CATEGORIES

Analog Corner

Paradox’s remarkable Phono 70 Signature MC phono preamplifier

CH Precision D1.5 SACD/CD/MQA-CD Player/Transport

There’s a school of thought that maintains that among all hi-fi components, the D/A converter is easiest to perfect or come close to perfecting. Just make sure that every sample is converted accurately, that there’s little rolloff in the audioband, that aliased images are suppressed almost completely, and that background noise is extremely low, and you have a top-quality D/A processor. Use of a high-quality DAC chip is assumed.

JVC DLA-NZ9 8K D-ILA PROJECTOR - The Future Looks Bright

GIVEN THE current uncertain state of the world, I was truly surprised when JVC announced not one but three new projectors prior to the kickoff of CEDIA Expo 2021, an event that ended up being a pale shade of its regular self. The new JVC trio largely replaces the company’s current projector lineup, offering a list of new features including a next-gen BLU- Escent laser light engine, HDMI 2.1 connectivity with full 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video input support, and HDR10+ high dynamic range.

MEDIA ROOM INSIDER: APARTMENT THEATER

This Tel Aviv penthouse apartment fits a no-compromise 7.4.4 Dolby Atmos system into a cozy 10 x 18-foot space

MONOLITH BY MONOPRICE ENCORE T6 SPEAKER SYSTEM - Monolithic Value

THE STORY of how Monoprice parlayed its success as a humble purveyor of computer peripherals into its current status as a direct-toconsumer A/V gear powerhouse will have to wait for another day, mostly because I don’t know it. But I do know this much: the torrent of ultra-high-value speakers and electronics, desktop audio, and even pro audio designs that have bubbled up from the Monoprice spring over the past few years is all but unprecedented in my decades in the audio/video world.

OSD BLACK TREVOCE 12 EQ DSP SUBWOOFER - Triple Threat

OSD AUDIO is a maker of many audiorelated things, its extensive product line covering most bases for custom residential and commercial installations. But the company also has a fair number of consumer offerings, including a sizeable range of subwoofers.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore

"Many years ago, I would ride my bicycle to the neighborhood record store, lean it against the window (no need to padlock), spend an enjoyable hour flipping through LPs, pick one out, and buy it (cash, of course). I would then slip it into my backpack and ride home, put the needle in the groove, and enjoy the sound of my purchase. Oh, how times have changed. In particular, the cool kids are now buying music as non-fungible tokens (NFT)."

2021 Top Picks of The Year

Looking back on 2021, I can honestly state that it represented an improvement over 2020, though it didn’t end up being the full-scale return-to-normal everybody was looking for. A/V consumer and trade shows such as CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis were gutted. Supply chain logjams delayed the arrival of new gear, particularly in core categories like speakers and A/V receivers, both of which ended up underrepresented in our 2021 Top Picks of the Year list compared with previous years. But even with all the challenges, the wheels of industry continued to grind, with much fantastic gear coming in for us to test and recommend.

Canton Chrono 70 Loudspeaker - It's Chrono Time

Canton may be a speaker brand that’s relatively unknown in North America—no doubt due to the company’s products not being available in these parts for the past decade—but the German outfit has been doing business for almost 50 years. Headquartered about 25 miles north of Frankfurt, Canton is one of Germany’s largest loudspeaker manufacturers, offering a truly breathtaking spread of models across several product ranges.

Fluance Ai41 Bluetooth Speaker System

"Two Speakers Better Than One"

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar - Beam Me Up

BOTH THE original Sonos Beam and the company's new Beam Gen 2 soundbar use beamforming, a technology that combines an array of drivers with advanced signal processing, to create an enveloping audio experience without need for multiple speakers. With the Beam Gen 2 ($449), Sonos builds upon the virtual surround sound capabilities of the original by adding Dolby Atmos processing and side-firing drivers, a combination that ups the sense of immersion it can create. And the cost for this upgrade: a mere $50 premium over the original Beam soundbar's $399 price.

BENQ V7050i 4K DLP Laser TV Projector - In Living Color

Is there a projector maker that hasn’t yet come out with an ultra short throw (UST) model aimed at viewers who want a theater-size image in their living room, but without the usual ceiling-mount and dark room baggage that accompanies it? If you asked me that question one year ago, I would have replied “BenQ.” But now, with its V7050i 4K DLP Laser TV, BenQ has joined the UST projector fold, adding its name to the ranks of Sony, Epson, Optoma, Vava, Hisense, LG, Samsung, and others.

Workstation - Universal Control: The next gen of integration

One of the reasons why so many consumers and professionals choose to make the switch to Apple is the seamless integration between its ecosystems, from macOS and watchOS to iOS and iPadOS.

THE END: FACEBOOK-BACKED DIGITAL CURRENCY DIEM SOLD TO BANK

A once-ambitious but now faltering Facebookbacked digital currency project known as Diem is dead, its assets sold to bank holding company Silvergate Capital.

MICHIGAN PLANS 1ST US ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ROAD BY 2023

Electric vehicles driving in Detroit could increase their charge by using an in-road charging system by 2023, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office announced this week.

SAMSUNG REPORTS ROBUST PROFIT BASED ON CHIP STRENGTH

Samsung Electronics Co. said this week its operating profit for the last quarter rose by more than 53% from the same period last year as it continued to thrive during the pandemic while relying on its dual strength in parts and finished products.

TESLA RECALL: ‘FULL SELF-DRIVING' SOFTWARE RUNS STOP SIGNS

Tesla is recalling nearly 54,000 cars and SUVs because their “Full Self-Driving” software lets them roll through stop signs without coming to a complete halt.

FAITH IN THE METAVERSE: A VR QUEST FOR COMMUNITY, FELLOWSHIP

Under quarantine for COVID-19 exposure, Garret Bernal and his family missed a recent Sunday church service.

IN BLOW TO TELECOMS, CALIFORNIA'S NET NEUTRALITY LAW UPHELD

A federal appeals court has upheld California’s net neutrality law, rejecting an attempt by telecommunications industry groups to prevent the state from enforcing it.

APPLE'S HOLIDAY IPHONE SALES SURGE DESPITE SUPPLY SHORTAGES

Apple shook off supply shortages that have curtailed production of iPhones and other popular devices to deliver its most profitable holiday season yet.

SLOW DOWN: STATES GET INFRASTRUCTURE CASH FOR SPEED CAMERAS

Drivers, beware: Speed cameras could be on their way to a location near you thanks to President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law.

CRUISE OFFERS PUBLIC FIRST DRIVERLESS RIDES IN SAN FRANCISCO

Autonomous vehicle taxis are up and running in San Francisco and the public has been invited to try one out.

FBI CONFIRMS IT BOUGHT SPYWARE FROM ISRAEL'S NSO GROUP

The FBI has confirmed purchasing NSO Group’s powerful spyware tool Pegasus, whose chronic abuse to surveil journalists, dissidents and human rights activists has long been established.

FAA CLEARS VERIZON AND AT&T TO TURN ON MORE 5G CELL TOWERS

Federal safety regulators say they have cleared the way for Verizon and AT&T to power up more towers for new 5G service without causing radio interference with airplanes.

DIGITAL WARFARE TECH AT SEA HELPING US FOES EVADE SANCTIONS

Technology to hide a ship’s location previously available only to the world’s militaries is spreading fast through the global maritime industry as governments from Iran to Venezuela — and the rogue shipping companies they depend on to move their petroleum products — look for stealthier ways to circumvent U.S. sanctions.

AMERICAN TO ORDER MORE BOEING JETS WHILE DELAYING OTHERS

American Airlines said that it plans to exercise options to buy 30 more Boeing 737 Max jets while delaying delivery of Boeing 787s, larger jets that are being plagued by production flaws.

FAA CLEARS VERIZON AND AT&T TO TURN ON MORE 5G CELL TOWERS

Federal safety regulators say they have cleared the way for Verizon and AT&T to power up more towers for new 5G service without causing radio interference with airplanes.

A LIKELY POOR JOBS FIGURE FOR JANUARY COULD PROVE TEMPORARY

Last month, U.S. employers might have shed jobs for the first time in about a year, potentially raising alarms about the economy’s trajectory.

Japanese Game Maker Nintendo's Profits Hurt by Chips Crunch

Nintendo’s profit for the nine months through December slipped 2.5%, as shortages of computer chips hurt production, the Japanese video game maker behind the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises said Thursday.

Shares Of Facebook Parent Meta Plunge 23% On Lower Profits

Newly renamed Meta is investing heavily in its futuristic “metaverse” project, but for now, relies on advertising revenue for nearly all its income.