Recent Home Theater Editorials

Netflix has launched a “high-quality audio” feature that promises studio-quality sound for 5.1-channel and Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Netflix is now streaming audio at much higher bit rates in order to deliver sound that is indistinguishable from the original master, according to the company. When bandwidth is limited, the audio quality is automatically downgraded to prevent playback interruptions. Read on to learn more.

Netflix is feeling the summer heat! Three of the most high-powered entertainment conglomerates are moving into streaming, and removing some of the most popular shows from your Netflix queue. Add some bad financial news, limp international subscribers and a falling US subscriber-base, Netflix is just not having a good summer. But don't count everyone's favorite streaming app out just yet, they've been preparing for this for years. Let's take a closer look at how Netflix plans not only to survive, but to maximize its competitive advantages and thrive in a new era for streaming video on-demand.

The China-US trade dispute has spilled over into consumer electronics in a big way, and it’s changing the competitive landscape for cell-phones. After months of problems for Huawei, including the loss of its Android operating system, the company has deployed a sweeping "Plan B". Consumers worldwide may be better off for it. Was Trump right?

The social commentary in much of today's TV and film has become too obvious and predictable, its superficial depictions of stereotypes play out like parodies. The latest example of this debauchery can be seen in the new Batwoman trailer on Youtube that received a 5:1 thumbs down to up ratio. Role reversals of 1950s-style prejudices, while exploiting politically-charged identity issues, is the opposite of progress. Instead of woke, Hollywood is putting us back to sleep.

Control4 has just updated their operating system in a big way. The goal was twofold; personalization and ease of operation for the end user. This is the 3rd generation of their OS hence the name OS 3 and we got a chance to beta test it. In this editorial we take a closer look at the Control4 OS 3 and how it has impacted the operation of their system integrated into the Audioholics Showcase Home. See what's new from Control4 and how home automation just got a lot neater.

This is the final installment in our ongoing look at the upcoming 5G revolution. We'll look at how our lack of privacy online began in the early days of Google and how it's used to manipulate us with the promise of personalization through behavioral data collection. We each get a unique Internet experience through search and social media, designed to shock as with a skewed version of reality based on our own biases to keep us angry, and engaging with ads. The result is tearing democracy apart with online outrage. But all is not lost, with an election year coming, we already see momentum behind meaningful online privacy regulations that could nip this problem in the bud, before the 5G Internet of Things technologies brings the relentless online spying to the world outside.

Anthem Electronics just made a good thing better with the launch of ARC Genesis™, the third generation of their critically-acclaimed Anthem Room Correction (ARC®) software. Pputs the sophistication and power of an advanced audio lab in your hands so that you can achieve "perfect sound" at home is what Anthem claims. But what updates do they bring to the table with their latest "Genesis" edition? Read on to find out.

Part two of our 5G Wireless Apocalypse series. 5G will bring us the smart IoT (Internet of things) technology of the future. The first fully-formed smart city, built from the Internet up, will be in Toronto, Canada. It promises to be a marvel of technology, but a disaster for your personal privacy. What can we expect when the city itself is spying on you for both private companies and government agencies?

Audioholics is celebrating our 20-year anniversary this April 18th, 2019. We went from hobby site to one of the industry's largest and most respected AV review publications with the BIGGEST social media network. Our no-nonsense approach with brutally honest reporting and useful how-to's and tech articles has created a loyal following that has helped us earn our success. I'm appreciative of our loyal fans and talented writing staff over the years that have made Audioholics the success it is. Happy Birthday Audioholics and remember, keep listening!

Welcome to the 5G Wireless Apocalypse! This is the first of a three-part series that examines the upcoming 5G wireless network, presenting both the good... and the not so good. In this installment we'll explore the potential health risks from the upcoming 5G wireless network, and examine the science behind claims RF radiation poses a danger to humans.

Tidal and MQA have announced that all Android devices are now MQA-ready! The latest version of Tidal’s Android app has the MQA decoder built in, so subscribers to Tidal’s HiFi tier can now enjoy the service’s growing catalog of high-resolution “Tidal Masters” content on their mobile devices. MQA also aims to deliver high-res audio to cars, as demonstrated in a “proof-of-concept” listening experience at CES 2019. Read on to learn more.

Samsung has announced that it will no longer produce and distribute Blu-ray players in the US. The announcement means that Samsung will also abandon the roll-out a new 4K ultra high definition Blu-ray player that had been slated for release later this year. It’s shocking news from a company that has been a major backer of Blu-ray since the very beginning. The news could be the writing on the wall for the future of disc-based media in general. And, how might it be possible to blame Apple? We'll find a way, as we lament the tragedy that will someday become - the day the disc-media dies.

Is Star Trek: Discovery the solid performer that CBS needs it to be to make their paywall App a success? Some believe that the controversial new Star Trek show may have already seen its final season. Although, by all outward appearances it doesn’t seem likely. CBS has announced two new Star Trek series. But to some, the announcement is further evidence that the producers are looking for a new direction, possibly because Discovery has been a misfire for CBS and its streaming service All Access. Let’s examine the latest pop-culture conspiracy theory has Star Trek: Discovery facing cancellation.

Among loudspeaker manufacturers, Klipsch made the biggest splash at CES last month due to the large spread of different products that they announced. Soundbars, wireless speakers, wireless earbuds, and portable tabletop speakers loaded with the latest technology, Klipsch has something for everyone, unless, of course, you have a distaste for their vintage aesthetic. Klipsch seems to enjoy the irony of giving state-of-the-art technology an old-fashioned appearance. If you like that nod to the past combined with the technology of tomorrow, read on to see what Klipsch brought for 2019.