Feature News Stories (684 Posts)

Fantasy CEO: Saving RadioShack From Bankruptcy

RadioShack has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Can it be saved? Jerry Del Colliano discusses the steps he would take to transform RadioShack into a relevant and valuable presence in the AV industry. Continue Reading

Do Consumers Really Want Curved HDTVs?

Curved TVs were big again this year at CES, which has Jerry Del Colliano asking the question, "Does anyone out there really want a curved TV?" Manufacturers promise a more immersive viewing experience, but are consumers really buying it? Continue Reading

CES Delivers Higher-Quality Audio at Lower Prices

As he surveyed the offerings in the High-Performance Audio rooms at CES this year, Jerry Del Colliano marveled at just how many great speakers he heard that carried price tags far lower than their performance would suggest. Continue Reading

CES 2015 Show Report and Photo Slideshow

CES 2015 is behind us, but some intriguing new technologies and products lie ahead. Adrienne Maxwell discusses the major trends at this year's show and provides details on the hottest new products. Continue Reading

What Is the Soap Opera Effect (and How to Make It Go Away)

Love it or hate it, the Soap Opera Effect is a reality in many of today's top HDTVs. Adrienne Maxwell explains what it is, where it came from, and how to make it go away (if you want). Continue Reading

Reading Past Star Ratings in AV Reviews

Jerry Del Colliano discusses our five-star ratings system and explains why ratings don't (and shouldn't) tell the whole story in any review. Continue Reading

The Pioneer SW-8MK2 Meets the Meters

Our previous review of Pioneer's $160 SW-8MK2 subwoofer certainly generated some chatter, so we asked Brent Butterworth to dig a little deeper. How did the SW-8MK2 (both the stock and modified versions) perform on his test bench. Read on to find out. Continue Reading

Pros and Cons of Today's Top Streaming Media Players

Trying to decide which streaming media player to add to your home entertainment system? Adrienne Maxwell offers the pros and cons for the major offerings from Roku, Amazon, Apple, and Google. Continue Reading

The Good, Better, and Best Headphones on the Market Today

In our third Good Better Best article, Brent Butterworth covers the headphone category, which includes a lot of worthy options for audiophiles of all budgets. Wondering what to look for at the different price points? Whether to go over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear? Brent has the answers. Continue Reading

The Good, Better, and Best AV Receivers on the Market Today

In the second installment of our Good Better Best series, we break down the crowded and often-confusing AV receiver category. What will your money get you in the entry-level, mid-level, and high-end categories, in both performance and features? Continue Reading

Why AV Enthusiasts Should Be Mad at Fireplaces

Some people won't consider buying a home that lacks a fireplace, so who would be crazy enough to rip out or cover up their living room's beautiful fireplace? Someone who cares about AV performance, that's who. Jerry Del Colliano discusses why AV lovers should shun these acoustic and logistical nightmares. Continue Reading

The Good, Better, and Best HDTVs on the Market Today

To assist our readers with any AV-related holiday shopping they might do, we're introducing a series of "Good, Better, Best" articles that explain what you can expect to find at various price points, with some product examples. The first category: HDTVs. Continue Reading

Who Is on Your Audiophile Mount Rushmore?

If you had to pick four people to honor on the Audiophile Mount Rushmore, who would they be and why? Check out our list of potential candidates, and see who Jerry Del Colliano would select. Continue Reading

Seven Steps to Hi-Res Audio Heaven

Intrigued by high-resolution audio but unsure how to begin? Mark Smotroff outlines the gear you need and other important things to consider as you begin your journey toward higher-quality music. Continue Reading

Five AV Categories That Are Much Cheaper (and Better) Than They Were Five Years Ago

There's no denying that your hard-earned dollar goes a lot further these days when it comes to buying AV gear. Jerry Del Colliano highlights five categories where prices have fallen as performance has risen. Continue Reading

The Resurgence of the Over-the-Air DVR

The rise of the cord-cutter has breathed new life into an old category: the over-the-air DVR. Adrienne Maxwell highlights popular new products in this category, which do a lot more than just tune in and record over-the-air signals. Continue Reading

Listening to Music By Mood Versus Album

How do you listen to music these days? Do you still listen to albums in their entirety, or have playlists and shuffle forever changed the way you experience music? Continue Reading

Can DTS Play-Fi Dethrone Sonos?

The Play-Fi multiroom wireless audio system from DTS is gaining momentum amongst manufacturers. How does it compare with other wireless audio technologies, and can it give the reigning king, Sonos, a run for its money? Continue Reading

There Is No AV Without IT Today

Assembling high-performance AV systems isn't just about the video and audio gear nowadays. It's all about networking. If you're planning a home theater install or upgrade, Jerry Del Colliano says, "Don't skimp on the IT." Continue Reading

Should You Open A Stereo Store?

It's a crazy question, isn't it: should you (or someone you know) open a stereo store? It's no breaking news... Continue Reading