Home Cinema Choice - December 2022

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Sony’s XR-A95K is the company’s most advanced 4K TV yet, combining self-emissive OLED technology with Quantum Dot colour, plus its Acoustic Surface audio system. See why we rate this the flatscreen to beat in our in-depth review.

Also on the test bench this issue is Samsung’s HW-Q990B, a flagship 11.1.4-channel soundbar system promising immersive sonics from Dolby Atmos. We also run the rule over Musical Fidelity’s premium M6x 250.7 power amplifier; BenQ’s gaming-focused TH690ST projector; a 5.1 bookshelf speaker system from GoldenEar; 55in OLED sets from Hisense and Panasonic; Piega’s active wireless Ace speakers; REL’s affordable HT/1003 MkII subwoofer; and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered.

On the software side, we check out new Blu-ray, 4K and streaming releases including Top Gun: Maverick, Bullet Train and Poltergeist. We also look back at David Cronenberg’s sci-fi horror Videodrome, now remastered for UHD BD, and chat to music maestro Steven Wilson about mixing in spatial audio.

Elsewhere, we look back over 100 years of technical innovations from the BBC; put the finishing touches to our movie room makeover; pick out from some Blu-ray boxsets and movie collectibles to add to your Christmas list; and check out a reader’s living room home cinema with 23 speakers and four subwoofers...

Plus all the usual opinions, news, disc reviews and more. Enjoy the show!

Meet the immersive aUdio MUSIC Man

His name has been synonymous with multichannel music for years, and now Steven Wilson is a prime mover in the Dolby Atmos music revolution. Steve May chats to the prolific, prog-rock producing legend…

7 mins

PART THREE Movie room makeover

Richard Stevenson puts some vital finishing touches to his revamped home cinema, and considers the success or not of his project from start to finish

9 mins

100 years of the BBC

Martin Pipe : revisits the history of the British Broadcasting Corporation, via technical innovations including colour TV, NICAM stereo, the iPlayer... and Ceefax

10+ mins

Paradigm shift

Daniel Sait checks out a subterranean cinema project with Wig Canadian loudspeakers, Italian projector and Frenchwall panelling

2 mins

Treat yourself...

'Tis almost the season to be jolly, which means it's also time to load up on Blu-ray boxsets, movie books and Ray Harryhausen statues. Team HCC goes Christmas shopping.

3 mins

Bravo for Sony's Bravia QD OLED

This Quantum Dot OLED flatscreen is the TV to beat right now, believes

5 mins

Welcome to a wireless world

Piega's Ace loudspeaker range has gone active wireless. Steve Withers swaps cables for WISA

7 mins

Flagship bar is better than ever

For its range-topping 2022 sound system, Samsung has adopted an 'evolution not revolution' approach. John Archer appreciates the new-found sense of refinement.

4 mins

Going for gold

Mark Craven enjoys the highs and lows of a premium compact 5.1 system from American audio marque GoldenEar

5 mins

Panasonic X-55LZ1500

John Archer rates Panasonic's step-down OLED TV as an unmissable bargain for anyone who already has an immersive sound system

2 mins

Muscular Fidelity

Mark Craven wrestles this beefy multichannel amplifier into place, and then gets drunk on power

5 mins

High-impact Hisense

The TV manufacturer makes an impressive splash with this well-featured 4K HDR screen, says Steve May. But it's not for picture quality purists...

4 mins

BenQ TH690ST

The projector marque is once again targeting bigscreen gamers, this time with a Full HD model with handy short-throw lens and 120Hz playback. John Archer plugs in.

3 mins

REL HT/1003 MKII

REL has upgraded its HT range of home cinema-focused subwoofers, but do they live up to their catchy nicknames?

2 mins

Bowers Wilkins Px8

Can these premium cans convince Ed Selley to look beyond B&W's own Px7 S2 model?

1 min

Xiaomi F2 Fire TV

Steve May auditions an affordable 50in 4K TV which turns to Amazon for its smart skills

1 min

Digital Copy

If you want proof that the 4K Blu-ray format is flourishing, just look at the variety of titles on their way from labels big and small. But how will Mark Craven decide which ones to buy?

2 mins

The Hi-Fi Guy

There's no reason why home cinema shouldn't follow the herd and 'go retro', but it needs to pick its moment carefully, says Ed Selley

3 mins

Certified: AV-Holic!

When HCC reader Robert downsized from a five-bedroom house to a one-bedroom flat, he upsized his cinema system to 23 speakers and four subwoofers...

4 mins

Flying high

Belated action sequel will take your breath away with its peerless 4K picture and Atmos sound

3 mins

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Home Cinema Choice Magazine Description:

Since 1995 Home Cinema Choice has been the must-buy magazine for AV enthusiasts. Published thirteen times a year, each issue provides in-depth, detailed reviews of the hardware products on your shortlist – from hi-def/4K televisions and projectors to AV receivers, speakers, Blu-ray players, soundbars and more. We also travel the world seeking out the latest tech and trends, provide advice and inspiration for your own cinema project and reveal the Blu-rays and DVDs you'll want to add to your collection.