Mark Henninger

Subwoofer Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins DB3D Subwoofer Review
Mark Henninger  |  Feb 14, 2024

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $3499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact size
Deep, clean bass
Easy to set up and adjust
Available in three finishes

Minus
High price
One sub might not be powerful enough for large rooms

THE VERDICT
The Bowers & Wilkins DB3D is an excellent choice for those who want a compact subwoofer with powerful performance. Its high price may be a deterrent for some, but its features and performance make it worth the investment.

In the realm of high-fidelity audio, the Bowers & Wilkins DB3D subwoofer offers a fusion of compact design and powerful performance. Priced at a premium $3,499, this subwoofer is a statement piece that offers performance to match Bowers and Wilkins speakers like the 700 Series S3 models used in this review.

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Editor's Eye
The Big Picture
Mark Henninger  |  Feb 06, 2024
What a difference a year makes. In early 2023, I was thinking about ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors in the living room, but saw evidence that TVs would compete in the 100-inch size category. Now it’s a year later, and 100-inch TVs are multiplying like rabbits while prices continue to drop.
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Surround Processor Reviews
Marantz AV10 15.4-Channel AV Preamp/Processor Review
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 31, 2024

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $7,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Balanced outputs for all channels
Supports four subwoofers
Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with Directional Bass
Dirac Live Bass Control
Easy on-screen setup
Minus
Antiquated front panel interface
Dirac features cost extra

THE VERDICT
An engineering marvel from Marantz with just about everything you could ask for in an AV processor. Just add an amp and speakers for total immersion.

The AV preamp and surround processor is the less well-known sibling of the AV receiver. The main difference being that processors don’t have built-in amplification. This is a reasonable approach because as a rule amplifiers last a rather long time, and don’t come obsoleted by things like new immersive sound formats or updates to HDMI standards. Going the AV separate route also lets you tailor the amplification to the speaker system whereas AV receivers are forced to split the difference between whatever speakers are connected to it and hope for the best.

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CES 2024Shows
Sound & Vision CES 2024 Editor’s Picks
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 21, 2024
Introducing Sound & Vision CES 2024 Editor's Picks! Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas sets the stage for the latest trends in audiovisual (AV) technology, serving as a prime platform for companies to unveil and exhibit their newest products, technologies, and services to an international audience. Here are some that caught our eye.
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CES 2024Shows
CES 2024: Display Technology and Beyond with Mark Henninger and John Sciacca
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 16, 2024
On day three of CES 2024, having seen many of the AV-related booths at the show, I got together with S&V contributor and long-time custom installer John Sciacca to discuss the latest technologies. We focused on their impact on both commercial and residential uses. Our talk covered product details, industry challenges, and changing consumer preferences.
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Audio Video NewsTop Picks
2023 Top Picks of the Year
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 15, 2024
The results are in! A total of 18 products have made Sound & Vision’s prestigious 2023 Top Picks of the Year list. See if your favorite pick made the cut.
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CES 2024The S&V InterviewShows
Interview: Focal Aria Evo X Speakers
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 15, 2024
With over four decades of innovation, Focal has continually set the bar for sound fidelity and speaker design. Today, we're diving into their latest creation, the Aria Evo X, and exploring how Focal's approach to developing and marketing audio technology has evolved and led to this exciting new update to the popular, but decade-old Aria speaker line.

Joining me are Cedrick Boutonet—CEO of Vervent Audio Group, overseeing both Focal and Naim, and Arnaud Hendoux—managing director for Americas at Vervent Audio Group. We discuss the strategic importance of in-house speaker development and manufacturing, a cornerstone of Focal's identity and success.

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4K TV ReviewsOLED TV ReviewsTV Reviews
Samsung S90C 77" 4K Quantum Dot OLED TV Review
Mark Henninger  |  Dec 27, 2023

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $2,500

AT A GLANCE
Plus
High value for price
Superior picture quality
Works in bright settings
Low Lag and High Refresh Rate
Minus
Potential for image retention and burn-in
Lacks support for Dolby Vision
77-inch is the largest size with QD-OLED

THE VERDICT
When a TV's picture quality is the top priority over screen size, you won't do better than this 77-inch quantum-dot OLED from Samsung.

It is a small miracle that you can buy a TV as good as the 77-inch Samsung S90C Quantum Dot OLED for $2500. But that's where we're at, as the year 2024 begins. The price premium paid for early adoption has long since passed, and the TV's current pricing makes it an exceptional value for those who prize high contrast and deep blacks and extremely intense colors.

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Tower Speaker Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Loudspeaker Review
Mark Henninger  |  Dec 20, 2023

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $3,000 (each)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Holographic soundstage and imaging
Tight and articulate bass
Aesthetically pleasing
Easy to assemble

Minus
Somewhat low sensitivity
Can't place Atmos modules on top of the towers

THE VERDICT
Speakers that reveal music's emotional core, allowing you to connect with it on a deeper level.

My experience with Bowers & Wilkins dates back over thirty years to my high school days, when I first admired the 801 Matrix in Stereophile magazine. My longstanding interest in the brand has led me to review products, visit their factory in Worthing, England, and witness their speakers at Abbey Road Studios. Naturally, I was eager to review the 703 S3 towers.

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Editor's Eye
The Cost of High Fidelity, My Transition to Streaming & Defining Value and Affordability
Mark Henninger  |  Dec 08, 2023
When I browse audio forums and social media, I often see absolute nonsense posted about the fidelity you can achieve with a phone, claiming it is not "audiophile" or whatever. Reality is if you stream lossless music through a phone and use good headphones, the listening experience is extremely high fidelity.
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