http://www.audioholics.comWhere audio and video equipment undergoes rigorous objective and subjective tests by our staff, ensuring that marketing slogans aren't the only guidelines for your home theater choices.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:00:00 -0000http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/architectural/paradigm-designer-series-preThose of us that have not only a need for in-ceiling speakers, but a desire for something that has been designed to sound as good as possible, the new Designer Series In-Ceiling speakers from Paradigm are enticing. Looking at the improvements they've made in the different lines, it is clear that they are thinking about the specific use of the speaker (from the improved output and clarity of the top of the line Guided Soundfield Models to the improved performance and longevity under any condition of the Marine Models). Add to that the overall improvement of the Designer's Series ability to go unnoticed with their smaller bezel and Paradigm is really trying to give you what you want.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/architectural/paradigm-designer-series-preArchitectural & OutdoorSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/headphones/thinksound-ms01-earphones-videoYou know what's fun? Going to an intimate live outdoor concert and then listening to the live CD afterwards. It was fresh in my mind - and putting on the ms01's I was quickly impressed by how accurately the sound closely resembled what I had heard. This was especially made possible since the artist, Tom Conlon, uses the same RE20 mic for recording as well as his live performances. The ms01's were voiced by Aaron Fournier, who is the CEO of thinksound, but also an audio engineer. And he involved several Grammy winning musicians and producers in the process, which is pretty cool. The goal was to design a truly full-range studio in-ear monitor. After listening to a variety of music, we'd have to say they really pulled it off, and without the hassle of some of the more finicky in-ear phones that require precised placement. The ms01's were easy to throw in and you immediately got crisp clear highs and percussive bass that felt, at times, as if I had a tiny kick drum in my ears.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:45:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/headphones/thinksound-ms01-earphones-videoHeadphonesSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pb12-nsdSVS has long been known for high performance subwoofers and the PB12-NSD while the most cost effective vented subwoofer in the current line up, still musters up a hefty amount of room filling bass. (Also offered is the PC12-NSD cylinder version which is said to have nearly identical performance.) Tipping the scales at 66lbs the heart of the PB12-NSD is a quality 12" long throw, aluminum cone driver vented through a 4" diameter flared port, all housed in a large, well braced, black vinyl wrapped enclosure, which happens to be the only finish option available. The brains of the operation come from a 400 watt version of SVS's Sledge amplifier platform. This combination available shipped to your home for $769, provides extension with authority to 20Hz and perhaps a bit lower in some rooms. Build, performance and parts quality for this price range were all found to be exceptional. While the PB12-NSD is short on finish options and may not have some of the extra bells and whistles offered by other subwoofers on the market, what it does do very well is the task of producing accurate and powerful bass with depth and finese that most other subs in this price range cannot match, as evidenced by the PB12-NSD achieving the Audioholics Large Room rating. At the end of the day that is what a subwoofer is supposed to do and the PB12-NSD does not disappoint. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pb12-nsdSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/axiom-audio-vp160Axiom Audio has added another center channel to round out its comprehensive center lineup. The VP160 (MSRP $570 shipped) is based on the well established W(T/M)W arrangement of drivers which is done to improve off-axis response compared to conventional horizontally mounted MTM designs. We like the direction Axiom Audio is taking with this new center channel. They built the product on a well established design principle to ensure good on and off-axis performance while also designing it to be a tonal match to their M60v3 floorstanding speakers. The VP160 is front ported and includes gel like rounded feet to help decouple it from panel resonances if placed inside an entertainment center. Initial feedback from forum users on the Axiom website and our forums indicate the VP160 is off to a successful start. Many users have made the upgrade from the VP150 claiming MUCH better vocal intelligibility on and off axis.Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:15:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/axiom-audio-vp160BookshelfSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/pioneer-steez-prePioneer is betting that "serious" dancers won't be able to live without one of their new STEEZ portable music players. Equipped with dance-specific features like tempo control, 8-Beat skip control, manual cue setting, and an auto Dance Battle mode, what "serious" dancer could live without a STEEZ? Powered by either the mains or batteries, you can Bring It wherever you want, even to Beat Street. Now, you don't have to set a time and date for a dance-off; with STEEZ, you can get your groove on wherever you want. We just want you do to it a little farther from our lawn. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/pioneer-steez-preLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/jbl-synthesis-s4700-preWe've heard the JBL Synthesis Project Everest speakers in person and they certainly are impressive. If the JBL Synthesis S4700 speakers sound anywhere near as good, consumers may look at that $20k price tag as a value considering they are getting some measure of the performance of the other two, higher priced, speakers. Releasing more budget (comparatively speaking) speakers makes a lot of sense in the current economy. We expect a lot of interest in these speakers and hope to get a chance to demo them ourselves soon.Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/jbl-synthesis-s4700-preFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/procella-audio-p860-preWe may never be able to afford a pair (much less full set) of Procella Audio P860 Biamplified Full-Range Extremely High-Output Reference Speakers. But that's okay. In the world of expensive audio, we often encounter companies that are talking up their heritage and custom finishes rather than what their speakers can do. Not Procella Audio. With extension down to 40Hz, output high enough to fill a mid-sized commercial cinema, and included amps, there isn't a lot to complain about (other than their looks). If you have a HUGE theater and a pile of cash to burn, Procella Audio should be on your short list.Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/procella-audio-p860-preFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/headphones/audio-technica-ath-w3000anv-preOf course, the thing that caught your attention was the "wooden" part of the title. We were hoping for petrified-wood cone drivers but alas, it is only the outer coverings. For the ATH-W3000ANV, Audio-Technica has decided that their commemorative 50th anniversary logo could only placed on strikingly beautiful, traditional Japanese Echizen lacquer-finished Hokkaido Asada cherry heartwood. The Audio-Technica ATH-W3000ANV employ large 53 mm aperture drivers featuring specially built 2-part magnetic circuits that produce high speed magnetic streams plus "numerous additional refinements" which were not specified.Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/headphones/audio-technica-ath-w3000anv-preHeadphonesSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/aperion-intimus-4t-videoI'm 6' 5". So, I'm just not sure I'm the right guy to be photographed with these speakers. You see, this is the Aperion Audio Intimus 4T Speaker System. And while Aperion makes lots of, shall we say, "normal" sized speakers, the 4T system, is really designed for the person looking to get that great Aperion Audio sound, but with a much smaller footprint and a lower price point. You can, for example, get this entire 5.1 system, with the 4T towers, 4B bookshelf speakers, 4C center channel and Bravus IIA 8D subwoofer, for just $1,350. Shipped. That's not bad, and this is the kind of system that sounds much bigger than it is. And really... it better. It's perfect for those looking to place speakers in a way that doesn't take over a room. And, yes, I suppose they'd be great for short people... What?Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:35:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/aperion-intimus-4t-videoFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/revel-performa3-preIt's all fine and good to read about speakers that cost more than your car but it is nice to remind yourself that there are quality speaker offerings well within your budget. Harman's Revel brand is looking to do just that with their new Performa3 line. This new line of speakers has a large range of offerings at different price points for the Audioholic that is looking to step up in performance and looks from their initial, budget system. They really seem to be aiming for the consumer that is ready to get serious about their home theater and, we think, they've hit the nail on the head.Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:45:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/revel-performa3-preFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/goldenear-triton-threeA little over a year ago the GoldenEar company was launched with the debut of their Triton Two tower speakers. These tall but slim speakers garnered a lot of industry attention and press. The question that was in everyone's mind at the time was "could Sandy Gross (Formerly of Definitive Technology) launch another successful speaker company?" He gambled on yes and so far it appears to be paying off. The new Triton Three Tower speaker system is said to have most of the performance virtues of the Triton Two but in a smaller more affordable package. You still get the internal powered subwoofers and acclaimed driver technology from its bigger sibling. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/goldenear-triton-threeFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/paradigm-shift-earbud-preGiven the wide variety of offerings on the market, we might have expected Paradigm to lean on their name and fans to sell much higher priced offerings. Even at double the price, we could see the Paradigm SHIFT earbuds selling. At these price points, and with this level of performance, the Paradigm SHIFT earbuds are sure to be a hit. If you are looking for a pair of earbuds, you'd be crazy not to put these on your short list. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:15:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/paradigm-shift-earbud-preLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/mcintosh-xr-series-loudspeakers-previewWhile the specifics of the XR speaker line are lacking, the core of the message is clear: McIntosh is trying to get into more living rooms and home theaters. They had a strong loudspeaker heritage back in the day and it looks like they are trying to reclaim it. While $16,500 might seem like a lot for a 5.0 system, in the world of high end audio, that is less than the price of some power cables. With the McIntosh name behind the XR line, we're expecting these to do well for the company. In the current economic climate, more affordable options are always popular and we think this is a good, strategic move for McIntosh. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:40:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/mcintosh-xr-series-loudspeakers-previewFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/architectural/niles-cm4pr-compact-ceilingWe reviewed hands-on the new CM Series Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers from Niles and found them to be excellent - both in quality and ease-of-installation. Rather than simply update over time, Niles continues to innovate, and their latest model was revealed this week at the Hilton. It's the compact CM4PR. The CM4PR is the company’s first-ever compact ceiling mount loudspeaker and it comes with only a four-inch footprint. It's Niles' first small, designer-friendly loudspeaker to deliver its signature audiophile grade performance while being able to locate itself in aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive areas. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:22:49 -0000/reviews/speakers/architectural/niles-cm4pr-compact-ceilingArchitectural & OutdoorSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/headphones/klipsch-sues-china-manufacturers-over-counterfeit-headphonesKlipsch Group, Inc. (KGI), the parent company behind Klipsch, Energy, Mirage and Jamo declared war today, in the form of legal action, against 23 Chinese manufacturers selling counterfeit Klipsch Image S4 and Klipsch Image S4i headphones under the Klipsch brand name. On December 16, 2011, the company received an order from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York allowing the suspension of service to domains and sellers on trade boards selling counterfeit Klipsch headphones. In addition, the order allows for restraint on funds in the payment processing and bank accounts of those selling the counterfeit products. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:47:55 -0000/reviews/speakers/headphones/klipsch-sues-china-manufacturers-over-counterfeit-headphonesHeadphonesSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/status-acoustics-8tGot $50k to splurge on a new sports car? Status Acoustics is hoping you'd spend it on loudspeakers instead. The new speaker is named the Status 8T and it is Status Acoustics most radical design yet, incorporating a two-piece design that places the midrange and treble cabinet floating above the bass cabinet. With the 8T, function follows form. One of the design goals was to minimize cabinet resonances that color sound. With the 8T’s two-cabinet design, the low and mid frequency enclosures are effectively isolated from each other, nearly eliminating cabinet resonance in the speaker system. The three 10" high excursion aluminum cone bass drivers combined with the four 6.5" Beryllium cone mid woofers and 1" Beryllium dome tweeter ensures this speaker system will play true full-range sound effortlessly at any playback level. Standing at nearly 6ft tall and tipping the scale at over 300lbs, we have little reason to doubt its output capabilities. We look forward to taking these beauties for a test drive to see if they truly deliver Ferrari like performance at Corvette pricing.Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/status-acoustics-8tFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/headphones/moshi-clarus-earphones-videoMoshi Audio's Clarus earphones were rather different than anything we'd seen before, even the company's other products, like their Moonrock and Vortex earphones. Even the packaging is premium. If you ask us, packaging doesn't matter - I'm not going to "listen" to the box. But it does speak, hopefully, to the attention to detail Moshi puts into its products. Even the included leathery case has a hard foam liner and integrated rubber cord wrap - of course, if it would just fit in my pocket it'd be perfect. You gotta wonder, though, if they take that much time on the box, what are they putting into the headphone tech?Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:25:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/headphones/moshi-clarus-earphones-videoHeadphonesSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/boston-soundware-xs-digital-cinemaWe're not going to write much about this because we already reviewed the Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 Speakers system. This system is designed by Boston Acoustics to be a simplistic "right out of the box" solution for surround sound. The 100-watt SoundWare XS Digital Cinema Surround Sound Speaker system delivers the same elegant, ultra-compact system we looked at earlier, but it also introduces some improved connectivity, with on-board decoding and the ability to handle various audio input sources. Inputs now include optical digital and analog Inputs and the SoundWare XS Digital Cinema System now allows for Dolby Digital decoding as well as Boston’s Digitally Optimized (discrete) Virtual Surround processing. The system is also Bluetooth enabled for music streaming and the remote can learn other commands to be more useful in your home theater. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:20:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/satellite/boston-soundware-xs-digital-cinemaSatellite and Sound BarsSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/headphones/velodyne-vpulse-in-ear-headphonesVelodyne is breaking out of its shell, mold - whatever you want to call it. First they dropped the bomb that they'd begin selling products online and now they've come out with a whole new line of products - in-ear headphones! The newest product is being branded as vPulse and is available for $89 in either Classic Black or Velodyne Electric Blue. According to Velodyne, vPulse is only the first product in a new line of high performance headphones and it's debut is here at the 2012 CES. The whole point behind vPulse in-ear headphones is that they bring Velodyne’s legendary bass performance right to the listener’s ear thanks to the aluminum driver housing and 10 mm driver, which combine to produce precise, low-distortion bass.Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/headphones/velodyne-vpulse-in-ear-headphonesHeadphonesSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/samsung-ht-e5500W-blu-ray-3dCentral Hall is alive as Samsung updates its revised line of home theater systems, including 5.1 Channel Wireless 3D Blu-ray Home Theater System, model HT-E5500W. This system lacks the tower speakers or vacuum tube tech of the higher-priced Samsung HT-E6730W, but its strengths lie in the Crystal Amp Plus technology, which offers pure digital audio playback and quality while also managing and smoothing out volume jumps. And Samsung didn't skimp in the video either. Both the HT-E6730W and HT-E5500W Home Theater Systems offer built-in WiFi for easy access to a new world of web-connected entertainment via a full web browser, as well as hundreds of premium apps from leading brands such as AOL, CNBC, ESPN, MTV, NBA and The Broadway Channel through Samsung Apps. Users can also choose and manage their social networks via popular services such as Facebook or Twitter.Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/satellite/samsung-ht-e5500W-blu-ray-3dSatellite and Sound BarsSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/samsung-hw-e550-soundbarSound bars are nothing new, but Samsung is attempting to multi-purpose its new HW-E550 by giving it greater flexibility of placement. The new HW-E550 Surround Sound Bar with 3D Depth Sound can either be placed horizontally below a TV or split into two sound vertical soundbar speakers. That is way cool and extremely versatile in a way that we hadn't seen before. Additionally, by attaching each speaker to an included base, the soundbar can also morph into a traditional looking 2.1-channel system with half-tall speakers. The HW-E550 has two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output so users can easily connect to Blu-ray players, set-top boxes and gaming consoles. And, support for HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) means that you can use all of the inputs of your TV and feed the sources back to your soundbar using that method.Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/satellite/samsung-hw-e550-soundbarSatellite and Sound BarsSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/samsung-ht-e6730w-blu-ray-3dCentral Hall is alive as Samsung debuts a new range of home theater systems and the first of those was their 7.1 Channel Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System, model HT-E6730W. This is the first home theater system to feature Samsung's proprietary vacuum tube amplifier technology. Basically, the system incorporates both vacuum tubes and a digital amplifier into one unit. Vacuum tubes are not new to audio - in fact they are extremely old, but there have been many discussions among audio enthusiasts over the benefits of digital and vacuum tube amplifiers. Many appreciated the pure sound that digital amplifiers deliver even in a small form factor, but felt that vacuum tube amplifiers create a richer and fuller sound. We think they help energy efficiency since they both product warm audio AND warm air to help heat your home during the winter. Go Green!Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:25:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/satellite/samsung-ht-e6730w-blu-ray-3dSatellite and Sound BarsSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/lansche-model-no-7-coronaAaudio Imports introduced the new $100,000 per pair Model No. 7 Tower Speakers at CES. These are 3-Way speakers by Lansche Audio, a German company and they feature the Corona Plasma Tweeter - which looks like the focal point of the HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Oddyssey fame. In addition to the Corona tweeter, the new No. 7 tower speakers feature a new aluminum front baffle, integrated adjustable footers for perfect leveling, and bi-wiring terminals. Everything is housed in a pair of gigantic hand-crafted cabinets which measure a full 69" high x 17" wide x 24" deep. That's a pair of cabinets that are nearly 7 feet tall!Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:24:42 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/lansche-model-no-7-coronaFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/bmc-audio-arcadiaHow would you spend $39,000? Aaudio Imports is hoping you'll pick up a pair of its new Arcadia full-range bi-polar loudspeaker by B.M.C. Audio of Germany. These speakers are cranking up at the Venetian and the Arcadia represents the first entry in a brand new product category for the Germany-based electronics manufacturer and the first model in an anticipated series of three new speakers. BMC claims that the Arcadia is hand-made with custom-designed parts rather than off-the-shelf solutions. It features a bi-polar balanced configuration and unconventional ceramic-composite cabinet to custom-made drivers, an external crossover, and an impressive 28 jacks. The connection package includes separate terminals for an amplifier, the woofers and midrange drivers, the Air-Motion tweeters, and the crossover box. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:20:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/bmc-audio-arcadiaFloorstandingSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/monoprice-speakers-subwoofer-videoFirst of all, we really don't like TV speakers. They just don't sound good. They're designed as a necessary evil and most of the time they are firing off the back of the set into the wall and bouncing back to you with, hopefully, some kind of intelligibility left intact. So there's a compelling reason why you'd want to add a sound bar or a 5.1 system where you can offload your audio into a different set of speakers that's I dunno - maybe at least POINTING at you? MonoPrice's 5.1 Channel Home Theater Satellite Speakers & Subwoofer is a starting point, nothing more. That's right, we're not going to wax eloquent about the incredible quality of the drivers or the deep authoritative bass response. BUT... BUT... it's a better experience and sound than any TV speaker I've yet heard.Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/satellite/monoprice-speakers-subwoofer-videoSatellite and Sound BarsSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5-videoThe last time we touched an AudioEngine A5 speaker was back in 2006. Now 5-1/2 years ago we felt that the A5's had, and I quote "superb build quality, finish, and high-end sound quality". Well, a couple things are different - but mostly not much has changed. First of all, if you loved the AudioEngine A5 speakers, you can still get them - in fact, they're $50 less then they were when we reviewed them. The A5+ speakers, however are more or less a model that is designed for multimedia or active monitor use. They lack the odd top USB charger of the A5, instead moving it to the back. They also dropped the auxiliary power outlet, which was perfect for the popular Apple Airport adapter. What they added was a pair of RCA inputs - and they made the RCA outputs variable - so you can connect them up to a subwoofer and get extension well below 50Hz, which is about what you can expect from the A5+ speakers on their own. For multimedia speakers, the extension of the AudioEngine A5+'s is going to give you some excellent real-world low end not found on most other 2.0 systems. But like we said - add their S8 sub or a similar model and it gets even better.Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:02:59 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5-videoLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/niles-sw6.5-sw8Niles has made a lot of custom installation products, many of which we have found to be very reliable and above-average, like their CM-Series In-ceiling speakers. This week, the company expanded its line of powerful high-fidelity subwoofers in the form of two new stylish compact subwoofers engineered with designers in mind, the SW6.5 and the SW8. The new subs are designed for a stylish look that can be more or less concealed in the room. This makes sense from a company that has done so well to create great-sounding products that blend into walls and ceilings. Mike Detmer, President of Niles is going out on a limb, saying their new SW6.5 and SW8 subwoofers "outperform their larger rivals and offer superior sound quality and design for all residential and light commercial installations.” That's a bold claim and we'll look forward to seeing how well the company can live up to its own hype.Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:25:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/niles-sw6.5-sw8SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-eq-max-15-videoI've had a lifelong struggle with subwoofers. Sometimes I've been impressed with smaller subs that perform well for their size. And certainly I can appreciate a small sub that plays low. But... if you really want the most performance you're going to need a big sub... or two or three. Today, we're looking at one of Velodyne's newest subs - the EQ-Max 15 - and it's big. As the name suggests, it's a 15-inch subwoofer that, while larger than most of the products you'll find that try and cater to the "less-is-more" crowd, this sub actually puts it all out there, unashamed. Kinda like Lady Gaga... except... square... Anyway, the driver is a 15-incher - and what makes that a big deal is that, other than Velodyne's Digital Drive series, this is the only other 15-inch sub they make.Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:10:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-eq-max-15-videoSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/digital-drive-plus-18Velodyne's Digital Drive series is legendary for its technologically advanced sealed designs, active servo control and high fidelity, low distortion output. If the DD18+ is any indication Velodyne has significantly raised the bar with the new "Plus" series over the previous Digital Drive subwoofers. Greatly increased output headroom, better cosmetics and fit and finish being a few major areas impacted. Velodyne has also packed an extreme amount of hardware into the unit with on board EQ, remote control and more connection possibilities that seen on most any other subwoofer. The DD18+ achieved our Audioholics “Extreme Room” rating and is the first sealed subwoofer to do so. It was also the recipient of our 2011 Subwoofer Product of the Year Award. This new found sense of might comes at no cost to fidelity as the DD18+ exhibited the excellent sonic reproduction typical of Velodyne's sealed servo subwoofers and was utterly unflappable no matter what was asked of it. The new curved side panel cabinet design is more robust and the review unit looked absolutely fabulous in the gloss black finish. All of this technology, attention to detail and overall high quality does of course carry a very hefty sticker with it. $4,999 msrp is a lot of money but if it is within your budget you can be assured that you are buying one of the finest subwoofer systems available. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/digital-drive-plus-18SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/trends-audio-sa-10-preGiven the price, the Trends Audio SA-10 may be a very interesting speaker. Trends is obviously a small company trying to break into audio world and their speaker aesthetics and website design display how bootstrapped they are. But that doesn't mean their speaker won't sound good. We are definitely intrigued by the apparent technology they claim to use in their speaker though we are guessing it will be best utilized in a near-field application like an office. Paired with one of their inexpensive hybrid tube amps, however, you might be looking at an affordable step into high end audio.Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:40:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/trends-audio-sa-10-preBookshelfSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/x-ref-12The X-Ref 12 is representative of the next evolution in Emotiva's powered subwoofer line and comes equipped with many upscale features such as built in DSP that is controlled via a top mounted LCD screen with a rotary push button knob, balanced XLR connection, and two fully adjustable bands of parametric EQ to address room response issues or adjust to suit listener tastes. The X-Ref 12 has a solidly built, well finished sealed enclosure with a hand rubbed lacquer finish. The 12" driver is a robust piece with a 3" voice coil and double stacked magnets which is controlled by the 600 watt highly efficient amplifier. Being a sealed subwoofer with a very small form factor the X-Ref 12 does not have subterranean deep bass extension or herculean output capabilities, so it should perform better in smaller spaces. But, it operates with rock steady reliability and always sounds clean and composed while doing so. Considering the bargain cost of only $599 shipped to your door for a subwoofer that does all of the above and the generous 5 year warranty, the X-Ref 12 offers a lot of bang for your hard earned buck. Sun, 04 Dec 2011 06:35:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/x-ref-12SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/klipsch-sw-115-preIf Klipsch's thought was to design and sell a sub that could take on the Internet Direct brands head to head, they've succeeded. While a 2 foot by 2 foot by 20" tall sub wrapped in vinyl might be a tough sell for the ladies, bassheads are going to flip for it. At $850 MSRP (and certainly destined to go on sale at some point), it is a lot of sub for a little money. Bragging a 15" driver, front firing slot port, a 400 watt amp, and a -3dB point at 18Hz, the new Klipsch SW-115 is ready to play. And it plays for keeps. Based on their published spec, we are making an educated guess this sub will earn our "Large Room" Bassaholic rating but we will of course reserve final judgement once we get our hands on a review unit to test.Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/klipsch-sw-115-preSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sv-sound-pb-12nsd-previewThe new SVS PB-12NSD subwoofer features a custom designed 12" aluminum cone driver with a 4" flared port and 400 watt continuous rated power amplifier. It maintains a relatively compact form factor (at least as far as big box subwoofers go) with true 20Hz extension. Utilizing a high quality drive unit with a meaty amplifier in an inert and soundly engineered enclosure, the PB-12NSD offers a level of performance not typically found at this price point. This preview article gives a glimpse of the PB-12NSD performance capabilities with real CEA 2010 measurement data. We look forward to conducting a formal review of what we feel will be the subwoofer to beat in the under $1k price category. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:50:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sv-sound-pb-12nsd-previewSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/velodyne-vpulse-preThe Velodyne vPulse In-Ear Headphones look to be a pretty interesting offering from the, traditionally, subwoofer company. With built-in iDevice and Android functionality, you won't have to remove them to answer your calls. Since they are so new, you can only pre-order them from the Velodyne website. But you will save $10 over the $89 asking price. Frankly, for less than $90, many headphone aficionados would consider these an impulse buy. We're going to have to reserve our final judgement until we can get a pair in our hands... or ears, rather.Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:10:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/velodyne-vpulse-preLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/xtrememac-tango-bar-preWhile marketed for Apple products, the XtremeMac Tango Bar will work just fine with your PC. Powered and fed by USB, the sound bar features stereo channels and dual passive radiators. The key here, of course, is price. For a buck less than a C-note, the XtremeMac Tango Bar is pretty much an impulse buy for those purchasing a new computer from the Apple Store. While they haven't published any sort of performance data, the passive radiators alone guarantee that consumers are going to be impressed with the sound. With an additional input for your non-iDevice MP3 player, and headphone and subwoofer outputs, the XtremeMac Tango Bar, at the very least, is giving users options. Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/xtrememac-tango-bar-preLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/wharfedale-dx-1-preFor a Home Theater in a Box, $800 for the Wharfedale DX-1 is somewhere near the upper-mid of the price range. This is targeted for the consumer that isn't afraid to pay a bit of money for decent speakers but is afraid of introducing large speakers into their space. The wall mounting for the satellites is convenient. The center channel has to be shelf mounted so CRT folks will take note that the center channel offers no magnetic shielding. The satellite speakers are rather bass deficient so a higher crossover setting in your receivers bass management system of about 100Hz is recommended to compensate. As a result greater care may be needed for placement of the sub to help it blend into the system better. For those wanting a HTIB solution alternative to lousy cubed speakers at an affordable price, the Wharfedale DX-1 certainly fits the bill for well under $1k. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:45:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/satellite/wharfedale-dx-1-preSatellite and Sound BarsSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/onkyo-cs-345-preAt $300, the Onkyo CS-345 looks to be well priced and featured for the market. The integrated iPod/iPhone dock will appeal to many and the stereo input will appease the rest. Video output from your docked iDevice is a nice feature for students looking for an easy way to get new content in their dorms. The subwoofer output shows how Onkyo understands that this type of customer is likely to be looking for additional bass before they need additional inputs. The CS-345 may be limited, but it has just about everything a college dorm, bedroom, or office needs. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/onkyo-cs-345-preLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/nad-viso-1-preThe NAD VISO 1 has a lot of technology that lovers of NAD will absolutely care about. The high end DACs and proprietary amplifiers are sure to impress even neophytes. But where the VISO 1 falls flat is in overall connectivity and functionality. Sure, top-of-line Bluetooth and a direct digital connection to your iDevice is impressive, as is a component video output, but, with only a single additional connection, we're left wanting. For the $700 price tag, we would like to see, at the very least, some sort of wireless connectivity to the Internet for streaming content from connected computers or online services. We're hoping that the other entries into the VISO line from NAD feature a few more...well...features.Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/nad-viso-1-preLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/energy-power-em-2.1-preThe Energy Power EM-2.1 Multimedia Speaker System is going to sell on two features - the name and the price. At $99.99, the name of Energy behind the Power EM-2.1 is going to push this speaker system into the black. Simply because they are priced low enough that most of the rest of the competition is some no-name brand. Honestly, if we only had a C-note to spend, we'd take a hard look at these as well. At least we think they will listen to them before shipping while those no-name brands most likely just have the cheapest drivers shoved inside the cheapest enclosure with no thought at all to sound quality.Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/energy-power-em-2.1-preLifestyle, Desktop and PortableSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/lfm-1-ex-reviewThe Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX is a moderately large 12” ported powered subwoofer with a built in 350 watt rated amplifier. Based on our extensive testing, the LFM-1 EX proved to be an overachiever at its mere $650 price tag. We did find the sub to be slightly mistuned but keeping both ports open produced the best overall sound and measured results. Two ports open also allowed us to achieve its most dynamic output while minimizing port chuffing. The fit and finish was good, though the product wasn’t quite as buttoned up as some of the multi thousand dollar units we’ve tested. The Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX receives the Audioholics “Bassoholic Large Room” rating, which means that this sub is recommended as maintaining adequate headroom in rooms or spaces of 3,000 to 5,000 cubic feet and/or for users who usually listen at moderate to high volume levels. The LFM-1 EX does a lot right and makes no major mistakes all while providing huge bang for the buck value and meaningful 20Hz extension. Outlaw has knocked this one out of the park as far as I’m concerned. Budget conscious sub shoppers looking to fill a large space take note.Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/lfm-1-ex-reviewSubwoofersSpeakers