Feature News Stories (694 Posts)

Should You Open an Audiophile Bed and Breakfast?

Would you stay at an audiophile-oriented bed and breakfast? Jerry Del Colliano believes this could be a great way to sell the gear and, especially, the high-end experience to prospective buyers. Continue Reading

Can DTS:X Get Off the Ground?

DTS officially unveiled the details on its object-based DTS:X platform at an event last week. Brent Butterworth offers his initial observations on whether DTS:X will be viable for the home theater market. Continue Reading

What the AV Industry Could Learn From Colt 45 Malt Liquor

Colt 45's famous slogan is, "It works every time." Jerry Del Colliano says the AV industry needs to embrace that same motto and not ignore the importance of system control and integration. Continue Reading

Should Some Audiophile Products Be Sold on a Limited-Edition Basis?

Would the audio industry benefit from selling certain products on a limited-edition basis? Would this add the necessary urgency to the purchase process for audio gear? Jerry Del Colliano explores the idea in this week's featured news story. Continue Reading

No Love for Next-Gen AV Technologies?

We've been covering a number of emerging technologies lately, from Ultra HD to hi-res audio to Dolby Atmos. While some readers find these developments exciting, others seem ready to dismiss them right off the bat, which makes us ask: Why no love for next-gen AV technologies? Continue Reading

Should You Have to Crowdfund Your AV Gear?

A growing number of AV manufacturers are turning to crowdfunding as a way to get products made. Jerry Del Colliano discusses the pluses and minuses of this approach and poses the question: What AV products would you consider funding? Continue Reading

How Big Is Your (Internet) Pipe?

As we wait for the arrival of Ultra HD Blu-ray, early UHD adopters are forced to rely on streaming and downloads for access to UHD content. Is your home network up to the task? Continue Reading

What You Need to Know About HDMI 2.0

Ah, HDMI. With every update to a new version comes a new level of confusion, and HDMI 2.0 is no different. Adrienne Maxwell cuts through the confusion and explains what you need to know about HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. Continue Reading

High Hopes for High Dynamic Range (HDR) Video

This week, we explore another exciting new development in the evolution of 4K: high dynamic range. It's coming this year to TVs and source content, but what is it, and why should you be excited? Read on to find out. Continue Reading

What Quantum Dots Mean to Your Next UHD TV

Quantum dots were a popular topic at this year's International CES. What are they, and how will they affect the color performance of your next Ultra HD TV? Adrienne Maxwell explains in this week's featured news story. Continue Reading

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