LATEST ADDITIONS

Desktop Speaker Reviews
Giveaway: Paradigm Millenia CT 2.1 Speaker System
Michael Berk  |  Sep 28, 2012

You might have noticed that we were very enthusiastic about the Paradigm MilleniaOne speaker system - it did, after all, end up as our Product of the Year for 2011. Well, Paradigm's continued on developing that line, applying the MilleniaOne's tech to a couple of 2.1 systems (dubbed CT for "Compact Theater") meant to answer the challenge of the current crop of soundbars. And we've gotten our hands on one of them - the Paradigm Millenia CT - to give away to one of you lucky readers.

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Tech2
Review: Half-Life Returns With Black Mesa
Geoffrey Morrison  |  Sep 28, 2012

Reverence. That is what I, and most gamers, feel towards Half-Life. Released in 1998, it was revolutionary. More importantly, it was fun.

Playing now, though, is nearly impossible. Not because of any technological limitations (it was ported to Steam), but because the 14-year-old graphics make you want to weep.

At least they have until now.

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3D Blu-ray Player ReviewsBlu-ray Player Reviews
Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray 3D Player
Kris Deering  |  Sep 27, 2012

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $150 At A Glance: Reference-quality Blu-ray playback • Full 3D support including 2D-to-3D conversion • Lots of streaming options

It will be interesting to see where the Blu-ray player market goes in the next few years. We reached a point of diminishing returns on the newer lines of players. The Bluray spec hasn’t changed since the adoption of 3D, so there’s nothing new to add, and just about every device out there has an insurmountable number of streaming features. But that could have been said about last year’s models. Prices continue to drop, along with the size of the players, yet there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to go if you want something truly different from a player going forward. Maybe this is where the rumored 4K Blu-ray will make its entrance and reinvigorate the market. Still, the quality of player you can now get for just over a hundred bucks is impressive, and Panasonic’s latest is about all you can ask for if you want reference-quality Blu-ray playback and cutting-edge streaming features.

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Custom Installation How-To
Soundproofing 101: How To Keep Your Home Theater Quiet
Bob Ankosko  |  Sep 26, 2012
It’s 11:00 on a Sunday night. Your honey just went up to bed and you can’t wait to crank up your latest Blu-ray acquisition: Jimi Plays Berkeley, a long-forgotten 1970 documentary that has been restored and remixed in 5.1 surround. Seconds after Hendrix rips into the first number, the dreaded foot stomping from above begins. The party’s over before it even starts. Last time it was a cataclysmic crescendo from Inception that did you in. Frustrated, you vow to remedy the situation and, once and for all, soundproof the family room that doubles as your home theater.
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Portable Player Reviews
Review: Monster ClarityHD Micro
Brent Butterworth  |  Sep 26, 2012

When I first saw the Soundmatters FoxL portable audio system, I knew I'd found something cool, but I didn't realize it would start a movement. The FoxL proved that a tiny, briefcase-toteable sound system could deliver satisfying sound. Since then, we've seen lots of products inspired by the FoxL, including the Jawbone Jambox, the Braven 650, and now the Monster ClarityHD Micro.

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Tech2
Review: Monster ClarityHD Micro Page 2
Brent Butterworth  |  Sep 26, 2012

When I first saw the Soundmatters FoxL portable audio system, I knew I’d found something cool, but I didn’t realize it would start a movement. The FoxL proved that a tiny, briefcase-toteable sound system could deliver satisfying sound. Since then, we’ve seen lots of products inspired by the FoxL, including the Jawbone Jambox, the Braven 650, and now the Monster ClarityHD Micro.

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This Week
New Blu-rays for September 25, 2012: The Name is Bond
Josef Krebs  |  Sep 25, 2012

Bond 50

On this, the golden anniversary of the very first film appearance of the suavest, most unforgettable, most cinematically thrilling character ever, all 22 James Bond movies (not including the 1967 comedy version of Casino Royale), from Dr.

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Subwoofer Reviews
Sonos SUB Subwoofer
Kim Wilson  |  Sep 25, 2012

Performance
Build Quality
Value
Price: $699 At a Glance: Dedicated sub that extends dynamics and musicality of Sonos speakers • Easy setup and simple control via iOS and Android apps • Unique design and stunning high-gloss finish • One-button setup to the Sonos network

The latest addition to the Sonos family of products is the Sonos SUB, which is specifically designed to work with the company’s speakers—the Play:3 and Play:5. Either of these can be paired with another speaker of the same model to create a stereo pair for a wider soundfield.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Safe House
Corey Gunnestad  |  Sep 25, 2012
Picture
Sound
Extras
Interactivity
The old adage “trust no one” is dramatically reinforced in the adrenaline-pumping thriller Safe House. Government-run safe houses are supposedly secure areas where people of interest can be kept in quarantine for purposes of questioning or until safe transport can be arranged. Ryan Reynolds is a “housekeeper” stationed at a CIA safe house in Capetown, South Africa. His daily regimen consists of total isolation and staring at the walls. One night, however, covert operatives arrive with a high-profile renegade agent to be interrogated. Shortly after his arrival, all hell breaks loose and pretty much stays on the loose until the end of the movie. Denzel Washington stars as the rogue agent carrying some extremely volatile and valuable information.
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This Week
Music from the Archives for September 25, 2012: Grateful Dead, Sex Pistols, and More
Mark Smotroff  |  Sep 25, 2012

Audiophile Pistols

When you say the words "audiophile release," people generally don't think first of the Sex Pistols. But don't forget that Never Mind The Bollocks... Here's The Sex Pistols was produced by two veterans of the golden age of British studio wizardry: Chris Thomas (who played on the White Album and recorded Pink Floyd, Badfinger, and Roxy Music, to name but a few) and Bill Price (who designed the legendary AIR Studios).

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