Samsung’s flagship soundbars have for generations now delivered the most immersive audio performances in the soundbar world with their huge amounts of power, four components (including real rear speakers) and massive channel counts. So, can Samsung’s new HW-Q990D - which sticks again at 16 channels - keep the improvements coming?
With 11 channels of 140W amplification and the capacity to process
13.4-channel audio, the new AVR is set to jump to the top of the series, featuring support for 8K video, Dolby Atmos, and more.
Martin Dew reviews Lyngdorf’s MP-50 12-channel preamp/processor after living with it for nearly three years. A long-term test, we might call it. Does an elevation to the world of high-end home cinema processors really make a difference in performance terms?
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Home AV
LG unveils its 2024 soundbar lineup
by Ian Collen
The new trio will be made up of the S95TR, SG10TY, and S70TY models, with the former offering up to 810W output through 15 channels, including the company's industry-first up-firing centre.
Philips OLED+908 (55OLED+908) 4K MLA OLED TV Review
by Phil Hinton
Philips latest flagship OLED+908 offers MLA (Micro Lens Array) and META technology for increased brightness along with the 7th Gen P5 processor and Bowers & Wilkins Soundbar. So is it a contender for TV of the year?
The JBL Bar 1300 soundbar has a clever approach to the quality vs. convenience balance, though there's a significant outlay involved. Does this financial commitment get you the best of both worlds? We take a look.
LG's 2023 USC9S soundbar targets the company's own LG OLED TVs as the perfect partner for a TV/home audio combi match made in heaven. So, is there any point in buying a USC9S if you don’t have an LG C3 or C2 TV?
Samsung's second from top soundbar for 2023 looks like it will give the flagship a run for its money in terms of value and sound quality, is that the case?
Samsung's flagship soundbar for 2023 features 11.1.4 channels, 22 drivers and a wireless subwoofer along with up-firing rear speakers. With wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony still in place from 2022, has Samsung really managed to eke out even more sound quality than last year’s class-leading Q990B?
The Yamaha RX-A4A is one of the Japanese company’s budget-to-mid-price receivers. If you’ve saved up a bit of cash and are thinking of going multi-channel in the living room, will the A4A prove to be the magic bullet?
Sharp announces new flagship 4K MiniLED and QLED TVs
by Ian Collen
Sharp has announced the expansion of its TV portfolio with three new MiniLED series, including a new flagship model, plus a fresh QLED range set to launch in the coming months.
The new compact bar offers a smaller and more affordable solution while still delivering up to 7.1.4 3D virtualisation with Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio.
We present our video review of the TCL 65-inch C845K Mini LED TV which offers 2,000 nits peak brightness and a 65-inch screen size for just £1049. Is there a catch? Watch to find out...
We take an in-depth look at the latest flagship Mini LED TV from TCL which offers all the available HDR formats, Dolby Atmos and DTS sound, plus Google TV and HDMI 2.1 gaming features at 65 inches for just £1,049. So, what's the catch?
We take a look at the midpoint in the Hisense ULED Mini LED TV range, the U7K. Can it improve on last year's U7 and provide the same features and specifications worldwide? Let's find out...
As the most expensive soundbar in Samsung’s 2023 range to not ship with included rear speakers, the HW-Q800C has a potentially tricky job on its hands winning over hearts, minds and ears as successfully as the brand’s full surround sound options. Can it pull a rabbit out of the audio hat?
Audio Return Channel and it's lossless-audio sibling Enhanced Audio Return Channel can offer a smart, cable-reduced approach to connecting up your TV and sound system via HDMI. Find out more here.
Hi-Fi
Wharfedale announces Diamond 12 Series 3D speakers
by Ian Collen
The new additions to the series can be used as standalone wall-mounts or combined with the existing 12.1 bookshelf or 12.3 floorstanders for some extra height support.
Denon announces new S-Series 8K AVRs and amplifier
by Ian Collen
Offering more affordable solutions for smaller rooms, the 7.2-channel AVR-S770H and the 5.2-channel AVR-S670H receivers, along with the AVC-S670H amplifier, will be launching in September.
Marantz’s new Cinema range revamps the company’s longstanding design language with AVRs that look a good deal more elegant than the industry norm. But does the Cinema 60 sound as refined as its appearance suggests?
Sony's A-series of soundbars starts with the HT-A3000 and we put it through its paces both with and without optional wireless rears and subwoofer to see whether the additional uplift in performance offered is worth the hefty additional cost.
8
Home AV
Sony announces HT-S2000 3.1-channel soundbar
by Ian Collen
The latest addition to its line-up promises to deliver an immersive 3D surround experience with a combined 250W output, and also introduces Sony's new Home Entertainment Connect app.
Spears and Munsil launches new Ultra HD Benchmark calibration disc
by Ian Collen
The three-disc Blu-ray set brings even more features and patterns than its predecessors to add greater depth and detail to calibrating and evaluating HDR, SDR, and wide colour gamut displays, along with added audio support.
The 360W bar comes with seven front-firing speakers and two built-in subwoofers, plus an integrated AV receiver and multiroom compatibility to support a larger 5.1 set-up.
With up to 5.2.2 channels, HDMI 2.1 and a host of streaming and connectivity features, the Onkyo TX-NR6100 provides a lot for its £899 asking price. Is this the sub-£1k AVR to beat?
Samsung launches its 2023 Q-Series soundbar range in the UK
by Ian Collen
There are six new solutions now widely available, leading with the flagship HW-Q990C offering 11.1.4-channel audio, backed by a wireless sub and rear speakers, along with Q-Symphony and Dolby Atmos support.
Having been impressed with the flagship HT-A7000's performance and credentials, we take a look at the HT-A5000 which sheds a few channels down to 5.1.2 but still champions the expandable single soundbar solution. Can it carry the A7000's impressive banner into midrange territory?
Emotiva’s BasX MR1 receiver and MC1 processor set for UK launch
by Ian Collen
One offers a 13.2-channel processor with an 11-channel amplifier, and the other offers half of that equation, with both set to reach the UK this month promising high performance at an affordable price.
We take a look at the lower-cost HW-Q800B, which drops the wireless rear speakers but retains many of the same features as its more expensive stablemates. Can the resulting front-heavy system make its mark in what’s arguably become the most fiercely competitive segment of the soundbar market?
Sony announces five new 8K AVRs featuring Spatial Sound Mapping
by Ian Collen
The good news is the new multi-channel line-up offers 4K/120 support, plus Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping. The bad news is that they only seem to be confirmed for North America right now…
Sennheiser downsizes its Ambeo soundbar but does it still gets 'plus' points for its 7.1.4 virtual channels, streaming capabilities and connectivity? We check out the Ambeo Plus here.