LATEST ADDITIONS

John Archer  |  Dec 14, 2022  |  0 comments
hccbestbuybadgev3This Quantum Dot OLED flatscreen is the TV to beat right now, believes John Archer

Samsung isn't the only brand to combine OLED's self-emissive contrast talents and the brightness/colour benefits of Quantum Dots in a TV this year. Sony is also in on the QD OLED act with its A95K series, in 55in (tested here) and 65in versions that command a premium over Samsung's already discounted S95B model. Is the extra cost justified?

John Archer  |  Dec 12, 2022  |  0 comments
hccbestbuybadgev3For its range-topping 2022 sound system, Samsung has adopted an 'evolution not revolution' approach. John Archer appreciates the new-found sense of refinement

The first thing to point out about Samsung's HW-Q990B soundbar is actually something it doesn't do, which is add any new sound channels. It sticks with the 11.1.4 configuration introduced by last year's Q950A (HCC #324), bringing to an end a proud Samsung tradition of steadily increasing channel counts in its sound systems.

Steve May  |  Nov 18, 2022  |  0 comments
hccbestbuybadgev3With a brighter OLED panel and upgraded Atmos sound system, the LZ2000 delivers on all fronts, says Steve May

I've seen marble less polished than Panasonic's new LZ2000 4K HDR OLED. This update on what has been a consistently impressive flagship TV design for the brand, with its signature rear-mounted height and side speakers, builds on what has gone before, but further refines picture and sound performance with less obvious upgrades.

Steve May  |  Nov 16, 2022  |  0 comments
hcchighreccomendOptoma's conventional 4K projector might lack the allure of its UST siblings, but a laser engine, flexible setup and punchy performance mean it's still a bright buy, says Steve May

We've seen projectors adopt a variety of form factors of late, from UST models to Samsung's novel portable Freestyle. Optoma's UHZ50 is a more traditional beamer, but it's no less exciting.

Mark Craven  |  Nov 12, 2022  |  0 comments
hccrefstatusbadgeWhoever said the best things come in small packages likely hadn't met this 2 x 15in, 92kg subwoofer, reckons Mark Craven – and the D215s is a brilliant blend of brains and brawn

Perlisten Audio certainly knows how to make an entrance. A new brand out of Wisconsin in the US, it debuted with its S Series loudspeaker range (HCC #331), which culminates in the £16,000 S7t floorstanders, and to avoid the trap of only appealing to music lovers, it delivered a range of subwoofers to match. The biggest of the bunch is the D215s, auditioned here.

HCC News Team  |  Oct 25, 2022  |  0 comments
American marque unveils high-end model featuring 43 drivers, including four 8in woofers, designed to partner its flagship XRT loudspeakers
Mark Craven  |  Oct 19, 2022  |  0 comments
hccbestbuybadgev3Mark Craven samples the expansive sound – and specification – of an upper-tier nine-channel AV receiver

As part of Yamaha's flagship Aventage receiver lineup, the RX-A6A promises to put everything the storied audio brand knows about movie sound into one, feature-packed box. Priced £2,000, this is a big brooding beast of an AVR, and it has the performance to match – film and music playback is never less than enthralling. Ask me where it comes up short, and I'd have to give a shrug.

Mark Craven  |  Oct 14, 2022  |  0 comments
hccbestbuybadgev3Superb sound tuning means Philips' FB1 one-box audio solution puts in a performance that makes its price tag look like a steal. And the feature set ain't bad either, says Mark Craven

Call me easily impressed, but it was within minutes of getting Philips' Fidelio FB1 soundbar up and running that I'd decided I was smitten. Not by its audio performance – at least, not at that point – but by the illuminated ring light that surrounds its two upfiring Dolby Atmos drivers. This light doesn't have to be on all the time (that could get annoying) but it's a clever, bonus design effect that I like.

John Archer  |  Oct 10, 2022  |  0 comments
hccbestbuybadgev3There's a new type of OLED in town – and John Archer is very much here for it

The QE65S95B is a Samsung OLED TV. This is something that bears repeating, because after spending almost a decade telling you not to buy an OLED because they're not bright enough and can fall prey to screen burn, Samsung has changed its mind. Before anyone starts mumbling anything about hypocrisy or petards, however, Samsung's new OLED TV is not the same as the models we're used to.

John Archer  |  Sep 30, 2022  |  0 comments
hcchighreccomendOn the evidence of this UST PJ, John Archer feels newcomer Xgimi is ready to take on the AV big boys

Xgimi is the latest in a growing line of relatively new Chinese brands on a mission to shake up the home entertainment market – and if its new Aura ultra-short-throw projector is anything to go by, it'll soon find plenty of fans. Priced £2,399, this beamer feels like serious value for money.

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