Emotiva is refreshing their BasX A-Series amps to the “A Plus” Series that include XLR inputs, and higher prices. Ascendo figured their 50″ and 80″ subs weren’t big enough, so they made 64″ and 100″ models to replace them. And Tom and Rob both headed out to IMAX theaters last week to see Superman!

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

00:00:00 – Intro

South Park did their best to stir up some controversy. And things, overall, are finally looking up for Tom.

00:17:12 – What We Watched

Tom and Rob both went out to IMAX theaters last week to see Superman! You’ll never guess which one of us saw it in 3D. We start out spoiler free, but get into full spoilers parts way through, so please make use of the timestamps.

00:44:12 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Raf for his PayPal donation, plus our 131 Patreon Patrons, as well as Greg for sending a gazillion movie codes for Tom to test.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Mark, David, Errol, Infinite Gary, Anonymous, Karl, Raf, Sasi, Steve, John, Joe, Ilango, Jason, and Dazz. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:52:01 – News: Emotiva BasX A2+, A3+ & A7+

New “entry-level” amplifiers from Emotiva gain XLR inputs, and higher prices: https://tinyurl.com/yyt5z57h

00:55:01 – News: Ascendo THE64 & THE100 Subwoofers

Ascendo’s 50″ & 80″ subs apparently weren’t big enough, so they’ve replaced them with all-new 64″ & 100″ models: https://tinyurl.com/4a2j9s8f

Comments:

00:57:34 – Comment: Sasi – Speakers Ranked by Sensitivity

Sasi somehow found the time to collect measurements of 95 current speaker models and convert them to IEC standards to chart their true sensitivity ratings: https://tinyurl.com/4p2k9ums

QUESTIONS:

01:01:08 – Ben: Adding Surround to a 2.2-Channel Setup

Ben already loves his 2.2-channel rig the way it is. So how can he keep that, but expand it to a 5.2.4 configuration without messing up the subwoofer setup? And how wide apart should his Atmos speakers be?

– https://avgadgets.com/positioning-surround-and-atmos-speakers/

– https://avgadgets.com/everything-wrong-with-dolby-speaker-layout-diagrams/

– https://avgadgets.com/qotd-how-you-should-label-your-atmos-speakers/

01:09:14 – Greg: SINAD and Blind Tests

Are the reportedly “poor” distortion levels of NAD Receivers actually audible? And is a blind listening comparison mandatory when the audible differences between speakers are huge?

– Audioholics “Stop Chasing SINAD”: https://youtu.be/e7VzcX27aZM

01:20:56 – Ben: Room Correction Upgrade?

Will changing from YPAO with R.S.C. to Dirac make a worthwhile difference in an open-concept, untreated room?

01:29:57 – David: Best Place for Surrounds

We discuss electrical power issues in Japan, why his DVD player works via his AVR’s Front HDMI input but none of its Rear HDMI ports, which Center speaker to buy, and which Surround speakers to buy and where to mount them.

– https://avgadgets.com/iogear-professional-online-ups-review/

01:42:09- Errol: 2-Ch DTS-HD MA Playing in 5.1

How is it that some of his Criterion Collection disc with 2.0-channel DTS-HD MA soundtracks are playing back in 5.1 without any upmixer being applied?

01:48:02 – Chris: Emotiva BasX CD1 Price

We confirm which wireless speaker kit we think he should get. And why is Emotiva’s new CD Transport so expensive?

01:53:00 – Raf: TCL C855 Picture Settings Via AI

When he didn’t find suggested picture settings for his specific TCL TV model number, he asked ChatGPT. It lied to him.

– RTings TCL QM851G Settings: https://tinyurl.com/48bbccy8

– FlatpanelsHD TCL C855 Settings: https://tinyurl.com/58ks3jwk

01:57:25 – Steve: 2.1-Ch Amp & Bass Boost

We go a little over his desired budgets, but we suggest a small 2.1-channel amp with a built-in crossover, and a way to manually EQ his subwoofers while using an older Receiver model.

– Fosi DA2120C: https://tinyurl.com/3srksty3

– miniDSP 2x4HD: https://tinyurl.com/ypa2hdzr

02:03:38 – Eddie: Infrasonic Bass in 60’s Vinyl?

Nobody was actually, intentionally mastering infrasonic bass onto vinyl records in the 60’s, were they?

02:08:43 – John: Buy Bigger Subs?

We previously suggested a pair of ToneWinner SW-D2000 subwoofers to him for their size and price. But would it be worthwhile going bigger and more expensive? How much so?

Thanks for listening. Now, don't forget to:

• Check out the AV Rant YouTube channel to watch our show videos.
• Download Tom’s FREE superhero-themed ebook Bob Moore: No Hero.
• If you like it, you can purchase the two full-length follow-ups -  Bob Moore: Desperate Times and Bob Moore: Hostile Territory.
• Check out AVGadgets.com where Tom is the new Editor-in-Chief!
• Download Tom's NEWEST book, Touch of Pain from Amazon now!

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