Recent Home Theater Editorials

Tidal has earned notoriety as a new online music business since it arrived last spring. But, unfortunately, it’s making headlines for everything but its CD-quality music stream. Sadly, a Tidal Hi-Fi subscription is your only option (known today) in North America for an all-you-can-hear online music service that provides greater than 320Kbps. It’s nothing less than a crime that CD audio resolution is what the music industry now refers to as Hi-Fi, and that it’s so rare.

In this latest YouTube video, Hugo and I discuss the art and science of audio as well as which is the right way to approach. If you think measurements don't matter or everything can be equated down to a neat little formula to determine product superiority , then I'm sorry to say you are sorely mistaken. In order to have a Zen line balance in audio and in life in general, you must embrace all aspects of the art and science of sound. Let us know your thoughts in our forum after watching our YouTube video and reading this article.

Retail or Internet? Are you having a tough time deciding which is best for you? Both avenues for buying audio/video gear can be great experiences, and each has its distinct advantages (and disadvantages.) A veteran of the Retail Wars gives you his perspective, rife with confessions, anecdotes, tips, and observations. Do your homework by researching online and seeking out a reputable dealer or manufacturer that can guide you on making the best purchasing decisions to build the ultimate two-channel or home theater system.

Lately it seems the new craze is MORE is better. We are seeing this with inflated power ratings in AV receivers, and also with the "necessity" of adding more speakers to the home theater to achieve immersive 3D surround sound. How can the manufacturers and their tech partners like Dolby and DTS figure out a way to add more speakers when the current technology becomes yesterday's news? We have the solution. Read on to find out what the next generation of surround sound speaker technology may look like.

How does Occupational Health and Consumer Electronics go together? Read the following editorial to find out that when these two markets combine, the most innovative and coolest products are born. The union of these two areas of life allow communication with the outside world. For those audiophiles that are home bound, this might help relieve the separation anxiety and social isolation from technology and family. The products in this article might be the answer to your call!

A talking point of a YouTube Video we did last year covering loudspeaker myths put in question whether the research loudspeaker companies claim to do actually trickles into their products. A subscriber pondered this question about Harman, claiming their consumer products are often "decidedly average" despite all of the incredible research they produce. I gave this statement some thought and responded on our channel but also elaborated further in this editorial. While products come and go, knowledge is forever. On that point alone, Harman should be commended for their research regardless of what one thinks about a particular product they produce at the moment or if their research always benefits their products.

What do you get when you combine five Revel Salon2 speakers, audio equipment from Benchmark Audio and Oppo and music from AIX records? A state of the art multi-channel surround experience that will satisfy even the most critical audiophile. AIX Records put on quite the demo at AXPONA 2015 that even diehard two-channel audiophiles had to take pause for a listen. Check out what we thought about this demo experience.

Audiophiles from all eras are not only interested in enjoying the best sound experience via a surround system but on a personal level as well. Many types of headphones have been developed over the years starting from the early first hand made earpiece headphones by Nathaniel Baldwin all the way to the latest in surround sound and wireless technologies. But as technology evolved, so did our listening habits; making it easier and more convenient than ever to get your hi-fi fix on. But, are we listening at safe levels or are we doing some serious damage to our hearing in the long term?

It's been a little over a year since I wrote my article the Dolby Atmos Home Theater Paradox. In it, I discussed the struggle it would be to require consumers to add more speakers into their home theater systems in a market that is demanding less. Dolby introduced an Atmos-enabled speaker solution in hopes of addressing this very issue. Rather than promoting it as a last resort option, they touted it as a "preferred" solution over discrete speakers. Both Dolby and most of the press hailed them as "the greatest breakthrough in audio in 20 years". One year later, I can count on one hand the number of manufacturers making this speaker and the sales figures aren't too flattering. Will the Atmos-enabled speaker really impact the industry or will it sink into the abyss like 3D HDTV? Let's take a look at the year of Atmos to reflect on this question.

The internet is flooded with Star Wars: Episode VII Force Awakens rumors, speculations, and predictions on how well it will be received. Up until yesterday nobody really had a feeling for what the movie would truly be like. All of that has changed with the latest trailer which managed to get over 20 million views on YouTube yesterday. After watching the trailer, I must give JJ Abrams some props. I foresee great potential in this movie. Can this movie bring back balance to the franchise that has been sorely missed since the original movies?

Let's face it, we all have a nostalgic side to us. Some have it for cars, clothing, houses, etc. But what about audio? Of course, vintage audio is alive and kicking. Just check out our Facebook page on Throwback Thursday for confirmation. Our recent article on the Most Memorable Receivers of the Last 50 Years remains one of our top downloaded article on this site since we posted it over a month ago. That tells you something. But, what about the more obscure vintage products. They deserve love too, especially on a day like this don't they? Well, it's time to pay a little homage to a few of the gone, but not entirely forgotten classics. Let us know your favorites in the forum.

At Mobile World Congress 2015 this month Dolby said it wants to put Atmos speaker systems onto the face of your smartphone in order to create a more immersive, theatrical experience from the device you carry in your pocket. Dolby has oversold its brand for hyperbolic sensation before. But is it possible to recreate a truly theatrical acoustic experience from the tiny speakers on a smartphone or tablet? Dolby is right about one thing; the sound quality on mobile devices leaves a lot to be desired and even Jack Black made a stand on the subject at this year's Oscars when he performed a number expressing the frustration of taking in movies on your phone.

Last Thursday the FCC voted in favor of reclassifying the Internet as a Title II public utility. This means all US-based Internet services will fall under FCC regulation giving it the power to exercise a series of rules intended to enforce net neutrality. The move gives the FCC the power to back up what had previously been a toothless 2005 net neutrality policy statement. But the decision is not without its detractors from the Republican party. Despite the criticisms, we'll look at how Internet regulation has a long-term positive outlook for America.

Gene and Hugo touched on some important issues in their last video: The State of the Audio Industry. Audioholics has long been home to healthy skepticism in audio and home theater. As a consumer advocate our Pro Reviews have been a trusted guide for unbiased information on electronics for over 15 years. But too much over-skepticism can lead to what we call "gadgetization" of audio; it's belief that pretty good, is good enough. They say "good" is the enemy of "great". Here's why you might be missing out on a great system because skeptical voices let you settle for good.