Samsung’s New Top of the Line 8500 Series LED HDTVs Feature a 240Hz Refresh Rate, Local Dimming and Internet Connectivity

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today unveiled the flagship model of its expanded LED HDTV lineup with the all-new 8500 Series. The new HDTVs combine the award-winning picture quality and thinness of Samsung’s previous LED HDTVs, with the latest networking and interactive features, to provide an ideal option to all TV connoisseurs.

“For consumers who are looking for the ultimate HD centerpiece and high-level performance in their home theater, the Samsung 8500 Series delivers break-through quality and design,” said John Revie, senior vice president of Visual Display Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “The 8500 Series underscores Samsung’s dedication to providing a full range of HDTVs that not only achieve the highest levels of picture quality, but also provide unique and immersive entertainment experiences through our Medi@ 2.0â„¢ suite.”

Samsung 8500 LED HDTV Series Pricing and Availability

* Price: 46-inch class: $3,599.99 / 55-inch class: $4,499.99
* Availability: September 2009

Read more info on eCoustics.com

source: eCoustics

2 Days left in this contest to win some awesome equipment.

Here is the skinny from HomeTheaterReview.com. I’m game, I entered, Cary Audio makes some fantastic gear and I would love to own some myself.  Easy and quick questionnaire along with fill in name and info.  No BS.

- audioREVIEW

Enter To Win A $1,500 Cary Audio Xciter 32bit/192k USB DAC!

In July 2009, readers of HomeTheaterReview.com are invited to enter to win a $1,500 Cary Audio Xciter 32bit/192k USB DAC. Plug in everything from your CD transport to your computer right into this cutting edge audiophile component and prepare to be blown away. Entry is simple. Just fill out your information and answer the questions (its on a few pages) and you are entered to win. Its that easy.

Enter Here

source: hometheaterreview.com

www.caryaudio.com

What truly is better? Plasma or LCD or CRT?

Plasma has been stamped of late as ‘dying technology’ but LCD still has a lot of haters. Displaymate.com did a shootout of Plasma, LCD, CRT.  Dr. Raymond Soneira compares two Plasmas, eight LCDs, and one CRT Sony Professional HD Trinitron Studio Monitor at the DisplayMate Technologies Demo Lab. They go over Features and Specifications, Set Up and Calibration, Photometry and Colorimetry, Brightness and Contrast Ratio and Viewing Angles.

If having a true picture perfect HDTV is a priority for you, I suggest you read this.

There is also an interesting discussion about the results of the shootout going on in the audioREVIEW forums.

It sure does appear that Plasma is still the way to go. But don’t think that wont stop pixelthis from defending LCD to the death in the forums.

via: 3db | displaymate.com

What receiver would you throw down a black hole, never to be seen, and more importantly heard from again?

You ever had a receiver that just never sounded right, or blew up, melted away soon after purchasing? Wish you have never heard it, wish you had never seen it, wish it had never existed, wish you could throw in a black hole never to be heard from again? I have. A nice cheap-o Sony 7.1 surround sound receiver.  About 6 months after I got it for the computer (we watch movies on the computer at home) something happened and the sub basically went full power all the time.  Well, that ended that.

But what about you? Best story of a receiver hell you wish you could catapult into a black hole never to be heard again WINS an audioREVIEW T-Shirt.

Leave your story below in the comments. We’ll pick a winner next weekend.

A speaker company close to my ears and a line that performs very well if not the best in it’s class, is growing.

The RX line all use a new ceramic-over-metal C-CAM driver technology that has grown out of the Finite Element Analysis Monitor Audio uses to model the way drivers behave.

The tweeter now has higher sensitivity and wider bandwidth than the older series. The Mids/bass now use fine-tuned versions of the Rigid Surface Technology C-CAM.

UK price and links to other post with photos and more info from What Hi-Fi? in
Ajani’s forum post. Check it out.

via: Ajani and What Hi-Fi?

Could a dynamic price scale that finds the most a person is willing to pay at the moment of purchase be the solution to online music sales? A company named The Orchard believes they have found a way.

The Orchard announced a deal with Digonex Technologies Inc., a company that specializes in gathering sales data, analyzing purchasing behavior and sets new prices that aim to find the ’sweet spot’.

Read more about it on NPR…

I think dynamic pricing is a great way to go.  Think off all the oldie you might be able to pick up on the cheap.  But does that mean classical and jazz will suffer.  How about smaller niche styles of music. You obviously can’t base an old Nat King Cole record off the sales of New Pornographers.  Should be interesting to watch this.  And I mean watch, I can’t participate.  I refuse to pay for lower quality mp3 encodes myself.

via: NPR

Sharp introduces its new HTSB200 sound bar technology

Hitting the shelves this month is the new HTSB200 sound bar from Sharp Electronics. The HTSB200 is designed to simulate surround sound without the added bulk and cost of a full blown home audio theatre system.

The HTSB200 is a full-range speaker system that combines advanced HDSS and SRS WOW technology with a 2.1 channel surround sound to create a more natural and realistic listening experience with a deeper, more natural bass response.

read more on hiddenwires.com…

source: hiddenwires

Sennheiser Sound Tour Creates Buzz in SoHo With “American Idol” Microphone Engagement, guidePORT Technology, Consumer Interaction and Product Demos

NEW YORK, NY — (Marketwire) — 07/27/09 — When New York’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex in NYC opened last November, it was only fitting that Sennheiser’s guidePORT (www.guideport.com) was the chosen technology to deliver the audio experience. This summer, Sennheiser brings innovation to SoHo once again with the Sennheiser Sound Tour (www.sennheisersoundtour.com) — a highly creative, guerrilla-marketing campaign designed to increase the German manufacturer’s brand awareness among consumers.

The Sennheiser Sound Tour utilizes a combination of unconventional avenues and social media channels to reach today’s diverse range of headphone consumers. The campaign speaks to the individuality and confidence of contemporary electronics consumers — a market that includes music enthusiasts, online gamers, multimedia artists and musicians.

Sennheiser (www.sennheiserusa.com) — whose microphones and audio products are endorsed by stars like Seal, Madonna, Sting and countless others — will host two very special consumer engagement events at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex in NYC on July 31st and August 1st between 6pm and 11pm (click here for directions: www.rockannex.com/directions). The events occur on both nights and will consist of:

– A first-hand look at the “technology behind the tour.” Sennheiser’s
guidePORT system delivers a dynamic and highly personalized museum
experience.

– A unique consumer photo opportunity (to take place in the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame Annex lobby) with the original, highly customized microphones
used by the “American Idol” finalists.

– A chance to meet and interact with the Sennheiser Sound Tour “Girls
Team,” who will be on hand offering product demonstrations, rebates and
incentives on Sennheiser Headphones (read more below).

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex’s highly personalized audio tour is driven by a pair of Sennheiser PX 200 headphones and a clip-on Sennheiser guidePORT receiver. These components enable users to experience audio that complements each specific area of the museum they are viewing.

Stefanie Reichert, VP of strategic marketing, Sennheiser, commented: “We are proud to be associated with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex, New York City’s unique and interactive entertainment experience. This week, we invite the public to come down to SoHo, meet the Girls Team and witness true sound innovation in a truly breathtaking educational environment.”

“Thanks to our partnership with Sennheiser, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex is a unique experiential, technologically advanced exhibition,” said Natalie Gilhome, Associate Producer for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex. “This amazing audio experience helps to immerse our visitors in the greatest moments in rock and roll history and really connect with the music.”

Sennheiser Sound Tour: Highlighted Resources and Media Links:

– Webisode 1: The Starting Line (www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPge-dw-Hfo)

– High resolution photo of teams (2.5mb, jpg)
(http://tinyurl/soundtourimage)

– Dedicated Sennheiser Sound Tour Twitter
(www.twitter.com/sennheiserpr)and Facebook
(www.facebook.com/pages/Sennheiser-Sound-Tour/68372284276?ref=s)
environments

– SennheiserSoundTour.com (www.sennheisersoundtour.com) - dedicated
microsite

source: Marketwire

Yes that is right, four earbuds, two sets, so now you can totally share the stereo experience instead of each of you getting a channel. It appears some advanced thinking individual is selling these for $39 and $49 via amazon.com. Would be a great gift to bring together young music lovers.

Get them at Amazon

via: connectwithyourteens.blogspot.com

LG’s First-Ever THX Certified LED LCD HDTV Features Mega Contrast LED for Enhanced Picture Quality

Redefining the LED LCD HDTV landscape, the newest HDTVs from LG Electronics are the first LCDs to receive THX Display Certification in the U.S. market. LG’s new LH90 series, available now through national retailers such as Best Buy and other leading electronics dealers, offer consumers advanced picture quality, smart energy savings and stylish design.

“Creating a new era in LCD technology the THX-Certified LH90 blends style, sophistication and visual performance, sending a clear message to consumers about LG’s commitment to picture quality and innovation,” said Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing and strategy, LG Electronics USA, Inc. “LG’s advanced LED Backlight technology precisely controls the brightness of specific areas of the screen, providing crisper, clearer pictures while using less energy than traditional LCD models.”

read more on eCoustics.com

source: eCoustics