The BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector packs impressive performance into a tiny box. With 1080p resolution, HDR, and saturated color, it’s a great entertainment solution for indoor and outdoor spaces.
The BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector is more than just a portable display. It’s resistant to the weather and has an internal battery which means you can take it outdoors for movies by the pool, or around the campfire. It’s a 1080p display with a DLP light engine that accepts Ultra HD signals with HDR10 or HLG metadata. With convenience features like auto-focus and impressive built-in audio, it delivers a lot of performance in a tiny box, and even comes with a nice carry bag.
Highlights
BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector
Introduction
Portable projectors are nothing new. For many years, small boardroom displays have been used by people seeking a quick and easy entertainment solution while traveling. BenQ has taken this concept to the next logical level by creating purpose-built displays for consumers with accurate color and solid image quality packed into a tiny chassis. Their latest generation of products includes the GV30 and today’s subject, the GS50. It’s a 1080p DLP with an LED light engine rated for 20,000-30,000 hours of maintenance-free use. It accepts Ultra HD signals with HDR10 or HLG through its HDMI 2.0 port or streamed via the included QS01 Android TV stick which fits into a special hidden compartment. It can also run for up to two-and-a-half hours on an internal battery. With a simple setup thanks to auto-focus, keystone correction, and corner fit, you can watch an image up to 113 inches diagonal with no wires or external video sources. Let’s take a look.
BENQ GS50 PORTABLE OUTDOOR PROJECTOR SPECIFICATIONS
Type:Single-chip DLP 0.23” Native resolution:1920×1080, 16:9 (accepts up to 3840×2160 w/HDR10 or HLG) Light source:LED Service life:20,000 hours (30,000 hours in Eco mode) Light output (mfr):500 ANSI lumens Throw ratio:1.21:1 Image size:30-112 inches Video connections:2x HDMI 2.0b (1 w/ARC 2-channel) Audio connections:3.5mm analog output Speakers:2x 5 watts, 1x 10 watts Dimensions:7.3” x 6.1” x 5.8” (WxHxD) Weight:5.1lbs Warranty:3 years BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector Price:$799 Website:Company:SECRETS Tags:benq, gs50, dlp projector, led projector, portable projector, outdoor projector
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Design
The GS50 uses a 0.23-inch DLP pico chip running at 1920×1080 pixels. It will accept signals up to 3840×2160 with HDR10 or Hybrid Log-Gamma. The light source is an LED rated for 500 lumens and 20,000 hours, 30,000 in the lamp’s Eco mode. Suffice it to say that you’ll get 10 years out of this projector if you watch it every single day for five hours. The GS50 is a small box that’s not quite a perfect cube. It has rounded corners and a rubberized finish that makes it easy to handle and provides some protection against dropping. I didn’t test this particular feature, but it is far more rugged than any other portable projector I’ve encountered. The outer shell also covers a water-resistant film which earns the GS50 an IPX2 splash-proof rating. You can get it wet, but it will not tolerate being submerged. At the front is a small lens with a medium-throw ratio of 1.21:1. It filled my 92-inch screen from around eight feet away. Focusing is automatic once you press the dedicated remote button. It takes only a few seconds and is very effective. You can also adjust geometry with keystone correction and a corner fit feature where you can warp individual corners of the image. Take care with these as they will reduce the resolution. You can also tilt the GS50 upward with a spring-loaded foot at the front. The GS50’s most impressive feature is its internal speakers. They’re set in a 2.1 configuration with two mid/tweeters and a larger woofer that delivers a lot more bass than the chassis’ small size would suggest. It’s easily the best sound I’ve ever heard from any projector and it’s rivaled only by the GV30 which I reviewed recently. BenQ has truly raised the bar for internal speakers. The soundstage is convincingly wide and when sitting behind the projector, the sound seems to come from the screen. That’s an amazing achievement. The remote is a small handset with all the necessary functions included and is the same unit that controls the GV30 and the V7050i UST model I reviewed recently. It is not backlit. At the top are power toggle, focus, and keystone buttons. Next are direct-access keys for Amazon and input selection. After the nav pad, you get a home key which opens the Android interface. A microphone button activates voice control via Google Assistant. Last is the volume rocker switch. Like the GV30, the GS50 has a hidden compartment for a streaming stick which is included in the box. The QS01 is an Android TV 9.9 device with HDMI 2.0. That means it can stream Ultra HD content with HDR if you have a sufficiently quick internet connection. It has the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi with dual-band (2.4/5GHz) capability. It also allows the GS50 to function as a Bluetooth speaker. And you can cast or mirror your phone or tablet screen directly to the projector. It’s compatible with Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast. The inputs are hidden under a small flap and include one HDMI 2.0, a USB-C which mimics DisplayPort functions and provides up to 45 watts of power, one USB-A, and a 3.5mm audio output. The power jack is in the back under a small cover and works with the included power supply. It will power the GS50 and charge the internal battery.
Setup
My first order of business was to install the QS01 streaming stick. It fits into a dedicated compartment which is completely hidden once you replace the snap-on cover. Booting up the GS50 takes you straight to the Android TV 9.0 interface which I had already configured during my review of the GV30. The remote control navigates both the projector menu and the Android screen with equal convenience. The OSD is like the GV30’s but with a couple of additions. There are a few more picture modes, seven in total plus HDR10 and HLG. And you can change the color temperature with three presets. The LED can be set to Normal (brightest) Low or Eco which varies the light level according to content. For my tests and watching, I stuck with the defaults, Cinema mode, and Normal LED power. There are audio modes too which change the shape of the soundstage for different kinds of content. I used the Cinema mode there as well. With the Android stick installed, I connected a Panasonic DP-UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray player to the HDMI 2.0 port, logged into Amazon Prime Video, and sat back for some viewing.
In Use
Streaming
The GS50’s HDR capability is a real asset with streamed content. Many of the newest Amazon shows and movies are available in HDR10. I tried a couple of familiar shows, Making The Cut and The Grand Tour: Lochdown. Both shined with crisp detail and bright highlights. The color was very good though I missed a little warmth in the flesh tones. Blue and green textures like sky and forests were lush and vibrant. Contrast popped with good blacks. Some fine shadow detail was hard to see but it didn’t detract from the experience. Motion processing was also solid with high resolution and no visible breakup during quick camera movements. I also checked out a few YouTube videos. This content varies widely depending on how well it’s produced but when it comes from the more prominent feeds like Hoovie’s Garage or Global Cycling Network, it looks very good. Some clips are shot in 4K, but I couldn’t tell a difference between them and 1080p streams. No matter because both were sharp and clear.
Blu-ray Movies
The GS50 accepts 4K signals with HDR so I spun a few UHD Blu-rays starting with the newest Fast and Furious chapter, F9: The Fast Saga. I directly compared the HDR and SDR versions of the film and noted a few subtle differences. The HDR version had better contrast for sure, especially in highlight areas. The color palette was slightly cooler which made character faces a little less vivid though textures were clear. I also noticed a few instances of crushed shadow details. Michelle Rodriguez’s hair was a good example. In darker scenes, the individual strands were hard to make out. In the SDR version of F9, the picture didn’t pop quite as much but I liked the warmer color palette. Reds were a little stronger and the shadow detail I missed from the HDR disc was visible here. But blacks were not as deep, showing more gray than black. I can’t pick one over the other since sharpness was equal. HDR was brighter while SDR had a more balanced color. I had no trouble finding shadow detail in the HDR version of Blade Runner 2049. In the opening scene, Dave Bautista walks through a screen door. Many displays can’t resolve the screen because it’s so fine, but I saw it on the GS50. It wasn’t always visible, but it appeared for a few seconds which is impressive because the camera is in motion. This is one of the strengths of DLP. Motion resolution stays clearer when there’s no motion blur. I finished my viewing with Bohemian Rhapsody. The Live Aid performance late in the film starts with an aerial pan down into Wembley Stadium. The details in the capacity crowd were clear. I could see different colored skin tones, waving arms, fingers, even jewelry. I suspect it’s mostly CGI but the GS50 had no trouble resolving all of it. During all my viewing sessions, I marveled at the sound quality. The GS50 plays loud, louder than the GV30. I only need about 40% volume to fill my 12 by 14-foot theater space with its vaulted 11-foot ceiling. The sound emanated from the screen as long as I sat behind the projector. The stage was wide with a three-dimensional quality. Dialog was crystal clear and there was a lot of bass; far more than one would expect from such a small box. BenQ has really achieved something extraordinary here.
Battery Life
It’s hard to set a firm number on projector battery life. The GS50 is rated for 2.5 hours, the same as the GV30 I recently reviewed. I watched for about an hour using the streaming engine with the volume set to 50% and the battery indicator dropped to 64%. The LED was on low power which is the default when running cordless. You can set it to Normal if you wish but that will decrease runtime. It appears that if you stick with low LED and don’t turn the volume up too high, the 2.5 hours rating can be achieved.
On The Bench
SDR Tests
The GS50 doesn’t have traditional calibration controls like RGB sliders or gamma presets. But you can select different color temps and the picture modes have different gamma response. I used the Cinema mode as my starting point with the default Normal color temp. As you can see, Normal still means cool though it isn’t too far off the mark. Since green and blue are well-balanced, the error isn’t too obvious. Gamma tracks close to the 2.2 line with a small dip at 90% which means that the luminance level is a tad light. In practice though, the image has good depth and whites that appear neutral. The cool white point pulls the red primary off its saturation targets. The 20% through 80% points are all about 10% under. Though blue is over-saturated, it is a little off in hue which pulls the cyan saturation inward. Magenta is also a little too blue. These are relatively small errors as the average is 4.78dE, just over the visible threshold. I couldn’t calibrate the GS50, but I tried the other picture modes and color temps to see what effect they had. The Warm color temp preset makes the white point greener rather than adding red as I had hoped. The Cool option is clearly too blue. The other picture modes all have light gamma with averages below 2.0. They make the image look too hazy and flat. Cinema with the Normal color temp is the best choice for SDR content.
HDR Tests
Though the GS50 is a 1080p display, it accepts signals up to 3840×2160 with HDR10 or HLG metadata. This format automatically triggers the projector’s HDR mode. You can still change the color temp though and like the SDR modes, Normal is the best option. The GS50 is reasonably neutral in the darker steps, then it becomes warm around the tone-map transition point at 45%. Brighter steps have a slight blue tint which makes the picture look a bit brighter. The net effect is positive with more contrast in HDR mode and more pop. Luminance tracking takes a very smooth approach to the transition point, then hits the knee at 65%. This makes dark and mid-tone areas look a little darker which helps improve perceived contrast. The downside is a slight reduction in detail. But HDR content clearly looks better than SDR when the same material is compared. The GS50 is a Rec.709 display so I used that reference when measuring HDR color gamut response. The projector hits all the red targets while over-saturating the other colors. The secondaries are a bit off-hue as well. Real-world content looks a bit cool in general though most shades are natural. Overall impressions are a slight lack of warmth but there is still good dimensionality.
Light Output and Contrast
For the output tests, I used my usual configuration with a Stewart Filmscreen Luminesse covered with Studiotek 130 material, gain 1.3. The meter was set 10 feet back from the center of the screen. In Cinema (SDR) mode with the LED on its highest setting, Normal, peak white was 51.1708 nits with .2019 nit black and a contrast ratio of 253.5:1. HDR mode has a peak white level of 71.112 and a black level of .2021 nit. That makes the HDR contrast ratio higher at 351.9:1. The Bright mode delivers over 76 nits peak but is very green in tone. It would work well in an outdoor situation where floodlights are competing with the image. In dark environments, Cinema is the best choice for color and contrast.
Conclusions
For $799, BENQ’S GS50 PORTABLE OUTDOOR PROJECTOR goes way beyond the capabilities of other portables with terrific sound, a stout battery, and great image quality.
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The BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector raises the standard for compact displays. With a solid image, HDR support and a long-life LED light source, it will deliver quality entertainment for years to come. Its audio is the most impressive part with a sound that literally fills the room and is well balanced with impactful bass. I loved how well it worked just running on the internal battery. You can literally set it up next to your RV or SUV and watch movies over a campfire. My only wish was for some additional calibration options. I realize BenQ is going for simplicity and convenience, and that is certainly achieved. But a set of RGB sliders and a few gamma presets would make a very good image into an excellent one. I certainly enjoyed my time with the GS50 though. At $799, this compact projector is hard to beat. The post BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector Review published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr BenQ GS50 Portable Outdoor Projector Review
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Starke Sound is a California-based company with 12 years of experience manufacturing loudspeakers and amplifiers.
Secrets Sponsor Their staff is a collection of audio and design engineers with decades of combined experience in all things audio. In the IC-H2 (as with other Starke Sound speakers), all drivers are manufactured in-house. The results of this attention to detail will be discussed in my review of their IC-H2 floor-standing loudspeaker. The IC-H2 has been far more than just a pleasant surprise over the last six weeks of listening to a variety of music tracks and movies in a simple, two-channel setup. We will discuss how Starke Sound has engineered a lot of high-end performance into a speaker that is elegant looking and easy to place in almost any room. Look for a full review in time for Christmas! Secrets Sponsor The post Starke Sound IC-H2 Floor-Standing Loudspeaker Preview appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. Starke Sound IC-H2 Floor-Standing Loudspeaker Preview published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr Starke Sound IC-H2 Floor-Standing Loudspeaker Preview
Astell&Kern Announces Second Generation A&norma SR25 Player, the SR25 MK II
Astell&Kern, a global leader in high-resolution audio products, debuts the SR25 MK II portable high-resolution audio player, the third player in the standard A&norma line. The A&norma SR25 MK II will be available at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide in November 2021 for $749. The A&norma line of portable audio players from Astell&Kern are designed to be an industry standard to play back high-resolution audio for the masses. The A&norma line is a “Mass Premium” product that futures a stunning, high-end, luxurious design and reproduces sound as it was intended by the artist and engineer who originally recorded it, at an affordable price. Secrets Sponsor The SR25 MK II is a refresh of the widely popular SR25 player released in 2020. Like the SR25, the SR25 MK II features two Cirrus Logic 43198 MasterClass DACs in dual-mono configuration, but adds a number of new features. The SR25 supports native playback of DSD256 and 32-bit/384KHz PCM high-resolution audio. New features to the A&norma line included in the SR25 MK II are:
Users can wirelessly stream 24-bit hi-res audio to compatible speakers, headphones or IEMs with support for LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth codecs. Other features include a 3.6-inch HD touchscreen, 64GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 1TB, Wi-Fi, DLNA networking, USB digital audio output, and the ability to use the SR25 MK II as a USB DAC for your Mac or Windows-based PC. Secrets Sponsor The SR25 MK II supports MQA, and with a full decoder built in, can unfold all the way to the original resolution of the file. MQA playback is supported both via downloaded MQA audio files and through the Tidal app, allowing users to stream high resolution audio via Tidal Masters. Astell&Kern’s latest user interface and support for Open App service is included in the SR25 MK II, which adds Android APK support, allowing users to install additional music streaming services to their player by simply copying and installing the corresponding APK file for the music service they wish to add. Services supported include Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, SoundCloud, Qobuz, SiriusXM, Tune-In, myTuner, Bandcamp and Deezer (supported streaming services varies by country). Offline content for supported apps can be stored in either internal or external player memory so you can listen to your favorite music streaming service tracks on the go. The A&norma SR25 MK II retails for $749 and will be available in November 2021. About ASTELL&KERN The post Astell&Kern launches the A&norma SR25 MK II Portable Hi-Res Audio Player appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. Astell&Kern launches the A&norma SR25 MK II Portable Hi-Res Audio Player published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr Astell&Kern launches the A&norma SR25 MK II Portable Hi-Res Audio Player Worcester, Massachusetts | October 26, 2021 In a world filled with the ordinary and conventional, Vinnie Rossi has been driven by a passion for engineering the finest sounding two-channel audio components marked by truly innovative design. After 17 years of honing his craft with a series of commercially successful and critically acclaimed products, Vinnie Rossi is proud to introduce the Brama Collection [In Italian, the word “Brama” means a strong craving or desire]. Secrets Sponsor After an arduous 2-year research and development process, Rossi states “Brama opens a new chapter for our brand and demonstrates to the world our strong commitment to designing and manufacturing innovative, reference-grade audio components at the highest level.” For the Brama Collection (Integrated Amplifier, Preamplifier, and Stereo Power Amplifier), Rossi teamed with Montreal-based industrial designer Olivier Raymond (Porsche Design, Mercedes-Benz) to achieve what Raymond describes as “a timeless design statement that is positively unadorned and sheltered from passing trends – redefining indulgence in the most elegant and enduring fashion.” Features
Mark Sossa, Director of Sales and Marketing for Vinnie Rossi, adds “With Brama, we are confident that we will compete with the finest home audio products on the market. It has taken our team significant time and resources to get where we currently are, and Brama will pave our path forward for many years to come. We are very proud of what we have accomplished and can’t wait to share it with the world.” Availabilty and Pricing All three Brama components will be available for order November 2021, and will begin to ship to authorized Vinnie Rossi distributors and dealers late 2021 / early 2022.
Vinnie Rossi is driven by a passion for designing audio components that bring music enthusiasts unmatched sonic realism, long-term listening satisfaction, and pride of ownership. We create timeless designs that transcend the ordinary with industry-leading innovation and exceptional quality. Secrets Sponsor The post Vinnie Rossi unveils BRAMA – Setting a new standard of excellence in audio design appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. Vinnie Rossi unveils BRAMA – Setting a new standard of excellence in audio design published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr Vinnie Rossi unveils BRAMA – Setting a new standard of excellence in audio design
Chris Eberle
Specifications
Where to watch – Netflix
Episodes – 42 with 20 more scheduled for 2022 Video – SDR/HD Audio – Dolby Digital 5.1
Rating
Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Violence: Minimal I recently discovered the TV show Manifest on Netflix and boy is it addicting. Originally broadcast on NBC from 2018 to 2021, then canceled after three seasons. Once it hit Netflix, it quickly became one of its most popular shows. Luckily for us fans, Netflix will be producing a 20-episode fourth season for release in 2022. The plot centers around the disappearance of flight 828 going from Jamaica to New York. The passengers experience a moment of intense turbulence, then land to discover they have been missing for over five years. To compound the mystery, they find themselves having visions of the future that compel them to act, sometimes to save a life, or to bring people together. The main character is a college math professor, Ben Stone, who is determined to figure out just what has happened to him and the other passengers. Manifest definitely attains the status of binge-worthy TV. You’ll be hooked almost from the start as I was. The production quality, acting, and storytelling are all of the highest quality. If you are a fan of Lost, you’ll love this show. It’s loaded with I-didn’t-see-that-coming moments along with many twists and turns. Some sub-plots are told in flashback, but it never reaches the level of confusion. Every chapter has a satisfying ending before the story arc moves on. Secrets Sponsor Video quality is stellar for seasons one and two. Contrast and color are state-of-the-art with natural hues throughout and deep contrast. There’s no HDR or Dolby Vision here but Manifest makes the most of its HD encode. Season three looks good too but it picks up a bit of edge enhancement which gives the image a slightly artificial look. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1. Bass is prominent in the background music and is a bit strident at times. Dialog is very clear and well-balanced in the center channel. Surround effects are minimal but provide good ambient sound cues and a wide sound stage. If you’re into modern suspense wrapped in a family-friendly show, Manifest is a fun and entertaining option.
John E. Johnson, Jr.
Duel in the Sun, Vanguard Films, 1946. Devid O. Selznick produced a lot of movies from a long time ago, including Gone with the Wind (1939). In 1946, he released another terrific film, Duel in the Sun, starring Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, and Joseph Cotten. It is the western story of Pearl Javez (Jones), a girl who is the daughter of mixed white and Mexican parentage, living on the Texas – Mexico border. Having already lost her mother, Pearl is devasted when her father is dying. He turns her over to an old friend who is the wife of a Texas rancher named McCanles (Lionel Barrymore). The McCanles family has two sons, one, Jesse (Joseph Cotten), who is a fine man, and Lewt (Gregory Peck), who is no-good and violent. Jesse picks her up at the train station and takes her to the ranch. Jesse and Lewt fall in love with her, Jesse for good reasons, and Lewt for other reasons. She knows Lewt is evil, but they are both fiery in nature, and she is drawn to him. He is tall, lanky, and very handsome. Jesse on the other hand is calm, but not fiery or so handsome. However, Pearl admires him a great deal because he is such a kind person. Jesse knows he cannot ever have Pearl, and he decides to marry someone more appropriate. She is beautiful, prim, and proper. The McCanles parents know that something is amiss. Jesse keeps Pearl from getting into trouble with Lewt by holding her at home. Lewt comes to town for a showdown with his brother. He wants Jesse to release Pearl., but that is not going to happen. The outcome is so terrible, Pearl decides she cannot go on without facing down Lewt for what he has done. She discovers where he is hiding and goes there to meet him. She fires a shot as the signal for him to come out of the hills. Does she look pissed or what? Lewt comes out of hiding and waves to her to come up. The finale is there, a Duel in the Sun. The movie has the same visual “look” as Gone with the Wind. The musical score by Dimitry Tiomkin includes orchestra and choir. Directed by King Vidor. Free on the Internet. Red River, United Artists, 1948. Another movie with a musical score by Dimitry Tiomkin, this one has John Wayne in one of his most famous roles as Thomas Dunson who set out in 1851 joining a wagon train headed for California and decides to stop in Texas where he wanted to create a cattle ranch. Tom tells the trail boss he is leaving the wagon train. Groot (Walter Brennan) says he is going with Tom. Tom tells the woman he plans to marry that he will not be taking her with him, but will bring her to his new ranch once it is underway. On their way to pick out some land, a boy with a cow shows up. His name is Matthew Garth. Tom adopts him, and together with Groot, they establish their ranch. Ten years later, the ranch is successful with thousands of head of cattle. But the land is dry, so Tom decides to take the entire herd away from the ranch to sell. Along the way, they meet a gunman named “Cherry”. He and Matt test each other’s skills with a gun. Tom drives the men so hard, they, including Matt, decide to leave Tom behind and take the herd themselves along the Chisholm train instead. Tom says he will eventually kill Matthew. They run into a wagon train that is being attacked by Indians and decide to help. Matthew meets a young woman during the fight. She is wounded by an arrow in her shoulder. This is the only bit in the film that is seemingly unrealistic. Would you be smiling with an arrow in your shoulder? Matt removes the arrow in a very interesting way. She accompanies Matt with the herd of cattle into town where the herd is sold after they have fallen in love (of course!). Tom, having hired some gunmen, arrives in the town to kill Matt. The showdown is one of the most famous in movie history. Directed by Howard Hawks, this is one of Wayne’s best. Free on the Internet.
Mel Martin
Specifications
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Disney/Buena Vista Disney Club Exclusive, BluRay, 1983.
Video: 1080p, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Length: 95 minutes Director: Jack Clayton Starring: Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce Written by Ray Bradbury In a small Illinois town, an evil circus arrives, preying on the townspeople and two young boys. This was a film I loved when it came out. I’d read the book by Ray Bradbury, and was thrilled that he was doing the screenplay. It didn’t seem like a Disney-type film, and I was right. The studio wasn’t sure what to do with this dark tale and savaged it with edits that were disliked by preview audiences. Bradbury was bought back to undo the damage the Disney Studio had done, and what results is still not a typical Disney film, but it’s a moving semi-horror story with the great and almost poetic prose from Bradbury. Secrets Sponsor Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce are standouts in their role as an aging father and the demonic carnival operator. The two young boys, played by unknowns (Vidal Peterson and Shawn Carson), are well-directed and engaging. The effects aren’t really up to today’s standards, but they get the job done. The music by James Horner is a great fit for the movie.
Video
The Disney Studios didn’t take care of this property. Although this newly released Blu-ray looks much better than the old DVD it has its share of scratches and defects. It’s far more detailed than the DVD disc, but that also makes the defects easier to see. It’s not awful, but it’s not a restoration either.
Audio
There’s a 5.1 surround mix. It’s pretty tame except in some standout scenes like the spider attack, but. The music is full-bodied and fills all the channels and you can clearly hear all the actors.
Extras
As is typical of Disney Club movies, no extras, no trailer. No nothing.
Finally
This disc is a Disney Movie Club exclusive, which is a shame. They’ve kept some prime movies for club members, like The Black Hole and the classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. These movies deserve a wider audience, and perhaps someday Disney will see fit to let the general public add these films to their collection. You can find these films on eBay, at not exorbitant prices. I’ve always loved this film, although critics were decidedly mixed on Something Wicked This Way Comes. I find it moving and exciting, and if you can find a copy it’s worth an evening watch, especially around Halloween. The post What We Are Watching Vol. 17: October 2021 appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. What We Are Watching Vol. 17: October 2021 published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr What We Are Watching Vol. 17: October 2021
Melco (Maki Engineering Laboratory Company) was established by Makoto Maki in 1975 in Japan. Maki, an enthusiastic audiophile, established the company to design and manufacture the finest audio components of the time; the undoubted masterpiece of the Melco line was the turntable (introduced into the UK in 1980) which set new standards in music reproduction. From those early beginnings, Melco developed into the largest computer peripherals manufacturer in Japan (Buffalo Inc.), offering advanced products based on rigorous R&D. These included wireless routers, ethernet data switches and storage devices such as NAS drives. Now, the company is proud to revive the highly respected Melco brand, offering discerning audiophiles high-technology network audio components in the spirit of those much-revered early Melco products, while incorporating the very latest research into reliable, high-performance networked devices and storage. The post Melco appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. Melco published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr Melco
Chris Eberle
Nirvana, Nevermind, DGC, 1991, CD. I recently read Dave Grohl’s new book, The Storyteller, and was thoroughly inspired to listen to my collection of Nirvana recordings. I highly recommend the book as it is a very well-written account of Grohl’s life and career presented as a series of short stories. If you’ve ever watched any of his documentary films, this book has the same feel. It’s a quick and easy read. Secrets Sponsor Nirvana was a short-lived group; their rise cut short by the death of Kurt Cobain in 1994. They went at the speed of light from an underground club and bar band to arena rock, MTV, and super-stardom in just a few years. I spent some time both in the car and in my theater listening to their best-selling album Nevermind and their live performance, Nirvana: MTV Unplugged in New York. Nevermind is a classic lineup of their best songs arranged in a gritty hard-rock style. Of course, it starts with the most famous of them all “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Listening to it now, it amazes me that this music worked in large venues. It’s the antithesis of arena rock from the 1980s, yet it reaches the soul and gets your blood pumping in the same way. There are no synthesizers or massed guitars or extra percussion, just three guys playing their instruments with wild abandon. The CD version I own, ripped to Apple Lossless, originated at the famous Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and was the first major example of Butch Vig’s masterful engineering. The sound is homogenous and detailed at the same time. You can hear the individual instruments perfectly, yet the group sound attains chaos at all the right times. MTV Unplugged in New York is exactly that – Nirvana songs played on acoustic instruments only. One track, the cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World,” includes a bit of added distortion in the lead guitar but it is still acoustic in origin; a fact easily verified by watching the concert on DVD. Hearing the group in a live setting further adds to their music’s club vibe. I can only assume that this performance was a major inspiration in Dave Grohl’s later acoustic album and tour. I’ll be spending time with Nirvana’s other albums, In Utero and Bleach in the coming weeks but for now, I’ve truly enjoyed my trip down memory lane. I highly recommend checking out these recordings if only to learn where the Foo Fighters got their sound and style from. Enjoy!
John E. Johnson, Jr.
Lionel Hampton Presents Buddy Rich – Goodtime Records – August 2021 In this album, the world’s greatest drummer joins one of the world’s greatest vibes players, Lionel Hampton, along with a jazz orchestra. If you are a fan of jazz but are young, you need to listen to the classics. This is one of them. Jazz was very different in the old days. Melody reigned supreme instead of just a seemingly random array of 16th notes that have no melody. I heard him live in Seattle in 1967. I will never forget that experience. He died 20 years later of brain cancer. Chamber Music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold – Somm Recordings – October 2021 He was also a classical music composer, and you can hear the similarities between his classical style and his movie score style. This album is a good way to introduce yourself to this very talented composer. The music is very romantic, calming, and stimulating at the same time. Chet Atkins – Guitar Country – RLG Legacy – December 1964 Unlike some folk and country, this album’s music has actual tunes that you can follow rather than random notes and rhythms. Secrets Sponsor He is credited with developing the Nashville sound.
Carlo Lo Raso
David Wilcox, The Collected Works 1977-1993, EMI Records, 1993, 16/44.1 FLAC David Wilcox got his start playing with Canadian Folk/Country Duo, Ian & Sylvia Tyson as part of their band called Great Speckled Bird. Wilcox auditioned to replace veteran guitar player Amos Garrett who helped found Great Speckled Bird and left the band in 1970. Wilcox continued with the Tysons until 1973 when he decided to strike out on his own. This box set is essentially Wilcox’s first five albums, remastered, along with some unreleased extras and live cuts as well. The first three albums, “Out Of The Woods,” “My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble,” and “Bad Reputation” all have a rawer, live in-studio feel to the work where the later two albums, “Breakfast At The Circus,” and “The Natural Edge” are a little slicker with more synthesizers and drum machines. But what remains consistent throughout is David Wilcox’s virtuosity with not so much speed but with tone and chord structure. I just love listening to his playing because it is so distinctive. Listening to some of the more oddball gems like “Hot, Hot, Papa,” “Cheap Beer Joint,” “Play On Your Harp,” and “The Groove” there is so much in the way of great-sounding guitar work (both technically and stylistically) that is packed into these tunes. His singing voice is also unusual in that it has both a clarity and tonal depth to it that is different and unexpected. The live recording of “Trip Out Tonight” included in the extras section is just so groovy sounding and skillful. It sounds unlike anything else. If you can find this set either on CD or streaming, I highly suggest you check it out for something enjoyable and a little bit out of left-field! The post What We’re Listening To. Vol.22 October 2021 appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. What We’re Listening To. Vol.22 October 2021 published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr What We’re Listening To. Vol.22 October 2021 North Bay, Canada (October 18, 2021) -- Noam Sugarman is an entrepreneur from North Bay who decided to build a home audio startup that goes against the grain of modern audio brands. Unlike most home audio companies that stuff as many tech features as possible into their products, Noam believes that digital sprawl is actually interfering with our enjoyment of music and raises significant privacy concerns. That’s why his company Dum Audio is taking things back to the roots. Noam’s goal is to wow customers with the sound quality and do away with unnecessary features, tech complexity and high price tags. Dum Audio’s premium home audio products are a perfect step up for music lovers that currently use headphones or wireless speakers. At launch time, the company’s range of products will include a turntable, an integrated amplifier, speakers and a subwoofer – each priced at $749 CAD / $699 USD with discounts when products are bundled. Each component is designed to be simple to set up and operate, and offers a beautiful art deco design inspired by vintage hifi systems of the 70s and 80s. All the components are sonically matched with each other and customers will have a chance to order a full system, at a discounted price. All Dum Audio components will be sold exclusively via its website www.dumaudio.com. Let’s take a closer look at each component. Secrets Sponsor Dum Audio Turntable Give your favourite records the stage they deserve with our premium turntable. The Dum Audio turntable features a 2-inch MDF plinth, a cast aluminum platter, a built-in preamplifier and a custom designed tonearm. It comes equipped with an Audio Technica Model AT-3600L moving magnet cartridge. A speed control knob allows the user to switch easily between 33-1/3 and 45 rpm records. Dum Audio Integrated Amplifier Get amped-up for a brand new listening experience with our integrated amplifier. Housed in a ¾-inch MDF chassis, this amplifier features 100 watts RMS of power for the left / right channels, and 200 watts RMS for a subwoofer. There are three input options: 2x RCA and Aux (3.5 mm jack). Also on-board is Bluetooth 5.0 aptX for the highest quality wireless playback. The front panel sports control knobs for treble, mid, bass and subwoofer adjustments. All rear connections are gold plated. Dum Audio Passive Speakers Bring crisp, high-fidelity sound to your home with our bookshelf speakers, matched perfectly to play with our integrated amplifier. Housed in a ¾-inch cabinet, these speakers feature a 7-inch aluminum driver mated with a 1-inch silk dome tweeter. They offer power handling of up to 200 watts. Dum Audio Passive Subwoofer Get the powerful, high-performing bass your music is missing with our unique, passive subwoofer. Designed to work seamlessly with our integrated amplifier, the subwoofer can be used in a front-firing or down-firing configuration. Outfitted with a 10-inch driver, the subwoofer has a frequency response rated from 31 to 200 Hz, an impedance of 4 Ohms and a sensitivity of 91 dB. Gold plated binding posts round out the design. Dum Audio Bundles: Save when you buy more than one component An overarching goal of Dum Audio is to take the guesswork out of matching audio components for music lovers. Dum Audio components are designed to provide the best possible sonic quality when used together. That’s why Dum Audio offers an attractive discount when you purchase more than one component. Any 2 components can be yours for $1,349 CAD / $1,249 USD, while a bundle of 3 components will retail for $1,899 CAD / $1,799 USD. Dum Audio will even provide you with the cables to connect everything – your new system will be ready to play out-of-the-box! At launch time, all four Dum Audio components will be available in a premium, real wood Walnut veneer finish and more finish options will be available in the near future. Secrets Sponsor The post Dum Audio is Taking Hi-Fi Back to its Roots appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. Dum Audio is Taking Hi-Fi Back to its Roots published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr Dum Audio is Taking Hi-Fi Back to its Roots Since 1983 we are developing audio gear for music, film, multimedia, hi-fi and broadcasting. Experimenting and listening is more important to us than designing by the book. We create innovative audio products by pushing the envelope of both technology and design in search for the unique performance that sets SPL products apart from the main stream. The post SPL appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. SPL published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr SPL
I last looked at HIFIMAN’s top-of-the-line new headphone model a few months ago. Let’s see what the company has in store for us at the other end of the spectrum.
HIFIMAN has had a few different HE400 model headphones in their lineup for quite some time now. Each has been at a slightly different price point but not higher than $499.00 placing the 400 series at the more approachable end of the scale. The HE400se we have in for review retails for $149.00 which makes it HIFIMAN’s most affordable headphone to date. And for that very reasonable price, it seems to have a whole lot going for it.
Highlights
HIFIMAN HE400SE PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONE
Introduction
I know I’ve brought this up a few times in the past, but it still just amazes me how far planar magnetic headphone technology has come and how affordable it is to sample these days. Just a few short years ago $300.00 – $500.00 was considered the entry-level for a pair of planar magnetic cans and we all thought, at the time, that was a very affordable entry point. And yet here we are today, looking at a pair of planar magnetic headphones for $149.00! It’s really kind of astonishing when you think about it. The first question that someone will likely ask is “Well, are these $150-dollar HE400se any good? I mean what can you expect to get for that kind of price?” I’m here to tell you, quite a lot! Two things that HIFIMAN is known for are constantly updating their products with new features and design improvements and then eventually trickling down much of their higher-level tech to the more affordable models. If you are interested in a very affordable pair of audiophile headphones, then I suggest you pull up a chair and read on!
HIFIMAN HE400SE PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONE SPECIFICATIONS
Headphones Design:Circumaural, Open-back Headphones with Planar Magnetic drivers. Manufacturer Freq. Response:20 Hz – 20 kHz Impedance:25-Ohms Sensitivity:91 dB Weight:390 grams Finish:Black headband and earpads with silver and black earcups. Accessories:Single 1.5-meter-long cable with 3.5 mm termination. One ¼-inch phono plug adapter. MSRP:$149.00 Website:Company:SECRETS Tags:HIFIMAN, planar, open-back, headphones, headphones review 2021 The new HIFIMAN HE400se shares a familial resemblance to the previous generations of this model, particularly in the shape of the earcups. Everything else though seems to have been passed down from more expensive headphones in the HIFIMAN portfolio.
Design
The soft leatherette earpads are now angled, which is becoming increasingly popular, along with having velour contact faces and perforated interiors. The pads feel very nice against my face and the openings completely encircle my ears. Secrets Sponsor The headband and yolk are pretty much lifted from the Deva headphones, just presented in black and silver tones here, respectively. At 390 grams the HE400se are exceedingly light and very comfortable to have on for extended periods. The clamping force is quite agreeable and yet is sufficient to keep the headphones and band from sliding around too much on my head. HIFIMAN’s literature makes a big deal about this thinner magnet technology, coined “Stealth,” that is used in the HE400se drivers. The company states that “the advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The reduced distortion yields pure sonic output that is accurate and full-range.” While I can’t exactly validate those claims, I can say that the drivers do let a surprising amount of light through the earcups when you look through them. The driver membrane itself must be incredibly thin and transparent, along with the magnet structure being open enough to allow that to happen. It barely looks as if there is a driver there at all. The supplied cable has a nice black rubberized sheathing and is resistant to tangling. It has two 3.5mm ends marked L and R that plug into the matching earcups while the source end is also terminated with a 3.5mm right-angled plug. A ¼” phono plug adaptor is also included in the package. No carry case is supplied.
Setup
I tested the HIFIMAN HE400se in a couple of scenarios. For listening in my studio, the headphones were driven by my Topping DX7PRO DAC/headphone amplifier. The source was my Surface 3 PRO tablet running ROON, which was connected to the Topping via USB. For mobile listening, HE400se was connected to my Topping NX4 DSD portable DAC/headphone amp that could use the output of either my Shanling M0 digital audio player or iPhone 12.
In Use
Listening to the HE400se was akin to putting on a comfortable sweatshirt or well-worn pair of jeans. I used to own a pair of the older HE400s which I greatly enjoyed, and these new headphones immediately felt and sounded very familiar. The fit and weight were extremely agreeable, and it made it easy to listen for long stretches of time. The new headphones also possessed that same spacious sound as their predecessor that flattered vocals so well, but now there was an even deeper and more potent bass presence than I remembered along with a bit more transparency in upper mids and high frequencies. That ended up making the HE400se sound pretty good with all varieties of music that I tried out with them, including classical. Doing a quick comparison between the HIFIMAN HE400se and last year’s Secrets Best of Award-winning Monoprice Monolith M570 planar magnetic headphones proved to highlight a few interesting differences. The M570 overall sounded a bit darker than the HE400se mainly due to the HIFIMAN’s having noticeably more sparkle in the upper mids and highs than the Monoprice. Thankfully it wasn’t so much that the HE400se sounded thin, its overall sound struck a genuinely good balance. The Monoprice was a little polite in that regard. Both headphones’ bass reach and impact seemed about even which was as solid and impactful as I could want in this class. While both headphones were plenty comfortable, the Monoprice is certainly heavier, so if you are sensitive to excess weight on your head, this is something to keep in mind. Clamping force was more than acceptable for both. I honestly enjoy the sound of both headphones but the HE400se is probably the more well-rounded of the two sound-wise. The fact that HIFIMAN can get this level of sound quality to us at the price that it does has to qualify them as the best-bang-for-the-buck in headphones that I have come across so far. Like the Monoprice 570H, the HE400se does benefit from having additional amplifier power fed to it. My iPhone alone wasn’t enough to really get the kind of volume that I was after. Using my Topping NX4 DSD more than did the trick when I was on the go. That may be the only ding against the HE400se as I recall the older HE400s getting by just fine without a separate amp. Even so, the HE400se still qualifies as a tremendous value in my book. Some of the music that I enjoyed with the HIFIMAN HE-400se was: Sonny Landreth, “Grant Street”, Sugar Hill Records, 2005, 16/44.1 FLAC. This is a great live recording with a lot of spatial information captured from the venue. With the right speakers or headphones, the results can be holographic. The track “Broken Hearted Road” has an opening bass line that mimics a heartbeat tempo, and it had a deep and solid weight to it. While that is happening, you can also hear the room noise/reverb, bar chatter, tinkling glasses, etc. The HE400se is adept at throwing a large image which, in this case, made me feel like I was in the environment. All the while, those great little details that complete the sonic picture aren’t obscured by that concurrent thumping bass line. Sonny Landreth’s vocals don’t have much in the way of depth of tone, but they do have an unmistakable character to them. The HIFIMAN HE400se seems to handle the vocal range with a little extra warmth to just lightly embellish the good stuff that’s already there. Landreth’s vocals still sounded as clear and detailed as anything you could expect in this category but again just a little bit sweeter in this case. His slide guitar work is unmistakable and the HE400se do great work in getting the edge, aggression, and tone sounding very fine indeed with just enough detail to spare. David Wilcox, “The Collected Works 1977-1993,” EMI Records, 1993, 16/44.1 FLAC. Recently while with a group of other reviewers, I expressed my general indifference to the music of Leonard Cohen. One of my Canadian colleagues looked at me incredulously and said, “Well what kind of Canadian are you then?” To which I replied, “I’m more of a David Wilcox kind of Canadian.” No, not the American folk singer by that same name but the Canadian guitar hero whose playing abilities are absurdly good and whose music is much less full of itself, let’s say than Mr. Cohen’s. Why (my) David Wilcox never got much traction south of the border I’ll never know but his classic songs like “Do The Bearcat” and “Riverboat Fantasy” were staples of my youth up in Toronto. Listening to his acoustic guitar intro to the intimate “Life is Funky,” the HE400se do an excellent job of not only getting the tone and ring of the guitar strings correct but also get across the amount of tension applied to each pick and pluck. You can just about feel it. The sheen on the high strings sounds especially good through the HIFIMAN cans. Then when the piercing electric guitar comes in at the end of the song, it sounds so cleanly reproduced and cuts the atmosphere like a knife. Listening to “Cheap Beer Joint” through the HE400se brings out some more of the fantastic acoustic string details that are in this track, along with hearing fingers slide up and down and the wood of the guitar body flexing as he plays. Gary Karr, “Adagio d’Albinoni”, Impex Records, 1982, DSD64 File. Secrets writer Todd Cooperider turned me on to this recording of renowned double-bassist Gary Karr. He was recorded in a church with the accompaniment of the church organ and the results have a lovely depth of tone and dimension to them. Listening to “Adagio: In G Minor” over the HE400se I easily was able to get a good sense of the recording space and the rendered bubble of sound extended well beyond my ears. Open back cans, by the nature of their design, almost always have an advantage in delivering that open and more effortless sense of space. The HIFIMAN HE400se also delivered in the bass department and helped me feel the depth of both Karr’s lowest bass notes and the lower register organ notes. And yet the HE400se drivers were also quick and sounded detailed enough to get all the nuances of the strings and pipes when they weren’t busy mining the bottom octaves of the scales. Those expressive reverential tones from both double-bass and organ varied through the piece, ranging from subtle to piercing. The planar magnetic drivers had no issues keeping up and getting things to sound as they should without any distortion that I could detect. On this same track, the Monoprice M570 did well but came across as a little cooler sounding with a touch less sparkle than the HE400se. Kick drum and bass lines sounded full and had plenty of impact. Melody Gardot, “Currency of Man”, Decca Records, 2015, 16/44.1 FLAC Another great album from Melody Gardot, this time with some distinct Motown influences throughout the tracks. “Same to You” starts with a great groove from the kick drum, bass, and electric guitar. The sound is open and full, seemingly extending outside the boundary of the earcups. Melody Gardot’s voice is warm and rich sounding and placed perfectly centered in space. The horn section also sounded snappy and properly brassy but without being annoying or grating. “No Man’s Prize” gives off the vibe of a 1940s hard-boiled film noire special. Extremely intimate vocals with languid piano accompaniment and subtle horns and bass. The sound is full and enveloping but the subtlest of details from her breathy, close mic’d voice comes through clearly through the HE400se. Secrets Sponsor Bow Wow Wow, “I Want Candy”, RCA, 1982, 16/44.1 FLAC. Sometimes you just want to listen to something fun and cueing up this 1980s New Wave hit always does the trick for me. Many hit songs of the era were recorded in such a way that they sound flat and two-dimensional, this thankfully isn’t one of them and it can ultimately sound great on headphones. The opening sequence of big, punchy kick drum hits leading into that slightly nasty and distorted guitar riff that everyone knows sounds really, really good on the HE400se. That distorted guitar sound can get edgy and annoying if not rendered correctly and the HIFIMAN HE400se get it right. The lead singer’s Kewpie-doll pitched singing style has body and is sexy, it doesn’t come off sounding too thin which I’ve encountered in some cases. Overall, just a great party tune that totally grooves and sounds fantastic on these headphones. Switching to the Monoprice M570 headphones and the presentation becomes noticeably softer and a little less precise.
Conclusions
The HIFIMAN HE400SE provides some of the best sound quality for the price that I have encountered from headphones thus far. Highly recommended!
Likes
Would Like To See
In the final analysis, I think the HIFIMAN HE400se brings a lot to the table when it comes to that increasingly scarce concept in headphones, value for the money. Open-backed headphones that have a great low-end response, balanced with an appealing sounding midrange and sparkling highs. I mean what’s not to like here for the (these days) paltry sum of $149.00? Add to that, they are light and comfortable for long listening sessions, and we have the makings of one of the best screaming bargains in headphones altogether. Yes, they do require a little more “go-juice” than your average smartphone provides to sound their best. But finding a good, affordable DAC/ Amp/dongle to use with your smartphone is not a big issue these days. And you’ll certainly elevate the sound of your phone to new heights to enjoy with these headphones in the bargain. If you already have a decent headphone amplifier or DAP, they should have no issues with driving the HIFIMAN HE400se headphones. I’ve very much enjoyed my time with these cans. Forgive me if I’m sounding like a broken record but, they are probably the best bang-for-the-buck headphones out there – at least that I am currently aware of. The post HIFIMAN HE400se Planar Magnetic Headphone Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com. HIFIMAN HE400se Planar Magnetic Headphone Review published first on https://123movieshub.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr HIFIMAN HE400se Planar Magnetic Headphone Review |
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