Editor’s Choice Best Floorstanding Speakers Under $1000

October 30th, 2009 by

adam

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down. How to Choose a Floorstanding Speaker that fits you:

What things do I need to consider when buying floorstanding speakers?

There are basically four things you should take into consideration when shopping for floorstanding speakers.

Space - How big is the room you plan to put these in? Floorstanding speakers can be impressive but in a small room sometimes they are too much. And audio quality suffers without a lot of room treatment. If you have a smaller sized room, something less than 8-10ft wide and 10-15ft long you may want to consider bookshelf speakers and a sub set up. Imaging can sometimes be better and room reflections can be mitigated by seating distance from bookshelf speakers. Speaking of sitting distance from floorstanding speakers, you’ll want at least 8-10ft of distance between you and the speaker so that the sound from the tweeter and woofers has enough space to fully meld into one before it enters your ears. Otherwise sound image and quality can suffer. And you’ll also want to make sure the speakers are stuff into corners, but are rather 2-3ft from them so bass doesn’t become BOOMing and overwhelming.

Music Style - What kind of music you listen to can be greatly enhanced or detracted from by your speaker choice. Lucky most speakers under $1000 tend to sounds good across a large variety of music, but some have more bump, thump, or detail than others. Some are laid back, good for jazz or acoustic, while others that thump are better for rock, pop, and rap. Just looking at the speaker specs wont tell you how the speaker sounds, so you’ll want to research, read reviews, pro and user reviews, to get an idea of how the speaker will sound. If you can, it is always best to audition the speaker in person with power and input devices similar to your home set up.

Associated Equipment - You’ll want to make sure that your amp and input sources characteristics match your speaker characteristics for a desired result. For instance, if your amp is known to be bright, and you get speakers that are also known to be bright, the combo of the two can be over bearing and make listening unpleasant. If your pre-amp or tuner has high and low controls you can adjust for this. If they don’t, than it is a major part of pairing your equipment.

Home Theater or Stereo Only - If you plan to build up a home theater system at some point it is good to consider if the speakers you are purchasing have associated surrounds, center, and sub speakers paired with the floorstanding. In a surround sound system having matching sounding speakers is very important.

Experts may all agree on the advantages or shortcomings of any product they review but, at AudioReview.com, we believe that the average consumer can best summarize all the details a product has to offer… So read what users have to says!

Editor’s Note: Some of the speakers below can be had at amazing deals right now. Some are year older models, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great speakers. It does mean the prices are a lot lower than MSRP.

Monitor Audio Silver RS6 ~ $900

Stereophile - Robert J. Reina - Normally, any review of a $1000/pair loudspeaker would include a discussion of its flaws—the compromises necessary to meet that relatively low price point. But after several weeks of listening to dozens of recordings through the Silver RS6, I could find not a single shortcoming—no deviation from neutrality, or any other compromise that I would normally expect to find in a cost-constrained design.

AudioReview - 22 Reviews 4.42 of 5 - saymir writes - Very good value for money.It does everything what company says,tight extended punchy bass,sweet treble,decent midrange if connected to smooth sounding amps-such as Technics.I was using Technics su-a700mk2.Simply amazing match.Relaxing sound.If connected to entry level hi-end gear,(krell kav500i)these speakers are capable of amazing 3D imaging and soundstage and dynamics

goodsound.com - Philip Beaudette - Monitor Audio’s Silver RS6 — a relatively inexpensive, exceptionally well-built floorstanding speaker that provides considerable insight into what the best has to offer.

Editor’s Note: The RS6 has been replaced by the RX6 which is supposed to sound better, but is more expensive. RS6 speakers are still easy to find in Monitor Audio dealer shops and online. You might want to snatch up a pair before they are gone.

Featured Merchants

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Wharfedale Diamond 9.6 ~ $800

AudioEnz - Michael Wong - The Diamonds are the kind of product expected from a long time manufacturer dedicated to making music accessible. With it’s canny balance of abilities the Diamonds do a very good job of disappearing and do not get between the listener and the music. With no major flaws, they are a steal, solid proof that the art of building good value stereo equipment survives.

AudioReview - 8 Reviews 4.88 of 5 - sburken writes - all four drivers blend together for a warm sound that can be played to exceptionally loud levels without being fatigueing. however, these speakers do not shine when played with very harsh material (IE metal), they shine beautifully when tasked with rock through classical though

Energy Loudspeakers C-500 ~ $400

Canada HIFI - Through my test, I discovered that the Energy C-Series are a set of very musical speakers with a sweet tooth for the home theatre. With their modest size, they can be easily accommodated into a smaller room, although their sound can effortlessly fill an average sized listening space.

AudioReview - 5 Reviews 5.00 of 5 - mastermind717 writes - For the price these are the best speakers I have ever heard. Highs, lows and midrange are tight and accurate. The sound stage is full and pleasant to listen to for hours no matter what your taste in music. I am running the C-500’s without a sub though I’m certain a mid size velodyne would compliment these nicely, especially for movies.

Magnepan Magneplanar MMG ~ $600

Goodsound.com - They’re so good that they’ll make you look like an audio wunderkind and make your system sing as never before. They do need to be driven by a good, strong receiver or amp — no 25W weaklings need apply — and they’ll expose weaknesses upstream from them (if you have a cheap, tinny-sounding CD player, for instance). They’ll also expose the intricate layers of beauty that might be hidden by your current speakers, so if you’re tempted to give ‘em a try, you can have these Maggies in your home for a 60-day, money-back trial.

AudioReview - 283 Reviews 4.72 of 5 - stuartson writes - First off, The MMGs are amazing! Not simply “amazing for the money”, but flat out amazing. The soundstage is open and expansive, the tonal reproduction is exceptional, the speed and detail are mind-boggling at times. They truly have the ability to reproduce certain types of music with a scary accuracy and realism.

AudioReview - DPS writes -I have had a pair of MMG’s for about six months and will most likely quit searching for the elusive audio nirvana I’ve been chasing since the mid 70’s. The simple fact is these speakers provide a window into my music tastes that cannot be duplicated by any other available speaker any where near this price.

Featured Merchants

Magnepan

Paradigm Reference Monitor 7 ~ $800

hometheaterreview.com - Soundstaging and imaging are both superb with the Monitor 7s. The Monitor 7s’ soundstage is as deep as it is wide and very nicely detailed and natural in its presentation. In terms of imaging, especially center focus, the Monitor 7s react much more like mini monitors than floor-standing loudspeakers.

AudioReview - 98 Reviews 4.55 of 5 Spock1234 writes - This is especially obvious when listening to Jazz and Blues recordings which contain male voices and acoustic guitar segments. The bass extension is low enough to ‘feel’ the music, but it never sounds ‘boomy’. The single best thing about these speakers is that they are ‘Neutral’. If you are used to listening to other speakers that make the music sound ‘shrill’ or ‘boomy’, the Monitor 7s may sound a little ‘flat’ initially. But after you listen to them for a day or two, you will appreciate of the neutrality the Monitors.

reviews.digitaltrends.com writes - The highs are sweet, the mids are richly detailed, and the bass is tight and accurate. Our only complaint is that the midrange could be a little richer on some vocal recordings. Additionally, the finish on these speakers left little to be desired in terms of a luxury finish – but now knowing their true price, we feel this is almost an uncalled for assessment.

Polk Audio TSi500 ~ $800

Bestcovery.com - Polk’s TSi500 floorstanding speakers are well designed with excellent build quality and finish for the money. The sound quality and especially the bass are very good. Music is lively with clean detail and highs. These speakers have a whopping four 6.5” drivers that deliver strong bass. The frequency range is rated at 28Hz-25kHz. They work well for both home theater and music listening.

AudioReview - 2 Reviews 5.00 of 5 - pvsat writes - the best performance in the upper entry segment. I moved from a set of polk R300s to these and yes they make a huge difference in the sound. I feel the room shake during explosion and low bass sequences. They image very well..the image size increased about 2-3 times from the r300s when listening in 2 channel.

Store Name	Store Rating	Price	Notes	Buy Now
		$799.90	New
		$798.00
		$399.95	POLK AUDIO Authorized Dealer and WARRANTY! Award-winning customer service and price guarantee!
		$399.95	Order Today, Ships Today
		$400.00	New
More Prices >>

Fluance ES-1 ~ $400

Amazon.com reviewer Richard Hebbourn - Although I’ve heard quite a few good things about the ES1 speakers, I was still surprised by the amount of bass that comes through them. The highs are even better - each note is crisp and defined, and the sound fills my entire house.

AudioReview - 9 Reviews 4.11 of 5 - Joseph writes - My lucky day! Awesome speakers when coupled with a sub for frequencies below 70Hz. I power them with a 120 watt per channel HK Stereo (yes I said stereo) reciever and run them through a 15 band equalizer just to tweak them ever so slightly. Add a 12 inch 150 watt sub and CD’s, Movies, and Concert DVD’s rock! Don’t let the fact they won’t cost ya an arm and a leg fool you, these may be the best deal in HiFi to be had in a long time!

AudioReview - Chris writes - First few weeks, these speakers were breaking in. They sounded distinctly harsh. After the break-in period, however, they REALLY smoothed out. I would highly recommend them as excellent value. They look good (my wife likes them) and they sound very good.

Featured Merchants

Fluance

Klipsch RF-52 ~ $660

AVguide.com - Few affordable systems offer a more compelling blend of detail, finesse, and dynamic clout plus an almost magically vibrant quality that brings music and movies alive. Bravo, Klipsch.

AudioReview - 1 Reviews 5.00 of 5 - boorat writes - Amazing, crisp sound! Will wake the neighbors with no distortion. Crystal clear highs and smooth, tight punchy bass. I can hear every instrument on it’s own. My sound dream come true! Highly recommend these!! Not too big, not too small. My receiver is the DENON AVR 5700 (140 watts per channel).

Featured Merchants

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Infinity Systems Primus P252 ~ $230

soundstageav.com - … was so blown away by the experience of listening to them that I felt almost compelled to purchase a pair. In these recessionary times, it’s good to know that an audiophile who doesn’t have much cash on hand can still upgrade his or her audio system without going bankrupt

Featured Merchants

	Get Free Shipping on orders $199 or more!	Crutchfield
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More Floorstanding speakers on AudioREVIEW.

If you think we left a great sub $1000 speaker out, comment. Let us and others know why you think it should be included.

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Posted in Editorial Reviews |Tags:Floorstanding Speakers |2085 visits| 1 Comment »

Netflix and BD Live Blu-Ray Players Guide

March 24th, 2009 by

adam

What does it mean to have a Network Ready Blu-Ray Player?

How to Choose a Network ready Blu-Ray Player:

BD-Live

Netflix

The Good - BD-Live compatible titles enjoy special online benefits and features such as extra download-able content, online bonus features and live transactions. in addition, some BD-Live players can also be updated or upgraded using the BD-Live Connection. - http://us.blu-raydisc.com/

The Bad - It isn’t Netflix. So for those of you who just want to watch movies and don’t care too much about extra content BD-Live isn’t for you.

Netflix and BD Live - These Blu-Ray players have both the ability of BD-Live and the ability to stream Netflix movies over your internet connection to your TV. Unfortunately at this time the two Blu-Ray players that do this, the LG BD-300 and the Samsung BD-P2500 aren’t set up with wifi.
The LG BD-390 adds WiFi and Youtube to the players features.

What does it mean to have a network ready Blu-Ray player?

There are currently two types of network ready Blu-Ray players. Those that Netflix and those that don’t. So what does that mean exactly? It means that only selected LG and Samsung Blu-Ray players can download and play Netflix over the network ready features. The rest of the network ready Blu-Ray word uses BD-Live for what appears to be more social networking and shorts features.

BD-Live allows the user to use features such as, instant message chat during a movie. Download trailers or deleted scenes. There is talk of user created commentary you can download and listen to while watching a movie, which could be good for film school students but for other…..well, we’ll have to wait and see. The feature that I personally like best about the BD-Live is the ability of the Blu-Ray manufacturer to update the firmware of the player. Fixing bugs, updating menus and hopefully updating image processing code to make the picture the best possible.

So what should you choose? BD-Live only versus Netflix ready players. Well, for one, the Netflix will cost you an extra monthly amount, but you’ll have access to 12,000 movies from Netflix online database. Which is great. What about image quality, streaming issues and so forth? Well, obviously the better your home internet connetion the better the streaming movie will look. 1Megabit is minimum with a 6Megabit download speed being ideal to watch HD like movies. The max resolution at this time is 720p and not all the 12,000 movies are HD encoded. Sound? Well it isn’t HD audio. So you’ll have to consider if this is an issue for you. If you are a super home theater buff this lack of quality could kill the deal. If you don’t really care too much, and just want to watch movies that do look pretty good, than you should consider a Netflix ready player.

Why go with just the BD-Live player? Well, this is pretty much summed up above. If you are a true home theater buff and you want the best possible image and sound everytime you watch a movie, than the Netflix streaming video option isn’t really for you.

LG BD300 - Netflix/BD-Live - $699.99

Specs:

Blu-Ray Disc player with BD Live and BonusView
Netflix instant streaming ready with Netflix subscription
Full HD 1080p output via HDMI with Cinema mode at 24 or 60 frames per second
Superior audio performance with 7.1 channels with Dolby Digital Plus & TrueHD & dts-HD
LG Simplink connectivity of other LG products using HDMI connection

CNET Says: The Bottom Line: The LG BD300 deftly combines Blu-ray and Netflix streaming in a single box, although there are better standalone players without Netflix.

PCMag Says: The LG BD300 is the fastest Blu-ray player we’ve tested, and its support for Netflix Instant Streaming is a nice bonus that comes with this solid value.

Amazon Reviewer J.B Kraft: You will really enjoy a Netflix subscription much, much more with this unit.
December 23 Addendum — after around seven weeks, we are loving this more and more. The regular firmware/software updates online have made this better and better. There is a fuel gauge display now on quality, and we are receiving some movies in true HD quality

Store Name	Store Rating	Price	Notes	Buy Now
		$159.99
		$499.99	Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!
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For 2009 LG is updating from their popular BD300 model to the BD390 (~$450) and BD370 (~$300).

The LG BD370 networked blu-ray player features advanced audio format decoding of Dolby TrueHD, Digital Plus and DTS-HD for the highest quality sound. 1080p / 24p output, with 1080p upscalling of DVDs. Expect to find the BD370 in the second quarter of 2009. - www.hdtvlounge.net

The LG BD390 has all the same features as the BD370 but adds to the performance and connectivity. Featuring built-in, internal wireless connectivity for easy home networking, allowing BD-Live and streaming HD content without the need to hookup an Ethernet cable to the BD390. The LG BD390 also features 1GB of built in memory for BD-Live content, without the need of a flash drive.7.1 channel audio outputs are also featured. Find the LG BD390 slightly later, during the third quarter 2009. - www.hdtvlounge.net

NAD T 587 Blu-Ray Player - BD-Live - $1499.99

Features

Plays BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE
Plays DVD, DVD+R/ RW, DVD-R/RW
Resolution up to 1080p 24/60 over HDMI
Upscales DVD to 1080p over HDMI
HDMI Output with support for Deep Colour and xvYCC Extended Colour Space
Component Video Output up to 1080i

NAD has a reputation of turning out some of the best hi-fi gear out there. But with their first dip into the pool of Blu-Ray players NAD might have produced a lemon. It shows you that $1500.00 can’t always buy you love. What Hi-Fi, which has just about the first full review of the NAD on the web, pretty much trashes it. Though they do have a hi-fi slant, and maybe aren’t fully qualified for reviewing a blu-ray player. We’ll have to see as other reviews hit the web.

What HiFi Says: We were hoping for better from the T587, and not only for vaguely jingoistic reasons. The alacrity with which the NAD loads and reads Blu-rays is an advantage that anyone who’s twiddled their thumbs for three minutes or more while their Blu-ray player ambles towards readiness won’t underestimate.

Panasonic DMP-BD55k - BD-Live - $400.00

Specs:

Blu-ray Player
BD Live / 7.1 Lossless Decode and Analog Output
VIERA Link: Operate with your VIERA Remote Control
SD Card Slot

Big Picture Big Sound Says: Our experience with the DMP-BD30 was generally quite positive. It was the first standalone BD player to offer decent boot-up and load times (much faster than other players, though still slower than the PS3). It was also the first to support Bonus View and bitstream output of the advanced new lossless surround sound codecs

ConsumerReview: Experts say that the Panasonic DMP-BD55K is the first standalone Blu-ray player to deliver everything that the format promises.

Store Name	Store Rating	Price	Notes	Buy Now
		$799.99	Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!
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Samsung BD-P2500 - NetFlix/BD-Live - $350.00

Specs:

Full HD 1080p
BD Live 2.0 Ready
Ethernet and USB for firmware upgrades
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital True-HD
DTS-HD upgradable

CNet says: The Samsung BD-P2500 adds Netflix to an already well-featured and top-performing Blu-ray player, with only some minor disc compatibility issues giving us pause.

PCMag Says: You get what you pay for. In a Blu-ray player, a great-looking image can outweigh such shortcomings and a high price.

Store Name	Store Rating	Price	Notes	Buy Now
		$219.99	Shop with confidence for the perfect gift at Best Buy
		$229.99	New
		$249.99	Refurbished Refurbished
		$249.99	Refurbished
		$299.98	Get free shipping on orders over $25!
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Sony BDP-S550 - BD-Live - $500.00

Specs:

Bonus View & BD-Live (Profile 2.0) w/1GB flash memory for local storage
Full HD 1080/60p & 24p True Cinema Video Output
Dolby¿ True HD/DTS¿-HD decoder built-in with 7.1ch out. Quick start up mode.
Dolby¿ TrueHD & DTS-HD bitstream out over HDMI¿ (V1.3)
x.v.Color¿ for AVC-HD

CNet Says: The Sony BDP-S550 offers excellent image quality and a solid feature set, but only consider it if you need the multichannel analog outputs.

Electronics Made Easy Says: The BDP-S550 is one of the best non-professional Blu Ray disc players on the market. Both audio and video outputs are high quality, and the number of output connections is unequaled in this class.

AudioReview.com user mdb1019 Says: Having said that, all the work is worth it. Tremendous sound from the TrueHD track and crazy HD image quality. I was impressed with both the BluRay format and the upscaling on DVDs. … read all of the review

Store Name	Store Rating	Price	Notes	Buy Now
		$373.99	New
		$229.99	Ships 1-3 Days
		$269.88	Sony BDP-S550 1080p Blu-Ray Player
		$399.99	Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!
		$210.99
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Sony BDP-S5000ES - BD-Live - $2000.00

Specs:

BonusView and BD-Live (1GB Flash Memory Included)
Full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema Video Output
HD Reality Enhancer (14 bit video processing)
Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD bitstream out via HDMI ver.1.3
RS-232C/IR IN

What HiFi Says: Wow. The Sony produces one of the finest Blu-ray images money can buy and it sounds fabulous to boot

Tracy and Matt Say: Coming back to Sony’s tagline of “top-of-the-line Blu-ray Disc player” - whilst I’m sure that video and audio philes everywhere will have flame wars about this one, if it were my money I’d get a PS3 and a whole load of movies and games with the change.

That said, it’s a personal choice and with the firmware being upgradable it might be that future improvements to the BDP-S5000ES would change my mind.

Store Name	Store Rating	Price	Notes	Buy Now
		$1189.99
		$1499.00	SONY Authorized Dealer and WARRANTY! Award-winning customer service and price guarantee!
		$1399.00	New
		$1499.99	30-Day Money-back Guarantee!
		$1499.99	Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!
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Related Links

Editor’s Choice Best HDTVs

Editor’s Choice Best HTiB under $1000

Editor’s Choice Best Blu-ray Player

Blu-Ray and DVD player reviews on AudioREVIEW.com

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Best Prices for Popular Flat Panel LCD TV’s

January 13th, 2009 by

adam

As of today, Tues the 13th, 2009, we’ve got better prices on some of Amazon’s best selling Flat Panel LCD TV’s. If you are in the market, check it out. These are some good prices on some good TVs. Can’t beat that combo with a stick.

Here is the list from Amazon, below are our BETTER offerings from AudioReview partner stores.

1) Samsung LN46A650 46 in. HDTV LCD TV

AudioReivew
0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $ 2099.99

Amazon User Rating: 5 of 5 (616) Reviews
See more Prices and Product Information

Description: The Samsung LN-46A650 46″ LCD HDTV Television has reinvented the traditional LCD bezel and gave it a stylish, unique look with the exclusive Touch of Color. This truly exceptional TV also includes the InfoLink RSS feature which lets you enjoy instant access to news, weather, sports and stock information.

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As of 01-13-09 you can save $200 on our eBay listing and $100 on Abe’s Of Maine. Both 4 of 5 star retailers. Amazon does have a used one for cheaper, if you want used.
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2) Samsung LN40A550 40 in. HDTV LCD TV

AudioReivew
0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $1,199.99

Amazon User Rating: 4.5 of 5 (310) Reviews
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Description: Enjoy a pixel-perfect 1080p picture with the Samsung LN40A550. For most HD broadcasts, and especially for high-def discs, you need a 1080p display like this one to fully appreciate that you-are-there detail and depth. Built-in tuners give you easy access to both digital and analog over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required). And the “QAM” digital cable tuner lets cable TV subscribers watch unscrambled channels without using a separate set-top box.

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As of 13-01-09 you can save $30 off the best Amazon price. It isn’t much, but it is a tank of gas at the end of the week!
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3) Panasonic TC-32LX85 32 in. HDTV LCD TV

AudioReview
0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $ 699.95

Amazon User Rating: 4.5 of 5 (68) Reviews
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Description: The TC-32LX85 VIERA 32″ LCD TV from Panasonic can be the cornerstone of your home theater. This stylish screen features 720p resolution with a native contrast ratio of 10,000:1 for crisp, detailed imagery.

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Save some, buy the kids a soda. A great little TV at a fantastic price. Something you can afford. Remember, if you haven’t lost your job yet, you still make as much as you did last year, unless you don’t.

4) Sharp LC42D65U 42 in. HDTV LCD TV

AudioReview
0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $ 1300.00

Amazon User Rating: 4 of 5 (9) Reviews
See more Prices and Information

Description: The AQUOS LC42D65U sets a standard for large-screen flat panel TVs. With Full HD 1080p resolution and an elegant new design, it produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. The LC42D65U utilizes Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel with Spectral Contrast Engine, providing high Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 6ms response time and wide viewing angles (176???H x 176???V). The LC42D65U is HDTV with built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuners and include 5 HDMI??? inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, and 2 HD 1080p component video inputs. The LC42D65U features a sleek piano black cabinet with subtle recessed bottom-mounted speakers.

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Save a good $50 from the best Amazon price here at AudioReview

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Top 5 User Searched Flat Panel TVs on AudioReview.com

December 16th, 2008 by

adam

Top 5 Searched Flat Panel TVs on AudioReview.com

from 12/8-12/14

1) AOC L42H861 42 in. LCD TV

0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $ 700.00

0 Reviews 0 Quick Ratings 0.00 of 5

Description: The Envision L42H861 42″ LCD HDTV Display is designed with all the technological essentials need for powerful performance. Featuring vivid 1080p HD quality resolution, 6,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, a full 1920×1080 widescreen resolution and 3 built-in digital HDMI inputs.

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2) JVC LT42P789 LCD TV

0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $ 1179.00

0 Reviews 0 Quick Ratings 0.00 of 5

Description: JVC’s P-Series LCD TVs are full featured high definition displays with a cabinet design that conveys the sets’ focus on both audio and video performance. Each features a universal remote with direct input access, a on-screen menu system, a side-mounted USB photo viewer, and ATSC / QAM tuning.Connections include three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one S-video input, SPDIF input and an analog audio output for sending sound from an iPod or the TV through a home theater system.The sound package delivers 10 watts per channel to a pair of JVC’s exclusive oblique cone speakers. And JVC’s Omni Surround package with equalizer offers four listening modes.

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3) Sony WEGA LCD HDTV

70 reviews

3.74 of 5
MSRP: $

70 Reviews 0 Quick Ratings 3.74 of 5

Description: Captivating entertainment meets refined elegance in Sony’s High Definition LCD Rear Projection TV. Our features come together to produce images and sound like no other. Cinema Black, an Integrated ATSC Tuner, 0.87″ WXGA LCD Panels, 3.28 Million Dots of Resolution, 1,092,168 Million Dots Per Panel, and Sony’s Proprietary WEGA Engine System all contribute to this surreal experience. Direct Digital II Circuitry, Digital Reality Creation® MultiFunction V1 Circuitry, Multi Image Driver (MID® X) Circuitry, CineMotion® Reverse 3-2 Pulldown Technology, and Enhanced Memory Stick® Media Playback* also add to our unique combination of style and technology. Sony’s new beauty is not just skin deep. Arouse your senses - the KDF-70XBR950.

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4) Samsung 2433BW 24 in. LCD TV

0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $ 428.00

0 Reviews 0 Quick Ratings 0.00 of 5

Description: The SAMSUNG 2433BW 24″ widescreen LCD monitor. Its soft curves, rich piano black finish, clear acrylic accent bar and integrated cable housing lend distinctive style and sophistication to your desk. The 5 ms response, exclusive SAMSUNG picture technologies and 20,000:1 dynamic contrast mean a fast, colorful, detailed picture. And a Custom Key gives you one-touch access to the picture optimization function you use the most. (less)

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5) Insignia NS-LCD47HD-09 47 in. LCD TV

0 reviews

0 of 5
MSRP: $ 1200.00

0 Reviews 0 Quick Ratings 0.00 of 5

Description: Get the most from your movies, games and TV shows with this stunning 47″ 1080p flat-panel LCD HDTV. Equipped with 3 HDMI and 2 component inputs, this TV makes it easy to connect to your HD components.

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Consumer Review 2008 Budget Holiday Guide

November 12th, 2008 by

adam

CHECK OUT THE CONSUMERREVIEW HOLIDAY GUIDE. CLICK THE IMAGE TO GET TO THE GUIDE

Check out the Budget holiday guide from ConsumerReview. Audio stuff, Home Theather, Camera, Car gear, mountain and road bikes, the gold came of golf and more.

www.consumerreview.com

- AR

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Editor’s Choice Best Home Theater In a Box - Good Buys for Hard Times

November 5th, 2008 by

adam

We’ve Pulled Together the Best Home Theater In a Box for Under a Grand.

Why read five different reviews at eight different sites?
What we’ve done is scavenged the web of editors top picks, from CNET to ZDNet and given you a one stop web review experience. This time we are money conscience. These are the best picks over the past year or so for under $1000.00.

Quick Top Picks:

Editor’s Choice Best HDTVs

Editor’s Choice Best Blu-ray Player

How to Choose a Home Theater in a Box:

Home Theater in a Box	Building Up Your Own Home Theater System
Pros - Easy as plug and play. Someone else has pieced together the components so they all match. Typically HTiB save space and money. Cons -Not going to impress any audio snobs, but who cares? Not everyone has time, energy or money for a individually hand picked theater system.	Pros - Your bank account is the limit in hi-fi heaven. You’ve done your research and know your stuff, you shouldn’t be displeased at all. Cons -Where did your time and money go?

Choosing a Home Theater in a Box is pretty simple. There are a couple things that you really only need to keep in mind.

- The more you spend, the more likely the sound, options, and design will be of higher quality. Though you don’t have to spend a lot to get a good home theater experience.
- That you may have trouble upgrading your speakers at a later point, if you so choose. You might want to ask around in our forums for suggestions for your own room size.
- The larger a room you are trying to fill with quality sound the more power you’ll want from your HTiB

Panasonic SC-PT750 - $339

S ee the Specs

CNet.com says: While it’s short on inputs, Panasonic’s affordable SC-PT750 delivers DVD upscaling, wireless surround speakers, an iPod dock, and some surprisingly decent sound quality for a great price.

How Stuff Works.com Says: The Panasonic SC-PT750 is a small and sleek home theater system with wireless surrounds that works great for smaller rooms. The main unit is not only the amplifier, but also a 5-disc DVD and CD changer. Included with the SC-PT750 are five main speakers, a subwoofer unit, the wireless receiver for the rear speakers, remote control, iPod dock, and cables for connecting various components.

Audioholics.com Says: Panasonic produces several low cost home theater products and the SC-PT750 includes many features for the price. This package is very similar to its little brother, the SC-PT650 , but we feel the black color matches a better with most newer flat panel displays and the wireless rear speaker receiver is included, along with slightly larger front left and right speakers.

Read here for more details and find out prices.

JVC TH-L1 - $260

See the Specs

DigitalTrends says: The JVC TH-L1 is an adequate system for first-timers, starving students and people who want a multi-faceted system but who are on strict budgets. It’s also good for smaller home theater rooms with good acoustics. The TH-L1 is easy to set up, looks decent and works consistently.

CNet.com Says: While the sound isn’t overpowering, the wealth of connectivity options and features bundled into the JVC TH-L1 home theater in a box makes it well worth the inexpensive price tag.

Techradar Says: Setup is quick and easy, thanks to the use of labelled speaker cables while the onscreen setup menu is well designed and smartly presented. The remote is cluttered but doesn’t take long to master. Despite its diminutive speakers, the system is capable of producing a surprisingly muscular sound with our test DVD of Finding Nemo.

Read here for more details and find out prices.

Samsung HT-BD2 - $899

See the Specs

CNET.com says: 7.1-channel all-in-one home theater system with built-in Blu-ray player; built-in support for latest Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio surround processing; elegant styling, with four tallboy speakers; full-size subwoofer; upscales DVDs to 1080p.

HiFi-ring.com Says: Consumers can now enjoy the full HD 1080p with Samsung’s Blu-ray player from the HT-BD2 home theater system. The HT-BD2 7.1 channel HD receiver speaker system provides richer and powerful sound with its industry leading Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio format support. With its sleek, piano black design the HT-BD2 augments both the audio presence and visual aesthetics of home theatre.

UltimateAVmag.com Says: Excellent spec for the money, including fine Blu-ray pictures and sounds, plus 7.1 speakers; very stylish looks / Treble is a bit harsh, whilst bass isn’t quite deep enough; could do with a little more sonic solidity

Onkyo HT-S990THX - $999

See the Specs

WiredMag Says: With 7.1 surround capability and no built-in DVD player, the not-so-compact HT-S990THX isn’t your typical home theater package. But what it lacks in onboard video it more than makes up for in audio quality. The bookshelf speakers are boxy, but they produce a more accurate soundstage and wider dynamic range than the other, less homely systems in this category.

CNet Says: The Onkyo HT-S990THX is the world’s first THX-certified home-theater-in-a-box system. The package combines seven large two-way, multidriver speakers; a 12-inch, 230-watt powered subwoofer; and a full-size A/V receiver that offers generous connectivity, component video conversion, and ample power. It’s also XM Satellite radio-ready with the latest XM HD Surround.

About.com Says: Fortunately, there are growing number of all-in-one home theater systems that can deliver the goods, and the Onkyo HT-S990THX is one that is designed to do just that. With a THX Certified Receiver, loudspeakers, and subwoofer, everything in this system is a good match.

Sony DAV-IS10 - $399

See the Specs

HiFiRing.com says: This 5.1-channel home theater system from Sony wouldn’t take so much place in your house with these tiny satellite speakers measuring about 43mm x 43mm. Also note that you can get optional speaker stands (WS-FV11) for a retail price of $155/pair. The A/V receiver includes an on-board DVD player compatible DivX, JPEG, MP3 and a built-in AM/FM tuner is present.

Review WhatHiFi Says: ‘Outrageous’. While that might seem a strange word on which to begin a review of a home cinema system, it’s an appropriate epithet to pin to a product that induced in our reviewing team varying degrees of gob-smacking, jaw-dropping shock. We’ve long been accustomed – especially in this more style-oriented part of the market…

CrunchGear.com Says: Overall this is a pretty hot-looking product that fits in best in tight quarters. At $800, it’s even a bargain given the surprising sound quality and versatility. The home networking adapter is an essential extra if you’re using this as your main music system, since it lets you stream tunes from your computer wirelessly, though the optional speaker stands seem hilariously out of place for a system this small.

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Editor’s Choice Cheaper Best Blu-ray Players

October 27th, 2008 by

adam

Update:: Check out Popular Blu-Ray Players as of Feb ‘09 an updated article

We’ve Pulled Together the Best of Slightly Older, which means cheaper, Blu-ray Players for Your Dollar in these hard times.

Why read five different reviews at eight different sites?
What we’ve done is scavenged the web of editors top picks, from CNET to ZDNet and given you a one stop web review experience.

Quick Top Picks:

Editor’s Choice Best HDTVs

Editor’s Choice Best HTiB under $1000

How to Choose a Blu-ray Player:

Sony PlayStation 3	Everything Else
Pros - Best value for a Blu-ray/DVD player as well as a gaming console and streaming content Cons - Lack of analog multichannel outputs or IR receptors	Pros - Can have analog multichannel outputs and IR receptors and support high quality audio options like Dolby TrueHD lossless format Cons -Not nearly a multifunctional as a PS3

Choosing a Blu-ray player is fairly straight forward. All player support Dolby Digital, DTS, and linear PCM formats that offer exceptional video and audio quality. Of course, image quality will be relative to your television’s maximum resolution. Really, unless you are a hi-fi fanatic, the hardest choice for you to make is choosing between a stand alone unit or a Sony PS3. Which isn’t really a hard choice when you thinking about it.

Stand alone units give home theater enthusiast more analog multichannel outputs as well as higher quality lossless sound choices for distinguishing audiophiles. If you don’t have a audio system that cost as much as a small car, then the PS3 really is the best way to go.

The PS3 does everything a stand alone unit will do as well as play games and connect to the internet for streaming media. Since most stand alone units and the PS3 cost about the same amount of money, unless you really want true hi-fi quality sound that the PS3 does not provide, it is hands down the best option.

Update:: Check out Popular Blu-Ray Players as of Feb ‘09 an updated article

Sony PlayStation 3 80gig - 499

Specs:

Memory / Storage
- RAM Installed ( Max ) 256 MB
- Storage BD-ROM
- Hard Disk Drive Yes
- HDD Capacity 80 GB

Video
- Video Output NVIDIA RSX
- Video Memory Installed ( Max ) Video adapter memory - 256 MB - GDDR3 SDRAM - Integrated
- Max Resolution (external) 1920 x 1080

Connectivity
- Connectivity Features IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth

Connections
- Connector Type 1 x SPDIF output, 1 x PlayStation 3 AV output, 1 x HDMI output, 1 x Network, 4 x USB
- Expansion Slots Total Memory Stick, CompactFlash Card, SD Memory Card

CNet.com says: Swanky design with quiet operation; all games in high-definition; PSP-like, easy-to-use interface; plays Profile 2.0 high-definition Blu-ray movies in addition to upscaling standard DVDs; built-in Wi-Fi; 80GB hard drive; HDMI output with 1080p support; no external power supply; free online gaming service.

PCWorld Says: the PS3 remains quite a deal if you want to play high-def Blu-ray movies and aren’t wedded to getting a stand-alone home-theater-style device. Even factoring in the cost of the remote, you’re getting a versatile, reasonably priced Blu-ray Disc player that can handle all of the latest BonusView and BD-Live content. Plus, you could use the machine to play games, browse pictures, and surf the Web, too.

DigitalTrends.com Says: Highs: Amazing audiovisual performance; Blu-ray drive; future-proof hardware; backwards compatible. Lows: Price; no force-feedback; weak launch lineup; smudge-prone exterior; a few technical glitches

Panasonic DMP-BD55 - $399

Specs:

- Sound Output Mode Surround Sound

DVD
- Media Type CD, CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD, BD-RE, DVD-R, DVD+R, BD-ROM, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, CD-R, DVD+RW, BD-R
- Built-in Audio Decoders DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD
- Media Load Type Tray
- Upscaling Yes
- Output Resolution 1080p, 480p, 576p, 1080i, 720p

Connections
- Connector Type 1 x 7.1 channel audio line-out - Rear, 1 x HDMI output - Rear, 1 x Ethernet - Rear

WhatHiFi.com says: It has the performance you’ve dreamed of, all the features you’ll ever need. The DMP-BD55 offers unbelievable value for money. … The DMP-BD55 is also an excellent DVD-spinner, doing a great job extracting fine detail from the transfer of Iron Man. The desert landscapes that serve as a backdrop for Tony Stark’s capture show excellent clarity and definition, especially where the rocky outcrops are concerned.

TechRadar Says: The provision of 7.1 analogue audio outs on the DMP-BD55 fulfills a niche requirement of some users who would like to connect analogue outputs to their amplifiers, but so far have been limited to 5.1 channels by the spec of previous BD spinners.

CNet Says: The Panasonic DMP-BD55 is the best standalone Blu-ray we’ve tested and it’s a good choice for those with older receivers, but most people will get the same performance out of the cheaper DMP-BD35.

Samsung BD-P1500 - $250

Specs:

- BD-ROM, CD, CD-RW, DVD-RW, CD-R, DVD, BD-R, DVD-R, BD-RE
- Built-in Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD
- Supported Digital Audio Standards PCM
- Upscaling Yes
- Output Resolution 1080p, 480p, 576i, 576p, 480i, 1080i, 720p
- Additional Features BD-Live, JPEG photo playback, Progressive scanning
- Connector Type 1 x Digital audio output - Rear, 1 x Network - Rear, 1 x HDMI - Rear, 1 x Composite video/audio output - Rear, 1 x USB - Rear, 1 x Component video output - Rear

CNET.com says: Relatively inexpensive compared with other standalone units; very good image quality on most Blu-ray Discs; onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and bit stream output for all high-resolution audio formats; Ethernet port for firmware updates; Samsung claims it will update the unit to add Profile 2.0 support and onboard DTS-HD Master Audio decoding in the future.Does not currently support Profile 2.0 or have onboard DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; Blu-ray image quality could be better

Engadgethd.com Says: And since the PS3 sells for the same — unless you find the BD-P1500 on sale — we wonder who’d prefer the BD-P1500 over Sony’s multifaceted console. The good news is we don’t have anything exceptionally bad to say about the BD-P1500; in fact, it works as advertised in every way. So if you’re in the market for a standalone player, and don’t care can wait for BD Live and DTS-HD MA decoding, this is currently the player to beat..

UltimateAVmag.com Says: As much as each generation of Blu-ray players improves, it’s still hard to beat the overall price versus features and performance of the PS3, especially if you don’t care that the PS3 can’t deinterlace 1080i. Even so, what the Samsung brings to the table is critical for audiophiles like myself. The biggest plus is the BD-P1500’s ability to send Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreams

Philips BDP7200/37 - $275

Specs:
Playback Media - CD-R/CD-RW , DVD-Video , DVD-R/-RW , CD , DVD+R/+RW , DivX , DVD , BD Video , BD-R/RE 2.0 , BD-ROM
Disc Playback Modes - A-B Repeat , Angle , Disc Menu , Pause , Repeat , Resume Playback from Stop , Skip , Search forward/reverse , Slow Forward , Standard Play , Zoom
Picture Quality Enhancements - Video upscaling
Video Enhancement - Progressive Scan , Video Upscaling
Sound System - Dolby Digital
Rear Connections - Analog audio Left/Right out , Analog audio Multi-channel out , Component Video output , Composite video output , Digital coaxial out , HDMI output

CNet.com says: Unique design; can output Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio in bit-stream format; excellent video quality in 1080p/24 mode; Profile 1.1 compliant. No onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; subpar image quality on Blu-ray Discs in standard 1080p mode

pcadvisor.co.uk Says: Minor complaints aside, the Philips BDP7200 distinguishes itself by delivering terrific image and audio quality at a comparatively low price - in the US, at least. Support for BonusView, too, makes this model a great choice, so it may be worth waiting unt

PCMag.com Says: Enjoy the thrill of full high definition pictures delivered by the BDP7200. Indulge in every detail, silky smooth action and vivid colors with Deep Colour. Current DVD favorites can also be enjoyed, with upconversion to 1080p via HDMI. This new BD player boasts a stylish design with unbeatable sound and picture quality that takes Blu-ray Disc interactivity to a new dimension.

LG BD300 - $399

Specs:
- Media Type BD-ROM, DVD+R, CD, CD-RW, DVD-RW, CD-R, DVD+RW, DVD, BD-R, DVD-R, BD-RE
- Built-in Audio Decoders Dolby TruHD
- Supported Digital Video Standards H.264, MPEG-2, AVCHD
- Supported Digital Audio Standards WMA, PCM, MP3
- Upscaling Yes
- Output Resolution 1080p, 480p, 480i, 1080i, 720p
- Digital Audio Format Dolby Digital output, DTS digital output
- Additional Features BD-Live, JPEG photo playback, BonusView, Progressive scanning

CNET.com says: Good image quality on film-based Blu-ray Discs; Netflix Internet streaming; Profile 2.0 support; onboard Dolby TrueHD decoding. The LG BD300 deftly combines Blu-ray and Netflix streaming in a single box, although there are better standalone players without Netflix.

Circuit City User bpaskin Says: This Blu-Ray player has everything in a cost effective package. I ordered online as soon I as I saw it was available. Setup was extremely easy. The Netflix setup was easy, as well. It does require the user to signon to their account on a computer andenter a code that pops up on the screen.

Update:: Check out Popular Blu-Ray Players as of Feb ‘09 an updated article

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Editor’s Choice Best HDTV

September 17th, 2008 by

adam

We’ve Pulled Together the Best HDTVs for Your Dollar.

Why read five different reviews at eight different sites?
What we’ve done is scavenged the web of editors top picks, from CNET to ZDNet and given you a one stop web review experience.

Quick Top Pick:

Editor’s Choice Best Blu-ray Player

Editor’s Choice Best HTiB under $1000

How to Choose an HDTV:

Direct-View (tube) HDTV	Flat-Panel HDTV (Plasma & LCD)
Pros - Best black level on market, look great from any angle, cheaper Cons - Heavy, geometry error due to curve screen, no high-resolution sources like PC sources, image isn’t as crisp as other HDTV	Pros - Crisp image, light weight, thin, accept high-resolution PC sources. Cons - Black level can vary widely, color distortion spots, expensive, limited viewing angle.
Rear-Projection HDTV (CRT & MicroDisplays)	Front-Projection HDTV (Projector, DLP, LCD, LCoS)
Pros - CRT - most are inexpensive, best bang for buck for big screens. Mirco - Great black-level, screen uniformity, smaller than CRT Cons - Softer screen image, video-noise,	Pros - Largest “screen” available, black-level can be good on DLP, LCoS models have great black-level. Price can very Cons - Color effect from rainbow to inaccurate color.

How to pick a HDTV?

Resolution: 720p 1080i 1080p? Where to start and what does it mean? Lets face it, all these resolutions look great, but where it really starts to make a difference is when the size of the screen gets above 40″. Still the difference is negligible most of the time. 720p and 1080p are progressive scan formats. The picture should look smoother during action and you’ll probably not notice any jagged edges in shots of the sky. 1080i is not progressive but it does have more lines than 720p which should make up for jagged edges or blurry action shots. 1080p has the same amount of lines and pixels as 1080i put gets the bonus of progressive format. For large HDTVs, over 40″, 1080p is the ideal resolution.

Black-level: Black level is the measurement of how deep a “black” a screen can produce. The deeper the black, or the blacker the black, typically means higher contrast, which helps a screen look more alive. It is almost more important than resolution. Some jagged edges is nothing compared to a screen that looks lifeless.

Once you know your source resolution, match a HDTV to that and decide if the black level of the set you want is to your liking and you are set. HDTVs, nothing to’em.

Pioneer PDP-428XD - ‘Kuro’ Plasma - $2500

Specs:

Dimensions/Weight
Product Type - Plasma
Diagonal size - 42 in.
Image aspect ratio - 16:9
Dimensions (WxHxD) - 1040×679x115 mm
Weight - 30 kg
Video
Resolution - 1024 x 768 pixels
HD formats - 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Image contrast ratio - 16,000:1
Audio
Output mode - Stereo
Speakers included - 2
Total output power - 17 W
Surround sound effects - SRS; SRS Focus; TruBass

Techradar.com says: With the PDP-428XD’s excellently clear and dynamic speakers proving that Pioneer takes sound as seriously as vision, really the only downpoint about the TV is its premium price. But then if you want the best, you usually have to pay for it.

CNET.uk Says: On the promise of deep blacks this TV delivers completely. We did think at times that definition of the picture wasn’t as good as some other TVs we’ve seen recently. Some of the new 1080p LCDs, for example, and Samsung’s 1080p 50-inch plasma do add more detail to the picture.

Turstedreviews.com Says: With really nothing bad to say about the 428XD’s pictures, perhaps we can find fault with the TV’s speakers? Um, no, ‘fraid not. In fact the speakers are terrifically powerful by TV standards, pushing out power galore together with near hi-fi levels of clarity and detailing.

Sony KDL-40W4000 - LCD - $1700

Specs:

16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution (1920×1080p) LCD Panel
Motionflow™ 120Hz - clear, smooth motion for DVDs, TV
DMex ™ compatible; allows seamless feature upgrades
Enhanced XMB™ with 3D graphics incl. TV Guide
HDMI™ x4, HD Component x2, PC Input
Display Technology: TFT active matrix
Display Size: 40 inches
Speakers: 2
Height: 25.4 inches
Width: 38.8 inches
Depth: 4.3 inches
Weight: 44.1 pounds

HDTVTest.co.uk says: In addition to the inherited virtues of excellent blacks, accurate primary colours, exquisite fine detail portrayal and solid connectivity, the Sony KDL40W400 does show some areas of improvement over the outgoing W3000 series: calibrated black level is slightly deeper; standard-def scaling is better; and there’s no longer any black/ near-black auto-dimming.

ZDNet Says: Somewhat surprisingly, Best Buy’s own Insignia brand of MP3 players has gained quite a bit of popularity among consumers lately. That’s not to say that the devices aren’t good (quite the opposite, actually), but in this image-conscious market, “cheap” electronics under generic brands usually don’t turn heads. Yet that’s exactly what the Insignia Pilot is doing,

Anythingbutipod Says: First off the Pilot is more of the PMP of the two, sporting a 2.4” screen with playback of WMA and MPEG4 at 30 frames per second. On the audio side it will support MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, WMA DRM, WMA Pro, OGG, WAV, and Audible. Additionally it will support JPEG Photos. But that’s not all. The player also features, RDS (radio titles), SD slot, Bluetooth, and PC and Mac compatibility.

Samsung PN50A550 - Plasma - $1600

Specs:

50 in Plasma TV
TV Tuner 1x digital, 1x analog
Video Interface HDMI, Component, S-Video, Composite
PC Interface VGA (HD-15)
USB Port Yes
HDCP Compatible Yes
Dimensions With stand
Width 48.4 in
Depth 12.6 in
Height 32.7 in
Weight 91 lbs

Display

Resolution 1920 x 1080
Display Format 1080p (FullHD)
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
Color Depth 18-bit color
Image Contrast Ratio 30000:1
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 1000000:1

CNET.com says: Highly accurate primary colors and color temperature; above-average video processing with effective noise reduction; oodles of picture controls and settings; friendly, intuitive menu design; handsome look. Subpar antireflective screen; black levels not quite as deep as those of the best plasmas; confusing picture mode arrangement.

ultimateavmag.com Says: The Samsung PN50A550 is excellent all-around performer with no serious flaws. It’s a good deal at it’s list price of $2700, but you won’t have to pay that much—it’s widely available for hundreds less, making this well-equipped and attractively designed 50-inch plasma TV one of the best flat-panel values on the market right now.

ConsumerSearch.com Says: Though some other highly rated plasma TVs have deeper blacks, most critics and users say that the 50-inch Samsung PN50A550 has one of the best overall pictures of any HDTV. Although the blacks are not the best available and the anti-reflective screen is a step behind the competition, those shortfalls are largely trumped by outstanding color accuracy and much better than average video processing.

Samsung SP-A800B - DLP Projector - $9995

Specs:
Projector / Panel
Image Brightness 1000 ANSI lumens
Image Contrast Ratio 10000:1
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Native Aspect Ratio Widescreen

Video Input
Analog video signal: Composite video, RGB, S-Video, Component video
Digital video standard: High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Digital Television Video Formats: 480p, 576i, 576p, 480i, 1080i, 720p

CNET.com says: Extremely accurate color including spot-on color decoding for both SD and HD, nearly perfect primary colors, and linear grayscale tracking; superb black level and shadow detail performance; plenty of light output; excellent lens; solid feature package with numerous picture-affecting options; beautiful styling.

TrustedReviews.com Says: There’s a lot to like about Samsung’s A800B. The brand’s connection with Joe Kane has certainly helped the projector stand out from the pack in the shadow detail and colour tone departments, and the design is both practical (in that it’s terrifically quiet) and pretty enough to embellish any room.

Home Entertainment Mag Says: With that one reservation aside, the SP-A800B moves to the top ranks of single chip DLP 1080p projectors, with a bright, vivid and colorful picture that never fails to impress. The projector runs very quietly even in the bright lamp mode, and on the lower lamp setting is still plenty bright on my 78” Stewart GrayHawk RS screen – using the lower lamp mode significantly extends the life of the projector’s bulb.

Samsung HL61A750 - Mp3 & Video - $1600

Specs:
1080p HD Resolution
LED Light Source
3D Gaming Ready
1 Tuner PIP
3 HDMI Inputs, HDMI-CEC

CNET.com says: Excellent screen size-to-price ratio compared to big-screen flat-panels; solid black-level performance; very accurate color, with minor tweaking; plenty of connectivity options.

HowStuffWorks Says: Pros: Reasonably good black levels, HDMI 1.3, nice design, LED light source | Cons: Only three HDMI inputs, all side inputs, underpowered speakers for set this size.

ConsumerSearch Says: When it comes to rear-projection TV, critics and users are nearly unanimous in saying that the 61-inch Samsung HL61A750 is a top pick. Though more expensive than other rear projection TVs, critics say no plasma or LCD television can deliver this good a 1080p picture at anywhere near this price

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Editor’s Choice Best of the Top Mp3 Speakers

July 8th, 2008 by

adam

We’ve Pulled Together the Best Mp3 Speakers for Your Dollar.

Why read five different sites with one review each?
What we’ve done is scavenged the web of editors top picks, from CNET to ZDNet and given you a one stop web review experience.

Quick Top Pick:

Think Outside BoomTube H201
Bose SoundDock
Harman/Kardon SoundSticks II
Parrot BOOMBOX
iLuv i99

Editor’s Choice Mp3 Players

Editor’s Choice Headphones

How to Choose Mp3 Player Speakers:

iPod Only	iPod and Everything Else
Most mp3 Speakers out there are for iPods only. These act as a docking station, charging your iPod and allowing you to access the iPod’s functionality via the speaker system. Some have other added functionality like alarm and FM tuner. The main benefit of these is that you don’t have to worry about charging your iPod, it does it for you.	All other mp3 player speakers are basically just multimedia computer speakers. You can connect your player to them via a 1/8th headphone jack and you get the functionality of your player, on your player, and that is it. Bluetooth is the other way to connect your player to speakers, but this still doesn’t charge your mp3 player like a dock does for the iPod.

You know the great thing about portable mp3 players? You can take them anywhere, except most of the time you can’t share. The solution to the problem, mp3 player multimedia speaker system. Some are portable, and some must stay plugged in at home. But how do you choose what is right for you?

First, if you have an iPod, your choices are substantially large. You only need to consider if you want a portable speaker system like the Think Outside Boomtube or stationary dock system like the Chestnut Hill Sound George. Remember, stationary systems that plug into a wall and are intended for indoor use only sound substantially better than portable outdoor systems that typically don’t have enough power to throw down a party.

For those of you who don’t have an iPod, your selection for speaker systems specifically for mp3 players are much smaller. Most systems will not act as a dock for your player which ultimately means that you’ll need an electrical plug for the speakers and another for your mp3 player if you want to charge it while playing through the speaker system. But beyond this particular issue, the selection of high quality speakers is very good and the functionality of Bluetooth in a lot of mp3 players other than the iPod, almost makes a dock system seem old school.

Choosing a non-iPod specific speaker system for your mp3 player basically breaks down to how much you want to pay, and if you want to use Bluetooth. Bluetooth is pretty great but sometimes the range can be an issue, and walls can block the Bluetooth. Price mostly determines the quality of your speaker, though remember, most mp3s aren’t encoded so well and the better your sound system, the more flaws in the encode you will notice. So spending $600 on a speaker system might not be the best idea if your mp3s are not all high quality.

Think Outside - BoomTube H201 - $99

Specs:

Portable

# of channels: 3

# of satellites: 2

Separate subwoofer: Yes

Power rating front satellite: 12 watts RMS per channel

Power rating subwoofer: 24 watts RMS per channel

PCMag says: The audio quality is impressive and very full, thanks to dual subwoofers (2.2-inch drivers, 24 watts), two powerful satellites (2.2-inch drivers, 12W per channel), and integrated MaxxBass technology. The system’s output is plenty powerful for small gatherings—it provides the most bang for its size of any portable we’ve seen so far.

CNET Says: The overall design of Think Outside’s Boomtube H201 might be unique–even cool–but we could have done with a bit more boom.

ZDNet Says: The two remote speakers sounded reasonably rich, with fair detail in the soaring strings, and we were able to crank the volume to bone-rattling levels with little distortion, thanks to the Boomtube’s output of 20 watts per channel. However, bass response was disappointingly subtle, even with the bass control cranked all the way up.

Bose - SoundDock Digital Music System - $200

Specs:

iPod Only

# of channels: 2

# of satellites: 1

Separate subwoofer: No

Digital Trends says: The Bose SoundDock is an excellent option if you are looking for a simple speaker dock away from your computer for your iPod or iPod Mini. While the unit lacks some of the features that the competition boasts, potential buyers should consider whether they will ever actually use those features. In the sound quality category, the SoundDock comes out on top.

PCMag Says: The SoundDock isn’t an audiophile speaker, but it gives even our favorite desktop models a run for the money above 80 Hz. It’s a triumph of engineering and a shoo-in for Editors’ Choice.

MacWorld Says: If you’re using the SoundDock in the types of environments for which it’s intended—on a desk, or in a bedroom, office, or kitchen—you’ll be rewarded with good sound in an eye-catching package.

Harman/Kardon - SoundSticks II- $169

Specs:

Product Type - PC multimedia speaker system

# of channels: 3

# of satellites: 2

Separate subwoofer: Yes

BNominal Output Power (Total) - 40 Watt

2 x Satellite speaker - 10 Watt - Wired, 1 x Subwoofer - 20 Watt - Wired

Power adapter - External

1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )

CNet says: Harman Kardon bridges the platform gap, allowing anyone with a 1/8-inch minijack input to take advantage of the SoundSticks II and their fantastic output.

DigitalReviews Says: …these speakers are for those who place a little more emphasis on sound and design over total output power. The only thing I would have liked to see with these speakers is a headphone jack on the satellite speaker and possibly a volume meter for the volume control buttons.

ilounge Says: …we wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to add a set of the Soundsticks to an iPod or computer setup. They look great, sound great, and won’t kill your wallet.

Parrot - BOOMBOX (w/ Bluetooth) - $200

Specs:

Portable - Power supply - Internal

Connectivity Technology - Wired - Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, Wireless

Transmission Range - 98 ft

Speakers Included - Speaker - 2-way - 60 Watt - 50 - 20000 Hz

Driver Details - Speaker : 2 x Tweeter driver, Speaker : 1 x Woofer driver

CNet says: The Parrot Boombox wireless Bluetooth speaker system ably combines elegant design, minimalist aesthetics, and better-than-average sound quality at an affordable price.

IT Reviews Says: Given the speaker’s abilities and audio performance alone it’s not overpriced, and if you think you’ll get a decent amount of use from the Bluetooth support it comes in as a bit of a bargain.

TrustedReview Says: If you use your phone as an MP3 player and want something to play your music on then the Parrot Boombox is an excellent option. Sound quality was excellent, besting the iPod Hi-Fi comfortably with little loss of quality when streaming via Bluetooth. The only caveat is the slightly disappointing Bluetooth range…

iLuv - i199 Bluetooth (with BluePin) - $199

Specs:

Plays back your Audio CDs and MP3 CDs with the slide-in CD loading mechanism

Digital clock display with dual alarm

Plays MP3 files stored on a USB storage device, such as USB MP3 players with USB connector

BluePin audio transmitter / receiver

Connector type - 1 x Docking station, 1 x USB, 1 x Headphones

Receive and play the music wirelessly from your audio device with Bluetooth wireless technology, such as MP3 music players, MP3 mobile phones, laptops, etc

LaptopMag Mag says: With the module in place, you can stream music from a phone to the i199’s speakers or transmit sound from the unit to a wireless headset. Though the Bluetooth function isn’t built in, exactly, pairing was painless, and the sound was excellent.

CNet Says: The impressive iLuv i199 provides a dizzying array of features–including iPod compatibility, CD player, AM/FM clock radio–you’ll be hard-pressed to find on any other tabletop audio systems at this price.

Ngadgeti Says: Among this feature-heavy iPod speaker’s many talents is the ability to play MP3s from USB thumb drives, as well as dock and pump out tunes from iPods. It has a slot for regular and MP3 CDs, a radio, and even an alarm clock. The iLuv’s sound is pretty decent, too. It’s a shame that operating it is such a pain.

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Posted in Editorial Reviews |Tags:Editor's Choice, mp3, portable, speakers |23138 visits| 1 Comment »

Editor’s Choice Best Headphones

June 18th, 2008 by

adam

We’ve Pulled Together the Best Headphones for Your Dollar.

Why read five different sites with one review each? What we’ve done is scavenged the web of editors top picks, from CNET to ZDNet and given you a one stop web review experience.

Quick Top Pick: Headphones	Price	Sound Style
Sennheiser PX 100 Headphones	$39	Clear Mids/Bass Highs Can Peak
Koss Portapro Headphones	$50	Clear Mids/Highs Predictable Base
Grado SR60 Headphones	$65	Extended Bass Good Mids/Highs
Sennheiser HD 555 Headphones	$170	A bit of Extended Bass Detailed
AKG K 701	$449	Crystal Clear Detail Flat response
Denon AH-D5000	$700	Warm Crystal Clear Detail
Sennheiser HD 800	$1399	The new Gold Standard

Quick Top Pick: Earbuds
Shure E3c Isolating Earphone	$70	Deep Base Detailed Highs
Shure SE310 Isolating Earphones	$299	Very well Balanced Detailed Clean
Shure SE530 Isolating Earphones	$499	Unparalleled acoustic accuracy

Quick Top Pick: Specialty
Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones	$99	Good Trade off for no wires

How to Choose Headphones:

Headphones

Earphones

Sealed - Sealed headphones are ideal for noisy environments though they can cause some harmonic distortion due to seal design. Open - Open headphones give the sound space to breathe, but they also let outside noise in. These are ideal for home use or somewhere quiet. Circum-aural vs. Supra-aural - Circum-aural headphones fully cup the ear and rest against the head. These tend to be much more comfortable for extended listening sessions. Supra-aural rest against the ear and can be uncomfortable to some.

Ear Buds - Ear buds are cheap, both in price and sound, but they are great for action sports because if you loose or break them, $15 replacements wont break you. Ear Canal - These earphones can sometimes be a hard fit inside your ear canal, which can drive some people crazy. But if you find a match, they do a fantastic job of isolating you from outside sound and they do sound great. For a price.

Headphones and earphones come in so many shapes, styles, and price range it can be over whelming to decide what is right for you. For this list I have tried to stay within the medium to pricey range for the above average listener. This selection won’t float the boat for professional sound mastering or strict audiophiles.

When choosing a pair of headphones you should consider where you are going to use them most. If these are for blocking out sound on a noisy subway or office you’ll want to consider sound isolating earphones or sealed headphones. If you are going to wear your headphones while snowboarding or mountain biking you’ll want to hunt for a “best of the bad” set of cheap ear buds. I go through about 3 pairs a year due to wear and tear and paying $15-$20 a pop doesn’t bust my bank.

For home use you should seriously consider open headphones because these provide the best possible sound quality but can push upwards for $600 for ultra high-end balanced headphones. Never fear, good sets like the Grado SR60 can be purchased for $65.

Now, thanks to blue tooth technology today you can also get your hands on a pair of cord free headphones. Unfortunately these run average of $100 and 80 percent or more of that is spent on the blue tooth.

AKG k701 Headphones - $449.00

Specs:

Revolutionary flat-wire voice coil technology
Patented AKG Varimotion ultra-precision two-layer diaphragm
Bi-wiring, high-performance cable with 1/4″ jack plug
Comfortable, specially shaped “3D-Form” ear pads
Complete with stylish storage cradle
Individually tested and numbered

4.20 out of 5 - 5 Reviews

audiowize Said: After letting them play for a little over 100 hours (they were used when I got them, but not well broken in), the sound has softened and the tunes are sweet. The bass control is out of this world!

tngiloy Said: The sound is clear and neutral. The bass is very good for headphones. I have yet to hear floorstanding speakers that match the sound from these cans. I’m sure there are some, but they are out of my price range.

Wes Phillips - Stereophile - 2006 Says: The K 701s just flat-out sound more like music as I hear it than any other headphones I’ve ever heard. I love ‘em and I won’t be sending ‘em back. They’re mine, all mine! Bwah hah haha haaa!

EnjoytheMusic - 2006 Says: The AKG K701 is one beautifully rounded performer. Top shelf sound, superb ergonomics, a competitive price and no quirks. The new reference has arrived and I’m not letting it go. Anyone wanna buy my K1000s?

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Shure SE530 Isolating Earphones - $499.00

Specs:

Sound Isolating Design
Speaker Type: Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker
Included Premium Fit Kit (with additional 9” extension cable)

CNet Says: Travel-happy audiophiles will be infinitely pleased with the Shure SE530s, but these earbuds should also be a consideration for anyone who has half a grand to drop on some sweet headphones.

anythingbutipod Says: Where the Shures clearly surpass most dynamic driver in-ear phones is their excellent clarity, precision, and “snappiness”.

Wes Phillips - Stereophile - 2007 Says: The SE530s are sonically well balanced, having both extended bass and a smooth, soaring top end, and at $449, they fall between the $299 Etymotics and the $1000 Ultimate Ears.

Read More Reviews

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Sennheiser HD 555 Headphones - $170.00

Specs:

A comfortable, high-quality headphone system
Extended spatial field surrounds you with sound; ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (EAR) enables ideal sound channeling for a new kind of listening experience

4.20 out of 5 - 5 Reviews

Garth Said: Ecellent headphones overall, but the mid bass boost is too much for me. (The HD-595 is better in this aspect) The spatial sound field is incredible …. it’s like the music is in your brain (I can’t say it in a better way). spilner Said: OK, so here’s what they give you after over 200 hours of intensive burning in: Generally speaking, it’s a nice, detailed and pretty well balanced sounding headphone. Now to be more specific. The harshness of the treble is pretty much gone..

GoodCans Says: …offers surprisingly good detail in all areas; highs, mids and bass. In addition to great sound quality for a portable headphone, it’s light weight, comfortable, and collapsible.

TechRadar UK Says: Meticulous sound reproduction that enlightens not strains the ear, and a good retail price.

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Denon AH-D5000 - Headphones - $700

Specs:

Reference Audio, circum-aural
Real Mahogany wood housing. Micro fiber diaphragm
Acoustic optimizer for life like audio reproduction
Gold plated aluminum connector.
Light wieght magnesium frame structure

Head Room Says: The scientific audio lab measurements don’t lie: the results we’ve seen in every category for the AH-D5000 rival that of any high-end audiophile reference headphone that has entered our testing facility

CNet.UL Says: The D5000s blew us away with stellar reproductions of every musical genre we threw at them — tightly orchestrated classical recitals, brutal black metal performances, chest-pounding drum ‘n’ bass, over-produced pop

HeadphoneReviews.org Says: The first thing that strikes you is the enveloping bass, the full-range sweetness of the trebles, followed by more of the bass. The bass is never completely tight; while most often pleasing

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Koss Portapro - Headphones - $50

Specs:

Dynamic-element design for deep bass performance
Comfort Zone setting on temporal pad for comfortable, secure fit
Collapsible for maximum portability when listening on the go
Multipivoting ear plates and adjustable headband for added comfort
Includes convenient carrying case

4.45 out of 5 - 67 Reviews

RobDigital Said: Highs: Clear and not to sharp though ever so slightly hissy at low sample rates. Mids: Present and strong. Strong like English breakfast tea, not like Starbucks bold. Bass: The bass is very respectable for the size. They won’t send shockwaves through your heart like a nice set of JL subs, but they stand up to the spectrum and with the highs and lows create a rich listening experience. lisitsa Said: The other reviews have covered this as well, but there is something special about the bass. I once had this song which had a really punching bass for the first 20 seconds, and it literally felt like your ears were being plucked.

CNet Says: Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there’s no denying the sound quality here: they’re the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.

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Sennheiser - HD 800 Headphones - $1,399

Specs:

Natural hearing experience - realistic and natural sound field with minimal resonance
Biggest transducers ever used in headphones up to today - new innovative dynamic transducer design
Note - You will need a headphone amp for these, a good one.

GoodGearGuide.au Says: Despite the price we were very impressed with the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones. They consistently handled every bass and treble note we threw at them, and the build quality is exceptional.

CNet.au Says: it becomes clear that you need to make quite an investment to get the best out of these headphones. But if you’re a hi-fi hobbyist, or simply love music, then this is perhaps the best set your money can buy

HeadRoom Says: xtraordinary transient response. The natural snap of the leading edge of pianos and drums is beautifully coherent without being overly sharp; within each xylophone strike one hears both the instantaneously loud bell-like tone and the metallic ‘ting’ as the mallet strikes the bar

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Shure E3c - Sound Isolating Earphones - $69

Specs:

Speaker Type: Dynamic MicroDriver

Sensitivity (at 1kHz): 105dB SPL/mW

Impedance (at 1kHz): 16

Cable Length: E2c: 1.57m (62 inches) E2c (in black): 1.45m (56 inches)

Net Weight: 30g (1 oz)

Input Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo plug

4.48 out of 5 - 25 Reviews

Evan S Said: I am am a drummer in a band and needed good headphones/ earphones for studio work and concerts. I have found that the E2c’s are very good for concerts because they block out alot of noise and you can’t really see that I’m wearing them. Low end bass is very good, but it is a little boomy.

Colin Said: The bass was very rich when I listened to Rap and Treble also brought out sounds I have never heard before in my music. I also watch a part of Saving Private Ryan on my Zune. I was at the end about 30 seconds before the planes came in for an attack I could hear the low rumble! I was amazed!

PC-Mag Says: These light, durable, and accurate ear-canal headphones provide lots of value but are slightly uncomfortable; a significant portion remains outside the ear. They’re a good choice for those who won’t be adding an amp to their rig.

Read More Reviews

Editors Note: These headphones have been discontinued but you can still find the quiet easily at online stores. Along with the price drop, $60 at Amazon.com, makes them well worth this list. These are a pair you should snatch up quick!

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Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones - $99

Specs:

Protocol: Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)

Range: Maximum 33 feet

Frequency: 2.4 GHz

Transmission format: Digital

CNet Says: Users looking for an affordable, full-sounding pair of wireless headphones that can handle the abuse doled out by long jogs and cluttered gym bags need look no further.

3dxtreme Says: I have used the FreePulse Wireless headphones on both my iPod and my PC and I can tell you the experience has been very enjoyable. I’ve yet to kill the battery, rated for 6 hours of continuous use. Blue Tomorrow Says: Logitech’s FreePulse Bluetooth Headphones come a long way in providing an easy-to-use, private, wireless, listening experience that will sound good to most. The headphones have connection and range issues and their one-fit design will surely have many users grumbling. But we can certainly recommend these headphones to people who want to bring their audio device with them and not have to deal with routing wires from their pocket to their ears.

Read More Reviews

Grado SR60 Headphones - $65

Specs:

Tranducer Type: dynamic

Operating Principle: open air

Frequency Response: 20-20

SPL 1mV: 98

Normal Impedance: 32ohms

Driver Matched db: .1

4.53 out of 5 - 173 Reviews

Nick Said: These headphones are incredible! At $69.00 they are a steal for someone looking for a well built quality set of cans. I read all the reviews online for a good month before purchasing these cans. I would agree with all of them except comfort. I find them fitting perfect against my ears with no discomfort whatsoever.

vchu7105 Said: The Grado’s have a open air, light, but crystal clear feel to them making the music come alive. The Sony Earbuds can’t even compare, just a diffrent class. They are good for travel or mowing the lawn.

CNET Says: Grado’s cheapest headphones belt out big sound with pint-size portable audio devices.

IGN Says: As for value, I would venture to say that there will not be a better set of headphones for $70.00 until Grado figures out a tweak for these. If you are on a budget, you simply must buy the SR60s. And there is no way in hell you will be disappointed.

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