Audio Video News

High-resolution audio has a new champion. This past April we reported that Nativ had launched an Indiegogo campaign to bring a premium high-resolution wireless touchscreen music player and DAC to production. It easily surpassed its funding goal by 316%—that’s $344,000 from its initial goal of $100,000. Well, to sweeten the ask, Nativ just announced they’re adding the Nativ Disc powered by Gracenote, a new CD ripping unit that continues their “bit-perfect” streak. Think no one cares about high-resolution audio? The 356 Indiegogo backers certainly care.

Dashbon Flicks Boombox Projector
Many of today’s Bluetooth speakers have put a new face on the classic boombox, but Flicks pushes the concept to its logical conclusion: a portable movie theater! Measuring 11.7 x 5.3 x 6.5 inches, this boombox packs an LED-based, 720p DLP projector that can display a 100-inch image from just over 8 feet away, plus the requisite speakers—in this case, two full-range drivers plus a “subwoofer” and bass radiator.

Facebook’s Virtual Reality technology uses dynamic streaming to offer multiple resolutions. It musters the highest quality in the center and lower quality in your peripheral vision...

Ultra HDTVs Occupied 40 percent of U.S. retail shelf space in late 2015, according to Quixel Research—although picture-improving HDR and other technologies are still developing. Shelf share of 1080p TVs dropped to 46 percent, from 71 percent 18 months before...

As a follow-up to the recently introduced NR1607 slim-design AV receiver, Marantz is adding a new full-size 7.2-channel AVR to its 2016 lineup.

Monster has announced a collaborative deal with Aerosmith co-founder and guitarist Joe Perry that builds on a decades long “personal and music industry relationship” Monster founder Noel Lee has with the rock icon.

Panasonic will join Samsung and Philips to become the third company to offer an Ultra HD Blu-ray player in September when it ships the DMP-UB900.

As we head into a long, lazy July 4th Weekend, we’ve encapsulated a formidable list of recent Top Picks. Half of our Picks are devoted to an eclectic mix of wireless speakers, including one built for use outdoors. The other half includes what may be the world’s best TV, a couple of high-end headphones, a bad-ass budget subwoofer, a crazy cool micro tube amp, and an awesome AVR. Enjoy the holiday…and the gear.