ride!
John Sciacca  |  Oct 03, 2024
October/November 2024 is the final print issue of Sound & Vision, which, sadly, also means this will be the end of this column. For 21 years I’ve had the privilege of sharing some advice and anecdotes in this space, and for this last column, I thought I’d take a look back on some of the highlights over the years and get a bit personal. And the best place to start is at the beginning…

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New Products
Focal Unveils DIVA UTOPIA: A High-End Wireless Loudspeaker for Audiophiles
Mark Henninger  |  Oct 02, 2024
French audio manufacturer Focal has unveiled the DIVA UTOPIA, its first wireless, connected, active loudspeaker. This model aims to deliver audiophile-grade sound paired with the convenience of modern wireless technology.

Developed over five years, the flagship speaker merges Focal’s renowned acoustic engineering with advanced electronics from Naim Audio, setting a new standard in high-fidelity sound systems. Available in October 2024, the DIVA UTOPIA is priced at $39,999 USD (or $51,999 CAD) per pair, sold exclusively at Focal Powered by Naim stores.

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Music Reviews
”Part of the Plan" and "Hold Me Down” in Atmos on Apple Music
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 02, 2024
And the beat keeps on keepin’ on for East Atlanta rapper Hunxho, who just dropped a sonically seductive two-track single, “Part of the Plan + Hold Me Down”, on September 27.
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