John Sciacca

John Sciacca  |  Mar 21, 2024

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Supports Dolby Atmos/DTS:X up to 11.1.4
Immersive surround sound
Impressive subwoofer performance
Lots of adjustment options
Minus
Limited front panel display
No on-screen display
No room correction/test tones
Adjustments with remote are cumbersome

THE VERDICT
The newest version of Samsung’s top-of-the-line Atmos soundbar maintains the exceptional sound quality, performance, and style of its predecessor. However, the new model comes with some added features, such as 4K/120 Hz HDMI support, making it an even more capable product. It’s an effortless recommendation for anyone seeking a high-performance soundbar solution.

Soundbars have advanced beyond their initial role of making TVs sound better. At the highest levels, the current generation of flagship soundbars includes virtually all the features of AVR-based multi-channel surround sound systems, often including higher channel counts, the ability to decode modern immersive audio systems, far easier installation and operation, and a lower cost.

John Sciacca  |  Mar 19, 2024
Spring is here! It’s the perfect time to start thinking about how and where you will entertain outdoors.
John Sciacca  |  Mar 11, 2024
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Is it possible to combine wired and wireless speakers in a Dolby Atmos setup? —Divyesh Patel

John Sciacca  |  Jan 23, 2024
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Last year, Nakamichi introduced a home theater/audio speaker system bearing the iconic Dragon nameplate. What’s the latest news on the system and what are your impressions of it? — John Werner

John Sciacca  |  Jan 03, 2024

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $99

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Nice selection of games
Everything needed to play is in the box
Ability to upgrade controllers/games
HDMI port for connecting to a TV
Minus
Missing some key titles
Awkward controller button layout
Questionable longevity of controllers

THE VERDICT
For Gen X-ers, the My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro is a blast-from-the-past in an affordable package that allows you to relive some of your favorite games from childhood. Probably the best under $100 purchase I’ve made!

Here’s the TL/DR: this review is mainly for Gen-Xers. If your first gaming console was an NES or Genesis, or PlayStation or X-Box, then you’ll probably do better just to move on. But for those of us who grew up in the Atari Generation, when the home gaming market was born and really started to take off, this box is a time machine that will transport you to simpler times when all you needed to worry about was a stick and a button!

John Sciacca  |  Nov 07, 2023
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m wondering which upgrade will make a more significant audible difference in my home theater: upgrading the power amplifier or treating room acoustics? — Michael (last name withheld)

John Sciacca  |  Oct 16, 2023
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Is there a way I can play music from my iMac’s music app through my [vintage] Pioneer SX-1250 stereo receiver? — Paul A.

John Sciacca  |  Oct 02, 2023
Summer may be over but there’s still plenty of time for outdoor entertaining before the winter sets in. In Creating an Audio Oasis in Your Backyard, I discussed outdoor audio solutions. Now it’s time to add a little V to the A.
John Sciacca  |  Sep 13, 2023
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Essentially this is a two-for-one, as both Ed Mendelson and Sam V had very similar questions about connecting an external amplifier to a Marantz AV receiver. Ed wants to add a 3-channel amp to his Marantz SR7012 to power his L/C/R speakers. Sam wants to use his Marantz SR5013 for the audio processing but use a Yamaha RX-A3020 for the amplification. How do we do this?

John Sciacca  |  Sep 04, 2023
When you think of “entertaining” with your AV system, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is your home theater or media room. But what about your backyard? Is it setup for outdoor entertaining?

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