Midsommar

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Sound
Extras

Ari Aster's second feature—the first was 2018's thoroughly unnerving Hereditary—continues the director's preoccupation with family as a wellspring of horror. This time around, horrific familial events occur in the film's first fifteen minutes, and the main protagonist, college student Dani, ends up trailing her ambivalent, unsupportive boyfriend to a rural community in Sweden that's in the midst of celebrating Midsommar, a festival occurring only once every ninety years.

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Black Friday Deals Today and Beyond

Okay, so Black Friday ain’t quite what it used to be but there are still plenty of deals to be had, not only today but over the next few days. Here’s a look at some of the AV discounts we’ve come across.

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TCL 75Q825 8-Series Roku LCD Ultra HDTV Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $3,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Super-punchy HDR performance
Class-leading local dimming
App-based picture calibration
Minus
Typical limited off-center viewing window
No VRR or FreeSync for gaming

THE VERDICT
The Chinese TV maker TCL has been rattling the budget sector for several years. But with its new 8-Series, the company has boldly entered the rarified high-end Ultra HDTV realm.

TCL made its mark worldwide over the last few years largely by selling budget sets with built-in Roku streaming. But with its new 8-Series, available in 65- and 75-inch screen sizes ($2,000 and $3,000, respectively), the company has elbowed its way into the high end and managed to do so at a highly competitive price point.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/tcl-75q825-8-series-roku-lcd-ultra-hdtv-review

‘Lowest OLED Price Ever’ Tops LG’s Black Friday Deals

LG today announced Black Friday discounts on seven 4K OLED TVs, including a 55-inch model marked down to the “lowest price ever for an OLED TV.”

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DropLabs 'Engages the Senses' with Vibrating Sneakers

You’re an AV aficionado and you’ve seen it all, right? Well, maybe not…

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Music and Movies

It's hard to say whether my interest in music and audio started with my first experiences with multichannel sound in the movie theater or whether my interest in movies in theaters, and later in home theater, started with my interest in music. But the fact remains that the film score, mainly of the orchestral variety but sometimes of other sorts (looking at you, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol.1 and Vol.2), remains one of my favorite forms of music.

Film music doesn't have an enviable reputation among classical music connoisseurs. But I see no reason to disparage it because it was written for a more popular type of entertainment...

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/music-and-movies

SiriusXM Offers Free Listening Through Dec. 3

Starting today, SiriusXM is offering anyone with an inactive SiriusXM car radio or SiriusXM app the opportunity to listen free through December 3 without having to enter credit card information.

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Roon Update Takes Personalization to the Next Level

Roon Labs, maker of the popular Roon music playback and library management system, has announced an ambitious update that makes personalization… well, more personal.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/roon-update-takes-personalization-next-level

Hands-On With JVC’s Dynamic Tone Mapping Update

In a departure for JVC, the company didn’t announce new D-ILA projector models at CEDIA Expo in September 2019. Instead, JVC’s key announcement at the show was a firmware update for the native 4K projector line it had unveiled at the previous CEDIA Expo in 2018.

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SVS Rolls Out Killer Black Friday Subwoofer Deals

SVS is getting a jump on Black Friday with an “all-time low price” deal on its popular SB12/PB12-NSD subwoofer.

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Hisense Announces 55” and 65” Roku 4K TVs for $500 and $700

Determined to beat the competition with “best-in-class” performance, China’s Hisense today announced 55- and 65-inch 4K/Ultra HD LCD TVs built around the popular Roku streaming platform that list for $500 and $700 but will likely sell for even less.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hisense-announces-55-and-65-roku-4k-tvs-500-and-700

Your ICE Car is the Next LP

You have absolutely no idea how hip you are. Seriously. No idea. Well, what I mean is that if you time-traveled yourself 30 years into the future, you would be really hip. Maybe not now, but in 2049 you will be awesome.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/your-ice-car-next-lp

Rocketman

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Few biopics could get away with recurring nonlinear narrative beats the way Rocketman does, but given the larger-than-life nature of its titular subject, Sir Elton John, the movie's storytelling trajectory makes perfect sense. Director Dexter Fletcher's unabashed commitment to occasionally mirroring those classic MGM musical moments of yore—with Elton's full blessing, of course—succeeds with much audio/visual aplomb.

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

The Pre-Holiday Deals Keep Comin’

The list of companies opting to bring on the deals well before Black Friday continues to grow.

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More McIntosh Preamps Now ‘Roon Tested’

McIntosh’s C53 solid-state preamplifier and C2700 tube preamplifier are the latest products to receive the Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs, bringing the number of McIntosh products to carry the label to 14.

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Is There a Benefit to 4K On a 50-In Screen 8 Feet Away

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

Q I am considering replacing an old, dumb 42-inch LCD TV located in a small room. The screen size will be limited to 50 inches and viewing distance will be around 8 feet. Will I see any benefit from the higher resolution given the screen size limitation? —Alan Washington, via email

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/there-benefit-4k-50-screen-8-feet-away

Hegel Music Systems H390 Integrated Amplifier Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $6,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clean, dynamic sound
Tank-like build quality
Ample power
Minus
Pricey
Streaming requires wired network connection
Unintuitive setup menu

THE VERDICT
With its extremely solid build quality, future-proof feature set, and excellent sound, Hegel's H390 could be the last integrated amp you'll ever need.

Hegel Music Systems is a Norwegian audio electronics manufacturer that has been slowly and steadily making a mark on the high-end audio world since it started out in the early 1990s. One thing that distinguishes Hegel from other audio companies is its portfolio of proprietary technologies that were developed in-house by founder and chief designer Bent Holter.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hegel-music-systems-h390-integrated-amplifier-review

Hands On: Disney+ Streaming Service

Disney+ launched last week with great fanfare (and a few hiccups) so I was anxious to see if it lives up to the hype.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hands-disney-streaming-service

Lyngdorf Unveils Super Compact Satellite, Subwoofer

Denmark’s Lyngdorf Audio has introduced an ultra-compact satellite speaker and matching “high-bandwidth” subwoofer built to deliver “high-level dynamic performance” and placement flexibility.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/lyngdorf-unveils-super-compact-satellite-subwoofer

Hands On: Apple TV+ Streaming Service

Apple TV+ original programming is here. Find out if it lives up to its hype.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hands-apple-tv-plus

New Soundbar Built to Match Samsung’s Frame TV

Next Level Acoustics, the New England-based maker of custom-install speakers and enclosures, has introduced a high-performance soundbar that matches the elegant aesthetics of Samsung’s popular Frame TV, which displays high-resolution art when it’s not in use.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/new-soundbar-built-match-samsung-s-frame-tv

Hands On: Disney Plus

Disney Plus has launched. From my first look, it has everything Disney in one place. The recent acquisitions of 20th Century Fox, Marvel and Pixar have made for an impressive list of titles. Many older titles have been converted to high definition, with all Star Wars movies converted to 4k. There’s a lot to watch, and most of it looks good. 

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hands-disney-plus-0

Vizio 36-inch 2.1-Channel Soundbar System Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $150

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Decent sound for the price
Slim, wireless subwoofer
Bluetooth for music streaming
Minus
Confusing LED display
Lacks deep bass
Hard-to-read remote control

THE VERDICT
Vizio's 2.1 soundbar system with wireless subwoofer delivers better sound than built-in TV speakers without breaking the bank.

Vizio's latest soundbar is a compact system with a wireless subwoofer that sells for $150. If you just spent big bucks on a new TV and realized that its built-in audio is horrific, this 2.1 package will deliver significantly better sound without consuming what remains of your budget.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/vizio-36-inch-21-channel-soundbar-system-review

S&V Poll: 4K OLED Tops Holiday Wish Lists

Last week we asked “what product tops your holiday wish list?” and 4K OLED TV is the runaway favorite as the Black Friday holiday kickoff draws near.

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Technics, Panasonic Roll Out Holiday Headphones

Technics has announced that the EAH-F70N headphones it previewed last January at CES 2019 are now shipping.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/technics-panasonic-roll-out-holiday-headphones

A Hit Overseas, Sony's 'Immersive Wearable Speaker' Is Heading to the U.S.

Sony's SRS-WS1 Immersive Wearable Speaker is so popular overseas that the company has decided to release it here in time for the holidays.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hit-overseas-sonys-immersive-wearable-speaker-heading-us

Elite’s $1,000 Outdoor Cinema Bundle Includes a Short-Throw Projector

As we head into winter, Elite Screens is thinking ahead to warmer weather with a lightweight outdoor video projection system that boasts an ultra-short-throw DLP projector and freestanding projection screen.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/elite-s-1000-outdoor-cinema-bundle-includes-short-throw-projector

Enclave Audio Unveils First THX/WiSA-Certified Wireless Speaker System

Enclave Audio of Woodland Hills, California today introduced two wireless “plug-and-play” 5.1 home theater speaker systems, one of which is the first to carry both THX and WiSA certification.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/enclave-audio-unveils-first-thxwisa-certified-wireless-speaker-system

Should I Love or Hate Amazon’s Echo Studio?

Amazon's newest audio offering, the Echo Studio, packs five drivers and Dolby Atmos into a compact package and promises to deliver terrific sound quality and a truly immersive soundfield. I am trying to figure out whether I should love or hate this thing.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/should-i-love-or-hate-amazon-s-echo-studio

Spider-Man: Far From Home

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Extras

The true superpower on display in the current Spider-Man franchise might be its irresistible charm. Marvel's beloved signature character has certainly had some Hollywood ups and downs, but in his most recent iteration he seems content to exist in the shadow of Tony Stark/Iron Man rather than stand truly alone. Add to that irksome choice an abundance of high school drama and perhaps an over-reliance upon comedy and big-screen Spidey is at risk of alienating longtime fans. Still, Spider-Man: Far from Home somehow manages to engage us from start to finish.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/spider-man-far-home

McIntosh Releases DA2 Audio Upgrade Module

The DA2 digital audio module McIntosh introduced with in July with the release of its C53 preamplifier is now available for installation in McIntosh products equipped with the company’s original DA1 module.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/mcintosh-releases-da2-audio-upgrade-module

Best AV Gift Ideas of 2019 (So Far)

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. To help you get the ball rolling we’ve compiled a list of Sound & Vision’s Top Picks that represent a good value at prices ranging from $80 to $1,000. Of course, as more and more companies look to kick start sales in advance of Black Friday, some of these products may already be discounted, so don’t forget to check. Oh, and be sure to peruse each of the five pages presented here so you don’t miss anything.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/best-av-gift-ideas-2019-so-far

Selective Streaming

Depending on how you look at it, the arrival of Apple TV+, Disney+, and other streaming options — some still on the horizon — is either a glut or an embarrassment of riches.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/selective-streaming

What Product Tops Your Holiday Wish List?

With the traditional Black Friday kick-off to holiday shopping only two weeks away, the holidays are coming fast. If you’re like us you are already keeping an eye out for deals and thinking about gifts for friends and family, which leads us to today’s Sound & Vision poll question. In exchange for a couple minutes of your time, we’ll share the results with everyone in a few days. And please leave a comment to let us know what other types of gear are near the top of your list (sorry this poll only supports one response). Thank you!

What Product Tops Your Holiday Wish List?

Choices

4K LCD HDTV

4K OLED TV

AV receiver (< $1,000)

AV receiver (> $1,000)

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player

Streaming media player

Turntable

Portable hi-res-capable audio player

Digital network preamp or amp/DAC (digital-to-analog converter)

Home theater speaker system (5.1 or higher)

Soundbar (with or without wireless subwoofer)

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X-capable soundbar (with upward firing speakers)

Wireless multiroom speaker (designed for Wi-Fi networking)

Bluetooth speaker (designed for streaming from a mobile device)

Full-size headphones (on-ear or over-ear)

Earbuds (a.k.a. in-ear headphones)

Leave this field blank

Show Promo Image

SV Staff

yes

Category: 

Vote

Primary Category: 

Vote

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Screen Innovations Solo Pro 2 Motorized Projection Screen Review

Performance
Setup
Value

PRICE $4,000 (as tested)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Designer colors and mounting options
Rechargeable battery option allows varied placement
Silky smooth, silent retractable operation
Minus
Tab tensioning less robust than competitive retractable screens
Price may deter some

THE VERDICT
The Solo Pro 2 offers a highly flexible alternative to standard motorized screens. And when paired with the company's Slate 1.2 screen material, it provides satisfying viewing in elevated light conditions, and excellent results in lights-out theater mode.

Austin, Texas, that state's vibrant capital city, houses many cultural icons. For Millenials (not me), it means the South by Southwest film, music, and tech festival. For Formula 1 racing fans (ok, I confess...) the Circuit of The Americas is— finally—the home of a United States Grand Prix. And for music devotees of any age (y'all count me in), Austin's official motto, "Live Music Capital of the World," says it all.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/screen-innovations-solo-pro-2-motorized-projection-screen-review

The ‘Wizard of Oz’ Celebrates 80 Years with Reissue on 4K Blu-ray

There was no hoopla a couple weeks ago when Warner Bros. quietly released the 80th Anniversary 4K reissue of one of the most beloved movies of all time — The Wizard of Oz.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/wizard-oz-celebrates-80-years-4k-blu-ray

2019 NY Audio Show Showcases Eclectic Mix of Gear

Audiophiles gathered at the 2019 New York Audio Show to explore an eclectic mix of gear — from MartinLogan’s towering Neolith electrostatic speakers to a Luxman tube setup commemorating 50 years in the U.S. to quirky horn speakers from China’s ESD.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/2019-ny-audio-show-showcases-eclectic-mix-gear

Reel War: Midway

Just in time for Veterans' Day (November 11) comes a movie about the WWII battle of Midway. In June 1942, six months after Pearl Harbor, this unlikely American victory over Japan's attempt to occupy a seemingly insignificant American outpost on a tiny Pacific atoll was, of not the turning point in a war that would rage for another 3+ years, at a minimum a major blow to Japan's then formidable naval strength.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/reel-war-midway

Como Audio Offers Holiday Discount to S&V Readers

Como Audio has announced a special pre-holiday offer for readers of Sound & Vision: a 20% discount on any of its music systems.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/como-audio-offers-holiday-discount-sv-readers

Disney+ Launches on Samsung Smart TVs

Owners of Samsung smart TVs now have a front-row seat and quick onscreen access to the new Disney+ streaming service that went live today.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/disney-launches-samsung-smart-tvs

Optoma Announces Pre-Holiday Projector Discounts

Not to be left behind, Optoma has joined in on the pre-holiday sales blitz with a few discounts that register modestly on the holiday discount scale.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/optoma-announces-pre-holiday-projector-discounts

Emotiva Unveils 8 Products, Including New 16-Channel AV Processor

Emotiva Audio is shipping eight new products, including a high-end 16-channel AV processor, a “world-class” CD player/transport, and a height speaker designed for use in object-based surround systems.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/emotiva-unveils-8-products-including-new-16-channel-av-processor

Qobuz Drops MP3, Moves to Cheaper Streaming Plan

Qobuz, the Paris-based high-resolution (hi-res) music streaming and download service that launched in the U.S. last February, has dropped its “Premium” MP3 streaming option and moved to a less expensive, single streaming plan.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/qobuz-drops-mp3-moves-cheaper-streaming-plan

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

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Extras

Keanu Reeves is back as the super-assassin with his faithful pooch still by his side in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Wick has a $14 million bounty on his head for killing top-ranking members of the High Table, the governing body of this underground legion of assassins. The entire population of super-killers is out to get him, and their bylaws allow no one to provide him sanctuary.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/john-wick-chapter-3-parabellum

Vizio Announces One-Day Sam's Club TV Sale

It seems no one is waiting for what used to be called Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). Vizio has announced a one-day TV and soundbar sale event that will be held tomorrow (November 9) at Sam’s Club.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/vizio-announces-one-day-sams-club-tv-sale

Samsung Unleashes TV Deals Up to 50% Off

The great buildup to the end-of-November Black Friday is now a relic of the past. To prove the point, Samsung is unleashing “Black Friday” deals now with some serious across-the-board markdowns on its 2019 4K and 8K QLED LCD TVs.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/samsung-unleashes-tv-deals-50

Simple Sound: Klipsch The One II Wireless Speaker

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $289

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Elegant retro design
Excellent sound

Minus
No remote control
No internet radio or app
No multiroom capability

THE VERDICT
The One II is a smaller, streamlined follow-up to Klipsch’s excellent Three wireless speaker that sounds as good as it looks.

Speakers don’t sit idle at Klipsch. The company is always looking for ways to evolve its products. Case in point is the new One II wireless speaker, a scaled-down follow-up to the excellent Three wireless speaker we reviewed a couple years ago.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/simple-sound-klipsch-one-ii-wireless-speaker