LATEST ADDITIONS

The Connected Life
Home Theater Planning: Walk Back the Design, Part 2
John Sciacca  |  Apr 26, 2019
In my last blog, I discussed the many clients I meet with who have no idea how to begin the design process when planning a new home theater or media room installation. Instead of focusing on specific technologies and performance, I have found it best in these cases to work the design process back from how they would like the room to look after the installation is completed.
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Audio Video News
Best Speakers of 2019 (So Far)
SV Staff  |  Apr 25, 2019
Speakers are without a doubt the most important link in the audio chain — the component that will more than any other define the character of the sound you hear. Through the end of March, we reviewed eight speaker systems, ranging from a $179 wireless speaker that’s portable and splash-resistant to a killer Atmos-capable soundbar system that will make your head spin to a high-end 5.4.2 suite of home theater speakers from one of audio’s most revered brands. All are Top Picks and worthy of consideration — especially our three Top Value Picks. Let’s review…
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Throwback Thursday
Flashback 2005: YouTube Is Born
SV Staff  |  Apr 25, 2019
With more than a billion users and 2 billion views a day, YouTube is a force to be reckoned with but its humble beginnings gave no hint of what was to come.
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Audio Video News
Josh.ai Brings its Voice Platform to Dish Satellite TV
SV Staff  |  Apr 25, 2019
Josh.ai, the Denver-based home-automation company specializing in natural language voice control, today announced the integration of its voice platform into Dish’s Hopper DVRs.
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SmartStream
The Fight Is Over: YouTube Returns to Fire TV, Prime Video to Chromecast
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 24, 2019
Peace between Amazon and Google means that the YouTube app will return to Fire TVs and Amazon Prime Video will be available for casting to Google Chromecast.
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Subwoofer Reviews
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer Review
David Vaughn  |  Apr 24, 2019

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE Price: $1,099 (piano gloss black), $999 (black ash)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Outstanding performance for price
Excellent iOS/Android control app
Compact form factor
Minus
Lacks auto-calibration/room EQ

THE VERDICT
SVS continues its tradition of providing more than ample bass for your buck, this time in a relatively compact subwoofer accompanied by a useful setup and control app.

Over the past 15 years I've reviewed more A/V products than I can count, but the ones I most look forward to watching the FedEx guy hoist off the delivery truck are subwoofers. That's mainly because I love hearing bass—the more the better. Also, the reviewing process gives me an opportunity to revisit some of my favorite movie bass torture-test scenes to see if the latest, greatest subwoofer is up to snuff.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
SiriusXM’s New Streaming-Only Plan Costs $8/Month
SV Staff  |  Apr 24, 2019
Satellite radio pioneer SiriusXM is rolling out a streaming-only plan offering access to a diverse lineup of more than 300 entertainment channels for $8/month.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Savant’s New Self-Powered Network Speakers Mount in Ceiling
SV Staff  |  Apr 24, 2019
Smart-home specialist Savant today introduced a line of self-powered network speakers that mimic recessed lighting.
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Bookshelf Speaker Reviews
Fluance Ai40 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review
Al Griffin  |  Apr 23, 2019

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $200

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive sound and build quality for price
Good looks
Easy to set up
Minus
Limited connection options
Analog input can be noisy

THE VERDICT
The Fluance Ai40 delivers great sound and easy setup at a stunningly low price.

The Fluance Ai40 is a good-looking and reasonably compact powered speaker system that's equally at home on the desktop and in the living room. With aptX Bluetooth and stereo RCA inputs and not much else, it's easy to set up for streaming and vinyl or CD playback. At $200, the Ai40 is also a notably affordable given the performance level it provides.

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A/V Veteran
AXPONA 2019: A Guide to the Best Sound
Tom Norton  |  Apr 23, 2019
The annual Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) show in Chicago has exploded into the biggest audio show in North America. 2019 was my first experience there, and it lived up to its reputation. The only show that’s now bigger, based on the number of exhibitors (though I understand it’s heavy on static displays), is May’s Munich show in Germany.
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