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Vintage Gear
The Yamaha CR-2020: A True ’70s Blockbuster
Bob Ankosko  |  Oct 27, 2023  |  First Published: Oct 26, 2023  |  3 comments
There’s something magical about the majestic stereo receivers of yesteryear. Apart from being magnificent examples of industrial design, they’re dead simple to operate while offering a full complement of features to ensure a great, though decidedly old-school, music listening experience.
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Ultra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Sisu
Chris Chiarella  |  Oct 27, 2023  |  2 comments
Picture
Sound
Extras

Writer/director Jalmari Helander’s Sisu spins a thrilling, uberviolent work of fiction into something uniquely original by combining two bits of Finnish history — their gold rush plus the Germans’ retreat across the country in 1944.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Audioengine’s New Subwoofer Is Small, Wireless & Costs Less than $500
Bob Ankosko  |  Oct 26, 2023  |  3 comments
The world will be a better place when we can get rid of all those messy wires. Though we still have a ways to go before a full-on wireless AV system is a reality, Austin-based Audioengine is doing its part to advance the cause with a mini subwoofer that is wireless and sells for $439.
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SmartStream
How to Get More Storage From Your Streaming Devices
Barb Gonzalez  |  Oct 25, 2023  |  2 comments
Amazon is following Apple’s lead. A recent update to its Fire TV streamers includes a feature that automatically frees up memory by offloading apps that have not been used in a while — a potential boon for devices with limited storage and a feature that has been available on Apple TV for some time.
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Subwoofer Reviews
Klipsch RP-1600SW 16" Ported Subwoofer Review
Jim Wilson  |  Oct 25, 2023  |  5 comments


Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $1,799

AT A GLANCE
Plus
5 year bumper-to-bumper warranty
Incredible amount of clean output
Excellent dynamics
Minus
No XLR inputs
No app control
Few adjustments

THE VERDICT
In the past Klipsch was known primarily for its speakers, but that might be changing. The Reference Premier line of subwoofers are very impressive, finally able to keep pace with their speakers. I went into this review not expecting much, I came away admiring what they had created. The Klipsch RP-1600SW is for real.

Say the name Klipsch and most people will instantly think about high-efficiency speakers, ones with horn tweeters and distinctive gold metallic midranges and woofers. If you're of a certain age your mind might take you to their groundbreaking Klipschorn, that marvelous horn-loaded behemoth of a loudspeaker. Over 75 years after its introduction, the Klipschorn is revered by audiophiles. I'm not sure anything like it exists even today. I'm not reviewing something from their speaker line though, what I have in my living room is a subwoofer from their Reference Premier series: the RP-1600SW.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Marantz Celebrates its Hi-Fi Heritage with New CD Player and Integrated Amp
Bob Ankosko  |  Oct 24, 2023  |  8 comments
Marantz today introduced a pair of classic stereo components that celebrate its roots as a hi-fi pioneer.
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Audio Video News
Update Enables ZapperBox NextGen TV Tuner/DVR to Decode Encrypted Channels
Bob Ankosko  |  Oct 24, 2023  |  0 comments
ZapperBox, the Des Moines-based maker of the M1 TV tuner/DVR that lets you receive and record high-definition TV signals over the air without any fees, has announced an update that enables the M1 to decode encrypted TV channels.
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Music Disc Reviews
Remaster Class – Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 24, 2023  |  1 comments
No one does self-loathing, despair, and existential angst quite like Trent Reznor. Right from the outset of his then one-man band Nine Inch Nails’ October 1989 TVT debut album Pretty Hate Machine and the unforgiving, snarling manifesto of its opening track “Head Like a Hole,” Reznor threw down the gauntlet of NIN’s take-no-prisoners aural template. Within NIN, he enmeshed industrial synthesizer clank, metal-riff drang, searing layered instrumentation, and sneering vocals all into an unapologetically abrasive style that came to define one particular slice of 1990s alt-rock culture.
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Audio Video News
Netflix Ends Support for Old Roku Streamers
SV Staff  |  Oct 23, 2023  |  4 comments
In his new post, “Breaking Up Is Easy to Do,” Ken Pohlmann decries Netflix’s recent decision to dust out the cobwebs and render older TVs, Blu-ray players and other streaming devices useless — at least when it comes to watching movies and shows on Netflix. The list includes Roku, which has 73.5 million active accounts worldwide and commands an amazing 43% share of smart TVs sold in the U.S.
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Signals
Breaking Up Is Easy To Do
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Oct 23, 2023  |  4 comments
Constantly running from the room to check his text messages. His whispered late-night phone calls. Lipstick on his collar. Honey, even if you didn't see it, we knew hell was ready to break loose. Then last Monday, your TV and Netflix had a real blow up. I know, I know. Breaking up always breaks your heart. But I think it's better this way.

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