The HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 represents the latest update to original HiFiMAN’s HE-1000 flagship headphones. With an improved ergonomic design and slightly different sound tuning, the V2 aims to recapture the same magic which has earned the original headphones many of its accolades since its induction. At $2999, however, the V2s do not come cheap but represent a slice of luxury level listening with reference quality sound and comfort. Together with the lightweight profile and wood & metal design, the HE-1000 V2 stands out in the marketplace of high-end audio. To find out more, please read on.
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Sunday, April 30, 2017
Friday, April 28, 2017
Bookshelf Speaker Roundup of 2017 AXPONA
Anyone searching for new bookshelf speakers would do well to take a look at what's happening at AXPONA, which is rapidly becoming the premiere audio show for North America. AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) rolled into the Chicagoland area again where we were ready and waiting to take in all the new sights and sounds of high-end audio products. In this segment of our coverage, we look at a handful of bookshelf speakers in the low three-figure range to the low five-figure range. But, they all have something in common: we thought they sounded good enough that they deserved your attention. Read on to find out who made the cut in our coverage of the bookshelf speakers of AXPONA 2017.
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Thursday, April 27, 2017
Yamaha Introduces Affordable Powered Subwoofers
When it comes to A/V, most people tend to think of Yamaha for its line of A/V receivers in the consumer market or its famed NS-10 studio monitors, which were once standard in many recording studios.
Often overlooked for its contributions to the home loudspeaker market, Yamaha was an early supporter of the soundbar category, which is now a thriving product segment.
Adding to its line of consumer speaker solutions, Yamaha has introduced its new, space-friendly NS-SW050 and NS-SW100 powered subwoofers.
Yamaha says the subwoofers incorporate its Twisted Flare Port that it says helps the NS-SW050 and NS-SW100 to produce “clean and punchy bass tones.”
“Although our Yamaha A/V receivers are the heart of the home theater system, the NS-SW050 and NS-SW100 powered subwoofers bring the heartbeat to songs and movies with a noticeable twist that helps generate deep, yet tight realistic bass sound,” says Robert Goedken, general manager, A/V division, Yamaha Corporation of America. “These attractively designed subwoofers with Twisted Flare Ports really bring life to a home theater system.”
Yamaha NS-SW050 and NS-SW100 Subwoofer Specs
The company points out the NS-SW050 and NS-SW100 both incorporate amplifiers rated to produce 50 watts of power. The NS-SW100 features a 10-inch woofer, and Yamaha states the subwoofer is rated to produce a frequency response of 25Hz to 180Hz.
The NS-SW050 subwoofer employs an 8-inch woofer, and Yamaha says the subwoofer is rated to produce a frequency response of 28Hz to 200Hz.
Space friendly, the NS-SW050 measures 11.5 inches x 11.5 inches x 13.375 inches. Yamaha says the sub also weighs less than 19 pounds to make it easy to move.
Yamaha points out the NS-SW100 is slightly larger, measuring 13.875 inches x 13.875 inches x 16.125 inches, and it weighs just 26.5 pounds.
In addition, the powered subwoofers also incorporate Yamaha’s Active Servo Technology II. Yamaha explains the inclusion of this technology enables the subwoofers to better control their respective drivers and improve the stability in low-range response to “thoroughly engage listeners.”
The NS-SW050 and NS-SW100 retail for $170 and $200, respectively.
The post Yamaha Introduces Affordable Powered Subwoofers appeared first on Electronic House.
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Dolby Atmos Home Theater Finds a Home in Basement Bar
It isn’t always easy to fit an entire home theater, much less one with the immersive surround sound of Dolby Atmos, into a basement. For this project, U.K. based integration firm Finite Solutions was faced with the task of designing a space well-suited for socializing, as well as watching movies and sports, with at least eight seats plus a bar.
“Initial 3D modeling by our design team allowed our clients to easily visualize the layout of the room,” says Simon Mathieson, co-founder, Finite Solutions.
While the client’s original thoughts leaned more towards a conventional seating arrangement, Mathieson ended up choosing tiered cinema style seating to create a more authentic theater feel.
Dolby Atmos and Other Equipment
“It was quite a challenge with the logistics of getting the screen, rack, and seating down a tight staircase to the basement,” says Mathieson. “Even though everything was measured and checked for fit, it was a tight squeeze.”
A Panasonic 4K Blu-Ray player, Amazon Fire 4K player, and Sky Q box complete the setup. A Control4 system operates the complete A/V system as well as Lutron lighting, via the client’s iPhone and iPad. Control4 and Lutron are used throughout the house.
A Better Network Yields Reliability of Control
This project presented a challenge that Finite Solutions only comes across a few times a year.
“We didn’t own the network for the house, it was provided by the client’s IT guys from his company,” explains Mathieson. “Despite reviewing everything we needed, we had numerous network control issues with Control4 for the first few weeks and ultimately we replaced the network with our own which resolved the problems straightaway. I think this highlights a common issue for custom installers and the importance of owning the network. Commercial IT companies rarely seem to get it right for large home automation requirements.”
Designed to Dazzle
The room build design was completed by Finite Solutions to allow the client’s existing contractors to build the new stud work walls, run new audio visual and lighting cables and construct the made-to-order bar.
Upon completion of the main building and decorating works, Finite Solutions engineers installed all of the audio visual equipment in the room and the main pre-built A/V rack and acoustic wall panels, after which the electrical contractor installed the lighting control system and light fittings.
Mathieson says the client is delighted with the finished result, using the room regularly for entertaining, watching films and sports. The client is particularly enthusiastic about the bar area.
“I think he really likes the whole experience of the room and how it works with a group of friends to socialize in,” says Mathieson. “The room is used a lot by the whole family rather than purely as a dedicated cinema. [Home theaters] are of course fantastic, but they tend to get used slightly less. And the Sony 4K projector pretty much stuns everyone; it’s the best out there at the moment for sensible money.”
This article originally appeared on CE Pro Europe.
The post Dolby Atmos Home Theater Finds a Home in Basement Bar appeared first on Electronic House.
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Artificial Intelligence at the Front Door: New Home Tech Trend
Artificial intelligence might just make its way to the front door of your home. The technology is being employed by security giant Vivint Smart Home to recognize the distinct sound of someone knocking at a door. Based on the unique sound signature of the knock, the door could unlock. No more codes to remember or keys to carry.
With this patent pending concept, Vivint Smart Home is blurring the line between two emerging technologies – audio analytics and predictive analytics. Through artificial intelligence (AI), a home-control system could determine how to respond to these sound events.
Artificial Intelligence: Vivint’s Patent
“System and methods for correlating sound events to security and/or home automation system operations,” was filed in October 2015 and published April 20, 2017. The patent application describes the limitations of smart doorbells and facial-recognition systems in identifying guests, and suggests a method of measuring sound signatures to determine who’s knocking or loitering.
A “knock,” according to the patent application, might include:
a rapping, slapping, pounding, or kicking on the door, doorframe, or windows or walls surrounding the door, or may further include clapping, ringing a bell, unlocking a door, turning or jiggling a doorknob, walking up steps, calling out or whistling, approaching in a car, or any other detectable audio signal.
The sound patterns would be matched to a user’s database of known visitors, and could elicit different responses from a smart-home system.
For example, “[T]he user may input a preference indicating that, where the FedEx deliveryman is identified as knocking at the door, a recorded voice message should be broadcasted at the front door, telling the deliveryman to please leave the package on the bench by the front door.”
Sound patterns with similar characteristics as the FedEx guy’s, might alert homeowners that some kind of delivery person has arrived.
Audio that matches known offenders could trigger the lights in the home to turn on, and a siren to blare. And, although not mentioned in the patent application, those sound fingerprints might be shared among neighbors to alert them of potential miscreants.
Vivint has multiple patents and applications related to triggering an alarm system based on certain inputs or events such as geo-location and sleep-sensing. Sound-sensing would be just another event.
Security and home-automation giant Vivint Inc. files patent application for identifying guests through their “sound signatures” and running data through AI engine for predictive analytics.
Vivint Smart Home has filed a patent application for using unique sound signatures and predictive analytics to determine who might be knocking on the door and how a security or home-automation system should respond — this from the company that practically invented door-to-door.
The post Artificial Intelligence at the Front Door: New Home Tech Trend appeared first on Electronic House.
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Find the Best Alarm System for Your Home
Determining the best home security products is by no means and easy task. But each year, the judging committee and Electronic House magazine selects from numerous submissions entered by many manufacturers the top products and systems for your home. The judges consider innovation, uniqueness, and practical benefits to end users when choosing the winners of categories including audio, video, home control and automation, home theater, smart lighting, and home security. In this, our fifth announcement of our Products of the Year, (go here to see all of the entries) we present the best alarm system, surveillance camera, and smart door lock of 2017. We will reveal the winners of the remaining categories in the weeks ahead, so be sure to visit electronichouse.com often.
Access Control: Smart Door Locks, Motorized Gates, Intercom Systems, Etc.
WINNER: Kwikset Convert Lock
Kwikset Convert is Kwikset’s new Z-Wave Smart Lock Conversion Kit. The kit can turn mechanical locks–even non-Kwikset locks–into smart, electronic locks, bringing the convenience of keyless entry and home automation the front door.
The Kwikset Convert allows you to transition to a smarter lock but still maintain the style of the front door or match an existing handleset. It also precludes you from having to change you’re your existing deadbolt.
Z-Wave-based, the Conversion Kit enables true remote locking and unlocking so you can access the lock from anywhere in the world, using a smartphone, tablet or Internet-connected device. This way you can remotely provide access to your home for service providers, guests or other family members.
Kwikset Convert also addresses an overlooked market: renters who are not allowed to change out the locks on their front door. It is also ideally suited for owners of condominiums and vacation property whose homeowners associations require all exterior locks to be uniform in appearance.
Price: to be determined
Security Systems
WINNER: Elk Products Inc. C1M1 Dual-Path Alarm Communicator with Remote Services
Seconds count in an emergency situation to save lives and assets. ELK’s new C1M1 Dual Path Communicator reduces transmission time of emergency messages. It connects directly to the M1 Control and does not require dial capture or data bus decoding which leads to delays with other communicators. In addition, there is no cloud server to compromise or delay the communications.
The C1M1 provides super-fast, full data communications to Central Monitoring Stations over IP and cellular pathways. Transmissions are automatically directed over the best pathway for quickest communications. Periodic tests are sent over both pathways to ensure reliable communications and C1M1 can automatically report a pathway outage over the remaining pathway.
C1M1 also supports remote access with no port forwarding or extra fees. Without any incurring additional expense, you can use Elk’s free ElkLink mobile app to arm/disarm the M1 control and view system status, accessing recent history, and receiving email/text alerts.
The ELK-C1M14GSM supports GSM cellular for areas covered by AT&T, T Mobile and Rogers Canada. ELK-C1M1CDMA supports CDMA cellular for areas covered by the Verizon cellular network.
Price: 414.21
Surveillance Cameras
WINNER: Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Ring Video Doorbell Pro calls a user’s smartphone when a visitor at the front door pushes it. This enables homeowners to keep an eye on and protect their homes from anywhere. Since it’s hardwired to a constant power source, Ring is able to pack this new connected security device with premium features like a 1080p HD camera, advanced motion detection with the ability to create custom motion zones, infrared LEDs and 5gHZ Wi-Fi compatibility – all in a tiny (and stylish) 4.50-inch x 1.85-inch x .80-inch product.
Plus, with Live View, users can check in on their property at any time for on-demand video and another layer of security. You can see and speak with visitors to dismiss salespeople or say goodbye to kids as they head off to school via their smartphone, tell the courier to leave a package with a neighbor and protect their package deliveries from porch pirates.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro can be installed in a matter of minutes and comes with everything you need for installation; from a screwdriver to a level. Apple HomeKit-enabled Pro also comes with a choice of four faceplates so you can custom fit the product to your home.
Ring Video Doorbell has proven itself to be effective. In early 2016, Ring partnered with the LAPD to install its products on 10 percent of homes in the Wilshire Park Neighborhood of Los Angeles. In the first six months of Ring Video Doorbells being installed in the neighborhood, there was a 55 percent drop in crime.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro is compatible with Wink, Kevo, Lockstate, ADT Pulse and Wemo. With IFTTT integration, Ring Doorbell Pro is also compatible with a number of other smart devices.
Price: $249
The post Find the Best Alarm System for Your Home appeared first on Electronic House.
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Dolby Atmos Home Theater Finds a Home in Basement Bar
It isn’t always easy to fit an entire home theater, much less one with the immersive surround sound of Dolby Atmos, into a basement. For this project, U.K. based integration firm Finite Solutions was faced with the task of designing a space well-suited for socializing, as well as watching movies and sports, with at least eight seats plus a bar.
“Initial 3D modeling by our design team allowed our clients to easily visualize the layout of the room,” says Simon Mathieson, co-founder, Finite Solutions.
While the client’s original thoughts leaned more towards a conventional seating arrangement, Mathieson ended up choosing tiered cinema style seating to create a more authentic theater feel.
Dolby Atmos and Other Equipment
“It was quite a challenge with the logistics of getting the screen, rack, and seating down a tight staircase to the basement,” says Mathieson. “Even though everything was measured and checked for fit, it was a tight squeeze.”
A Panasonic 4K Blu-Ray player, Amazon Fire 4K player, and Sky Q box complete the setup. A Control4 system operates the complete A/V system as well as Lutron lighting, via the client’s iPhone and iPad. Control4 and Lutron are used throughout the house.
A Better Network Yields Reliability of Control
This project presented a challenge that Finite Solutions only comes across a few times a year.
“We didn’t own the network for the house, it was provided by the client’s IT guys from his company,” explains Mathieson. “Despite reviewing everything we needed, we had numerous network control issues with Control4 for the first few weeks and ultimately we replaced the network with our own which resolved the problems straightaway. I think this highlights a common issue for custom installers and the importance of owning the network. Commercial IT companies rarely seem to get it right for large home automation requirements.”
Designed to Dazzle
The room build design was completed by Finite Solutions to allow the client’s existing contractors to build the new stud work walls, run new audio visual and lighting cables and construct the made-to-order bar.
Upon completion of the main building and decorating works, Finite Solutions engineers installed all of the audio visual equipment in the room and the main pre-built A/V rack and acoustic wall panels, after which the electrical contractor installed the lighting control system and light fittings.
Mathieson says the client is delighted with the finished result, using the room regularly for entertaining, watching films and sports. The client is particularly enthusiastic about the bar area.
“I think he really likes the whole experience of the room and how it works with a group of friends to socialize in,” says Mathieson. “The room is used a lot by the whole family rather than purely as a dedicated cinema. [Home theaters] are of course fantastic, but they tend to get used slightly less. And the Sony 4K projector pretty much stuns everyone; it’s the best out there at the moment for sensible money.”
This article originally appeared on CE Pro Europe.
The post Dolby Atmos Home Theater Finds a Home in Basement Bar appeared first on Electronic House.
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Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Virtual Reality Home Theater: Whole Lotta Hype - For Now
We have no doubt Virtual Reality (VR) will mature into an amazing experience for gamers. Someday, when VR no longer requires total isolation and a face-mask, it might carry the kind of mainstream appeal as home theater when it comes to bringing alternate realities to the masses. Think Star Trek Holodeck. But for now, it's the focus of a lot of hype, a lot of overly-optimistic sales projections and obscene amounts of investment capital for the foreseeable return. Will it replace home theater? We don't think so. Read on to find out why.
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Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Spring Cleaning: 7 Home Tech Improvement Projects for Under $1,000
Now that spring has arrived and you’re ready to delve into spring cleaning, it’s the perfect time to add some innovative technology to your house to make it “smarter.” You probably lacked both the opportunity and the inclination to make upgrades to your residence during the dark, dismal winter season but those frigid months are over and done with. Take advantage of the spring weather and create more comfortable, smarter living spaces with a number of improvements without breaking your bank account.
Spring Cleaning Tip 1: Switch to LED Lights
If you’re tired of replacing broken or worn-out bulbs, then it’s time to make the move to LED lighting. You’d have to try really hard to break one of these lights and they tend to have useful lifespans significantly longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. Other benefits include reduced energy expenditures and lower in-use temperatures. Insteon is one of several manufacturers that produces a bulb that can be controlled wirelessly and dimmed from 1 to 100 percent either on the fly from a smartphone app or according to a preset schedule. Now you can make your lights turn off by themselves when the sun is shining.
The Insteon Bulb retails for about $30 apiece.
Spring Cleaning Tip 2: Install a Smart Hub
A modern smart hub, like an Amazon Echo, can do pretty much what past generations of hubs could – and more. Because it contains the Alexa digital assistant and “her” advanced speech recognition abilities, Echo allows you to communicate with other smart devices, so that you can control everything from a single interface and search the Internet merely by speaking your desires aloud. With its voice control, you can even order goods through Alexa and pay with your Amazon Rewards Card.
Alexa is easy for third parties to add onto through the Alexa Skills Kit, which Amazon has released publicly. Alexa already plays nicely with smart home gear from a variety of recognized brands and the list of compatible hardware will only grow more extensive with time.
Amazon Echo and Echo Dot costs about $180 and $50, respectively.
Spring Cleaning Tip 3: Get a Smart Water Faucet
Wasted water isn’t just costly but it also contributes to a host of environmental problems, like desertification and greenhouse gas emissions. A smart faucet will allow you to cut down on the amount of water you use. The key features to note are an IR sensor for hands-free operation and a digital interface, which makes it a breeze to adjust the water temperature to your liking. Delta makes a variety of both sink and shower fixtures that are smarter than your average faucet. Featuring Temp20 Technology and TouchO Technology, the faucets turn on with just a touch and the shower head displays the temperature of the water.
Models start at around $250 and can go much higher depending on the exact features you’re looking for.
Spring Cleaning Tip 4: Go Solar in Your Garden
Your garden receives a lot of light in the daytime, so it only makes sense to put some of it to use at night. Solar-powered garden lights automatically collect energy from the sun when it’s bright out. They then illuminate at night for safe, comfortable paths through your greenery. There’s no wiring involved because the photovoltaic cell-battery system is a closed one.
You can buy all the supplies and complete the installation of solar lights for well under $100 and perhaps less than $50 if you shop around for the right deal.
Spring Cleaning Tip 5: Add Door and Window Sensors
This affordable home upgrade will set you back between $20 and $50 per sensor.
Spring Cleaning Tip 6: Dress Your Windows With Smart Blinds
You can cut your energy usage by letting the sun’s natural rays into your interior, and smart window blinds make this process hassle-free. You can program them on a schedule and adjust the settings remotely. Whether you wish to read in a brightly illuminated room or want to set the mood for a romantic evening with your partner, these blinds will help you do so.
They tend to be priced around the $350 – $400 range. Be sure to find a model with at least a three-year warranty to protect yourself against motor failure.
Spring Cleaning Tip 7: Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat means no more having to fiddle around with awkward knobs. It will learn your schedule over time and manage your heating and air conditioning equipment to keep your temperatures cozy throughout the day and night. Of course, you’ll be able to adjust the settings on the fly, and it will incorporate this new information into its future operation.
The Nest Learning Thermostat, available for about $250, is probably the most popular. There are many other models, though, that are worth consideration. Many smart thermostats are able to access the geolocation functions of your phone to determine when you’re away and activate a special “Eco” mode that conserves energy.
Putting time and money into home improvements can allow you to reap large dividends in energy savings and in greater property resale value. You’ll also have more pleasant and relaxing quarters to live in. There’s a wide range of price points involved in the various possible projects, but whatever your budget happens to be, there’s bound to be an enhancement for your house that you find irresistible and cost-effective.
Maricel Tabalba is a freelance contributor for Credit.com who is interested in writing about personal finance advice for Millennials and college students. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The post Spring Cleaning: 7 Home Tech Improvement Projects for Under $1,000 appeared first on Electronic House.
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Teodoor Introduces “World’s Smallest” Smart Lock
Teodoor has developed what it has dubbed “the world’s smallest, most functional” smart lock available. Based on the product’s sleek aesthetic and loads of technology built-in, they might have a solid case.
For starters, the smart lock enables “hands-free” access with ensured security to simplify entry into your home. Using advanced recognition technology, access codes, and combinations of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, the smart lock grants access to approved users without the added hassle of searching for your smartphone or entering an access code to unlock the door.
Once a user is within 100 feet of the door with their smartphone, he or she will be recognized through the Teodoor app via Bluetooth, and once the user is within five to ten feet from the door, the smart lock will unlock the door.
The advanced authorization uses safe encrypting algorithms in the background, without storing any private information about its users. You can appoint multiple people with access permission or set schedules and reminders. The smart lock can also provide intrusion alerts to notify users if an unidentified person has forcefully opened their door.
“There are many smart locks on the market right now that provide keyless entry, but we’re excited to be the first to design a truly “hands-free” lock with a wide range of convenient possibilities for homeowners,” says Martin Koterle, CEO of Teodoor. “While the most important thing is to keep you and your house safe, smart locks should also be easy to install and a pleasure to use. With Teodoor, not only can you leave your smartphone in your purse or pocket, but you don’t even have to have the app open to unlock the front door.”
In the unfortunate event that a user’s phone is stolen, if the lock is Wi-Fi enabled (optional), users will be able to log in via Teodoor’s web app and disable the phone. Users can also disable the stolen phone by using another smart device to access the app, or performing a hard reset to the Teodoor lock. The procedure is quite similar to losing your keys, however with Teodoor you can reset, while traditional locks and deadbolts security process requires the user buying a new set.
Teodoor is available for pre-order starting at $99 ($149 for Wi-Fi enabled lock) and the product will ship end of 2017.
The post Teodoor Introduces “World’s Smallest” Smart Lock appeared first on Electronic House.
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Monday, April 24, 2017
OPPO UDP-205 Universal Ultra HD Blu-ray Player Preview
OPPO Digital announced their UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Audiophile Blu-ray Disc player is available for purchase. A step-up version of the recently released UDP-203, the UDP-205 brings top-of-the-line audio performance to a universal player that supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and many other digital audio and video formats. Advanced engineering, rigorous parts selection, and rock-solid build quality are foundations to the UDP-205’s performance and we are looking forward to bench testing this beauty. Check out our preview article to see what makes this Universal Ultra HD Blu-ray player so special.
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