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AV Rant #808: Just Get KEFs

May 20th, 2022

News about Onkyo Japan’s bankruptcy sent a scare through the home theater community. But fear not! The Home Entertainment A/V division was already sold off last year. Samsung got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. And we can’t stop talking about KEF’s new LS60 Wireless Towers (with tongues firmly in cheeks).

Check out Tom’s novel, “Touch of Pain”:
https://amzn.to/3JRVzSu

Pictures shown in this episode:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzQmuF

00:00:00 – Intro
Rob didn’t watch anything of note this week. But Tom finally discovered how great Agent Carter is, and saw Rob’s favorite episode of Mythic Quest.

00:10:45 – Listeners of the Week
Our Listeners of the Week are Aras for his PayPal donation, plus our 143 Patreon Patrons.
We also greatly appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Jay, Dan, and Art. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:14:49 – News: Onkyo Japan Bankruptcy
It’s the end of a 76 year-old company. But Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer AV Receivers will live on, having already been purchased by Voxx last year: https://bit.ly/3Lpn460

00:19:32 – News: Samsung Promises Accurate QD-OLED Firmware
After getting caught by multiple reviewers who weren’t fooled by Samsung’s QD-OLEDs only being accurate when they detected specific test patterns, Samsung says they’ll provide a firmware update to bring Filmmaker Mode in line: https://bit.ly/3wGEtSb

00:23:22 – News: KEF LS60 Wireless Towers
KEF took a bunch of their best technologies, and put them all together into an attractive $7,000/pair package: https://avgadgets.com/kef-ls60-wireless-tower-speakers/

Comments:

00:30:30 – Comment: Karl – Photos from THX Ultimate Cinema in Copenhagen
Twin laser projectors, 14 subs across the front, and spotlessly clean.

QUESTIONS:

00:31:11 – Ryan: $500 AVR for 2.1 Setup
We give options for HDMI 2.1 vs 2.0, Audyssey MultEQ vs MultEQ XT, or paying more to have it all.
– Denon X1600H from A4L: https://bit.ly/3LpsRsp
– Denon S760H from A4L: https://bit.ly/3PzbCYC
– Denon X1700H: https://bit.ly/3wtrNzi
– https://avgadgets.com/are-there-small-av-receivers/

00:38:19 – Infinite Gary: Keeping Apple TV Audio w/ TV Off
We think and hope an HDMI-CEC setting might do the trick. Otherwise, a matrix switch and 2nd display might be needed.
– Sewell Spider: https://bit.ly/3PwfPwe

00:44:08 – Jay: Bringing Subs Back from the States
Jay isn’t sure he wants to buy SVS subs in Canada. He might drive a different option across the border himself. We’re all for a lower price. But we discuss his previous dissatisfaction, as well.
– https://avgadgets.com/setting-up-dual-subwoofers/
– Monoprice Monolith M-12 V2: https://bit.ly/3PxfDNl

01:01:02 – J: Ideal Speakers for Stereo vs Surround
J gets our take on a hypothetical question as to whether there’s a single, ideal speaker design, or if the ideal changes when the number of speakers goes up.
– https://avgadgets.com/speakers-for-music-and-movies-the-same-or-different/

01:10:20 – Dan: Wide Open Room
Dan’s basement plans are on hold. So we discuss Surround speaker placement, Atmos, acoustic treatment, and screen size for his wide open Living Room. Then we talk a bit about whole house audio.
– https://avgadgets.com/best-atmos-speakers-for-your-home-theater/
– Monoprice Alpha 8″ in-ceiling: https://bit.ly/3wuTw2M
– Alpha Back Cans: https://bit.ly/3lxQjJb
– Samsung 85″ QN90A: https://bit.ly/3NmeZjW
– Sonos Port: https://bit.ly/3wwxJrw
– Fosi TDA7498E: https://amzn.to/3Nmf8Uw

01:34:06 – Carlos: Ceiling Treatments
Do we need bass absorbers on the ceiling? Diffusion? What do Tom & Rob use?

01:39:51 – Luke: USB-C to Headphone Jack
New phone, which dongle?
– https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-usb-c-headphone-adapters/
– Google USB-C to 3.5mm: https://amzn.to/3G2qB9k
– Belkin Rockstar: https://amzn.to/3yI9IPE

01:43:09 – David: Bedroom Speakers for Phono
With a line level signal already in place, we suggest a self-powered and a passive speaker option.
– SVS Prime Wireless: https://bit.ly/3yLkdSj
– Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2: https://amzn.to/3NmdRNa
– Dayton SUB-1000: https://bit.ly/39D8vhP
– Fosi DA2120C: https://amzn.to/3PwhodA

01:49:49 – Art: Weird Static Noise
We speculate what might be causing an infrequent noise from just a couple channels.

01:52:08 – Aras: Glossy Subs
We’re all for getting the look you want as well as the sound. So when the Black Ash finish of SVS’ PB-2000 Pro isn’t right, we’ve got alternatives.
– Monolith M-12 V2 Piano Black: https://bit.ly/3Nr7Sqi
– SVS SB-3000: https://bit.ly/3Lqj7Ol

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