NEW GEAR

What's New

Onkyo adds new mid-priced receivers

The new top of the middle line adds DTS Neo:X, onboard WiFi, and Bluetooth.
- By Brent Butterworth
- Posted May 23, 2013
Onkyo has spruced up the middle of its receiver line with two new models, the $1,399 TX-NR929 and the $1,099 TX-NR828. Both are THX Select2 Plus-certified, with 135 watts of power per channel. Both include wireless streaming through WiFi of files up to 24-bit/192-kilohertz resolution from computers, NAS drives, and other networked devices. And both include Bluetooth so your daughter can stream the latest Justin Bieber tune from her iPhone.

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Panasonic announces pricing and dates for ZT60 plasmas

The year's most eagerly awaited new TV hits the stores.
- By Brent Butterworth
- Posted May 20, 2013
Ever since Geoff Morrison got a preview of Panasonic's new top-of-the-line ZT60 plasma TV at the January CES

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GoldenEar launches HT-centric in-wall/in-ceiling speakers

New models include an in-ceiling LCR and a multipolar in-wall.
- By Brent Butterworth
- Posted May 20, 2013
If there's anyone who writes about audio who hasn't raved about GoldenEar Technology speakers, we don't know 'em.

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New Audio Gear Galore

The latest from Beats, Energy, Geneva Lab, and Peachtree Audio
- By S&v Staff
- Posted May 14, 2013
- 2
A lot of new audio stuff launched today, so let's get right to it:

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The Pyle BlueReach PBTR70 Bluetooth Adapter

Got an obsolete 30-pin speaker dock? Pyle comes to the rescue transforming that dock into a wireless Bluetooth speaker.
- By Leslie Shapiro
- Posted May 9, 2013
Dust off your recently-obsoleted 30-pin Apple docks – Pyle Audio has come to the rescue. Just when you thought you were reduced to connecting to your collection of Apple-ready speaker docks by a lowly audio cable, Pyle has released the BlueReach PBTR70, an adapter plugs into any 30-pin speaker dock to receive Bluetooth from any Bluetooth-enabled audio device.

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Tech Trends 2013: Video

S&V's video experts explain this season's hottest trends in TV
- By Al Griffin & Geoffrey Morrison
- Posted May 9, 2013
- 3
In this four-part article, Geoff Morrison examines the future of Ultra HD and OLED TV (below); Al Griffin looks at the latest developments in Smart TV; Geoff gives us an update on what's happening with plasma TV; and Al finishes with a discussion of the devices and technologies that will deliver 4K Ultra HD content to homes.

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Klipsch intros first Bluetooth speaker

With D-cell battery power for on-the-go sound
- By S&v Staff
- Posted May 8, 2013
- 2
The KMC 3, Klipsch's first Bluetooth speaker, doesn't look like anything radical, but to our eyes, it's a new paradigm for personal audio. Most of its competitors use Apple's AirPlay wireless audio technology, but the KMC 3 uses Bluetooth, making it compatible with any type of smartphone. Most of its competitors need an AC outlet to operate, but the KMC 3 runs off batteries or AC.

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Review: Outdoor Technology Turtle Shell wireless speaker

It’s summertime and the weather is great. Time to get your turtle on.
- By Ken C. Pohlmann
- Posted May 1, 2013
When summer rolls around, we all go mobile. We drink morning coffee out on the patio, surf while sitting by the pool, and might even do an overnighter in a treehouse. Of course, all of those activities are accompanied by music, and we also need to stay connected for incoming calls.

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Tech Trends 2013: Audio

S&V's speaker measurement guy reports on this spring's hottest trends in speakers, headphones, turntables, and more.
- By Brent Butterworth
- Posted April 29, 2013
Speaker Standouts
An old-school category sees surprising innovation
One could argue that this spring will see as much innovation in the speaker category as in headphones. But when you think about it, that’s not really so surprising. After all, speakers can be almost any size, almost any shape, almost any weight, while headphones will always have to be small and light enough to fit on your head.

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Sony's new 2013 home audio products

New receivers, new soundbar, new HTiBs
- By S&v Staff
- Posted April 24, 2013
- 2
Even though Sony’s one of the top brands in several audio categories, the company hasn’t made much of a push with its audio products in the last few years. That all changed at an event today in Los Angeles, where Sony showed off a new A/V receiver and a new soundbar, and also announced new HTiB (home theater in a box) systems.

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Best in Show

Our man Gary recalls the coolest devices he saw at the industry’s biggest trade event in Las Vegas.
- By Gary Dell'Abate
- Posted April 22, 2013
I now consider myself a veteran of CES. The good news is that I know exactly how to navigate the floor. The bad news is that it gets harder each show for me to be wowed by anything.

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Emotiva launches 1,000-watt mega-amp

New $1,499 XPR-1 monoblock begins shipping
- By S&v Staff
- Posted April 18, 2013
Emotiva has announced that it's now shipping its new top-of-the-line monoblock amp, the XPR-1. Each $1,499 XPR-1 is rated at 1,000 watts into 8 ohms and 1,750 watts into 4 ohms.

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