Bowers & Wilkins MT-60D Home Theater Speaker System

Brian Alvarez

I think it's best in reviewing a modular-style 5.1 sub/sat speaker system to get the obvious of out of the way. These systems will not rival large boxes for scale, dynamic range, or efficiency no matter how much power you feed them. Nevertheless, they will do one thing that the big 5.1 speaker systems can't: they will fit in any room. Such is the case for the B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) MT-60D.

Surround Sound Speaker Systems

Which Universal Remote?

Scott Wilkinson

I recently purchased a Marantz NR1602 receiver and Pioneer SP-PK52FS speaker package. I am really excited and pleased with the performance, but I now have a new problem—way too many remotes! I hear a lot of endorsement for the Logitech Harmony remotes, but I also have seen a lot of professional installers recommend URC and RTI remotes. I am not afraid to dive in and spend a few hours programming my own macros, and I prefer a remote based on physical buttons. My current system includes an Apple TV, Marantz NR1602 receiver, Dish Network Hopper, Panasonic TC-P50ST50 plasma TV, and a Sony PS3, which I know I'll need an added dongle to control. Can you recommend a particular model? Price is not an issue.

- Cory Hack
Hollis Center, ME

SECRETS Home Theater Q&A

Pioneer BDP-62FD Universal Blu-ray Player

Chris Heinonen

Every year Pioneer updates their Blu-ray players, and every year I wind up happy yet disappointed with them. Each year performance and features seem to improve only to have a flaw, like edge enhancement or poor colorspace support, derail the Pioneer from being really top notch. This year Pioneer is offering the BDP-62FD, a $400 universal Blu-ray player that carries the Elite badge and features dual HDMI outputs among other features.

Blu-ray Players

Burson Soloist Headphone Amplifier

Stephen Hornbrook

Burson Audio hails to us from Australia, bringing its own design philosophy, "Less is More," to high-end headphone amplifiers. They gained notoriety with the successful HA-160 headphone amp, a pure class A design with an output of 250mW. Here, we review the Burson Soloist Headphone Amplifier, with a specified output of 4 watts.

Power Amplifiers

XTZ

Secrets
XTZ is founded in 2004 and is basically a border-crossing network of engineers, technicians, manufacturers and producers - all having long experience from...
AV Directory

SunBriteTV 5560HD 55” Outdoor All-weather LCD HDTV

Stephen Hornbrook and Chris Heinonen

If you have been to any recent home and garden shows, you may have noticed the increase in outdoor entertainment areas. These usually consist of a covered patio, comfortable seating, fireplace/firepit, and anywhere from just a grill to a full outdoor kitchen area with pizza oven. Sounds like a home outside of your home. But where's the TV? SunBrite has the answer.

HDTV

Matching 3D Blu-ray Player with TV?

Scott Wilkinson

I'm looking at getting an LG 47LM7600 because I like the passive glasses. Also, I really like the Vizio XVT3D474SV, but it's hard to find a new one, not a refurb. I've heard you say that you don't think LG Blu-ray players are that good. So my first question is, will an LG TV work with, say, a Samsung Blu-ray player, since they are different 3D systems? Also, should I spend $200 more and get the Vizio XVT3D474SV? I don't have $499 to spend on an Oppo Blu-ray player, but I'd like a nice one.

- James Isom
Frankfort, IL

SECRETS Home Theater Q&A

Oppo BDP-103 Universal Blu-ray Player

Chris Heinonen

For years now, Oppo has dominated the high-end of DVD and Blu-ray players. Virtually every other reviewer and enthusiast I know has at least one in their system, if not more. I've personally been using their players going back to the DVD days, and have had every single one of their Blu-ray players, including their new BDP-103, reviewed here.

Blu-ray Players