In this issue

TOP PICKS OF THE YEAR
The year 2021 represented an improvement over 2020, though it didn’t end up being the full-scale return-to-normal everybody was expecting. But even with all the challenges, the A/V industry wheels continued to grind, with much fantastic gear arriving for us to test and to recommend.

MEDIA ROOM INSIDER: APARTMENT THEATER
Squeeze a no-compromise 7.4.4 Dolby Atmos home theater into a 10 x 18-foot space? No problem! How a Tel Aviv luxury apartment-dweller realized his home theater dream, and did it without disturbing the downstairs neighbors.

Fluance Ai41 Bluetooth Speaker System

"Two Speakers Better Than One"

6 mins

We're Not in Kansas Anymore

"Many years ago, I would ride my bicycle to the neighborhood record store, lean it against the window (no need to padlock), spend an enjoyable hour flipping through LPs, pick one out, and buy it (cash, of course). I would then slip it into my backpack and ride home, put the needle in the groove, and enjoy the sound of my purchase. Oh, how times have changed. In particular, the cool kids are now buying music as non-fungible tokens (NFT)."

3 mins

2021 Top Picks of The Year

Looking back on 2021, I can honestly state that it represented an improvement over 2020, though it didn’t end up being the full-scale return-to-normal everybody was looking for. A/V consumer and trade shows such as CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis were gutted. Supply chain logjams delayed the arrival of new gear, particularly in core categories like speakers and A/V receivers, both of which ended up underrepresented in our 2021 Top Picks of the Year list compared with previous years. But even with all the challenges, the wheels of industry continued to grind, with much fantastic gear coming in for us to test and recommend.

10+ mins

MEDIA ROOM INSIDER: APARTMENT THEATER

This Tel Aviv penthouse apartment fits a no-compromise 7.4.4 Dolby Atmos system into a cozy 10 x 18-foot space

10+ mins

JVC DLA-NZ9 8K D-ILA PROJECTOR - The Future Looks Bright

GIVEN THE current uncertain state of the world, I was truly surprised when JVC announced not one but three new projectors prior to the kickoff of CEDIA Expo 2021, an event that ended up being a pale shade of its regular self. The new JVC trio largely replaces the company’s current projector lineup, offering a list of new features including a next-gen BLU- Escent laser light engine, HDMI 2.1 connectivity with full 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video input support, and HDR10+ high dynamic range.

10+ mins

BENQ V7050i 4K DLP Laser TV Projector - In Living Color

Is there a projector maker that hasn’t yet come out with an ultra short throw (UST) model aimed at viewers who want a theater-size image in their living room, but without the usual ceiling-mount and dark room baggage that accompanies it? If you asked me that question one year ago, I would have replied “BenQ.” But now, with its V7050i 4K DLP Laser TV, BenQ has joined the UST projector fold, adding its name to the ranks of Sony, Epson, Optoma, Vava, Hisense, LG, Samsung, and others.

10+ mins

MONOLITH BY MONOPRICE ENCORE T6 SPEAKER SYSTEM - Monolithic Value

THE STORY of how Monoprice parlayed its success as a humble purveyor of computer peripherals into its current status as a direct-toconsumer A/V gear powerhouse will have to wait for another day, mostly because I don’t know it. But I do know this much: the torrent of ultra-high-value speakers and electronics, desktop audio, and even pro audio designs that have bubbled up from the Monoprice spring over the past few years is all but unprecedented in my decades in the audio/video world.

10 mins

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar - Beam Me Up

BOTH THE original Sonos Beam and the company's new Beam Gen 2 soundbar use beamforming, a technology that combines an array of drivers with advanced signal processing, to create an enveloping audio experience without need for multiple speakers. With the Beam Gen 2 ($449), Sonos builds upon the virtual surround sound capabilities of the original by adding Dolby Atmos processing and side-firing drivers, a combination that ups the sense of immersion it can create. And the cost for this upgrade: a mere $50 premium over the original Beam soundbar's $399 price.

10 mins

Canton Chrono 70 Loudspeaker - It's Chrono Time

Canton may be a speaker brand that’s relatively unknown in North America—no doubt due to the company’s products not being available in these parts for the past decade—but the German outfit has been doing business for almost 50 years. Headquartered about 25 miles north of Frankfurt, Canton is one of Germany’s largest loudspeaker manufacturers, offering a truly breathtaking spread of models across several product ranges.

6 mins

OSD BLACK TREVOCE 12 EQ DSP SUBWOOFER - Triple Threat

OSD AUDIO is a maker of many audiorelated things, its extensive product line covering most bases for custom residential and commercial installations. But the company also has a fair number of consumer offerings, including a sizeable range of subwoofers.

7 mins

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Sound & Vision Magazine Description:

Sound & Vision is a monthly magazine published by AVTech Media Americas Inc. It was first published in 1980 and is one of the most popular magazines for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.

The magazine reviews a wide range of audio and video equipment, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, TVs, projectors, and Blu-ray players. It also publishes articles on a variety of other topics related to audio and video, such as listening room acoustics, recording techniques, and home theater design.

Sound & Vision is aimed at a wide audience of audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts, from casual listeners to serious enthusiasts. It is a popular resource for anyone who wants to learn more about audio and video equipment and how to get the best sound and picture possible.

Here are some of the things you can expect to find in Sound & Vision Magazine:

* Reviews of the latest audio and video equipment
* Articles on audio and video technology and techniques
* Interviews with audio engineers and filmmakers
* Features on audio and video history and culture
* Tips and advice on how to get the best sound and picture possible

Sound & Vision Magazine is the perfect resource for anyone who is interested in high-quality audio and video. Subscribe today and start enjoying your movies and music the way they were meant to be heard and seen!