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.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:25:00 -0000http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/science-loudspeakersThis article is an opinion piece on why you simply cannot declare Speaker XXX is better than Speaker YYY based on a few measurement graphs or claims from a manufacturer that their speakers are inherently the best because they use anechoic chambers and DBT protocols during their design and testing phases. We explore many of the misconceptions consumers often fall victim to when viewing loudspeaker measurements or falling too heavily into the DBT mantra. In a small market catering to audio enthusiasts, that seems to be continually shrinking, it’s not unreasonable as to why manufacturers often dress up marketing as science. It is important to recognize this and note how a loudspeaker plays into a room and how we ultimately perceive that experience is a far more complex topic than we can fully understand and neatly frame with a few measurements and listening tests (sighted or blind). Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:25:00 -0000/news/editorials/science-loudspeakersEditorialsNews & Opinionhttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/portables/marantz-tt42-preThe Marantz TT42 may be a very basic turntable, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good one. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the high-priced offerings, it also doesn't have the price tag. At $330, you can have a brand new, high-performance, turntable for exploring your old LPs and some of the new ones that are being released. It is a bit to expensive to be an impulse buy but, for those that are wondering what the fuss is all about, it could be the perfect solution. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:15:00 -0000/reviews/portables/marantz-tt42-prePortables & MediaPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/projectors/acer-h9500bd-3d-videoAudioholics has reviewed 3D projectors in the past, but this one is from Acer, a company well-known for their notebooks, netbooks and PCs... but they also have a line of excellent projectors. Well, excellent if you're really into black levels and have a budget of around $1500. But let's back up. We took on this review because Acer is a company we've had a lot of contact with in the past. Let's face it, they make some really excellent products in the PC world and they have a reputation for value. What we didn't know was how well the H9500BD would hold up to the rather wide playing field of competitive products - I mean, there are a lot of projectors in that price range.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:09:39 -0000/reviews/projectors/acer-h9500bd-3d-videoProjectorsPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/connecting-your-system/basic-home-theater-setup-guideSo, you bought a home theater system? Great! Watching a movie on a properly set up surround sound system, or listening to your music through a new set of speakers can be an amazing experience. But, the key to a great home theater isn't just spending a lot of money. Setting up the system correctly is just as important as what you buy. This guide, very simply, walks through the basics of speaker placement, bass management setup, how to hook everything up, and how to change a few settings to really make your system shine. Throughout this article are links to other more advanced articles that go into more depth on each topic.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0000/tweaks/connecting-your-system/basic-home-theater-setup-guideConnecting Your SystemTips & Trickshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/furniture/racks-stands/sanus-bfv157-preAt $330, the Sanus BFV157 isn't the a cheap piece of AV furniture but it does have a lot going for it. With an open design allowing for maximum flexibility in gear placement and size, the ability to hold up to a 60" display, and integrated storage, the BFV150 should appeal to the AV crowd. At the same time, the mid-century, minimalistic aesthetic is sure to win over many spouses. This is a win-win for the furniture company. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:05:00 -0000/reviews/furniture/racks-stands/sanus-bfv157-preRacks & StandsFurniturehttp://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/cables/netgears-home-theater-internet-connection-kitNetgear's Internet Adapter for Home Theater (XAVB5004) is a powerline solution much like the Belkin we reviewed last year except that it amps up the throughput to 500 Mbps and includes both a powerline 4-port router and a powerline AV500 "gigabit" adapter. The system is designed to deliver flawless HD video streaming and is capable of connecting up to four Internet-ready home theater devices, such as HDTVs, Blu-ray players, IPTVs, TV set-top boxes, media players or game consoles to the Internet - it's even 3D-capable. The kit includes one 1-port adapter to connect to the router and one 4-port adapter to connect to the TV and your various peripherals. The solution’s four ports are conveniently color coded for simple setup and the entire system is really plug-in ready from the minute you unbox it.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0000/reviews/cables/netgears-home-theater-internet-connection-kitCables & SwitchersPro Reviewshttp://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/buying-guides/product-awards-and-gift-guides/valentines-day-electronics-gift-guide-2012This Valentine's Day why not dazzle your loved one with a gift that will make her life easier? Or perhaps just give her a new convenience he or she never had before? or beautify the home theater room with a new accessory or connectivity device? There are numerous ways to send an electronics gift that will say "I love you" - and most of them cost far less than a diamond tennis bracelet or anniversary ring! (though we doubt this will have exactly the same level of impact on the female of the species...) Following are a few of our favorite recommendations that will impress, update, or even (heaven forbid) help your loved one feel the love - audioholics-style...Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0000/buying-guides/product-awards-and-gift-guides/valentines-day-electronics-gift-guide-2012Product Awards and Gift GuidesWhat to Buyhttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/processors/emotiva-xmc-1-preThe new Emotiva XMC-1 is, according to the company, the "first product in a new generation of high performance digital audio products". Emotiva has been promising a new processor for years, and this is their fulfillment of that promise. Frankly, with the level of technology we're seeing in the Emotiva XMC-1 Processor, we're surprised such a small company can put develop such a product. But such technology comes at a cost. The new XMC-1 doubles the price of the older, UMC-1 Processor (on sale for $500 from Emotiva). But to say the XMC-1 Processor is an "upgrade" from the UMC-1 is a huge understatement. With tons of improvements and a new TACT room correction system, anyone looking for a processor should take a look at the new Emotiva XMC-1. Emotiva is offering a 40% discount for current UMC-1 owners wanting to upgrade to this new baby. If that provide enough incentive to upgrade your system, we don't know what will.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:15:00 -0000/reviews/processors/emotiva-xmc-1-preA/V ProcessorsPro Reviewshttp://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/news/industry-news/dish-blockbusterDISH Network recently announced the expansion of family and kid's programming available through the company's Blockbuster @Home entertainment package. DISH will add more than 3,000 titles suitable for children ages three to 13 as part of its growing line-up of family entertainment, including programming from partners Vivendi Entertainment, Cookie Jar, Lions Gate Films and Scholastic Media. The way it works is that families that subscribe to the Blockbuster @Home package by DISH can now enjoy that content on-demand, including shows such as “Veggie Tales,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Goosebumps,” “Heathcliff,” “I Spy,” “Madeline,” “Strawberry Shortcake” and many more. Yes, we said it. "Strawberry Shortcake". There.Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:00:00 -0000/news/industry-news/dish-blockbusterIndustry NewsNews & Opinionhttp://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/svs-and-audioholics-team-up-to-bring-you-a-free-sub-maybeSV Sound is giving away either a PB12-NSD or a SB12-NSD (winner's choice) Subwoofer to one (1) lucky entrant in our forum contest! You've heard about them, you've read about them, you've probably drooled over them. Now it's time to take a stab at getting one for free! All you need do is answer a few questions in our forum contest thread and cross your fingers that your answer is the one randomly selected to win one of these great subs!Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:25:00 -0000/news/industry-news/svs-and-audioholics-team-up-to-bring-you-a-free-sub-maybeIndustry NewsNews & Opinionhttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/televisions/flat-panels/toshiba-revamps-led-tv-lineup-announces-4k-glasses-free-tvWhile the 55", 4k, glasses-free 3d, back lit LED display stole the show, Toshiba is looking to catch the attention of those without $10,000 burning a hole in their pocket with their new LED lineup. The edge lit displays should impress with their thin profile, the back lit LED with its deep blacks, and the new Aero Family aesthetics and Audyssey Sound Enhancement features should give consumers reason enough to give Toshiba another look. While none of the features of the LED line up are all that spectacular (120Hz, no 3d, etc.), if the prices are right, they may be big sellers. We'll have a wait a few months to find out.Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:45:00 -0000/reviews/televisions/flat-panels/toshiba-revamps-led-tv-lineup-announces-4k-glasses-free-tvFlat PanelsTelevisions & Displayshttp://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/why-we-measure-audioThis article explores the question why we measure audio component performance. We take you on a tour of the various A/V components we review, and how our measurements can and cannot be correlated audibly. After Audioholics covers a product and its readers weigh in with their opinions in our forums, you can rest assured the product performance is pretty well covered. You’ll know what to expect should you plan on buying it for your own usage. Nobody has all of the answers but collectively we can at least approach an educated assessment to help other Audioholics reach their goal of sonic nirvana while weeding out the average from exceptional performing audio equipment.Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:50:00 -0000/news/editorials/why-we-measure-audioEditorialsNews & Opinionhttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/projectors/projector-screens/elite-cinetension2-electricElite Screens has produced an almost innumerable variety of screens. In that way they have something for nearly any application you can imagine. But what's really amazing is that they typically price their products at a considerably higher value than some of the other major custom-installer-centric manufacturers. The CineTension2 Series is one of their more user-friendly models, appealing to both the professional user and the enthusiast. It's, as the name implies, a tab tensioned screen. That is to say that it has a tensioning system that pulls rigidly along the loops that come out from the sides of the 2" black surround material of the screen. This keeps the screen from curling up along the edges as well as from waving in the middle and makes for an extremely flat (and thus more enjoyable) viewing experience. When you're wanting to lose yourself in the movie experience, and a motorized solution is required, tab-tensioned screens are where it's at.Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:30:00 -0000/reviews/projectors/projector-screens/elite-cinetension2-electricProjector ScreensProjectorshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/projectors/benq-w7000-preThe BenQ W7000 sports a lot of the technology found in the bigger, more expensive BenQ projectors. But that doesn't mean it is cheap. With a MSRP of just under $4k, it could be a wallet-buster for an Audioholic on a budget. We've already seen the projector's street price $1500 less than that, so make sure you shop around. Incorporating many of the latest technologies, including DLP Link for syncing the active glasses, tons of features for making placement easy, REC 709 True Color, and ICFccc certification, the BenQ W7000 certainly looks to have a lot of features for the money. We'd love to see what this projector can do. We're betting it will be impressive.Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000/reviews/projectors/benq-w7000-preProjectorsPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/transports/audio-technica-at-lp1240-usb-preTurntables have transformed from pieces of audio gear to listening room bling. Luckily, some companies are still making turntables for those that actually use them. The Audio-Technica AT-LP1240-USB has just about everything you'd want in a turntable - integrated preamp, a high-torque multi-pole direct drive motor, a stroboscopic platter with a speed accuracy indicator, and much more. Plus, you can connect it to your computer and transform your vinyl into bits. Built with the DJ in mind, the Audio-Technica AT-LP1240-USB is so tough it may be the last turntable you buy...unless you win the lottery.Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:00:00 -0000/reviews/transports/audio-technica-at-lp1240-usb-preDVD/Blu-ray PlayersPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/transports/high-definition-dvd-players-hd-dvd-blu-ray/samsung-bd-e6500-preWhile we don't think the Samsung BD-E6500 will be the next Audiophile Blu-ray player, it very well may be our next Blu-ray player. The new Samsung includes dual HDMI inputs for connecting two different pieces of gear to it, and then running a single HDMI cable to your receiver/display. The BD-E6500 has Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming from DNLA devices and access to Samsung's Smart Hub. Most interestingly (though you may never use it), you can register (for a fee) your DVDs on UltraViolet from the player. The only thing we don't know about the player and the UltraViolet service? Price. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:30:00 -0000/reviews/transports/high-definition-dvd-players-hd-dvd-blu-ray/samsung-bd-e6500-preBlu-ray PlayersDVD/Blu-ray Playershttp://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/projectors/epson-home-cinema-5010-videoWe seem to be hitting a lot of projectors this year, but it's no surprise since most manufacturers are releasing new 3D models that can do justice to the newest 3D Blu-ray movies. The Home Cinema 5010 is Epson's 1080p 3D projector that targets the enthusiast... make that the premier enthusiast. The 5010 is the highest model in Epson's Home Cinema lineup and it's designed to produce the richest blacks, the highest contrast ratios and the most detailed picture possible. We utilize the company's 9700UB, which is the professional model of the 8700UB, which this projector replaces. The 5010 ups the output of its predecessor to 2400 lumens. Now while we don't typically need that much light in home theaters, in 3D mode you lose a significant amount of the brightness due to the way the glasses are constantly closing and opening over each eye. With 2400 lumens and custom calibration options for 3D, Epson takes care of that and lets you calibrate the set for optimal 3D performance.Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:45:00 -0000/reviews/projectors/epson-home-cinema-5010-videoProjectorsPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/dish-test-drive-free-tv-everywhereDISH Network wants everyone to check out their online streaming services. Today they introduced "DISH Test Drive". This program allows anyone in the US the ability to sample TV Everywhere technology from DISH and watch a selection of popular TV programming online or on mobile devices at no charge for 24 hours. DISH Test Drive begins Feb. 1, and TV viewers can visit www.dish.com/testdrive from a computer, tablet or smartphone and sign up. In a sense, DISH is restating its commitment to being the dominant online streaming service provider for satellite content, having been the first pay-TV provider to introduce TV Everywhere technology. TV Everywhere gave subscribers the ability to watch all of their live and recorded television programs on compatible smartphones, tablets and computers. DISH is now demonstrating to prospective customers how convenient and easy it is to watch TV while on the go. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:15:00 -0000/news/industry-news/dish-test-drive-free-tv-everywhereIndustry NewsNews & Opinionhttp://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/kopimism-piracy-religion-swedenWell, I suppose if the Scientologists could make a science fiction author their spiritual leader and be granted religious status in America, it wouldn't be long before others would go through the same hoops and form alternate (and equally bizarre) churches. According to... um, just about every tech news outlet on the Internet... a new "church" has finally succeeded in its efforts to be officially deemed a religion in Sweden of all places. Both an official press release and a news article on Torrent Freak are saying that a group started by philosophy student Isak Gerson has formed an officially sanctioned religion with one core belief: it's okay to copy information, in any form.Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:00:00 -0000/news/industry-news/kopimism-piracy-religion-swedenIndustry NewsNews & Opinionhttp://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/internet-victory-as-sopa-pipa-lose-steamThe SOPA and PIPA bills are withering away as Internet activism seems to have scored a victory. Several well-established corners of the Internet went dark Wednesday in protest of the anti-piracy bills facing the House of Representatives and Senate respectively. The bills would give content owners heavy-handed powers to shut down or block sites accused of copyright infringement without the benefit of legal discourse or due process. Even worse; the ability to block, shutdown or sue websites accused of piracy involves entertainment industry lawyers tinkering with domain registries, the very backbone of the Internet itself. In a nutshell: Politicians want to give lawyers the ability to tinker with the inner workings of the Internet! What could possibly go wrong?Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:30:00 -0000/news/editorials/internet-victory-as-sopa-pipa-lose-steamEditorialsNews & Opinionhttp://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/processors/mark-levinson-no.-52-preThe Mark Levinson No. 52 Reference Dual-Monaural Preamplifier has just about every available technology to ensure an uncorrupted sonic experience. This fully analogue preamp has separated the audio and control portions into two distinct chassis connected by two separate DC power cords and a dedicated control cable. While you won't find Internet streaming, iDevice support, or any feature released in the last five years, what you will find is a dedication to signal purity that boarders on the insane. The question is, are you willing to pay $25,000 for that level of insanity?Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:50:00 -0000/reviews/processors/mark-levinson-no.-52-preA/V ProcessorsPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/hulu-netflix-original-seriesHulu, the online streaming bastard-child of ABC, Fox and NBC is launching a salvo at competitor Netflix with the announcement of its own original scripted series. Netflix' highly anticipated new show Lilyhammer hits the stream early next month. Hulu CEO Jason Kilar says the company will pour about half a billion dollars into original TV shows in 2012. It's part of the rapidly growing company's new aggressive attitude, making a stand against its rival. Hulu has been quietly growing in the wake of recent Netflix difficulties and now proudly boasts one and a half million subscribers just a little over one year into its existence. Hulu's first scripted series, a political comedy, will go online next month just in time for the Republican primary.Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:55:00 -0000/news/industry-news/hulu-netflix-original-seriesIndustry NewsNews & Opinionhttp://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/receivers/sony-str-da3700es-videoToday we're looking at the new Sony STR-DA3700ES Receiver. We're actually pretty excited about this one because we got to see it up close and personal at this year's CEDIA event in Indianapolis. What's the big deal? Well, Sony has completely redesigned the GUI on-screen display and setup system. They haven't just redesigned the setup menu, they've took an axe to the whole way you connect and engage music, video and streaming media. In all honesty, we had to restrain ourselves from lifting up the receiver to look for an Apple logo. Sony is back in the game, except that they never really left, they just haven't been pushing the envelop over the past several years. Now other manufacturers are going to have to sit up and take notice.Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:50:00 -0000/reviews/receivers/sony-str-da3700es-videoA/V ReceiversPro Reviewshttp://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/subwoofer-measurement-dataBy now you’ve seen the numerous subwoofer reviews we’ve published using our new Powered Subwoofer Test and Room Size Rating protocol. Audioholics.com has invested a great deal of resources measuring and analyzing subwoofers over the last few years. As a result we have created the industry’s most comprehensive testing procedure and database of tabulated measurement results. Our tests adhere to our strict testing methodology which is also compliant to the CEA-2010 Subwoofer Measurement Standard whenever practical. In this article, we will take you on a tour of our Excel Spreadsheet measurement results called “Audioholics CEA-2010 Subwoofer Measurement Data”. It is our hope that the reader can achieve a better understanding of what all the data means for a more informed purchasing decision by making objective apples-apples comparisons between various tested products. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:25:00 -0000/education/loudspeaker-basics/subwoofer-measurement-dataLoudspeaker BasicsAV Universityhttp://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/transports/high-definition-dvd-players-hd-dvd-blu-ray/panasonic-32bit-3d-bdPanasonic put out six (6) new Blu-ray players at this year's CES 2012. They include four 3D models (DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320, DMP-BDT220) and and two networking 2D models (the DMP-BD87 and the DMP-BD77). All four of the 3D models include Panasonic’s proprietary IPTV platform, VIERA Connect, while the 2D models feature IP VOD, a service that is different, but still offers a limited, though targeted, selection of such sites as Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and YouTube. What got us, though was the fact that three of these players feature 192kHz/32bit Audio DACs (not available on the DMP-BBT01). On top of that, the BDT500 includes high grade audio parts – gold plated terminals, high grade electric capacitor, better insulators... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:24:48 -0000/reviews/transports/high-definition-dvd-players-hd-dvd-blu-ray/panasonic-32bit-3d-bdBlu-ray PlayersDVD/Blu-ray Playershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/televisions/flat-panels/lg-google-tv-smartLG finally jumped into the Google TV bandwagon at CES 2012, bringing the familiarity of Google's Android OS to the convenience and tiled interface of its 3D and Smart TVs. Together, the combination offers consumers a new and attractive home entertainment option, not to mention a ton of streaming media and online content options. Possibly the nicest aspect of LG's implementation of Google TV is the mixing of its Android-based user interface with the Magic Remote Qwerty. LG's Google TV user interface and main screen have been designed for convenient browsing and content selection and the latest iteration allows for multitasking, so search, social networking and TV functions can be run simultaneously. The user interface can be directly accessed using the Magic Remote Qwerty which, as the name implies, combines the user-friendly benefits of LG’s Magic Remote with a QWERTY keyboard.Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:46:06 -0000/reviews/televisions/flat-panels/lg-google-tv-smartFlat PanelsTelevisions & Displayshttp://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 & OutdoorSpeakers