Audioholics Featured Reviews & Articles

Cinema aficionados especially would have thought that with Quentin Tarantino behind the lens, a subject as wildly controversial as wiping out Nazis in WWII by a rogue band of Judaic super soldiers would yield an unforgettable experience. And while Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds is entertaining in select areas and moments, it just didn't deliver the tactile punch I was expecting, instead punctuated with drawn-out subtitle-ridden dialogue sequences and other elements that just became tiring to view. But how did the Blu-ray release fare? Read our comprehensive review to find out.

The high performance Philips | O'Neill Headphones were tested on the toughest O'Neill team riders and specifically designed around the demands of those who live life to the fullest. They will never let you down, wherever you take them or however energized the sounds or action they accompany. The Philips | O'Neill Headphone collection features four different styles, each completely unique and simple in design, yet able to withstand the challenges of the most dynamic active lifestyle.

Level Up, a division of Slam Brands, Inc, unveils four of its officially licensed all-in-one gaming storage solutions: the Alloy for PlayStation, Zig-Zag for Xbox 360, Aperture for Wii, and Trideca for Wii. The product line’s uniquely tailored design elements help users neatly store gaming gear, including consoles, controllers, and games, in one sleek and compact tower.

The OtterBox Commuter Series for HTC provides two innovative layers of protection including a silicone mid-layer wrapped in a polycarbonate shell to prevent damage from bumps and shock ( not intended as protection against water). Silicone protects the power and volume buttons and silicone plugs flip open for access to the charger/accessory, headset and HDMI jacks. The cameras, speaker, kickstand and proximity sensor also remain accessible through the case.

Until now, true THX sound required a large dedicated room to accommodate the oversized speakers…and their often less-than-attractive cabinets. Jamo D 500 THX Select2 home theater speakers bring the full THX experience to smaller rooms, with their compact size and stylish good looks. The D 500 THX Select2 system consists of the D 500 LCR left, center and right speakers and D 500 SUR rear surrounds. Jamo recommends its SUB 650, which employs a high-output 12-inch driver, to perfectly anchor these D 500 THX speakers.

Pakedge Device & Software today announced it has been awarded a U.S. patent on its in-ceiling wireless access point design. Pakedge is the first company ever to be awarded a patent on an in-ceiling wireless access point (WAP), a device that expands the wireless connectivity of a home network, custom-installation audio/video system, security system or enterprise-class network. Mounting a wireless access point in a ceiling can provide significant benefits. Wireless range can be increased and transmission/reception reliability improved by mounting a wireless access point in a ceiling, because of reduced interference from building and construction materials. In addition, an in-ceiling wireless access point offers increased installation options and convenience.

Premier Mounts (www.mounts.com), a leading manufacturer of mounts and accessories, answers the high expectations set by the McCarran project management team to create the precision mounts for the largest panoramic videowall in a U.S. Airport. McCarran International Airport, known for “being first” in technology, received approval by the Clark County Board of Commissioners for its accord with Samsung. Premier Mounts is a key partner for the project, in which Samsung will provide 130 46-inch liquid crystal display screens, Las Vegas-based Vision Signs will design and install the structural framework, and Premier Mounts will supply the precision-engineered modular videowall mounts.

At $3200 a pair, the Klipsch RF-7 II floorstanding speakers might not be that expensive in the grand scheme of things but they are pricey. In this price range, you expect considerable performance. Technology-wise, the RF-7 II speakers look fairly impressive. We're sure that three of the Klipsch mantras of "high efficiency with low distortion" with "controlled directivity" and "wide dynamic range" will be realized. We'll have to wait on our measurements to see if "flat frequency response" is also achieved. Klipsch lovers are probably already lining up for the RF-7 IIs. They are a bit boxy looking and horn-loaded tweeters usually invoke a love/hate response. With the legions of Klipsch fans out there already, we're sure these will find a market. We're just not sure how they'll stack up against other speakers in the price range.

JBL has long been associated with both pro audio as well as solid home theater systems. Now, they are breaking into new ground with their Control 2.4G Wireless Surround Speakers that guarantee anyone can enjoy surround sound - even without wires... or at least without speaker wires... or at least without speaker wires going to your surround speakers from the front of the room... OK, it's a little complicated but it does offer some advantages over standard wired surrounds if you can facilitate everything that is needed.