LATEST ADDITIONS

Smart Speaker ReviewsStreaming Device Reviews
Marantz Grand Horizon Wireless Speaker Review
Mark Henninger  |  Dec 12, 2025

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE: $4,400 (MSRP $5,500)

AT A GLANCE

Plus
Enveloping sound from one speaker
Fidelity of a proper hi-fi rig
Sophisticated aesthetics
Futuristic touch interface
Intuitive sound modes
Minus
No built-in phono preamp
Only one set of stereo RCA inputs
No dedicated remote
Expensive

The Marantz Grand Horizon looks like a sculpture and sounds like a serious stereo system. It produces room-filling scale, deep bass, and refined detail from a single enclosure that blends naturally into real homes. It is expensive, but for listeners who want audiophile sound without racks of gear, the Grand Horizon is one of the best all-in-one systems available.

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Music Reviews
Best Music Box Sets Roundup, Part 3: Rolling on With Five More Than Mighty Fine Music Collections for Your Holiday Shopping List
Mike Mettler  |  Dec 08, 2025

In Part 3 of our end-of-year multi-part “Best Music Box Sets” series, S&V music editor Mike Mettler serves up five more than mighty fine music box set recommendations for any/all of your potential gift recipients and/or personal wishlist coffers accordingly. . .

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Ultra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Anime for the Holiday
Chris Chiarella  |  Dec 04, 2025
Whether you’re gifting, sharing, or just planning to pull the drapes and catch up on some of the smartest and most eye-popping animation that the world has to offer, these deluxe Blu-ray editions—and very special LPs—will transform simple entertainment into a collector’s dream.
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Shows
Capital Audiofest 2025 Show Report: Big and Immersive
Dennis Young  |  Dec 03, 2025
Capital Audiofest 2025 was the biggest yet, with 122 rooms and 60 booths, spilling over into two rooms at a hotel across the street.
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Special Features
Your Winter Recharge: Essential Gifts and Gear for the New Year
Chris Chiarella  |  Dec 03, 2025
The joy of home entertainment transcends 4K and Blu-ray discs, encompassing a world of merch, music and even more ways to make merry. Here, we pivot away from the TV screen to treat all five senses, in celebration of our favorite stories, franchises, characters, bands, and beyond.
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Music Reviews
Best Music Box Sets Roundup, Part 2: Five More Smashingly Great Collections for Your Holiday List
Mike Mettler  |  Nov 29, 2025

Here in Part 2 of our end-of-year multi-part “Best Music Box Sets” series, S&V music editor Mike Mettler gets right back to it with five heaping helpings of great music box set offerings for you to consider for holiday gift giving and/or personal collection coffer-filling. . .

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Ultra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Unwrapping the Best in 4K & Blu-ray, 2025
Chris Chiarella  |  Nov 27, 2025
In a world dominated by dubious digital streams, the physical media community stands fast as the champions of A/V quality and perpetuity. Thankfully, major studios and boutique labels haven't just held the line, they've mounted a spectacular offensive. These final months of 2025 have delivered a bountiful barrage of discs, from lavish boxed sets to impeccably restored classics for discerning viewers and collectors, sure to satiate the hungriest disc player. So quit fretting over your gift list and prepare to be inspired by some of the finest in entertainment.
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Ultra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Holiday Gifting: BOOKED!
Chris Chiarella  |  Nov 27, 2025
The old man in The Princess Bride famously said, “When I was your age, television was called books.” And while I might not have any cherubic grandkids of my own to pontificate at, I would instead posit that not only can TV (and MOVIES) peacefully coexist with the printed word, books can even elevate our understanding and enjoyment of filmed entertainment. In fact, titles like those below are the real reason that coffee tables were invented.
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Streaming Device Reviews
Roku Streaming Stick Plus Review: Solid Travel-Friendly Budget Streamer
Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 27, 2025

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $39.99 (sale $29.99- black friday sale $19.99)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact and easy to take on the go.
Quick navigation
Easy Roku setup and use
Minus
Doesn’t have Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos
Requires USB connection for power
Must be close to WiFi Router with strong signal

THE VERDICT
Roku makes solid streamers, and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is a good performer. It may not have the highest-quality specs, but it's a good budget choice for on-the-go use or on a secondary TV.

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4K TV ReviewsLCD TV Reviews
65" Hisense 65U8QG mini-LED LCD 4K TV Review
Greg Tarr  |  Nov 25, 2025

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,199.99

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Over 3,000 nits peak HDR brightness
Fast 165Hz advanced gaming rate
Premium level color accuracy
Wide viewing angles
Competitive price
Built-in NextGen TV tuner
Minus
Inaccurate out-of-box HDR levels
Observable haloing in motion targets
Slight screen reflection
Only 3 HDMI inputs
Hollow, boxy on-board sound with occasional distortion

THE VERDICT
The Hisense 65U8QG is a highly bright 4K quantum dot mini-LED TV that produces an excellent all-around picture for both movies and live video and a nice package of features to please advanced gamers and novices alike. It can also be found at a good value price for a premium television of this caliber around the holidays.

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