December 2017 Top Picks at a Glance

We reviewed 13 products in December but only eight made the cut. Among them are three exemplary projectors ranging in price from $2,200 to $6,000, a fabulous sounding set of compact speakers with built-in power, excellent planar-magnetic headphones from a classic audio brand, a unique hi-res digital recording system that disciples of vinyl will love, and a separates-based 5.1-channel system that gives you everything you need except a source for just over two grand. As we ring in the New Year, any of these products would be a fine addition to your 2018 AV lineup.

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Sonos One Wireless Smart Speaker Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $199

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Typical Sonos build and sound quality
Alexa voice control
Minus
No Bluetooth
No hi-res audio

THE VERDICT
Sonos was slow to deliver a voice-controlled smart speaker, but with integrated Alexa (and Google Assistant arriving soon) in what amounts to a redesigned Play:1, they've created a nearly irresistible, low-cost intro to their wireless ecosystem.

The full impact of the home-based voice-actuated assistant, invented first by Amazon in the guise of Alexa, then followed by Google and now Apple with its Siri-driven HomePod, has yet to be felt. The category has loosely evolved into what we are now calling the "smart speaker," though it is not the speaker, but the microphone (or mic array) in conjunction with a network connection that imbues these devices with their extraordinary power. Sure, the speaker plays music, perhaps the simplest of its voice-controlled functions and (according to a recent study by NPR/Edison Research, the activity a smart speaker is still most frequently used for). But the opportunity presented by an artificially intelligent device that can respond to human language and trigger any number of events in our environment possesses extraordinary potential for transforming our lives. The fact that the most sophisticated of these voice interfaces to date, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, are offered in open, licensed platforms and being constantly advanced and promoted by two of the world's richest tech giants, suggests that we are on the verge of an explosion of innovation. The best is yet to come.

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Epson Home Cinema 4000 4K Enhanced 3LCD Projector Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $2,200

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Good resolution in HD and UHD
Impressive HDR
Low price
Minus
Contrast and black level could be better
Manual HDR/SDR switching

THE VERDICT
The Epson 4000 offers an effective combination of HDR and SDR projection at a price that seemed impossible a year ago.

Native 4K imaging—where the chips display all 8.3 million individual pixels (3840 x 2160) in each frame simultaneously—is still rare in an affordable consumer projector. Currently, the entry price is $5,000, for Sony’s new VPL-VW285ES. But last year, Epson introduced two 3LCD models that use pixel shifting to achieve an apparent resolution close to 4K. The less expensive of the two was the PowerLite Home Cinema 5040UB, still selling, as I write this, for around $2,700. (Its virtual twin, the Pro Cinema 6040UB, was reviewed in the October 2016 Sound & Vision.)

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JL Audio IWS-SYS-108/208 In-wall Subwoofer Preview

For those of you looking for a premiere in-wall sub, JL Audio released their IWS-SYS-108 and IWS-SYS-208. The newest models from JL Audio have a very small grille opening that will please customers looking for a visually unobtrusive solution while still capable of delivering true JL Audio sub-bass performance. To see all their features read on.

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December 2017 New Gear Part 2

Electrocompaniet Tana SL-1 Wireless Speaker
Recently introduced to North America, the Tana SL-1 from Norwegian high-end audio maker Electrocompaniet is built to deliver hi-res music over an existing Wi-Fi network. The two-way bass-reflex speaker is housed in a compact 10 x 7 x 7-inch aluminum cabinet along with a 150-watt Class A/B amplifier, 192-kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and 32-bit floating-point digital signal processor.

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How Do I Switch Between an AVR and Stereo Amp?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I currently use a receiver for watching movies in 5.1 surround and for listening to stereo music. I’d like to expand my system with a dedicated stereo preamplifier and amplifier for music playback but have realized that I would need to switch the cables of my main left/right speakers from the receiver to the amplifier every time I changed over from movies to music. Is there some type of switchbox that would enable such a setup? If so, is there an audiophile-grade version that wouldn’t negatively affect the sound? One more question: Would I be able use my subwoofer with both configurations? —Raphaël Rainville / via e-mail

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Best Streaming Devices of 2017

This past year has seen the maturing of many features that were formerly only hopeful ideas. Streaming 4K, streaming live TV, cloud DVRs, and simple voice home control from a home theater are all now readily available.

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Paradigm PW Soundbar Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $1,299

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Wide array of wired and wireless connections, including Play-Fi
Room correction with included microphone
Wireless subwoofer connection
Minus
Confusing and non-intuitive setup
Soft-sounding highs

THE VERDICT
Paradigm’s PW Soundbar ticks a lot of boxes with its long list of desirable features, but its complicated wireless setup and ergonomic difficulties make it frustrating to use.

Consolidation is one of those things that can be either a good deal or a bad deal, depending on the context. For example, with big corporations, consolidation often means less competition, which can be a bummer for the consumer. Just ask the guy who pays through the nose for 2,000 cable channels he’ll never watch, or the guy who has tried to make a mini-sized bag of peanuts last through a six-hour transcontinental flight on one of the four remaining major U.S. airlines. But when it comes to consumer electronics, consolidation can be a wonderful thing.

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Klipsch The Sixes Powered Speaker System Review

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $799

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Solid build quality
Handsome fit and finish
Easy setup
Good overall sound quality with bountiful bass
Minus
No Wi-Fi streaming
No tone controls
Disappointing phono preamp

THE VERDICT
Klipsch’s beautifully crafted Sixes deliver fine sound with the bonus of onboard power, but vinyl playback is shortchanged by its pedestrian phono preamp.

I’ve been talking about pulling my old turntable out of mothballs since I moved to my current home, oh…20 years ago. Which is why I jumped at the chance when asked if I had any interest in auditioning The Sixes, the latest entry in Klipsch’s Heritage Wireless series and big brother to The Three, the superb all-in-one wireless music system we reviewed in May. I know what you’re thinking: What does reviewing speakers have to do with setting up a turntable? Bear with me.

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Dirac Announces Next-Gen Room-Correction System

Dirac Research, the Swedish company specializing in sound optimization technology, has announced that it will demonstrate several major updates to its acclaimed Dirac Live room-correction platform at CES 2018, which kicks off in Las Vegas on January 9.

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What My Treasured Watch and Audio Have in Common

I was late to class that morning. So I was a bit over the speed limit, astride my trusty BMW R50/2 motorcycle, heading into town and onto campus. I spotted something shiny lying in the middle of the highway. No time to explore — I was late. But on the way home that night, my weak headlight (6-volt, you know) saw that glimmer again, now on the side of the highway. I braked and circled back...

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Kanto YU6 Powered Speaker System Review

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $480

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Phono, line, optical, Bluetooth inputs
Subwoofer output
Wide choice of colors
Minus
USB not PC-friendly

THE VERDICT
If you’re looking to plug your turntable directly into a good-looking and functional pair of speakers, the Kanto YU6 will make it work—and sound great.

Why shouldn’t life be simpler? If there’s one thing your studio apartment, dorm room, bedroom, or guest bedroom doesn’t need, it’s an audio rack with a tangle of cables. But going without music would be barbaric. So how simple do you need to get? If a bare-bones Bluetooth speaker isn’t enough, a pair of powered speakers might make more sense. You’d have a stereo soundstage without the fuss of an outboard amp and rack.

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The Bridge on the River Kwai

Picture
Sound
Extras

Captured in 1943, a battalion of British soldiers is forced to work as slave labor to build a bridge for the Japanese over the River Kwai. The sadistic POW commander, Col. Saito, insists the British officers work alongside the enlisted personnel against the bylaws of the Geneva Convention. The British officer, Col. Nicholson, brings this to the attention of Saito, who promptly puts him in the “hot box” until he changes his tune. Nicholson refuses to back down, and a battle of wills ensues. Saito eventually realizes he’s fighting a losing battle and must find a way to inspire the prisoners to work faster, and Nicholson is the key to getting the bridge built on time.

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Baby Driver

Picture
Sound
Extras

Can the dangerous business of getaway driving be elevated to an art form? Propelled by the constant soundtrack of his life, Baby (Ansel Elgort) combines speed, daring, and creativity in a thrilling and highly profitable display of skill. He doesn’t want to be a part of this prolonged crime spree, but he needs to repay a debt to a local kingpin (Kevin Spacey). In fact, he believes he has an exit strategy all figured out, once they’re square, and that he and his new lady friend (Lily James) can drive off into the sunset.

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Face-Off: Sony VPL-VW285ES vs. JVC DLA-X790R

Since the Sony VPL-VW285ES I recently reviewed was still on hand while I was reviewing the JVC DLA-X790R, a brief comparison was impossible to resist. The results were quite interesting…

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JVC DLA-X790R D-ILA Projector Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $6,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Standard-setting blacks
Impressive HDR
Solid color and resolution
Minus
Complex setup menus
Some black crush

THE VERDICT
It may not have true native 4K imaging chips, but the JVC DLA-X790R shouldn’t be overlooked by those upgrading a projection system or looking for their first projector. It’s a knockout.

One of the key features of the Ultra HD format is 4K resolution. But to date, the catalog of true native 4K home theater projectors — those with imaging chips featuring a minimum of 3840 x 2160 pixels without relying on any pixel-shifting tricks — is pretty thin. JVC has the laser-lit DLA-RS4500K at $35,000, and Sony has its own premium models above $10,000. But if you're looking for something priced more affordably, you’re currently limited to Sony’s new VPL-VW285ES ($5,000) and VPL-VW385ES ($8,000).

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Do AV Receivers Support DLNA Video Streaming?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I am looking to buy an AV receiver that can play music (mainly FLAC files) and movies streamed from a media server hosted on a NAS. Are there any new receivers that provide that feature? I was looking at a Pioneer VSX-832 Network receiver based on a recommendation from a local dealer, but discovered a note on Pioneer’s website saying that it’s not supported.—Gigi Mathew

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Product Review: D-Link Omna Home Security Camera

By Zachary Lloyd

 

If you’re in the market for home security, let’s discuss the D-Link Omna HD Camera. Tested in a single room, studio environment, this $150 camera sits in the corner of any room; strategically placed to watch the world around it using its 180-degree field of view.

It is made from an aluminum material, and feels very sturdy in the hand. Its neutral color helps it to blend in with all but the most rustic of furniture schemes, as it features an all silver body with black accents, and a multi-color led dot on the front. The charging port is on the back of the camera, and it is indented a few centimeters into the casing, with a square hole. The included charging cable features the same shape end on the connector, so it fits flush, and feels extremely premium. On paper, the camera looks like it boasts many impressive features: It has the ability to connect to your Android or iPhone via the Omna app for live view, automatic recording, and alerts for when the camera detects motion.

 

Setup

The setup process is fairly straightforward: Just plug the camera into the wall outlet, download the Omna app, wait for it to detect the camera, and then just connect it to Wi-Fi. However, the app is extremely slow and cumbersome to use, and getting the camera to show up in the list of devices was more difficult than it should have been. Moreover, once it was able to be seen by my phone, it took a few more tries before I had it connected to the network and streaming data.

Usage

The camera notified my phone as soon as I stepped in front of it, and the night viewing mode worked like a charm. The live view, even with its massive delay, seems like it would be a good feature to have, if it worked consistently. Every time I attempted to open the app to check out the live view, I was presented with almost a full minute of loading screens, before I could finally enter the viewing screen. Plus, the app did crash some of the time.

Most times I tried to use the Live View, it was a direct result of having received a motion detection notification. However, even with the door to the small room closed, the fan off, and 100 percent assurance that there was nothing in the room, I would get a motion notification once every 30 seconds up to every 5 minutes. While the camera does feature the saving of recordings to a Micro SD card, the whole point of this product is to be able to monitor your home from afar, and it just lacks the ability to do that in most cases.

Things did, however, improve a bit with the Apple HomeKit app. It felt fast and streamlined, and even though the delay was still massive, the motion detection notifications were fixed in this version of the app. You can even ask Siri for the status of the camera. However, many users use Android devices, and the camera must properly work for these users, not just iOS lovers.

 

General Specifications

The physical camera sensor has a 180-degree field of view, which enables you to see your whole room. However, it does not feature continuous recording, something that camera at this same price point, or even cheaper, offers in the base models. It is 1080p HD, which is more than enough for the tasks it has to handle, and has the ability to save all the data to a 128 GB Micro SD card (this is not included in the box).

 

Pros:

• A sturdy, metal construction
• Integration with both Android OS and the Apple HomeKit
• 180-degrees of view
• Motion detected alerts
• Ability to save data locally

Cons:

• The setup needs to be more streamlined
• The Android app is buggy and could use some updates
• The camera does not include a Micro SD card of the box – necessary for basic functionality
• The motion detection sends too many notifications
• The live view has a large delay

 

 

Overall, it is very hard to recommend this camera to anyone when options such as the NestCam exist in this price category. The camera caters entirely to Apple users, offering a buggy Android app, an overly sensitive motion detector, and is expensive for the level of functionality.

The post Product Review: D-Link Omna Home Security Camera appeared first on Electronic House.

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The Waterboys’ Mike Scott Pours a New Sound Palette for ‘Out of All This Blue’

Career songwriters often find themselves on a perpetual quest to add new tools to their creative toolboxes in order to keep things fresh. Such has been the case for Mike Scott, chief architect of British alt-rock stalwarts The Waterboys, who turned to GarageBand and some interesting plug-in choices to fuel the almost two-dozen songs that comprise his band’s expansive new double-disc effort, Out of All This Blue (BMG).

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Emotiva BasX System Review

PRICE $2,143 as reviewed

THE VERDICT
Emotiva’s BasX surround processor, five-channel amp, and speakers offer an affordable and high-performing starter system that puts you into audio separates without breaking the bank.

Surround separates are generally regarded as a step up from receivers. If you want the biggest and best, and have to ask their prices, you probably can’t afford them. But ask me the prices of Emotiva’s new BasX surround preamp/processor and multichannel amplifier, along with a set of compact speakers from the same series. The answers are $599, $499, and $1,045, totaling $2,143 for a 5.1-channel system of electronics and speakers. That would buy a midpriced receiver and a decent (but probably smaller) satellite/subwoofer set.

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Lutron and Alexa Join Forces to Create a Voice Controllable Home

One of the best ways to experience what it’s like to live in a smart home is to see one in action. It’s one thing to read about innovative new technologies like automated lighting, whole-house music, and voice control of home devices; it’s another thing altogether when these electronic marvels can be demonstrated to you in a realistic home setting. Many home systems integrators accomplish this by displaying their smart home wares in a showroom that’s been designed to educate potential clients on their smart home options. Few chose to create the experience in their own personal homes. Nor have many home systems professionals integrated voice control so seamlessly and comprehensively into a home environment.

The Future of Voice Control … Now

It’s an accomplishment that earned Drayton Cook, an electrician at NWE in Calgary, Alberta Canada a 2017 Lutron Excellence Award for Best Integration of Voice Control. “Voice control is where the future of home technology is headed,” Cook says. “And in my home which I use as a showroom of sorts I have pushed the boundaries of what’s capable through voice.”

Using Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri as the voice engine, a complete Lutron RadioRA 2 system, Lutron Sivoia QS shades, Lutron seeTemp thermostats, Sonos system, Nest cameras, Key Digital video distribution, Russound whole-house music system, and even a 10-year-old LG TV can be controlled via simple voice commands.

Echo Dots Deliver Voice Commands to Lutron Systems

The Lutron systems are able to recognize verbal edicts directed to them from several Amazon Echo Dots located throughout the house, as well as from an Apple smartwatch. To weave items like the Russound music system into the voice control ecosystem required the addition of a third-party controller, Cook explains. Together, the Lutron systems and the Key Digital Compass Control system chosen by Cook as that third party controller enables a combination of 97 RadioRA 2 devices, seeTemp thermostats, (a combination of 10 hardwired and four battery-powered Sivoia QS Triathlon shades, and a host of other devices to be operated by verbal commands. Here’s how it works, explains Cook: “The Lutron systems carry out the voice command to their respective shades and lights. When the Compass Control system ‘sees’ these actions happen, it triggers the non-Lutron devices in the house to react.”

Scenes Streamline the Control Process

To streamline the process of issuing voice commands, Cook used the Lutron system to program the various systems and products into “scenes.” This enables users to control multiple devices by uttering a single command rather than launching several individual commands. When the Lutron systems hear “Good morning,” for example, it turns on select lights, opens certain shades, adjusts the thermostat setting, and triggers the Compass Control system which turns on the TVs to the where a slideshow of family photos are displayed. “We don’t have a lot of art on the walls,” says Cook of his newly built home of many floor-to ceiling glass windows, “so the TVs serve as our artwork.”

Other scenes that can be engage via voice include “Morning” “Entertain,” “Movie,” and many more. To ensure that every command is hear clearly, Cook installed several Amazon Echo Dot devices throughout the house, and uses his smartwatch occasionally to issue verbal instructions via Apple Siri. Although voice control is the newest and most engaging form of home management at the moment, Cook made sure include plenty of Lutron keypads for times when it’s just as easy to press a button to activate groups of lights, shades, TVs, and music listening zones.

The Epitome of Voice Control in the Home

By utilizing a variety of smart home systems and Lutron-enabled control schemes, Cook has created a home environment that’s easy for his family to manage and enjoy. As for customers that visit, they can use their own voices to make see all the systems react. “Our voice controlled house is better than any pamphlet at explaining how voice control works,” Cook says.

Related articles:

Lutron’s Light Fixture Solutions Create Luxurious Environment for a Utah Couple

Outdoor Lighting Establishes Elegant Alfresco Living Spaces Thanks to Lutron HomeWorks QS System

Lutron’s HomeWorks QS Helps Home Achieve NetZero Rating

The post Lutron and Alexa Join Forces to Create a Voice Controllable Home appeared first on Electronic House.

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TVs, TVs Everywhere

My first color TV, a Zenith (remember them?) was a 19-inch CRT that cost me somewhere around $350 and weighed a ton (or seemed to). Today, the only display devices you’ll find at that size are computer monitors; they’ll cost you considerably less and can be carried around under one arm.

I was reminded of that as I recently visited the TV department in my local Best Buy. Even with Black Friday firmly in the rear-view mirror, there were, quite literally, stacks of boxed TVs filling the aisles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many crowded into one space, perhaps not even at CES. And in an area with a population of roughly 100,000, that’s a lot of TVs to sell. Most of them, even the larger models, were well under $1000, reflecting the modest incomes of a primarily middle-class region.

But new TVs are always a hot item, and this is a prime time of year for TV sales...

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Why Millennials Will Trigger a Boom in Home Theater Sales

Work with me here. I'll try my best to explain. The gist of it is this: Millennials are going to move out of cities and start buying home theaters. Lots of home theaters.

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Sony to Roll Out Dolby Vision TV Update in January

Sony has announced that the firmware update that activates Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) processing in its high-end TV models will be available in mid to late January.

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Suit from 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Auctioned for Charity

An official Spider-Man suit worn by Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming was auctioned off yesterday to raise money for the Toys for Tots charity run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

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LG Partners with Meridian to Up its Audio Game

LG and Meridian Audio yesterday announced a global partnership to collaborate on the technical design of soundbars, wireless speakers, and other LG audio products.

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BioInteractive to Unveil Gesture Wristband at CES

Vancouver-based startup BioInteractive Technologies plans to unveil a gesture wristband for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications at CES 2018, which kicks off in Las Vegas on January 9.

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Rythmik FV18 Servo Subwoofer Sound Demo Report

Renowned sub manufacturer Rythmik Audio recently released an 18" triple ported subwoofer, the FV18. This subwoofer sports a newly developed black anodized aluminum driver that is driven by an also newly developed 900 watt Hypex class D amplifier. This beast of a sub is made for those who require more ultra low end output. The FV17 does not behave like a typical ported sub. It has the output in spades, but also the articulation Rythmik is known for. Check out the sound demo report on how this sub performs with a variety of source material in an in-home audition.

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California Dreamin’

When homeowners in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, hired Custom LA to replace the existing home theater in their 6,500-square-foot home, they wanted an advanced system capable of delivering jaw-dropping audio and video performance but it had to be dead simple to operate and capable of controlling AV systems in two other areas of the sprawling home.

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Gifts for Yule and Yours

If you’re still shopping for a Christmas or other holiday gift, you know time is of the essence right now.

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Ok Google, Show Me My Logitech Home Security Cameras

You have a feeling that someone has stepped into your backyard. In the past, you might have switched your TV to its dedicated “surveillance camera” channel to view the action. It was simple process of tapping a button on a handheld remote, but Logitech has simplified the task to a simple voice command.

The company’s line of Circle 2 home security cameras now work with the Google Assistant on smart speakers like Google Home, eligible Android phones and iPhones, so you can easily ask to watch live video of what’s happening in and around your home. Start by saying, “Ok Google, show me the backyard camera,” to show a live view of your backyard on your TV using the Google Assistant and Chromecast, or a TV with Chromecast built in.

Related: Google Assistant Built into Sony Android TVs

“We’ve worked with Google to make your home security smarter and even easier to access,” says Vincent Borel, director of new ventures at Logitech. “Logitech Circle 2 seamlessly integrates with your favorite voice assistant so whether you’re far from your mobile device and simply want to check who’s at the door or prefer watching the camera live view on a larger screen, our newest integration with the Google Assistant truly enhances your Circle 2 security camera experience.”

This latest integration with the Google Assistant works on all Circle 2 Cameras (Wired or Wire-Free), as well as the first generation Logi Circle, allowing you to watch live video of what’s happening in and around your home directly on your TV. To access this experience, you must have a Chromecast or TV with Chromecast built in and the Google Assistant on your eligible Android phone, iPhone or smart speaker like Google Home. You can view any of your Circle 2 cameras just using your voice. For example, if your Circle 2 Camera is named “front door,” you can say, “Ok Google, show me the front door camera.”

To learn more how you can start using the Google Assistant to control your Circle 2 and smart home security experience with your voice, visit here.

 

Availability

Logitech Circle 2 home security cameras along with mounts and accessories are available now and can be purchased at Logitech.com, Apple, Amazon and Best Buy. Circle 2 Wired is $179.99 and Circle 2 Wire-Free is $199.99.

 

The post Ok Google, Show Me My Logitech Home Security Cameras appeared first on Electronic House.

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Amazon Echo 2nd Gen with Improved and Updated Audio

When a company announces that a new generation of a product is coming out, it’s assumed that it will be an improvement on the original. This is especially true when it’s a product as popular as the Amazon Echo with Alexa. Smart speakers are all the rage at the moment, and companies can’t afford to let customers slip away. I had a chance to check out the new Amazon Echo (MSPR: $80) complete with the updated software that improves audio performance.

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10 Smokin’ Deals at Shop Sound & Vision

As we get down to the wire for online gift orders, here are 10 smokin’ deals worth checking out at Shop Sound & Vision.

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Ghost in the Shell (2017)

Picture
Sound
Extras

In a world where people are enhanced with technology, Major (Johansson) is rescued from near death, or so she believes. Her cybernetic implants make her the first of her kind as she fights criminals with an upper hand, but things are not always what they seem to be. She begins to have visions of her past and starts to believe that the corporation that “saved” her is actually trying to control her. She makes it her personal mission to unravel her mysterious past and find out what truly happened.

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Free Fire

Picture
Sound
Extras

Although Martin Scorsese is listed as one of the executive producers, Free Fire actually seems to exude more of the DNA from Reservoir Dogs. This impressively tight hour-and-a-half plays out as essentially one long scene—an arms deal gone bad—with a diverse group of tough guys (and gal) brought to life by a well-chosen international cast.

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Mount a TV Like a Pro: Part 2

Last month’s blog, Mount a TV Like a Pro: Part 1 detailed the first part of mounting a flat-panel TV onto a wall. To recap, it covered determining the size and location of where the new TV will go, figuring out the needed wiring for the install, making a plan for powering the TV, making sure there’s a clear path in the wall for routing the cabling to the TV, and then cutting wall boxes into the sheetrock and running the wiring.

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McIntosh Updates its Flagship Tower Speaker

McIntosh today introduced an updated version of its flagship column speaker, the XRT2K.

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Should I Upgrade My Amplifier or AV Processor?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I was planning to replace my 225Wpc Anthem Statement A2 amplifier with a 300Wpc McIntosh MC302 amp to improve my system. It was suggested that I would get more bang-for-the-buck by instead replacing my Integra DHC 80.3 surround preamp/processor with a new McIntosh MX122 surround preamp/processor. The reason given was that upgrading to a marginally more powerful amp wouldn’t result in a significant difference in my system, but a state-of-the-art processor would. Do you agree with that viewpoint? The speakers I am using are Definitive Technology Mythos STS Super Towers with a Mythos center channel and surrounds. — KJ King

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5 Tips: How to Choose a Solar Panels for Your Home

If you’re looking to install solar panels on your house for the first time, you might have a lot of questions regarding exactly what to look for in a solar company and where to find it?  Besides the obvious task of scanning through online reviews of solar panel providers, here are a few key things to look for when choosing a solar company.

Word of Mouth — The best kind of verification is word of mouth, so ask around.  Word-of-mouth conversations and referrals are great because they can help you identify problems (and even intangible benefits) that won’t come up in a normal online review.

Cast a Wide Net — Get a sense for all the options you have in the area and you might be surprised about the amount of providers in your region. There are some companies that might be more prevalent in your neighborhood or even be doing local advertising, like Solar City or Vivint Solar, but you’d be surprised.

Prepare for Sticker Shock – No matter which solar provider you ultimately select, be prepared to open your wallet. If you are serious about going solar, you need to ready for the high cost.  Even though in the long run solar panels pay for themselves, there is a high upfront cost.  Also, your home’s electrical system might need some upgrades to accommodate for the solar panels, adding more costs.

Determine Which Type of Panels You Want – Not every solar provider offers different types of systems. For example, some companies will only do rooftops systems. If you desire not to have the panels on your roof but instead want a ground-mounted system, your choice of providers will be different.  In most cases, ground-mounted systems will be more expensive than their rooftop counterparts due to the need for longer wiring runs. Moreover, if you are looking for a hydraulic solar tracker for the yard, the providers will be even more limited. Older homes may not be able to support the added weight of solar panels.

Check the Warranty — Every solar panel company should provide some sort of warranty for your panels.  The industry standard is 25 years.

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The post 5 Tips: How to Choose a Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Electronic House.

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Korg DS-DAC-10R Vinyl Digitalizer Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $500

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Transfer analog sources to high-resolution digital including DSD
Phono preamp with variable EQ settings
Built-in headphone amplifier
Minus
No input for low-output moving-coil cartridges
No software-based vinyl noise reduction

THE VERDICT
The Korg DS-DAC-10R lets you move your music from LP records into state-of-the-art high-resolution PCM or DSD files, all while retaining their essential vinyl character.

Ten years ago, who would have figured that almost every major new music release would also get issued on vinyl? Every day more and more people are learning to appreciate the appeal of vinyl records, but sadly the lack of portability means that for most of us it’s a stay-at-home listening experience. That can be frustrating in a world where we’ve become so accustomed to digesting our music on the go, so lots of new vinyl records come bundled with a lossy-compressed Digital Copy as a free download. Of course, at that point you’re no longer getting the vinyl experience at all, so really, what’s the point? But, what if you could capture some of that analog goodness in a portable hi-res audio version that you can take with you, instead of those crappy MP3 files we’ve endured for so long? That’s the idea behind the DS-DAC-10R, a handy little box developed by the pro-audio mavens at Korg and distributed by Essence.

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Amazon Now 3rd Largest Music Streaming Service

Most of us think of Amazon as the world’s largest online store where you can buy anything — and it is, but the company has also become a dark horse in the race toward streaming supremacy as it rapidly expands it Amazon Music service.

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2018 Inductees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame today announced its Class of 2018 inductees, an eclectic group that includes…

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4 Games, 1 Screen

Do you holler, “Hell, yes!” whenever the TV announcer howls: “Are you ready for some football?!” Then ESPN’s updated Apple TV app with MultiCast is for you.

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Acoustic Research AR-H1 Headphones Review

Performance
Build Quality
Comfort
Value

PRICE $599

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Oval planar magnetic design
Easy to drive
Nice and comfy
Minus
Cable lacks phone mic or inline controls

THE VERDICT
Acoustic Research knocked one out of the park with the AR-H1 — it’s a real contender.

Acoustic Research has a long, proud history dating back to 1954 with the introduction of the AR1, the world’s first acoustic suspension speaker. But rather than run through a model-by-model inventory of their innovative speakers and the brilliant AR turntable, let’s fast-forward to 2018 where the AR's current owner is based in Hong Kong and they’re getting serious about making audiophile headphones. Witness the AR-H1, an ambitious reboot for the brand.

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