Audio Video News

EISA HT Audio Citations 2018

EISA HOME THEATER AMPLIFIER 2018-2019
Denon AVR-X8500H (AVC-X8500H in Europe)

Denon’s flagship AV amplifier is perfect for those seeking the highest levels of home entertainment. Rated at 210W per channel with no fewer than 13 discrete amplifiers, it’s potently powerful and capable of driving demanding speakers, delivering a dynamic performance regardless of whether you are running a 9.1.4 array, or 7.1.6 setup with six ceiling channels. Able to decode Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D movie soundmixes, as well as hi-res audio files up to 192kHz/24-bit, the AVC-X8500H also packs an extensive range of inputs plus networking/streaming functionality to offer borderless comfort. A heavyweight construction, immense power supply and Audyssey’s top-tier MultEQ XT32 EQ/calibration suite help engineer its superb, cinematic sound. Standing clear of its rivals, it delivers the ultimate home theater experience.

Full Sound & Vision Review Here

EISA HOME THEATER RECEIVER 2018-2019
Pioneer VSX-933

In direct contrast to its reasonable price, Pioneer’s seven-channel VSX-933 AV receiver comes with a suitably high-spec feature list, allowing it to operate as the centerpiece of a home theater with up to 7.2 channels. Onboard decoding includes the object-based Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, while a bespoke ‘reflex optimiser’ is on hand to calibrate any upwards-firing speakers in even the most challenging rooms. The powerful and well-constructed VSX-933 adds to its movie playback credentials with wireless multiroom, hi-res audio support, streaming services including Tidal, Spotify and Deezer, plus Chromecast. Immersive sound quality is fine-tuned by Pioneer’s MCACC auto-calibration system, ensuring this receiver delivers films and music to a far higher level than you might expect given the price.

EISA HOME THEATER SPEAKER SYSTEM 2018-2019
KEF Q Series

KEF’s Q Series has a legendary status stretching back decades, but has now been re-invented for today’s user. A robust, stylish cabinet design is matched by an impressive performance bolstered by the latest version of KEF’s Uni-Q concentric driver, where midrange and treble information is treated as a single source. For largescale bass delivery, an active driver is combined with two passive radiators in the Q750 floorstanders. These are joined by the Q650c center and Q350 surround speakers to provide an accurate, wraparound soundstage with incredible neutrality. Extra bass depth comes via the Kube12b active subwoofer, while the Dolby Atmos-enabled Q50a upfiring speakers ensure that movie enthusiasts can enjoy up to 5.1.4 channels of unbeatable home cinema sound.

Full Sound & Vision Review Here

EISA BEST BUY HOME THEATER SPEAKER SYSTEM 2018-2019
Jamo S 809 HCS / S 810 SUB / S 8 ATM

When it comes to captivating home theater audio from a smart, stylish system, Jamo’s Studio 8 series ticks all the boxes. An ideal starting point for a multichannel setup, the S 809 HCS package of two floorstanders, center speaker and pair of bookshelf surrounds can be strengthened by the addition of the compact but powerful S 810 SUB for extra low-end grunt. Meanwhile, Jamo’s S 8 ATM upfiring speakers, which integrate seamlessly with floorstanding models, provide a Dolby Atmos upgrade path. The performance here is accurate, well-balanced and enveloping, and the slim, elegant cabinets with grey fabric grilles result in 5.1.2 package that looks every bit as good as it sounds.

Full Sound & Vision Review Here

EISA HOME THEATER IN-WALL SPEAKER 2018-2019
Focal 300IWLCR6 / 300IW6

For those that don’t want speakers cluttering their room, Focal’s 300 In-Wall series offers an elegant solution without compromising performance. Installation is made easy by the smart clamping mechanism, and the frameless magnetic grilles result in a near-invisible finish. Through their Flax drivers and glassfibre cones, these Focal in-wall speakers provide a neutral midrange, accurate bass and precise vocal definition, while clear and vibrant harmonics are delivered by the inverted dome tweeter – performance can adjusted via treble and midrange switches. With the three-way 300IWLCR6 speakers bringing impressive dynamics and low-frequency response to the front/center soundstage, the smaller two-way 300IW6 is perfect for surround channel use. Simply cut a hole, click in and you’re ready to go.

EISA SOUNDBAR 2018-2019
LG SK10Y

Designed to partner screens up to 65in and above, LG’s SK10Y Dolby Atmos soundbar is a thrilling home theater solution for when space is at a premium, and comes fully equipped with network functionality, hi-res audio compatibility, Chromecast and a wireless subwoofer. Slim and beautifully constructed, this 5.1.2-channel model features 4K HDR passthrough via its HDMI connectivity, and can be combined with LG’s SPK8-S wireless speaker upgrade package to expand to a 7.1.2 soundfield. Audio performance, boosted by Meridian Audio technology and preset EQ modes, is rich in bass and huge in scale, with the in-built upfiring drivers adding impactful height-layer detail. It’s a stunning home cinema sound from a well-featured package.

EISA BEST BUY SOUNDBAR 2018-2019
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX

The MagniFi MAX soundbar packs a lot of functionality into its living-room friendly design. Dolby and DTS decoding are allied to Polk Audio’s patented ‘Stereo Dimensional Array’ digital surround processing, giving an expansive performance to movies, TV and music playback, while voice adjust technology boosts dialogue delivery, making it easy to understand at all times. The additional subwoofer, which connects wirelessly, offers powerful and well-controlled bass. HDMI connectivity simplifies installation, and music streaming from your favorite apps is achieved over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. And if that’s not enough, you can even hook up a Google Assistant speaker to control music playback with voice commands. It’s an excellent soundbar all-rounder.

EISA HOME THEATER SUBWOOFER 2018-2019
SVS SB-4000

When it comes to a bass performance you can feel as well as hear, the SB-4000 is in a class of its own. Borrowing technology from SVS’s 16-Ultra reference-grade range, this breathtaking subwoofer is equipped with a ‘Sledge’ amplifier boasting a mighty 4000W peak delivery. Its long-throw, 13.5in driver – bolted inside a solid closed cabinet – is capable of unleashing pure dynamics even with the very lowest subsonic frequencies. SVS’s advanced DSP offers impeccable room correction with full parametric equalization, letting the SB-4000 provide pinpoint LFE precision from any location, while all its settings can be easily altered via remote control or smartphone app. Offering maximum SPL, massive slam and an incredible low-frequency extension, this sub will shake, rattle and roll your home theater.

COMBINED AWARD WITH IN-CAR GROUP

EISA SLIM INSTALLATION COMPONENT 2018-2019
Morel Virtus Nano Integra 602 & SoundWall PowerSlim PMC600

Designed for easy installation where space is limited, this Morel Integra driver is used for both in-car audio and in-wall products under different names. Thanks to its limited depth, it can be installed in-wall using proper frames with almost no space behind as well as in shallow places in the car, as the mounting depth is a mere 0.67in (17mm). An ‘Endumax’ multilayer sandwich cone, with convex geometry, and ‘Acuflex’ soft dome with 2.1in and 1.1in voice coils, respectively, provide precision and control. The speaker cleverly uses the same magnet for woofer and tweeter voice coil, which not only saves space but also provides an almost perfect phase alignment. This ‘Zero-Point’ dual-concentric technology assures that limited space need not affect the speaker’s sonic prowess.