John Sciacca

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CES 2020
Panda Audiophile Wireless Headphones Get THX Badge
John Sciacca  |  Jan 07, 2020
For years, the THX logo on a product meant you were buying something that was a cut above the rest, with the company’s demanding certification process guaranteeing that a component met a certain performance level criterion that ensured buyers they were getting the goods, especially when it came to home theater electronics or speakers. However, the certification became diluted over the years as THX seemed to start certifying products and systems well outside of their key areas, and the THX badge seemed to nearly become extinct. But the company is back at CES and has several new technologies, including the launch of Drop + THX Panda, the first audiophile wireless headphone to receive the THX badge.
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CES 2020
Elite Projector Offers Outdoor Theater Solution
John Sciacca  |  Jan 07, 2020
I stopped into the Elite Screens suite in the Venetian to check out whether the company was offering any new video projection screens at CES (spoiler: there were! Two, in fact!). But the coolest thing in the suite turned out to not be one of the two new video screens on display, but rather the complete MosicGo outdoor theater entertainment system under the new Elite Projector brand!
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CES 2020
Robbox Intros Smart Drill for Ultimate DIY Installs
John Sciacca  |  Jan 07, 2020
If there is one thing you can count on at CES, it is to expand the world of smart, connected, Internet of Things devices. From smart salt shakers, to smart toothbrushes, to connected sex toys, to every kind of fitness/health tracker imaginable, CES has it all. To that list you can now add Robbox Tools’ world’s first Digital Smart Drill.
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CES 2020
SVS Refreshes Most Popular Sub Line Ever
John Sciacca  |  Jan 07, 2020
When a company looks to refresh its most popular, best-selling subwoofer series ever, you can imagine they would do so with a bit of care to ensure that the legacy and goodwill built over the years isn’t lost on some rev. 2 cash grab. Rest assured, SVS put a ton of thought and design into the new 2000 Pro Series subwoofers to ensure that the performance legacy of past subs is not only respected, but kicked up to the next level.
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The Connected Life
System Building Advice, Part 2
John Sciacca  |  Oct 30, 2019
After 20-plus years in the custom installation business, I’ve learned the value of making a project as future-proof as possible. In System Building Advice, Part 1, I discussed the importance of prewiring, installing conduits for future access, covering large areas with multiple speakers, and buying the best subwoofer possible. I have some more bits of advice to share.
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CEDIA 2019
Powershades Simplifies Shade Wiring and Retrofit
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2019  |  Published: Sep 15, 2019
For years, I’ve been telling Sound and Vision readers in my Connected Life blog that they should be pulling extra wiring throughout their home whenever possible — and that although they might not use that wiring today they would be thankful for having it tomorrow. PowerShades has totally validated my suggestion with its new line of PoE (Power over Ethernet) shades unveiled at CEDIA that can be fully powered and controlled by a single Category rated (Cat5/6) cable!

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CEDIA 2019
You Call that a Sub?! THIS is a Sub!
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2019
In a classic game of total one-upmanship, Ascendo Immersive Audio brought its SMSG 32 Subwoofer to CEDIA, with a immense 32-inch driver that basically called out all the other “large” subs at the show and told them to make it a sandwich. And the crazy thing? This is only the third biggest sub the company manufacturers!
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CEDIA 2019
Integra Launches Three Reference-Grade Surround Offerings
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2019
Integra used CEDIA to do a refresh at the top of its cinema surround line-up, displaying two new reference grade receivers in its “Dot 3” series along with a new flagship pre-amp processor and matching 11-channel amplifier. All of the new products are fully featured, supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats in up to 7.2.4 channels with THX Ultra certification and IMAX Enhanced support along with a host of other top-shelf performance features.

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CEDIA 2019
Klipsch Adapts Pro Cinema Speakers for Behind Screen Use at Home
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2019
You can usually tell how popular – or good – a demo is at CEDIA by how steady and long the line is, and on the last day of the show, when many integrators had already left Denver to return home, one of the booth’s that was still drawing a steady crowd for its surround demonstration was Klipsch's sound room where the company debuted its new Pro Cinema Home surround system. And the experience was definitely worth the wait!

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CEDIA 2019
IMAX Enhanced Expands Program and Content
John Sciacca  |  Sep 14, 2019
Launched a year ago at last year’s CEDIA, IMAX Enhanced has been busy signing new device partners such as Anthem and Strom Audio, bringing their current number of certified television and A/V receiver partners to 14. However, there has been precious little in the way of Enhanced content available to watch save for a handful of IMAX documentaries. The company was at CEDIA to announce it has signed new streaming partners to deliver content as well as studios delivering titles on physical 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc.

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