Home Cinema Choice - September 2022

In this issue

Samsung has finally joined the OLED party with the QE65S95B, a 65in QD-OLED TV that promises to go brighter and better than the competition. Does it succeed? Read our review to find out…

Also on the test bench this issue is Perlisten’s D215s subwoofer, a premium model for dedicated rooms rocking a pair of 15in drivers and parametric EQ tricks. We also run the rule over Philips’ Fidelio FB1 soundbar; Yamaha’s nine-channel RX-A6A surround sound receiver; TVs from Panasonic and Hisense; projectors from Optoma and JVC; Musical Fidelity’s high-end M6x DAC; the Flip 6 wireless speaker from JBL; 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 Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Prey and Edge of Tomorrow. We also chat to UK independent label 88 Films about cult classics, 4K and the BBFC, and look back at Michael Mann’s crime thriller Heat, now remastered for UHD BD.

Elsewhere, we begin a complete overhaul of a dedicated cinema room; wonder if AV amp designers should look to the 1980s for inspiration; check out a reader’s stunning garage/home theatre conversion; and get excited about James Cameron’s high frame rate upgrades for Avatar and Titanic.

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

OLED enjoys a Quantum boost

There’s a new type of OLED in town – and John Archer is very much here for it

6 mins

Yamaha gets its game face on

Mark Craven samples the expansive sound - and specification - of an upper-tier nine-channel AV receiver

7 mins

Potent Perlisten sub plays hard and fast

Whoever said the best things come in small packages likely hadn't met this 2 x 15in, 92kg subwoofer, reckons Mark Craven - and the D215s is a brilliant blend of brains and brawn

5 mins

Flagship OLED hits AV highs

With a brighter OLED panel and upgraded Atmos sound system, the LZ2000 delivers on all fronts, says Steve May

7 mins

Laser PJ made for your media room

Optoma's conventional 4K projector might lack the allure of its UST siblings, but a laser engine, flexible setup and punchy performance mean it's still a bright buy, says Steve May

5 mins

Fidelio bar is all about that bass

Superb sound tuning means Philips' FB1 one-box audio solution puts in a performance that makes its price tag look like a steal. And the feature set ain't bad either, says Mark Craven

6 mins

Ambitious Mini LED needs polish

Hisense's new TV ticks all the flagship boxes, but that's not enough to win over John Archer

6 mins

Sprinkle a little DAC magic on your setup

Austria's Musical Fidelity is one of the pioneers of the standalone DAC, and its M6x is its latest invention. Mark Craven ponders the styling before falling in love with the sound

5 mins

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins has taken its highly impressive Px7 headphones and set out to make them even better. Ed Selley studies the incremental gains

3 mins

Standing proud

JVC’s 'entry-level' native 4K laser PJ lacks serious competition – Steve Withers wonders if it might be in a class of its own

6 mins

Digital Copy

After admiring some purposefully vintage-looking gear, Mark Craven wonders if his next AVR might pay homage to the glory days of Dolby Surround – or if his TV might be square

2 mins

The Hi-Fi Guy

With strong signs that Ultra HD Blu-ray might be the last physical video format, Ed Selley thinks the lesson any successor should draw is… to be more hopeless.

2 mins

Dumbledore, Dumblesnore

Conjuring up some fun was evidently beyond the makers of this movie...

2 mins

No killin' what can't be killed

The Predator franchise is back - under a different name - and we couldn't be happier

2 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.