Pete's Write

I notice a lot of questions on this topic I'm compiling some basic info, that I gleaned from some useful website and posted them here. BUT, please - DO YOUR HOMEWORK and Read the Manuals! Some basic terminology that one should familiarise oneself with: ARC: Audio Return Channel eARC: is Enhanced ARC What are the benefits: This article explains it quite well: https://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-audio-return-channel-and-earc-for-beginners/ The differences between ARC and eARC: https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/hdmi-arc-vs-earc " In its most basic form, ARC uses an HDMI cable to send audio from a TV back to a receiver or a sound bar. That means you can use a single cable for both audio and video, for example from the Netflix app built into your TV or from a connected game console, and use your TV for switching. HDMI CEC: HDMI CEC control Another HDMI feature is called CEC, or Consumer Electronics Control. Nearly every company has their own name for i...

Sony is one of the few major players left in the game still making 4k and Blu Ray players. They had the X700 to cover the lower end and also the X800, which is now in the MK II iteration. I have owned both of them before, my previous review on the original X800, which uses a similar chassis: https://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2017/12/sony-ubp-x800-4k-blu-ray-player-review.html So is there are any virtue in owning the ES series flagship? Firstly, what does the "ES" stand for? Well I got some info off this site: http://northcoastaudio.com/sonyes.html#:~:text=ES%20stands%20for%20Elevated%20Standard,Superior%20product%20with%20superior%20service "What is SONY ES? ES stands for Elevated Standard. Sony's top of the line product that emphasizes the highest build quality and refinements to deliver an unmatched audio and video experience." So let's see if it really make a difference to pay almost twice the price of the X800MK II for this model. The...

So the Music 5 or 3 isn't big or badass enough? Need more bass, more presence, and spread? Or just something that works well with a larger TV or even a projector based system? The tech blurb: https://www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/music/music-7 " Like the Music 5, it’s mains-powered with an optical input – but it's also packing two 1in soft-dome tweeters, two 3in midrange drivers and twin 5in woofers. It even has an HDMI connection with Audio Return Channel so you can use it as a soundbar under your TV." Now Dynaudio has the largest one, their 7 is a bit of a beast. It's mains powered, and has a fairly large profile and might not fit under smaller TVs with smaller legs. It can be wall mounted, or it can sit under your TV (I couldn't fit it under my 58", but it did well in my dedicated HT room under my 75"). If you do mount it, bear in mind this baby weighs more than 7kg, so make sure your shelves are up to the task...

I think there are enough people who are beginning to own screens, so it's useful to have a chat on the options. Projectors (PJ) have been divided into a few camps - traditional ones which require a longer throw, so you usually site it at the back - ultra short throw ones which sit on a console at the front The light source can be a bulb, LED or lasers The video chip can be LCD, DLP, each with it's own pros and cons. As for the screens, you won't want to be using the old style traditional ones with a UST PJ. Those cheap and cheerful ones have a gain factor to help you retrieve or enhance the light reflection for the longer throw projectors, but if you are using the newer UST types, you actually don't want that.  You will need a ALR Light rejection type such as this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33042530895.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6d134630RcoxAx&algo_pvid=72d52e67-ef06-44a8-bca1-9eca1be3b113&algo_expid=72d52e67-ef06-44a8-bca1-9eca1be3b11...

I found some old pics of my first system which I bought way back in 2007. This Monitor Audio Silver based system served well for home theatre and start me on my journey in a dedicated room. That was an old Pioneer 507, with the Marantz SR 12 - which I still keep. Wonderful amp for music. I used it in a really tiny room, barely 3.5 by 3m!

I remember hearing the Gold Series at my friend's home more than 15 years ago, and that first impression set off a journey which involved one set of Bronze, two sets of Silver and one set of Gold series..  The first set, the Bronze BR series is still working, and playing in a friend's home, still giving sterling service. Their main proposition, value for money. Monitor Audio has been producing speakers which are very competitive for their price and their shift to a manufacturing base in China has helped to allow low prices with fine cabinets. The immediate predecessor of the new Bronze series has been around for more than five years, a long time in the speaker world. But despite being long in the tooth, it has been selling well and was very well reviewed. So does the new series compare well? It's the Covid times and many places are under lockdown. But I have managed to get a pair of the Bronze 100 and the Centre for a review. I must add that these are the pre-...

The review of the Music series began with the 1 here: https://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2020/03/dynaudio-music-1-review.html We have transited from large multiple box sound systems to small more compact systems. We also demand cuteness, Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) and yet want good sound.  Many traditional speaker makers have risen to the challenge, and now offer options exist for all in one sound systems which can playback music from sources like your phones with down quality, but what if you want a system that sounds good, can integrate into an entire sound ecosystem and is also a smart radio.  Dynaudio, a company more renowned for its high end speakers used by many audiophiles has turned its attention to the wireless streaming market and has come out with not just one but four options.  The One and Three are portable whilst the Five and Seven require power to operate. The Seven also features a HDMI port with ARC as well as an optical inp...

A while back, those who experienced hearing loss were those who listened too loudly on their headphones or perhaps went to too many rock concerts, but these days it can also occur elsewhere.  As we go into multi-channel, with some hobbyists having more than a dozen speakers, a couple of subwoofers all blasting away, it's very easy for things to go loud. We want to enjoy our hobby and yet be able to hear our spouses (well maybe...) and our kids' voices, so let's make sure we keep our ears healthy. I am linking to another site, because those guys explain it very well: Hearing Protection and Listening Safety This article about safety is just as pertinent: AV Tip: Safe Listening Levels WATCH YOUR SOUND DOSAGE ____________________________________________________________   I have no financial interest or other interests in any of the items / events I write about.