-
VIZIO Launches Amazon Alexa Voice Control Support for Select 4K Displays[teaser]Alexa-enabled devices can now provide voice control for select VIZIO SmartCast displays.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the release of the VIZIO SmartCast skill for Amazon Alexa devices. The hands-free voice control feature is now compatible with 2016 and 2017 P-Series, M-Series, and E-Series 4K displays paired with an Alexa-enabled device. "VIZIO SmartCast is an industry leader with voice control and mobile device integration, in addition to a traditional remote and SmartCast TV interface," said Bill Baxter, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "With the introduction of the VIZIO SmartCast skill for Alexa, we're excited to expand voice controls, giving users with Alexa-enabled products a convenient way to control key features on their VIZIO SmartCast TVs and displays." The VIZIO SmartCast skill enables users to control select functions on compatible VIZIO displays through hands-free voice commands via an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Echo Show or other Alexa-enabled device. Supported voice controls include volume adjustment, channel and input switching, and turning the display on and off, along with playback functions like pause, fast forward, and rewind for select apps. And beyond the new voice control feature, the SmartCast platform also allows users to control their display via the SmartCast app for iOS and Android mobile devices, along with the ability to cast various apps to the big screen. Likewise, customers can also use a traditional remote to control settings and playback, and access a select lineup of apps through an integrated on-screen interface. In addition to support for 2016 and 2017 P-Series, M-Series, and E-Series displays, the SmartCast skill for Alexa is also set to be compatible with 2018 VIZIO SmartCast Full HD and HD displays in the coming weeks as well. Source: VIZIOPosted Tue Feb 13, 2018 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Sony Reveals Pricing for X900F and X850F 4K HDR TVs[teaser]The new Ultra HD TV lineup starts at $1,100.[/teaser] Sony has announced pricing for its upcoming X900F and X850F Series 4K HDR TVs. The displays range in size from 49-inches to 85-inches and pre-orders are now rolling out to Amazon. The new X900F LCD 4K Ultra HD TV series will be available in 49-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch screen sizes. The display uses Sony's TRILUMINOS wide color tech and the X1 Extreme 4K HDR processor which incorporates Object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR, and Dual database processing technology. In addition, HDR10 and Dolby Vision (via future firmware update) are supported as well. Likewise, the TV features direct LED panel local dimming and new X-Motion Clarity tech to help keep fast motion smooth. Android TV with Google Assistant is integrated as well. Here's a full rundown of pricing for each screen size: Sony XBR-49X900F 49" class (48.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $1,099.99 MSRPSony XBR-55X900F 55" class (54.6" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $1,499.99 MSRPSony XBR-65X900F 65" class (64.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $2,299.99 MSRPSony XBR-75X900F 75" class (74.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $3,999.99 MSRPSony XBR-85X900F 85" class (84.6" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $6,999.99 MSRP Meanwhile, the X850 Series will be available in 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch screen sizes. The display uses Sony's TRILUMINOS wide color tech and the 4K HDR Processor X1. In addition, HDR10 support is included as well but not Dolby Vision. Likewise, the TV features an edge-lit LED panel with frame dimming. Android TV with Google Assistant is integrated as well. Here's a full rundown of pricing for each screen size: Sony XBR-65X850F 65" class (64.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $1,999.99 MSRPSony XBR-75X850F 75" class (74.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $3,299.99 MSRPSony XBR-85X850F 85" class (84.6" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - MSRP TBA And in addition to Sony's 2018 X900F and X850F LCD 4K HDR TVs, the company is also gearing up to launch its new A8F Series 4K HDR OLED TV. Source: SonyPosted Mon Feb 12, 2018 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Jessica Jones,' 'Sneaky Pete,' 'Hard Sun,' and More[teaser]Check out the latest crop of trailers for upcoming streaming titles.[/teaser] Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have released new trailers and info for several of their new shows and movies. Here's a full rundown of upcoming titles set to hit each streaming service: Everything Sucks! (Netflix, February 16) - A quirky, funny coming of age story that follows two groups of high school misfits, Everything Sucks! follows an A/V club and a Drama club who collide in 1996 Oregon. The series stars Peyton Kennedy (American Fable, The Captive) and Jahi Winston (The New Edition Story) as students Kate Messner and Luke O’Neil, with Patch Darragh (Sully, Boardwalk Empire) and Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako (Grimm) as their respective parents. The series also features Sydney Sweeney (“Emaline”), Elijah Stevenson (“Oliver”), Quinn Liebling (“Tyler”) and Rio Mangini (“McQuaid”). First Team: Juventus (Netflix, February 16) - A look behind the scenes of Juventus FC. Follow the club during the 2017-2018 both on and off the field, with interviews to legends like Alessandro Del Piero and players like Federico Bernardeschi, Giorgio Chiellini, Douglas Costa, Gonzalo Higuaín, Claudio Marchisio, Miralem Pjanic, Daniele Rugani, the captain Gianluigi Buffon and the coach Massimiliano Allegri. The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale (Netflix, February 18) - A new, weekly half-hour topical series that takes a sharp, absurdist look at pop culture and news from across the globe. It’s a fast and funny distillation of everything people are talking about that week. Featuring celebrity guests, comedy sketches, and insane video clips from the worldwide realms of TV, sports, politics, celebrity culture, and every corner of the internet, The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale is destination viewing for comedy lovers, or people who just really, really like green screens. Ugly Delicious (Netflix, February 23) - From James Beard Award-Winning Chef David Chang and Academy Award-Winning Director Morgan Neville comes Ugly Delicious, challenging both our taste buds and minds. Over eight episodes, David travels the world with writers and chefs, activists and artists, who use food as a vehicle to break down cultural barriers, tackle misconceptions and uncover shared experiences. Ugly Delicious ventures out of polished kitchens into the wider world to explore Viet-Cajun cuisine in Houston, Neapolitan Pizza in Tokyo, home cooking in Copenhagen, and much more. Marseille: Season 2 (Netflix, February 23) - The battle for the heart of Marseille heats up as right-wing nationalists gain power and a shadowy conspiracy targets the city's beloved soccer team. In season 2 Gérard Depardieu as Robert Taro and Benoît Magimel as Lucas Barrès compete again for the love of Marseille.The original cast including Géraldine Pailhas and Stéphane Caillard return, and are joined by Natacha Régnier and Vladimir Consigny. Seven Seconds (Netflix, February 23) - In an instant, life is forever changed for Brenton Butler and his family. After a white cop accidentally hits and critically injures a black teenager, a northeastern city explodes with racial tensions, an attempted cover up and its aftermath, and the trial of the century. Jessica Jones: Season Two (Netflix, March 8) - Jessica Jones is back as New York City’s tough-as-nails private investigator. Although this time, the case is even more personal than ever before. Fueled by a myriad of questions and lies, she will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. EDHA (Netflix, March 16) - A dramatic thriller set in the fashion-conscious city of Buenos Aires, as seen through the eyes of a trendsetting designer, Edha, whose untraditional male model, Teo, becomes her muse. On My Block (Netflix, March 16) - Co-created by Lauren Iungerich (creator of Awkward) and Eddie Gonzalez & Jeremy Haft, On My Block is a coming of age comedy about four bright and street-savvy friends navigating their way through the triumph, pain and the newness of high-school set in the rough inner city. The Mechanism (Netflix, March 23) - Get ready to join a small group of dogged investigators on the hunt to discover the inner workings of the biggest corruption scheme of all time and the impact their pursuit will have on everyone involved - including themselves. 3%: Season Two (Netflix, 2018) - A post-apocalyptic thriller set in near-future Brazil, where a select few are allowed to join a privileged society after undergoing an intense and competitive process. Sneaky Pete: Season Two (Amazon Video, March 9) - On the verge of starting fresh, Marius (Giovanni Ribisi) is dragged back into the role of Pete Murphy when two thugs—believing he’s Pete—threaten to kill the Bernhardts if he doesn’t take them to Pete’s estranged mother and the millions she stole from their employer. Now Marius must tread a dangerous line to find her and protect the family, all while keeping up the Pete con. Hard Sun (Hulu, March 7) - Jim Sturgess and Agyness Deyn play detectives Robert Hicks and Elaine Renko, partners and enemies, who seek to enforce the law and protect their loved ones in a world that every day slips closer to a world-ending natural disaster. Hicks is a family man and a great, committed officer. He’s also profoundly corrupt. Renko is a difficult and damaged, but utterly incorruptible officer. Thus, the two cops stand on different ends of the social and moral spectrum and also seriously distrust one other – and for good reason. But they must somehow learn to work together if they’re going to survive until the end of the world. March of the Penguins 2 (Hulu, March 23) - Filmmaker Luc Jacquet returns to the Antarctic to revisit the Emperor Penguins who call the frozen continent home. A decade after making his Academy Award winning March of the Penguins, Jacquet spent two months shooting in the Antarctic winter using the new technology of 4K cameras, airborne drones, and under-ice diving to show the astonishing lives of these mysterious creatures in an entirely new light. March of the Penguins 2 tells the story of two penguins, a father and son, as they face and overcome the almost unimaginable challenges of life in this hostile land. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $99 per year or $11 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials ($6 limited time promotional price now available). In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube)Posted Fri Feb 9, 2018 at 02:05 PM PST by: -
Hands on First Look: McIntosh XRT2.1K LoudspeakersInstantly recognizable for the iconic blue light of their meters and the trademark green glow of their logo, McIntosh is a company synonymous with high-end audio. And last week, High-Def Digest was invited to attend a special demo of the brand's latest premium speaker: the XRT2.1K Loudspeaker. Part of a two-day event held at the historic 5-story World of McIntosh Townhouse in New York City, the demonstration allowed us to hear the monolithic speakers in person with an extended listening session marked by a variety of music tracks covering just about every genre and style. [teaser]At a commanding 7 feet tall, the towering XRT2.1K speakers use McIntosh's line array design to help create an evenly dispersed stereo image with deep and spacious fidelity[/teaser], resulting in a truly enveloping sound that is every bit as big as the speaker pair's $130,000 price tag. SPECS & DESIGN With its attention-grabbing monolith design, the XRT2.1K features a double architecture construction comprising of an array panel that is suspended in front of a bass column to hold a combined total of 81 drivers. This suspended configuration is inspired by the steel spiders used in skyscrapers to connect glass walls, and the results are strikingly beautiful, creating a faintly sci-fi aesthetic that makes the speaker look like some kind of high-tech terminal you might find aboard an alien spaceship. The array panel itself houses the unit's (28) 2" upper frequency midranges and (45) ¾" tweeters, and features a glossy black design with aluminum trims reminiscent of the classic McIntosh faceplate. Meanwhile, the bass column is separated into three separate enclosures to contain the speaker's (6) 8" woofers and (2) 6.5" low frequency midranges. The bass cabinet is made of a combination of brushed and black aluminum and is finished with 7 layers of high gloss piano black paint. Influenced by the speaker configurations used in PA systems for live concerts, the XRT2.1K takes advantage of its vertical line array design to enable sound projection at a greater distance than a traditional point source design would allow. Likewise, the line array provides reduced sensitivity to early reflections, great power handling, low THD (total harmonic distortion), and an even sound dispersion pattern. With that said, in the past this arrangement has been known to have trouble creating a well-defined soundstage with clear stereo separation, but McIntosh has worked hard to avoid this issue through the specific design and placement of its drivers. Here's a full rundown of specs per McIntosh's website: ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS IMPEDANCE NOMINAL 8 Ohms POWER RATING 2000 Watts FREQUENCY RESPONSE 16Hz to 45kHz SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL, 2.8V/1M 89dB CROSSOVER 250Hz, 1.5kHz DRIVER SPECIFICATIONS NUMBER OF WOOFERS 6 WOOFER SIZE 12" WOOFER TYPE Aluminum Long Throw NUMBER OF MIDRANGES 64 MIDRANGE SIZE 2" MIDRANGE TYPE Inverted Titanium Dome NUMBER OF TWEETERS 40 TWEETER SIZE 3/4" TWEETER TYPE Titanium Dome GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS SYSTEM TYPE Sealed, Dual Column, 3-Way GRILLE Black knit cloth AVAILABLE FINISHES Piano Black WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) 19" (48.26cm) x 83-7/8" (213.04cm) (including feet) x 18" (45.72cm) WEIGHT 452 lbs (205 kg) SHIPPING WEIGHT 522 lbs (236.8 kg) LISTENING DEMOS To demo the XRT2.1K speakers, McIntosh had a listening area set up in one of the townhouse's larger spaces, providing a much more open environment with higher ceilings compared to the cozier room used for the Sonus faber demonstration. And unlike that shorter session, this extended demo allowed guests to spend quite a bit more time with the speakers as we listened to a variety of high dynamic range digital tracks. All of the digital files were played off of a laptop connected to a McIntosh amp. Setting the stage with some playful fanfare, the first track we heard was the iconic 20th Century Fox theme with blaring trumpets and steady drums, and each element of the score came through with precision and commanding presence. Next, we transitioned to Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side," and it's here where the speaker's detailed sonics really came into focus. Reed's matter-of-fact vocals were clear and clean, and the chorus of "doo doo doo" revealed surprisingly strong stereo separation with a pleasing sense of space between the voices and the instruments. Perhaps most striking, however, was just how full the track's famous bass line sounded. Each strum came through with a deep, textured thud that I could feel subtly resonating beneath my feet, reproducing an impressive level of dimension and nuance in every note. Switching to a classical composition, the demo went on to sample Strauss' "Also sprach Zarathustra," most well known for being used as the opening theme to Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The iconic piece highlighted the XRT2.1K's impressive range, as the instruments gradually built to an absolutely room-filling crescendo. After that, we entered blues territory with Mighty Sam McClain's "Too Proud." The speakers gave the vocals a velvety timbre while offering an intimate and realistic sense of dimension between the dancing piano keys, steady drum beat, and gliding guitar strings. Other tracks by The Beatles, The White Stripes, and more all came through with similarly impressive results, though the most memorable track ended up being Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall." Stereo imaging was fantastic and the song's ethereal use of reverb spread a distinct array of tones throughout the room with a layered yet cohesive sound. As a whole, the extended demo session did a great job of revealing the speaker's many strengths, creating dynamic and richly detailed audio that was capable of getting loud without sacrificing detail. Much like the similarly high-end Sonus faber Aida speakers that I also got to demo (I heard the two a day apart from each other), the XRT2.1K often made it seem as if the band was right there in the room playing live. But while the Aida's created a comparatively intimate soundstage that evoked a small club or recording studio setting, the XRT2.1K seemed to excel more at replicating the feel of a larger concert venue with a bit more kick behind the low end. Of course, the different listening environments could have also contributed to this, but in general I found that the XRT2.1K had a slightly more aggressive approach -- which is something some listeners might either prefer or dislike depending upon personal preferences. In addition to sampling tracks in the typical sweet spot right between the left and right channels, I also walked around the room to hear how the line array configuration handled dispersion. And while the sweet spot was still the best seat in the house, the speakers maintained an impressively consistent sound no matter where I stood, offering little change in perceived volume even when I stood toward the back of the room. Stereo separation did suffer more, but in general, the XRT2.1K was capable of creating a large listening radius, seemingly turning the room into a mini amphitheater. FINAL THOUGHTS Blending a striking suspended array design with incredibly detailed sound, the McIntosh XRT2.1K Loudspeaker is a genuine marvel of audio technology. With even dispersion that still maintains pleasing stereo separation marked by clean highs, rich mids, and deep lows, the speakers are able to produce a sometimes startlingly realistic presence behind every note they play. The XRT2.1K speakers are now available for an MSRP of $130,000 per pair. As with the equally expensive Sonus faber Aida speakers, a product this pricey is only going to appeal to a limited selection of wealthy audiophiles, but based on what I heard, those with the necessary funds aren't likely to be disappointed. After all, the cost of an average house is but a small price to pay for being able to turn your living room into a private rock concert on demand.Posted Thu Feb 8, 2018 at 05:30 PM PST by: -
First Details Emerge on Launch Lineup for Disney's New Streaming Service[teaser]Potential titles set for the new streaming platform have been revealed.[/teaser] As reported by Deadline, new details about Disney's upcoming streaming service have been revealed. The platform is set for a fall 2019 release and a potential launch lineup has been unveiled, including a Star Wars series and a new Marvel show. Though full details and pricing have not been announced yet, Deadline's sources indicate that the service will arrive in the US first before eventually expanding to foreign markets. Programming goals for the first year include four to five original movies and five TV series. With that said, the platform will not include R-rated movies. Instead, the plan is for R-rated content to be relegated to Hulu. Meanwhile, current Marvel shows, including those on Netflix, are expected to remain on their respective networks and services. Some new movie titles reportedly in development or consideration for the Disney streaming service include Don Quixote from a script written by Billy Ray, Stargirl from director Julia Hart, Togo from director Ericson Core, Lady and the Tramp, The Paper Magician, 3 Men and a Baby, Sword and the Stone, and Timmy Failure. Likewise, films already in post-production that are set for the platform include director Mark Waters' Magic Camp, and director Mark Lawrence's Noelle starring Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, and Shirley MacLaine. Finally, TV projects expected to launch on the streaming service include a new Star Wars show, a new live-action Marvel series, a Monsters Inc show, and High School Musical. More details, including pricing and an exact launch date for Disney's new streaming service are still forthcoming. Source: DeadlinePosted Thu Feb 8, 2018 at 02:08 PM PST by: -
DirecTV & Comcast Will Offer Winter Olympics in 4K HDR & Dolby Atmos[teaser]Several TV providers are offering select Olympics coverage in 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos.[/teaser] Comcast Xfinity and DirectTV have both announced plans to offer next-day access to select events from the 2018 Winter Olympics in 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. Likewise, DISH is also offering 4K HDR coverage but has made no mention of Dolby Atmos support. The 2018 Winter Olympics are set to run from February 8 through February 25 in PyeongChang, South Korea, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for Friday, February 9. Comcast Xfinity users with an X1 set-top box and compatible AV fear can access next-day 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos Olympics coverage on-demand. Events set to be available include the Opening Ceremony, ski jumping, figure skating, snowboard /Big Air and the Closing Ceremony. Meanwhile, DirecTV customers with a Genie HD DVR or 4K Genie Mini set-top box and the necessary AV gear can tune into channel 106 starting Friday, February 9 at 10 AM ET to see select next-day Olympic Games in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos sound, including the Opening Ceremony, figure skating, short track, ski jump/big air, Closing Ceremony, and ice hockey. Finally, DISH subscribers with a Hopper 3 DVR and a compatible AV setup can watch select Olympic Games on a one-day delay in 4K HDR through channel 540. Events set to be featured include the Opening Ceremony, figure skating, hockey, short track speed skating, ski jumping and snowboard big air, along with PyeongChang scenics. 4K HDR coverage will begin on February 10 with up to three events from the previous days' schedule set to be offered daily through February 26. And for users looking to watch all the events in traditional HD, be sure to check out our rundown of broadcast and streaming viewing options for the Olympics here. Sources: Comcast, DISH, AT&TPosted Thu Feb 8, 2018 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
How to Watch the 2018 Winter Olympics[teaser]Cord-cutters and traditional TV subscribers all have several options to watch the Winter Olympics this year.[/teaser] The 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea are set to officially begin on Thursday, February 8, and will run through Sunday, February 25. Meanwhile, the Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, February 9. And thankfully, fans have plenty of TV and streaming options to watch live and on-demand coverage of every event. TV Coverage Various Winter Olympics events will be shown across the networks of NBC Universal through OTA, cable, and satellite services when available. Participating channels will include NBC, NBCSN, USA, CNBC, and the Olympic Channel. For a full schedule of programming, click here. The Opening Ceremony itself is set to be broadcast on NBC, with live coverage scheduled for 6 AM ET and taped coverage set for 8 PM ET on Friday, February 9. Streaming Coverage Beyond traditional OTA, cable, and satellite, there are several streaming options for coverage of the Olympics on computers, mobile devices, media players, and connected TVs as well. The NBCOlympics.com website and the NBC Sports app are both set to stream every event live and on-demand, including the Opening Ceremony. Likewise, the website and app will both offer access to additional highlight clips and features. With that said, while limited content will be available for free to all viewers, to get full live and on-demand streaming access users will need to sign into the site or app with an authenticated pay-TV account. The NBC Sports app is available on the iTunes store, Google Play, the Windows app store, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox, and Samsung smart TVs. Click here to access the full live streaming schedule. Finally, live internet TV platforms with access to NBC stations, including services like Sling TV, YouTube TV, PlayStation Vue, and Hulu, can all be used to catch coverage of the games too. Source: NBCPosted Wed Feb 7, 2018 at 10:30 PM PST by: -
Samsung Unveils 3D Cinema LED Screen for Movie Theaters[teaser]A 3D version of the company's LED theater display tech has been demoed.[/teaser] Samsung has revealed a new 3D version of its Cinema LED Screen for movie theaters. The new tech made its debut this week during the ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) 2018 commercial display exhibition in Europe. The standard Cinema Screen uses direct-lit LED technology to produce a 34-foot 4K (4,096 x 2,160) resolution image with High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, a nearly infinity:1 contrast ratio, highly accurate color, and non-distorted visuals. Now incorporating 3D support into the equation, the new 3D Cinema Screen has been designed to offer an immersive 3D experience without sacrificing the impressive brightness and resolution performance found on the standard Cinema Screen. With that in mind, the 3D Cinema Screen is able to avoid the loss of brightness and resolution associated with traditional 3D movie projection, allowing the screen to maintain the 48 nits of the standard Cinema Screen even when viewers are wearing 3D glasses. Likewise, Samsung has worked to develop an algorithm to eliminate pesky crosstalk which can cause dizziness. "People say 'Seeing is Believing.' One might not believe until seeing something, but once seeing it, there's no denial. I think this applies to 3D Cinema LED, too. Before experiencing it, some might doubt whether there is an actual difference. But once they experience the new technology of ours, people will believe and understand that it is totally different. This year's ISE will be the first moment of that unique experience," said Dongsoo Koo, from Samsung Visual Display Division's Enterprise Product Planning Group. Commercial theaters set to use the new Samsung 3D Cinema LED Screen have not been announced yet. Source: SamsungPosted Wed Feb 7, 2018 at 08:50 AM PST by: -
Hands on First Look: Sonus faber Aida Floor-Standing SpeakersPart of the McIntosh Group of high-end audio brands, Italian manufacturer Sonus faber has a history of developing premium speakers well known for their beautiful wood work, elegant designs, and sophisticated sonics. And last week, High-Def Digest was invited to attend a special demo of the company's latest flagship speaker model: the all-new and improved Aida floor-standing loudspeaker. Held at the historic 5-story World of McIntosh Townhouse in New York City, the event allowed us to get up close and personal with the premium speakers while enjoying an intimate listening session fueled by an eclectic assortment of music selections. [teaser]Serving as a successor to the previously released 2011 model, the new Aida features the same elegant aesthetic as its predecessor along with a completely overhauled internal design[/teaser], blending gorgeous looks with improved drivers to deliver a truly premium product for an equally premium MSRP of $130,000 per pair. SPECS & DESIGN When it comes to looks, the new Aida "3 and 2/3 way" floor-standing loudspeaker is essentially the same as the previous edition, though there is a new Wenge wood finish option treated with maple wood inlay and the company's signature hand polishing process. The cabinet uses the same "lyra shape" design as before with dual-side curvature and special cross grained Okoumè plywood in a double thickness constriction layer damped configuration. The result? One very handsome yet very large speaker that should have no problem complementing a customer's high-end furniture set -- so long as you have enough room to fit it. Each unit measures 68"’x 19"’ x 31" and weighs in at about 364 pounds. Beyond general aesthetics, the cabinet features the company's "Anima Legata" system, "Tuned Mass Dampers," and "Bow suspension" with a "Zero Vibration Transmission" system. Put together, these design features basically all help to minimize unwanted resonance and vibration in the loudspeaker and the surrounding musical environment, helping the Aida to not only create quality sound but also a correct reproduction of silence, which Sonus faber calls "the canvas where music is painted." Meanwhile, when it comes to bass performance, the speaker utilizes the company's patented Stealth Ultraflex system. This tech enables superior bass extension in low frequencies compared to a traditional ported system while also minimizing THD (total harmonic distortion). Under the hood, the updated Aida features a completely new driver system, including a "D.A.D. Arrow Point" H28 XTR-04 tweeter and an M18 XTR-04 midrange enhanced with an avional-gunmetal basket. Together, the tweeter and midrange help to produce the "Voice of Sonus faber," which the company defines as its trademark warm and involving timbre. And to complete the driver array, the system also houses a W22 XTR-12 woofer with all-new Neodymium magnet motors and a SW32 XTR-08 infra-woofer with a Nano Carbon sandwich cone and long-throw 4’" voice-coils powered by a Neodymium magnet motor. Finally, the speaker includes Sound Field Shaper technology with an array of rear-facing drivers. This feature actually allows a user to adjust the depth of the soundstage through control of the speaker's direct/reverberant radiation ratio to suit one's desired preferences for a specific room. Of course, all the above technical jargon is meaningless if it doesn't translate into impressive real-world performance. And with that in mind, we actually got to put all those fancy specs to the test with a half-hour listening session. LISTENING DEMOS To demo the Aida speakers, Sonus faber escorted a small group of journalists and dealers into a cozy listening room located on one of the townhouse's upper levels. Powered by an Audio Research amp, the demonstration featured several CD tracks being played off of an Audio Research CD player. Kicking things off right, we listened to "Walking on the Moon" by the Yuri Honing Trio. The dynamic jazz piece proved to be a great introduction to the Aida's impressive tonal depth, range, and texture. Strumming bass notes carried a pleasing resonance, the moaning saxophone was nice and smooth, and the drum beat remained distinct and clean throughout. The track takes its time building to a robust middle section before gently petering off again, and the speakers really came alive during the vibrant halfway stretch, making it feel as if we were right there with the instruments during the recording session. Introducing vocals to the mix, the next track we demoed was Doug MacLeod's "Black Nights." The speakers produced a full and intimate soundstage marked by a wide sense of height and separation between the instruments and vocals, giving MacLeod's melancholy blues lyrics a spacious atmosphere. As a counterpoint, the next song, "Lester's Methadone Clinic" by Sonia Dada, perked things up considerably, spreading a funky and energetic R&B tune around the room. Filled with lively snaps, claps, gliding piano keys, and warm vocals, the song played through the speakers with a great sense of stereo imaging and overall fidelity, realizing all of the track's many layered tones with a precise yet very cohesive sound. Finally, to close out the demo we listened to "Le Temps Passe" by Michel Jonasz. The French track provided a powerful finale that left us wanting more -- even after its 11-minute runtime. With a steady, slow bass rhythm layered under deep, warm vocals, the song carried an almost haunting and ethereal quality -- all given a lush and natural presence thanks to the Aida's expansive and accurate soundfield. A few particularly deep bass notes pushed the speakers toward some of the lowest frequencies of the demo, creating an intense yet balanced kick. Taken as a whole, the demo session did a good job of conveying the Aida's versatility and rich fidelity, highlighting the speaker's fairly neutral profile. Rather than overly favor either the highs or lows, the speakers offered an engaging mid-range that was able to gradually and smoothly expand to the extremes of both ends, seamlessly transitioning through a wide and dynamic range of frequencies without any harshness, distortion, or exaggerated brightness/booming. Every element of each track was given ample room to breathe, bringing out little details and nuances while maintaining an overall balanced quality that blended distinct instrumentals, vocals, highs, mids, and lows into an impressively cohesive sound. Likewise, the vibration reduction features actually seemed to work quite well, as the speakers were able to render deep low frequencies without any unwanted rattling in the relatively small listening environment. Though the neutral sound didn't always have the punchiness that some might prefer, at their best, the Aidas often had the effect of transporting the listener right into a recording studio or a club, creating a startlingly intimate quality that made it seem like an actual band was only a few feet away. In fact, the level of audio detail was so impressive that I almost didn't recognize some of the demo tracks when I went to listen to them again on my own budget-level headphones and speakers at home. Without the Aida's expansive presentation, they just didn't sound the same. FINAL THOUGHTS With the new updated Aida speakers, Sonus faber has taken everything it's learned about audio design over the last few years and put it to the test, creating a truly premium listening experience with a beautiful external aesthetic. In other words, these things sound just as elegant as they look. Or is it, they look just as elegant as they sound? Either way, the results are genuinely impressive. The new Aida speakers are now available in the US, Europe, and Australia for an MSRP of $130,000 per pair. And while a product that expensive is only going to appeal to a limited selection of wealthy audiophiles, based on my brief demo, those with pockets deep enough to make the investment should get their money's worth. Sure, spending over 100 grand on speakers might seem excessive, but when the results are almost as good as having a live band on call 24/7 in your living room, that cost starts to seem a little more reasonable.Posted Mon Feb 5, 2018 at 06:25 PM PST by: -
Best Buy Set to Stop Selling Music CDs[teaser]The electronics retailer will no longer offer CDs in its stores.[/teaser] According to a report from Billboard, Best Buy has announced plans to stop selling music CDs at its retail locations. In addition, Target is also said to be reevaluating its approach to CD sales. Best Buy will begin removing any remaining CD inventory from its retail stores on July 1. With that said, the company does plan to continue to sell vinyl for the next two years to complement its inventory of turntables. The decision to terminate CD sales likely comes as a result of increased consumer interest in digital music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, and declining CD sales in the US. Though global CD sales remain fairly strong, the CD market was down 18.5% in the US last year and Billboard's sources indicate that CD sales only make about $40 million annually for Best Buy. Apparently those numbers just aren't enough to justify the price of stock and the shelf space needed to keep CDs in stores. Meanwhile, though they don't plan to completely pull CDs from shelves just yet, Target is also set to alter its approach to CD sales. The company has told music manufacturers that it wants to sell CDs on a consignment basis through scan-based trading. As of now, Target pays for any CDs the store is sent within 60 days. In addition, the store must pay to ship back any unsold CDs for credit. Under the proposed new system, however, Target would only have to pay for CDs after they have been scanned at the register and sold to customers, placing all of the risk on the music suppliers. The retailer is also pressuring movie studios to use the same system for DVD sales, and the music industry is reportedly waiting to see if DVD suppliers comply before agreeing to Target's new method. A deadline is set for April or May of this year, and if an agreement is not met, Target could be the next to pull CDs completely from its stores. Source: BillboardPosted Mon Feb 5, 2018 at 08:30 AM PST by:
