Audioholics Featured Reviews & Articles

CEDIA (The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) is outraged by the adoption of the unnecessary and harmful regulation regarding the California TV energy efficiency standard the CEC chose to adopt yesterday. Us? We're just amused. Despite continued efforts and data outlining the negative ramifications of the ruling provided by CEDIA and the Californians for Smart Energy coalition, the CEC chose to adopt regulations on the energy consumption of televisions sold in California. This regulation will have a significant negative impact on the sale and installation of flat-panel displays and the businesses in the residential electronic systems industry. Fear not as Audioholics has a solution for manufacturers - implement SCAM.

The A5-450 is a DIY sub kit. What you get when you order it is a driver, an amp, the wire to connect the two, and a flat-packed EFS enclosure. You'll be responsible for all the tools you'll need to put the sub together plus any veneer you may want to apply. Those afraid of veneer, wood glue, or just moving a 100 lbs+ sub from your workshop to your home theater need not apply. For the rest, you're getting an eD sub at a serious discount (not including what you'll spend on shipping, veneer, and chiropractic adjustments) that you can custom finish. We're sure this is going to to be a popular product with a select group. All we have to say is - Pics please!

When I see all those lovely installs of flatscreens on HGTV or DIY Network usually two things come to mind - first, where are the speakers and second, how did they run the power. For those that want to install a flatpanel like a pro, the Sanus PowerBridge might be the product for you.

The Oppo BDP-83SE is a "Special Edition" version of the Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu player. For an extra $400 (yes, that almost doubles the price of the original) you get upgrades only a connoisseur could love. Namely, you're getting an upgraded audio section, a better power supply, RS-232 support, and a faceplate with the words "Special Edition" on the front. This player should surely be a hit with the esoteric crowd.

Over 1 million Xbox Live players around the world lost their ability to access their online accounts when Microsoft dropped the bomb on suspected "pirates". Microsoft stated the banned consoles were modified to allow them to play bootleg games, many of which were downloaded from pirate sites and burned onto disc. Tech bloggers drew an immediate link to the release this week of blockbuster Xbox 360 game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

The EMP VT-40.2 hybrid tube amplifier and 41-SE/B Beryllium cone speaker system was truly a delight to review. Its ability to transform your PC desktop into a high end audiophile rig on a shoestring budget is without peer. The 41-SE/B speakers alone are worth the full price of admission of this system. The EMP sound continually seduces me to work longer at my desktop PC which is good for Audioholics but not so good when I am late to dinner. With my love of food equaling that of audio, that speaks volumes for just how good this system is. Considering their very liberal return policy, FREE 30 day home trial program and FREE shipping I can’t say anything else other than “hearty appetite” as this is the meal your PC has been waiting for you to feed it. Once you dine on this system, you won’t settle for fast food or crappy mediocre sound again.

Some guys love power tools. Some love cars. Some are happy with a comfy chair, a remote and something to nosh on. Then there are those who need to go above and beyond—to create a space that most men only dream about. Today, we call these spaces "man caves." In these caves, though, the only things being fired up are amps, Blu-ray movies, video games and gigantic TVs (sometimes multiple ones). They are places where a guy can play with his toys without worrying about prying eyes or greasy kid fingerprints.

The economy is dicey and NPD analysts say video game revenue is down 13 percent. But when the going gets tough, Activision Blizzard gets going – with what could be the top grossing entertainment blockbuster of the year, despite all odds. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the most hotly anticipated video game of the year. Some predict Modern Warfare 2 will break records as the top grossing piece of entertainment ever – period, beating out The Dark Knight’s $155 million weekend opener while topping sales of Grand Theft Auto IV.

According to an article at The Smoking Gun, Aaron Siebers, a 27-year-old Blockbuster employee, decided that it would be better to stab himself than go work at Blockbuster Video. While in principle I can sympathize, it was a little odd to see someone actually carry out something like this in real life. Aaron was apparently skateboarding Wednesday afternoon when he fell and ripped his work pants. Since he knew he would be "written up" by Blockbuster for having ripped pants (or for wearing non-standard pants), he decided to stab himself in the leg and show up claiming he had been attacked by three Hispanic males.