Podcasts about audyssey

On this week's show we look at how the strategies keep changing in the streaming wars. We spend your money and design a home theater system for less than $2000. And as usual we read your email and take a look at the week's news. News: Broadcast Schedule's New Paradigm 75% of Streamers Have Tried an Ad-Supported Plan Google TV users will soon be asked to rate apps Viewers can now add Apple TV+ to a DIRECTV subscription Top Streaming Services Change Up Strategies A Business Insider article suggests the streaming wars have shifted from competition to strategic alliances and distinct priorities. Netflix now prioritizes engagement over subscriber numbers, revamping its homepage with vertical video to rival YouTube and TikTok. Disney focuses on subscriber growth through bundles with Hulu and ESPN, aiming for profitable expansion. Warner Bros. Discovery's Max emphasizes profitability, leveraging high-quality content to retain subscribers rather than competing with Netflix's scale. Engagement is key as streamers build ad businesses. Netflix, with 8% of U.S. connected TV watch time, uses engagement to reduce churn and support its $2.2 billion ad business. Amazon's Prime Video scales ads by enabling them for all users unless they opt out, using shopping data to boost ad effectiveness. While Netflix and Amazon focus on engagement for ads, Disney, Paramount+ (79 million subscribers), and Peacock (41 million) prioritize subscriber growth, though neither is profitable yet. Profitability is critical for WBD, which has cut Max's content spending to focus on financial sustainability, leveraging HBO's legacy content. Its bundling with Disney+ and Hulu supports international growth. Apple TV+ faces high churn due to its limited library, leaving its strategy unclear. As streamers balance growth, engagement, and profitability, alliances and niche strategies redefine success in a crowded market. Home Theater System for under $2000 Ok so you bought a house and spent all your money but you already had a 70” TV from your previous home. And while that has been great you want something more out of your TV watching experience. Somehow you scrape together a $2000 budget and want to know what kind of “Home Theater” System you can cobble together to provide you with immersive surround sound. For this exercise we are assuming a typical living room (e.g., ~15x20 ft) and a focus on movies and general entertainment. We will emphasize value and performance while keeping the setup beginner-friendly. Key Considerations Room Size: Our medium-sized living room can benefit from a 5.1 or possibly a 5.1.2 (Dolby Atmos) setup for surround sound. We have chosen to stay with a 5.1 system for budget concerns. Priorities: Clear dialogue, deep bass, and immersive surround effects are key for movies and gaming. Music performance is secondary but still considered. Components: You'll need an AV receiver, speakers (front, center, surrounds), a subwoofer, and a streaming device.  Setup: We opted for wired speakers for reliability and cost savings over wireless systems, which can eat into the budget. Recommended System AV Receiver: Denon AVR-S760H 2021 Model  ($500 from Amazon) We are on a budget so a 2021 model that does everything you need for a small family room on a budget is absolutely the right call here. Don't overlook last year's models on your A/V equipment. No one will walk into your house and whisper about last years (or four years ago) model behind your back. This is a 7.2-channel receiver with 75W per channel, supporting 4K/120Hz, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and room calibration (Audyssey). It's versatile, beginner-friendly, and handles modern formats for movies and gaming. 6 HDMI inputs (3 with 8K support), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HEOS for streaming. Refurbished units can save even more. Speaker System: RSL CG3M 5.1 home theater system ($850 Direct from RSL) We splurged a little on the speakers. The CG3Ms will not disappoint! We have been fans of RSL since we had Joe Rogers on the show about 15 years ago. He is a musician and understands what music is supposed to sound like and has designed speakers with that in mind.  This compact speaker system will put you right in the middle of a concert or movie! You really can't get better at this price. The 300 watt 10” subwoofer is plenty for your small to medium sized family room.   Speaker Wire and Cables: Monoprice ($50 Budget) Pretty much from day one we have been saying buy good cables but don't spend a lot of money doing so. $50 at Monoprice goes a long way for your Speaker and HDMI cables.   Streaming Device: ($150 Budget) A streaming device enhances your home theater by providing access to all kinds of entertainment options, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+,and YouTube. These dedicated streaming devices offer faster performance, regular software updates, and broader app compatibility. They also support advanced features like 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, and voice control, elevating your viewing experience with superior picture and sound quality. Additionally, devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV are portable, affordable, and easy to set up, making them a versatile upgrade for any home theater, regardless of your TV's age or brand. Sales Tax: $90 - $150 Unfortunately we can't forget the tax man. There are a few places in the US that do not have a sales tax and other areas range from 6% up to 10%. Total Cost: ~$1,640-$1,700 This leaves ~$300-$360 for a programmable remote, Atmos, or height speakers. Or a year of a new streaming service.  This system balances cost, performance, and future expandability, delivering an elevated experience for your new home without breaking the bank.

Wir vergleichen die Einmesssysteme der beiden Marktführer im AVR-Bereich: - YPAO von Yamaha - Audyssey, das hauptsächlich in Geräten von Denon und Marantz eingesetzt wird Beide System schlagen sich im Abgleich mit unseren Anforderungen aus der letzten Episode recht gut. Im Detail gibt es dann aber doch noch das Eine oder Andere anzukreiden. 0:00:00 Audyssey vs. YPAO 0:03:10 Zielkurve vs. Korrekturkurve 0:15:44 Bevor Du meckerst… 0:18:02 XT32 & Co. – Versionen 0:22:21 Verschiedene Apps 0:32:36 Feature-Vergleich 0:33:27 Equalizer: Frequenzgangkorrektur 0:39:06 Flankensteilheit 0:41:46 Subwoofer-Korrekturen 0:45:10 Bass Shaker Steuerung 0:56:15 Winkeleinmessung 1:01:04 Reflexionen eliminieren 1:10:25 Fazit 1:15:45 Filmtipp: Speed (1994) → https://amzn.to/3CpsoYC (Affiliate)

Back once again, so dam nice got to feature them twice, thats Bam Bams Boogie & DMX Krew, amongst outstanding new rleases from Dubrunner, Breaka, Marco Conno & Audyssey. Of course the usual suspects are on vocal drop duties, with new imput, from beyond the grave to a Peaky Blinder, & the man who annouces a sword of fire! This is Dub Intervention. This show was first broadcast on the 17th of February, 2024For more info and tracklisting, visit: https://thefaceradio.com/dub-intervention/Tune into new broadcasts of Dub Intervention, Saturday from 8 - 10 PM EST / 1 - 3 AM GMT (Sunday). Support The Face Radio with PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thefaceradio. Join the family at https://plus.acast.com/s/thefaceradio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lohnt es sich, mit REW-Messungen im Heimkino anzufangen? Ganz klar: ja! Hier lernst du die 4 wichtigsten Anwendungsfälle für REW im Heimkino im Detail kennen. Die Aufnahme dieser Folge wurde erstmals live in unsere Facebook-Gruppe Heimkino Handwerker gestreamt. Die Mitglieder konnten ihre Fragen zum Thema stellen und bekamen direkt Antworten. 00:00 Anwendungsfälle für REW-Messungen 02:21 SZENARIO 1: Bestandsaufnahme 04:28 Meine erste Erfahrung mit Messungen 06:03 SZENARIO 2: Einmesssysteme kontrollieren und korrigieren 11:32 Audyssey, der kleiner Schwindler 13:59 SZENARIO 3: Dein DSP richtig einstellen 17:05 Spaß mit dem Equalizer 20:25 SZENARIO 4: Raumakustik-Maßnahmen ableiten 24:20 Akustikmaßnahmen immer zuerst 25:49 Zusammenfassung 26:53 Videokurs: Akustikmessungen mit REW → https://www.heimkino-praxis.de/akademie/akustikmessungen/ 30:52 Community-Fragen 31:02 Multi-Sub-Systeme einmessen 34:23 Dynamisches DSP: Loudness-Korrektur 36:32 Welche Kanäle zuerst ans DSP hängen? 41:08 Selbst probieren, bevor du den Profi holst 46:28 Filmtipp: Beyond The Infinite Two Minutes (2020) → https://amzn.to/3OCTIq4 (Affiliate)

AVexcel - Episode 199 Recorded on March 25, 2023 Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron  The rundown: - RTINGS TV aging update - LG OLED firmware fix - Andrew Jones MoFi SourcePoint 10 speakers - Samsung S95C QD-OLED TV review - LG's "missing" TV service menu features - Sony's new ES 8K AV receivers - USB ATSC 3.0/NextGen TV tuner - Calculate speaker performance - UST projector screen comparison - ASUS ProArt Calman-Verified LED projector - HDMI cable testing follow-up - Blue Jeans Cable on HDMI - Apple Music's Classical app - 4:4:4 vs 4:2:2 vs 4:2:0 - Kaleidescape movie store - Audyssey calibration mic - Dirac arrives on Denon - Your excellent feedback & questions - Email us at ask@avexcel.com - What we're watching AVexcel is 100% powered by our excellent crew of Patreon supporters - thank you!  Visit www.AVexcel.com for links, show notes, contact info, and more!

TOMLINSON HOLMAN, the “TH” in the THX sound standard for theatres and devices, has served in technical roles to advance sound for film and television at companies including Lucasfilm, TMH, Audyssey, and Apple. At USC, Tom taught thousands of students over 25 years. He is also the author of Focal Press books “Sound for Film and Television” and “Sound for Digital Video.” Host Jason E. Squire is Editor of The Movie Business Book and Professor Emeritus, USC School of Cinematic Arts. Music: “The Day it All Began and it All Ended” by Pawel Feszczuk (License: CC by 4.0)

Tim gets some new THX speakers from Monolith. Joe is using Encore speakers from Monolith. Two team members from Dirac visits Joe! Joe, Michael, and Tim all worked at Circuit City around the same time frame. Denon and Marantz get Dirac AND Audyssey. Distance error in with Audyssey can be corrected for with manual tuning and doing some multiplication. Is a power amp required? Does voice of god speaker make that much difference in Tim's or Joe's setups? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/support

Channa made his dinner costs back and then some in Reno!!! Dirac is better but what is easier to set up? Erin wants tone controls right on front! Jamo speakers not so neutral frequency response? Single laser projector wins a shoot out? Michael is getting the Pioneer 505!!! On wall or In Wall speakers!?! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/support

KEF Reference 1 or Perlisten S4B? Which one is better, for your needs? Nathan, a caller, asks about speakers and amps and receivers and tells us about a ferret getting stuck in a SVS sub! 31 band EQ's of old for a new system? Audyssey anomaly fixed! Joe flex's the mini-DSP flex! Can you hear a difference in a mid tier receiver and a pre/pro? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/support

We’ve reached another milestone! And we celebrate with the most professionally executed giveaway ever!We cover Epson’s Home Cinema LS11000, Audyssey’s ACM1-X calibrated mic, LG & Samsung OLED prices, Apple Movie purchases & rentals disappearing, and Netflix cracking down on password sharing.Thank you all so much for sticking with us for 800 episodes! Here’s to 800 […] The post AV Rant #800: 800 Down, 800 To Go! appeared first on AV Rant.

Channa will be getting a Pioneer receiver so he might compare that Dirac to Anthem Room Correction to Audyssey to Joe's Magic Beans! We also talk Lovesac furniture with built in speakers! Erin buys a bunch of Polk speakers to test! Wenge finished speakers in for review by Michael. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/support

Tom reviews the Monolith M1070 planar magnetic, open-back headphones. Audyssey launched MultEQ-X.  HDMI Licensing has declared HDMI 2.0 no longer exists. And we tackle a ton of questions. Packed show! Pictures shown in this episode:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzvTt4 00:00:00 – Intro & Listeners of the WeekOur Listeners of the Week are Chad for his PayPal donation, plus our […] The post AV Rant #787: Monoprice Monolith M1070 Headphone Review appeared first on AV Rant.

HDMI cables 2.0 are now ??2.1?? What is a old movie, or old TV show? DEQX, Sonar Works, all DSP correction in various places. Emotive releases a $999 processor, No Dirac, No Auro, Joe says??? Dirac gets you 80% of the way there? Audyssey gets you 50% of the way there? Watches and EVs are talked about as well! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/support

We get a review of the Anthem AVM 70 AV Processor from Steve, Phil updates us on the TV reviews coming soon and Ed gives us the latest Hi-Fi news. Plus, we discuss room EQ and how to apply this to your dedicated Home Cinema build.

Join hosts Brian and Sam as they welcome HTF co-owner Dave Upton to discuss how to correct and calibrate home theaters using tools such as Room EQ Wizard (REW) and Audyssey, plus tips for physically modifying room layout and using wall treatments. Dave’s history with HTF again and dealing with recent snow in Texas What is Room Correction technology? Isn’t Audyssey all you need? What can consumers who have receivers without Audyssey do? Why Room EQ Wizard? Do you have to be an engineer type to use REW? What can REW do that Audessey can’t? What modifications can one do to a room to ‘fix’ what REW shows? What else would Dave suggest folks look into to make their rooms sound better? Also, Good, Bad and Ugly media reviews including Dave's latest pick!

Our Listeners of the Week are Bob and Jason for their PayPal donations, plus our 127 Patreon Patrons, as well as Bob for talking us up to SVS and encouraging anybody we save time and money to donate to the podcast, and Victor and Jason for giving Tom permission to use their photos over at https://avgadgets.com/ . We […] The post AV Rant #733: Audyssey Tutorial appeared first on AV Rant.

Original Video Podcast Aired on April 20, 2020. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/w9PPy5u2NtE Subscribe to the Daily HiFi YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/dailyhifi Today we talk with Phil Jones about HDMI 2.1 and what's on the horizon for Denon and Marantz AVRs. 0:00 Start 5:22 Introducing Philip Jones from Sound United 12:20 How do you test for eARC capability? 14:03 $50 HDMI Cable vs $500 Cable 17:53 Needing to use long HDMI cables for projector setups 18:08 "1080p is easy" - Nyrius HDMI Transmitter 21:05 Pro Tip: Maximum length for copper HDMI cable (include cable to TV also) 22:20 What is in Philip Jones' system 26:02 Using a different brand of speakers for height and surrounds 30:52 Roon Tested Denon and Marantz AVR's 36:00 Philip's YouTube Channel - Sound United Training - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCluDQDQwy0VTsPsJOzQt4ZA 38:36 Phil's history in Hi-Fi 40:21 @Life of Bliss asks "Do you see more companies moving towards class D amplification instead of A/B or A/B/H with the progression in that technology? 43:21 More about HDMI 2.1 46:51 Polk Legend Series L800's with SDA 56:55 They don't like bass for J-Pop and K-Pop? 1:01:29 Caller 1: Caller has a Denon 4400H. Back speakers don't play in Auro 3D. 1:05:31 LSIM's on sale for half off 1:11:05 Will Denon or Marantz ever use DIRAC Live or something similar? 1:12:36 Higher channel count for Denon or Marantz? 1:22:00 Joe N Tell wishes for HDMI on a mini Class D amplifier with sub-out. 1:28:27 Caller 2: Marantz 7705 Setup tricks? How to utilize the Audyssey Editor App. 1:32:04 Audyssey Editor App does a better job than running straight from the AVR! 1:35:43 Does Phil use "midrange compensation" on Audyssey? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/support

This mix features tracks from artists including Yaeji, Nick Gunner, Crankdat, Speaker of the House, Audyssey and more! Full Tracklist: lawofsin.com/tracklists/ss023 Originally Released November 24, 2018 ​Kings And Queens (Anki Bootleg Remix) - Thirty Seconds to Mars Falling (Original Mix) - Pharien Let It Go (Original Mix) - Sander van Doorn Reasons To Run (Original Mix) - Crankdat Where Would We Be (Original Mix) - Rozes & Nicky Romero Come Back For You (Andrelli Remix) - Elephante Raingurl (GODMODE) - Yaeji Safety (On June Remix) - Other (ft. Brandon Banks) When I'm Gone (Original Mix) - Speaker Of The House (ft. Melody Noel) Back To You (Anki Remix) - Selena Gomez I Like Music Better With You (Law of Sin Mashup) - Malaa & Noizu vs. Lauv Break My Heart (Vertue Remix) - Hey Violet Sound of Moments I Got (Nick Gunner Mashup) - Said The Sky vs. MitiS vs. Illenium 77 (Original Mix) - Kaivon (ft. Kini Solana) Out My Mind (Cuebrick Remix) - Tritonal Latency (Original Mix) - Martin Garrix & Dyro Give Me Some (Original Mix) - Fedde Le Grand & Merk and Kremont Heart Of The City (Myon Signature Remix) - BRKLYN (ft. Mariah McManus) Starflight (Original Mix) - R3HAB & Skytech The Sound Of Ocean (Original Mix) - Tong Apollo & Nicole Chen (ft. I Am ASA) Deep Waters (Original Mix) - Romeo Blanco & 5napback (ft. Donna Lugassy) Home We'll Go (Take My Hand) - Steve Aoki (ft. Walk Off The Earth) Louder, Harder, Better (Thomas Newson Remix) - Galantis I Still See Your Face (TCK Remix) - San Holo Inside (Original Mix) - Audyssey Fall Apart (RL Grime Edit) - Language (Quix X Benzi X Ekali Remake) Still With Me (Seven Lions Remix) - Tritonal (ft. Cristina Soto)

Receiver Buying Guide 2016 It is that time of year where we get to spend your money again! This week we concentrate on receivers. Our goal with these guides is not necessarily about getting the latest product. It's about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year's gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. Just like last year's Buying Guide, we're going to skip the budget categories jump right to our top picks. We each pick three receivers and one ‘money is no object' / ‘dare to dream' receiver for you to consider. Braden's Picks I tried to ignore Ara's picks when selecting mine, as to not be biased one way or the other. But his newfound love for Marantz did have an impact on my list. Sony STRDH770 7.2 Channel Home Theater 4K AV Receiver $199 I wanted to pick the Sony STRDH770 as my value option, but for some reason it is limited availability online so I'm not sure what that means. You can get it from Sony for $199. It has 7.2 channel x 145W of sound power, 4 HDMI Inputs / 1 Output with HDCP2.2 compatibility, supports 4K 60p 4:4:4 / HDR, front surround sound technology, Bluetooth and NFC for easy wireless streaming, USB connection for music playback, quick speaker set up with automatic calibration, DSD decoding thru HDMI, pretty much everything. All for under $200. If you want a model that is a bit more available online, you can step up to the STR-DN1070 for $449. It adds a few more watts per channel, a couple more HDMI ins/outs and second zone capabilities. Denon AVR-X3300W 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD A/V Receiver $799 No list of mine would be complete without a Denon.  They have so many great options for receivers, just looking at them made me feel like a kid in a candy store. This model, the X3300 feels like the perfect intersection of affordable and ultra capable. Let's rattle it off: 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HDCP2.2, HDR, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, 8/2 HDMI In/Out, the list goes on. If you can swing $800 for a receiver, this is the one you get. If you can go higher, check out the Denon candy store. Marantz SR-6011 AV Audio & Video Component Receiver $1399 I've never owned a Marantz, but the way Ara raves about his (and how I've heard it perform), I may have to try one out. You know, for the show. If I was going to dip my toe in that water, I'd opt for the SR-6011. It's a bit on the pricey side, but wow does it pack a wallup. 9.2 channel receiver with 110W per channel with 11.2 channel processing capabilities. 3D and 4K Ultra HD/60Hz full rate pass-through with HDR, BT.2020, 4:4:4 Pure Color support; 8 HDMI inputs (incl. 1 front) and 2 outputs (Main/Zone 2) with full HCDP 2.2 support. 4K/60Hz Up-scaling. Built-in Bluetooth(R) and Wi-Fi. Streaming Content; Airplay, vTuner Internet Radio, Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify Connect, DLNA. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Sub EQ HT, LFC (Low Frequency Containment) with Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ. Marantz HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology. The works. Ara's Picks Like my TVs, this year's list will only consist of receivers that support 4K, HDR, and the Wide Color Gamut. My list may cost more than you want to spend right now but it will set you up for years of enjoyment! Onkyo TX-NR646 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver $389 This is my budget receiver on this years list. But don't let the price fool you, it's a full featured receiver that someone starting out would love to have. The NR646 puts out 170 w/channel supporting Dobly Atmos and DTS:X. The Onkyo has 8 HDMI 2.0 inputs with the first three supporting HDCP 2.2. The only real drawback, and you knew there had to be for the price, is the room correction firmware. Onkyo uses something called AccuEQ which is less demanding than Audyssey and thus not as good. Music streaming and high-res audio round out the receivers features. Pioneer SC-LX501 Elite 7.2 Channel D3 Network AV Receiver $999 I have owned three Pioneers over the years and they all have been great receivers. This receiver is ready to serve you now and well into the future. There is support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and it has enough power (120W) to fill large rooms with sound. Other features include support for Google Cast, Airplay, Pandora, Spotify, and Hi Res Audio round out this very capable receiver. Yamaha RX-A1050 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver with Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth $899 This is the next model up from the one that I use in my family room. It has everything you want in a receiver and more. Plenty of power (110W), Auto Calibration, Multidimensional sound, and wireless connectivity. I went with this model over the A850 because in addition to Dolby Atmos you also get  DTS:X and and Advanced HDMI switching! You can watch different sources in different zones. Yamaha says that this receiver employs “audiophile grade design that incorporates a rigid chassis and symmetrical amp layout with the latest ESS SABRE DACs”. Translation - It will make those who really care about sound quite happy! Ultimate Present Marantz SR7011 9.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with built-in HEOS wireless technology featuring Bluetooth and Wi-Fi $2199 When I was looking for a receiver to add ATMOS to my media room Rob H. from the AV Rant Podcast really urged me to take a look at the SR6010 which I ended up buying and really liking.  So based on that experience I am going to recommend the SR7011. It supports everything you need in next generation audio and video including a capable video processor and dual zone HDMI outputs. It has three HDMI outputs but only works with two sources. One of the outputs is a mirror of one of the sources. There are 9 amps outputting 125W and one of the best EQ systems available: Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic measurement, which takes measurements in 8 locations. There is even an EQ for multiple subwoofer setups! We may differ on whether this is the ultimate receiver available, but if you got one, I don't think you would argue that it wasn't your ultimate present. Sony STRZA5000ES 9.2-channel AV Receiver $2798 According to Sony, the 5000ES should be the new center of your theater system. It  has up to 11.1-channel immersive sound (9.2ch discrete onboard amplifiers) from both Dolby® Atmos and DTS:X 2. Of course you get full-quality 4K/60p video pass-through, with HDR and HDCP 2.2 support, and a wealth of connection options for multi-room and network distribution. It even includes an 8 port ethernet switch in the back.  With premium ES build quality, and a focus on sound purity, we have no doubt it will live up to its flagship status. Sure, the two star review at Amazon is concerning. But if you read the review, it isn't about the quality of the unit, it is about the features that were removed between revisions of the ES flagship model. If you need those features, this probably isn't the unit for you. If you don't, this thing will rock your theater.

Marantz SR6010 It was a couple of years ago that we heard our first demo of immersive surround sound. It was at CES that the then SRS Laboratories made sounds dangle in mid air. Then we heard about Dolby Atmos which did the same thing first in the cinema and now in the home. Speaker manufacturers quickly jumped on board and created upfiring speakers that bounce sounds off the ceiling to create a dome of sound and receiver manufacturers developed products that made the speakers work. One such receiver is the Marantz SR6010 (Buy Now $1399). The SR6010 is loaded with features and specifically is Atmos capable. The major features are listed below:   Features: Dolby Atmos Built-In; DTS:X Ready - Supports 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 channel Atmos experience provided that you add an external stereo amplifier. Support for DTSX is provided with a firmware upgrade.   High Grade Audio Components   Built-in Bluetooth & Wi-Fi; Music Streaming; AirPlay Latest HDMI 2.0a Connectivity; HDCP 2.2 Compatible; ISF-Certified - The SR6010 is about as future proof as you can get right now. It supports 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 21:9 video, 3D, and BT.2020 pass-through so you can buy your new Ultra HD player and connect it to this receiver with confidence. Certified by the Imaging Science Foundation and comes with a full suite of video calibration controls (for use by an ISF technician), along with ISF Day and ISF Night video modes. The SR6010 will upconvert standard definition and high definition analog and digital video content to 4K Ultra HD Powerful 7 Channel Discrete Amplifier with ECO Mode - Each channel is rated at 110 watts (8 ohms, 20Hz~20kHz, .08%THD), and all channels can drive 4 ohm speakers with no issues. The receiver adjusts power consumption according to signal level and the power reduction is displayed on your screen in real time.   Audyssey Platinum DSP Suite - With the supplied measurement microphone, MultEQ XT32 analyzes each speaker's output (including the subwoofers) at up to 8 measurement locations and generates precision digital filters that optimize each channel for the correct frequency and time domain response. Multi-Source/Multi-Room Dual Subwoofer Outputs External Control Capabilities - The SR6010 can also be set up and operated by a home computer on the network via IP control, either via wired LAN connection or via Wi-Fi wireless connection. The SR6010 also features Control4 SDDP (Simple Device Detection Protocol) and Crestron Connected certification for quick and easy integration with Control4 and Crestron home automation equipment.   Setup Setup was like just about every other receiver with the following notable points. In order to use the Atmos speakers you need an external amp. In Ara's case that meant disconnecting the rear surround speakers from the Emotiva amp and connecting them to the Marantz. The Kef Atmos speakers were connected to the Emotiva amp and the Atmos pre-outs connected the Marantz to the Emotiva. Setting up the receiver was really easy because of the cool setup wizard that Marantz developed. You simply respond to the questions on the screen and then listen to make sure the speaker is sup up correctly.  This eliminates the need to determine which mode you need to put the receiver in to get your Atmos setup right. To be honest Ara doesn't even know what the speaker settings have been set to, but he knows it works!   Next up was to run the Audyssey calibration. Marantz includes a cardboard mic stand which makes placing the mic in 8 locations easy. Give yourself some time for this step. The sequence is run for each speaker times eight spots. The onscreen guide tells you where to place the mic so you get a proper calibration. Albeit a long process. Music While we discuss how well music sounds on each receiver it's not the focus of our reviews. For completeness we'll tell you that the SR6010 sounds quite good. We listened to music via Airplay and through an AppleTV. Classical piano sounds phenomenal! Rock and roll was tight and jazz had some great bass. To Ara's ear the music sounded a little brighter than the Pioneer Elite that it replaced. It will play FLAC HD, ALAC, WAV192/24 and DSD.  In a nutshell, even audiophiles will find the SR6010 as a capable receiver.   From Marantz: The SR6010 uses very high grade audio components that have been carefully selected. The whole internal circuit further enhances audio quality by delicately handling all signals via the Marantz designed HDAMs in Current Feedback topology before they reach the speakers. Marantz HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology found on the company's™ Reference Series components provides superior low noise wideband performance in an all-discrete configuration, compared to conventional op amp ICs. HDAM technology provides an ultra-fast slew rate for true wideband response and maximum dynamic range to deliver optimum sound quality with today's high resolution audio formats. Movies As stated earlier the SR6010 is as about future proof as you can get. From Atmos to 4K with HDR and the wider color gamut this receiver is made for video. We did not watch any 4K content or upconvert anything to 4K because this was installed in the projector room which is 1080p. The video was passed through without any processing and looked great. There was no noticeable change over the Pioneer that was replaced. But the main purpose of buying this receiver was to listen to Atmos movies. By the way, because we set it up in an Atmos configuration you are not able to use it with multiple zones.  Not an issue in our homes but something to consider.   First up was American Sniper. We didn't expect too much but we figured there would be some Atmos in helicopter scenes and the big dust storm. What we got was nothing. We removed the speaker grill to see if there was any movement on the speaker cone and we didn't see anything. This had us wondering if they were set up properly. After a quick check we determined that everything was fine and moved on to the next disc.   San Andreas was up next. In this movie we got a lot of action as buildings were falling everywhere. We saw that the Atmos speakers were getting a workout in the appropriate places. But there was so much going on it was hard to say yes, I hear the Atmos speakers. This led us to question the need for Atmos in a smallish (18X20) room. We can definitely see that in a big theater having more speakers can immerse you in the auditory experience. But we have felt that way about a 7.1 setup as well. Perhaps these examples are too bombastic but the experience in our room was not earth shattering. Maybe it's supposed to be subtle and maybe Atmos was doing exactly as it was supposed to.   Then we watched Divergent. Right from the beginning you could tell that this was what Atmos was supposed to be. There was a brief Atmos demo before the feature that showed off the technology. The demo had what sounded like footsteps running across the ceiling that highlighted the Atmos speakers. It sounded so good Ara immediately called downstairs to his wife and kids to come up and listen to the demo. Everyone agreed that the demo was truly immersive. But in this case there were no explosions or buildings falling down to drown out the Atmos speakers so Dolby was able highlight the technology well. Once the movie started you could tell that this was a very good Atmos mix. You did feel that there was a bubble of sound around you albeit subtle.   By the way, the audio in general sounded incredible! The SR6010 matched with the Kef Q series speakers and the Hsu subwoofer sounded better than most movie theaters. Dialog was crystal clear deep and rich. And effects put you in the middle of the action. The subwoofer let you feel what was going on. A definite improvement over the older Pioneer Elite that was in it's place. The upgrade was worth it for that alone. Plus I am now ready for 4K and UHD Blu-ray. Conclusion When done right an Atmos mix is more immersive even in a smaller room. Not drop everything and upgrade better, but more like if I am going to upgrade my receiver to 4K I better make sure it supports Atmos too. Atmos speakers mounted in the ceiling would be the best way to experience this technology but the upfiring speakers do a decent job as well. Expect that the change in your movie experience will be subtle but noticeable.

Sorting Through Atmos and DTS:X Receivers and Pre-Pros by Rob H.   A Couple of Thoughts on Immersive Audio Setups   There are differing opinions on which additional speakers beyond the standard 5.1 layout deliver the most immersive experience:   - Mark Henninger, Senior Writer at AVS Forum, stated during an episode of the Home Theater Geeks Podcast that he feels that four overhead speakers are necessary in order to get a good sense of panning and movement of the audio objects. If he were limited to 9 speakers, he would favor 5.1.4 over 7.1.2:   https://youtu.be/GTaBj-L8etI?t=1h1m42s   - Representatives from THX, Matt Severaid and Craig Buckley, stated on an episode of the AV Forums Podcast that they feel the Surround Back speakers actually play a critical role. They also feel that the Surround and Surround Back speakers should still be elevated as opposed to being at seated ear level, which is the new recommendation from Dolby. With elevated Surround and Surround Back speakers, they would opt for 7.1.2 with Surround Back and Top Middle speakers if limited to 9 speakers total.   https://youtu.be/hx_uOquSs44?t=18m4s General statements that might help you to quickly narrow down the field:   1) There are quite a few models that can decode Dolby Atmos but are unable to decode DTS:X (and will never get an update to do so). This is the case with ALL models that were released in 2014 - except for the flagship Denon AVR-X7200W Receiver and Marantz AV8802 Pre-Pro; those are the only two models that were released in 2014 that can be updated to decode DTS:X. There are also some 2015 models that decode Dolby Atmos but do not decode DTS:X.   This list from High Def Digest has done an excellent job of separating the DTS:X + Dolby Atmos models from the Dolby Atmos-only models:   LINK:http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/DTS/dtsx/Dolby/Atmos/Receivers/Home_Audio/Speakers/Pioneer/Denon/Marantz/Integra/Onkyo/Yamaha/KEF/Klipsch/hdds-dtsx-dolby-atmos-gear-buying-guide/24564 2) There were no models released in 2014 that included HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2. While several 2014 Onkyo & Integra models touted HDCP 2.2 support, those ports were limited to 10.2 Gbps, which is insufficient for High Dynamic Range video signals that require the full 18 Gbps bandwidth of HDMI 2.0a. Once again, the only exceptions were the Denon AVR-X7200W and Marantz AV8802, which can have a hardware upgrade performed. No other 2014 models can be upgraded. Since the bandwidth (10.2 Gbps or 18 Gbps) is rarely listed on any spec sheets, the key features to look for are support for UltraHD/4K at 60 fps along with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling. Those features are the "code" that lets you know if a model has the full 18 Gbps bandwidth. 3) So far, in 2015, Pioneer & Pioneer Elite have not announced any models that can decode DTS:X or are able to receive an update to do so. This could change if they announce new models. 4) So far, in 2015, Onkyo & Integra have not announced any models capable of using more than 7 speakers simultaneously (5.2.2). This could change with the announcement of new models. 5) Denon & Marantz are the only mass market brands offering any models capable of decoding the Auro-3D immersive audio format. It is a $200 optional upgrade. It is only available on all models capable of using 9 or 11 speakers simultaneously. 6) In 2015, Denon & Marantz are the only mass market brands offering any models capable of using Front Wide speakers. Getting into some of the finer details:   7) Denon & Marantz have announced several models that are not yet listed in the High Def Digest article linked above. That is because the official announcements were made in Europe, but they have not yet been officially announced in North America. The official North American announcements are expected soon - certainly during or before CEDIA Expo 2015. You can view an English language translation of the European announcements below:   LINK:https://translate.google.com/translate?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&nv=1&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.areadvd.de/tests/special-dm-neuheiten-und-highlights-aus-dem-bereich-core-und-new-media/ 8) The additional Denon & Marantz models listed in a similar fashion as the High Def Digest article:   DTS:X & Dolby Atmos Receivers   Denon   AVR-X6200W - ($2299, October) 9.2 Channel A/V Receiver, Supports Additional Amp for 11.2 Channels, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option)   Marantz   SR6010 - ($1199, September) 7.2 Channel A/V Receiver, Supports Additional Amp for 9.2 Channels, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option)   SR7010 - ($1699, September) 9.2 Channel A/V Receiver, Supports Additional Amp for 11.2 Channels, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option)   AV7702 Mk. II - ($1999, October) 11.2 Channel A/V Pre-Amp/Processor, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option) 9) If you would like to be able to use 11 speakers simultaneously, the number of mass market DTS:X options is limited:   Denon   AVR-X7200WA AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2999, available now, the 'A' on the end of the model number is important and indicates HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 and DTS:X.   AVR-X7200W AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2999, available now. These do NOT have HDCP 2.2 nor DTS:X, but Denon will upgrade these units to AVR-X7200WA for free, although you have to pay to ship it to New York for the HDMI hardware upgrade.   AVR-X6200W AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2299, October.   Marantz   AV8802A Pre-amp/Processor with 13.2 XLR & 13.2 RCA - $3999, available now, the 'A' on the end of the model number is important and indicates HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 and DTS:X.   AV8802 Pre-amp/Processor with 13.2 XLR & 13.2 RCA - $3999, available now. These do NOT have HDCP 2.2 nor DTS:X, but Marantz will upgrade these units to AV8802A for free, although you have to pay to ship it to New York for the HDMI hardware upgrade.   AV7702 Mk. II Pre-amp/Processor with 11.2 XLR & 13.2 RCA - $1999, October. The "Mk. II" on the end of the model number is extremely important and indicates HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 and DTS:X. In 2014, there was an AV7702 model; it did NOT have HDCP 2.2 nor DTS:X, and it could NOT be upgraded. So be cautious about the "Mk. II" model number.   SR7010 AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $1699, September.   Yamaha   RX-A3050 AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2199, September. 10) If you're ok with "only" using 9 speakers simultaneously, the number of mass market DTS:X options is even smaller:   Denon   AVR-X4200W AV Receiver with 7 internal amps - $1499, August.   Marantz   SR6010 AV Receiver with 7 internal amps - $1199, September.   Yamaha   RX-A2050 AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $1699, available now. 11) Since Denon & Marantz, and Yamaha are the only mass market options right now for 9 or 11 speaker models that support DTS:X, what are some of the differences that might help you decide on a brand?   a) If you want Auro-3D and/or Front Wide speakers, only Denon & Marantz offer those features.   b) Room correction / auto-setup:   - Denon & Marantz use Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with SubEQ HT and LFC (Low Frequency Containment) in all of their 9 and 11 speaker models.   - Yamaha uses YPAO with RSC (Reflected Sound Control) and multi-point measurement. The RX-A3050 adds 3D angle measurement, but the speaker azimuth and elevation angles are only used by Yamaha's own proprietary Cinema DSP 3D Listening Mode.   c) Since Denon & Marantz use Audyssey, they also offer the Audyssey DSX Listening Mode, which expands 2-channel, 5.1, and 7.1 content to make use of Front Height and Front Wide speakers.   d) Denon & Marantz include ISFccc video calibration controls.   e) Denon & Marantz offer a greater number of potential speaker configurations for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.   - In addition to the 7 main speakers (Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Surround Back L/R), Yamaha allows you to connect "Front Presence L/R", and "Rear Presence L/R" speakers. The Front Presence L/R speakers can be identified as Front Height, Top Front, or FRONT Dolby speakers. The Rear Presence L/R speakers can be identified as Rear Height, Top Rear, or REAR Dolby.   - In addition to the 7 main speakers and the optional Front Wide speakers, Denon & Marantz allow you to connect "Height 1" and "Height 2" speakers. The Height 1 speakers can be identified as Front Height, Top Front, Top Middle, FRONT Dolby, or SURROUND Dolby speakers. The Height 2 speakers can be identified as Top Middle, Top Rear, Rear Height, SURROUND Dolby, or REAR Dolby speakers.   Having the additional speaker position options allows you to better match the name of the speakers with their physical location in your room. This allows the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Renderers to position audio objects more precisely.  

Ultimate Home Theater in a Box There are so many Home Theater in a Box systems out there many of which cost less than $400. But seriously, what can you get for $400. A good center channel typically costs more than most HTIB systems on the market today. Each year we try to assemble a Home Theater in many boxes that we would be proud to show off in our homes. Our system will have at a minimum a HDTV, Blu-ray Player, Receiver, and 5.1 speakers. For this feature we choose components that we either have direct experience with or have experience with a similar model made by the same manufacturer. In years past we would set a maximum price but this year we are not doing that. We are defining a system that can had by anyone who is serious about home theater. These system will look and sound great by anyone's definition! Braden: Sharp LC-80LE757 80-inch Aquos Quattron 1080p 240Hz Smart LED 3D HDTV ($3688) It's hard to pass up an 80” TV when you can have it for less than $4000. I was trying to keep the budget to under $6000 or so, but when you consider that an 80” TV is nearly front projection size, and it doesn't suffer from ambient light issues or degrade at all during the day, the $3688 price is a great deal.  It has the exclusive Quattron color technology that delivers a billion more colors, so you get a more powerful picture with brighter yellows, deeper blues, and richer golds. And it has a 240Hz Refresh Rate with AquoMotion 480 that doubles the effective refresh rate so you can see sharper fast-action movies and sports. And it's a smart TV, so need need to add an external streaming player for apps. For those who want to save a little, scale down to a 70” TV, the VIZIO E701i-A3 70-inch 1080p 120Hz Razor LED Smart HDTV is just as smart, but only costs $1498. Denon AVR-X3000 7.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD Networking Receiver with AirPlay ($899) It's no secret Denon is my favorite receiver brand, and the X3000 made our Receiver Buying Guide for a reason. It packs a ton of features, quality and big sound into a very reasonable price. It has 7 HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs for multiple zone viewing. The X3000 comes with Audyssey's Gold package so you can get your sound exactly the way you want it. The unit is Airplay and Windows 8 compatible and comes with Denon Remote app for mobile devices. The receiver's network functionality supports Internet radio services such as SiriusXM, Pandora, and Spotify. Like we said in the Buying Guide, there are many more features than we can't list. It's a very capable receiver and will last you for years. Klipsch RF-42 II Reference Series 7.1 Home Theater System ($1494) Going back to the trusty favorites, Klipsch has never let me down. They make incredibly high quality, supremely efficient speakers that sound great and are easy to listen to. The provide the detail you need for subtle soundtracks and effects in movies and the power you need for all the big explosions. Movies and music will sound just as they were intended to - no matter the room type or size - with the power, detail and emotion of Klipsch Reference II sound. This system includes: 1 RC-42 II Center Channel Speaker, 2 RF-42 II Tower Speakers, 2 RS-41 II Surround Speakers, 2 RB-41 II Bookshelf Speakers and 1 Klipsch SW-110 Subwoofer. This system gets you into 7.1 sound at a great price. There's nothing keeping you from upgrading each of the parts over time, like the subwoofer or maybe a bigger center channel. Samsung BD-F5900 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc Player ($98) Unless you're buying the OPPO, a Blu-ray player is a Blu-ray player. This Samsung unit ticks all the boxes for what you need in a solid performer, and it adds a couple uniques features as well. For example, S-Recommendation helps you find new things to watch, and Samsung Apps offer you new ways to entertain. It has a built-in web browser and Wi-Fi and allows you to stream from your other devices with AllShare. It supports 3D if that's what you're into and can up-convert your favorite DVDs to near Blu-ray quality. Of course it has all the standard apps as well, like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu and Pandora, so there's no need for a secondary streaming player. Miscellaneous You can't have a good home theater without a good universal remote, so throw in a Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control for $60 to round out the package. Sure it isn't the best in the Harmony line, but it controls everything in the package: TV, Receiver, Blu-ray player, Set Top (for Cable or Satellite), with one slot left for a device to be added later. You have to provide your own batteries, but pick up a few rechargeables and you're all set. Figure around $200 for miscellaneous cables and connectors, and the package is complete. Summary Total cost, not including shipping or tax, for a complete home theater with an 80” television and 7.1 surround sound comes out to $6439. I was shooting for a $6000 budget, and came pretty close. It's difficult to fathom that a budget of $6000 can get you an 80” HDTV. If you need to scale back a bit, you can get the same system, but with a 70” HDTV for only $4249. That's unreal. A 70” TV is gigantic, and the 7.1 surround sound will completely immerse you in the experience. Not a bad way to get into HDTV and Surround sound all at once without breaking the bank. Ara: Panasonic TC-P65ZT60 65-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Smart Plasma TV $3200 Well this should be no surprise to anyone. I picked a plasma TV. I still think plasmas produce the best picture out there and for the price its hard to beat. My first HDTV cost me $4000 for a 50 inch DLP that was 720p. For $800 less I get 15 more inches on the diagonal and weighs the same. We were blown away by the picture when we saw it in a light controlled room. And that's the Key, while it will produce a great picture during the daylight it really excels in darker rooms. So make sure you have window covering when watching movies during the day. If you are watching normal daytime fare it won't be an issue. The TV is a Smart TV with all the apps, controls, and gimmicks that come with it. You can connected it to your network so your iRule or Roomie remotes can control it via Ethernet. But the main sale for me is the glorious picture! Get these before they are gone forever. Yamaha RX-A2030 9.2-Channel Network Aventage Audio Video Receiver $1600 I was going to go with a receiver that was on our Receiver Buying Guide but then I figured I want to try everything. Having owned three Yamaha receivers and recommending hundreds more I decided to go with the Aventage line. Every aspect of this receiver is about sound. From the parts used to the vibration dampening mechanics this receiver is for those who want a high quality audio experience. It too has all the niceties of the other receivers on our list: 4K, iOS/Android app, Airplay, Auto calibration and a ton more. Being a 9.2 receiver you will be prepared for the future what ever that ends up being! Aperion Audio Intimus speakers and Hsu VTF-3 MK4 subwoofer 7.1 Speaker System (Total Cost $1970) For this system I am pairing the Intimus speakers with a HSU Research subwoofer. We'll start with two Intimus 4T Tower speakers ($320 each), one Intimus 4C center channel ($160), and four Intimus 4B bookshelf speakers ($260/pair). Aperion is a fantastic speaker company out of Portland Oregon. They offer a free 30 day in home audition at no risk to you. The Intimus line sounds great and will match quite nicely with the Yamaha receiver. On the subwoofer side you know I am going to select the one that rocks my home theater, the VTF-3 MK4 ($650). Its a good sized subwoofer that packs a wallop!     OPPO BDP-103 Universal Disc Player (SACD / DVD-Audio / 3D Blu-ray) $500 There are so many blu-ray players out there for less than $100 so why go with the $500 oppo. The main reason is video processing. The Oppo has Marvell's Kyoto-G2H video processor with the latest generation Qdeo technology will mean all the content whether blu-ray, DVD, or streamed video will look its best. Plus you can connect a cable or set top box to the Oppo and scale and process its video with the Kyoto-G2H. And that makes this the best choice out there for Blu-ray! AppleTV $90 I know what you are asking, Why get an AppleTV when your Blu-ray player and TV already support the same content. For me its about flexibility. Airplay makes it easy to stream content from my iOS devices to my TV plus I have a lot of purchases in iTunes so my music, TV, and Movies are in Apple's cloud and this device makes it easy to get to. If you are not into Apple you can swap out a Chromcast or Roku 3 for the same price. Well for the Chromcast you'll get a rebate :-) Miscellaneous This is where we throw in everything else. But in this case there really isn't much else left. Well maybe a cool remote control. A Harmony Remote would tie it all together nicely but if you have a tablet or smartphone you may want to consider a Roomie or iRule remote. Which ever route you choose we are allocating $200. this assume you already have a tablet or phone if you go that route. The last thing to consider is cables, power strips, and connectors. We will allocate an additional $250 for these items as well. Summary In years past we would limit ourselves to a specific dollar amount but that would also limit our choices. This system, while not cheap, won't break the bank and will be considered outstanding by anyone in the industry. Sure you can do better, but the additional cost may not produce a noticeably better experience. So without further ado… Ara's ultimate home theater Christmas gift comes in at $7810 plus taxes. That is pretty insane for what you get. Consider Braden's first 42 inch enhanced definition (DVD quality) plasma was $5000 and as stated earlier Ara's 720P DLP was $4000. Enjoy!!

Receiver Buying Guide 2013 Its that time of year where we get to spend your money again! We kick off our holiday buying guides with receivers. Our goal with these guides is not necessarily about getting the latest product. Its about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year's gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. Less than $500 Sony STR-DH740 7.2 Channel 4K AV Receiver $275 In this price range you just want a basic receiver that can give you a surround sound experience and leave you some cash for speakers. That's what this receiver is. It doesn't do 4K but it will pass the signal through to the TV so it won't prevent you from enjoying 4K, you know when we actually get 4k content. It comes with 4 HDMI inputs and can process all the advanced audio codecs. In all its a great starter receiver for less than $300!! Onkyo TX - NR609 7.2 Channel Network THX Certified A/V Receiver $400 Wow! Both of our budget receivers are 7.2. Onkyo really packs a ton of features in a unit and prices them for just about everyone. You get six HDMI inputs, iOS connectivity, Network streaming with a great mobile app, and if that's not enough the receiver is THX certified! But what might really seal the deal is the Audyssey calibration and audio leveling technology. $500 - $1000 Denon AVR-X3000 7.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD Networking Receiver with AirPlay $900 Hard to believe this is what we would call mid-tier but its true. Some may say that a $900 receiver is not mid-tier, but in the larger scope of products out there, X3000 is right in the middle based on price. How about based on features? Well in that regard we would agree that it leans more towards the higher end units. It has 7 HDMI inputs, you know in case you have three Blu-ray players ;-) It also has two HDMI outputs for multiple zone viewing. The X3000 comes with Audyssey's Gold package so you can get your sound exactly the way you want it.  The unit is Airplay and Windows 8 compatible and comes with Denon Remote app for mobile devices. Honestly there are many more features that we can't list here. This is a very capable receiver and will last you for years. Yamaha RX-A2020 9.2-Channel Network AVENTAGE AV Receiver $1000 This receiver is at the limit for the range but is a bargain at the price. The A2020 is all about audio quality. Sure it has the same bells and whistles of other receivers in its class but this unit differentiates itself by using the highest quality parts get the most out of the sound. Yamaha also spent time in the design layout like laying out the left and right channels so that the crosstalk is minimized. Yes it supports Airplay, Network Audio, and comes with a mobile app for setup and control. Yamaha includes the YPAO auto calibration system with Reflected Sound Control for easy setup and optimization. Like the Denon, there are so many features we can't list them all here. The A2020 is also a receiver that will do the job for years to come! Pioneer VSX-1122-K 630W 7-Channel A/V Receiver $600 Our last mid-tier receiver is also the best bargain. At $600 its will probably be in the entry level range by summer. The VSX-1122 is certainly not a entry level receiver in terms of capability. It too is a 7 channel receiver that supports Airplay, iPad and iPods. For those with Windows it is certified to works with Windows 7 and DLNA 1.5. With an Internet connection you can stream Pandora and radio stations from around the world. Pioneer has their own auto calibration feature which will have you enjoying surround sound in no time. The iControlAV app gives you ultimate control of the settings on this receiver. So much easier than doing everything from the front panel. The 1122 will be the hub around which your home theater experience will center. Greater than $1000 Marantz SR7008 9.2-Channel 1080P and 4K Ultra HD Pass Through $2000 Our first unit is quite a bit more than the $1000 entry point for this tier. The reason for that is the mid tier really has about all the features you would want even for a greater than $1000 receiver. The SR7008 definitely has features. Its a 9.2 channel receiver that can be controlled with a mobile device. It supports Airplay and will upconvert video to 4K. There is Internet connected features like Pandora. It has seven HDMI inputs and three outputs! So why then would you want to spend a thousand dollars more than the mid-tier receivers? Its the sound. Don't buy this receiver if you don't have an equal amount in investment in speakers. To get the most out of it you will want speakers that can reproduce sound as precisely as the SR7008 can. With the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 your subwoofer will produce the bang for all the bucks you spend. This is a serious receiver for serious home theater lovers! Sony STR-DA5800ES 9.2 Channel 4K AV Receiver with Automation $2100 This is another receiver for serious home theater lovers. Along with similar features sans Airplay, the 5800 sports: nine HDMI inputs, you know for those of you with four blu-ray players, three HDMI outputs (supports multi room HD video distribution), a four port Ethernet switch (thank you!!!), Control4 automation support, special parts selected for their audio quality, and so much more!! This is a super receiver with high quality sound and more bells and whistles than you would ever imagine!   

This episode talk about how amazed I am with "AUDYSSEY’S ROOM CORRECTION SOLUTION"

Dogs are extremely loyal creatures who proudly stand by their owners, so the title of this song by Will Sprott is an entirely accurate one – dogs really will love you when nobody else will. Well, apart from those yapping little Chihuahuas that rich ladies carry around in handbags. Those things just point blank don’t […]

This week, Jim Addie weighs in on the Loudness War, including providing us with this link to Audyssey’s room calibration tool for your DAW, a link for AudioLeak, and a link to a technical document on the subject of loudness, Geoff Hankerson points us toward a recent epsiode of the Home Theatre Geeks podcast, and … Continue reading "Sine Language – Episode 129"