Daniel Kumin

The Sherwood Newcastle R-972 A/V receiver is the most eagerly anticipated product of its kind to arrive in these parts in some time. Not because it’s the brand’s first new flagship receiver in 4 or 5 years. Not because it’s an all-new 7 x 100- watt, HDMI v1.3, Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio-decoding design. And not because it boasts top-shelf Reon video processing.

The name is different, but the speakers are basically the same. MK Sound’s resurrection of the classic 150THX speaker system delivers controlroom sound to those seeking precision, clarity, and detail in their movie and music presentation.

I've seen plenty of loudspeaker "breakthroughs" in my half-a-lifetime around the audio sideshow, including speakers shaped like ears, tubas, and croquet balls.

I’ve seen plenty of loudspeaker “breakthroughs” in my half-a-lifetime around the audio sideshow, including speakers shaped like ears, tubas, and croquet balls. And there have also been “revolutionary” new driver designs that resembled stars, chafing dishes, and origami.