Surround Sound

Emotiva BasX Home Theater Audio System Review

Overall, the Emotiva BasX Home Theater Audio System is a good deal for the price, vastly superior “home-theater-in-a-box” systems and similarly-priced AVRs in sound quality! The system consists of: MC-700 Surround Sound Processor ($599), TA-500 5-Channel Power Amplifier ($499), LCR Loudspeaker ($149/ea.), SAT Loudspeaker ($199/pr.), and S-12 Subwoofer ($399).

MartinLogan Cadence Soundbar

MartinLogan Cadence Soundbar and Dynamo 700w Subwoofer Review

Soundbars come in many different sizes and configurations, but the new MartinLogan Cadence offers many more features that set it apart from the competition. With assistance from the MartinLogan Dynamo 700w subwoofer, the Cadence offers excellent sound quality for both movies and music. Add to that wireless network connectivity, three HDMI inputs, one HDMI out, two optical, and two RCA inputs with a sub out and you have the fixings for a veritable “Swiss Army Knife” of soundbars.

Datasat RS20i Surround Sound Processor Review

Reviewing the Datasat RS20i gave me the opportunity to evaluate a product that was designed and built for performance as the highest priority. It represents a product where the engineers apparently focused on optimum component selection and circuit design. The result is a product that tests well objectively and sounds excellent on the subjective level.

Marantz AV7702 Surround Sound Processor Review

Today, there are more SSP options on the market, but few of them are as up-to-date as the AV7702. Considering the AV7702's hardware and feature upgrades from the AV7701, I am impressed Marantz managed to keep the price so close to the old AV7701's.

Arcam AVR750 7.1 A/V Receiver

Receivers are hard to review. It's almost impossible to directly compare them to another model as there is so much wiring involved. Attempting to rely on memory has its own challenges, as it can be unreliable when it comes to audio. With all the difference sections of a receiver, from audio and video handling, to room correction and amplifiers, it is difficult to determine what is performing right and what is wrong. It was with great anticipation I delved into the new Arcam AVR750 receiver, the flagship model from the well-regarded UK company.

GoldenEar Triton Seven Home Theater Speaker System

GoldenEar Technology has been making some fairly dramatic waves in the loudspeaker market over the past few years. The Triton Seven home theater system, reviewed here, is anchored by the Triton Seven stereo loudspeakers for front left and right channels. The rest of the system consists of the SuperCenter XL center channel speaker, the ForceField 5 subwoofer and two pairs of SuperSat 3 bookshelf speakers for side and rear surround duty. This makes a full 7.1 channel home theater speaker setup with an MSRP of about $4200. That's definitely not home-theater-in-a-box money, but it's actually a reasonable sum to spend for someone who cares about getting good sound. So….let's see how these babies stack up!

Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Home Theater Speaker System

This Sonus faber home theater speaker system is based on the new Venere 3.0 floor standing speakers, the flagship of the Venere line. The Veneres are designed in Italy and include drivers designed from the ground up specifically for this speaker line. The drivers are made exclusively for Sonus faber by some of the best suppliers on the planet. The Veneres even have the famous Sonus faber lyre-shaped cabinets.

Thiel MCS1 LCR Speakers

Thiel Audio has been designing and building loudspeakers for over 30 years. The 1978 Model 03 was one of the first multi-driver speakers to utilize a time and phase accurate design. This has been at the heart of all Thiel designs ever since, and is consistently found throughout their product line. This is a lofty and difficult design choice which, when done right, can provide an enveloping and realistic musical presentation. In this review, we take a look at the Thiel MCS1, which is a monitor speaker that could be used in an LCR configuration.

Integra DTR-50.1 7.2 A/V Receiver

Integra is a major electronics manufacturer which markets and sells their products through custom installation supply chains. Their focus goes beyond sheer performance and encompasses upgradability, system integration and multi-zone capabilities. These are qualities that are widely needed and used within the custom installation industry. The Integra DTR-50.1 Receiver is right in the middle of the lineup of Integra's receiver offerings.

NuVision NVU65FX5 65″ LCD Flat-Panel HDTV

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.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic

Cambridge Audio has come up with a product that has wowed everyone: the DacMagic. For $479, you get a DAC that is fully differential (a stereo DAC on each of the two channels), upsampling to 24/192, very low specified distortion, and selectable output filters. Does it perform as claimed? Read our review to see for yourself.

San Francisco Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival

San Francisco's Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival , August 22-24, seemed like a big deal to me from the time I first heard about it. Maybe too big. It was a huge event with giant main stage acts that would cover a large area of Golden Gate Park with a wide variety of events & diversions. Sounds swell. It also seemed like a big risk to me for some reason. We have other festivals in the Park (Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is right around the corner...), but this one seemed perilous. Is it gonna be a madhouse? How are we gonna get there? Are people gonna pay that much money? Is the Park gonna be left standing? Why has there never been a "legal" nighttime concert in Golden Gate Park before?