Audioholics Featured Reviews & Articles

I found a new portable Bluetooth speaker this week called the Divoom Bluetune-Solo. What I like about it (apart form the fact that it's priced right, at $50) is that it's a portable speaker that works as a standalone unit—but it also functions as a hands-free speakerphone. Plus you can daisy chain them together to get more sound. I imagined a banquet room with one of these on every table. I'm sure there are limitations, but you get the idea. It's innovative and tiny and it fits in your pocket. I just like the overall design.

While targeting custom installers and their clients, the AudioControl Rialto 400 has some real technology under the Sonos-esque enclosure. Pushing 100 watts into 8 ohms, 200 watts into 4 ohms, Wolfson DACs, multiple inputs, automatic input switching, bass boost, subwoofer pass-though, and more, it is clear that the $800 price tag isn't all profit. If you are looking for an upgrade to the sound of your second or third system, the Rialto 400 should give you what you want. Just don't look to us to explain to your wife why you "needed" a box that cost 2x's as much as the Sonos box you connected it to.

Each wireless technology has its place, but no one is offering wireless surround sound audio for the home theater with all of the WiSA benefits such as multi-channel surround sound that is interoperable with any compliant system; transmitting uncompressed, interference free HD audio that is easy to set up and easy to use. There is also no reason that AirPlay devices and WiSA certified devices can’t work together. Basically, someone can take the stereo or HDMI output from the AirPlay receiver and plug it into an input on the WiSA certified audio hub. WiSA certification is a game-changer in the wireless speaker world. It IS the new industry standard for high quality surround sound in the home theater. WiSA speaker technology can also be used in portable speaker applications too.

There is little not to like about the 1kwatt Emotiva XPR-1 Monoblock power amplifier. Although it lacks the snob appeal of some of the more expensive and prestigious brands, the Emotiva XPR-1 gives up nothing in the performance department, especially with regards to power. It's built well with all the proper engineering in place to ensure reliable, problem free performance for years to come. The XPR-1 truly lives up to the “Reference series” name that Emotiva has reserved for their very best products. This is a highly recommended purchase for the audiophile looking for an amplifier with equal doses of brawn and finesse. It is the Jedi Master of power amps that would make even an audiophile Sith Lord proud to own. Check out our comprehensive review where we attempted to smoke our power resistors by dumping over 2kwatts of power through them, which the XPR-1 happily provided. Barbecue anyone?

The PLAiR streaming stick can receive video and audio content from your PC, Mac, Android, or iOS device with a push of a button. It will allow you to view nearly any Internet video source (sans Netflix and Hulu) on your big screen. For those that watch network shows on the network websites but hate doing it on their PC, the PLAiR is a godsend. At $99 it won't break the bank. But you are taking a $99 gamble. If the networks find a way to block the PLAiR solution (and you can bet they are trying to right now), you may have paid $99 for a device that will no longer do most of what you bought it for. Is it worth the risk? Only you can make that decision.

The Denon AVR-X1000 and AVR-X2000 are the newest in the lauded IN-Command series of receivers from Denon. The AVR-X1000 is the least expensive at $500 but it is packed full of features, including 80 watts per channel (five channels), discrete amplification, Apple's AirPlay, app control, two zones, six HDMI inputs, and Audyssey MultEQ XT. The AVR-X2000 adds $200 to the price but increases the number of channels to seven, adds 15 watts, 1080p and 4k upconversion, Windows 8 compatibility, and more. Regardless of which receiver you choose, the AVR-X1000 or the AVR-X2000, you're going to have one of the most feature-packed receivers at their price point.

I don't have "Aha!" moments very often, but Pyle's PBTR70 Bluetooth wireless-based music interface did it. Lots of Apple-centric products have come out which feature the company's 30-pin connector (which works on everything prior to the iPhone 5). But not everything makes use of Apple's AirPlay or even Bluetooth audio streaming for that matter. So your iPhone needs to be tethered to the speaker in order to enjoy audio from your portable device. The new Pyle Bluetooth wireless-based music interface does away with that. Now, using this small device, you can untether yourself from the shackles of that connector and stream Bluetooth audio to your heart's content.

Panasonic announced its latest foray into the world of desktop speakers with its NE (Network Era) Series of wireless speaker systems, including models SC-NE1, SC-NE3 and the flagship SC-NE5. AirPlay and Bluetooth speakers (along with headphones) seem to be the dominant emerging trend after the "fall" of 3D. It seems like companies are scrambling for these new products which we imagine provide a nice profit margin and are taking off like sausages at a pancake festival. The SC-NE1, SC-NE3 and SC-NE5 all feature full wireless connectivity and the NE5 and NE3 can be synced through DLNA and AirPlay (plus Bluetooth for other devices).

The Denon IN-Command AVR-X3000 and AVR-X4000 receivers pack a lot of technology into their unassuming chassis. These are receivers that can send audio and video to more than one zone, are fully networked including AirPlay and many other streaming options, and have oodles of power. The AVR-X3000 will have nearly everything the average consumer could want to power a simple 7.1 home theater, but lacks some of the higher end features found on the AVR-X4000. The AVR-X4000 can handle a second or third zone, has full 9.2 pre-outs, and has Audyssey MultEQ® XT32, among a host of other features. When you are at this level of buying, it pays to make a list of what you need. If these receivers can't do it, it likely can't be done. At least, not at these price points.