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Should I Replace My 20-Year-Old Subwoofer?
Al Griffin  |  Apr 16, 2020  |  10 comments
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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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How Do I Know When to Change My Projector’s Bulb?
Al Griffin  |  Mar 26, 2020  |  1 comments
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Q I made the decision to buy an Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2045 3LCD projector about three years ago...I know I’ll need to change the bulb out at some point and would like to know how to tell when the lamp has dimmed to the point of needing replacement. I have no idea how many hours we’ve used it, or how to find out that information. —Scott Miller, via email

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Do All 4K Discs Support High Dynamic Range (HDR)?
Al Griffin  |  Mar 12, 2020  |  5 comments
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Q I own a Sony UBP-X800 Ultra HD Blu-ray player and want to know if all the 4K discs I buy provide high dynamic range (HDR). I’m also wondering if all 4K discs with HDR deliver it in both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats. —Steven Ganno, via email

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How Do I Get Dolby 5.1 from My TV’s Streaming Apps to My Old Receiver
Al Griffin  |  Feb 27, 2020  |  0 comments
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Q I’m using the built-in apps on my Sony XBR-55X850C TV for video streaming. The set’s optical digital audio output is connected to an older Denon AVR-4306 receiver. My problem is that I only get Dolby Digital 5.1 sound from the TV’s Netflix app; no other app (HBO Now/Go, Sony Crackle, Hulu, or Disney+) provides DD 5.1. My local AV shop suggested using another streaming device or upgrading to a high-quality optical cable. Any advice or suggestions? —Ken Ashlock, Colorado Springs, CO

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What Are the Benefits of Bi-Wiring Vs. Bi-Amping?
Al Griffin  |  Jan 23, 2020  |  5 comments
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Q I just bought Polk Audio Monitor 40 Series II speakers and want to know how to install them using bi-wiring. Do I connect two separate wires from the positive and negative outputs on the receiver and run them to the separate positive and negative input sets on the speaker? What benefits will that provide? —Kris Green, via email

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Should I Use the Coax or HDMI Output On My BD Player for Hi-Res Audio?
Al Griffin  |  Jan 16, 2020  |  4 comments
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Q I have a new Sony UBP-X1100ES Ultra HD Blu-ray player and Denon receiver. I know I can use a coaxial digital connection between the player and receiver for playback of regular CDs. Can I use the same connection to pass high-res audio formats like SACD and DVD-Audio to the receiver, or do I need an HDMI cable for that? —John Huxhold, Manchester, MO

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WTF! Why Don’t All Streams Have Gapless Playback?
Al Griffin  |  Dec 20, 2019  |  0 comments
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Q I just finished listening to the new Giles Martin remaster of The Beatles’ Abbey Road via a 24-bit/96kHz stream from Qobuz. For the first few tracks I felt like I was listening to the original album, but on a much better stereo system. Then the bad news came when I got to the medley on “side two” starting with “You Never Give Me Your Money.” Instead of a seamless flow between songs, I heard distinct gaps between the tracks. It really ruined the experience. Why can’t streams of album tracks that are supposed to segue do so without annoying, and at times jarring, gaps in the sound? There are lots of iconic recordings with the same issue. —Thomas E. Moore, Fairfax, VA

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Should I Use My Oppo Player to Upconvert to 4K?
Al Griffin  |  Dec 05, 2019  |  2 comments
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Q I use an Oppo UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray player and an Apple TV as sources, with the signals fed through a Marantz SR7011 AV receiver to an Epson Home Cinema 5050UB projector. From what I understand, the player, projector and receiver can all upconvert standard- and high-def signals to 4K. Which one should I let do the upconversion? —Michael Antoniello, via email

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Is There a Benefit to 4K On a 50-In Screen 8 Feet Away
Al Griffin  |  Nov 21, 2019  |  2 comments
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Q I am considering replacing an old, dumb 42-inch LCD TV located in a small room. The screen size will be limited to 50 inches and viewing distance will be around 8 feet. Will I see any benefit from the higher resolution given the screen size limitation? —Alan Washington, via email

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Hi-Res Conundrum: Should I Go for 24/192 or Is 24/96 All I Need?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 24, 2019  |  18 comments
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If I subscribe to Tidal Hi-Fi should I bother with 24-bit/192-kHz playback or is 24/96 all I need?

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Is it Legal to Copy Blu-ray Discs to a Hard Drive?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 03, 2019  |  5 comments
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Q What are the realistic and/or legal options (if any) for transferring a collection of DVD and Blu-ray discs to a server or hard drive? Can this be done while maintaining full quality? Is iTunes an option? I have a Mac computer connected to my TV if that helps. —Kenny Youngers, via email

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Can I Use All Ceiling Speakers In an Atmos Setup?
Al Griffin  |  Aug 14, 2019  |  0 comments
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Q Is it possible to install a Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 configuration using only in-ceiling speakers with directional tweeters? —Felix Diezel, via email

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Do Any Bluetooth Speakers Use Audyssey Processing?
Al Griffin  |  Jul 11, 2019  |  1 comments
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Q Are there any powered Bluetooth speakers on the market that use Audyssey or similar technologies? I have Audyssey Dynamic EQ available in my main listening area and I enjoy being able to listen at lower volume levels without losing proper frequency balance. It would be nice to have this ability in other rooms and also when I travel. —Dallas Holston, via email

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Should I Invest in IMAX Enhanced AV Gear?
Al Griffin  |  May 23, 2019  |  0 comments
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Q Is there any reason why I should invest in IMAX Enhanced AV gear and discs? Do you think this technology can survive against the established Dolby and DTS competition? —David Riley, via email

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Can I Use Back Surround Speakers If My Couch Is Against the Wall?
Al Griffin  |  May 02, 2019  |  0 comments
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Q I’ve got a smallish 10 x 12-foot viewing room. The room’s size isn’t necessarily a problem, but the seating is a modular couch set all the way against the back wall. Can I get any value out of in-wall surrounds right behind or beside the seating? —Robert Greenwalt, via email

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