LATEST ADDITIONS

Mike Mettler  |  May 30, 2025

Forty years ago this month in May 1985, the savior of the then-burgeoning compact disc format arrived in the name of Dire Straits’ fifth studio album Brothers in Arms, a career-defining release that became the first CD to ever sell a million copies. Read music editor Mike Mettler’s combo deep-dive review of the just-released BIA 40th Anniversary Edition 5LP and 3CD box sets and companion 1LP and 1BD editions, plus find out just how good BIA sounds in Dolby Atmos. . .

Chris Chiarella  |  May 25, 2025
Lilo & Stitch
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Disney's live-action adaptations of beloved animated movies have met with varying degrees of pushback over the years, but one welcome upside has been the habit of marking the occasion with the 4K release of the originals that spawned them. Such is the case with Lilo & Stitch, its initial popularity only seeming to grow over the past 23 years into a deeply devoted fanbase. (Any seasoned pin trader knows how fast anything with the little blue guy on it disappears from the boards.)

Chris Chiarella  |  May 20, 2025
Two horror franchise entries featuring the iconic Jason Voorhees have received impressive 4K treatment from Arrow. These ninth and tenth installments in the Friday the 13th series showcase the killer's supernatural evolution and eventual space adventure.
Mark Henninger  |  May 20, 2025
Kaleidescape has launched the Strato E ($2995). This new entry-level movie player is made for home, marine, and commercial theaters. The Strato E provides reference-quality 4K video output, supporting SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision formats.
Chris Chiarella  |  May 20, 2025
Swept Away
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The world was a very different place when I first saw Swept Away (full title Swept Away... by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August, translated from its native Travolti da un insolito destino nell'azzurro mare d'agosto). It

Barb Gonzalez  |  May 12, 2025

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb vocal clarity
Excellent object placement in surround sound
Music is supported in surround sound as instruments play around the room
Direct wireless connectivity
Minus
No on-screen settings or home screen
Difficult to change settings on the scrolling front LED—must use phone app.
Music is acceptable, but highs are occasionally shrill.

THE VERDICT
The home theater experience created by the HW-Q990F system is surprising—a true alternative to an AV receiver and individual speakers. The AI controls create a clear, immersive experience with excellent dialog for movies and clear vocals for music that automatically calibrates to your room. It's an excellent home theater sound choice.

The HW-Q990F is the next-generation Samsung flagship soundbar following the HW-Q990D. Like its predecessor, it comes with a front soundbar, two rear speakers, and a subwoofer. This year's model is smaller than the Q990D, yet it's designed to increase power and efficiency with dual opposing eight-inch woofers that use AI Dynamic Bass Control to optimize the lower frequencies.

Barb Gonzalez  |  May 12, 2025

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $999 (selling for $699 or less)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent vocal clarity
Room-filling sound with Q-Symphony on Samsung TVs
Wireless connectivity
Minus
No on-screen or on-device settings display
Only confirms setting and input changes verbally
No direct voice assistant capability

THE VERDICT
If you are tired of not hearing TV dialog and are looking for a full, rich home theater experience, yet don’t want rear speakers, the Samsung HW-QS700F is an excellent choice to get an array of cinematic sound from above and in front of you.

While not as complete an experience as the flagship HW-Q990F soundbar and surround sound system, the HW-QS700F is a respectable upgrade to television speakers, giving a virtual surround experience, including upfiring speakers.

SV Staff  |  May 10, 2025
Kaleidescape has launched a Filmmaker Spotlight on Martin Scorsese. Rather than a standard “greatest hits” compilation, it pairs Scorsese’s storied filmography with insights into the works, directors, and cinematographers who shaped his craft. Curated in collaboration with his archivist, it offers themed sub-collections like “Grifters & Hustlers,” “Scores & Soundtracks,” and “Cinematographers He Admires,” with commentary from the director.
Chris Chiarella  |  May 10, 2025
Pale Rider (1985)
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The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
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Dirty Harry (1971)
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Threastwood: Dirty Harry, Josey Wales and Pale Rider on 4K

By Chris Chiarella

Studio pushes like the one Warner has done for filmmaker Clint Eastwood—long one of their most bankable stars—are a great opportunity to rediscover what made an icon so iconic. These are not the first Eastwoods in 4K, nor are they the first from Warner, but they certainly represent some of his absolute best work on screen.

Mark Henninger  |  May 07, 2025
Harman International, the Samsung-owned powerhouse behind JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, and Arcam, has agreed to buy Masimo’s Sound United division for $350 million in cash. If regulators sign off, the sale should close by the end of 2025—just three years after Masimo stunned the market by paying roughly $1.0 billion for the very same collection of brands. For home-theater enthusiasts, the headline isn’t the price swing; it’s what happens when Denon and Marantz AV receivers, Polk Audio and Definitive Technology speakers, Bowers & Wilkins luxury models, Classé electronics, Boston Acoustics, and the HEOS multi-room platform all move under the same roof as Samsung TVs and Harman’s own audio lineup.

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