Our Listeners of the Week are: Joshua for his donation, Tyler S. for telling SVS he bought his new SB-2000 subwoofer based on our recommendation, Josh Z. for sending Rob H. a Dolby Atmos Demo disc to check out, and Heath B. for buying a Marantz SR7010 from Accessories4Less and letting them know he heard about them on AV Rant!

Remember to check out our new AV Rant Podcast YouTube Channel for the video versions of the show!

In the news: DTS is being sold to Tessera Technologies for $850 million. And Jonathan F. found an NRDC Report in which TV manufacturers are accused of cheating on energy consumption tests.

Ted M. thinks everyone should give Tidal Music Streaming a try, and he suggests using Soundiiz to port over Spotify playlists. And Greg F. shared a video showing a Kodi Media Center using a Raspberry Pi in a tiny arcade cabinet.

Jonathan S. is planning a large theater with a bar, and he wants high bang-for-buck gear. We practically beg him to get dual subwoofers, either SVS PC-2000 or Outlaw Audio Ultra-X12, and we suggest KEF, Focal, and Ascend Acoustics speakers to go behind his screen. We also discuss layout, absorption panel placement, and where to put his equipment rack. Kris P. says the Microsoft Edge Browser can pass Dolby Digital audio, and to make ourselves heard regarding the Xbox One’s audio issues at Xbox Uservoice. Kris wants a 5.4.4 Atmos setup, and a Denon AVR-X4200W or Marantz SR6010 are the cheapest options. And Donald G. wants to know if 5.2.2 Atmos is even worth it.

Karl L. needs help deciding between the Denon AVR-X4300H and AVR-X6300H. Heath shared a ridiculous review of “High Fidelity Cables” that claim to use “magnetic conduction” rather than electrical conduction (good grief). Dave P. is having some issues with his Optoma X600 projector, and he wants to know if balanced XLR connections are desirable. And Ted M. asks about amplifier classes, modular Receivers, whether to upgrade his audio or his video first, and whether the Epson LS10500 is worth paying twice as much just for lasers.

Gary F. wants some “no bull” talk about speaker wires and amplifiers, and we deliver. Charles S. has an HDR TV, but an older Receiver, which is thankfully something Ultra HD Blu-ray players can accommodate. And Steven V. is debating whether to wire every room in a distributed audio system in stereo or mono.

Carlos R. has a huge space that he wants to pressurize with bass. We suggest 2x dual (quad) HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 as the flexible, affordable starting point, with the option to consider more expensive alternatives beyond those. Bill might benefit from an external amplifier, but we see no need to spend more than $500 on the Emotiva BasX A-500. We also discuss Bill’s projection screen height and Center speaker placement and tilt. And Partha S. is looking for subwoofers in India. We’re rather ignorant on that front, but Acoustic Arts carries Velodyne and SVS, and Cinebels carries Jamo and Klipsch, so those seem like decent places to start.

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Our Listeners of the Week are Jonathan S. Ilango, Dave, and Alan for their generous donations! Ted M. also wants to match all donations dollar-for-dollar during a week of our choosing, so we will be talking that up over the next couple of episodes!

Tom reviews the Creative iRoar Bluetooth speaker that seems to live up to its name.

Remember to check out our new AV Rant Podcast YouTube Channel for the video versions of the show!

In the news, Dolby Vision support on the Oppo UDP-203 is still up in the air. Andy alerted us to the Monoprice Monolith 15-inch subwoofer shown at CEDIA. Sony Pictures and Auro-3D will release 10 movies. Roku’s five new models range in price from $30 to $130. Canadian streaming service shomi is shutting down Nov. 30. And the SVS Prime Elevation speakers finally arrive!

Philip B. found instructions for modifying capacitors with wax and wood, just in case you needed more evidence that some audiophiles are insane.

Mat A. is planning his new theater. We discuss speaker placement, screen size, and seating distance. John M. asks whether the carpet itself or the pad underneath matters more when it comes to acoustics, so we recommend a felt carpet pad. Karl R. asks for our opinions on the BenQ W8000 projector, which seems to go by the model number HT6050 in North America, and its most compelling features are its interchangeable lenses. And Greg P. tracked down a crackling noise problem in his system to his ethernet over powerline adapter, and he wants to know what was going on.

Ted M. has new Legacy Audio speakers on the way, and he wants to know if he should try to repurpose his old speakers. We also go over the relationship between Watts and speaker output. Jonathan F. read the Audioholics Paradigm Persona Series review and wants to know if beryllium is truly so special.

And Josh L. is planning a theater that must also double as a guest room. We go over dimensions, layout, and screen choices such as the 70-inch Vizio M-Series.

Mahi wants a 7.2.6 setup if he can get it. He could add Boston Acoustics in-wall speakers to his existing gear, or get all new Aperion Audio Intimus speakers and Aperion in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. We also discuss his seating distances and suggest a 135-inch acoustically transparent screen from Silver Ticket or Seymour AV. Matt G. got a deal on an Xbox One, and he wants to know if he should’ve bought an Xbox One S instead, and what his audio output settings should be. And Jeff G. wants a bigger CinemaScope screen. We mention Elite Screens Dual Screen and Seymour AV Masking options. And also discuss placement of four subwoofers.

Chris S. built a cardboard box model of his new speakers (yay!) and realized he needs new speaker stands. We suggest Sanus, VideoSecu, or Quest. Muzammil (we are so sorry for surely mispronouncing your name!) wants a “wall of sound”, and we think his Yamaha Receiver’s DSP listening modes can help. And Danny J. wants to know what would be worthwhile about adding a streaming box if you already own a Smart TV.

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Our Listeners of the Week are Mahi and Robert for their donations. Thank you for supporting the podcast with your donations!

Remember to check out our new AV Rant Podcast YouTube Channel for the video versions of the show!

In the news, Tony K. gave us the heads up about the Amazon 2nd Gen Echo Dot for $50. The Plex TV DVR Beta was updated and now works on the NVidia Shield TV. Antoine sent us word of the greatly expanded Monoprice Monolith Series Products lineup that now includes several amp models, speakers, and planar headphones. CEDIA brought announcements of the new Epson LS10500 laser projector, the Sony VPL-VW675ES HDR projector with HLG and installer-only UBP-X1000ES Ultra HD Blu-ray player, and a model number and $35,000 price tag for the JVC DLA-RS4500. And Nathan D. sent a link about the Oppo UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray player, which is strongly rumored to have the hardware necessary to support Dolby Vision on Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. (EDIT UPDATE: Dolby Vision support confirmed!)

Infinite Gary suggests Guildford of Maine FR701 acoustically transparent fabric for wrapping subwoofers or DIY acoustic panels. And Michael R. solved his Kodi HTPC HD Audio bitstream output issues with the use of a mobile app for control.

Thomas tried to use our Plex HTPC HD Audio Tutorial, but came across some HDCP compliance and false chapter info on certain Blu-ray discs. Tony C. has good dual subwoofer placement, but wants to know how to get his bass sounding the way he wants it. Andrew N. wants our thoughts on near field speaker and subwoofer placement. And Scott H. wants to know if it’s a good idea to swap the Surround speakers from one setup for the Front Main speakers of a 2nd setup.

Gabe M. sent us Hanz Beekhuyzen’s take on high-res audio and MQA, and wants our take on his opinions. Holland W. either needs two very small subwoofers or one small but very powerful subwoofer, which gets Tom to recommend the Velodyne Digital Drive Plus and JL Audio Subwoofers. Justin B. reminds us to check EMP Tek B-Stock for deals and asks if stereo subwoofers ever make sense based on sound localization. And Robert G. gets our recommendation of the Aperion Audio Intimus I6 in-ceiling speakers to match his SVS Prime speakers for Atmos.

Mahi is building a new theater and asks some in-depth questions about soundproofing. Anonymous is also building a theater and asks about in-wall speaker options, such as: KEF, RBH Sound, and Focal; acoustically transparent screens, for which we recommend Seymour AV Center Stage UF; and professional installers, which leads us to mention: Erskine Group, Easy Living with Technology, The Screening Room AV, and our good friend Ray Coronado over at SocalHT. Kris I. wants some more details on Dolby Vision vs. HDR10 and what the forthcoming HDMI 2.1 spec might add. And PJ wants to know the PS3 settings for HD Audio output.

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Technical changes behind the scenes meant no Live on Air broadcast nor 2-hour YouTube video this week. Please bear with us as we make some transitions.

We have a new AV Rant YouTube Page for you to check out!

Our Listeners of the Week are Scott, Ian, Jesse, Michael R., and Heath for their donations; Kris I. for letting APC know he bought their power protection products because of AV Rant; and, our congratulations to Byron who’s been listening to AV Rant since he was an Ensign, and now he has been promoted to Lieutenant Commander!

In the news, Rob was a guest on Entertainment 2.0 Podcast to discuss HDR and HD Audio. Kaleidescape is back open for business! Sony announced the PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim with HDR support coming to all PS4 consoles. And Apple launched the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with no headphone jack.

Russ says we gave him the audio upgrade bug that brought him all the way to a 7.2.4 Atmos setup, and he’s loving the results! And Toby H. shared Germany’s Hollywood-Theatres “Ultimate Line” video, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, a $1,500 theater where only about $200 was spent on AV gear.

Jeff G. asks why Denon’s new AVR-X4300H mentions 11.1 channel processing but only 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 Atmos capability on its webpage. Heath plans to move ahead with his basement home theater build using some of our suggestions. He asks about GFCI electrical outlets, false wall construction, our recommended Seymour AV Retractable screen and Elite Screens AcousticPro UHD, subwoofer choices, Aperion Audio Verus Forte speakers, seating placement, and any extra tips.

Miles W. has a friend in need of some SoundBar settings advice. Infinite Gary asks how we think Phase Technology DARTS compares to JBL Synthesis ARCOS. And J wants to know if measurements can prove that dual subwoofers will work well for him.

Neil H. wants some speaker brand suggestions in New Zealand. In addition to Klipsch and Wharfedale, we mention Dali, and KEF. Neil also asks what household items could be used as absorption just as a proof of concept. Antoine asks about bi-pole/di-pole Surround speakers vs. monopoles, we suggest EMPTek E3b Satellite speakers for Atmos, and Belden speaker wire from Parts-Express when you want a black jacket. And Michael R. asks why his Windows 10 desktop doesn’t look right on his HDTV, as well as Kodi Audio Settings.

Matt G. gets our take on Reference Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, and subjective speaker sensitivity. Mark G. could use the Whitegoods LightMeter App to measure his partially sunlit room. Seymour AV’s Matinee Black screen could help, but we think the Epson HC 3500 projector is his best choice. And Kevin A. has an aftermarket car audio connection question.

Ted M. asks about DACs, but we end up talking about amps. He also asks about tubes, and what makes Auro-3D different from Atmos and DTS:X. Alan C. says our crossover settings advice helped him, and he wants our opinions on his attempts to “trick” Audyssey by partially covering his tweeters during measurement. Jonathan F. forwarded High Def Digest’s Dolby Atmos Beyond 7.1.4 – Part 2 article. And Josh Zyber, the author of that article, had some bones to pick with us, and we live up to our name with a ranty reply!

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Our Listeners of the Week are Vincent, Rohan, Russell, and Heath for their donations, as well as Anthony B., Jay C., and Heath B. for telling SVS that their recent purchases were thanks to AV Rant’s recommendations.

Our SVS Giveaway is now open for entry for residents of the USA and Canada. So come to AVRant.com, enter your email address, and good luck!

In the news, the SVS Prime Elevation Speakers should be available very soon. Antoine let us know that Plex released their DVR software, although it comes with many limitations. IFA 2016 included HLG HDR, the JVC Blu-Escient DLA-Z1, Panasonic DMP-UB700, Sony prototype Ultra HD Blu-ray player, and Philips 901F OLED with Ambilight. Intel Kaby Lake CPUs add 4K and HDCP 2.2 support that Tyler F. noted will allow Sony ULTRA Streaming to come to PCs. Google has a 4K Chromecast Ultra in the works. And our own Producer Austen celebrated 100 Episodes of We Watch Movies Podcast!

We are over the moon about Ash’s DIY bass traps that he made out of bookcases. And Michael I. confirms that DTS:X firmware updates are rolling out to 7-channel Denon Receivers.

Larry S. wants to know which Denon or Marantz Receiver to buy. Vince S. asks if we think extremely bright output will kill the OLED market. And Chris S. wants to know if he should buy the Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers or spend more for the EMP Tek Impression Series or Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE.

Justin B. asks about DIY absorption panel placement and whether diffusion panels are worth it in his case. Rohan tries to correct us about his marble room, but we prefer to reject his reality and replace it with our own. He asks about video calibration and how to use Denon’s “web control” to save his settings. And Kris points out an unimaginable error that Rob made, then asks about surge protection, where we recommend APC J15BLK, J25B, Back-UPS 750, or P8V depending on what level of protection is needed.

Anthony B. asks about connecting his new subwoofers along with his self-powered speakers. Jay C. moved one of his subs and mostly likes the results. Now he has aesthetic concerns, and digs into some of the minutia of placement and orientation. And Michael R. sorts through some more HTPC audio woes, and we point him to CinemaNow Canada for new release rentals.

Terry G. wants to confirm that Silver Ticket Woven Acoustic is a good choice. Mitch gets us to detail our differing approaches to setting speaker toe in and distance. Mark M. asks about the channel indicator on a Marantz front display. And Neil was impressed by Audioholics’ HSU ULS-15 Mk2 review and asks if it will pair well with his Power Sound Audio 15S.

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