LATEST ADDITIONS

AV Receiver Reviews
Arcam AVR750 AV Receiver
Mark Fleischmann  |  Feb 04, 2014

Audio Performance
Video Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $6,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Rail-switching amplifiers
Muscular dynamics
Smooth, not sizzly
Minus
Extra-cost wireless
Vertigo-inducing price

THE VERDICT
This British audiophile receiver is steeply priced but worth every ha’penny, and its rail-switching amplifier is among the best there is.

The Arcam AVR600 blew my socks off when I reviewed it in 2009. I’ll discuss how it sounded later&mdashbut for the moment, I want to tell you how it made me feel:: pleased, then surprised, then amazed, grateful, stimulated, intrigued, and determined to play as much of my music library as time would permit before the review sample was pried out of my covetous hands. Only the price kept me from adopting it as my new reference receiver. But just because I have to live within fiscal limits doesn’t mean you should. I want you to have as much fun as you can afford.

Continue Reading »
Headphone Reviews
Om Audio InEarPeace In-Ear Headphone
Steve Guttenberg  |  Feb 04, 2014
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $150

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Dynamic and balanced armature drivers
All-metal earpieces
Tangle-free, flat cable
Minus
Zippy highs
May not suit audiophile tastes

THE VERDICT
The Om Audio InEarPeace may stray too far from neutrality for some, but it’s definitely not boring!

Om Audio is the recent brainchild of a select group of consumer electronics, audio, and technology professionals, including former staff members from Dolby, Velodyne, and Gracenote. While Om’s InEarPeace in-ear monitor looks pretty standard, it features a rather unusual two-way driver complement, with a 10mm bass driver and a midrange/tweeter balanced armature driver in each all-metal earpiece. Nice!

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Audio Xperts Coulda Been a Contenda
Mark Fleischmann  |  Feb 04, 2014
One of the most promising new stars in audio-for-video technology has unexpectedly left the stage. AudioXperts, founded by Harman International veteran Eli Harary, specialized in luxury-level TV consoles and bamboo-sheathed Bluetooth speakers. Its first products were just about to hit the street when the lead investor pulled the plug. Delays in bringing products to market were blamed. We’re mentioning this because some of the products may eventually be sold through other channels. One of those 4TV smoked-glass soundbar consoles might be just the thing to spruce up your flat-panel TV—not to mention that it’s now a collector’s item. Harary has made arrangements to service products already purchased.
Audio Video News
Why Your Kindle Has the Blues
Mark Fleischmann  |  Feb 04, 2014
Why does the Kindle Fire HDX have that blue tint around the edges of the touchscreen? Amazon says it’s actually to improve overall color: “Most LCD displays use white LEDs, and then apply filters to extract the desired color. The result is oftentimes a compromise to tone and color accuracy, or—if attempting to address these compromises—an increase in battery consumption and, thus, device weight. We’ve taken a different approach. To achieve perfect color accuracy on the Kindle Fire HDX 7-inch at the lowest possible battery consumption and weight, we used blue, not white, LEDs. Blue LEDs allow for a much more accurate and rich representation of color and result in an up to 20 percent improvement in power efficiency.” Amazon was selling the device for $229 at press time.
Audio Video News
National Home Builder to Offer Control4 Entertainment/Automation Systems
SV Staff  |  Feb 04, 2014
Control4, a leading provider of home automation and control solutions, today announced that it has been selected by the national builder Toll Brothers to provide smart home technology options to new-home buyers.

Continue Reading »
Signals
The Super Bowl Blues
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Feb 03, 2014
Some people watch the Super Bowl to see some football. Some just want to see the commercials. I tune into the Super Bowl to hear the music. Unlike the game, this year didn’t disappoint. I was blown away by an opera singer selling nothing, and a folk singer selling his soul.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
S&V Poll: Lack of OLED Was the Biggest CES Story
SV Staff  |  Jan 31, 2014
The results of this week’s survey are in. We asked for your take on the most compelling story of 2014 CES and the decided lack of activity in OLED TV raked in the most votes, capturing nearly one third of all. The preponderance of 4K/Ultra HD TVs was deemed to be the second most important story, followed closely by the LG’s 77-inch hybrid OLED/Ultra HD TV. Here’s the complete breakdown…
Continue Reading »
Tech2
Tech^2 for a Better You!
Lauren Dragan  |  Jan 31, 2014
Okay, it’s the end of January. Be honest: how are you doing with your New Year Resolutions? Stop groaning. I know, it’s hard. Good habits are tough to build, and life has a sneaky way of creating obstacles on the path towards good intentions. But never fear, I have a few tech ideas that might just help you kick start your resolve. Pick a resolution to learn how.
Continue Reading »
SmartStream
A First Look at the Beats Music Service
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 30, 2014
Beats Electronics who brought us the ubiquitous Beats headphones brings us their own music steaming service. Here's a first look at the Beats Music streaming experience.
Continue Reading »
Surround Sound System ReviewsBookshelf Speaker ReviewsSubwoofer Reviews
Pinnacle Black Diamond 650 Series II Speaker System
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 30, 2014

Speaker System
Performance
Build Quality
Value
Subwoofer
Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $3,996

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Sweet dedicated midrange
Solidly musical bass
Multilayer lacquer finish
Minus
Sub is merely average

THE VERDICT
The Pinnacle Black Diamonds are stellar performers with a winning personality, delivering consistently pleasing sound.

Even in our industrial twilight, the USA still has a cornucopia of great loudspeaker brands, and Pinnacle Speakers is one of them. Since the company’s founding in 1976, it has always been a family-owned business—and if there’s one kind of outfit you don’t want to mess with, it’s a family outfit. I haven’t reviewed a Pinnacle product in eight years, but just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

A limousine screeched to a halt outside my building, and two bulky guys in Men’s Wearhouse suits got out. They didn’t leave me much choice: I was blindfolded and driven around for hours and hours until I had no idea where I was. At one point, I thought I smelled Secaucus, New Jersey. Another time, the blindfold slipped, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Satriale’s Pork Store.

Continue Reading »

Pages

X