Best Gear of April 2019

When it comes to AV gear worthy of Sound & Vision’s prestigious Top Pick designation, April turned in a 4K projector videophiles will drool over, an impressive home theater speaker system from a venerable brand that can be had for less than two grand, another super subwoofer from SVS, and our latest Top Value Pick — a set of powered Bluetooth speakers that delivers shockingly good sound for $200.

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Astell&Kern Previews New Hi-Res Music Player

Hi-res audio specialist Astell&Kern (A&K) has announced a more upscale, second generation version of its Kann high-resolution music player, one of Sound & Vision’s 2018 Top Picks.

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Audirvana Unveils Improved MacOS Audio Player

Paris-based audio software specialist Audirvana has introduced a new version of its high-performance MacOS audio player.

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Antelope Ships Reference-Grade A/D-D/A Converter

Digital audio specialist Antelope Audio, the company that pioneered the adoption of atomic clock generators in audio, has announced that its “mastering-grade” Amári analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog (AD/DA) converter is now shipping.

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Stranger Than Paradise & Night on Earth

"What are we doing here?" "I don't know." Stranger Than Paradise, the delightful deadbeat breakout film by writer/director Jim Jarmusch with its whack-character studies, unactorly acting, absurdist deadpan humor, and minimalist style brilliantly captured the mood of its time. It also established him as an instant auteur of the $100,000-budget, low-production-value indie-film scene and inspired many others to do likewise.

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High Dynamic Range for Everyone

As someone who has spent the past two-plus decades writing about and reviewing TVs, projectors, and associated gear, I have to say that the addition of high dynamic range to video is among the more impressive developments I’ve encountered. Not since high-definition TV took over the airwaves back in 1999 and then made its way to Blu-ray (and HD DVD) discs a few years later have video enthusiasts been treated to such a massive leap in visual quality. Oh right, there was the launch of Blu-ray 3D back in 2010, a format that required a new player and TV, goggles, and a 50 percent hit in screen brightness, but…oh, never mind.

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Home Theater Planning: Walk Back the Design, Part 2

In my last blog, I discussed the many clients I meet with who have no idea how to begin the design process when planning a new home theater or media room installation. Instead of focusing on specific technologies and performance, I have found it best in these cases to work the design process back from how they would like the room to look after the installation is completed.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/home-theater-planning-walk-back-design-part-2

Best Speakers of 2019 (So Far)

Speakers are without a doubt the most important link in the audio chain — the component that will more than any other define the character of the sound you hear. Through the end of March, we reviewed eight speaker systems, ranging from a $179 wireless speaker that’s portable and splash-resistant to a killer Atmos-capable soundbar system that will make your head spin to a high-end 5.4.2 suite of home theater speakers from one of audio’s most revered brands. All are Top Picks and worthy of consideration — especially our three Top Value Picks. Let’s review…

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/best-speakers-2019-so-far

Flashback 2005: YouTube Is Born

With more than a billion users and 2 billion views a day, YouTube is a force to be reckoned with but its humble beginnings gave no hint of what was to come.

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Josh.ai Brings its Voice Platform to Dish Satellite TV

Josh.ai, the Denver-based home-automation company specializing in natural language voice control, today announced the integration of its voice platform into Dish’s Hopper DVRs.

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The Fight is Over: YouTube Returns to Fire TV, Prime Video to Chromecast

Peace between Amazon and Google means that the YouTube app will return to Fire TVs and Amazon Prime Video will be available to cast to Google Chromecast.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/fight-over-youtube-returns-fire-tv-prime-video-chromecast

SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer Review

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

PRICE Price: $1,099 (piano gloss black), $999 (black ash)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Outstanding performance for price
Excellent iOS/Android control app
Compact form factor
Minus
Lacks auto-calibration/room EQ

THE VERDICT
SVS continues its tradition of providing more than ample bass for your buck, this time in a relatively compact subwoofer accompanied by a useful setup and control app.

Over the past 15 years I've reviewed more A/V products than I can count, but the ones I most look forward to watching the FedEx guy hoist off the delivery truck are subwoofers. That's mainly because I love hearing bass—the more the better. Also, the reviewing process gives me an opportunity to revisit some of my favorite movie bass torture-test scenes to see if the latest, greatest subwoofer is up to snuff.

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SiriusXM’s New Streaming-Only Plan Costs $8/Month

Satellite radio pioneer SiriusXM is rolling out a streaming-only plan offering access to a diverse lineup of more than 300 entertainment channels for $8/month.

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Savant’s New Self-Powered Network Speakers Mount in Ceiling

Smart-home specialist Savant today introduced a line of self-powered network speakers that mimic recessed lighting.

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Fluance Ai40 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $200

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive sound and build quality for price
Good looks
Easy to set up
Minus
Limited connection options
Analog input can be noisy

THE VERDICT
The Fluance Ai40 delivers great sound and easy setup at a stunningly low price.

The Fluance Ai40 is a good-looking and reasonably compact powered speaker system that's equally at home on the desktop and in the living room. With aptX Bluetooth and stereo RCA inputs and not much else, it's easy to set up for streaming and vinyl or CD playback. At $200, the Ai40 is also a notably affordable given the performance level it provides.

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AXPONA 2019: A Guide to the Best Sound

The annual Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) show in Chicago has exploded into the biggest audio show in North America. 2019 was my first experience there, and it lived up to its reputation. The only show that’s now bigger, based on the number of exhibitors (though I understand it’s heavy on static displays), is May’s Munich show in Germany.

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Living in Harmony

Once upon a time, when you wanted to change channels on your TV, you had to actually get up, walk across the room, and twist a dial. While you were there, savvy users also wiggled the rabbit ears a little bit, and for good measure, whacked the side of the (wood) cabinet. Times have changed.

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EPV Introduces ISF-Certified Projection Screens

EPV Screens has introduced a series of reference-grade-white projection screens that have been certified by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) to provide reference-grade picture quality

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Marantz’s Hi-Res Network Receiver Plays CDs

Marantz has introduced a hi-res-capable network receiver that provides access to half a dozen music streaming services, supports whole-house wireless streaming, and plays CDs — all from a compact chassis that can fit almost anywhere.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/marantz-s-hi-res-network-receiver-plays-cds

Sony Sets Pricing, Availability for Master Series 4K and 8K TVs

Sony today announced pricing and availability for its flagship Masters Series TVs and other LCD and OLED models previewed at CES 2019 in January.

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Bowers & Wilkins Launches Wireless Products 3 Years in the Making

When Silicon Valley startup EVA Automation acquired the iconic speaker brand Bowers & Wilkins (a.k.a. B&W) in 2016, founder Gideon Yu described the mission as “reimagining the audio/video experience by making products that will change how people interact and think about the home.”

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bowers-wilkins-launches-wireless-products-3-years-making

Peloton Interactive in Hot Water over License Lawsuit

There’s no denying that a killer song makes any workout better. Music is an integral part of most workouts - nobody prefers working out in silence. But, at what price? Peloton Interactive, the upscale indoor cycling fad sweeping the nation is finding out that nothing in life is free, especially music. The biggest appeal of Peloton might be their large selection of online video classes that feature fabulous soundtracks. Too bad they (allegedly) aren’t paying for the music.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/peloton-interactive-hot-water-over-license-lawsuit

Abbey Road Visited and Revisited

Fifty years ago on this day in Beatles history (Friday, April 18), George Harrison recorded to perfection the raucous guitar solo on “Old Brown Shoe” in Studio Three at EMI Recording Studios. After nailing the solo, he joined producer Chris Thomas in the control room to mix the song, which would be released six weeks later as the B-side to a song John Lennon and Paul McCartney had recorded a few days earlier: “The Ballad of John and Yoko”.

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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Picture
Sound
Extras

An animated Spider-Man movie? In the midst of the character's latest live-action reboot? Using six different iterations of the character, all but one of which are only known to die-hard comic book fans? A direct-to-video tie-in, right? Wrong: Not only was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse a big-screen box-office success, it also snagged an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of 2018.

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Onkyo and Pioneer Receivers Get AirPlay 2 Update

Onkyo and Pioneer today announced the release of a firmware update that enables AV receivers from both brands to use Apple’s AirPlay 2 wireless platform to stream music from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to speakers around the house and use Siri voice commands to control compatible products.

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Flashback 2006: Toshiba Launches HD DVD

Thirteen years ago today, Toshiba introduced the first HD DVD players in U.S. stores with high hopes that the new format would be the high-definition successor to the wildly popular DVD and conquer the rival Blu-ray format championed by a coalition of nine companies, including Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, and Samsung.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/flashback-2006-toshiba-launches-hd-dvd

Sonos Ups its Voice Game with New Updates

Sonos has announced an update that enables owners of the Sonos One smart speaker and Beam soundbar — both Sound & Vision Top Picks — to use Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant to access and control Apple Music.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sonos-ups-its-voice-game-new-updates

JVC DLA-NX9 D-ILA Projector Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $18,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Fantastic HDR performance
Reference-level optics
Industry leading contrast
Minus
Some dynamic contrast-related artifacts
Noticeable fan noise in High lamp mode

THE VERDICT
JVC’s second-generation 4K beamer sets a new high bar for projector HDR performance. Add industry leading contrast, reference-quality optics, and exceptional usability and you have a projector that punches way above its price point.

It took a while, but JVC has finally updated its full consumer projector lineup to native 4K (4,096 x 2,160) resolution. Just over two years ago, Sound & Vision reviewed the company's first native 4K model, the $29,995 flagship DLA-RS4500. For this review I am going to cover the flagship model from the new range, the DLA-NX9 (also available as the DLA-RS3000 from JVC's professional division). At $18,000, the NX9 isn't exactly a casual purchase, though it does deliver some new features at a price point we haven't seen before from JVC.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/jvc-dla-nx9-d-ila-projector-review

Aerosmith Get Their THX Certified Wings Live at New Las Vegas Residency

On April 8, Aerosmith delivered a 90-minute performance for the ages inside the THX Certified Park Theater at the Park MGM in Las Vegas during their Deuces Are Wild residency. Our exclusive VIP section review shows how the combined powers of THX, L-Acoustics’ L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology, the MIXhalo live-audio mixing platform, and 1MORE THX Certified triple-driver in-ear headphones all helped make it happen.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/aerosmith-get-their-thx-certified-wings-live-new-las-vegas-residency

Record Store Day Releases to Quench Your Vinyl Thirst

If you’re hungry for new vinyl and somehow missed the festivities around Record Store Day this past Saturday (hey, it happens), fear not: A few hundred new releases are catalogued for perusal on the excellent website, RecordStoreDay.com.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/record-store-day-releases-quench-your-vinyl-thirst

Parasound Readies Integrated Amp/DAC for Summer Delivery

Parasound has announced plans to deliver its most-affordable integrated amplifier/digital-to-analog converter (DAC) early this summer.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/parasound-readies-integrated-ampdac-summer-delivery

U.S. Leads Global Smart Speaker Explosion

The U.S. will continue to lead the way in smart speaker adoption as the category explodes around the world — especially in China — with an installed base that’s expected to grow 82% in 2019, according tech research firm Canalys.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/us-leads-global-smart-speaker-explosion-0

BenQ Ships $2,500 Midline 4K DLP Projector

The latest 4K DLP projector in BenQ’s CinePrime series of home theater-focused models is available starting today.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/benq-ships-2500-midline-4k-dlp-projector

Remaster Class: Moody Blues: In Search of the Lost Chord

If the Moody Blues' most brazen, brave, and bold November 1967 mixture of conceptual rock and broad classical arrangements known as Days of Future Passed both saved their career and opened newer doors of sonic perception for them (and us) to walk through, then their mind-expanding July 1968 follow-up, In Search of the Lost Chord, truly cemented their position as purveyors of some of the headiest of mixes to essentially usher in a new era of progressive music. Indeed, the magnificent Moodies' late-'60s and early-'70s stereo mixes are often credited with helping to sell the true advantages the then-burgeoning FM format had over AM radio in the United States.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/remaster-class-moody-blues-search-lost-chord

Sony Announces Pricing for 4K Blu-ray Player, More

Sony today announced pricing and availability for the 4K Blu-ray player, Bluetooth-enabled wireless turntable, wireless speakers, and other audio products it previewed at CES 2019 in January.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sony-announces-pricing-4k-blu-ray-player-more

Yamaha Adds AirPlay 2, New Streaming Options and Voice Control to Existing Products

Yamaha today announced a series of firmware updates that will bring Apple AirPlay 2 support and new streaming and voice control capabilities to a number of existing products.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/yamaha-adds-airplay-2-new-streaming-options-and-voice-control-existing-products

Disney Sets Launch Date and Pricing, Previews Content for New Streaming Service

At its Investor Day 2019 event last Thursday, Disney presented a detailed overview of the Disney+ streaming service it previewed a year ago and announced that the service will carry a $6.99/month subscription when it launches November 12.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/disney-sets-launch-date-and-pricing-previews-content-new-streaming-service

Aquaman

Picture
Sound
Extras

Set mostly after the events in 2017's Justice League, Aquaman takes us back to the origin of reluctant amphibian hero Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), and then to the present for a grand new adventure. We are introduced to men who would be king (including an angry challenger to the throne) and a hidden realm far beyond our own evolution. To keep things interesting, there's a high-tech pirate on our hero's tail, and a fellow Atlantean (Amber Heard) at his side who sports a shock of crimson hair worthy of The Little Mermaid.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/aquaman

Pioneer Brings Back Home Theater in a Box

Pioneer is bringing back the once-popular home theater in a box (HTiB) with a $499 bundle that gives you almost everything you need to set up a six-speaker Dolby Atmos/DTS:X surround sound system. The only thing the package doesn’t include is a Blu-ray player or other source component.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/pioneer-brings-back-home-theater-box

Fluance Introduces $80 Phono Preamp

Internet-based Canadian home-audio company Fluance has introduced an affordable phono preamplifier to complement its line of turntables.

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Samsung Launches Upscale Soundbars, Announces TV Pricing

Samsung today announced the availability of its entry-level R-Series soundbars and upscale Q-Series soundbars featuring Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround sound.

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Newly Launched Criterion Channel Brings Back Classic Film Streaming

The Criterion Channel has launched bringing back streaming of important classic and contemporary films. Here is why it is better than your average streaming service.

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True Wireless Earbuds: AirPods and Alternatives

You may be excused if you thought that Apple's AirPods are the first and only so-called "true wireless" earphones—completely cordless in-ear "buds" that connect both with each other and to your smartphone via Bluetooth—since their distinctive white sticks seem to be protruding from hipster ears everywhere.

Fortunately, if you're not an iPhone owner, or a fan of the AirPods' distinctive look or not-necessarily one-size-fits-all fit, there is a growing number of other "true wireless" earbud choices. And in contrast with Apple's one-for-all approach, most AirPod alternatives address specific use cases, style preferences, and budgets.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/true-wireless-earbuds-airpods-and-alternatives

Blu Cheer: BluOS 3.4 Update Brings Dirac Live, DTS:X, and More

Lenbrook International has announced the pending availability of an update for its BluOS distributed audio and music management platform. The update, which targets Bluesound and NAD products running BluOS, will be available for download on or around April 16.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/blu-cheer-bluos-34-update-brings-dirac-live-dtsx-and-more

Titanic: Blood & Steel

I’ve long been a fan of the Titanic saga, well before the 1997 film. I loved that one, but mainly for the stunning effects and James Horner’s magnificent score, not the badly written soap opera that took up over half of its running time. This week it returned to my attention, partly because in a few days the 107th anniversary of the disaster will arrive (April 15, though no one typically commemorates such an odd number) and partly because last week I re-watched a story of the Titanic on Blu-ray as one of the sources I used for a product review.

The latter however, wasn’t James Cameron’s flawed but still compelling epic. Instead, Titanic: Blood & Steel is a 12-part mini-series, released in 2012 (the 100th anniversary of the sinking, about the building of the ship. It doesn’t address the sinking at all. In fact, it ends just as the ship steams out of Belfast, where she was built (A ship is always a she, and as the narrative makes clear, she’s a ship, not a boat!)

But there’s a lot more here as well...

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/titanic-blood-steel

Rush: Hemispheres - 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition

Performance
Sound

Rush was on a roll. After the celebrated Canadian trio had finally broken through the FM ether with 1976's dystopian statement piece 2112, they took the next evolutionary sonic turn with 1977's expansively majestic A Farewell to Kings. The following year, Rush rotated the screws once again by taking their proto-prog metal to the headiest of limits on 1978's Hemispheres, their final mind-altering statement of the Me-So-Introspective Decade before shedding their muso-skins yet again with 1980's forward-thinking Permanent Waves.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/rush-hemispheres-40th-anniversary-super-deluxe-edition