Tom is back. And so is his TV! Rob has fresh insights about the Sofabaton X2 Universal Remote. Tom has thoughts about computer monitors. Skyworth is taking over Panasonic’s TV division. Xbox CEO and President both left, and the former President of CoreAI is taking over. Paramount Skydance made their best and final offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

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

00:00:00 – Intro

Thanks to Lee & Joe for guest co-hosting last week. Tom has returned, and so has his TV! And we cannot escape water leaks.

00:14:58 – Rob’s Updates & Sofabaton X2 Insight

A Sofabaton X2 has successfully been set up for Rob’s parents after “discovering” an extremely useful feature for IR codes: https://www.sofabaton.com/product/x2/

00:27:48 – What We Watched

Tom watched lots of the Olympic Winter Games. Rob watched Train Dreams.

00:45:22 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Gurinder and Dan for their PayPal donations, plus our 124 Patreon Patrons.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Davide, Allen, Karl, Infinite Gary, Micah, David, Gurinder, and Jack. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:53:41 – News: Skyworth Taking Over Panasonic TVs

Another Japanese TV brand has agreed to have a Chinese TV brand take over manufacturing and sales: https://tinyurl.com/dzdt7jne

00:57:17 – News: Xbox Executive Shake Up

CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer, retired. President of Xbox, Sarah Bond, resigned. Former President of CoreAI, Asha Sharma, takes over: https://tinyurl.com/bddwds5p

01:09:07 – News: Paramount’s Best & Final Offer

Paramount Skydance tendered their best and final offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, which Netflix now has the chance to match: https://tinyurl.com/bcdsdk5y

Comments:

01:11:21 – Comment: Allen – Closed-Back Headphones

After gathering out suggestions, which headphones did he buy and keep?

01:15:37 – Comment: Tom on Computer Monitors

A curved monitor was tried…

01:19:37 – CORRECTION: TooMuchMedia – Outputting 24/192 Apple Music

The USB-to-HDMI dongle won’t work! Rob was wrong. A more convoluted path of dongles is necessary.

QUESTIONS:

01:22:32 – Jon: Sonance MAG6 or MAG8?

Is it worth spending double for the larger in-ceiling speaker model in his case?

– Sonance MAG8R: https://tinyurl.com/4zkmvdma

– MAG8R Back Cans: https://tinyurl.com/5n7fr3p8

01:24:53 – Greg: Aftermarket Mods?

How concerned does he need to be that Ascend Acoustics left performance headroom on the table according to aftermarket modders?

01:39:05 – John: New Surrounds & Sub

Which Surrounds should he buy to match his Elac Debut 2.0 Fronts? And which 2nd sub to match his SVS PB-1000 Pro?

– Elac Debut 3.0 DB53: https://tinyurl.com/2up6c3dk

– Polk Signature Elite ES15: https://tinyurl.com/53j37uxa

– Polk Monitor XT15: https://tinyurl.com/2en9njzh

01:52:15 – Nick: Running Wires In Walls

Our suggestions for in-wall-rated wires, flat adhesive wire, wall plates, and a curtain skirt!

– https://avgadgets.com/do-you-really-need-in-wall-rated-cables/

– Belden in-wall speaker wire: https://tinyurl.com/mr2s6wnf

– Sewell Ghost Wire: https://tinyurl.com/5hda8vcx

– Parts-Express Wall Plates: https://tinyurl.com/49dtrws4

– OSD Wall Plates: https://tinyurl.com/ynmnb9t4

– https://avgadgets.com/7-ways-to-hide-cables-in-your-home-theater/

02:00:48 – Micah: New Room, New Seating

He found recliners he likes at Pottery Barn, but they insist they won’t fit through his narrow doorway. We provide alternative suggestions.

– HT Market: https://tinyurl.com/3zamkyka

– Valencia: https://tinyurl.com/4nek3bkp

02:09:36 – Nick: Tall Speaker Stands

He wants a speaker stand that’s 4-feet tall and looks nice.

– Yorkville SKS-500B. Looks awful, but it’s secure: https://tinyurl.com/ymtcp4kk

02:11:51 – Gaylen: Upgrade Other RBH Speakers?

He paid to have his RBH Signature T1 & T2 speakers upgraded to Signature Reference. Should he upgrade the rest of his speakers and subs now?

02:18:15 – Jack: New ANC Headphones

With his Sony WH-1000XM3 a bit worn out, should he just get the newest XM6?

– https://avgadgets.com/soundcore-space-one-review-the-best/

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

• Check out the AV Rant YouTube channel to watch our show videos.
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