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Spatial Audio File
Joe Satriani on the Spacious New Atmos Mix of His Career-Defining 1987 Album, Surfing With the Alien
Mike Mettler  |  Feb 24, 2023

Guitar maestro Joe Satriani has been making strange beautiful music for well over four decades and counting. Given his penchant for exploring the very concept of space itself and all of its dimensions, it should come as no surprise that Satch has wholly embraced the concept of having his music mixed in Dolby Atmos. Recently, Satriani and I got on Zoom together to discuss just how cosmically cool his benchmark October 1987 instrumental album Surfing With the Alien sounds in Atmos, which specific track benefits the most from its Atmos mix, and what earlier surround mix from his storied catalog he considers to be “the most beautiful thing ever.” Read on to discover all the Satch-in-Atmos answers that await. . .

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
4 on 4K from Kino Lorber Studio Classics
Chris Chiarella  |  Feb 24, 2023
In Bruges, 107 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
The Score, 124 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
Tropic Thunder, 107/121 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
The Usual Suspects, 106 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras

Boutique label Kino Lorber Studio Classics has been coming on strong the past couple of years, and their recent Ultra HD 4K output has been second to none. With the freedom to work with a variety of studios, they’re amassing an enviable catalog of time-honored films in uncompromising video quality. We spun four of their newest, all utilizing Dolby Vision HDR and proffered on roomy triple-layer 100GB discs. All of them use pre-existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks, maintain key legacy bonus features, and also include the movie on freshly minted 1080p Blu-rays.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Headphone Heaven: CanJam NYC 2023 Preview
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 23, 2023
The latest and greatest in headphone technology will be on display at CanJam NYC 2023, which opens on Saturday (February 25) at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of New York City’s Times Square.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Samsung 2023 TVs: First Impressions and Pricing
Mark Henninger  |  Feb 23, 2023  |  First Published: Feb 21, 2023
Samsung has recently published comprehensive pricing details for its premium Neo QLED TVs and the 77-inch QD OLED, all of which are available to order now.

Some owners have already received their new TVs and are sharing their initial impressions on YouTube. Additionally, Sound & Vision had the opportunity to test three new models firsthand: the QN900C, the top-of-the-line 8K model, the QN95C, the 4K flagship model, and the S95C, the innovative QD OLED model with impressive picture quality.

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Tower Speaker Reviews
Fluance Ai81 Active Tower Stereo Speaker System Review
Leslie Shapiro  |  Feb 22, 2023

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Convenient
Budget-friendly
Multiple input options
Excellent soundstage

Minus
Needs a subwoofer for movies
Veiled midrange
Bright treble

THE VERDICT
The Fluance Ai81 floorstanding self-powered stereo pair is ideal for anyone looking for an affordable solution that provides better imaging and soundstage compared to almost any soundbar in this price range while retaining all the same conveniences.

As a recording engineer, I’ve often pondered how soundbars could have become so popular, even though they typically sacrifice the sound quality and true stereo imaging attained by full-range speakers. I know the answer is because they’re so convenient, usually self-powered, and easy to connect to a TV. But is there a solution with a more realistic soundstage that also provides the same features and connectivity? Enter the Fluance Ai81 floorstanding, powered speakers with a multitude of input options.

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SmartStream
Peacock Drops Free Tier Making New Users Pay
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 22, 2023
At a time when live-TV streaming services are adding more free channels, Peacock streaming service has discontinued its free tier for new customers offering only Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus subscriptions.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Def Tech Celebrates Bipolar/Power Tower Heritage with New Speaker Series
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 22, 2023
Definitive Technology, the company started by audio-industry icon Sandy Gross in 1990, today announced a new series of speakers that celebrates the two things the brand is best known for: bipolar speaker designs that use front- and rear-facing drivers to create a more spacious listening experience and the “power tower” — a floorstanding speaker with a built-in powered subwoofer.
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Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
The Banshees of Inisherin
David Vaughn  |  Feb 21, 2023
Picture
Sound
Kaleidescape Scenes
Extras
Set in 1923 at the tail end of the Irish Civil War, Pádraic (Colin Farrell) is a simple farmer who is set in his ways. At exactly two o’clock each day, he walks to his best friend’s house to collect him on the way to the local pub. But something is different one day. Colm (Brenden Gleeson) refuses to answer the door. He has decided their lifelong friendship is over, leaving Pádraic confused and obsessed with finding out what he did to deserve such harsh treatment.
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Projector Reviews
Sony XW5000ES 4K HDR Laser Projector Review
Mark Henninger  |  Feb 21, 2023

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $6,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Accurate colors
Laser light source
2,000 ANSI lumens
Native 4K
X1 Ultimate for Projector processor
Attractive price

Minus
Manual lens adjustment
Lens could be sharper
Does not cover DCI/P3 gamut
No 3D support
Lacks HDMI 2.1

THE VERDICT
Sony changed up the recipe for its most affordable native 4K home theater projector. The laser light source is a huge plus, as is the X1 Ultimate for Projector processor, but the new lens has limitations compared to the the model it replaces.

Long live home theater! That's the first thought that came to mind after I set up Sony's latest and most affordable native 4K projector. And the main new feature is all about long life, 20,000 hours worth thanks to a new laser light source. As a matter of fact, Sony no longer sells any bulb-based 4K home theater projectors, the entire lineup is now lit by lasers.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Elac Unleashes 7 High-Performance Subwoofers
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 20, 2023
Germany’s Elac has announced a new line of high-performance “AutoEQ” subwoofers that draws on a rich history in audio that dates back almost 100 years.
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