http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/reviews Latest product reviews, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=383&Itemid=68 The Canton Chrono speaker system proves that you cannot judge a book solely by its cover (although I thought the... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Samsung_HT_X810T/4505-6740_7-32815269.html?part=ecoustics-cnet While we've heard better virtual surround sound, the Samsung HT-X810T's easy setup and dearth of wires will appeal to those searching for simplicity and a minimalist aesthetic. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:24:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/projectors/samsung-sp-a800b-dlp The new SP-A800B DLP projector from Samsung Electronics looks to be a nice addition to the 1080p DLP family, though it lacks some advanced features (like DarkChip3 or horizontal lens shift) we'd expect at its $10k price point. To squeeze out the highest quality home theater experience and color reproduction, Samsung teamed up with Joe Kane, a well-known and highly respected authority on visual imaging equipment and development. We've hung around Joe a few times - the man knows color and so we're expecting Samsung's new DLP projector to really shine in terms of its color accuracy. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:29:51 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/processors/denon-avp-a1hdci The Denon AVP-A1HDCI represents bleeding edge technology that only a select few manufacturers can compete with regardless of price. This processor truly is a master of all domains. It?s not cheap to own this combo set from Denon, but such is the case with statement pieces and first implementers of new technologies. From its Realta video processing engine, to its sophisticated Audyssey room correction, top notch construction and component usage, you?re getting Mercedes level performance and refinement at Acura prices. Your high end audio snob friends may snicker at this system, especially since they likely spent 2-3 times more for hollow boxes, but I suggest humbling yourself by saying nothing. You don?t want everyone driving the same car you?re driving, do you? Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:50:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/televisions/flat-panels/olevia-t232 If you are like me, deciding how to use your limited AV budget is a constant battle. On the one hand you've got your home theater and you want the absolute best gear you can afford in that room. However, if, like me, you also have a wife and kids, having a second television/movie viewing area can be a huge plus. Well, we're in luck. With a street price of around $600, the Olevia 232V entry-level 32" LCD display makes it is possible to get a display that offers pretty impressive performance for very little money. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:44:43 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/JVC_TH_F3/4505-6740_7-32983728.html?part=ecoustics-cnet While it's got an attractive design, the JVC TH-F3's high price and dearth of extra features make it hard to recommend. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:17:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/amplifiers/rotel-rmb-1085 There are few names that are both as well known and associated with high-end as Rotel. They have a reputation for quality and power and great aesthetics. At only 100 watts, I couldn't say that the RMB-1085 was a huge improvement over the internal amps of my receiver with my 8 ohm speakers. It does have an undeniable cool factor and plenty of power if your current amplification needs are inadequate or your speakers have lower impedance and are giving your current amp/receiver trouble. If you are looking to beef up your home theater or just have a touch of the upgrade bug, the RMB-1085 is a little firecracker of an amp that might be what you've been looking for. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:53:57 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Sony_HT_CT100/4505-6740_7-32923460.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Sony's HT-CT100 soundbar/subwoofer audio system is a phenomenal value that sounds great with movies and music. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:28:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemid=68 The Daedalus 2.1s seem to transcend the notion of fatigue, moving to the other side of the scale: listener... Wed, 28 May 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/amplifiers/denon-poa-a1hdci The POA-A1HDCI revitalizes Denon?s high end stigma that it earned over the years and puts the name back on the map for high end cost no object audio. You can rest assured that its size is backed by legendary performance one would expect from Denon flagship pieces. The POA-A1HDCI delivers respectable high and most importantly clean dynamic power and provides enough channels to handle even the largest scale home theater installations with a few to spare for specialized needs and installations. Coupled with the matching AVP-A1HDCI processor, you?ve got a state of the art A/V separates solution that can run toe to toe with any of its peers in this price class. Thu, 22 May 2008 17:47:43 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/receivers/harman-kardon-avr-347 The Harman/Kardon AVR-347 is one of the lower-priced 1080p HDMI receivers available on the market today for those looking to get updated to the newest technologies. The receiver delivers plenty of power along with 1080p compatibility and upconversion over HDMI. The Harman/Kardon AVR-347 appears to be a no-compromise head unit capable of driving a fully-equipped home theater. With a host of features and a unique visual appeal, this receiver will also fit right in among the most elegant of home decors. But don?t let its good looks deceive you, because this receiver is more than capable of driving most speaker systems made to extremely high levels. The AVR-347 has more about it than a pretty face. Thu, 22 May 2008 04:38:26 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Yamaha_YSP_3000_Digital_Sound_Projector_silver/4505-7868_7-32570668.html?part=ecoustics-cnet If you can look past its limited video capabilities, the Yamaha YSP-3000 is an otherwise recommendable single-speaker solution for home theater buyers who don't want a traditional 5.1 channel surround system. Wed, 21 May 2008 05:01:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Yamaha_YSP_3000_Digital_Sound_Projector_black/4505-7868_7-32570640.html?part=ecoustics-cnet If you can look past its limited video capabilities, the Yamaha YSP-3000 is an otherwise recommendable single-speaker solution for home theater buyers who don't want a traditional 5.1 channel surround system. Wed, 21 May 2008 05:01:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/processors/classe-ssp-800-preamp-processor One doesn't have to be interested in Home Theater too long before they come across the name "Classe." And from an aesthetic viewpoint alone, the name is apt. They make some of the best looking gear out there. Classe is taking processors to a new level with the release of their new SSP-800 - a 10 channel preamp/processor that promises bells and whistles that you didn't even know you wanted. Fri, 16 May 2008 05:59:39 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/digital-media-servers/logitech-squeezebox-duet The Logitech Squeezebox Duet is probably one of the coolest and best products I've ever reviewed. Sure, it's a little buggy right now but that is to be expected this close to launch. The fact remains that once the bugs are worked out, you'll be left with one of the coolest remotes, the neatest streaming services, and best way to get high quality content from your computer to your home theater? wirelessly! Wed, 14 May 2008 21:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/look/212 Ever since plasma televisions began to crawl out of R&D labs and into living rooms, Pioneer has been one of the most respected names in the industry – the one others strived to emulate. While pricy, Pioneer’s plasma displays have consistently ranked among the best by home theater diehards, earning the company a reputation as the BMW of the plasma world.This made it a total surprise when Pioneer announced this spring that it was turning its plasma production over to Matsushita Electric, the parent company of Panasonic. The company’s gripes about the “commoditization” of plasma TVs at CES turn... Mon, 12 May 2008 03:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/reviews/145155 Make sure your high-def television displays a true 1080p image. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/cables/planet-wave-cable-kit The Planet Waves DIY Home Theater Kit proved to be a versatile product for the end user and custom installer alike. It?s probably the easiest self terminating system I have come across and the fact that you can pretty much utilize any conceivable analog termination on the market with a simple twist on connector and fastening screw is something every home theater aficionado and cable installer should have in their bag of tricks. If you?re looking to customize/shorten your cable lengths while clearing out the cable spaghetti in the back of your rack, this is an excellent solution to consider. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:44:02 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Koss_PortaPro_Headphones/4505-7877_7-32897197.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there's no denying the sound quality here: they're the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:03:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/emp-tek-ef50-speaker-system While the EMP EF50 speaker system does sacrifice a bit of performance at the altar of aesthetics, it is very little performance for a whole lot of aesthetic gain. The tiny sub belies its performance and impact and the surround speakers sound too good to be surrounds. The removable faceplates may be a bit gimmicky, but it's a good gimmick. If this is your first foray into home theater and you want to do it right this is the set for you. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:45:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/reviews/4981 Logitech's diNovo Mini keyboard is a great companion for use with any home theater PC or Playstion 3 system. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:28:18 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v463 At a rock bottom price of only $349.95, the Yamaha RX-V463 is an incredible value for those looking to get into a home theater receiver on the cheap without making a huge sacrifice in quality or features. With a rated power of 100 watts x 5 the RX-V463 is no pansy when it comes to power either. Build quality is very good and the unit weighs a solid 17.6 lbs. This is a great budget receiver. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:03:03 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/look/201 For those who love to tinker, the beauty of the modern desktop computer lies in its limitless flexibility. Thanks to a plethora of standardized options for expansion and upgrade, a desktop can be tailored to do pretty much anything with a little effort and the right hardware. Add a webcam and it’s a teleconferencing machine. Add a graphics card with video output and it’s a home theater PC. Add a 500GB drive and it’s a file server.Unfortunately, this modular concept never really translated to the portable realm, where emphasis on size drove electronics into slick, tightly packaged units without much room for expansion. When you buy a cell phone, every feature it will ever have is built in, and when you need a fe... Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Panasonic_SC_PT660/4505-6740_7-32815239.html?part=ecoustics-cnet With its five-disc changer, HDMI output, and integrated iPod dock, the Panasonic SC-PT660 delivers an impressive home theater value for less than $300. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:47:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/receivers/marantz-sr7002-hdmi There are so many features being added to AV receivers these days, it's hard to keep up - but that's what I like to call a quality problem. The real problem is discerning which of the features really matter. For those of you familiar with past Marantz products, you may be surprised to note that the company is alive and well and competing head-on with other manufacturers in the home theater market. In fact, I was as stunned as anyone when I realized the incredible potential of the SR7002. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:31:53 -0400