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AV Receiver Reviews
Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi Receiver: On the Bench
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • $1,500
  • 140-Watts x 7 into 8 ohms
  • Processing Modes: DD, DD-EX, ProLogicIIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DTS, DTS-ES/Discrete/Matrix/Neo: 6, DTS 24/96, Windows Media Audio
Features We Like: THX Select2-Certified, HDMI 1.1 and i.LINK switching, MCACC auto calibration and room EQ, component video switching, transcoding of analog video to HDMI with upconversion to 720p or 1080i by Faroudja, two coaxial and five toslink optical digital audio inputs, one 7.1-channel analog audio input, 7.1-channel preamp outs, USB, XM and iPod compatible, AV sync delay, multi-source/multi-zone
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AV Receiver Reviews
Sony STR-7100ES Receiver: Coming Attraction
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • $2,000
  • 170-Watts x 7 into 8 ohms
  • Processing Modes: DD, DD-EX, ProLogicIIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DTS, DTS-ES/Discrete/Matrix/Neo: 6, DTS 24/96
Features We Like: HDMI, component and i.LINK switching, transcoding of analog video to HDMI, Direct Drive Digital Amps, three coaxial and five toslink digital audio inputs, multichannel analog inputs, preamp outputs, amplifier channels can be relocated to power separate zones, multi-source/multi-zone
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AV Receiver Reviews
Rotel RSX-1057 Receiver: Coming Attraction
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • $1,499
  • 75-Watts x 5 into 8 ohms
  • DD, DD-EX, ProLogicIIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DTS, DTS-ES/Discrete/Matrix/Neo: 6, MP3, MPEG multichannel, HDCD
Features We Like: HDMI 11 switching, transcoding of composite and S-Video to component video, three coaxial and two toslink digital audio inputs, one 7.1-channel analog audio input, preamp outs, expandable to 7.1-channels, massive overbuilt power supply, multi-source/multi-zone
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AV Receiver Reviews
Denon AVR-2807 Receiver: Coming Attraction
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • $1,099
  • 110-Watts x 7 into 8 ohms
  • Processing Modes: DD, DD-EX, ProLogicIIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DTS, DTS-ES/Discrete/Matrix/Neo: 6, DTS 24/96
Features We Like: HDMI 1.1 and component video switching, auto calibration with Audyssey MultEQ room EQ, transcoding of analog video to HDMI, two coaxial and five toslink digital audio inputs, one 7.1-channel analog audio input, 7.1-channel preamp outs, XM Satellite Radio Ready, AV sync delay, multi-source/multi-zone
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Home Theater Systems Reviews
Pioneer HTS-GS1 Xbox 360 HD Surround System: On the Bench
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • $499
  • L/R/LS/RS: magnetically shielded monitor with one 3-1/16" cone
  • Center: magnetically shielded monitor with one 3-1/16" cone
  • Subwoofer/receiver: 100-Watt powered sub with one 6-5/16" woofer
Features We Like: Six channels of digital amplification rated at 100-Watts per, built-in Dolby and DTS decoding, MCACC auto calibration and room EQ, Sound Retriever for improving audio quality of compressed sound formats, Xbox 360 compatible remote
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Tower Speaker Reviews
Totem Acoustic Sttaf: On the Bench
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • Two-Channel System Price: $1,595/pr.
  • Ported two-way with one 5.5" mid/woofer and one 1" "textile" dome tweeter
    HWD: 35" x 6.3" x 9.5"
We know. This is Home Theater magazine for chrissakes! But not everyone we know (or you know) is able or willing to consider a full-on five or seven channel surround system in their space. In addition to that, some people are music lovers first, and to them the tradeoff of owning a single pair of reference quality speakers is trump compared to littering the room with speakers. And hey, you can add a center and surrounds later! Look into our December issue to see if the Totem passes the two-channel challenge!
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Subwoofer Reviews
Sunfire Solitaire 10 True Subwoofer: On the Bench
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • $1,550/ea.
  • 10" powered subwoofer with 1,250-Watt Tracking Downconverter amplifier, self-diagnostic EQ, single-ended and balanced line level inputs
Bob's latest subwoofer uses a single front-firing 10" driver and over a thousands watts of power to deliver su-20Hz bass in an enclosure that's basically an 11" cube on all sides. It ships with self-diagnostic EQ and microphone to tailor itself to your room, and accepts balanced and single-ended line level inputs and includes continuously adjustable phase and a passive 70Hz high pass filter for use with satellite speakers.
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In-Wall Speaker Reviews
Polk Audio LC-265i-IP powered In-Walls: On the Bench
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • $2,900/pr.
  • Active, 200-Watt two-way, with one 6.5" polypropylene woofer, one 6.5" polypropylene mid/woofer, and one 1" ring radiator tweeter, built-in DSP room correction and IP (Internet Protocol) ready for networked systems
Polk is calling the LC-265i-IP the "world's first active IP addressable loudspeaker." OK, sure. What's that? These three-driver in-walls carry onboard amplification for each driver, and work in networked systems, which we assume is a way to move your iTunes library around the house. In addition to being fully powered, these advanced speakers also have DSP-based room correction built-in. Got your attention yet? Look us up in December for the verdict, just in time for Xmas!
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Bookshelf Speaker Reviews
Genelec 6020A Powered Monitors and 5050A Sub: On the Bench
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • 5.1-Channel System Price As Reviewed: $4,320
  • 6020A L/R/LS/RS: Two-way bi-amplified active speaker with one 4" woofer and one .75" tweeter, $545/ea.
  • 5050A Subwoofer: 70-Watt powered sub with one 8" woofer and two 8" passive radiators, balanced and single-ended line-level inputs, $1,595
Genelec is a big name in the pro side of the business and is hoping to make a name in the consumer world with small, self-amplified systems like this one. The 6020A monitors are Genelec's smallest speaker yet, but still carries an amplifier for each driver in these two-ways. The 5050A sub fills on the low-end, but does so with a footprint that's just 13" around. Check our December issue to find out how it sounds.
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Bookshelf Speaker Reviews
PSB Alpha B1 Loudspeaker System: On the Bench
Shane Buettner  |  Sep 13, 2006
  • 5.1-Channel System Price: $1,286
  • Alpha B1 L/R/LS/RS: Two-driver, two-way speake r with one 5.25" metalized polypropylene woofer and one .75" aluminum dome tweeter, $279/pr.
    HWD: 4.25" x 9.75" x 6.25"
  • Alpha C1 Center Speaker: Three-driver, two-way center speaker with two 5.25" metalized polypropylene woofers and one .75" aluminum dome tweeter, $229/ea.
    HWD: 7" x 17.8": x 9.25"
  • SubSeries 5i subwoofer: 150-Watt powered, vented sub with one 10" polypropylene woofer, line and speaker level inputs, $499/ea.
    HWD: 16.5" x 12.4" x 14.8"
PSB is a stalwart brand for offering high-end performance at a price. The Alpha B1 is the latest incarnation of PSB's minor classic, the Alpha mini-monitor. The new version offers improved driver materials and a tweaked design. Make sure to check out HT's November issue for the full download on how a 5.1-channel system built around these speakers performed for us.
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