Mark Henninger

Audio Advice LiveShows
Bowers & Wilkins at Audio Advice Live 2023
Mark Henninger  |  Aug 12, 2023  |  0 comments
Bowers & Wilkins had three separate demo experiences at Audio Advice Live 2023. The company exhibited its 801 D3 flagship loudspeakers, powered by Classé electronics, as well as 700 series S3 speakers; a demo of great relevance to me since I have 700 series speakers in for review. And a powerhouse home theater performance with Marantz handling power and processing.
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Audio Advice LiveShows
McIntosh Dual Demos at Audio Advice Live 2023
Mark Henninger  |  Aug 12, 2023  |  3 comments
I attended two separate Macintosh demos at Audio Advice Live 2023. They were strikingly different. One was the classic two-channel demo, in this case using new Macintosh equipment that has the classic build quality and aesthetic. The highlight of that demo? Trying to figure out the mysteries of tube sound.

But the other demo also got my attention because it is automotive. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer McIntosh demo—held in front of the hotel—featured an in-cabin entertainment system that is about as over-the-top as any OEM system I've seen or heard in a motor vehicle.

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Audio Advice LiveShows
ELAC at Audio Advice Live 2023
Mark Henninger  |  Aug 12, 2023  |  0 comments
I love a great 2.1 system like this pair of Solano tower speaker and a Varro DS1000 12-inch dual-opposed subwoofer. Just a couple of good towers and a powerful, precise sub, along with transparent, competent electronics doing their job. And that's what I found in this all-ELAC rig at Audio Advice Live 2023.

What a fantastic time it is to be an audio enthusiast, that we have this capacity to create true full-range audio delivering an audiophile listing experience with gear that looks great and fits comfortably in a living room environment.

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Audio Advice LiveShows
JVC, Arcam and GoldenEar 7.2.4 System, T66 Towers at Audio Advice Live 2023
Mark Henninger  |  Aug 11, 2023  |  0 comments
JVC is renowned for the quality of its D-ILA projectors. They offer some of the highest native contrast that you'll see in a projector that doesn't cost as much as a house. And in this show demo, the company pulled off its usual spectacular exhibition of its projectors' capabilities. In this case, the range-topping DLA-NZ9 ($26,000) took care of business with its 3000-lumen output that filled the screen with convincing HDR.

Meanwhile, GoldenEar is known for its high-performance home theater-friendly speakers, many of which feature integrated subwoofers. All of the company's speaker designs use AMT (folded-ribbon) tweeters.

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Audio Advice LiveShows
JBL and Samsung at Audio Advice Live 2023
Mark Henninger  |  Aug 11, 2023  |  1 comments
At the recent Audio Advice Live 2023 show in Raleigh, NC, I stopped by the Harman/JBL/Samsung demo areas and saw a 140-inch micro-LED display outfitted with a JBL synthesis sound system, JBL Classic Series electronics (making their U.S. debut), and other cool gear.
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Subwoofer ReviewsSurround Sound System ReviewsTower Speaker Reviews
Arendal 1961 9.4.4 Speaker System Review
Mark Henninger  |  Jul 26, 2023  |  3 comments

1961 Speakers
Performance
Build Quality
Value

1961 1V Subwoofer
Performance
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $14,490 (as tested)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Powerful, accurate sound
Relatively compact
Attractive
10-year warranty

Minus
Sub lacks an app
Only available in black or white

THE VERDICT
A perfect match for a flagship AVR, the 1961 9.4.4 system from Arendal performs great and looks fantastic.

The 1961 system from Arendal is one of the company’s three speaker series, the other two being the 1723 and 1723 S. 1961 is more compact and more affordable, but is otherwise consistent with Arendal’s design philosophy and aesthetics. This isn't what you'd call overpriced audio jewelry. It is modern and solidly built and aesthetically pleasing, but most importantly, it performs and offers great value.

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Headphone Reviews
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds Review
Mark Henninger  |  Jul 24, 2023  |  0 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $299

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Refined sound quality
Exceptional comfort
Top tier noise canceling
Small and discrete Long battery life
Minus
Cost more than AirPods Pro

THE VERDICT
Sony’s latest earbuds are state-of-the-art listening devices that deliver unparalleled comfort and noise-canceling capability in a truly wireless earbud style.

The new WF-1000XM5 ($299 MSRP) is the successor to the popular and highly regarded WF-1000XM4, true wireless earbuds that already had a reputation for some of the best noise canceling in the business. With the WF-1000XM5 Sony focused on improving performance while shrinking their size.

While there are seemingly an endless number of headphone Brands and models, Sony’s WF-1000 series stands as one of the most popular premium options. This is especially the case for Android users who are feature-limited when using AirPods Pro.

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Director's IntentWide AngleSpecial Features
The Sound of Speed: MotoGP Racing and Audio-Technica Microphones
Mark Henninger  |  Jul 19, 2023  |  2 comments
The electrifying hum of motorcycles, the animated chatter from the paddock, the anticipatory hush in the pit lanes, and the unmistakable roars from the crowd - these are the exhilarating sounds of the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas MotoGP™ race. Sounds that are meticulously captured and delivered to racing fans worldwide, live and on-demand. And the real star behind the scenes? Audio-Technica microphones.
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4K TV ReviewsOLED TV ReviewsTV Reviews
Samsung OLED G9 240 Hz 49" Ultra-Wide Monitor Review
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 26, 2023  |  7 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1,800

AT A GLANCE
Plus
State-of-the-art graphics
Great for gaming and productivity
Statement-making design
Packed with smart features
Factory calibrated
Minus
Pricey
Needs a powerful PC for gaming

THE VERDICT
With its combination of quantum-dot OLED display tech and a 32:9 aspect ratio, 49-inch screen Samsung's latest ultra-wide monitor is a gamer's delight while also serving as a reference-quality productivity tool.

The Samsung OLED G95SC is a genuine "world's first" with a 240 Hz 49-inch QD-OLED screen. The result is an ultra-thin profile and light weight that make it surprisingly easy to assemble and adjust despite its epic dimensions. Its $2,200 MSRP may be high but is a reflection of the cutting-edge technology found within.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
TCL Touts New Q Class and S Class Soundbars
Mark Henninger  |  Jun 19, 2023  |  1 comments
TCL is launching five new soundbars in its Q Class and S Class collections. With this launch, the company aims to supplement its popular televisions with enhanced audio capabilities.
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