http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/reviews Latest product reviews, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/switchers/726 For those of us who use A/V equipment with HDMI jacks, we all have experienced issues with the cable being forced to bend at stressful angles to go to the next piece of equipment in the signal path. NextGen has solved this difficulty with the Twister, which is an HDMI jack and plug, connected together using a 3600 ball joint. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/headphones/727 2009 is a good time to be a headphone fan. The supply of high-end headphones is exploding. At the head of the pack is the new Sennheiser HD-800. This is a cost-no-object assault on the state of the art in headphone listening. They are more than twice as expensive as Sennheisers previous top of the line, the HD-650. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/725 When shopping for a receiver, most consumers either get the bargain of the week at $499 or the macho machine at $2,499. But, what about those receivers in the middle, as in $1,499. Not cheap enough for the bargain hunter, not "impressive" enough for the high end. Maybe you should take a second look. At that middle price, you can still get the hot features, but not break the bank. Here, we review Denon's AVR-3310CI which clocks in at 120 watts x 7 and decoded everything, even that new kid on the block . . . height channels. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/digital-cameras/724 Up until the past year, the sensors in HD video cameras were just barely enough in pixel count (2,073,600) to get 1920 x 1080 video. That has changed now, and camera manufacturers are putting sensors in their HD video cameras that have a much higher pixel count. The main reason is so that consumers can take high resolution snapshots with their video cameras, similar to the high resolution photos they can get from dedicated digital snapshot cameras. The serendipity is that the high resolution image can be downsampled to 1920 x 1080 rather than there being only just over 2 megapixels to start with, and this gives a sharper video image. The JVC GZ-HM400U is just such a camera, with its 10.3 megapixel sensor. Have a look at our review to see how it performed. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/speakers/722 Back in mid-2005, I auditioned Cantons new Vento line of speakers with an entire surround package, (although the matching sub had yet to be released). I found them impeccably designed and crafted, while sounding outstanding. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/home-theater-speakers/716 Talk about mixed feelings! I need to unload all of my biases first since they are sufficient to taint this review. First, Im a longstanding fan of Paradigm speakers and over the years, I have either owned or listened to a wide range of their products, right from the diminutive Atoms to their flagship Signature models. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/723 Over the past few years, Class D amps have been gaining in popularity for many reasons including their much smaller size, their incredibly high efficiency, and the much smaller amount of heat that they put off compared to a standard Class A, AB, or B amplifier. More and more high end audio companies such as Rotel, Bel Canto and PS Audio have come out with Class D products that offer high performance in a much smaller form factor than was possible with standard amplifier technologies. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/home-theater-speakers/711 Started in 1989, Atlantic Technology's main goal has been to provide an immersive surround sound experience. They target seamless pans from right to left, and crisp clear dialog in their speaker setups along with dynamic powerful bass from their subwoofers. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/power-amplifiers/713 Class D switching amplifiers are more and more common. Manufactures have made great strides in overcoming the high-frequency shortcomings found in the early models. Rotel in particular has been involved with this technology for a few years, with a significant portion of their line-up now using this. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/power-conditioners/712 The PS Audio Power Plant Premier (PPP), the companys latest version of the Power Plant P300 that company head Paul McGowan first introduced in 1997, is a true power regenerator. The PPP takes "dirty" and variable AC power from the wall socket, converts it to DC voltage, and then regenerates a new AC sine wave signal at 120 volts. It also serves as a surge protector and all-around power distribution system. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/home-theater-speakers/696 Do you fault a Mini Cooper for being a Mini and not a Honda Odyssey or a Porsche 911? In evaluating product, a question that is often unasked is "What is the reference?" Often times, particularly in audio or video, the question is unasked because the answer invariably is reality. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/power-amplifiers/697 In 1997, McCormack Audio was purchased by Conrad-Johnson, known primarily for their fine tube amps and preamps. A new line of McCormack amplifiers and preamplifiers has since been refined and updated. Dont mistake this McCormack Audio with the older version from California. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/two-channel-speakers/695 Room correction technology for audiophiles has existed for over a decade now, but this technology has not yet seen wide adoption. Many audiophiles just cant stomach a processor messing with the signal. Never mind their speakers might have terrible frequency and phase response, at least when compared to their other electronics! On top of that, interaction with the room causes frequency response errors of well over 10 dB in all but the most acoustically perfect rooms. Still think your signal is pure? Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/surround-sound-processors/704 The first receiver that I remember having in the house was a classic Marantz model. Unfortunately I was too young back then to realize the quality of that component, or even recognize the name, and at some point that receiver was replaced with a much more generic, mass market model with newer features. I am old enough now to know the impact that the name Marantz has on the A/V community, and just about everyone realizes that it commands respect. Here, we review their new AV8003 A/V processor and MM8003 eight-channel power amplifier. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/cd-players/703 The first thing youll notice about the Emotiva ERC-1 CD player is that it looks great. The faceplate of the player and the remote are brushed aluminum painted black accented with unfinished brushed aluminum at the edges. Nice. When its turned on the buttons on the face of the player light up with blue halos. This player would look right at home next to Macintosh gear. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/home-theater-speakers/698 Many loudspeakers today are marketed more for their ability to blend into a space or make an aesthetic statement than to provide high performance. Since they are the most visible AV component after the television, sizes and styles vary as much as colors of the rainbow. With many lifestyle products come compromises in audio quality; not so with the Focal Dome system. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/home-theater-speakers/708 The speaker business has got to be a challenging one.On the one hand, unlike most other CE devices, speakers don't have any inherent rapid obsolescence to them. In fact, good speakers by definition should be viable, literally, for a lifetime.IndexPage 1 Introduction to the Paradigm Reference Studio Speaker SystemPage 2 Design of the Paradigm Reference Studio Speaker SystemPage 3 Paradigm Reference Studio Speaker System In UsePage 4 Conclusions about the Paradigm Reference Studio Speaker System Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/683 I have to admit, Im a sucker when it comes to having the latest and greatest toys. As my wife can attest, Im always looking for excuses that will allow me to spring for that next upgrade. In recent years, Onkyo has been at the forefront of new A/V receiver technology and features, releasing new models at an almost breakneck pace in order to stay one step ahead of the competition. The TX-SR607 continues that technological advance as the first product in the world to sport Dolby Pro Logic IIz.....The bottom line is this: you need to pay quite a bit more money to dramatically improve upon the performance of the TX-SR607. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/speakers/691 Ahh summer time. Time for pools, get togethers with friends and tearing apart walls in search of audio and aesthetic excellence for your flat screen TV. While this may not be the average summer activity for most Ill wager more than a few Secrets readers are in the midst of their own audio-video inspired renovations. Heres my story of an in wall audio adventure courtesy of the new Paradigm Millenia 20 Hybrids. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/subwoofers/686 It would truly surprise me if anyone reading this review had not heard of JL Audio. Notwithstanding JL Audios stellar reputation in the car audio world, its Fathom and Gotham series of subwoofers have set the home audio/video world on fire like few products in recent memory. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/home-theater-speakers/678 Revel is the upscale speaker division of Harman International, which includes Infinity, Harmon Kardon, JBL and Lexicon. Revel has been making speakers since 1996 and makes the Ultima2 (~ $26K/pair) and Performa series from which the Concerta gets its lineage. The chief designer of these speakers is Kevin Voecks who also has had a hand in developing speakers for Snell and Mirage. With an audio testing facility built by Harman International in California, all Revel speakers go through a rigorous testing process for voicing and timbral accuracy. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/preamplifiers/689 Emotiva's new USP-1 stereo preamplifier, at $399, sets a new standard in performance in low priced components. Besides the standard full range outputs, this preamp offers a split output where you can adjust the low-pass frequency for one (which goes to your subwoofer) and the high-pass frequency for the other (which goes to your main power amplifier). This allows you to essentially bi-amplify, and with the low frequencies removed from the high-passed output, your power amplifier will run more efficiantly, not having to waste power on low frequencies that your speakers cannot reproduce. And, they toss in a phono stage that has both MC and MM settings. This may mark the beginning of phono stages being a standard part of stereo preamplifiers, rather than having to purchase an outboard phono stage. Long live LP's! Oh, there's a headphone jack too. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/blu-ray-players/685 The Sony ES line has always represented the very best of what Sony has to offer. The ES stands for Sonys Elevated Standard and the BDP-S5000ES is Sonys premier Blu-ray/DVD player, offering a host of features targeted at the audiophile and videophile who is looking for the very best. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/blu-ray-players/667 The NAD T587 represents NADs first foray into the Blu-ray arena. NAD started big by building the T587 to the Blu-ray Profile 2.0 spec. The T587 can also handle CD and DVD discs among other formats such as DiVX. It is not a universal player and will not spin DVD Audio or SACD discs. Its circuitry is based on the Broadcom decoder. A nice touch is that the player comes with auxiliary feet that closely resemble Vibrapods. This player is reviewed as one of the Imagine Affordable System components. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/668 The NAD T747 AV Surround Sound Receiver is a 7-channel two zone receiver that is capable of decoding bitstream inputs of all the latest high-resolution audio formats. I like its understated styling a la NAD. The minimalist front panel has a simple two-line VFD display in the center of the panel. The characters on this display are about 3/8 high. This is a major improvement over the super small logos that are commonly found in so many of todays receivers and processors. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400