Audio Video News

September’s Top Picks may be small in number but they make an impression. In audio, we present an intriguing modular soundbar-based system designed for in-wall mounting, the latest take on PSB’s exceptional Imagine speaker series, and two AV receivers that assume very different roles in home entertainment. In video, Samsung’s state-of-the-art 4k/Ultra HDTV speaks for itself as does Epson’s “trickle down” projector.

Two new Architectural Speaker Series (otherwise known as in-wall and in-ceiling speakers) models are coming from Definitive Technology this fall. The Reference Ceiling Speaker UIW RCS II is designed for use as in-ceiling front main left, center, and right speakers or as rear or side speakers. Built like a brick house, the RSC II uses a non-resonant, sealed, medite enclosure. The sealed enclosure helps the speaker to provide nearly identical performance regardless of the available air space above the ceiling. The new model is a serious in-ceiling offering. With outer dimensions of 15.5 inches by 15.5 inches (and 5 7/8 inches deep), the RCS II is large enough to hold a forward-angled D'Appolito driver array using two 5.25-inch bass/midrange drivers and a one-inch pure aluminum tweeter plus a pair of 6.5-inch pressure-coupled planar low-bass radiators.

I don't know about you, but my music collection is quite scattered. Half on a laptop, half on the desktop PC. Half of the CDs are in the living room, half in the home theater. All are a mess, and none are where I want them to be. I need someone,...

L<I>indsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix, Lisa Ann Walter, Simon Kunz. Directed by Nancy Meyers. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (widescreen). Dolby Digital 5.1. 128 minutes. 1998. Walt Disney Home Video 16888. PG. $24.95.</I>

Just in time for the summer, Wisconsin-based Séura has introduced the Shade Series of weatherproof outdoor TVs boasting 4K resolution, compatibility with high dynamic range (HDR) content, and a 50-watt soundbar for robust two-channel sound.

Severtson Screens, the U.S.-based manufacturer of projection screens for home theater and professional applications, has introduced the SēVision 3D GX curved screen—the only acoustically transparent home theater screen offering the company’s PristiVue silver optical coating for passive 3D viewing.