Product Reviews
Review: Sony VPL-XW6100ES BRAVIA 8 4K Laser Projector
Is the new Sony BRAVIA 8 projector worth the upgrade? Yes! But you’ll need to read on to find out exactly why it is...
Product Reviews
Audio
Review: Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Sony’s previous flagship soundbar, the HTA7000, has been replaced by the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9. How does it compare?
Audio
Review: SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Tower Speakers
With the introduction of the Ultra Evolution (UE) series, SVS has delivered a lineup that reaches higher end not only in performance but also...
Audio
Review: Sonos Ace Wireless Headphones
Find out how Sonos’ technology transfers into a headphone and how they integrated these phones into a Sonos ecosystem.
Features
Home Theater Week Review: Kaleidescape Strato V Movie Player
With the new Strato V Movie Player, Kaleidescape addresses the major objection for most users, namely the price of entry.
Audio
Review: Russound D1290 and AVA3.1 Amplifiers
Sometimes, you don’t need a manufacturer to release a new product that reinvents the wheel; you just want one that kind of re-imagines it...
Product Reviews
Review: Reolink Duo 3 PoE and Argus 4 Pro Dual Lens Cameras
John tackles two security cameras —the third-generation Duo 3 PoE, which utilizes dual lenses and captures images in 16MP (7680x2160) image quality, and the...
Audio
Review: Monitor Audio Creator Series Architectural Audio Speakers
With the Creator Series, Monitor Audio has effectively relaunched its architectural speaker lineup, and they’ve done it in a terrifically smart way.
Audio
Review: Juke Audio Juke+ Whole-Home Audio Streamer
The Juke 6 review is the most clicked review on residentialsystems.com. So, clearly, we owed it to those people looking for fresh Juke information...
Audio
Review: Lodge Outdoor Solar Speaker 4 Outdoor Speaker
The Solar Speaker 4 is a fully contained audio system that is meant to be simple to use and is designed to live outside...
Audio
Review: Marantz Model 50 Amplifier and CD 50n Network CD Player
While they can certainly be used separately, the Model 50 amplifier and CD 50n network streaming CD player together form the foundation for a...
Automation
Review: Josh.ai Josh One and Josh Micro Control System
Josh One is designed for smaller projects and, at a $599 retail, it is easy to justify on nearly any project.
Product Reviews
Review: Furrion Aurora Sun Outdoor 4K TV With Soundbar System
With these two Aurora products, Furrion brings a ton of value to the table.
Audio
Review: Victrola Hi-Res Carbon Turntable
John Sciacca has never owned a turntable before, and marks his first experience with this under-$600 model that features Bluetooth aptX for pairing to...
Automation
New Tech Week: Control4 Halo Remote Control Review
While the venerable SR-260 has served the industry well, the new Halo remotes pave Control4’s way to the future.
Product Reviews
Review: Elite Screens Battery-Operated Yard Master Outdoor Projection Screen and LG CineBeam PU700R 4K Projector
Pairing these products together gives you an incredibly potent entertainment solution for just over $3000.
Lighting & Shades
Review: Lutron RadioRA 3 Lighting and Palladiom Shading System
A look at this latest generation from install to operation.
Blogs
Hands-On With the eero Pro 6 PoE Gateway and Access Point
The company’s latest products look to the future of mesh networks.
Audio
Review: SVS Sound Prime Wireless Pro Speakers and 3000 In-Wall Subwoofer
The Prime Wireless Pros are a great value considering it is an out-of-box, fully working system, including streaming, inputs for external sources, and amplification.
Audio
Review: Theory Audio Design Surround Audio System
A fantastic-sounding system that is capable of delivering dynamics and output that is nothing short of cinematic and ferocious.
Product Reviews
Hands-On With the Luma x20 NVR and Camera
Find out how Snap One’s smart security system operates in real-world scenarios.
Audio
Review: Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 Speakers
While the Era 100 will appeal to listeners looking for a performance step up from the current One, the Era 300 is an entirely...
Audio
Review: Mark Levinson No.5909 Wireless Audiophile Headphones
Mark Levinson has delivered a product that lets you enjoy an audiophile experience on the go — either with or without a cord.
Audio
Review: Sony STR-AZ3000ES 9.2-Channel, 8K AV Receiver
Sony is back in the AVR game — and it has returned with a vengeance, delivering its strongest lineup of AVRs ever.
Audio
Review: URC Total Control High-Definition Audio System
If commercial installs are a part of your business, or you are looking for another option in residential distributed audio along with an advanced...
Lighting & Shades
Review: Hunter Douglas PowerView Gen 3 Motorized Shading
The company upgrades its popular product — find out what’s different and how it compares to the previous generation.
Product Reviews
Review: Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K Laser Projector
With its features, performance, and long-life/no-hassle laser light engine, the VPL-XW5000ES offers a lot to get excited about.
Product Reviews
Review: SunBrite TV Veranda Series Gen 3 Outdoor 4K LED TV
Find out how the Gen 3 model improves upon its popular predecessor.
Product Reviews
Review: Xgimi Aura 4K Ultra-Short-Throw Laser Projector
The Aura is John Sciacca’s first experience with an ultra-short-throw projector and he offers his thoughts on this model as well as the technology...
Product Reviews
Review: Kaleidescape Compact Terra 22TB Movie Server
The latest from Kaleidescape offers more storage and faster download times.
Audio
Home Theater Week Review: Sony HT-A9 Wireless Home Theater System
The HT-A9 offers a completely different look, design, and flexible installation that might make it a compelling alternative to a soundbar install.
Audio
Review: Trinnov Audio Altitude16 Surround Processor
Reviewing the Trinnov has been on John’s bucket list for some time — does it live up to his expectations?
Audio
Review: Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Bowers & Wilkins has produced an impressive-sounding standalone bar and a welcome update to the Panorama line that still has room for additional upgrades...
Lighting & Shades
Review: Orro One Smart Touchscreen Lighting Controller
Where most developments in lighting control now are typically evolutionary, the Orro One, with its built-in Amazon Alexa integration, full-color touchscreen control, and wide...
Audio
Review: Episode WAKE Amp In-Wall Bluetooth Amplifier
The WAKE Amp represents a tremendous upgrade opportunity for installers; letting you deliver a huge technology enhancement that will improve lifestyle and performance with...
Audio
Exclusive Review: AVA Streaming Audio System and AVA Remote
A new custom-channel-specific system from a new company formed by well-known industry vets.
Connectivity
Review: Torus Power AVR-2 Elite 20 Power Transformer
The system’s toroidal isolation transformer design and construction eliminates any physical connections between incoming and outgoing power, thus eliminating transients and noise on the...
Lighting & Shades
Review: PowerShades Motorized Roller Shade Systems
Motorized window shading is one of the fastest growing segments in our channel, and PowerShades ability to drive shades from PoE or battery offers...
Connectivity
Review: Luxul PoE Switches
The new Luxul PoE switches offer some standout features that you should definitely consider for your upcoming installs.
Audio
Review: Juke Audio Multi-Zone Whole-Home Audio Streamer
Instead of scaling a whole-home audio system way back in size or speaker performance to hit a budget, you might consider Juke Audio, which...
Product Reviews
Review: Sony XR65A80J OLED TV
Featuring Sony's new Cognitive XR processor, XR Triluminos Pro, and XR OLED Contrast, does this set live up to its promise?