Audio Video News

Enclave Audio CineHome HD Wireless Home Theater System: $1,199

The Enclave Audio CineHome HD aims to keep everyone happy, combining the easy setup and simple operation of a soundbar with the true surround performance of a discrete 5.1 speaker package. And by eliminating the hassle of running speaker cables, the system delivers a true, fuss-free surround experience that no single-point soundbar can match. Summing up, reviewer Michael Trei wrote: “If you want something that’s way better-sounding than the glorified mono of a soundbar, yet remains simple to use and can be set up and playing in just a few minutes with a minimum amount of fuss and cables, then the Enclave CineHome HD is hard to top.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
True surround sound without the wiring hassles
Quick and easy setup
Hi-res wireless audio transmission
Minus
No Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio decoding
Remote is difficult to use
Lots of wall-wart power supplies to plug in

Full Review Here

 

Kaleidescape Strato 4K Ultra HD Movie Player: $4,495 (as reviewed)

Sadly, a couple days before we posted this review we learned that at-home movie server pioneer Kaleidescape had closed its doors. While the future of the company and this highly-evolved product remain uncertain, we thought it important to keep it in the mix. Will you be able to buy the Strato in the future? Maybe. Maybe not. Custom installation expert/reviewer John Sciacca had this to say about his experience with Strato, which abandons the disc-dependent system the company was founded on, instead relying 100 percent on their Movie Store to provide downloadable content: “Your home cinema experience is only as good as the weakest link in the chain, and Kaleidescape’s Strato ensures that content delivery will be of the highest caliber. For home theater enthusiasts who are passionate about picture quality and the overall cinematic experience, Strato comes highly recommended.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Unrivaled user interface
Terrific image quality including HDR10
Fast access times with no buffering
Excellent HDMI handling
Minus
Limited to content bought from Kaleidescape store
No Dolby Vision support

Full Review Here

 

Atlantic Technology FS3 and LCR3 Speaker System: $1,550 to $2,075 (as reviewed)

Atlantic Technology has come up with a flexible soundbar-based 5.1-channel system with setup options to suit different situations and preferences. Whether configured with a three-channel soundbar up front or compact LCRs all around, the system delivers deeply satisfying performance for the price, with plenty of listening comfort. And as you can see from the accompanying ratings, each piece of this sonic puzzle is Top Pick worthy. “The Atlantic Technology FS3 is a thoughtfully designed, beautifully voiced, hi-res-worthy passive soundbar. It is not only beyond excellent for its price but well into best-in-its-class, I-could-live-with-this territory,” wrote reviewer Mark Fleischmann. “If I needed to buy a passive soundbar right now with my own ink-stained pennies, it would be this one. The LCR3 satellites sound just as well rounded, and the SB-900 is a highly tuneful bass maker.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Slim-profile passive soundbar, or...
Compact LCRs in front, with...
One sub or two
Minus
AVR required for passive bar
Inherent limits of 8-inch sub

Full Review Here

 

Dish Hopper 3 Satellite DVR: $15/month

Dish continues to evolve the state of the art in satellite TV. The Hopper 3 receiver/digital video recorder (DVR) is its latest innovation and is a piece of gear that will make you think twice about signing up for satellite whether you’re a cord-cutter or cable subscriber. In one simple-to-operate device, the Hopper 3 combines the best of satellite delivery—including 4K support—with the most compelling aspects of Internet streaming. When you also consider its extensive multiroom distribution capabilities, there’s not another home entertainment device that can match the category-bending Hopper 3. Reviewer Darryl Wilkinson concluded: “I want to recommend the Hopper 3 to everyone…and their brother…and their brother’s brother…If you’re not already a Netflix 4K UHD subscriber, it might convince you to become one. The Hopper 3 is the best, most comprehensive home entertainment hub available today. Highly, highly recommended.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
16 built-in tuners
Supports Netflix 4K UHD content
Minus
Non-backlit remote

Full Review Here