http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/reviews Latest product reviews, updated every five minutes http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/BenQ_MP512_ST/4505-7858_7-33205675.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Priced less than a midsized flat-screen LCD TV, BenQ's MP512 ST DLP projector is a solid, affordable option for people who want a big screen for casual use or gaming. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:26:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Samsung_HT_X710T/4505-6740_7-33192422.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Samsung HT-X710 is a great-sounding 2.1 DVD system, but the funky design and dearth of inputs may put off some buyers. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:13:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/reviews/5620 The $500 price tag on Samsung’s HT-X710T system places it in the middle of the company’s home-theater-in-a-box line. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:12:43 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Polk_Audio_RM95/4505-7868_7-32702832.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Its unusual triangular design helps the Polk Audio RM95 home theater speaker package project a spacious sound, but it can't rock out at higher volumes. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:15:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/4660-3121_7-6916483.html?part=ecoustics-cnet&part=ecoustics-cnet&subj=video HP already makes some of the best multimedia laptops, and trading up to a true 16:9 18-inch display makes for an impressive semiportable home theater in the form of the HP HDX18. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/HP_Pavilion_Slimline_s3500f_Athlon_64_X2_5400_2_8_GHz/4505-3118_7-33109494.html?part=ecoustics-cnet As opposed to previous Slimline models, the HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f tosses aside home theater aspirations and targets budget buyers looking for a compact, cheap PC. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:03:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=450&Itemid=46 Front projectors have been the gold standard in home theater for many years. But until recently, front projection meant a... Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Samsung_HT_TZ512T/4505-6740_7-32909839.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Samsung HT-TZ512T's wireless rear speakers, five-disc changer, and impressive digital media support make it a solid choice for basic home theater duties. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:33:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Acer_Aspire_X1200_U1520A/4505-3118_7-33229227.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Acer Aspire X1200-U1520A is a speedy, compact low-end desktop powerful enough capability to serve as a light-duty home theater PC. Expansion is limited by an especially cramped interior (even for a small PC), but the total package is worthwhile for PC shoppers on a budget. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:29:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=438&Itemid=62 Class D switching amplifiers are here to stay. The RMB-1085 is a five channel home theater amplifier that uses... Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/reviews/150199 Microsoft wants to put an Xbox 360--and Sony wants to put a PlayStation 3--in every living room, and two gamers on every couch. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:02:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/axiom-audio-epic-midi-400 Axiom Audio's Epic Midi system is a great "home theater-in-a-box killer" that starts at just $1338 and is built around the small M2 (v2) speakers. To get the most out of it, however, you'd want to opt for the much more sophisticated and powerful EP400 subwoofer - a $600+ premium that lands the system among stiff competition in the ~$2000 5.1 home theater speaker market. While expensive, the EP400 was the most impressive part of this system and stole the show as it certainly outperformed the expectations we had for what an 8-inch subwoofer could do. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:53:48 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/cables/usb-superbooster-cat5e-extenders You may not spend hours and hours thinking of new ways to run long lengths of USB cable, but if you need it to occur, then it suddenly becomes the focus of your thoughts. USB has a practical maximum length of just 5 meters. If you're running an equipment room, remotely-located home theater PC, or even just a really long Guitar Hero III cable, then a USB Superbooster is probably something you should investigate. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:32:08 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=383&Itemid=68 The Canton Chrono speaker system proves that you cannot judge a book solely by its cover (although I thought the... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Samsung_HT_X810T/4505-6740_7-32815269.html?part=ecoustics-cnet While we've heard better virtual surround sound, the Samsung HT-X810T's easy setup and dearth of wires will appeal to those searching for simplicity and a minimalist aesthetic. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:24:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/projectors/samsung-sp-a800b-dlp The new SP-A800B DLP projector from Samsung Electronics looks to be a nice addition to the 1080p DLP family, though it lacks some advanced features (like DarkChip3 or horizontal lens shift) we'd expect at its $10k price point. To squeeze out the highest quality home theater experience and color reproduction, Samsung teamed up with Joe Kane, a well-known and highly respected authority on visual imaging equipment and development. We've hung around Joe a few times - the man knows color and so we're expecting Samsung's new DLP projector to really shine in terms of its color accuracy. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:29:51 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/processors/denon-avp-a1hdci The Denon AVP-A1HDCI represents bleeding edge technology that only a select few manufacturers can compete with regardless of price. This processor truly is a master of all domains. It?s not cheap to own this combo set from Denon, but such is the case with statement pieces and first implementers of new technologies. From its Realta video processing engine, to its sophisticated Audyssey room correction, top notch construction and component usage, you?re getting Mercedes level performance and refinement at Acura prices. Your high end audio snob friends may snicker at this system, especially since they likely spent 2-3 times more for hollow boxes, but I suggest humbling yourself by saying nothing. You don?t want everyone driving the same car you?re driving, do you? Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:50:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/televisions/flat-panels/olevia-t232 If you are like me, deciding how to use your limited AV budget is a constant battle. On the one hand you've got your home theater and you want the absolute best gear you can afford in that room. However, if, like me, you also have a wife and kids, having a second television/movie viewing area can be a huge plus. Well, we're in luck. With a street price of around $600, the Olevia 232V entry-level 32" LCD display makes it is possible to get a display that offers pretty impressive performance for very little money. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:44:43 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/JVC_TH_F3/4505-6740_7-32983728.html?part=ecoustics-cnet While it's got an attractive design, the JVC TH-F3's high price and dearth of extra features make it hard to recommend. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:17:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/amplifiers/rotel-rmb-1085 There are few names that are both as well known and associated with high-end as Rotel. They have a reputation for quality and power and great aesthetics. At only 100 watts, I couldn't say that the RMB-1085 was a huge improvement over the internal amps of my receiver with my 8 ohm speakers. It does have an undeniable cool factor and plenty of power if your current amplification needs are inadequate or your speakers have lower impedance and are giving your current amp/receiver trouble. If you are looking to beef up your home theater or just have a touch of the upgrade bug, the RMB-1085 is a little firecracker of an amp that might be what you've been looking for. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:53:57 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/look/220 Although home-theater PCs and set-top boxes like AppleTV have made it possible to watch content streamed directly from the Internet on a TV for years, the practicality of these devices has lagged well behind. This may soon change for the better, though, as attention from TV manufacturers pushes the Internet further toward merging with your living room TV by skipping the middle man. IPTV features built into the next generation of high-end televisions will give some of them native Web capabilities, eliminating the need for extra equipment and remotes.The flagship of Panasonic’s 2008 Viera plasma line, the PZ850, is among the first mainstream sets to adopt this technology. Although it boasts improvements to image quality and... Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Sony_HT_CT100/4505-6740_7-32923460.html?part=ecoustics-cnet Sony's HT-CT100 soundbar/subwoofer audio system is a phenomenal value that sounds great with movies and music. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:28:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemid=68 The Daedalus 2.1s seem to transcend the notion of fatigue, moving to the other side of the scale: listener... Wed, 28 May 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/amplifiers/denon-poa-a1hdci The POA-A1HDCI revitalizes Denon?s high end stigma that it earned over the years and puts the name back on the map for high end cost no object audio. You can rest assured that its size is backed by legendary performance one would expect from Denon flagship pieces. The POA-A1HDCI delivers respectable high and most importantly clean dynamic power and provides enough channels to handle even the largest scale home theater installations with a few to spare for specialized needs and installations. Coupled with the matching AVP-A1HDCI processor, you?ve got a state of the art A/V separates solution that can run toe to toe with any of its peers in this price class. Thu, 22 May 2008 17:47:43 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/receivers/harman-kardon-avr-347 The Harman/Kardon AVR-347 is one of the lower-priced 1080p HDMI receivers available on the market today for those looking to get updated to the newest technologies. The receiver delivers plenty of power along with 1080p compatibility and upconversion over HDMI. The Harman/Kardon AVR-347 appears to be a no-compromise head unit capable of driving a fully-equipped home theater. With a host of features and a unique visual appeal, this receiver will also fit right in among the most elegant of home decors. But don?t let its good looks deceive you, because this receiver is more than capable of driving most speaker systems made to extremely high levels. The AVR-347 has more about it than a pretty face. Thu, 22 May 2008 04:38:26 -0400