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ELAC Debut 2.0 Home Theater Speaker System Review

Carlo Lo Raso

How do you make a good thing better? When it comes to audio, ELAC answers this age-old question by bringing to us their recently updated Debut line of loudspeakers, now known as the Debut 2.0. What was already a widely praised entry-level series of speakers has now been thoroughly re-engineered and expanded. The goal being better overall sound, and flexibility, in a variety of installations while still providing an excellent value to the consumer.

Surround Sound Speaker Systems

Revel Performa M126Be Bookshelf Speaker Review

Glenn Young

The Performa M126Be loudspeakers are part of Revel’s popular Performa series. The Revel Performa M126Be speakers are bookshelf-sized and are intended to be stand-mounted. Although the speakers can serve as side or rear surrounds, their price and performance make it unlikely that too many will be used for that purpose. These are superior speakers for smaller rooms where articulation, detail, and imaging are the main goals.

Bookshelf Speakers

ELAC Uni-Fi Slim 5.1 Speaker System Review

Carlo Lo Raso

The ELAC Uni-Fi Slim 5.1 Speaker System is a stylish and well-designed speaker line whose components can deliver resounding performance when used either individually or as a complete system. Designed by acclaimed speaker engineer Andrew Jones, ELAC’s Uni-Fi line is available in two versions. We are reviewing the “Slim” versions, which were originally designed for the European market and have narrower front baffles with deeper overall cabinets and two satin paint finishes. The “Standard” versions have wider front baffles, are not quite as deep and have a different brushed vinyl finish. Both versions are said to sound identical although the “Slims” command a higher price due to the aesthetics. Be assured though, the price-to-performance ratio of either version is quite exceptional. Thank you ELAC. It’s good to have options!

Surround Sound Speaker Systems

Bryston Mini A Bookshelf Speakers Review

Jay Haider

As its name suggests, the Mini A is the baby of Bryston's Model A lineup. It has a 1" metal dome tweeter, 3" midrange, and 6.5" woofer, in a slender rear-ported trapezoidal enclosure. All of the drive units are custom made to Bryston's specifications, in a Canadian factory.

Bookshelf Speakers

NuVision NVU65FX5 65″ LCD Flat-Panel HDTV

Chris Eberle

PRICE DROP AS OF 1-18-10. When shopping for an LCD panel, NuVision is not one of the first manufacturers that come to mind. Sold only through a network of CEDIA-member dealers, NuVision is firmly in the category of boutique brands. Their line of televisions are "built by connoisseurs for connoisseurs" to quote their website. Here, we review the NuVision 65" NVU65FX5, which is their 65" LCD Flat-panel HDTV. At an MSRP of $10,499 ($9,999 for black bezel version), it is a pricey HDTV. Read our review to see if it cuts the mustard at the checkout counter.

HDTV

VIZIO VF551XVT 55″ LCD LED HDTV

John E. Johnson, Jr.

VIZIO has introduced a 55" (diagonal) LCD HDTV (1080p) that uses 960 LEDs in 80 control blocks as the backlighting. The control blocks change their brightness according to the brightness of the part of the scene that they responsible for illuminating. The result is absolute black, where there is supposed to be black. We measured a contrast ratio of nearly 300,000:1. It also has 240 Hz refresh rate (120 Hz plus backlight scanning) which allows for interpolated frames in between actual frames, and this delivers smooth motion during panning or objects moving across the screen. Best of all, it is available (street price) at $1,899 which is not an increase over last year's technology at the same screen size.

HDTV