It Chapter Two

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It Chapter Two picks up 27 years after the kids from The Losers Club in the first film have grown up and moved on with their lives. The killer clown Pennywise has returned, and a phone call from an old friend brings them all back to the town of Derry where they must face their fears and confront a past that has damaged them in more ways than they know.

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SkyFi Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary with a Nod to the Golden Age of Hi-Fi

SkyFi Audio, the New Jersey-based company specializing in vintage audio and reconditioned high-end gear, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a nod to one of the titans of hi-fi’s Golden Age.

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iFi Audio Takes On Bad Sound with New Portable DAC

U.K.-based iFi Audio is taking on bad sound with a svelte yet sophisticated digital-to-analog converter (DAC)/headphone amp that replaces the inferior DACs and amplifiers found in most smartphones, tablets, and PCs.

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Dabby May Be the Ultimate Streaming Device

As we subscribe to more niche streaming services, it is becoming harder to find the video you want to watch without having to search through every streaming app. A global search through all these services is just one of the many features of the Dabby streaming device. The Dabby is a streaming device bundle that includes a dongle and a touchscreen controller. Its impressive debut at CES 2020 has people saying that the Dabby seems to have every feature you could want from a streaming player

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In the Court of Ian McDonald

Mike Mettler sits down with British multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, who has laid down some of the most intriguing, instantly recognizable sounds that ruled the FM airwaves during the initial rock era of the late 20th Century and on into the next.

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Trinnov to Demo DTS:X Pro with 28-Speaker Setup

Trinnov Audio, the Paris-based company specializing in high-end immersive audio technologies, is teaming with Procella Audio and Kaleidescape to stage one of the first public demonstrations of the new super high-end DTS:X Pro format at the upcoming ISE 2020 exhibition in Amsterdam.

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Vizio PX75-G1 P-Series Quantum X LCD Ultra HDTV Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $2,200

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Handles all HDR formats, including HDR10+
Exceptional performance
Affordable price
Minus
Limited off-center viewing
Poor remote control
Slow and cluttered Smart TV menu

THE VERDICT
Though saddled with a cluttered onscreen interface and less than ideal remote, the Vizio P-Series Quantum X's outstanding performance, particularly with HDR, more than compensates.

What would you pay for a 75-inch Ultra HDTV that's bright enough to handle virtually all high dynamic range programs without having to perform the tone mapping most 4K/HDR sets require? How about $4,000? If it was 2018, that would be a serious answer, but it's 2020 and we now have Vizio's 75-inch P-Series Quantum X, a model that claims to deliver uncompromised HDR performance for just $2,200. Does Vizio's flagship live up to the company's ambitious specs? Let's take a look.

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OSD Black Introduces Compact, App-Controlled Sub

OSD Black, the Brea, California-based company specializing in custom installation audio products, has introduced an app-controlled compact subwoofer for home theaters and high-end listening rooms.

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Sol Republic Releases its First Noise Cancelling Headphones

Sol Republic, the Los Angeles-based lifestyle-focused headphone specialist, has introduced two over-ear wireless headphones, including its first model with active noise cancellation (ANC).

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Choosing the Right Screen Part 2

When I left you all hanging (Choosing the Right Projector for a WOW! Experience), before the then upcoming excitement / chaos of the holiday season plus the big, annual CES, a few topics on projectors and screens were still open.

In Part 1 I mentioned the subject of screen-to-viewer distance vs screen size, and how it might relate to image resolution. In theory you should be able to sit closer to the screen with a 4K source than with high definition at 2K. Since the distance vs. viewing angle results from most on-line calculation tables (including the one recommended in Part 1) assumes 2K resolution, you can confidently use them for 4K sources, or even move a foot or two closer to see if this offers any advantages. But keep in mind that most of today’s “4K” sources have been upscaled, at the production end, from 2K originals. The 4K you see on your screen will present a finer pixel structure, and thus perhaps slightly smoother images than 2K, but likely no increase in genuine detail...

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Are You Putting Subwoofers Behind the Viewer?

Patrice Congard, founder and CEO of U.K.-based Screen Audio Excellence, discusses subwoofer placement and the potential pitfalls of phase cancellation in the latest installment of an ongoing tech series, published here with his permission.

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Dolby to Celebrate the Oscars at NYC Pop-Up

Dolby Soho, a pop-up in New York City’s SoHo district, is inviting the public to attend a free experiential installation called “The Contenders” to celebrate some of the year’s best films in advance of the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday, February 9.

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‘Ford v Ferrari’ Now Streaming, Hits 4K Blu-ray Feb. 11

Ford v Ferrari, the film based on the epic underdog tale of Ford Motor Company’s attempt to build the world’s fastest car with legendary car designer Caroll Shelby, is available for streaming today with the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release to follow on February 11.

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Best Super Bowl TV Deals

To make your pre-game TV shopping a little easier, we scoured the web for deals with a focus on Sound & Vision Top Picks. Here's what we found…

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Ad Astra

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In Ad Astra (Latin for "to the stars"), a curious mashup of 2001 and Apocalypse Now, new facts have recently come to light about the disappearance of a deep, deep space probe launched to find intelligent life in the cosmos. The commander was Cliff McBride (Tommy Lee Jones), the most decorated man in the history of the space program, and now his son Roy (Brad Pitt) is tasked with his own top-secret mission...

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Vizio Kicks Off Superbowl TV Deals

Time to clear out those 2019 models. Vizio today announced Super Bowl deals on a few HDR-enabled 4K LED-backlit LCD TVs.

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What Are the Benefits of Bi-Wiring Vs. Bi-Amping?

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

Q I just bought Polk Audio Monitor 40 Series II speakers and want to know how to install them using bi-wiring. Do I connect two separate wires from the positive and negative outputs on the receiver and run them to the separate positive and negative input sets on the speaker? What benefits will that provide? —Kris Green, via email

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Austere Introduces 8K-Capable HDMI 2.1 Cable

Oregon-based startup Austere has introduced an HDMI 2.1 cable designed to meet 8K UHD specifications.

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Q Acoustics Adds Stand-Mount Model to 3000i Series

U.K.-based speaker specialist Q Acoustics has added a new stand-mount model to the 3000i speaker series the company introduced last year.

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Cambridge Audio AXR100 Stereo Receiver Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Fine amplifier power and sonics
Subwoofer output
Full-sized, full-function remote control
Bluetooth streaming
Minus
No USB type-B input for computer connection
No onboard Wi-Fi Limited ergonomics

THE VERDICT
Cambridge Audio's stereo receiver may be simple, but it features an excellent amplifier, solid DAC performance, and a useful FM tuner.

They still make stereo receivers? Who knew! But seriously, folks—I'm here all week. Stale humor aside, there will always be a sure market for high-quality audio playback, with access to terrestrial-broadcast radio, AKA good old FM, and a basic feature set for hooking up outboard components. And Cambridge Audio's AXR100 is one of a small but growing cadre of current-day stereo receivers aiming to satisfy it.

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Theory Audio Design Is Off and Running

Theory Audio Design, the new venture from Pro Audio Technology founder Paul Hale, is officially up and running with the launch of its first seven products.

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SVS Announces 60-Day Price Protection, Auto Refunds

The speaker specialists at SVS are stepping up their game with a bold 60-day price-protection plan.

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Bluetooth Headed for a Major Upgrade

Although you may use it every day, you probably never stop to think about Bluetooth, the wireless signal-transmission standard that connects your earbuds to your phone or your phone to your car’s electronics system and makes it possible to stream music from your phone (or laptop/PC) to a compatible speaker. Well, here are a couple facts that may surprise you:

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Vanco Ships IP-Controllable 1,000-Watt Amplifiers

Illinois-based custom AV specialist Vanco has announced that two IP-controllable 1,000-watt power amplifiers previewed last year by its custom-installation brand Beale Street Audio are now shipping.

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NBCUniversal Readies Free Streaming Service

Last week Comcast subsidiary NBCUniversal formally announced plans to roll out its free, ad-supported Peacock streaming service on April 15 among Comcast Xfinity X1 and Flex subscribers with a full, national launch slated for July 15, making it the latest entertainment conglomerate to jump into an increasingly crowded streaming market.

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To Hell with the Chocolate and Roses

Como Audio has a different idea for Valentine’s Day that will resonate for S&V readers who are tired of giving the expected, classic gift of roses and/or chocolate to that special someone on February 14.

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Sonos and Google Lawyer Up

How many times has this happened to you? You become deeply attached to someone, and everything is just wonderful, and you sincerely hope and believe that you'll stay together forever. Then suddenly you are hiring a lawyer, and they hire a lawyer, and you realize that the honeymoon is over.

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Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

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The titular characters in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw were introduced in earlier Fast & Furious films, but you don't have to know much about their backstories to enjoy this film, an extremely serviceable action-comedy that leans heavily on the charm and chemistry of its stars, Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw.

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Qobuz and Pitchblack Playback Bring ‘All-in-the-Dark’ Listening Sessions to NYC

London’s popular “Pitchblack Playback” all-in-the-dark, cinema-style listening experience is coming to New York City next week.

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Best TVs of CES 2020

CES over the past few years has become more about vision than sound, with statement TVs in booths lining the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall vying aggressively for the attention of show attendees. CES 2020 was no different, and in some ways was even more TV-centric due to the wide range of new products and prototypes on view from both established brands like LG, Samsung, and Sony, and relative newcomers such as Hisense, Konka, and TCL. Yes, LG once again had motorized rolling OLED TVs at the show — a product promised for 2019 that never materialized here — along with new OLED prototypes that roll down from the ceiling. But what most interested me was the sets that are likely to arrive in 2020, especially the innovative ones that will actually be affordable.

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Nyrius Wireless System Streams HD Video 165 Feet

In its latest attempt to get rid of messy wires, Canadian connectivity specialist Nyrius today introduced a $300 wireless transmission system it says can stream 1080p high-definition video and audio up to 165 feet away with zero latency.

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Making Home Theater as Easy to Use as a Roku Player

Roku is about to simplify home theater in the same way that they simplified streaming to the TV. At CES, Roku announced the Roku TV Ready certification program. The certification is available for soundbars and AV receivers, allowing them to integrate seamlessly with Roku TVs

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Should I Use the Coax or HDMI Output On My BD Player for Hi-Res Audio?

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

Q I have a new Sony UBP-X1100ES Ultra HD Blu-ray player and Denon receiver. I know I can use a coaxial digital connection between the player and receiver for playback of regular CDs. Can I use the same connection to pass high-res audio formats like SACD and DVD-Audio to the receiver, or do I need an HDMI cable for that? —John Huxhold, Manchester, MO

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KEF Adds New Model, Finish Options to Reference Line

KEF today announced the addition of a versatile, high-performance THX-certified in-wall speaker and new finish options for its Reference Series line of speakers whose origins date back to 1973.

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BenQ Cineprime HT3550 4K DLP Projector

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $1,499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Extended color
Good brightness
Great value
Minus
Contrast could be better
Difficult to access HDR adjustment

THE VERDICT
BenQ's budget 4K DLP projector delivers solid overall video performance at a very affordable price.

[Editor's note: BenQ raised the price of the HT3550 to $1,699 after this review was originally written. According to the company, the price increase is due to "tariffs."]

As you might expect, low-cost projectors are much more common than premium models. Survey the market, and you'll find loads of options in the under-$3,000 range, while projectors priced above $10,000 are rare birds, indeed. Even so, affordable models are by no means basic: a look at the under-$1,500 range will turn up plenty of projectors with features such as 4K and HDR10 support—BenQ's CinePrime $1,499 HT3550, for example.

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A Remembrance of CES Past

I attended CES 2020 — probably my last as it seems that Specialty Audio, once the show’s raison d’etre, is really no longer a part of it, at least in any significant way. There are many views as to why this is. Some blame the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), but as a participant in this annual event (once bi-annual) since the early 70s, I feel strongly that the CTA and its CES did not abandon Specialty Audio. Quite the opposite: Specialty Audio abandoned the CES.

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MQA, Bluesound to Present Live-Streamed Concerts

Music technology company MQA and Bluesound, sister brand to audio stalwarts NAD and PSB, have teamed up with British Underground and Jazz re:freshed to present the Master Sessions series of concerts that will be live-streamed to audio retailers around the world.

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Tech to Make Guests Feel at Home

My company has installed whole-house, distributed audio systems since literally the day we opened our doors back in 1995, and over the years we’ve witnessed generational improvements in technology. Mostly gone are wall-mounted rotary volume controls, now replaced with smartphone app control. And “fixed” six-source/six-zone audio systems of the past have largely been replaced with scalable streaming systems that let you add more zones as needed.

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1More Announces Wireless, Noise-Canceling Earphones

Amid the hustle and bustle of CES 2020, China-based headphone specialist 1More announced that it’s getting ready to ship a new $200 set of wireless, active noise canceling (ANC) earphones at the end of the month.

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Are You Buying a New TV Before the Super Bowl?

Super Bowl LIV beckons and six out of 10 Americans are planning to watch the big game, according to researchers at Piplsay, not to mention those crazy commercials and the over-the-top half-time show — courtesy of Jennifer Lopez and Shakira this time around. Question is, what kind of TV will they (you?) be watching?

Are you satisfied with your current screen or busy making plans for the big upgrade? Cast your vote and, as always, leave a comment to explain your choice.

Are You Buying a New TV Before the Super Bowl?

Choices

Hell no, I love my current TV.

No way, I can’t afford the TV I really want.

Hell yeah, I’m upgrading to the latest and greatest 4K TV.

Hell yeah, I'm upgrading to the latest and greatest 8K TV.

You betcha, I’m upgrading to the latest and greatest video-projection setup.

Leave this field blank

Show Promo Image

SV Staff

yes

Poll: Are You Buying a New TV Before the Super Bowl?

Category: 

Vote

Primary Category: 

Vote

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CES We Hardly Knew Ye

CES 2020 is history. It might seem odd for me to comment here on an event I didn’t attend. But Sound & Vision editor Al Griffin, along with free-lancers, went and got the job done. Upwards of 185,000 dedicated souls registered for the event, including over 30,000 from points outside of North America. As far as I know it’s the biggest consumer technology show on the planet...

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JVC Revisits High-End Headphones in the U.S.

JVC is revisiting the high-end headphone category in the U.S. with two upscale in-ear models, one featuring a stainless-steel housing, the other a unique wood-cone driver and housing.

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Embracing The Spirit of Neil Peart: An Aural Appreciation of the Late, Great Rush Drummer

Neil Peart, perhaps the only man to inspire just as many air drummers as actual practicing drummers, passed away on January 7, 2020, following a long and private battle with brain cancer. The world-renowned, world-class drummer and chief lyricist for Rush, the perpetually progressive Canadian power trio, was 67 years old.

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Denon, Samsung, SVS Nab Mark of Excellence Awards

Last week at CES 2020, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)’s Smart Home Division announced its 2020 Mark of Excellence Awards celebrating outstanding custom-installation AV products.

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My Plan for World Domination

My plan for world domination is simple: vacuum cleaners. Of course, as with any fiendishly clever plan, mine has certain nuances. And although it does not involve laser beams, piranha, or secret lairs inside volcanoes, I think you will agree that my plan is quite diabolical.

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GoldenEar Technology Ushers in a New Era at CES

GoldenEar Technology’s Sandy Gross is no stranger to change, having started, and then eventually moved on from, two major speaker brands, Polk Audio and Definitive Technology. As we reported last week , GoldenEar was recently acquired by The Quest Group, owner of the AudioQuest brand of cables, Niagara power products, and DragonFly DACs. With change, of course, comes uncertainty, which is why it was reassuring to walk into the company’s CES suite and see the man himself conducting demos of GoldenEar’s latest speaker, the Bookshelf Reference X.

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DALI’s Rubicon Speakers Go Wireless

When Sound & Vision reviewed DALI’s Callisto wireless speakers, we were impressed by their rich, dynamic sound and robust wireless performance courtesy of BluOS high-res multiroom audio streaming. What impressed us less about the Callisto was its somewhat bland, utilitarian design. Enter the new DALI Rubicon C line.

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Vizio Unveils Its First-Ever OLED TVs

Like several other TV makers at CES, Vizio plans to introduce its first-ever OLED models in 2020. The company was displaying the new sets, which will be available in 65- and 55-inch screen sizes, at its usual offsite digs along with its new V-, M-, and P-Series Quantum and Quantum X sets that are also scheduled to ship in 2020.

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