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Headphone Reviews
PSB Speakers M4U 4 Headphone
Steve Guttenberg  |  Dec 09, 2015

Performance
Build Quality
Comfort
Value
PRICE $299

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Two-way hybrid dual-driver design
User-replaceable cables
Two-year warranty
Minus
Resolution no match for all-armature in-ear designs

THE VERDICT
The PSB Speakers M4U 4 blocks a good amount of external noise, feels comfy, and sounds sweet. What’s not to like?

PSB Speakers’ Paul Barton is a quick learner. After decades designing his company’s speakers, he jumped into headphones with the PSB M4U 2 full-size, noise-canceling ’phones. The M4U 2 was hailed by critics and consumers alike, and his next design for NAD, the Viso HP50, was even better, Barton was clearly on a roll. Now, with the M4U 4, Barton may be the first celebrated speaker designer to ever tackle crafting an in-ear headphone.

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The Connected Life
Ultra HD Blu-ray Is Coming...but Do You Care?
John Sciacca  |  Dec 09, 2015
As 4K TV sales prices continue dropping and sales steadily increase, the public’s demand for true 4K content continues to increase. At this past CEDIA, Kaleidescape announced its new Strato 4K Movie Player as well as the company’s third generation movie store that will offer more than 100 4K downloads at launch. DISH also discussed plans about its upcoming 4K Joey joining DirecTV in offering some 4K content. And with the International CES just a few weeks away, it seems likely one of the big stories from the show will be the launch of new Ultra HD Blu-ray players. But, will anyone care?

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Vote
Will You Buy an Ultra HD Blu-ray Player?
John Sciacca  |  Dec 09, 2015
Panasonic’s DMR-UBZ1 Ultra HD Blu-ray player went on sale in Japan last month.

Ultra HD Blu-ray is looming on the horizon as manufacturers get ready to bring the first players to market. (See John Sciacca’s Connected Life blog.) Do you plan on buying a new Ultra HD Blu-ray player? Choose the scenario that best describes your intentions and we’ll tally up the results.

Will You Buy an Ultra HD Blu-ray Player?
Yes! I’m an early adopter! I buy all of the newest technologies!
6% (141 votes)
I will…but only if the players are between $500-1,000
8% (167 votes)
I will…but only if the players are between $250 and $499
17% (374 votes)
I will…but only if the players are less than $250
10% (220 votes)
I will…but I’m going to wait until there is more content available and the price drops
29% (648 votes)
I will only buy if the Ultra HD movies sell for the same or less than current Blu-rays
12% (265 votes)
I’m done buying discs and will wait until streaming takes off
7% (145 votes)
I don’t care about Ultra High Def or 4K
11% (238 votes)
Total votes: 2198
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Audio Video News
Denon Adds Amazon Prime Music to Heos
SV Staff  |  Dec 09, 2015
Denon has announced that its Heos wireless multiroom Sound system now supports Amazon Prime Music, bringing the total number of supported services to 10.
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A/V Veteran
4K HDR Video: What We Don't Know (Yet)
Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 08, 2015
On September 19, 2015, SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) published a Study Group Report titled “High Dynamic Range (HDR) Imaging Ecosystem.” The emphasis is on the production side, but the bottom line appears to be this: The industry is still engaged in a protracted study of HDR, with no current standards for the production and display of content in that format.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Onkyo, Iron Maiden Launch 'Metal' Headphones
SV Staff  |  Dec 08, 2015
Onkyo has teamed up with metal gods Iron Maiden to create headphones tuned by the band’s founding member/bassist Steve Harris to appeal to fans of rock and heavy metal music.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
New Healthy Ears Headphone Shows Volume in dB
SV Staff  |  Dec 08, 2015
Puro Sound Labs, maker of wireless headphones for kids, today announced a wireless headphone for adults that monitors volume and reports the level in decibels (dB).
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Sweepstakes
The Aiaiai Studio Modular Headphone Preset Sweepstakes
SV Staff  |  Dec 07, 2015
Register to win a pair of Aiaiai Studio Modular Headphone Preset headphones ($225.00 Retail Value) we are giving away.

According to the company:

"AIAIAI boasts a world-renowned network of industrial designers, audio technicians and DJs as part of its unique and highly collaborative development process. Exploratory and experimental, the process enables AIAIAI to develop new products on the leading edge, independent of current market trends."

[This Sweepstakes is now closed.]

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
2015 Blu-ray Gift Guide
Chris Chiarella  |  Dec 07, 2015
As 2015 draws to a close and gift-giving holidays loom, you can take comfort in knowing that Blu-ray is still the king of physical media, and plenty of studios continue to go above and beyond to release extra-special editions of movies, music, and beloved TV series sure to make a lasting impression. Here are 10 for your consideration.
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Audio Video News
HiFiMan Launches High-Sensitivity Planar Headphone
SV Staff  |  Dec 07, 2015
HiFiMan has introduced an open-back, planar-magnetic headphone that boasts a remarkable 103 dB sensitivity, enabling them to be driven by a smartphone and other portable devices.
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