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Bose Buys McIntosh Group | Sound & Vision
Bose Corporation has announced its acquisition of the McIntosh Group, the parent company of high-end audio brands McIntosh and Sonus faber. This strategic move positions Bose to expand into the luxury and high-performance audio markets. Both companies will maintain a focus on existing product lines and market niches. Bose will continue its work on headphones, speakers, and soundbars, while McIntosh and Sonus faber will remain dedicated to high-end products like amplifiers, receivers, loudspeakers, and turntables.
The Worst Thing I Watched This Year: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson | Sound & Vision
I signed up for Netflix for the first time in a year just to catch the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. Having previously canceled my subscription due to lack of use, I shelled out $23 for the top-tier plan that includes 4K streaming. I had high hopes for a big, entertaining event—and, well, hopes were all I got. To be fair, the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano fight that preceded the Tyson-Paul matchup was worth the price of admission. It streamed in high definition with so many camera angles it felt like a movie.
The Police: Synchronicity Super Deluxe Edition Box Set | Sound & Vision
The first time I became aware of the word synchronicity was when I saw it being used as the title of The Police’s fifth and final studio album released on A&M in June 1983. My then-bookwormish self was not yet up to speed on Carl Jung’s hypotheses about meaningful yet seemingly random intersectivity, nor the parapsychology principles laid out in Arthur Koestler’s 1972 book The Roots of Coincidence—but The Police’s ever-erudite bassist, vocalist, chief songwriter, and former schoolteacher Sting hipped me to Jung and Koestler’s philosophies right quick.
David Gilmour: Luck and Strange in Dolby Atmos | Sound & Vision
Immersive music, thy name be David Gilmour. Though Pink Floyd may be a semi-distant active memory, lead guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour has seen fit to issue some quite intriguing solo projects here and there over the past five or so decades.
Breaking Free: New FTC Rule Fights the Hidden Costs of Subscription Traps | Sound & Vision
It has undoubtedly happened to all of us. We find ourselves subscribed to a service that we have no interest in or didn’t realize we had signed up for in the first place. The new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) "click-to-cancel" rule states that canceling a subscription should be as easy as signing up. While most users would celebrate this decision, many cable and entertainment companies aren't happy about it, and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) is already filing lawsuits to stop it. Complaints to the FTC about recurring subscriptions continue to increase.
Premium Audio Company Announces Firmware Updates for AV and Hi-Fi Receivers | Sound & Vision
Premium Audio Company (PAC) has unveiled a series of firmware updates aimed at enhancing audio playback, functionality, and room correction on select models from Onkyo, Integra, Elite, and Pioneer. The updates are set to roll out on October 28 and November 18, 2024. Firmware Release Schedule October 28, 2024: Onkyo: TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR5100 Integra: DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4 Elite/Pioneer: VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX105, VSX-935 November 18, 2024: Onkyo: TX-RZ70, TX-8470
4 on 4K from Severin | Sound & Vision
Some independent home entertainment labels excel at rescuing obscure titles and reinventing them as deluxe editions, far beyond even what the majors do with their blockbusters. That’s the deal with Severin Films, serving up a slew of fascinating titles with gorgeous 4K remasters, alternate versions, deeply researched extras and next-level packaging. Some of these are movies we stumbled upon in our youth, perhaps late at night, and some so peculiar we might have wondered if we just imagined them.
Yeat: “GO2WORK” + “GONE 4 A MIN” in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music | Sound & Vision
SoCal hip-hop envelope-pusher Yeat has already had quite a busy 2024—and he ain’t done yet. February saw him drop his fourth LP—the electro-rage dystopian chronicle, 2093—with guest turns from Lil Wayne, Future, and Donald Glover, and then his good compatriot Drake wound up joining the storyline on the 2093 (P2) deluxe edition. To keep the dark narrative going, Yeat’s fifth LP, Lyfestyle, dropped on all major digital platforms on October 18, 2024—and it all gets taken to a whole other level in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music.
To Sleep, Perchance To Dream | Sound & Vision
Was it the carbonara? I wolfed down that big bowl of “coal miner’s spaghetti” but did the pork seem just slightly off? In any case, something sure made me drowsy, and now it feels like I slept forever. Did I pull a Rip Van Winkle and awaken years later? Or am I still asleep and this is all just a dream? Either way, here I am with the reincarnated Sound & Vision magazine in my hands. It’s the October/November issue. October/November 2124, that is. Wow! The future! But some things haven’t changed. For starters, fierce debates still rage in the audio/video community.
The 2024 Trasher Awards | Sound & Vision
Dubious achievements are flooding the consumer electronics and broadcast industries. In our second annual Trasher Awards, we single out the most noteworthy companies and products. So, in the spirit of informative condemnation, our 2024 Trashers go to: • WCBS TV for abruptly cutting in with the local news amid Piano Man during a live Billy Joel concert from Madison Square Garden. Fans who had been dancing in front of their couches were flabbergasted, dejected, and outraged.
Marantz Debuts Horizon and Grand Horizon: Luxury Wireless Speakers | Sound & Vision
Marantz has unveiled two new wireless speakers: the Marantz Horizon and the Marantz Grand Horizon. These models mark the company's entry into the wireless speaker market, blending high fidelity with elegance and are aimed at discerning listeners. Both speakers feature a unique circular form that incorporates Marantz's iconic porthole motif, reimagined as the centerpiece of their design. Wrapped in Marantz Radiance 360 Seamless Ecofiber, a sustainable fabric made from recycled ocean plastics, they have a tactile feel and visually provocative appearance.
Formovie Introduces Theater Premium 4K UST Projector with ALPD RGB+ 4.0 Laser Tech | Sound & Vision
Formovie has announced the global launch of its latest flagship product, the Formovie Theater Premium. Scheduled for release on October 28, 2024, this 4K ultra-short-throw (UST) projector aims to elevate home cinema experiences with cutting-edge visuals and immersive sound. Advanced Visuals with ALPD® RGB+ 4.0 and Upgraded Dolby Vision
KEF Enhances Sound for Titus Kaphar’s Film Premiere Using MAT Technology | Sound & Vision
KEF is the acoustic partner for the Los Angeles premiere of Titus Kaphar’s Exhibiting Forgiveness. The premiere took place at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills, where KEF’s cutting-edge sound systems delivered an auditory experience that complemented Kaphar’s emotionally charged film and concurrent art exhibition. Immersive Sound for a Cinematic Experience
Tee Grizzley: “Blow By Blow” + “You Hear Me” In Dolby Atmos On Apple Music | Sound & Vision
Detroit-bred rap superstar Tee Grizzley has joined forces with a number of powerhouse flow partners on his new 24-track LP Post Traumatic, which was released in full on October 4 after being teased with a number of hardcharging singles drops throughout the balance of 2024. A-level guests on Tee’s fifth studio album include the likes of Future, 42 Dugg, Mariah The Scientist, and even his brother, Baby Grizzley.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition: Iconic Sound and Design | Sound & Vision
British audio manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins, a leader in high-performance audio technology since 1966, has launched the Zeppelin Pro Edition. Building on the acclaim and success of the Zeppelin wireless loudspeaker, the Pro Edition offers superior performance, innovative design enhancements, and advanced smart features. Refined and Distinctive Design
Sonos Unveils Arc Ultra Soundbar and Sub 4: Premium Wireless Home Cinema | Sound & Vision
Sonos has launched the Arc Ultra, a premium soundbar. It debuts the company's new Sound Motion transducer technology. This innovation reduces the transducer size and boosts bass to create powerful sound from a more compact form. The Arc Ultra has up to twice the bass of its predecessor, it offers a 9.1.4 spatial audio experience in a sleek, stylish design. Intended to blend seamlessly into modern living spaces, the Arc Ultra features a distinctive curved profile and matte finish.
Trentemøller: “Dreamweavers” and “Closure” Music Review | Sound & Vision
Copenhagen-based indie/electronic mixmaster Anders Trentemøller recently served up a cool breeze of synthesized fresh air for the fall season on September 13 with his new album Dreamweaver—which arrived via his own label, the perfectly named (and no doubt Brian Wilson-inspired) In My Room. Dreamweaver is available in hi-rez Lossless on Apple Music (no Atmos version as of this posting, though), as well as in comparable hi-rez options on other digital platforms.
Focal Unveils Diva Utopia: A New High-End Active Wireless Loudspeaker | Sound & Vision
Focal's Diva Utopia loudspeaker recently debuted in the U.S., showcasing the combined expertise of French audio company Focal and British partner Naim. This launch marks their first fully active, wireless, and connected loudspeaker.
Remaster Class – Stone Temple Pilots: Core | Sound & Vision
These Are the Eyes of Disarray: The full scope of the limited-edition 2022 deluxe 4LP box set of STP’s Core, from Atlantic/Run Out Groove. As good as it is, the definitive vinyl edition of Core was actually released two years later, right here in 2024. Early in their career, Stone Temple Pilots were often compared to Pearl Jam, mostly because of the occasional guttural tone deployed by vocalist Scott Weiland that reminded people of Eddie Vedder.
Thanks For a Great Ride! | Sound & Vision
October/November 2024 is the final print issue of Sound & Vision, which, sadly, also means this will be the end of this column. For 21 years I’ve had the privilege of sharing some advice and anecdotes in this space, and for this last column, I thought I’d take a look back on some of the highlights over the years and get a bit personal. And the best place to start is at the beginning… It is with no hyperbole that I say that home theater changed my life.
Best TV Shows on Disc | Sound & Vision
Even in the face of streaming’s runaway success, TV shows on physical media remain pretty damned popular, aided in large part by the studios’ aggressive ongoing HD and 4K remastering of the classics—largely in service to archiving and to providing the best possible quality on the aforementioned streamers—in addition to the collectability of the latest and greatest series. Whatever the reason, a generous and eclectic new crop has arrived for our viewing enjoyment, so clear some room on those shelves. Friends The Complete Series 4K (Warner)
Hisense Flexes Marketing Muscle with $20K NBA Championship Edition TV | Sound & Vision
Just in time for the start of the 2024-2025 season: if you love basketball, need a new TV, and have $20K to spend, Hisense has something special for you. The 110UX Championship TV is its latest offering and it was unveiled today at NBA headquarters in NYC. And while the NBA "enhancements" on this TV do not include a special "Basketball" picture mode, they do include memberships, aesthetic touches and collectors items. NBA-Branded Design and Collectibles
”Part of the Plan" and "Hold Me Down” in Atmos on Apple Music | Sound & Vision
And the beat keeps on keepin’ on for East Atlanta rapper Hunxho, who just dropped a sonically seductive two-track single, “Part of the Plan + Hold Me Down”, on September 27. Both songs are available in Atmos and Lossless options on Apple Music, as well as in hi-rez options via other digital platforms.
Focal Unveils DIVA UTOPIA: A High-End Wireless Loudspeaker for Audiophiles | Sound & Vision
French audio manufacturer Focal has unveiled the DIVA UTOPIA, its first wireless, connected, active loudspeaker. This model aims to deliver audiophile-grade sound paired with the convenience of modern wireless technology. Developed over five years, the flagship speaker merges Focal’s renowned acoustic engineering with advanced electronics from Naim Audio, setting a new standard in high-fidelity sound systems.
SVS Launches PB17 and SB17-Ultra: New Flagship Subwoofers | Sound & Vision
SVS, the Ohio-based high-performance audio company, has introduced its new flagship subwoofer line, the 17-Ultra R|Evolution series, marking a major redesign for the company’s products. The new series is set to push the boundaries of subwoofer technology with advanced innovations across the driver, amplifier, and digital signal processing (DSP), all aimed at delivering powerful, low-frequency sound with precision and control. Powerful New Driver and Amplifier Design