Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

This will be our final episode of 2025. So we’ll see you all in 2026 next episode!

We each made a big purchase. Andrew posted his Sofabaton X2 Review over at AVGadgets, and Rob has fresh Sofabaton X2 thoughts, as well. Dolby Vision + Atmos Theater that isn’t a Dolby Cinema. And LG Micro RGB Evo joins the RGB MiniLED wave of new LCD TVs.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCEC4u

00:00:00 – Intro

It’s our final episode of 2025! Tom discovered some cost-savings.

If you never heard your question answered or your email mentioned on the podcast, please send it to us again, as we definitely had several missing emails in the recent past.

00:07:43 – What Rob Bought

A big early Christmas present that Rob bought for himself: https://tinyurl.com/bddrphcj

00:14:17 – What Tom Bought

We already knew he bought a QD-OLED, but now it’s out of its box and set up: https://tinyurl.com/3k9uj8a5

00:17:36 – Sofabaton X2 Review on AVGadgets

Andrew posted his Sofabaton X2 Review! Tom’s going to write an entire review of his own. And Rob has fresh thoughts about the X2 to share: https://avgadgets.com/sofabaton-x2-review-harmony-who/

• Use Promo Code: GADGETSAV in the “Paying with” section after adding the Sofabaton X2 to your cart for 15% off: https://amzn.to/4s787fi

00:33:29 – What We Watched

Tom finished S.1 of Solo Leveling. Rob watched Captain America: Brave New World, and Thunderbolts*.

00:41:28 – Contact Info

00:42:23 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Dan for his PayPal donation, plus our 122 Patreon Patrons, as well as Bill for sending a movie code, and Sasi for offering to sell Tom an AV Receiver at a discount.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Brian, Infinite Gary, Nick, Art, Jay, Karl, Brandon, Rory, and (a different) Jay. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:46:19 – News: Dolby Vision + Atmos Theater

Via Karl – The Movie Experience SLO: Downtown Centre Cinemas will be the first non-Dolby Cinema in the US to feature Dolby Vision: https://tinyurl.com/5x3zs5h4

00:48:55 – News: LG Micro RGB Evo

Everyone is getting into RGB miniLED backlights for LCD TVs, and LG has no intention of being left behind: https://tinyurl.com/3ta2teh5

Comments:

00:54:17 – Comment: Mark, Gary & Others – Acknowledged

Comments were left in the comments section of our last YouTube video. We’re aware. And those comments can speak for themselves.

01:03:56 – Comment: Jay – Just One Cylinder Sub Model

Straight from the horse’s mouth, the PC-2000 Pro will be the only SVS cylinder sub model going forward.

QUESTIONS:

01:06:19 – Rory: Loft Theater Upgrades

We discuss speaker upgrade plans, suggest ways to save some money, say which AV Receiver he should buy, and chat about Front Wides and Dirac vs. Audyssey.

01:22:32 – Nick: USB Wall Outlets

Could higher wattage USB ports installed directly in your walls damage the devices you charge with them?

01:26:24 – Ash: PS5 Speaker Noise

We think there’s some “comfort noise” being made, and suggest a way to change it.

01:28:32 – Mark: Decision Paralysis

Which new display should he buy? And which long HDMI cable should he run inside his walls?

– 83″ LG B5 OLED: https://tinyurl.com/menjeyu

– RUIPRO Detachable Fiber Optic HDMI: https://tinyurl.com/v8hb5c97

01:40:49 – Mohsen: External Hard Drive Speed

He wants over 20 TB in a single drive. SSD isn’t affordable. So what specs should he look for in an HDD?

01:42:41 – Brian: Microsoft Copilot on LG TVs

How do you get rid of the Microsoft AI that LG forced onto all of their TVs?

– https://www.theverge.com/news/847685/lg-copilot-web-app-delete

01:45:50 – Infinite Gary: Oldest Gear

Gary shares the oldest piece of audio equipment that he still uses regularly. What’s ours?

01:46:45 – Art: External Streaming Device?

Would an Apple TV 4K provide audio or video advantages? Does he need a new HDMI cable?

01:50:34 – Jay: Rogers IPTV

What’s it like switching from Rogers Cable to Rogers IPTV? Is he actually hearing a difference between Sound Modes on his Marantz? Plus a similar long HDMI cable question.

– RUIPRO Detachable Fiber Optic HDMI: https://tinyurl.com/v8hb5c97

01:57:54 – Henry: RCA Output for CDs?

Would it be beneficial to add an RCA output to his Panasonic UB9000? Or can he just continue using HDMI?

02:02:05 – Brandon: OLED for Bright Room

Which 65″ OLED model should he buy for when all the lights are on in his room?

– LG C5: https://tinyurl.com/27jaa3pm

02:05:31 – Dave: We Save Him Money

Should he get Towers or Bookshelf speakers? Should he get a Denon X3800H or X4800H?

02:08:29 – Jay: Hypothetical Thoughts

Pressurized bass in a car? AI replacing Dolby Vision? AI to expand dynamic range in music?

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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