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Audio Video News
Jamo Introduces Updated Concert Series Speakers
SV Staff  |  Aug 05, 2014
Jamo, a brand of the Klipsch Group, today introduced 10 new models for its flagship Concert Series of speakers.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The Swimmer
Chris Chiarella  |  Aug 05, 2014
Picture
Sound
Extras
Embellished from John Cheever’s most famous short story, The Swimmeris a rather artful drama that is ultimately open to individual interpretation. Determined to swim his way home from pool to pool across the county, middle-aged Ned also spends this unusual day wrestling with the very truth of his life, reality coming at him in increasingly hostile waves as he encounters more of his friends. Clad only in bathing trunks—except for one scene in which he removes them altogether—the legendary Burt Lancaster imbues this misguided soul with his bigger-than-life screen presence, carrying the entire narrative on his broad, buff shoulders.

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Signals
The Future of Audio Is.... the Walkman?
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Aug 05, 2014
Although MP3 files may not entirely deserve all the scorn heaped on them, it is widely accepted that it was the proliferation of those files that put the whammy on high-end audio. Despite the availability of higher quality formats like CD, SACD and DVD-Audio, conventional wisdom says the convenience of MP3 led consumers to dumb down their audio expectations. Now, is it possible that an old-school audio company and a brand name largely associated with cassettes could lead the way back to high audio quality?

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Polk Intros Bluetooth-Enabled Desktop Speaker
SV Staff  |  Aug 04, 2014
Polk has introduced a stylish compact speaker system designed for near-field computer audio or stereo/home theater bookshelf applications. Dubbed Hampden, the system supports Bluetooth streaming and features an all-wood cabinet with a curved teak wood veneer offset by a white front panel with glass-filled, nylon bezels.
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Tech2
Why Guardians of the Galaxy Means Star Wars is Going to be Awesome
Geoffrey Morrison  |  Aug 01, 2014
(Don’t worry, no spoilers)

I hate The Prequels. It’s a deep seated loathing, burning hot at my core like my heart was pumping white phosphorus. It’s not that they were a disappointment (they are), or that they tarnish the original movies (to an extent, they do), it’s that they are, simply, indefensibly, crappy movies. Poorly written, directed, acted, shot, they’re an affront not just the legacy of Star Wars, but movie making as a whole.

I was excited when Lucas sold SW to Disney, and despite some questionable news since, Guardians of the Galaxy is a perfect example why I’m not worried, and in fact, enthusiastic, about the upcoming films.

No, really, this makes sense, I swear.

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Ears On
Say Hello to These AVR Features
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 01, 2014
Although home theater is maturing, it's still capable of being transformed by new technology. This year we are doubly blessed with the advents of both Dolby Atmos surround sound and Ultra High-Definition TV, both of which are being supported in AV receivers. Incidentally, if you want an opinion, I'm cautiously optimistic about both, and believe they will have a positive impact on large dedicated home theater installations. But there are also smaller improvements that get less publicity. So here are shout-outs to half a dozen little innovations that are making AVRs more convenient or better sounding.

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Audio Video News
Vizio Introduces Sound Stand Audio System for Tight Spaces
SV Staff  |  Aug 01, 2014
Vizio has introduced a 2.1-channel all-in-one audio system for media cabinets and living areas with limited table or counter space such as dens, small kitchens, and dorm rooms.
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Tower Speaker Reviews
Definitive Technology Mythos ST-L Loudspeaker
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jul 31, 2014

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $2,499 ea

AT A GLANCE
Plus
1,200-watt Class D subwoofer amplifier
IR remote control for woofer level adjustments
No support grid behind grille cloth to block midrange/tweeter array
Minus
They’re pretty heavy
Remote control coverage too narrow to reach both speakers simultaneously

THE VERDICT
Def Tech’s updated flagship is an uncannily neutral, disappearing speaker and an amazing value.

It’s hard to believe that the original Definitive Technology Mythos ST was introduced seven years ago. At the time, the Mythos styling ethos—svelte, curved-back, extruded-aluminum cabinets—had already been around for a while, so the sleek, silvery design of the Mythos ST wasn’t a dramatic departure. Sure, it was the largest Mythos speaker to come out to that point, but what made it especially buzzworthy was that the ST was the first Mythos speaker to include a powered woofer section.

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Ask S&V
Do 1080p TVs Downconvert 4K Video Signals?
Al Griffin  |  Jul 31, 2014
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I recently went to my local electronics store to check out the TVs. Every set, whether 4K or 1080p, was displaying 4K programming, and I have to say that even the 1080p sets looked great when showing 4K. Here’s my question: Do 1080p TVs downscale 4K video, or does the 4K server perform that function before passing the signal on to the TV? —Bill Carman / via e-mail

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SmartStream
How to Create an Amazon Prime Music Library
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jul 31, 2014
Amazon Prime membership has added free music from Amazon Prime Music. Here's how Amazon Prime Music works and tips for quickly amassing the music library you want.
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