In the September issue of Home Cinema Choice

Expert Imaging & Sound Association Awards 2024-2025. Celebrate the best of the best in home entertainment hardware with the winners of this year's EISA Awards. p97

Features:

Home cinema with a Gen Z twist? JBL hopes to woo a new generation of customers with its AV receiver lineup. p20

Let battle commence. War is hell, but Hollywood loves it – we pick 21 of the best combat capers to buy on disc. p24

Dream theatre. Stunning, compact AV den that sticks to 5.2.2. p32


Hot products, tends and technology….

Look who's back. Wilson Audio's Iconic WATT/Puppy loudspeaker is reborn. p8

Dolby Vision on-demand. Kaleidescape shakes up its hardware range with new Strato V player. p12

Fourth time's a charm. Are you ready to ride or die with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence's Bad Boys – the 4K Blu-ray is on the way! p14

Plus Regulars, Competitions and so much more!

Long description

Our cover star this issue is Panasonic’s TV-55Z95A, the brand’s latest high-end OLED flatscreen. With new-generation panel and upgraded processing, plus Fire TV smart system and Technics-tuned Dolby Atmos sonics, it wants to be the beating heart of your home entertainment setup. Does it succeed? We give our verdict.
 
Also on the test bench is Samsung’s The Premiere 9, the South Korean giant’s new flagship ultra-short-throw projector with integrated Dolby Atmos sound system. We also run the rule over SVS’s Ultra Evolution loudspeaker range in a 5.1 system, M&K Sound’s 15in V15+ subwoofer; premium in-ceiling speakers from Monitor Audio; BenQ’s home cinema-centric W5800 4K HDR projector; Cambridge Audio’s new all-in-one Evo amp/sound system; Sofabaton’s X1S universal remote; and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered!

On the software side, we check out new disc and streaming releases including Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and classic horror/thriller The Hitcher, now reborn on 4K BD. We also recall the frights and sights of Wes Craven’s groundbreaking 1984 flick A Nightmare on Elm Street as it prepares to hit UHD, and look back at over 80 years of Batman’s cinematic adventures.

Elsewhere, we get an early look at Sony’s new Bravia-branded native 4K laser projectors, check out a custom install matching Denon’s 15-channel AVC-A1H amp with discreet B&W speakers and subs, talk tornadoes with the director of Hollywood blockbuster Twisters, and report on the sights and sounds at this year’s IFA technology expo.

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


Our cover star this issue is Hisense’s 100E7NQ Pro, a monster-sized 100in TV with
wide-ranging HDR support, gaming-friendly features and comprehensive smarts –
and a great performance. Is this the bigscreen bargain of the year? We give our
verdict.
Also on the test bench is Primare’s SP25 Prisma, the Swedish marque’s new Dolby
Atmos/DTS:X processor, with bespoke network platform and styling to die for. We
also run the rule over BenQ’s X300G gaming-focused 4K projector; Perlisten’s R18s
subwoofer; Samsung’s QE65S90D QD OLED TV; the flagship US95TR soundbar
system from LG; Marantz’s compact M1 streaming amplifier; Bush’s 50in Freely/TiVo TV; and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered!
On the software side, we check out new disc and streaming releases including
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and classic noir
Chinatown, now reborn on 4K BD. We also recall the best and worst of the long-
running Planet of the Apes franchise, and – as new flick Alien: Romulus hits cinemas
– discover how David Fincher’s Alien 3 almost never got made.
Elsewhere, we take a tour of a custom install using JBL Synthesis speakers and
electronics, check out a reader’s system, go inside Samsung’s innovative Audio Lab,
and chat to sound brand Perlisten about subwoofers, EQ and putting loudspeakers
on submarines...
Plus: all the usual opinions, news, disc reviews and competitions. Enjoy the show!

Our cover star this issue is JVC’s DLA-NZ800, a new model from the high-end projector specialist promising best-in-class 4K HDR playback and offering extensive calibration tools and user features. Is this beamer the perfect choice for your dedicated movie room? We give our verdict.
 
Also on the test bench is Philips’ 55OLED809, the TV maker’s latest OLED flatscreen with Ambilight integration, Google TV smarts and proprietary processing. We also run the rule over Bowers & Wilkins 700 S3 Signature speakers in a premium 5.1 array; Emotiva’s 11-channel MR1 AV receiver; the compact C1 ‘Smart Mini’ projector from Hisense; JBL’s retro-inspired L42ms soundbar/speaker; affordable and high-end TVs from Sharp and LG; SVS’s new Ultra Evolution Pinnacle floorstanding speakers; and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered!

On the software side, we check out new disc and streaming releases including Dune: Part Two, Madame Web, Atlas and ’60s sci-fi classic Planet of the Vampires. We also look back at epic western Once Upon a Time in the West as it debuts on 4K disc, and – in honour of new blockbuster Bad Boys: Ride or Die – give our pick of
the best buddy cop movies to buy on Blu-ray. 

Elsewhere, we take a tour of a custom install running 26 speaker and four subs, check out a reader’s system all the way from Panama, report on the audio highlights of the recent Munich High-End show, and discover how projector marque Barco is shaking up the world of commercial cinema.

Plus: all the usual opinions, news, disc reviews and competitions. Enjoy the show!

Our cover star this issue is LG’s OLED65C4, successor to the company’s crowd-pleasing C3 OLED TV and boasting improvements to design, processing and performance. With its class-leading connectivity and rock-solid smart system, is this the TV to buy in 2024? We give our verdict.
 
Also on the test bench are Focal’s new Theva speakers, in a system fronted by the flagship No.3-D floorstander – complete with integrated Dolby Atmos drivers. We also run the rule over StormAudio’s 16-channel Fusion ISR 20 receiver; Samsung’s flagship HW-Q990D soundbar system; the affordable AVR-X1800H amp from Denon; Optoma’s UHZ55 4K projector; a high-end movie server system from Kaleidescape; Eversolo’s feature-rich DMP-A8 music streamer, and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered!

On the software side, we check out new disc and streaming releases including Poor Things, Aliens, Witchfinder General and Road House. We also turn the clock back to 1999 to remember the launch of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, and dig into the brilliance of Mad Max: Fury Road, now reissued on 4K Blu-ray Steelbook. 

Elsewhere, we step inside a stunning pro cinema install, check out a reader’s system that combines state-of-the-art AV with retro hi-fi, head to Los Angeles to learn about Sony’s cinematic plans for 2024, and wonder if bigscreen TVs are getting too… well, big.

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

Our cover star this issue is Samsung’s 65in S95D TV, the tech giant’s flagship Quantum Dot OLED model for 2024. Armed with a new Neo Quantum processor and Glare-Free panel design, it’s touted as the brand’s most desirable 4K OLED TV yet. Does it deliver? We give our verdict in our in-depth review.
 
Also on the test bench is Pioneer’s VSA-LX805, the AV marque’s top-of-the-range 11-channel home cinema amplifier with Dirac Live room correction to fine-tune performance. We also run the rule over an immersive on-wall speaker system from Germany’s Ascendo; active floorstanding speakers from Magnat; Monitor Audio’s Anthra 15 subwoofer; an all-in-one Atmos speaker and affordable turntable from JBL; Audiolab’s 9000N network streamer; four 4K ultra-short-throw projectors from AWOL Vision, Epson, Hisense and XGIMI; and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered!

On the software side, we check out new disc and streaming releases including Wonka, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Shogun. We also look at the movies Hollywood hopes will hit big this summer, and remember the fantasy flick double-whammy of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Conan movies, now reborn on 4K Blu-ray. 

Elsewhere, we step inside a stunning pro cinema install, check out the audio highlights of the Bristol Hi-Fi Show, look back at the birth of the Blu-ray format, and wonder if advances in AI upscaling mean it’s time to upgrade your TV.

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


Not one cover star this issue but two! Do Marantz’s AV 10 15.4-channel processor and 16-channel AMP 10 power amplifier offer the premium AV experience their flagship status demands? We fire up this feature-rich separates system to find out…
 
Also on the test bench is Philips’ 55in OLED+908, the TV maker’s first OLED screen with a high-brightness MLA panel. We also run the rule over B&W’s latest 600 Series speakers in a 5.1 package; a high-value 98in LED TV from TCL; Perlisten’s dual-driver R212s subwoofer; the Ambeo Mini soundbar from Sennheiser; Hisense’s PX2-PRO ultra-short-throw 4K projector; an affordable streaming amp from WiiM; and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered!

On the software side, we check out new disc and streaming releases including The Creator, The Marvels and Masters of the Air. We also throw the spotlight on 25 binge-worthy Blu-ray boxsets, and remember the Gothic brilliance of Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula as it’s reborn on 4K Blu-ray Steelbook. 

Elsewhere, we step inside a stunning pro cinema install, check out the pro AV highlights of the ISE show, kick back in a stylish but tech-tastic demo room, and wonder if Freely is the next big thing in terrestrial TV…

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


Our cover star this issue is LG’s OLED77Z3, the brand’s monster (77in) 8K OLED TV that seems made for movie watching. How does it compare to LG’s own – and more affordable – 4K OLED stablemates? Read our in-depth review…. Also on the test bench is Leica’s Cine 1, the first ultra-short-throw laser projector from the celebrated lens/camera specialist, with integrated audio and smart hub. We also run the rule over Denon’s muscle-bound mid-range AVC-X4800H amplifier; Q Acoustics’ 5040 5.1 speaker system; the eight-channel MXA-8400 power amp from Lyngdorf; Velodyne’s superb-value Impact X 12 subwoofer; soundbars from Majority and Denon; Hegel’s Viking CD player; and more. Whatever your budget, we’ve got you covered! On the software side, we check out new disc and streaming including Indiana Jones
V, The Equalizer 3 and the 4K remaster of Titanic. We also celebrate the career of director Martin Scorsese with a look at his essential movies on BD, and go wild in the streets with Walter Hill’s 1979 classic The Warriors as it’s reborn on 4K Blu-ray. Elsewhere, we step inside a stunning pro cinema install, report on the hottest technology launched at this year’s CES, head to Tokyo to sample Sony’s next- generation Mini LED TV, get blown away by a state-of-the-art demo room, and wonder if a VHS comeback is on the horizon…  Plus: all the usual opinions, news, disc reviews and competitions. Enjoy the show!

The latest issue of Home Cinema Choice is our special Yearbook edition, where we celebrate the hardware and software that’s blown us away over the last twelve months. The extended reviews section covers everything from 4K TVs and projectors to subwoofers and soundbars; from speaker systems and AV receivers to headphones, media streamers and more. If you’re looking for new kit – whatever your budget – then this is the place to start. 

On the software side, our annual Movie Awards showcases the Blu-rays and 4K platters that are essential additions to your collection, from blockbuster sci-fi flicks and animations to TV series and cult classics. We also check out new releases including Oppenheimer, Blue Beetle and the director’s cut of Michael Mann’s Blackhat, plus welcome the arrival of classic Brit horror Peeping Tom on 4K BD.

Elsewhere, we check out four fabulous rooms from HCC readers, revisit a stunning professional cinema install, and wonder if 2023 marks the year that physical media began its fightback…

Enjoy the show!

Our cover stars this issue are Sony’s XR-A95L and Panasonic’s MZ980 – two new OLED models promising cinematic entertainment. Read our in-depth reviews to find out whether these two TVs are worthy of your consideration.
 
Also on the test bench is Wharfedale’s DX-3 HCP, an ultra-compact and affordable 5.1 sub/sat speaker set. We run the rule over this bargain bundle, plus the flagship TX-RZ70 AV receiver from Onkyo; Epson’s EH-TW6250 4K projector; the Smart Ultra soundbar from Bose; Bowers & Wilkins’ premium-grade DB1D subwoofer; iFi Audio’s NEO iDSD 2 DAC; Marantz’s Stereo 70s receiver; 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 Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Meg 2: The Trench and Barbie. We also countdown to Christmas with 24 cracking festive-themed flicks, and look back at Ridley Scott’s historical epic Gladiator as it re-enters the 4K BD arena with a ‘Titans of Cult’ release. 

Elsewhere, we step inside a stunning pro cinema install, head over to California to experience awesome audio with JBL, select some system add-ons and Blu-ray boxsets to add to your Christmas list, and wonder if modern movies are becoming too long…

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



Our cover star this issue is Samsung’s QE75QN900C, a 75in 8K TV with advanced AI processing, immersive Object Tracking Sound system and multi-zone Mini LED backlight tech. Read our in-depth review to see why we rate it Samsung’s best QLED TV yet…
 
Also on the test bench is Magnetar’s UDP900, a high-end flagship 4K disc spinner that performs double duty as a USB DAC/headphone amp. We run the rule over this heavyweight deck, plus a multichannel package from Scotland loudspeaker brand Fyne Audio; Sonos’s Era 300 Dolby Atmos speakers and Arc soundbar; the Envy Extreme Mk2 processor from madVR; Ruark’s R410 all-in-one system; Samsung’s second-generation The Freestyle smart projector; Wiim’s Mini music streamer; 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 The Flash, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Sisu. We also pick our favourite fright flicks for Halloween, and look back at classic Brit chiller The Wicker Man as it lands on a 50th anniversary 4K set. 

Elsewhere, we drool over the best of the best home cinemas and media rooms in this year’s CEDIA Awards, report on the tasty tech from IFA 2023, catch up with a reader’s who’s turned his garage into a movie den, and wonder if we’re living in the golden age of 4K Blu-ray…

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


Our cover star this issue is Panasonic’s MZ2000 OLED TV, the first to feature the brand’s new ‘Master OLED Ultimate’ panel technology. The promise is of peerless pictures combined with immersive audio from an integrated SoundScape Pro speaker system. Does this flagship flatscreen deliver the goods? Read our in-depth review.
 
Also on the test bench is McIntosh’s MHT300, the first AV receiver from the premium American marque with Dirac Live calibration. We run the rule over this high-power seven-channel beast, plus a 5.1.2 speaker package from Klipsch’s new Reference Premiere line-up; XGIMI’s latest projector, the Horizon Ultra; a 13in active subwoofer from Paradigm; Philips’ 55PUS8808 LED TV; the Powernode Edge streaming amplifier from Bluesound; Totem Acoustic’s Tribe Duo soundbar; 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 Fast X, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Heart of Stone. We also pick our favourite Denzel Washington movies on disc from 2 Guns to Unstoppable, and look back at Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic Psycho, plus its three sequels, all coming to a new 4K boxset. 

Elsewhere, we celebrate the best of the best home cinema hardware with this year’s EISA Awards, check out a custom install with hidden audio, look back at the arrival of DVD in the UK 25 years ago, and reveal why we can’t stop watching Oppenheimer in IMAX 15/70…

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


Our cover star this issue is Yamaha’s True X, the Japanese giant’s new range-topping  soundbar system that wants to deliver Dolby Atmos immersion without the hassle. Does it have the home cinema X factor? Read our in-depth review.
 
Also on the test bench is TCL’s C845, the TV brand’s top-flight Mini LED TV that claims a class-leading brightness through its advanced backlight technology. Is this the ultimate bigscreen bargain? We also run the rule over Q Acoustics’ 5010 5.1 speaker package; the D212s subwoofer from Perlisten; BenQ’s W4000i projector; Eversolo’s DMP-A6 hi-res audio streamer; Sony’s seven-channel TA-AN1000 amplifier; stereo powered speakers from ELAC; 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 Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, Evil Dead Rise and Bruce Lee at Golden Harvest. We also pick our favourite spy movies on Blu-ray from Atomic Blonde to xXx, and look back at Steven Spielberg’s debut movie classic Duel, now remastered in 4K. 

Elsewhere, we get a guided tour of a reader’s high-end AV den, catch up with Marantz as it celebrates its 70th anniversary, discuss our favourite demo discs and wonder if Hollywood’s addiction to comic book movies is coming to an end…

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





Our cover stars this issue are flatscreens from Philips and TCL – one an OLED, the other an LED-lit model, both promising to offer a high-level performance for a wallet-friendly price. We give our verdict on these bigscreen bargains.
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Onkyo’s TX-RZ50 receiver, a nine-channel power-house with Dirac Live calibration and THX certification. We also run the rule over the Bar 1300, JBL’s flagship soundbar system; Emotiva’s MC1 13-channel processor; REL’s new HT/1205 MkII mid-range home cinema subwoofer; The Nines active speakers from Klipsch; Xgimi’s MoGo 2 Pro portable projector; Acoustic Energy AE105 on-wall speakers; 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 John Wick: Chapter 4, Extraction 2 and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. We also remember when Hollywood went big on sword-and-sorcery in the 1980s, and look back at Bruce Lee’s classic martial arts movies, now remastered in 4K. 

Elsewhere, we get a guided tour of a reader’s loft-based home cinema, chat infrasonic bass with subwoofer specialist Ascendo, report from Munich’s High End audio show, and wonder whether Apple’s Vision Pro might just be the future of home cinema…

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


Our cover stars this issue are KEF’s R Series Meta loudspeakers, the brand’s latest models to feature its ‘metamaterial’-enhanced Uni-Q driver array. In our lead review, we sample their premium sound in a stunning-looking 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration!
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Onkyo’s TX-NR6100 receiver, an affordable seven-channel model sporting THX certification, a wealth of smart/streaming features, and a crowd-pleasing performance. We also run the rule over Sony XR-65A80L and LG OLED65C3 OLED flatscreens; GoldenEar’s ForceField 3 subwoofer; BenQ’s Android TV-powered W2710 home cinema projector; the Sennheiser Ambeo Plus soundbar and its matching sub; JBL Tour One M2 headphones; Sky’s Stream media player; 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 Knock at the Cabin, Plane, Superman I-IV 4K collection and All Quiet on the Western Front. We also turn our attention to the cracking UHD Blu-rays available stateside, and look back at the 1967 Paul Newman classic Cool Hand Luke.

Elsewhere, we take to the seas in a collaboration between audio marques Sonus faber and McIntosh and yacht designer Wally; check out a pair of drool-worthy custom install cinemas; give away a Denon AVR-X2800H receiver; report on Magnetar’s new ‘reference-grade’ disc player, and wonder whether we’ve all been bitten again by the collecting bug…

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



In May's issue of Home Cinema Choice:

Sharing space on our cover this month are Samsung’s QE65S95C QD OLED TV, and LG’s OLED65G3, its first with a Micro Lens Array panel – both are premium screens aimed at performance-first movie fans, so should you make either the centrepiece of your home cinema?
 
Also on the test bench this issue is REL’s Reference Series No.31, a high-end 12in/900W subwoofer with a heavyweight build to match its deep, dynamic lows. We also run the rule over a 5.1 on-wall speaker array from System Audio’s Saxo range; Dolby Atmos soundbars from JBL and Sony; Marantz’s super-stylish Cinema 70s AV receiver; active wireless floorstanders from Audio Pro; Amazon’s third-generation Fire TV Cube; 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 M3GAN, Babylon, Star Trek: TNG – 4-Movie Collection, and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. We also celebrate the career of the King of Hollywood, James Cameron, and look back at the 1983 launch of Return of the Jedi.

Elsewhere, we report on Amazon’s plans to enter the TV and gaming arena with its Omni and Luna hardware; assemble AV systems for movies, streaming and games; check out a reader’s garage-turned-movie room and a custom install project with hidden 7.4.4 audio; and wonder whether a user interface can make or break a product…

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

Our cover star this month is the XR-75X95K, Sony’s first ever Mini LED 4K TV. This 75in set promises high-contrast, high-brightness bigscreen visuals from its advanced backlight engine and Sony’s proprietary processing – all at a tempting price. We give our verdict…
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Denon’s AVC-A1H, the Japanese marque’s most advanced AV amplifier yet. Does this 15-channel heavyweight live up to its reference-status billing? We also run the rule over Acoustic Energy’s reborn 100 Series in a 5.1 speaker system; JBL’s affordable, compact Bar 300 soundbar; Anthem’s range-topping MCA 525 Gen 2 multichannel power amplifier; the UDP800 universal 4K disc player from Magnetar; Philips 55OLED+907 4K TV; 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 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Rocky: The Knockout Collection, Violent Night and The Mandalorian: S3. We also pick our thirty favourite horror-comedy movies, and turn the clock back to 1974 to celebrate Tobe Hooper’s terrifying classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Elsewhere, we report on the sonic highlights of this year’s Bristol Hi-Fi Show; head to Amsterdam for a sneak preview of Philips’ 2023 TV lineup; report on a custom install movie room with Steinway Lyngdorf sound and JVC 8K projection; and explain why the new 48fps, Dolby Atmos cinema release of Titanic floats our boat…

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


Our cover star this issue is a 5.1 speaker set from Bowers & Wilkins’ revamped 700 Series. For this S3 iteration, trickle-down technology from the company’s flagship 800 Diamond combines with a gorgeous new cabinet styling and better-than-ever-build. How does it sound? We give our verdict…
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Loewe’s Bild i.55 OLED TV, which marks the luxury brand’s return to the UK market. We also run the rule over Ascendo’s excellent-value SV-12 subwoofer; LG’s flagship S95QR soundbar system; Pioneer’s nine-channel VSX-LX305 AV receiver; the entry-level EH-TW6150 4K HDR projector from Epson; NAD’s retro-styled C 3050 LE streaming amp; Grado headphones; Panasonic LZ1000 OLED; 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 Black Adam, Halloween Kills, Casablanca and The Last of Us. We also roundup the best movies of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and turn the clock back to 1982 to celebrate Walter Hill’s action-comedy classic 48 Hrs.

Elsewhere, we report on the cutting-edge tech debuted at this year’s CES; check out a pair of high-end custom installs; dig into DLP projection; and wonder whether it’s the sound or vision that really makes the home cinema experience…

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



With its Cinema 50 amplifier, Marantz has added a stylish new aesthetic to a nine-channel power plant and features and connectivity galore. We put this super-smart Atmos/DTS:X diva through its paces in our in-depth review.
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Philips 77OLED807, a monster-sized (77in) OLED that hopes to prove that bigger is always better. We also run the rule over JBL’s entry-level Stage speakers; Bang & Olufsen’s high-end Theatre soundbar; Sony’s A84K OLED TV and VPL-XW7000ES 4K HDR projector; a compact subwoofer from MartinLogan with ARC EQ; T+A’s Solitaire T headphones; a 5.1 Perlisten R Series setup; 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 Beast, Smile and Glass Onion. We also look ahead to the big movies of 2023, featuring John Wick, Aquaman, J. Robert Oppenheimer and a certain professor of archaeology, and turn the clock back to 2008 to remember J.J. Abrams’ smash-hit Cloverfield.

Elsewhere, we give away an SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer; check out a pair of drool-worthy high-end custom installs; revisit an HCC reader to get the lowdown on their system overhaul; and wonder if James Cameron’s Avatar sequel will reignite interest in 3D TV…

Plus all the usual opinions, news, disc reviews and competitions. Enjoy the show!

The latest issue of Home Cinema Choice is our special Yearbook edition, where we celebrate the hardware and software that’s blown us away over the last twelve months. The extended reviews section covers everything from 4K TVs and projectors to subwoofers and soundbars; from speaker systems and AV receivers to headphones, media streamers and more. If you’re looking for new kit – whatever your budget – then this is the place to start. 

On the software side, our annual Movie Awards showcases the Blu-rays and 4K platters that are essential additions to your collection, from blockbuster sci-fi flicks and animations to TV series and cult classics. We also check out new releases including Nope, The Driver’s 4K restoration and Universal’s latest ‘Classic Monsters’ boxset, plus celebrate 40 years of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Elsewhere, we check grab an exclusive in-depth review of Primare’s new SPA25 receiver, check out four fabulous rooms from HCC readers, revisit a stunning professional cinema install, and soak up an evening of James Bond music at Abbey Road Studios…

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



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!


Sony’s projector lineup now kicks off with a native 4K laser model, replacing the lamp-based entry-level beamers of before. Does the VPL-XW5000ES light up our life with 4K Blu-ray? Read the review to find out.
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Philips’ 65in OLED+937 TV, where a best-in-class OLED panel combines with a 3.1.2 Atmos speaker system from Bowers & Wilkins to thrilling effect. We also run the rule over Harman Kardon’s Citation MultiBeam 1100 soundbar; Emotiva’s five-channel BasX A5 power amplifier; an affordable TV and soundbar from TCL; NAD Master series M23 power amp; a compact Velodyne subwoofer; the premium Muse audio processor from Acurus; 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 Jurassic World Dominion, Event Horizon and LOTR: The Rings of Power. We also look back at Jackie Chan’s action-filled Police Story trilogy, now remastered for UHD BD, and unleash thrills and chills with our Top 20 pick of Stephen King movie adaptations.

Elsewhere, we report on the hot product launches from this year’s IFA tech expo; continue our overhaul of a dedicated movie room; check out a home cinema install that mixes high-tech AV with high-style; and explain why listening to Dolby Atmos music is better in the dark...

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


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!


Our cover star this month is Philips 55OLED807, the latest step in the company’s evolution of the self-emissive tech. Does this TV’s mix of advanced processing, Ambilight illumination, and bright ‘EX’ OLED panel guarantee a best-in-class viewing experience? Read our review to find out…
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Trinnov’s Amplitude16, the French marque’s latest – and greatest – multichannel power amplifier. We also run the rule over Devialet’s high-end Dione soundbar; TCL’s 65in C835K Mini LED TV; the new HT/1510 Predator subwoofer from sub-bass specialist REL; laser projectors from Xgimi and Epson; Cabasse’s Pearl Keshi 2.1 system; the Klang soundbar/sub combi from reborn German brand Loewe; 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 The Batman, The Northman and Ambulance. We also guide your through the UK’s astonishing range of independent Blu-ray labels, and remember when Michael Caine and Mike Hodges rewrote the British crime flick rulebook with 1971 classic Get Carter.

Elsewhere, we check out a former dining room given a custom-install home cinema makeover; wonder why Paramount+ isn’t available in 4K; eye up Monitor Audio’s incoming Concept 50 loudspeakers; and plan how we’d spend a lottery win on some of the world’s most outrageous and most expensive AV hardware.

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


Our cover star this month is Samsung’s QE75QN900B, a monster-sized Mini LED flagship set with 8K resolution and QLED panel technology. Read our review to find out why we think this stunning screen is worthy of its premium price tag.
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Anthem’s AVM 90, the Canadian company’s long-awaited flagship object-audio processor. We also run the rule over projectors from LG and BenQ; B&W’s Panorama 3 soundbar; Philips’ latest mid-range ‘The One’ LCD TV; a Dolby Atmos floorstanding system from Triangle; Sonus faber’s super-styling Omnia wireless speaker; 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 Morbius, Turning Red and Drive. We also look at Hollywood’s biggest box office failures (and whether they’re still worth watching…), and remember how Jurassic Park changed the world of VFX and surround sound forever.

Elsewhere, we check out a pair of luxurious custom installs that will inspire your own project; report on Panasonic’s 2022 AV lineup; visit Bowers & Wilkins for a listen to a high-end 800 Series Diamond speaker system; and wonder if the multi-way horn speaker technology of cinema’s Golden Age is due for a comeback.

Plus all the usual opinions, news, disc reviews and competitions. Enjoy the show!

Our cover star this month is LG’s OLED65C2, which finds the Korean TV giant bringing its Evo panel technology to its best-selling C Series. Read our review to find out why we think this screen is the OLED TV to beat.
 
Also on the test bench this issue is a premium THX Dominus loudspeaker array from new US brand Perlisten Audio that promises thunderous bass and soaring highs. We also run the rule over BenQ’s keenly priced W1800 4K DLP projector; the eight-channel A35.8 power amplifier from Primare; soundbars from Yamaha and JBL; Arcam’s seven-channel AVR11 receiver with Dirac EQ; Philips’ debut Mini LED TV, Sony’s flagship HT-A9 sound system; 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 Uncharted, Moonfall and Nightmare Alley. We also celebrate killer bears, crocs and more as we investigate the best (and worst) of Hollywood’s ‘creature-features’, and remember the Batmania days of 1989...

Elsewhere, we check out a high-end basement cinema and kitchen/media room with double-screen skills; report on an HCC reader’s affordable OLED/Atmos setup; learn how to calibrate a TV with Calman Home; and wonder how Netflix will respond to the shockwave of losing subscribers.

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


Our cover star this month is Q Acoustics’ Concept 50 5.1 loudspeaker package, a floorstanding system that promises immersive home cinema thrills in addition to gorgeous styling. We put it to the test with movie and music in our exclusive review.
 
Also on the test bench this issue is JVC’s DLA-NZ8, a premium take on home cinema projection combing laser illumination with 8K upscaling and HDR10+. We also run the rule over Philips’ 58PUS8506 Ambilight 4K TV; LG’s SP8YA 3.1.2-channel soundbar; Samsung’s The Freestyle smart projector, NAD’s C 700 streaming amplifier; headphone solutions from Panasonic and Sennheiser; Nanoleaf’s new Lines modular lighting system; 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 Dune, Last Night in Soho and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. We also look at the tangled history between Hollywood and Spider-Man as the superhero celebrates his 60th anniversary, and sing the praises of The Godfather Trilogy as all three films prepare to land on UHD Blu-ray.

Elsewhere, we check out an award-winning movie with innovative lighting and hidden audio; enjoy a sneak peek at an HCC reader’s garden-based DIY cinema build; chat to Philips about its AV plans for 2022; and ponder the eternal question: what makes a home cinema experience …cinematic?

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

One part 4K OLED, one part high-performance Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and one part style icon, Philips’ new 65in OLED+986 is the brand’s most premium TV. We put this flagship flatscreen through its paces in our in-depth review.
 
Also on the test bench this issue is Denon’s AVR-X1700H, an affordable Dolby Atmos/DTS:X receiver with futureproof connectivity and a bevy of features. Is this the best-value AVR you can buy? We also run the rule over Panasonic’s 50in JX850 Dolby Vision LED TV; Klipsch’s Cinema 600 soundbar; a floorstanding speaker package from Monitor Audio; Q Acoustics’ M20 active system; Sky Glass; Toshiba’s 50UK3163 TV; 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 No Time to Die, The Last Duel and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, plus a new ‘Deluxe Edition’ of Jackie Chan classic actioner Armour of God. We also look at the weird and wonderful world of Director’s Cuts movies, from James Cameron’s The Abyss: Special Edition to Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

Elsewhere, we report on CES 2022 and the new tech coming your way this year; check out a living room-turned-cinema room with the aid of a hidden projector; revisit an HCC reader to get the lowdown their system overhaul; and explain why loudspeakers are the heroes of any AV setup…

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

In this special yearbook issue of Home Cinema Choice, we revisit our favourite AV hardware from the last 12 months, ranging from 4K HDR TVs and projectors, AV receivers and speaker systems, to soundbars, subwoofers and more. And for UK readers, there's also the AV Tech Media Awards supplement, where you'll find our best-in-class selections alongside heroic hi-fi hardware nominated by our sister magazines Hi-Fi News and Hi-Fi Choice. 

Elsewhere, in addition to our usual roundup of new 4K discs and Blu-rays, our annual Movie Awards (p21) celebrates the best releases of 2021 across Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray and TV.  Spoiler alert: there's a lot of Godzilla vs Kong...

Planning to update your own movie room in 2022? Then be sure to also check out this issue's readers' systems (p106), and our Dream Theatre of the Year (p28) for inspiration. 


With Sky Glass, Sky is dumping the satellite dish and introducing the UK’s first genuine hybrid TV – one part Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos-enabled flatscreen, one part next-generation streaming media player. Is everything you know about TV about to change? We find out…
 
Leading off our hardware reviews this issue is Anthem’s AVM 70, a 15.2-channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X processor that promises to deliver full sonic immersion. We also run the rule over Sony’s XR-65X90J 4K LED TV; BenQ’s affordable gaming-focused TH685 projector; a multichannel speaker package from Swiss brand Piega; Sony’s premium HT-A7000 Atmos soundbar; XTZ’s A2-300 power amplifier; and further kit from Samsung, Amazon, LG, Philips 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 Fast & Furious 9, Jungle Cruise and Free Guy, plus Universal’s Icons of Horror 4K boxset for its classic monsters. We also cast an eye over 21 of Hollywood’s longest running film franchises to help you plan a weekend binge.

Elsewhere, we check out a living room that transforms into a home cinema at the touch of a button; give away a smart multiroom soundbar from Denon; round up a selection of AV accessories you’ll want for Christmas; and go in search of some lost movies...

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


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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.

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Home Cinema Choice - September 2024

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