REVIEWS

Sony HT-X8500
Atmos soundbar
BenQ TH535 Full
HD projector
Philips 6 Series
Ambilight TV
HIGH-PERFORMANCE SOUND & VISION Denon X1600H
AV receiver

LG’S OLED BARGAIN?

65in B9 TV promises Hollywood visuals without the
blockbuster price tag
100u+cts Best of Blu!
prod in
2020 rated ar
our Gee
We pick our
vision
First look
Guid 50 discs of
at Samsung’s
8K TV flagship
the decade

SPACE SAVER
Brad Pitt is on a
galactic mission
FILM & TV in Ad Astra 4K p90

■ JOKER ■ RAMBO:
LAST BLOOD
■ SUSPIRIA 4K
■ HUSTLERS 4K
■ THE EXORCIST III
Bass you can feel...
■ WINTER KILLS
SVS’s PB-3000 subwoofer slammer
www.homecinemachoice.com
ISSUE 308 FEBRUARY 2020 £4.99

Inside PRO CINEMA INSTALLS ➜ GOOGLE STADIA ➜ YAMAHA YAS-209 AUS- $13.50 NZ- $14.99 CAN- $17.00

➜ READER’S ROOM ➜ ONKYO ATMOS SYSTEM ➜ COMPETITIONS ➜ B&W PX7

OLED+ 984

When you love what you watch, you don’t just watch it.
You escape into it. With new levels of nuance and detail,
Bowers & Wilkins sound, and up-to-the-minute smart
functionality, this is more than OLED. It’s OLED+.

BEST IN SHOW AWARDS

Philips OLED+984
WINNER AWARD 2019
Best Philips 65OLED984
TV
T3.com #T3Loves

philips.com/oled+
 OPINION 3

www.homecinemachoice.com
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor Mark Craven
mark.craven@homecinemachoice.com
Art Editor John Rook
CONTRIBUTORS
Anton van Beek, Steve May, John Archer,
Steve Withers, Rik Henderson, Daniel Sait,
Richard Stevenson, Martin Palmer
Photography Mike Prior

ADVERTISING
Advertising Sales Executive
Richard Morris
Mob: 07834 346461 Samsung Sero TV – p20
E-mail: richard.morris@homecinemachoice.com

MARKETING AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

UK: New, Renewals and Enquiries

Welcome
Tel: 0344 243 9023
E-mail: help@hcc.secureorder.co.uk
USA & CANADA:
Toll Free: 001 866 647 9191
REST OF WORLD: New, Renewals and Enquiries
Tel: +44 (0) 1604 828 748
BACK ISSUES
www.mags-uk.com

MANAGEMENT TEAM
Group Editor Paul Miller, paul.miller@avtechmedia.co.uk
Group Sales Manager Sonia Smart
Subscriptions Manager Kate Hall
Chief Executive Owen Davies
Published by AVTech Media Ltd
It's the dawn of a new decade, and while that
Suite 25, Eden House, Enterprise Way
Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF naturally leads to thoughts about what the future may
Tel: 0844 412 2262
From outside the UK: +44 (0) 1689 869 840

Distributed in the UK by Marketforce UK Ltd

hold (in Samsung's case: super-advanced AI
BACKGROUND WALL IMAGES: processing, modular MicroLED TVs and rotating
©STOCK.ADOBE.COM
©SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
©iSTOCKPHOTO.COM screens for smartphone video junkies – see p20), we're also
Home Cinema Choice, ISSN 1359-6276, is published monthly with an additional
issue in May by AVTech Media Ltd, a division of MYTIMEMEDIA Ltd, Suite 25,
Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF, UK. The US annual
subscription price is 68GBP (equivalent to approximately 98USD). Airfreight
and mailing in the USA by agent named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping
looking back at the last ten years from a software perspective,
Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals post-
age paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Send address changes to Home
Cinema Choice, Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica,
NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at CDS GLOBAL Ltd, Tower House, Sovereign
Park, Market Harborough, Leicester, LE16 9EF. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.
picking our 50 favourite disc releases of the 2010s.

My view: the previous decade was a brilliant one for

Blu-ray buyers. It began with the format on solid ground
after fighting off its HD DVD rival, then saw the birth of 3D discs,
Dolby Atmos audio, 4K HDR technology and new independent
labels with a clear focus on giving collectors what they want.
Yes, studios' devotion to extra features took a bit of a hit, but
If you can’t always find a copy of
this magazine, help is at hand! I suppose you can't have everything. Will the 2020s be as
Complete this form and hand in at
your local store, they’ll arrange for exciting? Here's hoping...
a copy of each issue to be reserved
for you. Some stores may even
be able to arrange for it to be
delivered to your home.
Just ask!
Subject to availability
Editor
Please reserve/deliver my copy of Home Cinema Choice
on a regular basis, starting with issue:

Title First name

32 25 42
Surname

Address

Postcode

Telephone number

If you don’t want

to miss an issue
NEXT ISSUE ON SALE: February 20, 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

4 ISSUE 308/FEBRUARY 2020

CONTRIBUTORS
07 John Archer:
The experienced
TV tester cut his
teeth as an early
HCC staffer

Jon Thompson:
Film producer and
post-production

25 expert delves into

Hollywood and AV

Steve May:
HCC’s former Ed.

08 is one of the UK’s

most respected
AV journos

Martin Pipe:
Technical expert
Martin is renown
throughout the
industry

Richard
Stevenson:
Former Editor of
the UK CE trade
journal ERT

Ed Selley:
Audiophile Ed
mixes his home
cinema passion
with a love of vinyl

Steve Withers:
Movie fan, display
calibrator and
object-based

32 audio obsessive

FEATURES BULLETIN REGULARS

In-depth interviews and special reports.
Starts... p20
COVER STORY
20 Samsung's 2020 vision
We head to Korea to get the inside track on
the company's new 8K flagship TV, and more
25 The 50 discs of the decade
Which platters make our shortlist of the best
releases from the 2010s?
32 Dream theatres
Two stunning, high-spec home cinema
installs to whet your appetite
82 Certified: AV-Holic
Take a tour of an HCC reader's movie room
he place for hot products, trends
and technology. Starts... p7
07 OLED for the masses
Sony intros 48in A9 series 4K HDR TV
08 2000: A bass odyssey
Revamped subwoofer series from SVS
09 Denon retools HEOS line
New Home speakers look smart, are smart
10 Set your ears to stun
Audio brands prepare for the 33rd annual
Bristol Show
12 Video market surges in '19
Streaming dominates while Disney enjoys
a bumper year on disc
Whether you want our opinions or your
own, here's where to look. Starts... p73
73 Digital Copy
Mark Craven is keeping his network wired
and his headphones wireless
74 Point of View
Now that DVD is old-fashioned, how long
before it's due a retro comeback?
78 Feedback
Share your thoughts with other AV addicts
114 AV Avenger
Steve May will still be in love with Sgt
Pepper's... Atmos mix when he's 64

SELECT 14 Royale remaster

he place to look if you're planning to buy
some new AV gear. Starts... p101
101 Gear guide
HCC's comprehensive Top 10s/15s list
only the very best kit money can buy
Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall
and Spectre hit standalone 4K BD
16 Back of the net
Trailers and tech to check out on the web
COMPETITIONS
81 Great Blu-rays to be won!
Ready or Not, Sign 'O' the Times, Little
Monsters and QT: The First Eight

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 SUBSCRIBE! Sign up to the world’s best AV magazine
to save money and never miss an issue p18

46

48
52
42
'OLED technology
brings a localised
contrast that gives 66
this TV real intensity'

REVIEWS 90
With a focus on performance, these are in-depth tests you can trust... p41

COVER STORY
42 LG OLED65B9 62 B&W PX7
65in Dolby Vision OLED TV with WebOS Premium wireless headphones
smarts at a tantalising price
COVER STORY 64 Onkyo HT-S3910 PLAYBACK
46 SVS PB-3000 One part AV receiver, one part 5.1 he latest Blu-rays, DVDs, games and
Mid-range ported subwoofer aims to make speaker system books reviewed and rated. Starts... p87
your bass bigger
66 Philips 55PUS6814 88 Rambo: Last Blood
48 Denon AVR-X1600H 55in 4K Ambilight LED TV with multi- 89 Hustlers [4K US import]; Asterix and the
Entry-level seven-channel receiver delivers HDR support Secret of the Magic Potion; QT8: The First
plenty of bang for buck Eight; Blinded by the Light
68 Yamaha YAS-209 90 Ad Astra [4K]
52 B&W Formation Suite 5.1 2.1 system adds Alexa voice control 92 Death Stranding; Fear and Loathing in Las
High-end wireless soundbar system Vegas: Limited Edition; Night Tide: Limited
Edition; Cloak and Dagger
70 Long-term test: Arcam AVR850
56 BenQ TH535 Does this Dirac-equipped seven-channel
93 Joker
Budget Full HD DLP projector with a 3D trick receiver still dazzle? 94 The Exorcist III: Limited Edition; Winter
Kills; Gwendoline: Limited Edition; The
up its sleeve Protector
96 Suspiria [4K US import]; Fear The Walking
58 Sony HT-X8500 Dead: The Complete Fifth Season; The
Single-box Atmos-equipped soundbar Beyond; Killer Crocodile 1 & 2: Collector's
Edition
60 Google Stadia 98 6 Underground (Netflix); The Witcher
Cloud-based gaming platform (Netflix)

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

Bring spectacular home
Be immersed in the action. Movie, sport and
gaming like you’ve never experienced before. VPL-VW570ES

Discover true 4K HDR quality with our latest

Home Cinema projectors

Find out more at VPL-VW270ES

pro.sony/home-cinema-projectors

AWARD
RDS
DS 2019
9//2
/20
Best High-End Projector
SONY
VPL-VW570ES
 WWW.HOMECINEMACHOICE .COM 7

BULLETIN
➜News highlights SVS 2000 Pro Series subwoofers come in three flavours
DENON New-look Home speakers join HEOS multiroom range IFI Aurora premium desktop speaker
AT THE PLEX This month's cinema releases NEWS X10 Hot news stories in bite-sized chunks
LICENCE TO THRILL? Daniel Craig 007 quartet lands on Ultra HD Blu-ray & MORE!

OLED for the masses

Sony A9 48in ➜ www.sony.co.uk

OLED technology will continue to push into the

mainstream TV market in 2020 with a smaller 48in
panel, and Sony is an initial adopter with its new
A9 model. Pricing for the Dolby Vision and Dolby
Atmos-enabled set, announced at CES, is still to ONLINE…
be revealed, but confirmed specifications include For breaking AV news, blogs, features and
a new OLED-specific version of Sony's X-Motion reviews visit www.homecinemachoice.com
Clarity processing, Ambient Optimization tool for Follow us on Twitter @hccmag
Like us on Facebook
automatic image/audio adjustment depending on facebook.com/homecinemachoice
room environment, and X1 Ultimate picture engine.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
8 SVS 2000 PRO SERIES/PL AYLIST

2000: A bass odyssey

SVS 2000 Pro Series ➜ www.svsound.com

SVS's new 2000 Pro Series of subwoofers replaces

the previous 2000 Series and comes in sealed,
ported and cylinder versions (pictured), all under the
£1,000 price mark. A proprietary 12in high-excursion
woofer has been designed specifically for the range,
driven by a 550W Sledge amplifier, and the lineup
becomes the new entry-point for SVS's app-based
control/EQ system, which offers access to preset
sound modes, crossover adjustment, room gain
compensation and three-band parametric EQ.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020 BACKGROUND IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/SEAMOUNTAIN


Meet NAD's flagship BluOS amp
The latest addition
to NAD's Masters
Series of high-end
components is
the M33, a BluOS-
equipped streaming
amplifier the brand says will act as 'the heart
of a reference whole-home system.' Priced
£4,000 and on sale from March, the 2 x
200W HybridDigital amp utilises Dirac
Live room correction, and packs dual
independent subwoofer outputs amongst
its connections. Other features include
an onboard headphone amp, HDMI eARC
hookup, 7in touchscreen and ESS Sabre DAC.
www.bluesound.com
Denon retools HEOS line
Home series of standalone speakers sports 'all-new design language'
It's over five years since Denon debuted its HEOS
range of multiroom products, beginning with the
HEOS 1, 3, 5 and 7 standalone speakers. But now,
with the eco-system expanded to include
soundbars, AV receivers and more, it's returned
to its wireless speakers and given them a
comprehensive refresh.
Denon Home is the brand's new range of
HEOS-integrated speakers, and replaces the
previous series. At launch, it comprises three
models – the Home 150 (£220), Home 250 (£450)
and Home 350 (£600).
The company says it has introduced a new 'design
language', which equates to a wholesale aesthetic
makeover and some new features. The angular
cabinets of earlier HEOS boxes are replaced by a
cleaner, less fussy approach with soft corners and
wraparound grilles. The speakers' buttonless panels
have proximity sensors to light up touch controls
(including Quick Select customisable source
presets) when your hand approaches. The cloth
grilles are also now water- and stain-resistant.
All are fully compatible with existing HEOS
hardware and the HEOS app, and introduce
expected system features including streaming
service support (Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music,
Amazon Music HD, Deezer, TuneIn and more);
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmission; and Apple
AirPlay 2. Hi-res file playback, via a network
or the Home speakers' USB input, runs
to 192kHz/24-bit FLAC, ALAC and WAV,
and 5.6MHz DSD.
Voice control (Google
Assistant, Apple Siri, Amazon
Alexa) is achieved via
respective hardware, yet
all three models have an
in-built microphone – an
update to integrate Alexa voice
BULLETIN 9
JBL preps Dolby Atmos soundbar
Playlist...
JBL has revisited
its multichannel Team HCC spins up its
soundbar platform film picks of the month
to introduce Dolby
Atmos support. The Rogue One: A Star Wars
Bar 9.1 – as its name Story (Sky Cinema)
suggests – delivers a
nine-channel soundstage, with four upfiring
drivers shared across its LCR soundbar and
wireless, battery-powered surrounds. A 10in
subwoofer handles the low-end, while the
'bar incorporates Dolby Vision-enabled HDMI
connectivity, Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2. Superior Star Wars spin-off proves
UK pricing is yet to be announced, but it will the franchise can still deliver
sell in the US for $1,000. outside of the Skywalker saga.
www.jbl.co.uk
Die Hard (4K BD)
A re-watch on the impressive 4K
platter of, arguably, the greatest
All models have wraparound cloth grilles
Christmas movie ever made.
RoboCop: Limited
Edition (BD)
We're still working our way
through the plethora of extra
features (and three different cuts
control will follow later this year. There's also a of the movie) on Arrow's new BD.
3.5mm input. The Miracle Worker
The entry-level Home 150 is a twin-driver model, (Blu-ray)
with two Class D amps (power rating unspecified)
feeding a 1in tweeter and 3.5in woofer, while the
larger Home 250 has a stereo driver array (2 x angled
0.75in tweeters, 2 x 4in woofers and a 5.25in passive
bass radiator). The Home 350 flagship, which Denon
describes as 'the beast' of the lineup, employs six
amplifiers to drive its twin 0.75in tweeters, twin
A terrific-looking UK HD debut for
2in midrange units and pair of 6in active woofers.
the ferocious, yet inspirational,
Two of the speakers can be assigned
Oscar-winning Helen Keller biopic.
in the HEOS app to run as a stereo
pair, with Denon's DSW-1H Being There (Blu-ray)
subwoofer added for 2.1 playback.
The company also suggests using
them as surround models with
its DHT-S716H soundbar for
a multichannel setup.
Denon's Home speakers will
be available in shops by the end of Hal Ashby’s brilliant political
January, in white or black finishes. satire finally gets the Blu-ray
www.denon.co.uk release it deserves courtesy of
The Criterion Collection.
The entry-level two-way Home 150
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
10 IFI AURORA/BRISTOL SHOW

At the 'plex…
Heading out to see a flick?
Catch these this month
The Grudge (2020)
January 24: Andre Riseborough
toplines (and Sam Raimi
produces) this reboot/sequel
for the US iteration of the
Japanese horror series. First
mooted in 2011, will franchise
fans think it was worth the wait?
The Lighthouse
January 31: Following film festival
buzz, this chiller – shot in
black-and-white and the retro
1.19:1 'Movietone' aspect ratio
– finally lands in cinemas. Willem
Dafoe and Robert Pattinson star.
Birds of Prey
February 7: The DC Extended
Universe spreads its wings with
this female-led spin-off from
2016's Suicide Squad, teaming up
Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn with
a coterie of outcast anti-heroes.
Ewan McGregor is on villain duty
as Black Mask.
Set your ears to stun
February's Bristol Show lines up old favourites and new brands
The Bristol Show returns next
Fyne Audio will debut its F704
month for the 33rd year, once flagship at Bristol
again aiming to give hi-fi (and
home cinema) enthusiasts the
chance to demo systems, pick up
some bargains and get ears-on
with product debuts.
Taking place from Friday,
February 21 to Sunday, February 23,
at its now traditional Marriot City
Centre hotel venue, the show will
feature audio brands from the UK
and beyond. Confirmed among the
more than 150 companies set to
exhibit are loudspeaker stalwarts
Acoustic Energy, ATC, Bowers &
Wilkins, DALI, Dynaudio, ELAC,
Elipson, Focal, Jamo, KEF, Monitor Audio, PMC, Revel flavour' as it
and Wilson Benesch, plus electronics specialists showcases
Arcam, Astell & Kern, AudioQuest, Bryston, Chord three new
Electronics, Denon, Emotiva and Primare. additions to its
premium F700
Logan's run Series: the
Making its Bristol Show debut will be US brand standmount
Martin Logan, a result of a new deal with UK-based F700 (£2,500) and F701 (£4,000) plus a fresh
PMC Distribution. Show-goers will be given the range-topper – the £11,000-per-pair F704 – with
opportunity to experience Martin Logan's flagship both a 12in IsoFlare driver and 12in auxiliary bass unit.
Masterpiece Series electrostatic speakers, plus The show dropped its Sound & Vision branding
its somewhat more real-world Motion Series. last year to reflect its increasing focus on audio rather
'What is little known in the UK is that Martin Logan than video, but home cinema fans can still expect
has an extensive range of speakers that have multichannel demonstrations and lashings of LFE.
inherited the DNA of the flagship products but at Subwoofer specialists SVS and REL will both be
a much more affordable price, making the Martin in attendance, and expected to demo their new
Logan magic available to everyone,' says PMC SB 2000 Pro and Series S models, respectively.
Distribution director Ian Sutton. 'For this reason Ticket prices for The Bristol Show are £14 for
we are making a special effort to bring the entire a one-day pass, and £25 for a two-day pass, plus
range to the Bristol Show.' concession rates. Visit the website below for more
Audio marque Fyne Audio, meanwhile, is information.
promising 'to rock Bristol with a distinctly Scottish www.bristolshow.co.uk

iFi's light entertainment?

Brit brand launches Aurora premium all-in-one system

Claiming to fill your room with sound 'as the
Aurora Borealis fills the sky with light,' iFi's
Aurora tabletop audio system takes aim at the
top-tier all-in-one market and carries a £1,300
price tag to match its ambition.
The speaker sports a bamboo-clad chassis and
aluminium frame/strand (inspired by Japanese
architecture, we're told), and features eight
custom drivers (four 5in midbass, two 1in tweeters
and two passive radiators). Power comes from a
hybrid mashup of valve-based pre-amplification
and solid state amplification, with the result being,
says iFi, 'a seamlessly coherent performance.'
192kHz/32-bit compatible connectivity includes The Aurora bolsters its active bass
Wi-Fi (with WPS setup), USB and Ethernet, while the output via twin passive radiators
Bluetooth spec includes aptX Adaptive and aptX HD,
plus LDAC. Traditionalists can also
feed sources via the Aurora's
optical and coaxial ports,
3.5mm jack, and stereo
analogue input.
Other features are
automatic room tuning, 'depth'
(bass) control, AirPlay and
Spotify Connect integration.
www.ifi-audio.com

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

12 BASE/NEWS X10

Press play
Discs spinning your way
Video market surges in '19
Streaming platforms dominate, while Disney rules on physical media
in the coming month…
January 27 The UK's home entertainment market has been Liz Bales: 'The reality is that consumption
boosted by a proliferation of consumption habits are changing and are likely to
continue to do so'
models that bring unprecedented access to
content for film and TV fans, according to the around 16 per cent of the Blu-ray
end-of-year report by the British Association for market (which itself accounts for
Screen Entertainment (BASE). 27 per cent of the disc market,
Indeed, the organisation's analysis of 2019's up from 24.3 per cent). And
Ad Astra (BD/4K) consumer trends and best-selling titles finds physical purchase trumps digital download, says
His Dark Materials: Season One (BD) a picture that's 'far from black and white', with the BASE: 'Where ownership is concerned, the disc is
Beverly Hills Cop 1-3 (BD) old battlelines of physical media vs digital media currently still the preferred choice for many fans,
Winter Kills (BD) becoming blurred. Consumers are likely to shop collectors and gifters.'
Doctor Who: The Collection across formats. Of the major studios, Walt Disney enjoyed a
– Season 26 (BD) And the video market as a whole is healthy. bumper 2019, with an 18.6 per cent market share (by
Cujo (BD) BASE estimates its total value in 2019 to have value) of physical media sales – albeit assisted by its
Downton Abbey: The Movie (BD) reached £2.6billion, a growth of 9.5 per cent over acquisition of 20th Century Fox. The latter's Freddie
Hotel Mumbai (BD) the previous year. Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody topped the
Cloak and Dagger – The Masters Blu-ray/DVD chart from the Official Charts Company,
of Cinema Series (BD) A nation of SVOD addicts followed by Avengers: Endgame (Disney), A Star is
The biggest chunk of that overall figure comes Born (Warner Bros.), Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes
February 3 from our SVOD subscription fees. Around £1.7billion of Grindelwald (Warner Bros.) and Mary Poppins
(65.9 per cent) has been coined by streaming Returns (Disney). Add in digital purchases, and
platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Bohemian Rhapsody claimed more than 1.7m sales.
Such businesses may be coy about releasing viewing Further Disney titles including Dumbo, Captain
figures, but there's no doubting the impact they've Marvel, Toy Story 4, The Lion King and Aladdin, and
had on the home entertainment landscape. back-catalogue buys of Avengers: Infinity War,
They also have a knock-on efect to other areas contributed to it grabbing top spot.
Boyz N the Hood (BD/4K) of the market, says BASE: 'These services not only Says Liz Bales, BASE Chief Executive: 'In a year
Dracula [2020] (BD) provide a diversity of choice for consumers, but they that has seen consolidation between studios and
Judy (BD) also serve as a launchpad for high-quality original independent distributors alike, the reality is that
The Courier (BD) content that often then goes on to reach an even consumption habits are changing and are likely to
Fail Safe – The Criterion Collection wider audience via transactional [physical and continue to do so, with the debut of D2C services like
(BD) digital download] formats. Disney+, Peacock and HBO Max all likely to further
The Breakfast Club: 35th While streaming now easily accounts for catalyse that change.
Anniversary Edition (BD) more than half of UK spend on screen 'At the same time, it remains clear that ownership
February 10 entertainment, it's not all doom and gloom – whether on the best possible
for lovers of silver discs. The DVD physical formats like Blu-ray and
format remains the backbone 4K UHD or, increasingly, digital
of physical media sales, but the ownership with its own set of
shares taken by Blu-ray and flexible benefits – remains of
4K Blu-ray both grew in 2019 – significant value to many of us.'
the latter now representing baseorg.uk
Shutter Island (BD/4K)
A Shaun the Sheep Movie – Bohemian Rhapsody
topped the disc/digital
Farmageddon (BD/4K) chart, but even 2018's
Abominable (BD/4K) Avengers: Infinity War
Casino Royal (BD/4K) added to Disney's
bumper 2019
Quantum of Solace (BD/4K)
Spectre (BD/4K)
Skyfall (BD/4K)
Joker (BD/4K)
Hotel Du Nord (BD)
February 17
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
(BD/3D/4K)
Gemini Man (BD/4K)
The Hunt for Red October (BD/4K)
The Essential Jacques Demy
Collection (BD)

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


This month’s top 10 news stories in handy, bite-sized chunks...
1
Onkyo and Pioneer get chatty
Firmware updates have arrived that bring
Amazon Alexa voice control to AV receivers from
Pioneer and Onkyo – although, naturally,
you'll also need an Alexa device (an Echo speaker,
for instance). Compatible models are Onkyo's
TX-RZ840, TX-RZ740, TX-NR797 and TX-NR696,
and Pioneer's SC-LX904, SC-LX704, VSX-LX504
and VSX-LX304.
2
Sky gets
creative
Sky has announced
plans to build a
32-acre 'state-of-the-art' TV
and film studio at Elstree.
Scheduled to open in 2022,
it will include 14 soundstages,
post-production facilities,
set construction workshop
and screening room.
3
Game on!
BT Sport has launched a no-subscription
monthly pass model to give contract
refuseniks a chance to view its prized assets
(including UEFA Champions League and Premier
League football). The pass, priced £25, enables
viewing on the BT Sport App on Apple/Android
devices, through Sony PlayStation 4, Apple TV, Xbox
One and Chromecast devices, and Samsung smart
TVs. BT Sport Ultimate content (4K HDR) is included.
4
The kids aren't alright
Remember The New Mutants, the horror-
inflected teenage X-Men movie that was
meant to hit cinemas back in 2018 but was
pulled due to poor test screenings? Disney, which
now owns the property after its acquisition of 20th
Century Fox, has finally scheduled it for an April 2020
release. There have apparently been no reshoots
– but maybe some serious editing...
5
Beeb celebrates
BBC iPlayer has had its best ever 'festive
period' (December 20-January 2), according
to the BBC. Buoyed by new release content
including A Christmas Carol, Dracula and the
Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special – plus the usual
EastEnders and Match of the Day catchups – the
service amassed 203million streams/downloads,
an increase of around a third compared to the same
period 12 months ago.
6
Hey Google, you're sued!
Multiroom speaker maestro Sonos is
suing Google, claiming it has infringed on
patents relating to its wireless speakers.
'Google has not shown any willingness to work with
us on a mutually beneficial solution,' said Sonos
chief exec Patrick Spence. 'We’re left with no choice
but to litigate.'
7
Tidal adds Atmos
It seems streaming services can't get enough
of immersive audio, and Tidal – having
earlier introduced Sony 360 Reality Audio
content – has now added Dolby Atmos to its library.
Subscribers to the top-level Hi-Fi tier gain access
to remixed tracks including Rush's Tom Sawyer,
James Brown's Super Bad, and, er, Sheryl Crow's
All I Wanna Do.
8
Galaxy no
longer far,
far, away
Samsung's first
AI-powered wireless speaker
will finally launch in 2020,
says the electronics giant,
following public beta testing
late last year in South Korea.
The Galaxy Home Mini
(not the larger Galaxy Home
initially promised back in
2018) will compete in the
same market as Amazon's
Echo and Google's Home speakers, but will use
Samsung's proprietary Bixby assistant to spin tracks
and control smart home devices.
9
HD arrrrrrgggggh
The dynamic metadata HDR format war
continues to rumble on, with the Google
Play Movies platform now signing up to
the HDR10+ camp. Rival Apple, of course, remains
a Dolby Vision stalwart.
10
Feel the Force
Want to own Star Wars Episodes I-IX
on 4K Blu-ray? Of course you do.
Disney will be releasing the movies
in a Skywalker Saga boxset later this year, and has
already made it available for pre-order with a £180
price tag. Each film will get a disc of bonus features
and a Dolby Atmos soundmix.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
BULLETIN 13
Premiere...
What's happening in the
world of TV and films
Smith's going shopping
Following last year's Jay and Silent
Bob Reboot (pictured), Kevin Smith
has revealed he's now working
on a sequel to another of his
'ViewAskewnisvere' movies,
1995's Mallrats, with the working
title Twilight of the Mallrats. He's
also said previously he's planning
a third film in the Clerks series.
Raimi is dead again
Sam Raimi has confirmed he's
working on a new movie in the Evil
Dead franchise, albeit as producer.
In a Q&A session on Reddit he did,
however, say he'd 'love' to direct a
new Evil Dead flick, but only if Bruce
Campbell could be persuaded to
return to the role of Ash.
Farrell fitted for
Penguin suit
Colin Farrell has joined the cast of
Warner Bros.' The Batman. In the
film, due in cinemas 2021 and
directed by Matt Reeves, he'll play
The Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot,
going up against Robert Pattinson's
Caped Crusader.
We asked...
How many channels is
your cinema speaker
system?
■ Stereo/2.1 ■ 5.1 ■ 7.1 ■ 5.1.2
■ 7.1.2 ■ 7.1.4 ■ Other
8%
13%
12%
36%
8%
12%
11%
Results from www.homecinemachoice.com
Go online for more polling action
14 DISC PREVIEW

Royale remaster
Casino Royale ➜ 20th Century Fox ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray

After last year's boxset,

Fox is now giving Daniel
Craig's James Bond
adventures standalone
4K Blu-ray releases on
February 10. Casino Royale,
plus Quantum of Solace,
Skyfall and Spectre
(pictured below) each
receive a 4K HDR makeover
(including Dolby Vision grading), but soundmixes
remain the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 7.1 tracks
from previous Blu-rays, and existing extra features
are ported over.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 NOW G
IN
OFFER
D ES IGN
3DWITH FULL
USE
IN-HO TION!
CA
FABRI

Award winning
home cinemas
At Cyberhomes our home cinemas and smart home installations
aren’t just about the amazing 4K picture and immersive Dolby
Atmos sound.
We can also implement the lighting, the seating, the room acoustic treatments,
the intuitive control system from Savant, Crestron or Control4, and so much more.

7RÀQGRXWPRUHGHWDLOVFDOO0333 344 3718 or

visit www.cyberhomes.co.uk/hcc

FINALIST
Best Home Cinema
under £40,000

Home cinema design and installation • Lighting control systems • Multi-room audio and video
Home automation • CCTV and security • Managed Wi-Fi networks • Climate control

0333 344 3718 hello@cyberhomes.co.uk www.cyberhomes.co.uk

16 TENET/WIL SON AUDIO

Face to Face
Topics of discussion on
Back of the 'net
Trailers, technology and more to check out on the web
the HCC Facebook page
On the £180 Star Wars
Saga 4K BD boxset

I've pre-ordered, but in two minds.

Having purchased on VHS, the
special editions on NTSC LD, PAL
LD, DVD and Blu-ray, I think they've It was acceptable in the '80s Horsing around
had enough of my money! Gal Gadot returns in Wonder Woman 1984 in June, Fans of composers Ennio Morricone, Luis Bacalov
Martin Hillary and Warner Bros is pushing the period setting in and Riz Ortolani should saddle up and head to
this debut trailer soundtracked by New Order's London's Royal Festival Hall on April 23 for a one-off
Pre-ordered before Christmas. For
Blue Monday. Get your first look at Pedro Pascal as 'The Greatest Themes From Spaghetti Westerns'
me it's an essential purchase. Bear
Maxwell Lord, Kristen Wig as Cheetah, and Chris Pine concert, with a full symphony orchestra. Tickets
in mind that in the US it's $350 for
back from the dead(?) as Steve Wilson. on sale now from the South Bank Centre.
the exact same set which makes
youtu.be/rjIpY2cQBI8 www.southbankcentre.co.uk
it much more palatable in the UK.
Nick Guy
Pre-ordered!
TOP
Richard Sales
PICK
What you're watching
on your home cinema...
Angel Has Fallen 4K
[pictured], Once Upon
a Time in Hollywood 4K
and The Lion King 4K.
Andy Clark
Fantastic Beasts 2 in 3D and An hour with Marty Moving in mysterious ways
Bumblebee on 4K. Martin Scorsese delivered BAFTA's David Lean lecture The plot of Christopher Nolan's Tenet – due in
Tasos Tortoridis late last year and it's now available for anyone to cinemas in July – has long been shrouded in
Currently watching Lucy in 4K HDR, enjoy (albeit audio-only). Over the course of an hour, secrecy, and this intriguing first trailer doesn't do
but watching The Gentlemen at the legendary director delves deep into his career much to spill the beans, beyond confirming its
the cinema tomorrow. (including The Irishman) and the inspiration he took time-travel roots and the presence of regular
Daryl Steer from his peers. Chatty and amiable. Nolan collaborator Michael Caine.
Apollo 11. youtu.be/BV7h0DJ9yfo youtu.be/LdOM0x0XDMo
Mark Bridle
UK Premiership rugby, and then
Toy Story 4.
Paul Alsop
The Deuce
Dan Mann
The John Wick boxset on 4K
Blu-ray.
Paul Vaughan
Stealth, The Hitman's Bodyguard,
Transcendence and then The
Gentlemen at the cinema. Ooh la la The boys are back in town
Lee Regan Another time-lapse video of a home cinema A trailer for the second season of Sky's buddy cop
makeover by install company UK Home Cinemas, action series Bulletproof, starring Noel Clarke and
Join in the fun this time in a villa in the South of France with an Ashley Walters, has arrived, teasing more of the same
Like our page at owner demanding an 'opulent' aesthetic, complete gun-fights, car chases and bickering. No release date
facebook.com/ with star ceiling. An informative voiceover talks you yet (just a 'Coming Soon' tease) but we expect it to
HomeCinemaChoice through the silent movie-esque visuals... air in the Spring, hopefully with Atmos sonics again.
youtu.be/mCMHaz8EEyI youtu.be/Ak2SQUalbs8

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 BULLETIN 17

Super sonics
Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX ➜ www.absolutesounds.com

Couldn't afford Wilson Audio's made-to-order,

£700,000-per-pair WAMM Master Chronosonic
speakers? Not to worry, it's now unveiled the
£330,000-per-pair Chronosonic XVX, which once
again aims for unerring time domain accuracy via
a towering array of drivers – including 10.5in and
12.5in woofers – and can be finished in any custom
paint job you want. 'An astonishingly crisp, clear and
dynamic sounding loudspeaker, capable of immense
sonic scale,' is the boast.

Standard finishes include

Viola Pearl (left)

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

Great Savings
when you subscribe to Home Cinema Choice today

PRINT+
DIGITAL
SUBSCRIPTION

13 issues delivered to your door

Great savings on the shop price
Download each new issue to your device
A 74% discount on your Digital subscription
Access your subscription on multiple devices

PRINT
SUBSCRIPTION

DIGITAL-ONLY
13 issues delivered to your door SUBSCRIPTIONS
Great savings on the shop price
AVAILABLE
ONLINE…
Never miss an issue

SUBSCRIBE SECURELY ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE TODAY http://hcc.secureorder.co.uk/HCC/HCC0220P
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Offer ends 19th February 2020. *Discounts may vary dependent on payment method selected. Please see www.homecinemachoice.com/terms for full terms & conditions
 SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

DIRECT DEBIT SUBSCRIPTIONS UK ONLY

Yes, I would like to subscribe to Home Cinema Choice
Print + Digital: £13.75 every 3 months
Print: £11.50 every 3 months

E 74% YOUR DETAILS MUST BE COMPLETED

V
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms........................... Initial................ Surname...........................................................

A
S DIGITAL NS Address ...................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................

ON IPTIO Postcode .............................................................. Country ................................................................

BSCR ds Tel ........................................................................... Mobile.....................................................................

SU Offer en ary Email ...................................................................... D.O.B ......................................................................

th Febru I WOULD LIKE TO SEND A GIFT TO:

19 020 Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms........................... Initial................ Surname...........................................................

2 Address ...................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
Postcode .............................................................. Country ................................................................

INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BANK/BUILDING SOCIETY

Originator’s reference 422562
Name of bank.........................................................................................................................................
Address of bank.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................. Postcode ...............................................
Account holder.......................................................................................................................................
Signature....................................................................................... Date ................................................

Sort code Account number

Instructions to your bank or building society: Please pay MyTimeMedia Ltd. Direct Debits from
the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit
Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with MyTimeMedia Ltd and if so, details
will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.

Reference Number (official use only)

Please note that banks and building societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions from
some types of account.

CARD PAYMENTS & OVERSEAS

Yes, I would like to subscribe to Home Cinema Choice, for 1 year

(13 issues) with a one-off payment
UK ONLY: EUROPE & ROW:
Print + Digital: £57.99 EU Print + Digital: £78.99
Print: £48.99 EU Print: £69.99

IN EVERY ISSUE ROW Print + Digital: £78.99

ROW Print: £69.99

Kit reviews, PAYMENT DETAILS

Postal Order/Cheque Visa/MasterCard Maestro

movies and TV, installs, Please make cheques payable to MyTimeMedia Ltd and write code HCC0220P on the back

Cardholder’s name..............................................................................................................................

accessories, insight, Card no: (Maestro)

opinion, competitions Valid from...................................... Expiry date.......................... Maestro issue no......................

Signature................................................................................ Date.....................................................

+ more Offer ends 19th February 2020. AV Tech Media collects your data so that we can fulfil your subscription. We may also,
from time to time, send you details of AV Tech Media offers, events and competitions but you always have a choice and
can opt out by emailing us at unsubscribe@ homecinemachoice.com. Please select here if you are happy to receive
such offers by email ❏ by post ❏ by phone ❏. We do not share or sell your data with/to third parties. Details you share
with us will be managed as outlined in our Privacy Policy here http://www.mytimemedia.co.uk/privacy-policy.

CALL OUR ORDER LINE POST THIS FORM TO: HOME CINEMA CHOICE,
MY TIME MEDIA LTD, 3 QUEENSBRIDGE, THE LAKES,
0344 243 9023 (quote ref HCC0220P) NORTHAMPTON, NN4 7BF
Lines open Mon - Fri - 8.00am - 8.00pm GMT & Sat - 9.30am - 3.30pm GMT
UK Calls costs 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Overseas calls will cost more Please visit www.homecinemachoice.com/terms for full terms & conditions CODE HCC0220P
20

d
e nh ance
and ng
sc reens S amsu
y
g , Infinit pe c t from n more
rnin x ar
ee p lea w e can e r e a to le
k d at s K o
l n e twor f the tre to South
a o
Neur s
e
t som ay travell
ed
– ju M
HDR . S teve
ea r
this y

2020
vision

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 ACCESS ALL AREAS 21

SAMSUNG IS ROLLING out a host of new TV

technologies during 2020 which it believes will give
it an upper hand in the next-gen screen market.
Not only is it widening its 8K offering, it’s also
democratising its 4K line with cheaper UHD sets.
If you’re looking to upgrade, be it from 1080p or
even first-gen UHD models, the year could be off
to a great start.
To get a closer look, HCC travelled to Samsung’s
Digital City in Suwon, 30 kilometres south of Seoul
in South Korea. It's a sprawling technology complex
comprising 128 buildings, with multiple R&D centres,
shopping malls and even a basketball court or ten.
Here we enjoyed an early hands-on with the QLED
screens unveiled at CES earlier this month.
Quick takeaway: AI upscaling is getting smarter
and 8K TVs are becoming correspondingly cheaper.
That’s a win-win.

To infinity and beyond

The brand’s 8K range begins with the new
‘affordable’ Q800TS series, from 55in upwards,
and peaks with the top-of-the-line Q950TS.
The latter is astonishingly thin for a big TV with
full array backlight, at just 14.9mm, and appears to
be all panel. It’s only under closer inspection that
its multi-driver speaker array becomes visible,
revealed by perforations around the cabinet
edge. Samsung's One Connect Box is retained on
the Q950TS (and the top-flight 4K offering), but
doesn't feature elsewhere. It seems consumers just
weren’t prepared to pay a premium for an external
function junction.
Cosmetics, long a strong point for the brand,
have been given high priority on the Q950TS. A new
Infinity design, which sees the bezel reduced to just
2mm, minimises the black border to better showcase
ultra-sharp 8K imagery.
Samsung has also souped-up its AI upscaling,
with the adoption of neural network deep learning,
which – when used in association with machine
learning – does a remarkably convincing job (based
on early demos) aggrandizing HD and 4K content.
Enhanced texture creation, noise reduction,
edge restoration and detail restoration all add
depth and believability.
Deep learning aims to solve problems
simply too complicated for machine learning.
So how big a leap in PQ does it offer?
'Machine learning can distinguish between
a man and a cat. Deep learning can tell you
the breed of the cat,' we’re helpfully told.
With this level of image manipulation,
perhaps native 8K content isn’t that
important after all. Yet while it remains
elusive, at least when it comes to movies
and TV programming, it’s slowly becoming
a reality, with gaming identified as an early
opportunity. The incoming Xbox Series X
console has the graphical chops to deliver
4320p imagery (although frame rates are
yet to be revealed), and the PlayStation 5 is
certain to follow suit. Codec advancements
also promise more independent 8K content,
via YouTube and Vimeo.
The Q950TS introduces a new ultra-slim-
bezel Infinity design
Samsung's hi-tech Digital City
still flaunts some of its legacy,
lower-tech, TVs...
HDR gets active
One thing you almost certainly won’t see on
Samsung’s 2020 QLEDs is multi-HDR support.
While we were visiting, there was zero indication
that the brand was planning to add Dolby Vision
support to its screens. It is, however, making
changes to active tone mapping, which is applied
to both HDR10 and HDR10+ on a frame-by-frame
basis. Using an algorithm said to employ the
same processing methodology as that used in an
HDR10+ mastering suite, the results, it intimates,
are just as good.
Samsung QLED screens have traditionally
pushed the envelope when it comes to HDR
peak brightness, and there’s even more to come.
Its engineers have managed to improve
HDR peak brightness on full array backlit
models upwards of 20 per cent, thanks to
judicious power management. Think of it
as backlight power steering.
By controlling the current to the full
array clusters, and applying whizz-bang
signal processing, Samsung's 2020
sets can deliver seemingly brighter
highlights and better colour saturation
than ever before.
Enthusiasts may wonder just how faithful
this extra pop is to the creative intent,
and that’s impossible to tell, but such
speculation is largely irrelevant. This is
TV as beauty contest – and the results
certainly look gorgeous.
There are also significant upgrades
to audio. That premium Q950TS offers a
4.2.2 speaker configuration, with discrete
drivers placed top, bottom and on the

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

22 SAMSUNG 2020
MicroLED TV
Samsung's nascent screen
tech thinks small(er)…
Samsung has announced a wider
range of MicroLED TVs for 2020
(the technology previously broke
cover as its ultra-large The Wall
in 2018), including 4K 75in, 88in
and 93in iterations that just might
tempt well-heeled consumers
as well as commercial buyers – in
addition to 110in (4K), 150in (8K)
and 292in (8K) options.
MicroLED uses sub-pixel-level
LEDs to replace the traditional
backlight of an LCD display,
ofering an increase in illumination
precision, colour subtlety and
energy efficiency. Peak brightness,
says Samsung, reaches 5,000 nits.
Describing the modular tech
(multiple panels can be connected
together) as 'home-ready',
Samsung believes its MicroLED
screens are suited to 'a variety'
of lifestyles. Although the
eventual price tags (TBC)
might be of-putting...
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
sides, allied to object tracking to handle soundstage
steering. And the set comes with integrated sound
calibration, using the microphone built in to the
remote control.
Rather ingeniously, these models can be
partnered with a 2020 Samsung soundbar, for
what is called Symphony Sound. Rather than
simply delegate audio duties to an attached
soundbar using HDMI ARC, the two products work
together, the high speakers in the TV partnering
with the soundbar to deliver an immersive Dolby
Atmos listening experience from both 'bar and
screen. Demos of this co-op approach impressed
with an expansive wall of sound. It makes you
wonder why no one has thought to do it before.
Samsung’s 2020 best-seller could well turn out
to be the Q60T, a mass-market UHD set with big
kerb appeal. Sibling models include the Q70T, Q80T
and Q90T, which offer incremental benefits,
including 4K Quantum upscaling.
Interestingly, Samsung has adopted a new Dual
LED backlighting technique for its incoming Q60T
and Q70T edge-lit QLEDs. By utilizing two different
LED colour temperatures (5,000K and 2,000K), the
company says it's been able to significantly boost
contrast to offer better black level performance
and improve viewing angles.
As an aside from all the performance frippery,
Samsung has also worked up some fancy new
ambient modes, including a rather cool music
visualizer. Its Bixby smart platform will also start
to preempt your picture mode choice, on the Q90T
and above, based on viewing habits.
Making connections
Not everything I saw in Korea was good to go.
Much was still in fast-track development. One rather
nifty wheeze had the working title ‘Device Graph.’ It’s
essentially a connected device sniffer for both wired
and wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) hardware. Items are
Samsung's product stable
runs the gamut from the
rotating-screen Sero TV to
monster 8K models
picked up and registered without any laborious
effort from the user. It sits as an app in the Tizen bar.
After a three-minute sweep, you’re presented with
a graphical map of connected gadgets, even IoT kit,
including Philips Hue and ZigBee devices. It looks
a bit like submarine sonar.
While there’s plenty of deep science going on
beneath the hood, some more obvious feature
innovations are likely to court gamers. A Multi View
mode allows players to view a video stream of
a tutorial in a PIP window, while actually playing
through the game itself.
The brand says it’s also managed to drive input
lag down to a class-leading 10ms.
And if you’re looking for something a little
different, why not consider the Sero? Part of the
brand’s out-of-the-box designer range, it’s ostensibly
targeted at millennials used to watching vertical
content on their smartphones. The Sero has a
rotating 43in QLED screen, which at the touch
of a button switches from landscape to portrait
format, allowing easy casting from mobile to panel.
First surprise is just how effortless this transition
looks, the second is the quality of the 4.1 sound
system built into the Sero’s base. It’s demonstrably
good enough for Bluetooth music listening.
Following its Korean rollout in 2019, the Sero
is now gyrating in the UK and Europe.
One way or another, Samsung seems determined
to change the way we watch TV ■
 BOOM
SPL SERIES SUBWOOFERS
Klipsch SPL subwoofers tell your guests how seriously you
take your home theatre sound. With a beautiful aesthetic,
highlighted by the spun copper Cerametallic™ woofer, and a
clean yet earth-shakingly powerful low-frequency delivery;
get ready for best-in-class sound from any of the 10”, 12” or
SPL- 150SW 15” solutions.
SPL- 120SW
SPL- 100SW
KEY FEATURES:
• 10”- 15” Spun Copper Cerametallic™ Woofers
• Bass-Reflex via Exclusive Front-Firing Internal-Flare Port
• High quality Class D amplifiers
• Premium Scratch-Resistant Finish
• Strong, Flexible Removable Grills

Distributed
Distributedby byHenley
HenleyAudio
Audio
T:T:+44
+44(0)
(0)1235
1235511
511166
166 | | E:E:sales@henleyaudio.co.uk
sales@henleyaudio.co.uk | | W:
W:www.henleyaudio.co.uk
www.henleyaudio.co.uk | : HenleyAudioUK | : HenleyAudio
 There may be a reason for picking an alternate
high-end processor like Datasat or Trinnov, but
WKH03DQG6'$DPSOLȴHUVDUHHTXDOWR
or better than those other processors when it
FRPHVWRVRXQGTXDOLW\
7KHVHSURGXFWVDUHQRZLQDFODVVRIWKHLURZQ

Berkshire$GHSWȃZZZDGHSWLVFRP
Buckinghamshire$UURZ$XGLR9LVXDOȃZZZDUURZDYFRP
Cheshire-DFREV$9ȃZZZMDFREVDYFRXN
Hertfordshire6HULRXVO\&LQHPDȃZZZVHULRXVO\FLQHPDFRXN
Kent3RWWHUV+RPH'LJLWDOȃZZZKRPHGLJLWDOFRP
Lancashire$XGLR9LVXDO2QOLQHȃZZZDXGLRYLVXDORQOLQHFRXN
West Midlands=HEUD+RPH&LQHPDȃZZZ]HEUDKRPHFLQHPDFRP
Wiltshire$SHULRȃZZZDSHULRDYFRXN
Yorkshire2OGȴHOG&RQWUROVȃZZZROGȴHOGOVYFRXN
 PL AYBACK EXTRA 25

50
The

The 2010s brought us brilliant 3D platters, a fresh

4K format, regal restorations of classic flicks
and some new labels making waves.
Team HCC cherry-picks its favourites

TRON: LEGACY 3D THE LION KING 3D: DIAMOND EDITION

This belated sequel to the 1982 cult classic
Tron didn't have a particularly big impact on
cinemagoers. Its 3D Blu-ray release was a very
different story, setting a new benchmark for
stereoscopic home cinema with its high-contrast
visuals and unexpectedly organic aspect ratio-
switching. Couple that with reference-quality
DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio and you have one of the
finest showcases for 3D Blu-ray imaginable.
Disney brought the circle of life into our home
theatres in stunning fashion with this long-awaited
Blu-ray release. Not content with delivering a crisp
and colourful presentation of the animated smash
as it was originally screened, the House of Mouse
also knocked up a striking 3D conversion that
worked wonders with the hand-drawn animation,
and was effective enough to convince you it had
been part of the studio’s plan for the film all along.

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

26 DISCS OF THE DECADE

PICNIC AT HANGING
ROCK: DIRECTOR'S CUT
Second Sight
delivered a
sensational BD
for Peter Weir’s
mesmerising
masterpiece.
From its
beautifully restored
imagery (supervised by Weir
himself) to the selection of
extras (including an excellent
feature-length retrospective
doc), this hi-def platter was
a fan's dream come true.

TAXI DRIVER: 35TH

ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Sony did what
Travis Bickle
never could and
cleaned up the
mean streets of
Scorsese’s 1976
classic with a
4K restoration that
served as the basis for this
Blu-ray. Backing up the
astonishing transfer is a
collection of the best extras GLADIATOR [REMASTERED]
from earlier LDs and DVDs. ‘Are you not entertained?’ Not by Universal’s initial Blu-ray release
of Ridley Scott’s swords ’n’ sandals drama, that’s for sure. What
THE PASSION OF should have been one of the biggest AV treats of 2009 was
JOAN OF ARC scuppered by excessive noise reduction that actually scrubbed
Behind the arrows and fireballs out of existence. Thankfully, the studio made
striking slipcase amends in 2010 with a replacement disc that did Gladiator justice
and steelbook via a richly detailed, beautifully film-like ‘remastered’ AVC encode.
packaging lies Credit to Universal for righting a wrong.
a beautiful 2K
restoration of
the original
1928 version of silent epic
Joan of Arc presented in a
choice of 20fps and 24fps
encodes (with optional,
alternate music scores),
plus the re-edited ‘Lo Duca’
version created in the 1950s.

JAWS
Steven Spielberg signed off
on a new transfer for his
aquatic smash's 2012 HD ALIEN ANTHOLOGY LAWRENCE OF ARABIA:
debut, ensuring the disc’s We’ve spent the best part of a decade singing the 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
AVC encode was as praises of this six-disc Blu-ray boxset and aren’t One of the crown jewels in Sony’s library, David
flawless as the film itself. about to stop now. With stunning treatment given Lean’s sweeping historical epic took its time making
Universal then to the films themselves (particularly the new the jump to Blu-ray, but was definitely worth
added a killer restorations of Alien and Aliens), and its staggering the wait. Based on a brand-new 8K scan and
DTS-HD MA 7.1 array of supplementary material (totalling around 4K restoration, the 2.20:1-framed 1080p encode
mix and a 60(!) hours), Fox’s Alien Anthology raised the bar for breathed fresh life into its gorgeous cinematography,
host of extras, franchise boxsets so high that few others since have bringing the sort of richness of colour and textural
including a new come anywhere close. And you could even get it in intricacy rarely achieved by a modern movie, let
101-minute doc. limited edition 'Egg' packaging... alone one made 50 years previously.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 PL AYBACK EXTRA 27

PROMETHEUS: 3-DISC AVATAR: 3D EDITION

COLLECTOR’S EDITION Its retail release was held up for two
Ridley Scott’s years because of an exclusivity deal
long-gestating with Panasonic, but James Cameron’s
Alien prequel sci-fi blockbuster still managed to blow
was given a all other 3D Blu-ray encodes out of the
top-tier 2D and water when it finally hit shops in 2012.
3D release – the Conceived from the ground up with 3D
latter dazzling in mind, there isn’t a single shot in
with its incredible Avatar that doesn’t impress with its
depth – and it was backed convincing sense of depth and scale.
up by the sort of impressive Sure, some extras would have been
array of extras (including a nice, but as a technical showcase for
221-minute documentary) 3D Blu-ray this disc remains the one
that would soon be a thing to be beat.
of the past for major
studio output.

ZOMBIE FLESH-EATERS
Until 2013, Arrow
had always relied
on preexisting
HD masters for
its BDs. Here it
grabbed the
opportunity
to produce its own
restoration, and proved that
even low-budget Italian
horrors can scrub up well. INDIANA JONES: PACIFIC RIM 3D
A landmark release that THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES What’s better than watching giant robots fight giant
set the label on a new path. If you're wondering why the Indiana Jones... Blu-ray monsters? Watching giant robots fight giant
boxset makes our list when the likes of the Star monsters in 3D. Guillermo del Toro’s full-throttle
DOCTOR WHO: Wars Saga and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy don't, homage to Japanese monster movies is a riot of
SPEARHEAD it’s simple. Where those other collections tinkered sheer spectacle and chest-thumping score, and
FROM SPACE with noise reduction and colour grading, this kept while the boring human stuff was converted from
The first ...Who fans onside by offering up the very best-possible 2D in post-production, the special effects were
story to star John HD presentations of the series' four movies, actually created in ‘stereo’, meaning the CG action
Pertwee, the partnered with a choice selection of new and scenes (of which there are many) pack a real punch
first to be made vintage bonus goodies. in their native stereoscopic form.
in colour, and
the first (and
only) vintage
serial to be shot entirely
on film. This last fact ensured
it was the one ‘classic’
Doctor Who that would
really benefit from a
hi-def revisit.

TWIN PEAKS: THE

ENTIRE MYSTERY
A comprehensive
10-disc boxset MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 3D GRAVITY 3D
for Lynch's You’d have to be even madder than Max Like Avatar, Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity is a film that
cinematic TV Rockatansky to miss out on the 3D Blu-ray release demands to be watched in 3D. Whether dealing
series, stretching for George Miller’s non-stop and refreshingly linear with large-scale effects (such as the bravura
as far as action blockbuster. As spectacular as it looks in ‘flat’ opening sequence) or more nuanced moments
including the 1080p and 4K, the stereoscopic conversion adds (curved light reflecting off a space helmet), it's a
prequel film ...Fire Walk With a whole other level of fun to Miller's searing visuals, film that knows stereoscopy can enhance a story,
Me accompanied by over and dovetails succinctly with the film's explosive, rather than just embellish it with empty thrills.
90 minutes of deleted and dynamic Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Completists will, It’s just a shame that Warner Bros. never gave fans
extended scenes. A damn of course, also want the 2D Black and Chrome the chance to experience the film’s 3D visuals on
fine release by any standard. edition re-release. Blu-ray alongside its native Dolby Atmos sonics.

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

28 DISCS OF THE DECADE

DAS CABINET DES TRANSFORMERS:

DR. CALIGARI
Eureka’s ‘Masters
of Cinema Series’
outing for
Robert Weine’s
pioneering
1920 slice of
Expressionist
cinema was a revelation,
using a 4K restoration of the
original camera negative
to bring thrilling clarity to
this previously unavailable
longer edit.
AGE OF EXTINCTION
Michael Bay’s Transformers films have
always delivered reference-quality
audio, but this fourth instalment
transformed home cinema sound by
being the first Blu-ray to feature a
Dolby Atmos track. And it was quite an
advertisement for the nascent format
– full-bodied, frenetic and boasting
enough vertical/overhead efects to
persuade serious AV-heads the time
was right to invest in a whole new AVR
and extra speakers. Our listening rooms
haven't been the same since.

CAMERA OBSCURA: THE

WALERIAN BOROWCZYK THE THIRD MAN THE WIRE: THE COMPLETE SERIES
COLLECTION Studiocanal first brought Carol Reed’s peerless The idea of modifying a TV series that was shot
All but one of 1949 British noir to UK Blu-ray in 2010, only for in 1.33:1 for a 1.78:1 Blu-ray release would normally
the features it to fall someway short of the HD platter issued be anathema, yet David Simon’s groundbreaking
and shorts by The Criterion Collection in the US two years and utterly addictive crime drama was actually
included in this earlier. Amends were made in 2015 with this second lensed on 35mm film in a way that would protect
lush boxset release, sourced from an incredible new 4K for eventual widescreen reframing. This was a smart
received a new restoration – discussed in detail on one of the bit of foresight, as the resulting Full HD restorations,
2K restoration. Blu-ray's many extra features – that perfectly collected together on this bumper five-season/
The astonishing end captured the beauty of the film’s unforgettable 20-disc boxset, were so good it'd be a crime if they
result justified the faith of black-and-white photography. didn't exist.
the film fans who helped
it happen by contributing
to Arrow Academy's
crowdfunding campaign.

WITHNAIL AND I:
LIMITED EDITION
It was third
time lucky for
this cult
comedy
when Arrow
delivered
its limited
edition set. In addition
to a new restoration and
copious extras (including an
entire bonus movie), Arrow’s
release let fans personalise
the packaging with their
choice of box art and quote,
plus their name on the rear.

EDGE OF TOMORROW 3D
This smart,
inventive and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE THE REVENANT 4K
well-executed – ROGUE NATION Arriving just two months after the initial wave of
sci-fi landed on There are very few franchises that get better the 4K Blu-rays – and the first to be released on the
Blu-ray with longer they continue, but thanks in part to Tom same day as its Blu-ray counterpart – Alejandro
suitably out-of- Cruise’s ongoing quest to find new ways to risk life G. Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning revenge drama
this-world 2D and limb, that's just what you get with the Mission: immediately showed what all the format fuss was
and 3D presentations. Impossible movies. Not only is this fifth instalment about. Shot on location with natural light sources,
Most impressive, however, is the best of the bunch, it matches the brilliantly the film seemed tailor-made to highlight the benefits
the subwoofer demo-worthy staged onscreen action blow-for-blow with its of Hollywood's new HDR toy. This 4K encode’s
DTS-HD MA 7.1 track that ultra-crisp, blemish-free visuals and Dolby Atmos expanded luminance adds even more beauty
accompanies them both. theatrics. And sometimes, that's all we ask for. to The Revenant's awe-inspiring vistas.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 PL AYBACK EXTRA 29

NAPOLEON [1927]
The BFI pulled
out all the stops
for its hi-def
release of
Abel Gance’s
five-and-a-
half-hour
silent masterpiece
– this three-disc set allows
you to view the film’s final
Triptych sequence in all its
multi-screen glory, provided
you can source the additional
TV and Blu-ray players...

IN A LONELY PLACE
One of the
first titles from
The Criterion
Collection once
it belatedly
launched in the
UK was this
Blu-ray release of Nicholas
Ray’s noir-tinged Hollywood
melodrama. From the
pristine 2K restoration of
the film to the informative
extras, this doesn’t put a
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D foot wrong.
– COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Arriving just six months after the traditional ‘flat’ Blu-ray release, this CAT PEOPLE
three-disc edition drew the expected groans from reluctant double- One of the
dippers. But we dipped anyway, because Disney served up an eye- milestones in
catching stereoscopic encode that proved there was still plenty of the evolution
life left in 3D (no matter what TV manufacturers were saying), of horror
while laying on plenty of exclusive extras, including a fascinating cinema, yet
director’s commentary. The Force is strong with this one. Val Lewton’s
legendary 1942
romantic chiller never
even garnered a DVD release
in the UK. The Criterion
Collection came to the
rescue in 2016, with a
practically purr-fect Blu-ray
release based on a new
2K restoration.

DISSENT & DISRUPTION:

ALAN CLARKE AT THE
BBC (1969-1989)
A mammoth
BODY DOUBLE PLANET EARTH II 4K 13-disc boxset
When a new independent label called Indicator A visual showcase like no other, the BBC’s UHD collecting
announced it was going to launch with a twin- release of its acclaimed David Attenborough series together all
headed lineup of Brian De Palma's Body Double proved that natural history documentaries and 4K of the surviving
and John Carpenter's Christine, it certainly got our HDR are ideal bedfellows. Yes, the standard Blu-ray dramas and
attention – and then we saw the Blu-rays. Its already offered a substantial uptick in quality over plays Clarke
handling of the former, a stylish and sleazy 1984 the TV broadcasts, but the 4K set’s high dynamic produced for the BBC
thriller, was particularly impressive, with an opulent range, wide colour gamut and DTS-HD MA 5.1 mixes (including such classics as
4K restoration ensuring it looked better than De made it feel like you were there among the exotic Scum and The Firm), plus
Palma devotees could have wished, and a carefully wildlife. It's the reason why all AV-hedz now know a staggering array of extras.
curated selection of extras. What a way to start. so much about pygmy three-toed sloths... Who's the Daddy now, eh?

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

30 DISCS OF THE DECADE

THE FABULOUS BARON SPIDER-MAN:

MUNCHAUSEN LEGACY BOXSET 4K
Visionary Czech A must for superhero fans, this bumper
director Karel boxset from Sony Pictures packs in
Zeman’s awe- Blu-ray and 4K editions of Sam
inspiring mix Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and Marc
of stylised Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man
animation and duology, with the five UHD platters
live-action all offering Dolby Atmos upgrades
filming finally that chow down on the vertical heroics.
met its match in the This gorgeous boxset also adds two
miraculous 4K restoration additional Full HD discs loaded with
that served as the basis for goodies, some newly struck for this
world cinema label Second 'legacy' release, plus Sam Raimi's
Run’s feature-packed Blu-ray. re-edit of Spider-Man 3.
As restorations go, this is
truly fabulous.

THE WAGES OF FEAR

Once set for a
2016 release, the
BFI pushed back
its BD of this
gripping 1954
thriller so it
could use a
new 4K restoration
rather than rely on an existing
HD master. As much as this
annoyed fans, the label was BLADE RUNNER 2049 4K THE THING: LIMITED EDITION
proved right when its disc A rare sequel that actually builds and expands A sell-out at retail before it was even released, Arrow
arrived in 2017 and outclassed on its predecessor, rather than simply replicating Video’s Blu-ray bonanza for John Carpenter’s 1982
all previous efforts. the same story beats, Blade Runner 2049 is a horror remake represented a vast improvement on
sophisticated – and, thanks to cinematographer all previous releases on both sides of the Atlantic.
MULHOLLAND DRIVE Roger Deakins, visually memorable – slice of Gone were the digital noise reduction and
Another science-fiction that would be worth owning even if sharpening seen on those other discs, and in their
double-dip for it didn’t boast an extraordinarily rich and detailed 4K place was a new 4K scan that restored a more
Studiocanal, HDR encode. This UHD release is the only UK platter authentically film-like appearance (those creature
this second UK to include the film’s impactful Atmos mix, which just FX have never looked so yucky), coupled with a
outing for David makes it even more of a must-have. typically excellent selection of bonus goodies.
Lynch’s mind-
bending 2001
masterpiece swapped
the digitally filtered visuals
of the label’s original HD
platter for a 4K restoration
supervised by the filmmaker,
and made sure the encoding
was spot on.

PHENOMENA:
LIMITED EDITION
An incredible
four-disc edition 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY 4K THE MATRIX TRILOGY 4K
for this Dario While Warner Bros. had already established a strong You might argue that no release of The Matrix could
Argento deep track record for its handling of classic films on Ultra ever equal the impact the revolutionary sci-fi
cut, offering HD Blu-ray, it took a big leap forward with its release blockbuster had when it first arrived on DVD.
three different of Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic milestone. Sourced And, yes, you'd have a point. But when it comes
edits and a from an 8K scan of pristine 65mm assets and to actually watching the film (and its two sequels)
phenomenal slate overseen by everyone's favourite flagbearer for on our home cinema setups, nothing comes close
of bonus goodies – including filmic authenticity, Christopher Nolan, the refined to the visceral AV thrills – including new 4K scans
an invaluable exploration 4K presentation of this ‘unrestored’ restoration with exquisite colour grading and enhanced Dolby
of the different versions of mesmerises with its meticulous detailing and Atmos remixes – offered up by this Ultra HD
the movie. thoughtfully applied HDR grade. triple-pack.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 PL AYBACK EXTRA 31

NIGHT OF THE
LIVING DEAD
Two other
UK labels had
already tackled
this seminal
1968 zombie
flick before
The Criterion
Collection gave it a
shot in 2018, side-stepping
previous quality flaws with
a fresh 4K restoration of
the original camera negative
and an expansive array of
extra features.

BATMAN: THE COMPLETE

ANIMATED SERIES
Perhaps the
finest ever
screen version of
the Dark Knight,
Batman: The
Animated Series
swung onto
Blu-ray on an epic
12-disc set, featuring
beautiful transfers of all
109 episodes, two spin-off
movies, and a 98-minute AQUAMAN 4K
Making of… documentary. Superhero movies may dominate the box office these days, but
for whatever reason they rarely reach the top-tier of home cinema
NIGHT OF THE DEMON: experiences. The Ultra HD release of DC’s Aquaman is an exception,
LIMITED EDITION its psychedelic undersea environments exploding into brightly
We've learned coloured life via the wide colour gamut and HDR10/Dolby Vision
you can always grading ofered up by this pristine transfer. And just as its hero
rely on boutique explores the depths of the ocean, so the disc’s ridiculously expansive
label Indicator Atmos soundtrack plumbs new depths of LFE.
to exceed
expectations
– for this
classic 1957
horror it delivered a devilishly
good two-disc set featuring
no less than four cuts of the
film and copious bonus bits.

FIVE TALL TALES:

BUDD BOETTICHER &
RANDOLPH SCOTT AT
COLUMBIA, 1957-1960
This sharp-
shootin' set of
five B-Westerns
gets the sort
of AV care and
attention
– and bonus
feature support – that
Hollywood majors usually
reserve for their award-
winning classics. More
stunning work from Indicator.
ROBIN HOOD [2018] 4K
Every generation gets a new screen interpretation
of Sherwood Forest’s famous outlaw. This latest
version can’t hold a candle to The Adventures of
Robin Hood or Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (or even
Robin Hood: Men in Tights, really), but it cemented its
place in home cinema history by being the first 4K BD
release to include both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
encodes. Combine this consumer-friendly approach
with the film's shot-on-8K cinematography and vivid
palette, and you have indispensable demo fodder.
APOCALYPSE NOW: THE FINAL CUT 4K
Studiocanal chose to celebrate the 40th anniversary
of Francis Ford Coppola’s audacious masterpiece
with a release ever bit as epic as the film itself.
Across its six discs you’ll find newly restored 4K
and Full HD versions of the original theatrical cut,
the subsequent ‘Redux’ re-edit and the brand-new
‘Final Cut’. A Dolby Atmos remix then takes the film’s
already revolutionary sound design to another level.
Two bonus discs loaded with extras (some new,
some old) round out an awesome package ■

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

32 DREAM THEATRE/WWW.GIBSON -INTEGRATION.COM

Picture precision
A

Daniel Sait checks out a 7.1-channel

basement theatre where even the
seats tell a story

KIT CHECKLIST
BENQ: PCW50KH single-chip DLP 4K HDR projector
FUTURE AUTOMATION: PM-UNI projector mount
SCREEN RESEARCH: 120in-wide 1.78:1-ratio
projector screen (acoustically transparent)
ANTHEM: MRX 720 AV receiver
PARADIGM: 3 x Ci Pro P3-LCR (Left, Centre, Right);
4 x Ci Pro 80 (Surround/Rear); RVC-12SQ in-wall
subwoofer; X-850 subwoofer amplifier
APPLE: Apple TV 4K (64GB)
SONY: UBP-X800 4K Blu-ray player
FURMAN: Power conditioners
CRESTRON: TSR-310 touchscreen remote;
in-wall keypad
INEVA DESIGN: Cosmo custom seating
KALEIDESCAPE: Strato movie server

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 INSTALL 33

WHILE IT'S A cinema builder's dream to have full

control over the size and shape of the proposed
space, that's often not the case. With this project,
London's Gibson Integration were given a newly
constructed basement with an already fixed (2.4m
approx) ceiling height, plus a brief that the cinema
should seat nine guests (as well as sound great and
look amazing).
'The ceiling height presented the challenge of
ensuring all nine seating positions in the room had
a clear view of the entire screen,' says installer Colin
Scrivener. 'Screen height, screen size, tiered floor
level and head clearance were carefully calculated
to the last millimetre. We even went to the lengths
of instructing Ineva, the seat manufacturer, to
increase the seat pan height of the rear row chairs
by 80mm in order to successfully complete the
C complex equation.'
With that hurdle overcome, hardware could be
installed. The room features a ceiling-mounted
BenQ 4K HDR projector, 120in-wide 16:9 screen
and Paradigm speaker system in a 7.1 configuration,
with the front three and subwoofer installed within
the screen wall and rear and surround channels
mounted flush in the ceiling. Dolby Atmos was
considered but decided against... for now at least.
An Anthem MRX 720 AV receiver comfortably
B drives all seven channels (a Paradigm X-850 amp
partners the subwoofer), and Crestron touchscreen
remote and in-wall keypad grant control over
lighting and electronics. The 5.8m x 5.8m room's
minimalist panelled wall design incorporates
acoustic treatments.
And the owners' verdict? According to Scrivener,
they're thrilled with AV quality and 'have already
spent many an hour lost in cinematic bliss.' ■

A. UHD trio
Sources (all 4K ready) are a Sony disc player,
Apple TV and Kaleidescape Strato movie server
B. Made to measure
The cinema's nine seats were custom designed
by specialist brand Ineva to match the look, and
height, of the theatre
C. Treatment room
Acoustic treatments are incorporated within the
room's panelled walls, and sound is further tuned
by the Anthem AVR's onboard EQ

wall To fit the nine cinema recl

tures a bespoke screen iners, a raised platform
The front of the room fea system's Paradigm L/C/R was required to maintain
allotted for the line-of-sight with
with space images from the BenQ PJ
speakers and subwoofer

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

34 INSTALL

D. Crestr-on and off

The room is equipped with Crestron-controlled
DMX automated lighting that can change
colour to suit the mood
E. Eyes wide open E
The fixed-frame FS3 Screen Research projector
screen, in 1.78:1 ratio (and with acoustically
transparent material), provides an almost floor-
to-ceiling image
F. The four tops
For an even dispersion to all nine seating positions
and to maintain the room's clean look, the
Paradigm surround and rear channel speakers
are mounted in-ceiling
G. Passes the test
The BenQ 4K beamer claims a 2,200 Lumens
brightness output and boasts THX HD Display
certification

G
F

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

36 DREAM THEATRE/WWW.NEWWAVEAV.CO.UK

The art B

of noise
Daniel Sait reports on a Dolby Atmos and 4K home
theatre where high-performance hardware and smart
design work together to keep its owner very happy

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


KIT CHECKLIST
KALEIDESCAPE: Strato
media server
SONY: VPL-VW550ES 4K
HDR projector
ANTHEM: MRX 1120 AV receiver
ARTCOUSTIC: 3 x Spitfire 12-6
(left/centre/right); 4 x Spitfire
4-2 (rear/surround); 4 x
Architect 4-2 (in-ceiling);
2 x Control2 subwoofers;
1 x PA1000 power amplifier
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES:
3m-wide 2.35:1 micro bezel
projector screen
ACOUSTIC GRG: Acoustic
room treatments
CONTROL4: Control system
INSTALL 37
THIS PLUSH-LOOKING HIGH-PERFORMANCE
cinema is the creation of Kent-based pro installers
New Wave AV, and uses Artcoustic speakers, a
Sony projector, and Kaleidescape and Anthem
electronics to bring its AV thrills, plus full control
via a Crestron system with dedicated remote and
tablet app. Pick a movie, take a seat on one of the
two spacious sofas, and away you go...
The brief was for a Dolby Atmos home theatre,
and following customer demonstrations at New
Wave's Experience Centre, an Artcoustic 7.2.4
speaker system was chosen. An Anthem MRX 1120
receiver was then selected to drive the room's
11 channels and fine-tune sound performance
through ARC Anthem Room Correction, while
for the 'movie buf ' owner, a Kaleidescape Strato
server delivers 4K HDR content-on-demand.
An alteration made after the initial design
process concerned the room's projector screen,
as New Wave's Projects Director Angus Murray
explains: 'The room is long and not very wide.
The owner's focus was film, which meant that
A. Wide but slim
The 2.35:1 micro bezel projector screen from
Display Technologies measures three metres
wide, and almost fills the entire front wall
B. The magic touch
AV hardware, plus lighting and air-conditioning,
can all be controlled from a tablet courtesy of
Control4 smart integration
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
38 DREAM THEATRE
a 2.35:1 screen was specified, but this reduced height
and caused some technical issues with vertical shift
on the [Sony VPL-VW550ES] projector.'
The solution, says Murray, was to update the
original screen choice to one with a 'micro bezel',
which increased the visible screen height, and
allowed the vertical shift tool of the Sony PJ
(which is housed in a décor-matched hush box)
to work while maintaining the correct height.
With all speakers hidden and source gear
racked, the finished room has a sleek aesthetic,
ofset by soft furnishings and smart lighting.
But it's the AV performance, we're told, that
the owner loves the most ■
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
D
C. Ray of light
One design flourish is the 20mm gap between the
cinema's backlit 'floating' acoustic panels, which
creates vertical light shafts on the walls. Further
illumination comes from spotlights in the ceiling
soffit and at floor level
D. Front of house
All the room's speakers and subwoofers are from
custom install specialist Artcoustic, including these
Spitfire 12-6 models used for the front channels
E. Master and commander
For power, processing and room tuning, New Wave
specified Anthem's MRX 1120 AV receiver, the
flagship 11-channel model recently updated to
support ARC Genesis calibration
“Cinema is really built
for the big screen and big
sound, so that a person
can go into another world
and have an experience.”
David Lynch

Get the best performance from your films, TV, games

and music with our multi-award-winning audio, video
and power cables. Designed and built in the UK by
music lovers and cinema fans since 1985.

The premier choice of domestic and professional

audio/visual suppliers. Used and recommended
by producers, engineers and A/V manufacturers
worldwide.

Arrange a demonstration at your nearest Chord

Company retailer. Find out more: www.chord.co.uk
 WWW.HOMECINEMACHOICE .COM 41

➜Hardware LG 65in entry-level B9 Series OLED DENON Seven-channel Dolby Atmos

receiver B&W Formation Suite 5.1 soundbar setup and PX7 wireless headphones BENQ Full HD
DLP projector SONY 2.1-channel Atmos soundbar ONKYO AVR/5.1 combi system GOOGLE Stadia
cloud-based gaming platform PHILIPS 55in Ambilight LED TV & MORE!

Any port in a storm

SVS takes the 13in driver of its sealed SB-3000 and
installs it in a much larger, dual ported cabinet to
better target the cinematic bass moments of your
favourite blockbusters. See p46

RATINGS KEY…
Outstanding
Above average
Acceptable
Disappointing
Dire
All prices quoted are approximate and may have changed

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

42 LG OLED65B9/£1,800

HAVING
A LAUGH
Joaquin Phoenix
is all smiles in
Joker – Blu-ray
review p93

1
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

John Archer finds out if LG’s cheapest 65in OLED TV
is really the bargain it first appears
OLED gets
cheap. Ish
For many HCC readers, OLED remains the premier TV picture
technology. Unfortunately, though, it's a technology that hasn't
always screamed affordability, which is where LG's entry-
level B series comes in. Since 2018 these sets have adopted
less-powerful picture processing than their higher-end
stablemates, in a bid to give cash-strapped AV fans a more
affordable OLED option.
In the still-current 2019 era OLED range, the 65in
OLED65B9 sells for just £1,800 (and, at the time of writing,
you can pick up the 55in model for just £1,100). This makes
it one of the most affordable 65in OLED TVs around.
This raises two questions. First, is it worth paying extra
for LG’s step-up C9 and E9 series OLEDs; second, how
does the B9 fare against other products in the same
price range?
A chip off the old block
Comparing the 65B9 with the excellent 65C9 [see HCC
#299] is the most concise way to get a handle on
where this TV is at. And first impressions serve it pretty
well, as its super-slim extremities and heavy-duty build
quality more or less rival that of the more expensive
model. Both feature down-firing (2.2-channel) speaker
arrays. The only real difference is that the C9 uses a wider
desktop stand.
Connections are the same, too, with highlights being
four HDMIs, three USBs and the usual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
wireless options.
The HDMIs are all built to the high-frame-rate-
supporting HDMI 2.1 specification; something no other
brand has been able to match with their current ranges.
This should futureproof the OLED65B9 for any high-frame-
rate 4K gaming we might get with the next console
generations. This was one area I’d imagined LG might
compromise with the B9, but I’m glad it hasn’t.
This TV also matches LG’s C9 models with its smart
features. It gets the same version of WebOS, right down
to the new tweaks of a dedicated screen for monitoring
and controlling smart devices on your network, and
comprehensive voice control that includes built-in support
for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as LG’s
own ThinQ AI system.
REVIEWS 43
AV INFO
PRODUCT:
65in 4K HDR OLED
TV with LG’s WebOS
smart system
POSITION:
LG’s entry-level
OLED series
PEERS:
LG OLED65C9;
Samsung
QE65Q85R;
Sony KD-65XG9505
Most of the usual video streaming apps are present,
including Netflix, Amazon, Rakuten.TV and the UK’s main
terrestrial TV broadcasters (the latter included within
a Freeview Play bouquet). 4K HDR playback is supported
where a service provides it.
The only big absentee is Apple TV (despite LG
supporting the company's AirPlay 2 and Homekit tools). 1. The B9 has a
LG has confirmed it will support Apple TV at some point, narrower desktop
but can’t currently give any arrival date. stand than LG's
pricier OLEDs
The B9 handles the HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG
flavours of HDR like its more expensive siblings, and carries 2. The TV ships
built-in Dolby Atmos decoding. There’s no playback for with LG's usual
'magic' remote
HDR10+ content, which is annoying – but you don’t get
this on LG’s more expensive sets, either.
The major difference between the OLED65B9 and
OLED65C9 is, then, its picture processing. The more
affordable set features a second generation version of
LG’s Alpha 7 silicon, whereas the C9s employ the second
generation of LG’s Alpha 9. This will lead to picture quality
differences.
Out of the shadows
For this audition, I was able to run the OLED65B9 right
alongside a C9, watching the same content on each
screen via an HDMI splitter. Doing this revealed more
variation between the two than I’d actually expected. 2
As an example, the extreme darkness of sequences
inside the creature's lair during the finale of It Chapter 2
(4K Blu-ray) reveals notably more shadow detail on the
C9 model, which makes the caverns and tunnels appear
more three-dimensional and textured. The tone of black
colours is also more natural; on the OLED65B9, I found
some blacks gaining a slight magenta tint.
To my surprise, however, the B9 delivers slightly deeper
black levels overall than its brethren. But while this can
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
44 REVIEWS
3
give the TV's pictures a bit more immediate high-contrast
impact, the attendant loss of some subtlety in dark areas
finds the C9’s images more convincing and natural.
Brightness performance on the B9 is somewhat
curtailed. With a white HDR window covering around 10
per cent of the screen, the TV delivers 650 nits approx,
versus around 850 nits on the C9. This is quite a
significant difference, and creates a slightly duller feel
to the sunny daytime shots around Derry in It Chapter Two.
There’s also less intensity in peak HDR areas, such as the
fairground lights that provide a backdrop to the film’s
opening scene.
'LG’s AI Sound mode does an
excellent job unleashing the
maximum potential of the
OLED65B9’s speaker system'
This fairground sequence is also interesting in the way
it shows the B9 delivering slightly richer-looking colours.
The more the scene plays on, however, revealing darker and
gentler tones, the more apparent it becomes that the C9
provides more colour subtlety and tonal finesse. Skin tones,
in particular, fare better.
It Chapter Two’s dark scenes expose a little less
refinement with near-black management on the B9 –
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
it tends to look a touch noisier in very dark background
areas. But there is an exception to this. The OLED65B9
actually suffers a little less than other LG OLED screens
when it comes to elevated blocking noise during very dark
moments in Amazon Prime Video's SDR streamed content.
But this is likely more a factor of the TV losing shadow
detail in dark areas, than it truly being better at rendering
near-black content.
Sharp shootout
This entry-level set doesn’t look quite as detailed and crisp
with native 4K sources as its step-up rival; a function,
I suspect, of the C9’s generally wider brightness range
and superior colour tone rendition. It's still obviously
a 4K performance, however, and worthy of your UHD
disc collection.
HD footage upscaled to 4K is always watchable, but the
Alpha 9 processor of the C9 proves cleverer at separating
source noise from real picture information, and better
at appreciating the differences in depth between various
objects in the image.
Andy Muschietti’s trademark pans and zooms around
Derry in It Chapter Two also look more compelling/less
distracting on the C9 than they do on this display; the more
expensive model handles judder better. Implementing the
B9's motion processing also finds it less effective at
smoothing visuals without generating unwanted digital
side effects.

4 challengers. Be sure to experiment with LG’s AI Sound
The OLED65B9 tracks closer to the C9 when playing
standard dynamic range content, as its reduced brightness
becomes less of an issue. I did feel more regularly aware
of its slight magenta tinge with dark sequences, however.
Turning finally to the sound quality of my B9 and C9
models, the former holds its own rather well. It doesn’t offer
as much bass depth as the C9, but its sound – perhaps
due to the smaller stand configuration – projects more
directly into the room, producing more immediate impact.
(Moving further up the range, LG’s E9 OLED series
expressly differs from the C9 on sound quality; there’s
no picture processing difference. So it’s no surprise
the E9s are sonically punchier, and deliver a far
bigger and more detailed soundstage from Dolby Atmos
content. Yet the OLED65E9 costs nearly £750 more
than the OLED65B9.)
U can't touch this
I should probably make it clear that this first step on LG's
OLED ladder is outstanding for its money. At the same
price or less, I've experienced nothing that can touch it
when it comes to deep, cloud-free black levels – although
I am yet to audition Philip's newly released entry-level
OLED754 series.
Also, while not as bright as most of the upper mid-range
and premium LCD displays it's in competition with at this
price point, OLED technology's self-emissive nature results
in a localised contrast that gives its pictures real intensity.
REVIEWS 45
SPECIFICATIONS
3D: No 4K: Yes. 3,840 x 2160 HDR: Yes. HDR10; HLG; Dolby Vision TUNER: Yes.
Freeview HD (Freeview Play); satellite HD CONNECTIONS: 4 x HDMI inputs; 3 x USB;
optical digital audio output; headphone jack; Ethernet; RS232; composite AV input
SOUND (CLAIMED): 40W (2.2-channel) BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): N/A CONTRAST
RATIO (CLAIMED): N/A DIMENSIONS (OFF STAND): 1,449(w) x 830(h) x 46.9(d)mm
WEIGHT (OFF STAND): 25.2kg
FEATURES: Built-in Wi-Fi; Bluetooth (v5.0); USB multimedia playback; Alpha 7 Gen
2 processor; WebOS smart system; Apple AirPlay 2 and Homekit support; ThinQ,
Alexa and Google Assistant voice control; HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping; HDMI v2.1
PARTNER WITH
VOGEL'S THIN SERIES: The
wall-mount specialist has
a number of options suitable
for the LG B9's 300 x 200
VESA mount compatibility.
Flaunt the screen's slim
nature by opting for a full
motion (£300) or fixed (£90)
model in the Thin series.
The lack of brightness versus premium LCDs does 3. The B9 supports
mean the OLED65B9 can’t craft the same sort of colour Dolby Vision HDR and
Dolby Atmos sonics
volumes or some aspects of the premium HDR experience.
But its overall contrast ability ensures that the colours 4. Super-slim panels
it does display are robust. There’s none of that slightly remain an OLED
selling point
washed-out appearance noticeable on LCD TVs that
push for more brightness than their colour performance
can really support.
The OLED65B9 also benefits from extremely wide
viewing angles, while the majority of LCD rivals are still
very limited in this respect, and it stands out from the
same-price or cheaper crowd with its slim design and
ultra-friendly smart TV system.
Its audio, too, is superb versus the sound of most LCD
mode, which I found did an excellent job unleashing the
maximum potential of the OLED65B9’s speaker array, even
with extremely dense, dynamic mixes like the Dolby Atmos
track on It Chapter Two.
An eye on the prize
Ultimately, though, I have to return to LG’s OLED65C9.
In what might, in fairness, be a quite specific quirk of
post-Christmas tweaking, at the time of writing I found the
C9 available from numerous stores for only around £100
more than the OLED65B9. The picture quality differences
between the two models make that look like the best £100
you’ll ever spend.
It's likely that the B9 series will undergo more price tag
tinkering before LG’s new OLED models arrive in the spring,
so keep an eye out. It’s also worth noting that the 55in B9
looks better value overall at just £1,100.
If you want a 65in TV, though, as things stand right
now the OLED65B9’s step-up C9 sibling is by far the
better bet ■
VERDICT
LG OLED65B9
➜ £1,800 ➜ www.lg.com/uk
WE SAY: Although an excellent TV in its own right, the 65B9
needs to put more price daylight between it and the step-up
65C9 to really come into its own.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
46 SVS PB-3000/£1,550
Bass made bigger
Mark Craven discovers SVS's mid-range ported subwoofer adds an extra layer of enjoyment to
heavyweight soundmixes. Cue Ready Player One...
SVS HAS A settled strategy when it comes to its
subwoofer stable: it sells both ported and sealed variants,
to give consumers a choice. The smaller sealed models
are for those wanting to install a sub in a typical living
environment (or, as SVS puts it, 'mixed media'
entertainment systems), while the larger ported oferings
are for dedicated movie rooms.
And, perhaps for those who like to be terrified by bass.
In a ported sub, the self-damping nature of a sealed design
is removed, giving the driver more excursion potential –
required to maintain output level as frequencies drop lower.
Combined with the sub's natural (but carefully calculated)
system tuning frequency, the result is a more consistent
AV INFO output. Meaning when your movie sound engineer gets
happy with the LFE track, you're going to hear/feel it.
PRODUCT: The PB-3000 tested here claims a 16Hz reach, and
13in ported
subwoofer aims for a flat response to around 20Hz. By comparison,
the smaller, sealed SB-3000 [see HCC #298], while
POSITION:
SVS's mid-range, ultimately rated at 18Hz, will begin to roll-of much higher
below PB-4000 and (and more gradually). In smaller listening environments,
PB16-Ultra models room gain will compensate for some of this; but in a larger
PEERS: space, SVS's ported design should be more suitable.
REL S/812; And it would have to be a larger space as the PB-3000
Bowers & is a bit of a beast. Measuring 55cm high, 46.5cm wide and
Wilkins DB3D
59cm deep, it's by no means subtle. Just to make blending
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
it into your movie den even trickier, it's only available in
a black ash finish – the funkier piano gloss black option
of the SB-3000 is missing.
Weighing 37.3kg, you might want a buddy to help you
unpack it, but once in place it's not too hard to shift around,
with SVS's screw-in rubber feet creating space to get your
fingers underneath.
The front face showcases the sub's 13in driver and twin
3.5in ports. You'll also spot four holes to aix the sub's
rather ungainly steel mesh grille. I expect magnetic fixings
aren't used for fear of the grille simply being blown of.
That 13in cone is identical to the one used in the
SB-3000, only in that model it pretty much fills the entire
baffle. Here it looks almost small. Toiling away behind the
scenes to give the driver its get-up-and-go are an edge-
wound voice coil, dual 'massive' toroidal magnets and
an FEA-optimised cast aluminium basket. Plus, of course,
an amplifier – in this case an 800W Sledge Class D amp
(rated at 2,500W peak output) and associated DSP.
Around the back you'll find a stereo/LFE phono input
and stereo phono output, 12V trigger port and connection
for SVS's SoundPath wireless adapter. There's also an
Intelligent Control Interface (ICI), which gives access to
low-pass filter, volume and phase settings, signified by
some flashy LED lights.

Old-fashioned dials would arguably be better, if the sub
wasn't also compatible with SVS's Bluetooth control
app, which is quick to get up and running, and makes
tweaking simple. The app also introduces a three-band
parametric EQ tool for frequency fine-tuning, plus Movie,
Music and Custom presets.
Specs-wise, the PB-3000 should have enough about
it to make a serious impression. And that's exactly what
it does.
Taking hold
The general idea is that sealed subwoofers exercise better
control and precision, while ported models are more
gung-ho and, perhaps, unruly. That never seemed quite
the case with the PB-3000. Even compared to its sealed
stablemate (during my audition I was able to switch
between the two), I was startled by its ability to take hold
of a bassline or LF efect and grip it tightly. At the same
time, its greater power at the very low-end made film mixes
seem... bigger. A bit like the subwoofer itself.
The 'first to the quay' race sequence from Ready Player
One (4K Blu-ray) required the PB-3000 to do a lot of heavy
lifting, some of it subtle, some of it not. Even smaller
details, such as the Delorean being assembled, benefited
from the scale of the sub's output. It was adept at finding
soundtrack elements and imbuing them with perceptible
but delicate weight.
The chaotic, multi-vehicle rampage that ensues was
a riot of bassy blasts and tones across the low-frequency
range; the lightcycle engine showcased a smoother sound
than the throaty roar of the monster truck, which slammed
into competitor cars with delicious, punchy thunks.
Wrecking balls cracked into the asphalt, with a little bounce
to the efect.
‘The PB-3000 sounded
utterly huge. King Kong's
fists pounded the race track,
and I whooped in delight'
As Parzival slides his car under a truck, the bass in the
soundmix gives way to calm so the audience is focused on
the tinkle of the coins he's pausing to collect. Here the
PB-3000 wasn't quite able to stop on a dime, if you'll
pardon the pun. The SB-3000 handled this brief
soundtrack nuance better.
But then came King Kong, throwing his weight around,
and the PB-3000 sounded utterly huge. The ape's fists
2 sub-30Hz LFE efects. It's about delivering a performance
REVIEWS 47
SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVERS: 1 x 13in high-excursion woofer ENCLOSURE: Twin front-ported
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (CLAIMED): 16Hz-260Hz (+/-3dB) ONBOARD POWER
(CLAIMED): 800W RMS (2,500W peak) Sledge Class D amp REMOTE CONTROL:
No. Bluetooth app instead DIMENSIONS (WITHOUT GRILLE): 557(h) x 465(w) x
596(d)mm WEIGHT: 37.3kg
FEATURES: Low-level stereo phono input; LFE phono input; low-level stereo phono
output; 12V trigger; SVS Bluetooth app with three-band parametric EQ; crossover
and phase control; Movie, Music and Custom presets; steel mesh grille; Intelligent
Control Interface; Analog Devices Audio 56-bit DSP
PARTNER WITH
READY PLAYER ONE: Steven
Spielberg has an absolute
blast with this fantastical
sci-fi/virtual reality yarn,
while the Dolby Atmos mix
throws up demo-grade
moments and the 4K HDR
visuals offer copious
eye-candy.
pounded the race track and his growls flattened my face, 1. The size of the
and I whooped in delight. PB-3000's cabinet
makes its 13in driver
Perhaps the best way to describe the diference this almost look small
ported subwoofer brings over the SB-3000 is that it
adds an extra layer to the low-end, a bonus slice of bass 2. The sub features
SVS's new Intelligent
that's always tangible, if not always the most obvious Control Interface
element of the mix. And it's a trait that's replicated across
a wide range of material.
In Blade Runner 2049 (4K Blu-ray), Hans Zimmer's score
menaced and throbbed, and it felt as if low frequencies
were pervading every part of the room. With Baby Driver
(4K Blu-ray), the PB-3000 had less to do, but I could still
sense its presence in almost every scene.
Keen again to test its stopping power, I switched to
music and the 3D – The Catalogue Blu-ray by Kraftwerk
(and its delightful Atmos mixes). The repetitive half-beat
kick drums during Trans Europe Express were a bit
overbearing, a touch flabby when you'd expect them
to be skin tight (even with the sub's Music Preset in play).
Here the app came in handy, as a quick level adjustment
resulted in a better balance between sub and speakers.
It also sounded more in control with the tighter rhythms
of Kraftwerk's Techno Pop.
Made for movies
Perhaps you wouldn't invest in the PB-3000 if your playlist
involves a lot of music material. First and foremost, this
is a bassmaker for movies, designed to really do justice to
that majors on size, depth and purity of output.
The PB-3000 does this with consummate ease, and
the diference it brings to movie mixes, compared to the
SB-3000, is more apparent than the £300 price gap
between them. It's worrying large, and the styling is
far from catwalk, but buyers are unlikely to care ■
VERDICT
SVS PB-3000
➜ £1,550 ➜ www.svsound.com
WE SAY: Some might prefer the tighter edge of a sealed sub, but
this largescale home cinema-centric woofer counters with a
step-up in scale and weight. Big and bold.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
48 DENON AVR-X1600H/£400

How much filmic fun can you get from a

budget receiver? Mark Craven investigates

Denon's AV
bargain hunt
1

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


Denon’s AVR lineup is designed to ofer something for everyone.
AV INFO
At the very top sits the £3,000 AVC-X8500H, a 13-channel
PRODUCT:
Seven-channel model catering to expansive systems in dedicated rooms. Drop
AV receiver
down the range through 11-channel, 9-channel and 7-channel
POSITION:
Denon's entry-level options, and eventually you’ll arrive at the AVR-X1600H.
seven-channel
model, above the This currently sells for almost an eighth of the price of its
five-channel
AVR-X550BT flagship sibling, but shares some of the same functionality.
Most obviously, it flaunts Denon's HEOS multiroom
PEERS:
Pioneer VSX-934; technology, but you don’t have to be running a multiroom
Denon AVR-X2600H system to make use of it – the intuitive and generally
stable-running HEOS app integrates access to subscription
music services (Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon
Music), plus internet radio, and works as a controller
for the receiver’s Bluetooth, USB and networked audio
playback, and as a handy source/volume changer.
In short, HEOS adds a whole level of extra functionality,
while the inclusion of AirPlay 2 provides an alternative
multiroom/streaming hookup for Apple devotees.
The AVR-X1600H’s other features also impress
considering the price. Physical connectivity includes
six HDMI inputs (one front-mounted), backed up by
composite AV and digital optical audio ports. There’s only
one HDMI out, but it's hard to imagine prospective buyers
demanding two – nor is the loss of a component video
connection (found on Denon’s step-up X2600H) a
deal-breaker. More useful (certainly as a future upgrade
path) is the provision of twin subwoofer outputs, and the
receiver’s MM phono turntable input.
The design is typically Denon, meaning the AVR-X1600H
looks a lot like the AVC-X8500H, only smaller in stature
and without a drawbridge to hide its setup mic input,
headphone output, front-facing HDMI and USB ports, and
control buttons. While that does make it a little messy, the
LCD display is pleasingly large, and the brush efect finish
gives it an air of glamour.
Internally, the receiver employs a seven-channel
discrete amplifier stage claiming 80W per channel
into 8 ohms (20Hz-20kHz measurement, 0.8%
THD, two channels driven). Compared to the
AVR-X2600H, that means a drop of around 15W
per channel – but it’s probably not worth getting
hung up about power claims when considering
afordable receivers likely to be partnered with
afordable speakers in a small/mid-size setup.
Passing the bar
The AVR-X1600H is probably best thought of as
either a cutting-edge replacement for a previous
budget AVR, or a step-up from a soundbar/TV
audio system. Regards the former, the provision
of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X playback, and 4K HDR
passthrough over HDMI (including Dolby Vision)
– plus the aforementioned HEOS skills – make it
easy to recommend if such features are in demand.
As for the latter, anyone coming from a stereo
soundbar to fully fledged multichannel audio
is going to love it.
The seven-channel design enables 5.1, 7.1 or
5.1.2 Atmos setups, with Audyssey MultEQ XT
to provide a level of room EQ and Denon’s setup
assistant to guide you through the installation
process. The latter is useful, as it runs logically and
REVIEWS 49
1. If your cans aren't
wireless, use the
AVR's full-size
headphone output
2. The remote's colour
keys give quick access
to sound presets
allows you to skip sections if you want (and you can
return to it later on if you wish). The presentation,
which majors on low-res text, isn’t very flash though
– the GUI on the Marantz NR1710, for instance, is slicker.
Denon’s well-spaced binding posts don’t make bare
wire connections too fiddly.
Audyssey MultEQ XT won’t excite committed
calibrators, but it’s always recommended to run the setup,
especially if the placement of your speakers doesn’t
conform to ITU guidelines (which will be the case in many
living room environments). The impact on my 5.1.2 sub/
sat array, post-Audyssey, was a tighter overall soundfield.
During playback, centre and subwoofer level adjustments
are provided – the former useful to boost dialogue – plus
treble/bass tone control.
While a lot of efort has been made to streamline the
user experience, the number of available sound modes
here (and their names) might still baffle. For instance,
depending on the source, you might have up to nine
diferent DTS variants to choose from. The Auto option
(activated by the Pure key on the remote) is therefore
a great fallback, as it matches source to channels. Denon
has some fun with its presets too: hit the Music key on the
handset (or the Sound Mode icon on the HEOS app) and
you can scroll through to find Rock Arena and Jazz Club
modes. The former really does make it sound like you’re
queuing at the bar at the back of the venue and missing
out on your favourite track.
Stereo stomper
The AVR-X1600H combines tangible amp power with
a purposeful approach to sonic delivery. It’s a trait that first
becomes apparent with stereo music playback.
The funk basslines of Lenny Kravitz’s Always on
the Run (Tidal, 16-bit/44kHz) benefit from the
Denon’s love of the low-end, bringing a full-bodied
feel to the sound, while Slash’s staccato guitar
rifs play out and intertwine in the L/R channels.
A criticism would be that the main vocal sounds
a bit less forthright amidst the warm, rich tones;
J.J Cale’s country meander Crazy Mama gives the
receiver a chance to show more nuance.
Meanwhile, Metallica’s well-produced Low Man’s
Lyric absolutely stomps along, with the bass and
snare drums hitting with a tight, dynamic punch.
This attacking approach benefits film
soundmixes. In The Hitman’s Bodyguard
(Blu-ray), when baddie Gary Oldman stabs
2 someone through the hand with a pen (ouch),
his sudden movement is accompanied by a
thwack and a swell of the soundtrack, quickly
followed by the squelch of tearing flesh. It’s
designed to be unnerving and dramatic, and this
budget AVR is up to the task.
There's no doubting the AVR-X1600H's ability
to envelope with surround/Atmos content either.
Audyssey calibration keeps a rein on proceedings,
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
50 REVIEWS
and the receiver steers and places FX believably. Even with
its Atmos channel credentials maxing out at a modest
5.1.2, this can still be thrillingly immersive. Demo-grade
sequences such as the Zero attack in Unbroken, or the
underwater finale in Aquaman (both Ultra HD Blu-ray),
gain scale and depth with those two extra overhead
channels (in my case, Dolby Atmos upfirers – Denon's
amp assign tool lets you specify front/back Atmos and
overhead/upfirer).
As with other 2019 Denon and Marantz hardware, the
X1600H includes Dolby Height Virtualization processing,
for an Atmos efect from a flatbed of speakers. And as
I found with the Marantz NR1710, it's an idea that sounds
better in theory than in practice. There's a notable shift
in the sonic signature with the processing enabled, but
it muddies the sound and afects clarity.
A more intriguing feature is Bluetooth transmission,
which has only recently been made available via firmware
update. This allows you to listen to your movies and music
via Bluetooth headphones – which obviously has appeal
for late-night sessions, family households, etc.
Put into practice with the John Wick: Chapter 3 –
Parabellum 4K BD and some inexpensive BT headphones,
this feature proves extremely appealing. The film's
multichannel mix is sent as a stereo downmix, but the
intimate soundstaging ofered by headphone listening
means its retains plenty of efects localisation and
immersion. As Wick sneaks around the Continental
hotel, fighting of invaders, the violence feels up close
and personal.
The setup process is a bit counter-intuitive, there being
no handset key for Bluetooth transmission – you need
to activate it within the receiver's General Settings menu.
Here you also have the option of simultaneously sending
the native film mix to your speakers as usual, or only to
your headphones (with volume control handled by the
latter). Denon says this flexibility isn't ofered by any of
its competition.
Considerable appeal
Compared to pricier and more powerful AVRs, the
X1600H obviously has some weaknesses. Its delivery
sounds livelier as you push up the volume, but with my
Focal Sib Evo Atmos package I found it easy to sometimes
3
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
SPECIFICATIONS
DOLBY ATMOS: Yes DTS:X: Yes IMAX ENHANCED: No MULTICHANNEL INPUT: No
MULTICHANNEL PRE-OUT: No MULTICHANNEL OUTPUT (CLAIMED): 7 x 80W (into
8 ohms) MULTIROOM: Yes. Zone 2 plus HEOS AV INPUTS: 2 x digital optical audio
inputs; 2 x analogue inputs HDMI: Yes. 6 x inputs; 1 x output COMPONENT VIDEO:
No VIDEO UPSCALING: No DIMENSIONS: 434(w) x 339(d) x 151(h)mm WEIGHT: 8.6kg
FEATURES: 2 x subwoofer pre-outs; Bluetooth transmitter; Bluetooth receiver; Dolby
Height Virtualization; Apple AirPlay 2; MM phono input; USB; front-mounted HDMI
input; Audyssey MultEQ XT; eARC; Dolby Vision HDR passthrough; source rename;
HEOS app; headphone output; Ethernet; Wi-Fi
PARTNER WITH
JBL TUNE600BTNC: These
on-ear Bluetooth (and noise
cancelling) headphones are
a solid choice for budget
shoppers, being available
for around £50. There are
no fancy features, just a
commendably spacious and
impactful presentation.
ask it to do too much, causing the sound to become hard 3. Well-spaced binding
and strident. Its multichannel delivery also lacks that sense posts make speaker
hookup a breeze
of absolute cohesion and spaciousness that step-up
models will deliver.
Against that, however, there's this amplifier's price
tag and feature set to consider. Sure, its user interface
could do with a resolution spit and polish, and there's no
Chromecast audio built-in, but with its HEOS integration
and Bluetooth transmission features, the X1600H has
two killer apps that have genuine user benefit. Additionally,
some of the extra features ofered by the pricier X2600H
– ISF certification, 4K upscaling, more analogue AV
connections – are likely to remain unused. This is superb
value for money ■
VERDICT
Denon AVR-X1600H
➜ £400 ➜ www.denon.co.uk
WE SAY: Another budget cracker from Denon. Wired and wireless
connectivity is excellent, it's easy to use, and performance is
energetic and appealing.
 663IURP
¨8OWLPDWH5DQJH© 2QO\…
RI7DE7HQVLRQHG,QFHLOLQJ6FUHHQV

)RUZKHQRQO\WKHEHVWZLOOGR ,PDJLQHLI
 <RXKDGDVFUHHQWKDWZDVDOPRVWLQYLVLEOHWR
YLVLWRUVXQWLOLQXVH:KHQ\RX¿QLVKYLHZLQJ
WKHWUDSGRRUFORVHVPDJLFDOO\WRKLGHWKHIDEULF
,IWKHPRWRUDQGWKHVWUXFWXUHZDVGHVLJQHGWR
EHZKLVSHUTXLHW
,IWKHVFUHHQZDVDEOHWRGURSGRZQ
DXWRPDWLFDOO\ZKHQ\RXWXUQRQ\RXUSURMHFWRU
,IWKHIDEULFZDVRQHRIWKHEHVWLQWKHEXVLQHVV
IRU.SURMHFWLRQJLYLQJYLEUDQWFRORXUZLWKD
SHUIHFWO\ÀDWVRIWWHQVLRQHGVXUIDFH
,IWKHSURGXFWKDGD\HDUFRPSUHKHQVLYH
ZDUUDQW\

'UHDPVDUHQRZ
UHDOLW\
$YDLODEOHIRUQH[WGD\GHOLYHU\
IURPPDQ\TXDOLW\UHWDLOHUVDQG
GLVWULEXWRUVLQ8.DQG,UHODQG

ZZZVDSSKLUHDYFRP 45
&RGH

L R Q DO
[ F HSW J
( LOLQ
W D
'H
LJQ 
G H V
WH
1HZ
L V L
([ TX %DPERR
5DQJH


U D QW\
 :DU
H DU
<
&U\VWDO&OHDU6RXQG 45
ZLWK%OXHWRRWKRQDOOSURGXFWV &RGH

ZZZVWHOMHVDXGLRFRXN 3UHPLHU*URXS8./WG+RPHRI

/WG+RPHRI
6DSSKLUH&RQ[(DV\DQG6WHOMHV$XGLR
DQG6WHOMHV$XGLR
52 BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION SUITE 5.1/£2,700

AV INFO Steve Withers auditions B&W's premium-styled

PRODUCT:
High-end wireless
wireless multichannel system
5.1 soundbar system

Will movies fly

POSITION:
The Formation Bar
is B&W's sole
soundbar model
PEERS:
Sennheiser Ambeo;
Samsung HW-Q90R;

in Formation?
Yamaha YSP-5600W

1. The Formation Bar
splits its nine drivers
across left, centre
and right channels
2. Also in the range
are the Wedge and
Duo speakers
Take Bowers & Wilkins' Formation Bar, add a
pair of its Formation Flex speakers, plus the
Formation Bass subwoofer, and you arrive at
a high-end wireless 5.1 system promising both
convenience and premium sonics.
All three models are from B&W's Formation Suite
– a recently launched range that also features the
flagship Duo stereo speakers, standalone Wedge speaker
and Audio streamer. Formation uses a proprietary
mesh network for extreme low-latency multiroom/
system connection.
While the £2,700 ticket of this 5.1 ensemble might
induce a coronary in the less well-heeled, at least these
products boast the kind of design and build
quality one associates with the brand. All the
components in this system share the same
aesthetic DNA, with an emphasis on style.
The Formation Bar is gorgeous to look at,
with a sleek cylindrical cabinet that tapers
off at either side, a diamond-shaped
sub-structure dressed in stretched black
fabric, and eye-catching brushed-metal end plates.
Under the hood the Bar continues to impress, with
nine custom drivers in a three-channel layout. There’s
a dedicated centre speaker for dialogue, and the drivers
are positioned to deliver a wider soundstage. Each
channel gets a 1in Double Dome tweeter, and a pair
of 2.5in woven glass fibre mid/bass units. Six separate
40W digital amplifiers provide power.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 REVIEWS 53

The build quality is equally as impressive, and the Bar Double Dome tweeter, combined with a 4in woven glass
is wide enough to complement TV sizes of 65in and larger. fibre cone mid/bass.
There’s a choice of stand or wall mounting, but if you The matching, cylindrical Bass is an active wireless
choose the former, be aware the Bar is over 10cm high and subwoofer, designed to complement any speaker in the
liable to block many modern screens. Formation Suite by adding low-end grunt down to a
There’s no display of any kind, although due to the Bar’s claimed 20Hz. This is achieved using an opposed dual
simplicity that’s less of a handicap than you might imagine. driver layout based around a pair of 6.5in woofers and
In addition, there are hardly any controls on the unit itself, 250W amp stage.
just power, volume and a Form (setup) button. Compared to traditional subs, it’s stripped of features,
But if you’re thinking you’ll just use the remote instead, aside from its support of the Formation mesh network.
you’re in for a shock, because B&W has decided not to This is easy to setup, robust, effective, and has no
include one. If your TV has an IR remote the Bar can learn perceivable delay (B&W claims less than a millisecond).
the volume commands, but that’s hardly ideal and didn’t I found the app great for initial installation, but the user
work with my LG C8 OLED. interface can be confusing.
As a result I used the Formation Home app as a While you can use aptX HD Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay
controller, and call me old-fashioned but I don’t appreciate to stream music, the Formation platform has no UPnP
opening my smartphone just to change the volume. software of its own. To take full advantage of the system’s
I expect many Bars will be installed in systems that use 24-bit/96kHz high-res audio support, you’ll want to look at
integrated control, but it’s still irritating. Roon music playback software.
2
Optical illusion
That the Bar perhaps has one eye on the custom install
market goes some way towards explaining its physical
connections. The single optical digital audio input will
probably suit professionals who often shun HDMI to avoid
CEC issues, but for a soundbar at this price to lack even a
single HDMI port seems bizarre.
The absence of HDMI doesn’t just limit the Bar to not
supporting ARC and CEC, it also means it can’t decode
lossless audio and immersive formats like Dolby Atmos
and DTS:X. But it is capable of decoding 5.1-channel
content, which brings us to the Flex and Bass.
The Flex is a two-way wireless speaker that sports a
similar design to the Bar, with a black fabric grille, gloss
black top and brushed metal base. It uses the same

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

54 REVIEWS
3
Making music
As a result of these limitations, this system really needs
to deliver in terms of its sonic performance. In this area the
Bar doesn’t disappoint, and even on its own this soundbar
produces an enjoyably wide, open and musical soundstage.
It's all about detail and precision, with a beautifully
rendered midrange and exceptional high-frequency
response. The left and right speakers are wide enough
to ensure good stereo separation and excellent imaging,
while the digital amplification generates plenty of power
and impressive dynamic range.
Listening to high-resolution music via Roon gives this
soundbar a chance to reveal its full potential, and Pink
Floyd’s The Division Bell sounds wonderful. David Gilmour’s
majestic guitar solos sweep out across the room, Richard
Wright’s keyboards weave seamlessly throughout and
Nick Mason’s drums have a lovely percussive kick.
With TV shows this 'bar remains equally accomplished,
taking its stereo performance and adding a centre channel.
Masterchef: The Professionals might not be considered
home cinema nirvana, but the score packs clarity and Sean
Pertwee’s narration is clear and anchored to the screen.
The same is true with sporting events, the Bar revealing
an ability to produce a soundstage wide enough to recreate
the most cavernous of stadiums. The noise of a rugby
crowd is an enveloping wall of sound, each tackle feels like
a train crash, and the commentators are always coherent.
It's an engrossing 3.0-channel experience, but the lack
of any surround presence is evident. The addition of the
Flex speakers immediately helps fill the acoustic hole at
the rear, and the resulting five-channel system is both easy
to setup and remarkably cohesive.
The BBC/HBO co-production of His Dark Materials
offers a multichannel mix filled with atmospheric effects
that help sell the alternative world of Lyra’s Oxford. From
the stuffy university cloisters to the bustling Gyptian
barges, the sound design is delivered with all the energy
of the series’ young heroine.
The Bar has some pretty good low-end extension,
although the claimed response of 40Hz feels optimistic.
The Bass subwoofer, on the other hand, is capable of
mining some genuinely impressive depths, which is all
the more surprising given its bijou size.
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
SPECIFICATIONS
Formation Bar
DRIVE UNITS: 6 x 2.5in glass fibre midbass drivers; 3 x 1in Double Dome tweeters
ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED): 6 x 40W CONNECTIONS: 1 x optical audio input; 1 x
Ethernet DOLBY ATMOS/DTS:X: No/No REMOTE CONTROL: No DIMENSIONS: 1240(w)
x 109(h) x 107(d)mm WEIGHT: 5.5kg FEATURES: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; Home app (iOS
and Android); Dolby Digital; Roon Ready; Spotify Connect; AirPlay 2; 40Hz-28kHz
claimed frequency response; three-channel array; Dynamic EQ
Formation Flex
DRIVE UNITS: 1 x 4in glass fibre midbass; 1 x 1in Double Dome tweeter ONBOARD
POWER (CLAIMED): 2 x 50W CONNECTIONS: 1 x Ethernet DIMENSIONS: 130(w) x
215(h) x 130(d)mm WEIGHT: 2.3kg FEATURES: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; Home app (iOS and
Android); Roon Ready; Spotify Connect; AirPlay 2; 50Hz-28kHz claimed frequency
response; Dynamic EQ
Formation Bass
DRIVE UNITS: 2 x 6.5in long-throw woofers ENCLOSURE: Sealed, dual-opposed
drivers FREQUENCY RESPONSE (CLAIMED): 20Hz-150Hz ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED):
250W REMOTE CONTROL: No DIMENSIONS: 440(w) x 234(h) x 240(d)mm
WEIGHT: 12.1kg FEATURES: Home app (iOS and Android); Wi-Fi; Ethernet;
Dynamic EQ; wireless connection
PARTNER WITH
ROON: An annual subscription
fee of $120 gets you this
clever music playback/
collation software, which sits
on your networked PC/Mac
and will output your audio
files (including hi-res) to the
Roon Ready Formation Bar.
Also offers EQ/upsampling.
With all four devices running in 5.1, you get a 3. At each end of the
commanding multichannel soundstage that retains Formation Bass sits
a 6.5in woofer
exceptional tonal balance and remarkable integration.
Effects are steered slickly, and the sub delivers bass that
is tight and responsive. Aquaman (Blu-ray) comes across
as entertainingly full-bodied, its ridiculous amounts of
low-frequency energy hitting with the necessary seismic
impact. However, reducing what was originally an
immersive Atmos mix down to basic Dolby Digital feels
like a retrograde step in this era of object-based mayhem.
Suite sonics, but...
Overall, this Formation array does an impressive job
with 5.1-channel lossy audio, making it sound as good as
possible. But at the back of my mind was the thought that
a system at this price should offer more. For all of its looks
and quality, the Bar in particular feels more like a well-
made active speaker than a modern soundbar.
There’s no denying that for the same cost as this
setup you could buy an AV receiver and speaker package
with support for object-based audio, HDMI connectivity,
and integrated hi-res streaming. Such a package would
suit home cinema fans and tech-hedz better. B&W's
Formation Suite is clearly aimed at a very specific segment
of the market ■
VERDICT
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Suite 5.1
➜ £2,700 ➜ www.bowerswilkins.com
WE SAY: This wireless 5.1 system sounds fantastic, but with no
lossless support, HDMI connections or even a remote, it’s hard
to recommend at this price.
 www.hometechgallery.com

THE TOP CINEMA DESIGN

AND INSTALL COMPANIES
A professionally designed and installed home cinema system
is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Installation of the Month Immersive Cinema Rooms

North South West SouthEast North West

Bespoke Home Cinemas CinemaWorks Immersive Cinema Rooms Electric Orange
www.bespokehomecinemas.co.uk www.cinemaworks.co.uk www.immersivecinemarooms.co.uk www.electric-orange.co.uk
0113 266 0101 0117 214 0115 01424 870763 0151 9092770

Inspire Audio Visual Encore Home Technology Cinema Rooms AV6 – Smart home solutions
www.inspire-av.com www.encore-ht.co.uk www.cinemarooms.com www.av6.co.uk
0330 430 3490 01242 323544 01245 790855 0330 325 0441

New Wave AV SONA

Midlands & Wales London www.newwavehomecinema.co.uk www.sona.technology
01625 541442
Trusted Technology Homeplay 01732 852500
www.trustedtechnology.co.uk www.homeplay.tv
03300 881 844 01932 781327 SeriouslyCinema
www.seriouslycinema.co.uk
Connected Home Systems 0345 230 0330
www.connectedhomesystems.co.uk
0800 5593788 EIRE Scotland
by
Cotswold Home Cinema Active Room Technologies Home Entertainment Solutions ed
s or
www.cotswoldhomecinema.co.uk www.activerooms.ie www.heslimited.co.uk on
sp
(+353) 01 906 5346 01383 732999 dl y
01386 700147 ou
Pr
56 BENQ TH535/£500
Designed for life
This projector's legacy video inputs and quirky presets might not appeal to John Archer,
but its 3D performance and price tag do
THERE ARE FOUR things you need to know about the
BenQ TH535 right off the bat. First, it’s a DLP projector
that costs just £500. Second, while pitched as a home
entertainment projector, it’s also got a Presentation preset.
Third, it’s a Full HD model with no 4K or HDR capabilities.
And, finally, it’s really bright – a claimed 3,500 Lumens
bright, to be precise.
We’re therefore not in the presence of a home cinema
specialist. This is a projector designed to hit a price and
be flexible enough to perform a variety of tasks – including
providing a bigscreen option for casual movie/sports
fans, or people who don’t have a dedicated cinema room.
AV INFO And provided it suits your needs, it hits its various marks
pretty well.
PRODUCT:
A very bright,
Full HD single-chip Make mine a flat white
DLP projector The design is perfect coffee table fodder. It’s small,
POSITION: and the glossy white finish is both cute and hides
Near entry-level some rather plasticky build quality.
for BenQ’s home On its sides is some extensive venting (through which
entertainment
projector stable quite a bit of lamp light can spill), and the unit can run hot.
Yet while its struggling cooling fans are certainly audible,
PEERS:
Optoma HD144X; their sound is even enough to be fairly easy to filter out.
Epson EB-U05 This is handy, given that the TH535’s built-in speaker
system is so underpowered (BenQ rates it at 1 x 2W) that
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
even at maximum volume you can scarcely hear it.
Needless to say, such puny, bass-free audio has no hope
of sounding like a suitable accompaniment to the PJ's
bigscreen movie images, nor does it fill the room with
crowd noise when you’re watching sport.
In short, you’ll need to partner the TH535 with an
external speaker system (there's a 3.5mm digital optical
audio output), which certainly dents the ‘plug and play’
appeal a bit.
Connections are plentiful and cater for ‘legacy’ video
sources via S-Video and composite video, as well as newer
devices through dual HDMIs.
An RS-232 control port, monitor output and two D-Sub
PC ports, meanwhile, remind your that this projector is
designed to be an all-rounder rather than a dedicated
home theatre machine.
Key specifications beside the Full HD (1080p)
resolution, Blu-ray-friendly 16:9 ratio and 3,500 Lumens
brightness rating are a moderate 1.2x optical zoom
(resulting in a throw ratio of 1.37-1.64:1), and +/-40 degrees
of digital keystone adjustment. As always, you should
avoid using digital keystone unless you really have to,
but it may be unavoidable given that the TH535
(understandably for its price) doesn’t provide any
optical vertical image shifting.
 REVIEWS 57

Picture presets include Cinema, Presentation, sRGB, SPECIFICATIONS

Bright and two User options. There’s no Game mode,
3D: Yes. Active shutter (glasses optional) 4K: No. 1,920 x 1,080 HDR: No
although the measured input lag of 33ms isn’t bad by
CONNECTIONS: 2 x HDMI inputs; 2 x PC (D-Sub) inputs; 3.5mm audio output;
projector standards. 3.5mm audio input; USB (mini); RS-232C; monitor output (D-Sub); composite
Key picture adjustments include colour and white video input; S-Video input BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): 3,500 Lumens CONTRAST
balance management, Texas Instruments’ BrilliantColor (CLAIMED): 15,000:1 ZOOM: 1.2x DIMENSIONS: 332(w) x 99(h) x 341(d)mm
processing, and 3D adjustments. WEIGHT: 2.4kg
Yep, this projector supports 3D. In fact, it excels at it.
Firing up Pacific Rim on 3D Blu-ray [one of our Discs FEATURES: Single-chip DLP projector; 2W onboard speaker; 15,000-hour claimed
lamp life (depending on lamp setting); Cinema, Presentation, Bright, sRGB and
of the Decade, see p25] delivered a strikingly bright,
User picture presets; 1.37-1.64:1 throw ratio; six-segment colour wheel with
detailed and sharp 3D image. There was no hint of flicker BrilliantColor technology; Wall Colour mode; Smart Eco mode
from BenQ's active shutter glasses (which are sold
as an optional extra); colours looked vibrant but well-
managed in richly hued sequences such as those in PARTNER WITH
the Shatterdome control room; motion, while a touch BENQ DGD5 3D ACTIVE
SHUTTER GLASSES:
blurry, was largely free from judder, even during the Make the most of this
motion-packed Kaiju/Jaeger fights; and, best of all, budget beamer's
there was almost zero crosstalk ghosting noise, even entertaining 3D performance
around the vertical bridge struts during the opening
by adding these DLP Link
3D spex (priced around £75
news-reel Kaiju attack. per pair). Battery life is
Honestly, it was one of the most enjoyable 3D rated at around 30 hours.
experiences I’ve had. From a projector that costs just £500.
The only problem with the BenQ TH535’s 3D
2
playback is that it’s the projector’s too), avoiding the bleached look 1. There's no vertical
best asset. With 2D material, some models suffer when used lens shift, so you may
have to use the PJ's
a couple of fairly significant in a well-lit environment. keystone correction
flaws appear. Shadow details don’t seem
The projector suffers with DLP's great in a dark room, but with 2. BenQ suggests its
bulb can last for up
rainbow effect, where stripes of some ambient light around to 15,000 hours
pure red, green and blue flit over I was struck by how much
bright parts of the picture. It’s not subtle dark picture
shockingly intrusive, but you’d information the TH535’s
have to be practically immune brightness allows it to retain
to it (some people are more versus typical projectors,
susceptible to seeing it than while bright scenes showcase
others) not to spot it hanging about impressive vibrancy and clarity.
over some of the bright artificial lighting With this decent light management, it becomes easier
in, say, the strip club in Hustlers (Blu-ray). to enjoy other smaller but still rewarding things you
And black levels look pretty average. This is what wouldn’t expect to see on a £500 DLP model – such
I was expecting given the TH535’s affordability and focus as no dithering noise on skin tones during camera pans;
on brightness. But if you’re watching in a blacked-out room no fizzing noise in dark areas; natural motion; bags of
you'll be aware that dark backdrops become more grey sharpness and detail everywhere bar the corners; and
than black, and how some shadow detail can be no bleaching or ‘glowing’ over even the brightest of
swallowed up in that greyness. Hustlers’ club spotlights.
The natural dimming effect of active shutter 3D glasses
counters the TH535’s black level shortcomings, but with Entertainment first
2D the only thing that really helps is choosing the PJ's In some ways, BenQ's TH535 delivers more natural
Economic lamp mode. You should definitely do this if and engaging pictures than many projectors costing more;
you’re viewing 2D in a dark room. it just needs a touch of ambient light to hide the flaws.
Other smaller issues found the image on my review And provided you can cope with the slightly soft corners,
sample looking a little brighter on the right side than the it adapts quite well to presentations use. This could be
left, and some softening in the image’s corners. useful if you’re looking for more justification for splurging
£500 on a PJ.
The right environment Yet it really feels more like an entertainment-focused
As I said at the start, however, BenQ doesn’t pretend model than a business-centric beast. It's not perfect, nor
that the TH535 is a cinephile projector. And in the ‘right’ even a true home cinema projector, but it's seldom less
environment, namely an ordinary living room with a bit than entertaining ■
of low-level lighting on, it’s rather effective.
In these circumstances the average black levels don’t VERDICT
really matter any more, and the impact of the rainbow
effect diminishes. The projector's high brightness comes BenQ TH535
➜ £500 ➜ www.benq.co.uk
into its own, creating pictures that still look punchy despite
having to battle against ambient light. Colours hold on to WE SAY: Not well suited to a blacked-out cinema room, but the
their vibrancy and naturalism during Hustlers’ stylised club
TH535 works well as a fun ‘living room’ projector – and it’s
ridiculously good with 3D.
fantasy sequences (they also look excellent in dark rooms,

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

58 SONY HT-X8500/£350

Sony's Dolby Atmos

sound bar-gain?
It may lack upfiring drivers, but this afordable Dolby Atmos system compensates with unbridled
chutzpah, says Steve May

THE SONY HT-X8500 is proof that you don’t need to either side of a dual driver subwoofer) can just be seen
spend big for a truly entertaining Dolby Atmos-enabled behind a rolled grille, while grey trim adds a designer
soundbar. Modestly priced (given that you can easily spend flourish. Touch-sensitive buttons are provided for power,
twice as much for a rival system), it’s surprisingly compact input selection, volume control and Bluetooth pairing.
and compatible with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Connections are a digital optical audio input, and twin
But there are caveats. This isn’t a smart bar and if you HDMI – one an output with eARC – compatible with Dolby
want to cast Chrome, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Vision, HDR10 and HLG. Some might want more HDMI
Wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth. inputs, but if you connect the majority of your sources
And despite the Atmos appellation, it adopts a 2.1 direct to your TV, and listen via the Audio Return Channel,
channel design. There are no Dolby-enabled upfiring the specification here isn't too difficult to live with.
drivers; it doesn’t even come with a separate wireless Reflecting its upper-budget price point, the HT-X8500
subwoofer, preferring to harrumph bass through two has no onscreen menus. Instead, a line of LED lights on the
forward-facing woofers. soundbar indicate source and audio format, be it Atmos
But the experience it ofers is greater than the sum or DTS:X.
of its parts. The key is technology first heard on Sony's The 'bar ships with a slim (somewhat ugly) remote
HT-ZF9 predecessor [reviewed HCC #289], specifically control, peppered with buttons, including a variety of
AV INFO Sony’s Vertical Sound Engine, which creates the illusion individual sound modes (Cinema, Music, Game, etc).
of audio immersion.
PRODUCT: Ready to roll
2.1-channel Dolby
Atmos 'bar with Sizing it up Straight from the box, it’s all plug and play. The HT-X8500
Vertical Sound Physically, the HT-X8500 is a middleweight. Just 89cm isn’t fussy when it comes to placement and can be parked
Engine technology wide, it’s most obviously suitable for sets measuring in AV shelving, as it doesn’t rely on reflected sound.
POSITION: between 49in and 55in, and slim enough to sit comfortably The fun starts as soon as you power up. This soundbar
Mid-range in Sony's in front of most of them. Naturally, it can also be goes loud and plays wide, Sony’s digital processing proving
soundbar lineup wall-mounted.
PEERS: Build quality is good 2
Panasonic enough. The front-facing
SC-HTB900;
Sonos Beam driver array (left and right
mid/high cones, placed

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


3 Wi-Fi integration/streaming
immediately efective. In many ways, it's a good deal easier
to live with than the HT-ZF9, which was inscrutable at best.
Here things are a lot more clear cut.
Beneath the hood you’ll find S-Force Pro front
surround audio processing, coupled to the brand’s Vertical
Sound Engine. While the latter isn’t able to simulate
overhead efects (very few soundbars can, regardless
of budget), what it does do is paint a soundstage that
towers in a way regular stereo systems can’t, and wraps
audio around your seating position, almost like the sonic
equivalent of Cinerama.
Sony suggests the HT-X8500 creates a soundfield
comparable to an Atmos 7.1.2 system. That’s a bit wishful,
but for £350 let’s not be overly pedantic. Dolby Atmos
and DTS:X movies exhibit a clear sense of expanded
'When it comes to bang for
buck, this is hard to beat
– cinematic sound without
a blockbuster price tag'
height and width. The bar’s Vertical Sound trickery
doesn’t just work with object-based codecs, it can be
used as an upmixer for conventional 5.1 and two-channel
sound sources too.
It's a gutsy performer, and doesn’t run out of steam
in the average living room. Given the physical confines of
the cabinet, I expected some shortfall in slam, but again
this mid-ranger belies expectation, with its forward-facing
woofers shifting air.
Bass response was measured down to 50Hz. While this
isn’t enough to rearrange your spleen, it’s enough for a
pleasing rumble. Sometimes its boom gets a little heavy
handed, and there’s not much scope for adjustment, but
for movies it’s on the right side of boisterous.
One upshot of Vertical Sound processing is that there’s
a definite sweetspot. Sonic imaging is more precise when
you sit square-on. Sit ofside and you’ll not pick up some
of the steerage.
Dour disaster epic Everest (Blu-ray, Dolby Atmos) is
a real blast. When the big storm hits, howling wind whips
through the listening room, and icy rain sheets left and
right. Immersion isn’t just about height.
The DSP is also something of a leveller, in so much
as there’s not a great deal of diference between Atmos
and Dolby TrueHD soundtracks. Both get the uncanny
wraparound treatment.
REVIEWS 59
SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVERS: 2 x mid/high drivers (size unspecified); 2 x woofers ONBOARD POWER
(CLAIMED): 320W CONNECTIONS: 1 x HDMI input; 1 x HDMI output with eARC; 1 x
optical digital audio input DOLBY ATMOS/DTS:X: Yes/Yes SEPARATE SUB: No
REMOTE CONTROL: Yes DIMENSIONS: 890(w) x 96(d) x 64(h)mm WEIGHT: 3.1kg
FEATURES: Bluetooth v5.0; Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility; HDMI CEC
control; Dolby Vision passthrough; Auto Sound, Cinema, Music, Game, News, Sports
and Standard sound presets; Vertical Sound Engine; Night Mode; Voice Mode;
S-Master digital amplifier
PARTNER WITH
SONY UBP-X500: Another
svelte slice of Sony AV, this
entry-level 4K (HDR10)
Blu-ray spinner jettisons
to keep its price down to
around £150 – yet still
handles Super Audio CD and
hi-res digital music files.
When Matthew McConaughey and his team splash-land 1. The soundbar is
on the water planet in Interstellar, after traversing the designed to partner
screens up to 55in
Black Hole, it’s a wonderfully engulfing experience.
The HT-X8500's soundstage, as they air-break through 2. Visible through
the atmosphere, is coherently chaotic. The rattles in the the grille are twin
front-firing woofers
cabin, and alarms mixing with the thunder of re-entry,
conspire to make a truly cinematic cacophony. 3. Vertical Sound
Engine DSP aims to
This ability to handle difficult mixes is similarly
create a high, wide
showcased in X-Men: Days of Future Past (Blu-ray, DTS-HD soundstage
7.1). When the Sentinels attack our future mutants, the
sound design is complex to say the least. An insistent
adrenalised score, copious special efects, the sound of
concrete splintering and sudden attacks; are all kept
reasonably intelligible.
Diferences between the soundbar's preset modes
aren't vast, but I did feel Music and Cinema created the
right impression. The Game preset has been fine-tuned
with help from PlayStation developers, so by all means
select this when you break out the joypad.
It's a decent performer with music, as long as you’re not
expecting a hi-res audio experience. Listening to Amazon
Music HD via a Fire TV cube is thoroughly entertaining.
Streaming over Bluetooth is equally satisfactory.
Entertaining upgrade
When it comes to sheer bang for buck, the HT-X8500 is
hard to beat. It’s an Atmos bar that relies on DSP rather
than physical drivers to create an immersive soundstage,
yet sounds remarkably convincing.
It's nearest competitor is probably the Panasonic
SC-HTB900, also compatible with Dolby Atmos and
DTS:X, but also without upfiring drivers. The Panasonic
ships with a separate sub, reflected in its higher ticket price.
If you want cinematic sound without a blockbuster price
tag, consider this a solidly entertaining upgrade for any
4K thin-screen ■
VERDICT
Sony HT-X8500
➜ £350 ➜ www.sony.co.uk
WE SAY: This affordable all-in-one delivers fun cinematic sound
without upfiring speakers or install complication. It’s a
rewarding upgrade for mid-range thin-screens.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
60 GO OGLE STADIA/£130 (PREMIERE EDITION)

A game-changer
from Google?
Rik Henderson finds out if Google's new Stadia cloud-based gaming platform leaves him
trigger happy or lamenting latency

GAMING IS ABOUT to have its biggest year in a long gameplay feeling as fluent and accurate as if
while, with at least two next-generation consoles coming on a local device, even though it's hosted many
at the end of 2020 in the form of the PlayStation 5 miles away.
and Xbox Series X. This will undoubtedly prove to be a Cloud gaming has always suffered from
considerable skirmish, as the two potentially 8K-capable latency and lag, due to controller codes needing
powerhouses go head-to-head. to be sent to a device, then via the internet to
However, there is one battle that has already started in a remote server, understood, acted upon, and
the games market, and it could end up being just as bloody encoded video then returned to your screen.
and fierce. But, thanks to some proprietary wizardry, plus
Google has fired the first major salvo in the bid to be a greater proliferation of localised servers and
the supreme cloud gaming service and, as Xbox is yet to a dedicated controller that connects straight
strike back with a full release of its Project xCloud platform, to the ‘net over Wi-Fi rather than via a device,
has set the standard for a genuine alternative to traditional you will barely notice any delay.
gaming hardware. Google has effectively cracked the biggest
Stadia is far from the first conundrum faced by the likes of PlayStation’s
AV INFO cloud gaming service to have PS Now, Nvidia’s GeForce Now and the long-
PRODUCT: emerged, but it’s the most lamented OnLine. For all intents and purposes,
Cloud gaming accomplished to date. It’s not Stadia games play like they do on an Xbox
platform quite the 'Netflix of games' One or PS4.
POSITION: service that people have been Google has also cleverly opted to serve 2
Google’s first foray searching for, as it provides cloud its platform on existing hardware, rather than requiring
into the mass access to purchasable games a dedicated box.
games market
(plus some freebies) rather
PEERS: than an all-you-can-eat library. Start me up
Xbox Project xCloud;
PlayStation Now; However, it gets the basics At the time of writing, Stadia is only available as part
Nvidia GeForce Now right, by providing an almost of a starter kit – with a Founders Edition having been
latency-free experience, with available pre-release (the version tested here) and a

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


3 puzzler/adventure, retooled
Premiere Edition now available for £130. This kit provides
a Stadia controller, Chromecast Ultra device to stream to
your TV, and a three-month subscription to Stadia Pro
(normally £8.99 per month). It effectively gives you
everything you need for gaming in up to 4K HDR and at
60fps. You also get 5.1 surround sound, although if your TV
doesn’t support passthrough or your receiver isn’t Dolby
Digital+ enabled, you might find audio downmixed to
stereo by the Chromecast.
Additional or existing Chromecast Ultra devices can also
be used for a second room, or by friends invited to Stadia
Pro membership through a free 'buddy pass' supplied to
‘Stadia won't replace a
dedicated console or PC
for hardcore gamers, but
is a promising alternative'
those who pre-ordered. They will also need a Stadia
controller (available separately) , however.
At present, the only other devices capable of playing
Stadia games are Google’s own Pixel smartphones, which
can be used wired to a Stadia controller or wireless with
a Bluetooth equivalent, such as an Xbox One or PlayStation
DualShock 4 gamepad. You can also play through the
Chrome web browser on a PC or Mac.
1080p fallback
Google says it plans to expand the number of supported
devices in the coming year, and also introduce an option
to subscribe to Stadia Pro ad-hoc. A Stadia Base
membership will also become available later in 2020,
which will be free but do away with free game releases and
limit users to 1080p and stereo output. That specification
(and cash-saving) might be preferable to some, as Stadia's
REVIEWS 61
SPECIFICATIONS
4K: Yes. Up to 2160p60 HDR: Yes. HDR10 on Chromecast Ultra
DIMENSIONS (CONTROLLER): 163(w) x 105(h) x 65(d)mm WEIGHT: 268g
FEATURES: Dual-band Wi-Fi/Bluetooth on Stadia controller; USB-C port (charging,
wired gameplay and accessories); Capture button; Google Assistant; built-in
microphone; 3.5mm headset jack; 4K video streaming with Stadia Pro subscription;
Chromecast Ultra supplied with Premiere Edition; compatible with Chrome OS
tablets (Pixel Slate, Acer Chromebook Tab 10, HP Chromebook X2); compatible
with Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 smartphones
PARTNER WITH
SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER:
One of Stadia's launch titles
is this 2018-era Lara Croft
for Google's cloud-based
platform with 4K visuals and
60fps delivery. Initial price
was £55, but it was reduced
during January sales...
4K HDR video requires a minimum of 30Mbps broadband 1. Partner with a TV
– 35Mbps ideally. If your data speeds are less than that, you for 4K60p gaming
might not see the benefits anyway. And, considering native 2. Other fan-fave
resolutions are down to the game developers rather than titles available at
Google, you might find you’re only getting upscaled 1080p launch include Red
Dead Redemption 2
graphics as it is.
Destiny 2 is one game that sticks to a 1080p resolution 3. Google's cavernous
Stadia Data Centers
on Stadia, for example. It is then upscaled in the video help deliver the
encoding phase, so you get a decent picture through platform's low latency
the Chromecast at your end, but not the native 4K visuals
experienced by, for example, Xbox One X owners. You do
still get a 60fps frame rate, but developer Bungie clearly
felt that Google’s dedicated Linux-based hardware would
serve a better experience at a lower resolution.
That’s not the case with all games – Shadow of the
Tomb Raider provides a native 4K experience – but
something to be aware of.
Nonetheless, even upscaled, Destiny 2 looks and plays
great on Stadia – not least for those with Pro membership
who get it and all its expansions for free.
In fact, all of the games I’ve tried on the platform so far
(there were 22 available at launch) play as well as I could
ever have hoped. Admittedly, I have 350Mbps broadband
with a ping of around 10ms, and wired the Chromecast
Ultra via Ethernet, but not once did video quality drop or
frame rates stutter.
And that really says it all. Stability is key to any cloud
gaming platform and my experiences suggest that Google
has solved many of the issues plagued by similar services
in the past. Yes, its payment model is a little skewed, with
membership fees required for quality rather than content,
and the amount of launch titles available is truncated.
But, in terms of performance, Google has set the bar high.
Stadia is unlikely to replace a dedicated console or PC
for hardcore gamers or AV purists, but provides a promising,
more convenient alternative that should get better in time ■
VERDICT
Google Stadia
➜ £130 (Premiere Edition) ➜ stadia.google.com
WE SAY: Stadia is packed full of potential, with tech that works
well and low enough latency for games to play like console
alternatives. It just needs more games, particularly 4K titles.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
62 BOWERS & WILKINS PX7/£350
Cutting the cord
Mark Craven enjoys music on the move – and late-night
movies on his sofa – with B&W's smart-looking and sonically
superior PX7 headphones
CLAIMING THE TOP spot in B&W's
headphone stable is the PX7, which
replace the previous PX. An active
noise-cancelling design with high-spec
Bluetooth hookup and some neat
features, they're arguably worth every
penny of their £350 ticket.
The styling and fit is suitably luxe.
Colour options are limited to just Space
Grey and Silver; both are classy and
understated. The outer edges of the
earcups and headband are dressed in
a fabric wrap, while the arms are made
from a woven carbon fibre composite that,
says B&W, mimics 'the strength and agility
of the fastest vehicles in the world.'
Okay, that sounds a bit OTT, but there's no
doubting the look and comfort of these cans.
The soft padded earcups and headband
won't upset your noggin, and they're tight
on your ears, but not too tight. The left and
right cups have large L and R indicators on
their inside, which is more useful than you
might imagine.
Inside each cup sits a 43.6mm
driver, the largest the company has
ever used in its headphones.
The right cup has a USB input for
charging the PX7's battery (rated at 30
hours), plus a power/Bluetooth switch,
volume adjustment and a multi-function
button for track cycling, etc. On the left
is the noise-cancelling selector. Maybe
I have clumsy fingers, but I didn't always find
controlling these intuitive; it certainly takes
a while to get used to how they operate.
B&W's noise-cancelling comes in three
flavours – low, auto and high – and the
difference between the two extremes is
marked. Set to low,
extraneous noise
AV INFO is still generally
PRODUCT: apparent, which
Over-ear Bluetooth might be useful for
headphones with commuters trying
noise cancelling
to keep an ear out
POSITION: for a platform change.
B&W's top-of-the- High, meanwhile,
range model
works as advertised,
PEERS:
effectively
Sony WH-1000XM3;
Sennheiser eliminating all but
Momentum Wireless the most honking
environmental noises
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
and creating a wonderful sense of intimacy
between you and the PX7's sonics.
High, in fact, became my go-to default,
preferring to simply lift an earcup when
needing to hear something from out there
in the real world. Doing this activates the
headphones' sensor, pausing what you're
listening to. It's a useful feature; an alternative
is to hold down the PX7's noise-cancelling
button for a couple of seconds, which
practically mutes your source.
When it all goes right
Streaming from Tidal via a Moto G6
smartphone finds the B&W PX7s in good voice
SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVERS: 2 x 43.6mm full-range
DESIGN: Over-the-ear, closed-back
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (CLAIMED):
10Hz-30kHz ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING:
Yes BLUETOOTH: Yes. v5.0 with aptX,
aptX HD, aptX Classic and aptX Adaptive
WEIGHT: 310g
FEATURES: Lithium-ion battery (30 hours
claimed with Active Noise Cancelling);
15-minute charge for 5 hours battery
(claimed); USB charging port; 3.5mm
connection; carry case; wear detection
sensor; 3.5mm cable
The cans' 43.6mm drivers are B&W's largest yet
(although I was unable to sample the cans'
aptX Adaptive codec compatibility).
The synthetic low-end elements of
Chase and Status' All Goes Wrong sound
phenomenally deep and purposeful, giving
the track a largescale, symphonic feel. Yet the
PX7s aren't only focused on bass bluster, like
so many (more affordable) 'phones. Detail
retrieval and soundstaging is excellent,
conveying the track's playful production
and multi-layered vocals. There's not
a hint of treble harshness, either.
Stoned Soul Picnic by Laura Nyro, one
of the more interesting mixes on Tidal's
360 Reality Audio playlist, is
altogether more mellow, with
gentle percussion and piano
chords. Yet the PX7s deliver
the pin-point soundstaging
the format promises.
Used wirelessly with a
Denon AVR-X1600H (the
cans' hardshell carry case
includes a cable if you every
find yourself out of juice),
these closed-back B&Ws
seem tailor-made for movie
replay. Their broad frequency
range, precision and scale bring
out the drama of Aquaman's ferocious
soundmix, and they successfully run the
gamut from powerful to delicate. Sat on my
sofa, cable-free, I soon became immersed in
the onscreen action, ears tickled by steered
FX and centralised dialogue.
Overall, these are strikingly accomplished.
Comfortable, lightweight, feature-packed
and brilliant with movies and music.
A must-audition if you want to cut the cord ■
VERDICT
B&W PX7
➜ £350 ➜ www.bowerswilkins.com
WE SAY: Master the earcup controls and these
headphones reward with a premium
performance to match their smart design.
 Over 160 brands booked
with more to come!

ORGANISED BY AUDIO T
21st – 23rd February 2020. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel

HI-FI, STREAMING, HOME CINEMA,

VINYL, HEADPHONES - THEY ARE
ALL AT BRISTOL!

Witness the launch of dozens of new

products, with many brought directly
from the Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas
W The UK’s largest & longest running Hi-Fi Show
now in its 33rd Year
SAVE TIME
W

Experience the latest Hi-Fi and talk directly to

& MONEY ADMISSION
Adults £14 on the door
the manufacturers and designers
Buy Your £12.50 online*
Students & Seniors (over 65) OVER £10,000 WORTH OF HI-FI
Tickets £12.50 on the door TO BE WON IN THE MASSIVE
*
Online
£11 online*
Multiple day tickets available.
SHOW COMPETITION
.uk
www.bristolshow.co 3 day tickets online only*
Accompanied Children under
Exclusive product launches
W W

16 FREE
Students & Emergency See all the major industry players, large and
Workers Sunday after 2pm
£6.25 small, from Arcam to Wharfedale
*online booking fee applies
W

Pick up a fantastic Show bargain... with deals

BRANDS INCLUDE: Acoustic Energy, ADL, Advanced MP3 Players, Amphion, Apollo
on most purchases!
Hi-Fi, Arcam, Astell & Kern, Atacama Audio, ATC, ATI Amplifiers, Auden Distribution,
W

Audeze, Audio Analogue, Audio Note, Audio-Technica, Audiolab, AudioQuest, Visit the What Hi-Fi? stand for a
AURALiC, AV Tech Solutions, AVID HIFI, AVM, AVTech Media, Ayre Acoustics, Balanced
Audio Technology, BASE, Bowers & Wilkins, Bryston, Canton, CH Precision, Chord demonstration or an answer to any questions
Company, Chord Electronics, Clearaudio, Clearer Audio, Cowon, Custom Design,
Cyrus, Dali, Decent Audio, Definitive Technology, Denon, Diverse Vinyl, DS Audio,
you might have
Dual, Dynamic Distribution, Dynaudio, Eclipse, ELAC, Elipson, Emotiva, Exertis,
W

Exposure Electronics, Falcon Acoustics, FiiO, Focal, Funk Firm, Furutech, Fyne Audio, Right next to Cabot Circus - a £500 million
Glanz, Grado Cartridges, Harbeth Audio, Harman / kardon, Hegel, Henley Audio,
Hi-Fi Racks, Hi-Fi World, Hi-Fi+, Hifi Pig, IAG, iBasso, Innuos, IsoAcoustics, Jamo, JBL, shopping centre, with exciting shops,
Jico, JL Audio, Kanto Audio, Karma AV, KEF, Keith Monks, KirmussAudio, Klipsch,
Knosti, Kog Audio, Kudos Audio, Kuzma, Larsen, Leema Acoustics, Lehmann, Linn
restaurants and the 13 screen Cinema de Lux
Products, Living Voice, Lockwood Loudspeakers, Magnepan, Marantz, Mark Levinson,
Martin Logan, MCRU, Melco Audio, Meze Audio, Michell Engineering, Micromega,
Miyajima, Mobile Fidelity, Monitor Audio, Musical Fidelity, Musical Surroundings, GETTING TO THE SHOW
Nagaoka, Naim Audio, Neat Acoustics, Novafidelity, NuPrime Audio, Origin Live, BY TRAIN: Temple Meads Station is a short
Ortofon, Peachtree Audio, Pegaso, PMC, Polk, Primare, Pro-Ject, ProAc, Puritan distance from the Marriott.
Audio Laboratories, Q-Up, Qobuz, Quadraspire, RBH Sound, Rega, REL Acoustics, BY CAR: From the M4 take J19 (M32
Revel, Rogers, Roksan, Roon, Ruark Audio, Russell K, S Booster, SAEC, Scansonic, - Bristol). Follow signs for City Centre and
SCV Distribution, SJS, Solidsteel, Sony, Soulines, Sound Fowndations, Sound United, RAC signs to the Show. For those using
Spendor, Stillpoints, SVS, SweetVinyl, T+A, Talk Electronics, Technics, Tellurium Q, satellite navigation systems the hotel post
Timestep, Tonar International, Totem Acoustic, Townshend Audio, Tri-Art Audio, code is BS1 3AD. Easy local parking in
Triode, Unison Research, van den Hul, Vinyls Best, Von Gaylord Audio, Wand,
Wharfedale, What Hi-Fi?, Wilson Benesch and many more
Cabot Circus car park and Broadmead
and Bond Street NCPs.

www.bristolshow.co.uk
For the latest news and a
full list of brands exhibiting Organised by In association with
please visit our website
64 ONKYO HT-S3910/£400
Onkyo's Atmos tease
This 5.1 combi system doesn't offer much mileage from its onboard 3D audio decoding, but in
other ways it offers solid value for money, reckons Mark Craven
ALL-IN-ONE HOME CINEMA systems, which were
the darlings of the AV market at the turn of the century,
have fallen so far out of fashion that practically all
manufacturers have given up on them. At first glance,
you might think Onkyo's HT-S3910 is a lone holdout
against the soundbar revolution, but then you clock that
it lacks the integrated disc player that made all-in-one
systems so convenient.
So what is it then? Basically, it's an AV receiver and
speaker package, bundled together and shipped with the
necessary speaker cables. In the streaming age of 2020,
you could argue it's all that's needed to graduate from
a TV sound system to genuine home cinema.
Vertically challenged
You could also argue that the HT-S3910 is a bit of
a conundrum, because while its feature list includes
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding (as befits a 2020
AV receiver), its channel count is only five. Furthermore,
the system's touted 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos playback
transpires not to come from Dolby-enabled upfiring units
AV INFO tucked into the front L/R speakers (as you might
PRODUCT: reasonably expect), but the use of the surround models as
AVR/5.1 speaker front heights. Which isn't what most people will think of as
system combi Dolby Atmos, and isn't much of a mass market proposition
POSITION: (because, at the very least, it involves hammering away
Towards the at walls). Of course, it's better to have Atmos/DTS:X
bottom of Onkyo's processing than not (it's an upgrade path, after all),
surprisingly extensive
systems range and it's joined here by virtual variants.
Elsewhere, the specification of the AV receiver element
PEERS:
Onkyo HT-S5805; of the HT-S3910 is pretty solid. There's a quartet of
Yamaha YHT-1840 HDMI inputs, and one output (ARC-enabled for an
easy connection to a TV); 4K HDR passthrough (with
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
Dolby Vision support); Bluetooth audio streaming;
4K upscaling; a full-size headphone output; Zone B line-
level output; FM/AM tuner; and a powered USB port on
the rear to feed any HDMI streaming stick you might want
to connect.
So what's missing? Ethernet/Wi-Fi connectivity (this
isn't a networkable receiver) and any form of automated
EQ (which, in Onkyo's case, would be AccuEQ). Speaker
setup therefore borders on plonk-and-play, although
manual configuration of crossover, distance and level
is provided. When up and running, there's also a tone
control function and dialogue enhancement tool
(accessed by the 'Vocal' button on the remote),
plus audio modes including All Channel Stereo.
All this isn't a bad haul considering the £400
system price, although the budget nature of the
accompanying speakers shows where the money has
gone. Onkyo's six cabinets are all fairly agreeably designed
(by being non-descript) but you'll immediately notice
they feel lightweight.
The system contains four identical smallscale cabinets
(front L/R, and surround), a wider centre channel, and
a boxy passive subwoofer that takes its power from the
AVR unit. It has a down-firing 6.5in driver, which doesn't
raise hopes of chest-crushing bass.
All the satellite speakers use a single full-range driver
(even the centre channel, although its enlarged cabinet size
helps it claim a slightly deeper frequency response). On the
back are spring-clip terminals to accept Onkyo's bare-wire
speaker cabling, and keyhole wall-mount fixing.
Not having to run auto calibration, or configure a
wireless connection, makes setting up the HT-S3910
refreshingly quick if you're happy with the default 120Hz

subwoofer crossover setting, and either except the unit's
default speaker distance measurements (3.6m for L/C/R,
2.1m for surround) or are confident enough to guess
without recourse to a tape measure. With speakers placed
fore and aft, an Oppo Blu-ray player plumbed in via HDMI
and the AVR connected via HDMI ARC to my TV, I was
ready to listen.
Going to war
With its reasonably powerful onboard amplification
(Onkyo claims an improbable 100W per channel into its
accompanying 6 ohm speakers), the HT-S3910 wastes
no time in making itself heard with the soundmix of
Overload (4K Blu-ray). It doesn't want for energy or
soundstaging skill, but it can sound a little rough and ready.
Letting the side down, unfortunately, is the subwoofer.
This made-to-a-cost item exhibits the usual failings of
a budget woofer, being primarily concerned with making
a crowd-pleasing boom without having much in the way
of nuance, slam or genuine depth. That's not to say it
doesn't play its part – LF effects (gunfire, explosions,
droning aircraft engines) all gain impact from its
rumblings, giving you a flavour of what the soundmixer
intended that you just won't get from most TV speaker
systems. But when Overlord's onscreen action calls for
really deep and vicious bass hits (most notably in the
opening parachute drop sequence), it's found wanting.
You can tweak the sub level, but this just makes it louder,
not more accomplished.
The sub glosses over a lack of bass heft from the other
cabinets (you wouldn't want to listen to this setup in
traditional stereo), and serves to tie the disparate parts
together into one cohesive system. With all five speakers
in play, there's a decent sense of a large soundfield.
Having actual physical surround speakers always
beats a soundbar's virtual processing, and this is one
of the HT-S3910's selling points. Onkyo's fourth and fifth
channels are a tonal match for the front L/R, and this helps
tighten up front-to-back effects pans, and means surround
details aren't demoted to also-ran status. With an active
multichannel mix, your listening position becomes
enveloped. Careful positioning helps overcome the
speakers rather narrow presentation.
Top-end delivery is actually rather impressive, with
a crisp nature to high-frequency effects that's enjoyable
but not fatiguing. Yet between this and the subwoofer, this
system misses out on some mid-range body, meaning
score and dialogue elements can occasionally feel thin
and buried in the mix.
REVIEWS 65
SPECIFICATIONS
DOLBY ATMOS: Yes DTS:X: Yes IMAX ENHANCED: No MULTICHANNEL INPUT: No
MULTICHANNEL PRE-OUT: No MULTICHANNEL OUTPUT (CLAIMED): 5 x 100W (into
6 ohms) MULTIROOM: Yes. Zone 2 audio line-out AV INPUTS: 1 x digital optical audio
input; 1 x digital coaxial audio input; 3 x analogue inputs HDMI: Yes. 4 x inputs; 1 x
output COMPONENT VIDEO: No VIDEO UPSCALING: Yes. To 4K DIMENSIONS (AVR):
435(w) x 328(d) x 160(h)mm WEIGHT (AVR): 8.2kg
FEATURES: 2 x subwoofer pre-outs; Bluetooth receiver; Dolby Height Virtualization;
DTS Virtual:X; HDMI ARC; Advanced Music Optimizer; Vocal Enhancer; tone
control (front L/R channels); 4K HDR passthrough (including Dolby Vision);
powered USB port; AM/FM tuner; onscreen display; AKM 384kHz/32-bit; supplied
with 5.1 speaker system (4 x full-range satellites; 1 x full-range centre channel;
1 x 6.5in subwoofer)
PARTNER WITH
AMAZON FIRE STICK 4K: Onkyo
includes a powered USB port
on the rear of the HT-S3910's
amp to connect to an HDMI
streaming stick. Amazon's
Fire 4K model (£50) is the
best of the bunch, and comes
with a remote with Alexa
voice control.
One of a kind 1. Despite the centre
Evaluating the overall appeal of the HT-S3910 isn't simple, channel's width,
it still uses a single
because it occupies such a rare spot in the AV market. full-range driver
It's easy to say it doesn't offer the same broad specification
and skillset as, say, Denon's also £400 AVR-X1600H [see 2. The front L/R
speakers get binding
p48], but that doesn't come with its own surround speaker posts, the rest
set. And while there are soundbars at this price that go spring-clip terminals
down a similar fuss-free route, none have the upgrade
potential here, nor that genuine multichannel delivery.
In fact, it sets out to do what it does fairly well, give or
take some sound quality shortcomings that should perhaps
be forgiven at this level. It can imagine it finding favour in
a second room gaming den or kid's bedroom.
I still don't quite understand the Dolby Atmos tease,
though. If you're going to give us the decoding skills, give us
upfiring drivers too... ■
VERDICT
Onkyo HT-S3910
➜ £400 ➜ uk.onkyo.com
WE SAY: The sound performance here has both strengths and
weaknesses, and there are no upfiring Atmos speakers, but for
plug-and-play home cinema this is flexible and often fun.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
66 PHILIPS 55PUS6814/£530
Philips ups the ante
With universal HDR support and style to spare, you’ll be sorely tempted by this 4K HDR
mid-ranger, says Steve May
PHILIPS HAS THROWN everything bar the kitchen sink
at its 6 Series high street hotshot. This 4K UHD LED model
doesn’t just try to woo with a low price tag, it wows with
a host of fan-favourite features, including Ambilight,
multi-HDR and Amazon Alexa voice support.
And, for the most part, Philips' generosity pays of.
Rival budget-busting sets beware, this is a very difficult
telly to resist. Boasting a specification that rivals
stablemates with far more onerous ticket prices,
you might well wonder why you should spend more.
AV INFO The simple answer is you probably shouldn’t.
There’s no shortage of screen sizes to choose from.
PRODUCT: I had a 55in set on the test bench, but this model is also
Affordable 4K HDR
LED LCD with available in 43in, 50in and 65in guises.
Ambilight Fashionistas will be pleased with its look. The screen
sports a glacial white back panel, lending it an upmarket,
POSITION:
Mid-range, below stylish appearance. Ambilight provision means the TV
OLED models and isn’t super slim, but the aesthetic finish is fine.
7 Series sets The 6814 features Ambilight's standard three-sided
PEERS: configuration, common to the majority of Philips' 4K
Hisense H55B7500; fleet. This proprietary lighting system can be run in movie,
Panasonic
TX-50GX800 music and flat lighting (bias) modes, with the added
bonus of Hue smart light compatibility. You can sync
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
a whole room full of Hue lighting to run alongside the
set’s lighting pattern.
Connectivity includes three HDMIs (one with ARC),
all supporting 4K at 60Hz. There’s also component video
with analogue stereo inputs (I no longer rack anything that
could plug into this), twin USBs (one a fast v3.0 variant),
a digital audio output and Ethernet. Dual-band Wi-Fi is
onboard if you don’t have a hardwire network port to hand.
Smart functionality is solid. While Philips uses the
Android TV OS for its high-falutin’ OLEDs, screens lower
down the ladder get Saphi, its own Linux-based operating
system. This actually transpires to be rather good, in a
no-frills kinda way. The straightforward UI ofers quick
access to all the stuf you need.
Streaming apps include YouTube, Netflix, Amazon
Prime Video, Rakuten.TV and Chili. The provision of a
Freeview Play tuner means a full house of mainstream
catch-up TV players too; a 7-day roll-back programme
guide allows the absent-minded to browse missed shows
directly from the timeline. The Netflix app supports Dolby
Vision, while YouTube can play in 4K.
There’s good news for console junkies, too. With Game
mode engaged, I recorded image lag at a credible 19.1ms

(one of the best figures I’ve had from a Philips LED
LCD model).
DLNA-compliant, the TV had no trouble discovering
video files stored on a NAS, and TwonkyMedia and Plex
media server software. It didn’t just play my MKV stockpile,
it’s also happy with AVI, MPEG and VP9 codecs.
Thumbs up
From box to bench, it doesn't take long to give the
55PUS6814's picture performance an enthusiastic thumbs
up. Images are sharp, contrasty and nicely saturated. A nod
to the wise: out of the box, the set is optimised for Energy
Saving. Switch to Optimized for Picture, as this benefits
highlight intensity.
Basic picture presets (or ‘Styles’ in Philips parlance)
comprise Natural, Standard, Movie, Personal, Monitor and
Vivid. Both Natural and Standard do a solid job with a wide
range of material, while the Movie mode is perhaps best
ignored, as it generally throws a woolly blanket over fine
detail and contrast.
When an HDR signal is received, these presets shift to
HDR Personal, HDR Vivid, HDR Movie and HDR Natural.
More often than not, HDR Natural proves the most
consistently satisfying option, and the best if you're
viewing in a room with some ambient light. With Dolby
Vision, options become Dolby Vision Bright and Dolby
Vision Dark.
A measurement of around 350 nits confirms that
the 6814 isn’t the brightest HDR screen in the shopping
aisle, although this HDR performance is actually in line
with what we saw from the brand’s 2018 6700 range.
The upgrade here is universal HDR support (Dolby
Vision, HDR10+, HLG and HDR10), and the set excels
when steered by dynamic metadata. The Grand Tour
(Amazon Prime Video) glints with polished refinement,
an onscreen logo flashing up confirmation it’s clocked the
HDR10+ stream.
Having support for both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision isn’t
just a box-ticking exercise. Taking a dynamic approach
to HDR really helps panels without intrinsically high peak
brightness; tone mapping plays an increasingly important
role when it comes to picture performance.
That said, it’s worth pointing out that the set looks
consistently good with regular SDR content too;
it has enough vibrancy to maintain a bright and
contrasted image.
You’ll want to avoid standard-definition content
sources though, as Philips' Pixel Precise Ultra HD
engine doesn’t appear to have the processing power
to compensate for the low-resolution and compression
that hampers a great number of Freeview’s second division
2 provision of multi-HDR support sets it apart from many
REVIEWS 67
SPECIFICATIONS
3D: No 4K: Yes. 3,840 x 2,160 HDR: Yes. HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ TUNER:
Yes. Freeview HD (Freeview Play); satellite HD CONNECTIONS: 3 x HDMI inputs; 2 x
USB; component AV input; Ethernet; optical audio output SOUND (CLAIMED): 20W
BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): N/A CONTRAST RATIO (CLAIMED): N/A DIMENSIONS (OFF
STAND): 1,236(w) x 723(h) x 80(d)mm WEIGHT (OFF STAND): 16.1kg
FEATURES: Built-in Wi-Fi; USB multimedia playback; 3-sided Ambilight; Saphi smart
hub; Miracast; Amazon Alexa compatible; Pixel Precise Ultra HD processing; Micro
Dimming; Ultra Resolution
PARTNER WITH
PHILIPS HUE: Combine the
6814's Ambilight feature with
a wider Philips Hue system
for some smart lighting tricks.
Begin with a Starter Kit
(which includes the Hue
Bridge and bulbs) and then
add more bulbs, lamps and
LED strips as you wish.
channels. Things improve when you step up to HD; 1. The front bezel is
1080p material has detail and nuance. silver, but the back
panel is a glacial white
Motion smoothing is available in Smooth, Standard,
Sports, Movie and Personal (but not Harry) Styles, or can 2. The set features
be turned of altogether. I found Philips' interpolation fine 3-sided Ambilight
illumination
for studio content and sports, but movies undoubtedly
look more cinematic when it’s turned of.
Inevitably there’s a price to be paid for the price that you
paid, and most obviously that’s in black level performance.
Try as it might, the 6814 can’t ofer a deep black, and
it struggles with low-level shadow detail. This means it’ll
never look its best in full, dark room conditions. Yet watch
in a room with a reasonable level of ambient light, and let
Ambilight provide you with an ISF-grade white bias light,
and shadows look subjectively dark enough.
Performance isn’t just governed by room lighting
conditions. Consider positioning too, as the screen loses
contrast and colour vibrancy when viewed from the side.
Audio is a smidge above average for the price. The set’s
onboard amplifier is rated at 2 x 10W, and this transpires
to no shortage of volume; it’s also able to recognise a
Dolby Atmos bitstream, but it doesn’t have a speaker array
able to deliver immersive sound. Far better to budget for a
soundbar. However, you don’t get a lot of room ‘twixt panel
and pedestal stand, which makes sitting a soundbar
directly beneath the screen virtually impossible.
Low cost, high appeal
There’s no doubt that this 6 Series set is something of
a star when it comes to performance and value. The
similarly priced screen rivals (although Panasonic’s GX800
models give it a good run for its money) and Ambilight can
be considered a welcome cherry atop the cake.
Philips has thrown a six with the 55PUS6814. It’s well
worth auditioning ■
VERDICT
Philips 55PUS6814
➜ £530➜ www.philips.co.uk
WE SAY: With universal HDR support, illuminating Ambilight and
excellent gaming performance, this budget-saving siren is
difficult to resist.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
68 YAMAHA YAS-209/£300

Talking pictures
SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVERS: 4 x 1.75in midbass drivers; 2 x 1in
tweeters ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED):
200W (including subwoofer) CONNECTIONS:
1 x HDMI input; 1 x HDMI output with ARC;
Yamaha adds Amazon Alexa voice interaction to its YAS 1 x optical digital audio input; Ethernet
DOLBY ATMOS/DTS:X: No/No SEPARATE SUB:
soundbar stable – but doesn't forgot to focus on performance Yes REMOTE CONTROL: Yes DIMENSIONS:
930(w) x 62(h) x 109(d)mm WEIGHT: 2.7kg
too, says Mark Craven
FEATURES: DTS Virtual:X; Music, TV, Movie,
Sports and Game presets; Bluetooth; Wi-Fi;
Here's a soundbar you can chat to... Dolby Digital and DTS decoding; Amazon
Alexa integrated; 4K HDR passthrough;
WAV/FLAC to 24-bit/192kHz

A strength of the YAS-209's performance

is its skilful blending of soundbar and
subwoofer, with the latter sounding punchy,
powerful and not afraid to dig quite deep
(there's a Bass Extension mode to instigate
if it want it to push harder, but this can make
it overbearing at times). With the cartoonish
antics of The Grinch (Sky Cinema), it adds
bouncy, bassy enjoyment to all the onscreen
bangs and bumps, and fills out the bottom
end of Danny Elfman's score. Above it, the
soundbar's sextet of drivers work to create
a warm-sounding midrange and clear
YAMAHA'S SOUNDBAR LINEUP can feel feel right at home. It's still easier use the (although not necessarily attacking) HF.
confused at times, with models dating back Yamaha's stumpy IR remote for one-button You can go loud with confidence.
as far as 2015 still available (the YSP-5600 controls, but being able to ask your soundbar With none of the beam-steering/reflective
and YAS-105), joined but not replaced by later what the weather will be like tomorrow never tech from Yamaha's YSP models, the
arrivals. In the middle of the 11-strong stable gets old. It also brings the Spotify and Amazon YAS-209's soundstage never approaches
sits the new YAS-209, which represents the music platforms to the party. the sides of your listening position, remaining
pinnacle of its standard soundbars – not resolutely in front of you. Yet its stereo
endowed with MusicCast multiroom, and not Virtual assistance spread is appealingly broad, and even
classed one of the brand's multi-driver 'digital When it comes to audio decoding, there's without a physical centre channel, dialogue
sound projectors.' no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X handling here, nor, is well-projected.
It's not feature-lite, however, combining in fact, Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA. With streamed tunes, avoid the Music
soundbar and wireless subwoofer; one-in, There is, however, DTS Virtual:X post- preset and stick to Stereo, as processing that
one-out HDMI connectivity (with 4K HDR processing for faux height frolics, activated can be efective with film content can make
passthrough); Bluetooth music streaming; by the 3D Surround button on the YAS-209's your favourite tracks sound a little odd.
hi-res file streaming over a network; and handset (or on Yamaha's Sound Bar Controller
integrated Alexa control, courtesy of its app, which you'll need to have installed to Welcome addition
in-built microphone. set up the network/Alexa functionality). This is an impressive 2.1 concoction from
The stereo soundbar, which finds each L/R I'd definitely recommend giving Virtual:X Yamaha. Its styling is neat and tidy, and
channel getting a pair of midbass drivers and a whirl, as it's remarkably efficient at enlarging its performance is full-bodied and assured,
a tweeter, is nice to look at, with full-frontal the vertical scale of the soundstage without with efective DTS Virtual:X processing a
cloth grille, no hard edges and a top-plate sounding too artificial. Just don't expect sweetener considering its lack of native 3D
ofering touch controls and LED status lights. genuine overhead excitement. audio skills. Amazon Alexa is also a welcome
The accompanying For a playback experience addition. There's plenty of competition at this
subwoofer is also to match the bar's price, but it's worth auditioning ■
AV INFO quite cute, apart drivers, there's
PRODUCT: from its gloss Yamaha's Stereo VERDICT
2.1-channel plastic front port. preset. Other
soundbar/sub The Alexa feature modes – Movie, Yamaha YAS-209
system ➜ £300 ➜ www.uk.yamaha.com
certainly gives the Music, TV and Game
POSITION: YAS-209 a leg up over – all introduce WE SAY: An assured, smooth-sounding soundbar
Below Yamaha's many of its rivals a level of DSP
system that doubles nicely as an AI assistant.
MusicCast models Has Atmos rivals to contend with, though.
at this price, and tweaking.
PEERS: those already used
Klipsch BAR 40;
Panasonic SC- to squawking
HTB700 commands at Yamaha's sub pairs wirelessly
a smart speaker will with its soundbar

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

Digital subscriptions 8MK\Z_
d\[`Xck[

available online now…

/hcc/BAR/#digital /hfc/BAR/#digital k/hifi/BAR/#digital

https://hcc.secureorder.co.uk https://hfc.secureorder.co.uk https://hfn.secureorder.co.u

O Download each new issue to your device

OA 74% discount on your Digital subscription
OAccess your subscription on multiple devices
70 REVIEWS
LONG-TERM TEST
Arcam AVR850
TIME ON TEST: 18 months REVIEWER: Steve Withers
THE AVR850 HAS been Arcam’s flagship AV receiver for
nearly four years, and forms part of the FMJ or Full Metal
Jacket range. It retains the Glass G amplification introduced
in the previous generation but adds support for object-
based audio and brings back the big volume dial people
often associate with the company’s amplifiers.
Arcam has recently announced a new lineup of AV
AV INFO
receivers as part of its HDA range, adding an updated
PRODUCT: design, extended immersive audio processing, eARC and
Seven-channel AVR built-in Wi-Fi. However, the diferences don’t appear to
with Dirac calibration
be huge, making this the perfect time to consider buying
POSITION: an AVR850 as dealers cut prices to clear inventory.
Arcam's previous
flagship receiver,
now being replaced What’s good about it?
by the AVR30 The AVR850 remains an impressive AV receiver, capable
PEERS: of decoding and processing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
NAD T777 V3; object-based audio for up to 12 channels. There’s no
Anthem MRX 720
Auro-3D playback, but that’s hardly a great loss, and Arcam
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
recently added IMAX Enhanced support. The newer HDA
receivers can process up to 16 channels, but 7.1.4 is probably
more than enough for most people.
Class G amplification (which again features on Arcam's
HDA models) is a hybrid technology that aims to combine
the efficiency of Class A/B with the transparent, audiophile
quality of Class A. Arcam describes it as operating much
like a turbo-charged car engine, only utilising its power
supplies at full output when required. The AVR850 is not
only responsive and powerful, but able to drive its seven
channels simultaneously to a claimed 100W into 8 ohms.
Arcam was an early adopter of Dirac Live, and this
sophisticated room equalisation remains the best option
for higher-end processors and receivers. It uses a calibrated
microphone combined with a well-designed interface to
produce a graphical representation of the system’s in-room
measurements, and then applies custom filters to the
frequency and impulse responses.
Calibrated and fed a Blu-ray soundmix, the AVR850
delivers a stunning sonic performance, with superb
processing that steers efects with panache and squeezes

every last detail out of your source. Thanks to Dirac Live,
negative environmental acoustics are tackled, leaving a
tonally balanced and cohesive soundstage that will take
your breath away.
The powerful amplification generates remarkable
transients, and there’s head room to spare. Add four more
channels and the resulting 7.1.4 system can render some of
the best object-based action you’re likely to hear from any
AV receiver.
Spending a prolonged period of time with the AVR850
has also provided the chance to evaluate the long-term
reliability of its software platform. Owners of the AVR600
know too well that earlier models were prone to reliability
issues, but that certainly isn’t the case with this receiver.
It hasn’t put a foot – or indeed a circuit board – wrong in
all the time I’ve been using it.
What’s not so good about it?
The entire FMJ range looks dated, especially the green dot
matrix display and spartan, industrial design. But on the
plus side, the AVR850 is built like a tank and the black
matte finish doesn’t draw attention to itself. The new HDA
range has undergone a makeover, with at least the display
looking like an improvement.
The obvious issue when it comes to the AVR850 is that
it only has seven channels of built-in amplification, which
means those wanting to run a full 7.1.4 immersive audio
setup need to add four more channels (which could end
up costing quite a lot). To be fair, the new HDA models
have the same limitation, and restricting the channels
allows Arcam to make the onboard amplification
genuinely powerful.
What is more annoying is the inability to reassign the
built-in amplification to diferent channels (beyond the 6th
and 7th channels being tasked to Zone 2 or L/R bi-amping).
This means you can’t use an external power amp for the
front left and right channels, and then allocate the spare
amplification to drive a pair of overhead speakers. As
a result you’re largely restricted to using any additional
outboard amplification for your four height speakers.
The HDMI connections are plentiful, with seven inputs
and three outputs, but – unsurprisingly given they date
back four years – these ports are restricted to version 2.0a.
That means no support for eARC (Enhanced Audio Return
Channel) or HDR10+, although Arcam recently added
Dolby Vision passthrough via a firmware update.
2
REVIEWS 71
SPECIFICATIONS
DOLBY ATMOS: Yes DTS:X: Yes IMAX ENHANCED: Yes MULTICHANNEL INPUT: Yes. 7.1
phono MULTICHANNEL PRE-OUT: Yes. 11.2 phono MULTICHANNEL OUTPUT (CLAIMED):
7 x 100W (into 8 ohms) MULTIROOM: Yes. Second AV zone AV INPUTS: 6 x digital
audio inputs (4 x coaxial, 2 x optical) HDMI: Yes. 7 x inputs; 3 x outputs COMPONENT
VIDEO: No VIDEO UPSCALING: No DIMENSIONS: 433(w) x 425(d) x 171(h)mm
WEIGHT: 16.7kg
FEATURES: Dirac Live room EQ/setup; Ethernet; USB; 3.5mm input; 6 x stereo
analogue audio inputs; networked media playback (including FLAC, MP3, WMA,
WAV, AAC); DAB/FM tuner; internet radio; Class G amplifier design; twin subwoofer
outputs; MusicLife iOS UPnP/control app; RS-232; 2 x 12V triggers; 2 x IR inputs;
learning remote control; HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2
The AVR850 also lacks any wireless support, which 1. The AVR has an
means no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Apple AirPlay. As a result, uncluttered design,
with no front panel
users are forced to connect an Ethernet cable if they want HDMI input...
to access their network or run Dirac Live. It’s a first-world
problem, but still a nuisance. The new receivers include 2. ... but you'll find
eight of them (plus
built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2, all of which are three outputs) around
welcome additions. the back
Finally there’s the universal remote control, which isn’t
badly designed per se, but includes a frustrating quirk.
When you press one of the input buttons, Blu-ray for
example, the remote no longer controls the AVR850.
You need to remember to press the ‘Amp’ button to regain
full control of the receiver. It’s a small thing, but it annoys
me every time.
Should I buy it?
The AVR850 remains as great now as it did when it
launched four years ago, and thanks to an upgradable
platform, Arcam has been able to add new features
through firmware updates. The result is an AV receiver
that’s still a force to be reckoned with, and anything that’s
missing is hardly essential. In the end, class never goes out
of style, but sometimes it gets cheaper and now might be
the ideal opportunity to pick up a bargain ■
VERDICT
Arcam AVR850
➜ £3,100 ➜ www.arcam.co.uk
WE SAY: Four years on this remains a stunning sonic performer,
and its imminent replacement means there are price deals
to be found.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
Award winning home cinema by Elipson

Dedicated Conventional

Infinite Series Prestige Facet Series

For over 80 years, Elipson has produced industry award winning loudspeakers for professional and domestic
multi-channel audio systems. Their latest portfolio includes the Infinite Series for dedicated theatres and the Facet
Series for more conventional home cinema systems. Both ranges have been awarded the highest accolades from
the UK’s most respected audio journalists and are now available to experience in the UK. Visit their web site for
more information and contact one of our partners to arrange a demonstration.

www.elipson.com

Listening through your AVR and speaker rig isn't always an option, so the growing market of
Bluetooth headphones and compatible AV receivers gives Mark Craven reason to cheer
KEEP YOUR NETWORK wired and your
headphones wireless. This is my new AV mantra.
In the last month, I've been spending more time
than usual listening to music and watching movies
via headphones. It began when a firmware update
arrived for the Denon AVR-X1600H (reviewed this
issue, see p46), which demanded that I put its
Bluetooth transmission feature to the test. A pair
of budget wireless cans immediately had me
ensconced in an impressively immersive sphere
of movie audio. Then came Bowers & Wilkins' PX7
headphones (reviewed p60), which upped the
enjoyment factor even more. It wasn't then long
before I was vacuuming my car while listening to
music, cooking dinner while listening to music, and
even reading my children a bedtime story while
listening to music (I think I've blown my Dad of the
Year 2020 chances pretty early).
Not having a wire dangling from your
headphones, tethered to your source device,
is brilliantly freeing, and the factor behind the
growth in Bluetooth headphones and 'true
wireless' earbuds. Funky features, such as
noise cancelling technology, and higher-quality
Bluetooth codecs, sweeten the proposition.
Yet it's with movie playback that wireless
headphones have really turned my head
(sometimes literally).
Firstly, running a cable from an AV receiver to
your listening position is an immense pain. Most
likely, the one supplied with your headphones isn't
long enough for the job, and once you've solved that
problem you're left with an ungainly cable run that's
crying out to be tripped over, and gets in the way
while you rummage for popcorn. It's this reason why
you're likely to have never seen anyone watching
their TV using headphones.
MAIN IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/BOOKZV
OPINION 73
Secondly, the experience is genuinely
atmospheric. Music fans will readily tell you that
headphone listening is excellent at unearthing the
smaller details in a song's production; with a film
soundtrack it's similarly revealing, and a stereo
downmix of a multichannel track
retains enough positional cues to
give you that cinematic feeling.
In short, if your system is capable, you should
definitely consider adding wireless cans to your
AV arsenal.
Going off grid
Bluetooth transmission via my smartphone, two
AVRs and two pairs of headphones has proved
generally robust, too. Yet the same cannot be said
of my home Wi-Fi...
With so many of our AV devices now utilising
network skills, the temptation is to run all wirelessly.
But for peace of mind, a hardwired hookup is surely
the way to go.
That's not always possible, of course. In my house,
I have a Wi-Fi deadspot in the kitchen that routinely
causes phone-based audio streaming fun to drop
out, despite the router being visible mere metres
away. Yet if you can run Ethernet to your AV receiver,
TV, set-top box or disc-spinner without upset your
feng shui, you probably should. Over the Christmas
period, I swapped from a wired to a wireless network
connection on a Sky Q box (to facilitate a temporary
furniture rearrangement) and it only took one Next on Mark
dropout to have various family members asking Craven's wishlist
is a pair of
me to fix it immediately. headphones with a
I couldn't hear them complaining though, because headband so large
it hides the fact
I had my headphones on ■
he's nearly
Do you watch films and TV using headphones? completely bald
Let us know: email letters@homecinemachoice.com
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
74 OPINION
Is DVD dead, wonders Richard Stevenson, or just staging a James Bond-style near-death
disappearance before its big comeback scene?
THE AVERAGE DVD weighs 130g with case and
inlay paperwork, a little more for double-disc
specials. Those early pressings in glorious jewel
cases, the ones that didn’t fit in any made-for-DVD
cabinets, went nearer 165g. Blu-rays barely top 80g,
which just goes to show you what great value DVDs
are. Shame, then, that DVD sales have close to
halved in the last decade.
My reason for whipping out the kitchen scales was
to ascertain roughly how much weight I had lifted
and moved from the cinema room to the shed and
back again during my recent refurb. Twice, in fact,
due to changing my mind about room layout more
times than an adolescent teenager. The grand total
topped close to a quarter of a metric tonne, at 245kg
and, boxed up, filled a small shed.
In the cinema room, my DVD racking
covers one complete wall and half of
another, in a mish-mash of cut-and-shut Argos
media cabinets in around six diferent colours. Mrs.
S commented on said cosmetic catastrophe in the
same breath as noting how neat the refurbed room
looked before they reappeared. (To be fair, she said
the same about the system, speakers and subs.)
Should I look to a new suite of cabinets and get
them made-to-measure as opposed to hacked-to-
fit? Or, suggested Mrs. S while picking up a still-
sealed copy of Seven, how about I save the money
and just get rid of the lot? She has a point. Of the
near 2,000 discs sitting in boxes, I could count on
a few hands the number that we have ever watched
more than once. And some, like Seven, not at all.
They have sat on the shelves for years, decades
in some cases, gathering dust like a slow-motion
Hoover. They are waiting silently for the hallowed
time when we are not working 60-hour weeks and
will be able time to romp through this cornucopia
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
of classic entertainment at our viewing leisure. But is
that likely to happen given the growth in the number
of new films produced every year and rival services to
watch them on? Won’t we just watch a new movie?
Good question.
Love it or list it?
Maybe it’s time, dear readers, to offload your DVD
collection. Just just like we did with our VHS and
LaserDisc collections before that.
Actually, no. Don’t do it. Like a book collection,
a DVD collection is a thing of beauty in its own right,
with the spines creating a teasing tapestry of what
lies within. Just looking at them is enough to fire up
sepia-induced sentiment from the era, and very few
of those eclectic cuts and remasters from earlier
decades will ever grace the menu of streaming
services pandering to the mainstream public.
Re-read that last paragraph replacing the word
DVD with vinyl, and you will see where I'm coming
from. Give it another decade and DVD is going to
stage a nostalgic comeback that The Who would be
proud of. We'll all be lamenting the day we flogged
our 100s of DVDs for just enough cash to cover a
month of Netflix. There will be DVD fairs, cult disc
reprints at £40 a pop and a rebirth of the near-
extinct DVD player market. Maybe.
So convince all your mates it's actually time to
offload their DVD collections, and then take it of
their hands for a song. When university students are
sporting T-Shirts with images from the original DVD Richard
cover of Twister, the time will be right to slowly trickle Stevenson is still
under the
your boosted collection onto a greedy second-hand impression that
DVD market. Trust me, my entire pension plan is Seven ends with
Brad Pitt and
based on the value of that unopened copy of Seven ■
Gwyneth Paltrow
Does your disc collection have still-sealed titles? living happily ever
Let us know: email letters@homecinemachoice.com
MAIN IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/IM_PHOTO
• STORES NATIONWIDE

• DEMONSTRATION ROOMS

• EXPERT IMPARTIAL ADVICE

• UNRIVALLED PRODUCT RANGE

OFFER ING THE VE RY B E ST SO U N D, VI S I O N

AND SERVICE FOR OVER 45 YEARS

Talk to the
experts
CALL US TODAY!
Our friendly UK based team
are here Monday to Friday
09:00 - 17:00 to help you
complete your purchase.

ONLINE INSTORE BUY BY PHONE

www.ssav.com Stores nationwide Call 0333 016 4775

NEW NEW NEW

MARANTZ ARCAM NAD

PM7000N • £999
Streaming Amplifier
Discover the Marantz PM7000N integrated Hi-Fi
amplifier with HEOS Built-in technology. Stream your
favourite music and enjoy high-resolution digital audio
files up to 192kHz/24bit or DSD5.6. Switch to the high
quality Phono MM input to listen to your beloved vinyls
as never before. The digital inputs support PCM audio,
and decode - beside MP3 - lossless digital files like
ALAC, FLAC and WAV up to 24-bit/192-kHz for high-
resolution listening.
AVR20 • £2999
AV Receiver
The AVR20 is a high-performance audio/visual receiver
that delivers stunning realism for the ultimate home
cinema experience. With an impressive 7-channel
surround solution and featuring all the latest CODECs
from Dolby, DTS and IMAX Enhanced, the AVR20
exemplifies sound quality and engineering excellence.
The design of the HDA range draws upon all of Arcam’s
experience and is designed and built to give you years
of listening enjoyment.
T 778 • £2499
AV Receiver
The T 778 features the latest developments in NAD’s
Hybrid Digital technology to create 9 high current/
high power channels of amplification with improved
efficiency. Only NAD offers Modular Design Construction
(MDC), the company’s proven method for preventing
premature obsolescence. 7.1.4 Dolby® Atmos™, DTS®
Master Audio combine with Dirac Live™ room correction
to deliver hyper-realism that captures every dimension
of a performance.

SOME BRANDS/PRODUCTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL STORES. SPECIAL OFFERS ARE NOT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFER (NICWAOO). ADVERT VALID UNTIL 04/03/2020. E&OE

click &
collect www.ssav.com
 NEW NEW £SSAV
.COM

£4999 £SSAV
.COM

ARCAM • AVR30 • AV RECEIVER DENON • AVR-X3600H • AV RECEIVER DENON • AVC-X6500H • AV AMPLIFIER

Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 capable AV receiver that is equally at home with 9.2-channel receiver supporting Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Enjoy the most complete surround sound experience with
high resolution surround sound or two-channel music. DTS Virtual:X. 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs with HDCP 2.2. latest audio formats Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D built-in.
Also Available: ARCAM AVR20 Also Available: DENON AVR-X2600H Also Available: DENON AVC-X8500H

£1299 £SSAV £SSAV

.COM .COM

NAD • T 758 V3 • AV RECEIVER SONY • STR-DN1080 • AV RECEIVER YAMAHA • RX-A3080 • AV RECEIVER

Dolby Atmos and BluOS enabled AV receiver with Hi-Res With flexible speaker solutions, DTS:X and Dolby Atmos support, the 9.2-channel receiver MusicCast, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
audio playback and 4K Ultra HD full support. STR-DN1080 delivers mighty, cinematic surround sound. support, along with Spotify, Bluetooth, AirPlay.
Also Available: NAD T 777 V3 Also Available: YAMAHA RX-A680 Also Available: YAMAHA RX-A1080

The Home Sound System

6YEAR
WARRANTY
INCLUDED
The Sonos Wireless HiFi System delivers
all the music on earth, in every room, with
warm, full-bodied sound that’s crystal clear
at any volume. Sonos can fill your home with
music by combining HiFi sound and rock-
solid wireless in a smart system that is
easy to set-up, control and expand. Formation is a revolution in home audio, offering a unique
PRICES FROM £179 high-resolution, high precision audio system to fill your
home with superlative sound - wirelessly.

Bluesound is an award-winning wireless hi-res

sound system that lets you play music in any and
every room throughout your home. Choose music
from your favorite streaming service or from a music
library connected to your home network. Control
where, at what volume, and when music plays with
the free BluOS app for your smartphone, tablet, or
desktop computer. Bluesound offers 24-bit native,
pure digital wireless streaming music capabilities
PRICES FROM £299 PRICES FROM £399

NEW SENNHEISER • AMBEO • SOUNDBAR

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar delivers an unparalleled sonic
experience creating an ‘as if there’ 3D spatial experience in
immersive 5.1.4 sound. DSP technology allows just two front
speakers to reproduce full, cinematic sound from all around
800 Series Diamond you, including from above.

The world’s finest

loudspeakers NEW £2199

The latest version of the Bowers & Wilkins

YAMAHA • BAR 40 SW
legendary flagship range is the most SOUNDBAR/SUBWOOFER
groundbreaking yet, introducing a radical Supporting the latest 4K Ultra HD TVs,
redesign and bristling with next-generation the MusicCast BAR 40 SW delivers a
technologies. For sheer unadulterated musical range of connectivity options including
Bluetooth® and HDMI®, as well as built-in
realism, no other speaker range comes close. music streaming services and MusicCast
multi-room functionality.

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM CHELSEA • EPSOM • READING • SEVENOAKS • YEOVIL £SSAV

.COM

click &
collect www.ssav.com www.ssav.com/smarthome
 FOR THE LATEST TV
PROMOTIONS AND PRICES
VISIT WWW.SSAV.COM
QE65Q70R • 65” QLED 4K UHD TV
Experience flawless colour and contrast with deep
blacks in Samsung’s QLED Q70R 4K TV.

Relax with a TV that adapts to give you the very best

4K picture, targeted sound and personalised TV
recommendations. Experience a smarter way to watch and
enjoy TV. Save time searching with intuitive voice assistance
and control your compatible smart devices and home
appliances from the comfort of your sofa.

Also
FREE 5 YEAR
Available 49 55 75 82 WARRANTY

KD-65AG9 • 65” OLED 4K UHD TV

See how Sony’s latest OLED screen, processor and sound
OLED55C9PLA • 55” OLED 4K UHD TV technologies come together for breathtaking 4K HDR TV
Step into the wonder of LG OLED. LG C9 combines a cinema entertainment. With over 8 million self-illuminating pixels,
screen design with AI brilliance for a TV like no other. you’ll see perfect blacks, incredible contrast and authentic
Experience films in a new level of immersion using the power colour in a blur-free image, with a wide viewing angle.
of AI to automatically enhance the stunning 4K HDR picture Exclusive to Sony, specially designed actuators invisibly
and DOLBY ATMOS audio. And with the ability to control vibrate the TV panel to create amazing sound coming directly
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant from your TV, you can from the screen, for a perfect unification of audio and picture.
truly set the scene at home for your favourite show with a
single command. Also Available
FREE 5 YEAR
Also
WARRANTY 55 77
Available 65 77 FREE 5 YEAR WARRANTY

Panasonic KD-49XG9005 • 49” 4K UHD LED TV

TX-58GX800 • 58” 4K UHD LED TV

The GX800 features much of Panasonic’s best picture
tech at a great price. With Panasonic’s HCX picture
processor, this slim-line design 4K LED TV features
HDR Bright Panel Plus to make sure the picture
reveals every detail of 4K resolution. Dolby Vision
and HDR10+ Dynamic Metadata means you get the
best from UHD Blu-ray discs and 4K video streaming
services. Dolby Atmos sound transports you into the
story - add a compatible soundbar for best results.
.
Also Available
FREE 5 YEAR FREE 5 YEAR
WARRANTY 40 50 65 WARRANTY

£SSAV NEW £SSAV £5199

£4999
.COM .COM

PANASONIC • DP-UB9000 • 4K UHD BLU-RAY PLAYER SONY • UBP-X800M2 • 4K UHD BLU-RAY PLAYER
4K UHD Blu-ray player supporting HDR10+, Dolby Vision HDR, Find yourself at the heart of every movie and series. 4K SONY • VPL-VW270ES • 4K SXRD PROJECTOR
Alexa and Google Assistant voice control (via a future software Ultra HD Blu-ray shows everything in finer detail than ever A fantastic option for movie lovers who want an incredible
update), and 7.1 channel audio. before, so you feel like you’re seeing the real thing. cinematic experience at home, far beyond the reach of TV.

FOR THE LATEST PRICES AND OFFERS VISIT WWW.SSAV.COM OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STORE

Brighton 01273 733338 Holborn• 020 7837 7540 Solihull 0121 709 0606 READ
Bristol• 0117 974 3727 Kingston• 020 8547 0717 Swiss Cottage 020 7722 9560 Read the FREE
Bromley 020 8290 1988 Loughton 020 8532 0770 Tunbridge Wells 01892 531543 latest issue of
Cambridge 01223 304770 Maidstone 01622 686366 Wetherby 01937 586886
Chalfont St Peter• 01753 255110 NEW Manchester 0161 834 0267 Witham (Essex) 01376 501733
SEVENOAKS
Chelsea 020 7352 9466 Norwich• 01603 767605 Yeovil• 01935 700078
SELECT
Cheltenham• 01242 241171 Nottingham 0115 988 1703 digital interactive
Epsom• 01372 720720 Oxford 01865 241773
VISIT WWW.SSAV.COM FOR STORE ADDRESSES,
OPENING HOURS AND BRANDS STOCKED magazine today!
Exeter• 01392 218895 Reading• 01189 477093 • THESE STORES ARE FRANCHISED AND OPERATE UNDER www.ssav.com/select
A LICENCE AGREEMENT TO SEVENOAKS SOUND & VISION
Guildford 01483 536666 Sevenoaks 01732 459555

Please Note: Some brands/products are not available at all stores. Special/
added value offers are not in conjunction with any other offer (NICWAOO).

ADVERT VALID UNTIL 04/03/2020. E&OE

78 ASPECT RATIOS/SUBWO OFER DAMAGE?

Feedback
Got an axe to grind? Need to comment on current tech? Want to share your knowledge with
our readers? Team HCC is here to help

Scoping out a new system

Anton van Beek talks about the pains of
pan-and-scan [Film Fanatic, HCC #303].
He says that at the start of this millennium
UK terrestrial broadcasts were often shown
in pan-and-scan or open matte, but sadly
I still see it a lot on television in Belgium.
Sometimes the publicity for a film is shown
in a 'Scope aspect ratio but the film itself in
pan-and-scan 16:9. Even yesterday it was
Terminator 2 in a side-chopped version.
I also have recently noticed some fullscreen
16:9 broadcasts of 'Scope films in the open
matte aspect ratio, like The Maze Runner and
The Martian. I would have actually loved to see
these open matte versions released on Blu-ray.
(Avatar is already an open matte version; for
the theatrical run it was up to the theatre to
choose the version which filled their screen will show us the identical movie in 'Scope Reader Patrick has mocked up his projection system plan
the best.) with image instead of black bars. (This will not
Since viewing Terminator 2 open matte be true for people with a 21:9 television or a a human is shown in a bigger image. And it is
I have always been a fan of these; I realise that projector setup with Constant Image Height.) not an easy viewing experience.
the intended aspect ratio is a 'Scope format, What Michael Bay has done in his latest I am looking into creating a projection
but as a film fan I'm happy to see more Transformers movies is beyond my system where I use the biggest possible
information, to see more of the movie. understanding. It's switching between two image for 'Scope and open matte movies (in
And because all our mainstream viewing or three different aspect ratios in a matter of my case, 142in wide), while I will use a smaller
equipment will show a 'Scope movie with seconds, and it has no link to what is shown. surface for 16:9 and 4:3 movies, as they would
black bars, these open matte/IMAX versions A Transformer can be shown in 'Scope while appear in a fixed projection system used for

I ain't got the time!

I found Mark Craven's comments
regarding the length of The Irishman
[Digital Copy, HCC #307] a little
condescending. 'The Irishman debate
seems to be being conducted by people
who one minute boast of six-episode-
a-night Netflix binge-athons, and
then can't hack a three-hour movie.'
This misses the point. TV series can be
enjoyed on a per-episode basis. One night
I might watch three, the next night just
one. Finding time to watch a three-hour
movie in one sitting isn't always easy.
And while I enjoyed the film, I can't help
think it should have been edited to
be shorter.
Tom C, via email

Mark Craven replies: It certainly could

have been shorter, but having Netflix
Pacino and De Niro
distribution meant it didn't need to be. settle in for the
Let's agree to disagree! long haul...

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


'Scope, which results in a 107in image. Why?
Because currently you'll see Ant-Man at the
same size as the IMAX footage from Ant-Man
And The Wasp, while the latter's 'Scope
footage is actually smaller! So my next
4K/3D projector will be one with a zoom
memory to switch between both.
Patrick Peeters
Mark Craven replies: Thanks for the feedback
Patrick. Personally, I'm fond of aspect ratio
switching in movies, if it's done for some sort
of purpose. Michael Bay seems to do it just to
show off...
The open matte 16:9 presentation of Avatar
is an interesting one, as Cameron stated
during promotional interviews for the movie
that it was his preferred format – 'the
highest and best', but at the same time
the film was lensed for 2.35:1 2D theatrical
screenings. I've only ever seen it in 16:9,
so struggle to imagine how it would play
re-framed in 'Scope, but there remains a
die-hard bunch of film fans who regularly
demand Avatar be released on Blu-ray in its
'original' format. I'd imagine the chances of
that happening are very slight.
And I can't believe Belgian TV is still lopping
bits off Terminator 2...
Broadband still too narrow
Just read Steve May's AV Avenger column
regarding the approval of DVB-I [HCC #307].
I read a few years ago that within twenty
years there could be no more TV through
the conventional UHF aerial. Various
governments could make far more money
from the spectrum by freeing it up to mobile
network operators; also I think there were
moves within Europe (by the EBU maybe)
to make this more likely. DAB, I believe, is
also under threat, along with FM, etc, all to
be replaced by streaming or IP services.
Some may call this progress (I don't)
and I have written to you before on the
subject of UHD delivery and poor broadband
infrastructure. In my naivety I have still held
the hope that a 4K channel might arise on
Freeview/Freesat at some point (especially
the latter) – but with every passing year
(or announcement such as DVB-I) this seems
ever less likely.
Once upon a time I was at the forefront of
TV technology, both employed in that arena
and fortunate enough to possess the first
standard-def and then HD recorders before
they became as ubiquitous as they are now.
Sadly I feel left behind and let down by those
who clearly are encouraging this (streaming)
way forward.
To continue here to deride the poor BT
infrastructure would not be relevant to the
question 'Do you still watch linear free-to-air
TV?' The answer is yes/no. Yes – all the
TV we watch is from the main free-to-air
Star Letter...
Will bass blow my house down?
Hi. A great big thanks for a wonderful mag,
which I am now a subscriber to – and
something I'd like answering...
I was playing the brilliant Brad Pitt film
Fury (4K Dolby Atmos version) and Mad
Max: Fury Road. The levels of bass/low
frequency use throughout these films is
relentless.
This shows off my system perfectly,
which is powered by a Yamaha RX-A3060
receiver with DALI Opticons upfront, DALI
surrounds, two DALI subs and KEF R50
upfirers – a 7.2.2 system in a living room
about 17ft by 15ft.
This might be a stupid question but
should I have any concerns – apart from the
ornaments shaking in a cabinet – about
potential structural damage after extended
viewing of similar discs?
Also could you advise on measurement
inputs with KEF upfiring Dolby Atmos
speakers. When inputting into the amp
settings should I include the measurement
from speaker to ceiling and then to
seating position?
Paul Tucker
Mark Craven replies: I am not a structural
engineer, so I can't definitively answer your
first question. What I can say is that I've
never come across anyone who has done
structural damage to their house by
listening to bass-heavy movies. Not even
broadcasters, through Freeview or Freesat.
No relates to the fact that we never watch
them in real time (linear fashion) at the time
of broadcast. As mentioned above, recorders
allow the luxury of selectively watching what
we want, when we want, without using
on-demand services.
I am sure I will find the need/opportunity
to write about the lack of UHD
capability through all of BT's network
at a future juncture.
Ian King, 'rural correspondent'
Steve May replies: Obviously the
performance prowess of our nation's
broadband infrastructure is the elephant in
the room when it comes to shifting away from
over-the-air TV broadcasts. No matter how
much money is invested in upgrading the
physical network, it'll likely never achieve
usable speeds across 100 per cent of the
UK – especially as content becomes more
data-hungry.
Yet DVB-I is designed to also be usable with
5G wireless broadband, which – long-term –
LET TERS 79
HCC's Richard
Stevenson, who
has been using
dual 18in
subwoofers for
years. Maybe
some HCC
readers have and
want to confess...
About a month
ago I was treated to the sound of a V-22
Osprey helicopter flying over my house
(repeatedly). This was VERY LOUD, and when
I pressed my face to a window to peer
outside, I could feel the window vibrating.
I doubt your Fury session was approaching
anything near the same SPLs, and that your
ears will tell you to turn it down long before
your house starts falling apart.
Regards upfiring speaker setup, you should
input the measurement from the speaker
to your ceiling, and your AV receiver will
make the necessary calculation regards the
reflected audio. You might find you want to
boost the EQ'd level a bit, though.
Star letter writer Paul Tucker grabs a copy of Rise
of the Footsoldier 4: Marbella on Blu-ray. The latest
instalment in the unstoppable British crime series,
the film sees the fresh-out-of-prison Essex
gangster Pat Tate (Craig Fairbrass) heading to
Spain on the hunt for the man who had him put
away, only to get involved in the biggest drug deal of
his life. Rise of the Footsoldier 4: Marbella is out now
on Digital HD, DVD and Blu-ray, courtesy of
Signature Entertainment.
might have more of a chance of cracking
the coverage/speed nut.
The good news is that compression
technologies continue to advance. At CES,
Samsung demonstrated its AI ScaleNet
technology which halves the bandwidth
requirements for internet distribution,
delivering 4K at 5Mbps, and 8K at 15Mbs.
Blu-ray binge here I come!
My home cinema New Year's resolution for
2020 [Digital Copy, HCC #307] is mainly to
watch more movies. I have a growing pile of
discs to get through!
Garry
Anton van Beek replies: Don't we all? ■
Contact us…
Write to HCC, AV Tech Media Ltd, Suite 25, Eden
House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF,
or email us at letters@homecinemachoice.com
Please note: we cannot guarantee to print/answer all
the letters we receive. Sorry.
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
 CONNECT WITH
THE PRO AUDIO WORLD
ISE 2020 is the leading European show for audio systems integration

COLLABORATE
Meet with world’s leading
innovators and solutions
providers in the Audio and Live
Events Technology Zone

EXPERIENCE
Be inspired by industry
insights at our conferences,
keynotes, presentations
and masterclasses

NETWORK
Join the conversation
where the global systems
integration market
comes together

REGISTER NOW
 COMPETITIONS 81

WIN! Great Blu-rays up for grabs...

Head over to www.homecinemachoice.com/competitions to be in with a chance to win

Ready or Not
A young bride must fight for her life
when her eccentric in-laws insist on
continuing a family tradition with a
particularly deadly game of ‘Hide and
Seek’ in the blood-splattered black
comedy Ready or Not. Hunt it down on
Digital Download from January 27, and on
Blu-ray™, DVD and VOD from February 10,
courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Home
Entertainment – or try to win one of five
Blu-rays up for grabs by answering the
following question correctly…

Question:
Which group scored a UK number one in
1996 with a song called Ready or Not?
Answer:
A) Fugees B) OutKast C) Cypress Hill

Sign ‘O’ the Little Monsters QT8: The First Eight

Times
One of the greatest
concert movies ever
made, Prince’s legendary
Sign ‘O’ the Times is
now available on Blu-ray
in the UK courtesy of 101 Films.
Featuring Prince at his very best across
13 songs – 11 from the award-winning
album of the same name – we have three
Blu-rays up for grabs!
Lupita Nyong’o and
Alexander England star
in this smart, funny and
deliciously gruesome
horror-comedy about a
kindergarten trip to a petting
zoo that is interrupted by a zombie
outbreak. Little Monsters is released to own
on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download from
February 10, courtesy of Altitude Films
– and we have five Blu-rays to give away!
This fascinating documentary
explores the career of
filmmaker Quentin Tarantino
and the production of his
first eight films through
in-depth interviews with
the cast and crew who have worked
with him. QT8: The First Eight is out now on
Digital HD, DVD and Blu-ray, and thanks to
Signature Entertainment we have five
Blu-rays to be won!

Question: Question: Question:

Prince recorded the motion picture
soundtrack for which 1989 blockbuster?
Answer:
A) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
B) Batman C) Look Who's Talking
Actress Lupita Nyong’o voiced which character Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown was based
in the Star Wars sequel trilogy? on a novel by which crime author?
Answer: Answer:
A) Captain Phasma A) Elmore Leonard
B) Babu Frik C) Maz Kanata B) Mickey Spillane C) James Patterson

To enter any of the above competitions go to www.homecinemachoice.com/competitions

Terms & Conditions
1. Entrants must be aged 18 or over and resident in the United Kingdom. 2. Employees of MyTimeMedia Ltd and companies supplying competition prizes are not
eligible to enter. 3. No responsibility will be accepted for delayed, mislaid, lost or damaged entries. 4. Only one entry per household; multiple entries will be discounted.
5. Prizes will be awarded to the first correct entries drawn at random after the closing date. 6. No alternatives, cash or otherwise, will be offered to the winner as prizes.
7. The editor’s decision is final. 8. Comp winners' names available on request. 9. The closing date is February 27, 2020. 10. Please note that your data will be managed in
compliance with GDPR law. Our privacy law can be found at www. mytimemedia.co.uk/privacy

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

82 READER'S ROOM

Certified: AV-Holic!
HCC reader Martin designed and built this home entertainment den to satisfy his passion for
3D movies and bigscreen gaming

Martin turned a bedroom into his

film and gaming palace

Welcome to the AV-Holic Hall

of Fame! Introduce yourself…
Hi, I’m Martin Palmer. I’m 47 years old.

How long have you been into

home cinema, and what was
the first setup you had?
I’ve been into home cinema for roughly
25 years. Back then it was a 5.1 midi hi-fi
system, a VCR, and a 5ft, 4:3 screen and
low-res projector.

When and why did you make

the decision to set up your build, and the rear-wall
Midway through the DIY projector and anamorphic A raised platform was bui
's Epson lt
current cinema room? housing for Ma rtin room to house the cinema at the back of the
lens is in place 's eventual second
row of seating
I’ve been in Home Cinema Choice magazine
before many, many years back and this is

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 AV-HOLIC 83

Our AV-Holic's movie/gaming memorabilia

gets plenty of display space

my second build project, in another house. bought from IKEA for gaming statues from
It’s been done very slowly over three years as First4Figures have custom lighting installed,
we had to build a loft room first, so I could use and there's a custom unit to fit in on the top
the old bedroom for the new cinema. seating area.
Ceiling panels were just for effect and
So what kit's in your system? allowed speaker cables and LED lighting
My kit includes Mission speakers that I’ve to be installed.
had for a while now. They are in a 9.1 setup A Pioneer amp
at the moment with a Bowers & Wilkins PV1 What’s your takes in sources
including
subwoofer. My sources are a Pioneer BDP- verdict on Blu-ray, Apple
LX54, Panasonic DMP-UB900 (4K Blu-ray the room’s TV and a
player for future use), Toshiba HD DVD player, performance? Nintendo
Switch
Sony PS4, Nintendo Switch and an Apple TV. The whole project has
The projector is an Epson EH-TW9000 with been a labour of love
anamorphic lens, used with a 123in Screen and I’m really please
Innovations 2.35:1 screen. with the results from
I also have four ceiling speakers for when my equipment.
I upgrade the amp to Dolby Atmos. The seven cinema
seats are plenty, sound
Who was responsible for the is great for the size of
installation? Were there any the room, but it’s the
diiculties to overcome? 3D projector with active
The whole build and setup was 3D glasses which
completely done by myself. The units gets me excited.

Share your cinema system in the mag!

If you want to be in HCC, you'll need to send us some hi-res images of your cinema room. Here are a few tips...

1. Go big. Set your camera to take images at
the largest possible size, and at the highest
resolution. Don't worry about cropping or
resizing – we will make them print-ready.
2. Get in focus. Make sure your photos are
as sharp and clear as possible. If you have
one, use a tripod, or place your camera on a
flat, steady surface and take pictures on a
delay. The sharper they are, the bigger we
can print them.
3. Let some light in. While we tend to watch
movies in the dark, our cinema systems look
their best when they are lit. If you can shoot
with natural daylight, do so. If your room
doesn't get a lot of light (a garage conversion,
for instance) then switch on whatever lights
are fitted. Avoid using flash wherever possible.
4. Be thorough. Send photos of as much of the
room as possible. Images of both the front and
back of the room, the kit rack, speakers,
seating, disc shelf, movie poster art... The more
the merrier.
5. Don't be shy. Send a picture of yourself!
6. Show us more. Got pictures of your room
before it was a cinema? Or snaps of work
being done? We love to see these, too.
Now what?
Email your images to
letters@homecinemachoice.com with
the subject heading 'AV-Holic', and provide
your answers to the relevant questions above
– then we'll be in touch!

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

Sweet!
Introducing Cherry Cola—quite
possibly the best Hybrid Electro-
Optical HDMI cable on the market
today. Utilizing newly developed
and highly advanced electro-optical
conversion modules, Cherry Cola
reliably carries 18Gbps data packages,
including 4K Ultra+HDR, for distances
up to 30.5m—all without mirrors and
external power supplies.
Of course, Cherry
Cola is made
with the same
great care
and advanced
engineering
that characterize
every passive
AudioQuest cable. Our sophisticated
Noise-Dissipation System combines
carefully applied layers of carbon to
absorb radio-frequency noise and
directionality-controlled silver-plated
conductors to drain it away from
where it would do the most harm.
The result is exceptional reliability
and outstanding performance that’s
easy to hear. How sweet it is!
84 READER'S ROOM
The custom ceiling design hides
cables, and integrates Atmos
speakers and smart lighting
I love my 3D movie collection and
this is the first time I’ve been able
to watch them on the bigscreen.
It’s really impressive.
What was the last
thing that you added
to the setup?
My last purchase was my
Nintendo Switch console, with
its Mario Kart steering wheel
and foot pedal kit. This makes
playing Mario Kart 8 in single-
player mode a really amazing
driving experience.
And what's your favourite
bit of kit?
This would have to be my Apple TV box,
as this has changed how I buy and rent
movies – except for 3D and films that I really
love, which must still be physical discs.
The space saved and access to hundreds
of films at a click of a button is very
convenient. Quality and sound is great
without even the need to download
beforehand – just stream live.
What do your friends and
family think of the cinema
room?
Anyone who comes to visit is impressed, they
love the comfy seats and double cup holders.
Four-player Mario Kart with a 60in section
of screen apiece goes down a treat – what
could be better? Great thing at home is you
can pause the action and take your breaks
without missing a second.
What discs do you use to show
off the system?
My demo film for 3D is A Turtle's Tale. It sounds
crazy but it’s the most in-your-face 3D movie
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
that I’ve ever come across!
For a show-off demo in 2D with
sound it would have to be John
Wick, or another great one is
Dragonball Super: Broly (those
fight scenes!).
How often do you use
the cinema room?
I try to use the room a couple
of times a week. Sometimes
I just go in to enjoy my statue
collection, as it’s more than just
a cinema.
Do you still out to the cinema?
I rarely go now as it’s far nicer to wait for the
movie to come out within months of release
and enjoy it in the comfort of my home.
And what are your top 5
favourite films?
The Lord of the Rings movies (all of them),
The Fifth Element, Valerian and the City of
a Thousand Planets, Tron: Legacy and The
Matrix trilogy.
Do you already have your eyes
on kit upgrades?
Upgrades are always on the cards, especially
a 4K HDR projector, but for now picture quality
and 3D images are plenty good enough for
my friends, family and I to enjoy.
Do you stream content from
Netflix, Amazon, Sky, etc?
I have a big collection of LaserDiscs, DVDs and
Blu-rays so I didn’t think I’d ever go down the
streaming route, but I have come to really
enjoy it; quality and choice has got better.
I have over 150 Apple TV movies now – for
films I don’t want in 3D – plus Netflix and
Amazon Video, too ■
THE ALL NEW

SERIE S
Only the Name is the Same
We completely redesigned our world renowned, award winning
Serie S line to create mid-level subwoofers capable of reference-like
performance, because our pursuit of perfect sound never stops.

Improved cabinet Re-engineered & Redesigned

bracing & rails for uprated drivers for =ILHEłANOBKNQLPK
stackable line arrays richer sound 60% more power

Join the Pursuit | rel.net ™


The Choice of Professionals
Mixing film scores requires the most
accurate of loudspeakers. M&K are the
speaker used by the world’s leading
film makers including Warner Bros,
20th Century Fox, Paramount,
Universal, Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm,
Sony, HBO, THX, DTS and Dolby.
Using M&K speakers in the home
will more faithfully recreate what
the Director intended than any
alternative.
Hear why professionals choose M&K at the
country’s leading home cinema showrooms
Berkshire — Adept
01344 512 018 www.adept-is.com
Buckinghamshire — Arrow Audio Visual
0845 5197 551 www.arrow-av.com
Cheshire — Jacobs AV
07813 370 904 www.jacobsav.co.uk
Essex — The Cinema Company
01245 401 414 www.thecinemacompany.co.uk
Gloucestershire — Ceritech
01594 540 268 www.ceritech-audio.co.uk
Hertfordshire — Seriously Cinema
0345 230 0330 www.seriouslycinema.co.uk
Kent — Potters Home Digital
01580 762 864 www.home-digital.com
West Midlands — Zebra Home Cinema
01214 051 007 www.zebrahomecinema.com
Wiltshire — Aperio Audio Visual
01793 220 525 www.aperio-av.co.uk
Yorkshire — Oldfield Controls
01756 799 155 www.oldfieldlsv.co.uk
M&K Loudspeakers (UK)
01635 268 114
mkloudspeakers.com
 WWW.HOMECINEMACHOICE .COM 87

PLAYBACK
➜Software highlights RAMBO: LAST BLOOD Stallone is on border patrol
HUSTLERS Glitzy crime drama looks sizzling in HDR AD ASTRA Does Brad Pitt's cerebral sci-fi
blast off or crash to Earth? SUSPIRIA Dario Argento's classic chiller remastered for 4K BD
THE EXORCIST III Cult horror hits Blu with rare director's cut & MORE!

Why so
serious?
Joker ➜ Warner Bros. ➜ Blu-ray

DC's new Joker origin movie almost RATINGS KEY…

makes Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy Outstanding
look like lighthearted, frothy fun – but will its Above average
Blu-ray debut leave us crying in despair? Acceptable
Disappointing
Turn to p93 for our verdict. Dire
All prices quoted are approximate and may have changed

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE


The big man deserves better
Cartoonish violence, lacklustre action and ugly xenophobia mar this Rambo sequel
➜ Rambo: Last Blood
Having previously decimated Vietnamese, Soviet
and Burmese fighting forces, this time around John
Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is turning his attention
closer to home, going to war with the Mexican drug
cartel that kidnaps the young woman (Yvette
Monreal) he treats as a surrogate daughter.
So we're practically in Taken territory, only
...Last Blood feels like a deliberately full-on Trumpian
fever-dream with its depiction of Mexico as a land
full of rapists and murderers.
While embracing right-wing politics is nothing
new for the franchise, it's excessive here, and the
previous films always had well-mounted action
scenes to fall back on. Sadly, Last Blood fails on
this count. The final act, where Stallone’s character
lures the bad guys back to his trap-strewn Arizona
VERDICT ranch, somehow manages to be simultaneously
Rambo: Last Blood cartoonish in its extreme violence and lethargic
➜ Lionsgate in its staging.
➜ Region B BD ➜ £25 Nothing about it feels even remotely real, with the
WE SAY: This tired sequel is a terrible title character – a cinema hero now nearly 40 years
potential send-off for the former in the making – becoming little more than a cross
action icon – just pretend the series
ended in 2008... between Friday the 13th’s Jason Voorhees and Home
Alone’s Kevin McAllister.
Movie: There are still rumblings about a possible sixth
Picture: film in the series, but on this evidence it's time John
Audio: Rambo hung up the bandana for good.
Extras: Picture: Shot at 5K using RED cameras and finished
OVERALL: as a 4K digital intermediate, Rambo: Last Blood
gets a Blu-ray image (2.40:1, maintaining the
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
'Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!'
franchise's widescreen heritage) that's better than
this slap-dash movie deserves. It's consistently
sharp, with fine details in abundance, giving the
digital photography a (mostly) crystal-clear look and
pleasing sense of depth.
Colour grading is pushed towards lurid greens and
yellows in the Mexico-set sequences, but elsewhere
the palette looks very natural. Blacks are generally
solid, although there are a handful of instances of
banding that prevents the image scoring top marks.
Audio: If you’ll pardon the pun, Rambo: Last Blood’s
Dolby Atmos soundtrack never really hits the heights
you expect. Although the horizontal soundscape
is constantly occupied with everything from subtle
atmospheric details to more dynamic panning
effects, the overhead channels don’t get much of
a look in. Even the climactic slaughter in the tunnels
under Rambo’s ranch (Chapters 14 and 15) takes
little advantage of the format's immersive potential.
The LFE channel is frequently put to good use,
but it's not a sledgehammer track in the vein of
2008's Rambo. Dialogue is prioritised well and the
score extends beyond the L/C/R stage.
Extras: To accompany the movie, Lionsgate delivers
a watchable five-part production diary of the film’s
shoot (50 minutes), a separate featurette about
Brian Tyler's work scoring the film (17 minutes) and
a trailer. Frustratingly, there’s no trace of either the
12-minute longer extended cut of the film that was
released in some overseas territories (with an extra
10-minute opening sequence), or any of the
additional footage from it. MC & AvB
 PL AYBACK 89

Asterix: The Secret
of the Magic Potion
Altitude ➜ R2 DVD
£13
This CG animation
erases bad memories
of the live-action Asterix
films by largely
capturing the unique
look of Albert Uderzo's
original illustrations,
but the plot could do with
more Obelix action and the English
language voice cast (Canadian actors
you've never heard of) doesn't impress.
The DVD-only release in the UK, while
colourful and packing DD 5.1 audio, is
surely bettered by the 4K and 3D Blu-ray
combi pack available in France.
One for die-hard Gauls... MC
QT8: The First Eight
Signature Entertainment ➜ All-region
BD ➜ £15
This amiable feature-
length doc covers the
first eight films of
Quentin Tarantino's
career (everything
pre-Once Upon a Time
in Hollywood), but
with the filmmaker himself
absent, it falls to some of his most
prominent collaborators (including
Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx and Lucy
Liu) to provide the detail. While they're
every bit as engaging as you would
expect, QT8... is completely uncritical
in its approach to its subject, and often
feels like a glorified DVD extra – so it’s no
surprise this Blu-ray has none. AvB
Blinded by the Light
eOne/Universal Pictures ➜ Region B BD
£15 (HMV exclusive)
Pakistani teenager Javed
(Viveik Kalra) finds both his
voice and a way to escape the
misery of 1980s Luton when he
discovers the music of Bruce
Springsteen in this likeable
coming-of-age story from Bend It Like Beckham helmer
Gurinder Chadha. As familiar as the story beats feel at times,
Blinded by the Light at least offers a fresh perspective on them
– and captures the giddy excitement of fandom remarkably
well. On Blu-ray it also delivers a delightfully expressive DTS-HD
MA 5.1 soundtrack, attractive 1.85:1 Full HD visuals and a trio of
extras, including a chat-track by the filmmakers. AvB

Lopez's asset strippers hit 4K

No UK UHD release for this big-hearted drama, so head to the US for your thrills

➜ Hustlers 'It's not real fur, okay?'

Hustlers might not be what you think it is. Yes, its
based-on-reality story tracks the lives and antics of
a group of New York strippers (turned scam artists)
and features plenty of footage of them ‘plying
their trade’, but we’re very much in the female
empowerment zone. It's written and directed by
a woman (Lorene Scafaria), and clearly made for
a female audience. Men exist in this world as gullible
fools to provide the ladies with cash. And the scenes
in the club are carefully filmed to establish the power
as belonging to the dancers, not the drooling,
drunken crowd.
A charismatic, earthy performance by Jennifer
Lopez anchors the film well, though neither the core
story nor Scafaria’s script carry quite enough meat
to prevent things feeling a bit repetitive by the end.
Picture: Image quality on Hustlers' 4K Blu-ray (which
is available from the US) is excellent. The film was
shot using a range of resolutions, all 4K or higher, and
then mastered to a 4K digital intermediate that’s
surely the basis of this platter.
The picture is certainly impressively detailed.
As a result, the club sequences have great sense of
space, and the way the 2.40:1 encode picks out every
bit of glitter or gleaming gem on the ladies’ clothes is
incredible – especially with HDR on hand to give extra
impact to all the shimmering. HDR and wide colour
also work wonders on the stylised environments
of the strip club floor and back rooms, gaining extra
impact from the disc's consistently deep black levels.
Some of the brighter sequences outside the club
aren’t as punchy as they might have been, and
4K
ULTRA
HD
there's no dynamic HDR option, but otherwise this
is a strong 4K Blu-ray picture.
Audio: Hustlers flashes a Dolby Atmos soundtrack
that's occasionally brilliant, and always effective.
The best bits take place during the club
performances, as the baying of the crowd joins with
thumping, multichannel music mixes and lots of
VERDICT
subtle space-building effects to sell the club’s Hustlers
fantasy world. Elsewhere the mix is much more ➜ Universal ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray &
restrained, inevitably. But there’s a nice, naturalistic All-region BD ➜ £30 (US import)
tone to these sequences that emphasise the key WE SAY: A great-looking transfer of
difference between the amped-up club environment a well-acted but ultimately rather
lightweight film.
and the relative dullness of the dancers’ daily lives.
Extras: Bonuses are sadly thin on the ground: just a Movie:
couple of trailers and a commentary by Scafaria. The Picture:
latter is a laid-back affair that spends too much time Audio:
just retelling the story, but there are a few interesting Extras:
nuggets, and a discussion of how Hustlers' was
crafted from a female perspective. JA
OVERALL:

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

90 AD ASTRA 4K
ULTRA
HD

A Space Oddity
Brad Pitt headlines an intimate drama set against
an infinite backdrop that really doesn’t work

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


➜ Ad Astra
Writer/director/would-be auteur James Gray is
clearly a knowledgeable chap. In fact, his latest film,
Ad Astra, wears its sci-fi intellectualism on its sleeve
so loudly it slaps you around the face. Over and over
again. Whether that amounts to anything that might
be considered enjoyable is very much up for debate.
It gets off to a very promising start, with a
genuinely spectacular opening sequence introducing
the conflict between the enormity of space and
the claustrophobic mind of our troubled hero, Roy
McBride (Brad Pitt). But while the rest of the film
continues to look gorgeous, its implausible ‘daddy
issues in space’ narrative gradually descends into
a mess of pretentiousness and gaping plot holes.
Even Pitt’s natural charm and subtle performance
isn’t enough to make you care by the time Ad Astra
reaches its crushingly daft climax.
Picture: Much easier to appreciate is the quality
of Ad Astra’s 4K Blu-ray transfer. As mentioned
earlier, this is a very handsome film, boasting
an eye-catching combination of excellent special
effects, bold colours and impeccably created
sets. And the 4K Blu-ray gets far more value out
of all these good-looking elements than its 1080p
SDR counterpart.
Even though it appears we’re getting a 4K upscale
of a 2K master, the image typically looks extremely
detailed and textured. This delivers a greater sense
of depth for both the film’s most intimate and most
enormous settings, and brings drama to all the big
close-ups.
Given that Gray shot Ad Astra on predominantly
35mm film, and discusses how much he likes film
grain in his commentary track, it’s pleasing to see
this 2.40:1 4K presentation bringing out this grain
successfully. And it helps bind the effects with the
‘real’ image content, giving everything an immersive
level of consistency you don’t always get with
SFX-heavy 4K titles.
In fact, far from looking softer and less natural
than the in-camera stuff, Ad Astra’s biggest
SFX set-pieces, especially a shootout between
lunar buggies, look stunning; sharp, clean and
immensely detailed.
By the time you’ve added some pretty aggressive
HDR work to that lunar sequence you’ve got a truly
PL AYBACK 91
Some fans weren't happy with
the new Fast & Furious movie
demo-grade picture experience, especially if your
TV or projector can do justice to the deep but
nuanced black levels on show whenever there’s
a backdrop of space.
The brightness of Ad Astra's ‘natural’ and artificial
light sources is intense throughout this 4K HDR
image, and peak lighting effects such as sun
glare on metal or glass look spectacular without
becoming unnatural.
Colour presentation is also far more vibrant
and rich on the 4K Blu-ray, particularly during the
red-tinged scenes on Mars and blue washes
around Neptune.
Just occasionally grain can become distracting
(mainly during heavily saturated shots) and one
Before filming, James Gray said Ad Astra or two dark interiors appear a bit grey. A native
would offer 'the most realistic depiction 4K source might have delivered an even more
of space travel that's been put in a movie'
consistently detailed picture, too, and it’s a shame
Fox doesn't here provide either HDR10+ or Dolby
Vision, to give Ad Astra’s contrast-rich shots more
of a boost.
Audio: There are no such compromises with the
film's Dolby Atmos soundmix (DTS-HD MA 7.1 on
the accompanying Blu-ray). The powerful, dynamic
score from Max Richter and Lorne Balfe is mixed
aggressively right around your immersive speaker
system, while the lunar shootout and various rocket
launches feature gigantic-feeling bass and an
awesome sense of space.
The track is equally deft at creating smaller
spaces, however, and while the emphasis on Roy’s
internal story prioritises score and atmosphere
over effects, you still consistently get a strong sense
of being within the film’s world (as well as inside
Roy’s head). Overall, this is stirring stuff.
VERDICT Extras: By far the best extra feature provided with
Ad Astra Ad Astra is James Gray’s commentary track, which
➜ 20th Century Fox ➜ UHD Blu-ray is so rich in literary and filmic references that it
& All-region BD ➜ £25 almost sounds like a lecture. This can become
WE SAY: This film falls apart under a bit irritating at times – like the film itself. But at
the weight of its own ambitions, least it provides insight into some of the creative
but looks and sounds fab on 4K BD.
decisions behind the story.
Movie: Aside from the commentary, Fox's extras bundle
Picture: comprises an underwhelming quintet of featurettes
Audio: covering the movie's story; Pitt’s role in the film; the
Extras: scenes on the Cepheus space ship; the production
design and score; and the input real astronauts and
OVERALL: NASA had on crafting the film’s physics. JA
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
92 JOKER/FEAR AND LOATHING IN L AS VEGAS/DEATH STRANDING

Cloak and Dagger

Arcade Action Eureka – The Masters of Cinema Series
Region B BD & R2 DVD ➜ £20
Bigscreen home entertainment isn’t just about movies
anymore. Rik Henderson checks out a videogame vying Fritz Lang’s entertaining 1946
for time on your home cinema system... spy thriller stars Gary Cooper
as a physics professor turned
karate-chopping action hero,
trying to stop the Nazis from
developing the A-bomb. As silly
as this sounds, Lang brings plenty of believability to the actual
spy craft and a palpable sense of paranoia to the whole affair.
This Blu-ray sports a reasonably good-looking 1.37:1 Full HD
encode, albeit one with far more scratches and vertical tram lines
than many films of a similar vintage. Impressive extras include
22 episodes from the 1950 Cloak and Dagger radio show. AvB

Death Stranding Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Limited Ed.

Sony Entertainment Interactive ➜ PS4 ➜ £55
Arrow Video ➜ Region B BD
Hideo Kojima's games have always been £30
a bit out there, with his Metal Gear Solid Hunter S. Thompson’s drug-
series often mixing real-world action with crazy characters and
themes, but Death Stranding takes the weirdness to an all-new
fuelled 1971 mix of fact and
level. And we love it. Part open-world sci-fi adventure, part Amazon fiction was long deemed
Prime simulator, the game places you in the well-worn boots unfilmable until Terry Gilliam
of futuristic courier Sam Bridges – superbly played and motion
captured by The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus. And you will
brought it to the screen in 1998.
spend a vast majority of the game trudging about a post- Some argue the grotesque,
apocalyptic landscape delivering packages. cinematic sensory overload he delivered only proved the
It sounds simple, but is far from routine. Your seemingly
naysayers right – but that hasn't stopped Arrow giving it top-
mundane tasks must be completed while travelling a landscape
haunted by ghosts called BTs (Beached Things), which have the tier treatment on BD. While we lose many of the extras from
ability to suck you down into pools of oil. They'll also destroy your Criterion’s 2011 US disc (including the three chat-tracks), in their
cargo, so avoiding them is a must.
place are a new director’s commentary, feature-length 2012
To help, you have a baby in a jar strapped to your chest, which
cries when the mostly invisible BTs are threateningly near. Oh, and documentary about artist Ralph Steadman, and other goodies.
occasionally there are downpours of rain that can speed up time It also boasts a much improved 4K restoration of the film. AvB
and therefore rapidly age your cargo and gear to eventual
inoperability.
Death Stranding is unerringly odd throughout, but remarkably
gripping. An average trek from one location to another is rarely as Night Tide: Limited Edition
fraught as you expect, but calming and stunningly beautiful – Indicator ➜ All-region BD
so much so that it’s like playing through a travel brochure of the £22
Scottish Highlands (even though it's set in the US). There’s a whiff of The Twilight
It's also a visual masterpiece, with 4K HDR performance
Zone to this noirish romantic
exemplary on PS4 Pro in both cut scenes and actual gameplay.
Admittedly, you’ll have to put up with a lot of cut scenes, thriller about a sailor on shore
especially in the first few hours, but these are superbly acted and leave (Dennis Hopper, in his first
put together, featuring the voices and likeness of Mads Mikkelsen, lead role) who falls in love with
Léa Seydoux and others. They add exposition and a plot outline at
an enigmatic young woman
the very least, but you may still have little clue what’s going on for
a healthy amount of the game. working as a mermaid in a carnival sideshow... A new 4K
Still, persistence pays off and we’re sure you will soon grow to restoration using the degraded 35mm camera negative and a
love Death Stranding. It's clever and very different to anything you 35mm preservation fine grain master yields a refined 1.66:1 Full
will have played before, bordering on art at times. And, surely that’s
better than just another shoot-bad-guys-in-the-face-a-thon? Even
HD encode that shows off gorgeous monochrome photography.
if you’re not 100 per cent sure what it's all about. Good extras include a commentary by Hopper and director Curtis
Harrington, and a bonus disc of Harrington’s short films. AvB

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


Phoenix helps Joker to rise
Powerful psychodrama points to a new direction for comic book blockbusters
➜ Joker
DC Comics’ attempts to compete with Marvel on the
bigscreen haven’t exactly gone to plan, with only a
handful of its films (Wonder Woman, Shazam! and,
maybe, Aquaman) coming close to matching those
its rival has been pumping out since 2008. Joker,
however, points to a potentially more interesting
strategy; one where instead of trying to ape what
Marvel is doing, DC gives filmmakers free rein with
its characters, and doesn't tie them down to any
specific style or continuity.
Co-written and directed by Todd (The Hangover)
Phillips, Joker paints a memorable portrait of mental
illness, social isolation, poverty and abuse, all within
the framework of a definitive origin story for DC’s
most popular villain (something that has never been
concretely pinned down in 80-odd years of comic
book stories).
Heavily indebted to Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver
and The King of Comedy in both content and
style (and Phillips even casts Robert De Niro in
a supporting role), Joker doesn’t have quite the
same depth or nuance in its storytelling, but it's
still pretty powerful stuf, with an electrifying central
performance from Joaquin Phoenix.
Fresh from a global box office take in excess
of $1billion, it’ll be fascinating to see how Joker
influences DC’s cinematic output in the future...
Picture: Derived from a 4K digital intermediate (itself
based on large format digital 65mm photography),
Joker’s 1080p SDR Blu-ray presentation is very
PL AYBACK 93
impressive. Framed at 1.85:1, the film frequently
features a deliberately sickly aesthetic that pushes
hard on teal and orange grading to reflect its
protagonist’s damaged mind, a look that is
reproduced perfectly here.
While this grading does result in very occasional
crushed blacks, it never impacts on the textural
details (rubbish strewn in alleys, Gotham's fading Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2) plays Arthur
architecture, Joker's DIY makeup) that fill every shot. Fleck's neighbour Sophie
Audio: Given that Joker is more of a character study
than your standard comic book movie, it’s hardly
surprising that its Dolby Atmos soundmix doesn’t
aim to replicate the audio bombast served up by
other superhero films. Instead, this impressively
astute and dramatic track is used to underline the
mental state of its lead character. The build up to
the train shooting (Chapter 4) is a prime example;
the intermittent sound of the train rushing through
the tunnel grows consecutively louder towards the
VERDICT
sudden violent outburst. Underlining it all is a Joker
flawless rendering of composer Hildur (Chernobyl) ➜ Warner Bros.
Gudnadóttir’s mournful cello-driven score. ➜ All-region BD ➜ £25
Extras: Joker: Vision & Fury (22 minutes) is the only WE SAY: An impressive HD
extra of any substance, ofering an interesting look presentation, although the
disappointing extras would wipe
at the film’s design and the way the story continued the smile off Joker’s face.
to evolve and change during production. Beyond
that, all Warner's Blu-ray has to ofer is a one-minute Movie:
reel of wardrobe tests (Becoming Joker), a three- Picture:
minute collection of alternate takes from a specific Audio:
scene (Please Welcome… Joker!), and a three-minute Extras:
animated stills gallery (Joker: A Chronicle of Chaos). OVERALL:
Fans will expect better. AvB
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
94 THE PROTECTOR/THE EXORCIST III

Blatty compels you (again)

Feature-packed double-disc Blu-ray release is sure to develop a legion of fans

➜ The Exorcist III Madonna video,

The Exorcist author William Peter Blatty helmed this
underrated bigscreen follow-up to the 1973 horror
blockbuster, adapted from his own 1983 sequel
novel Legion. Set 17 years after the original, the film
features George C. Scott as cop William Kinderman,
whose investigation into a series of brutal murders
links to both a deceased serial killer and an amnesiac
patient in a local psychiatric hospital.
Picture: Utilising the same 2K restoration Shout
Factory produced for its 2016 US Blu-ray, Arrow’s
1080p presentation of The Exorcist III represents a
clear boost in quality over the version found in Warner
Bros.’ earlier The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology
UK Blu-ray boxset. Not only does the 1.85:1 encode
exhibit increased detailing and a more natural grain
structure, but the improved contrast results in deeper
blacks and a warmer colour palette.
Audio: The Exorcist III was originally mixed in Dolby
Stereo, but all previous DVDs and BDs have opted
for a frustratingly narrow 5.1 remix instead (even the
2.0 track featured on Shout Factory’s Blu-ray was a
downmix of that 5.1 track). The original mix has now
been tracked down, and is presented here as LPCM
2.0, alongside the familiar DTS-HD MA 5.1 track.
Comparing the two is like night and day, with the
original 2.0 mix sounding more powerful, and
revealing much improved separation and panning.
Extras: Alongside the theatrical cut of The Exorcist III,
the first platter in Arrow’s two-disc set sports a
commentary by critics Alexandra Heller Nicholas
and Josh Nelson; the 104-minute 2016 documentary
Death, Be Not Proud: The Making of The Exorcist III;
or 1980s horror?
a lengthy audio interview with William Peter Blatty;
an interview with special efects artist Randy Moore;
a reel of vintage cast and crew interviews; a vintage
promo featurette; deleted and alternate footage; four
image galleries; and trailers, TV spots and radio spots.
Even more exciting for fans, though, is the second
disc housing a reconstruction of Blatty’s original
VERDICT
‘Legion Director’s Cut’ of the film. Compiled using The Exorcist III: Limited Ed.
footage from the theatrical cut, some 35mm footage ➜ Arrow Video
and 1.37:1-framed VHS material, it’s far from perfect ➜ Region B BD ➜ £20
but ofers a fascinating look at Blatty’s original WE SAY: Superb bonus features and
concept before production company Morgan Creek the original stereo mix make this a
cracking release.
insisted on reshoots (including the addition of the
exorcism scene it believed audiences would be Movie:
expecting). Joining it is a wonderfully informative Picture:
commentary from Exorcist dream-team Mark Audio:
Kermode and Kim Newman, plus a deleted prologue Extras:
(three minutes) with further commentary.
Arrow also throws in a 44-page booklet. AvB
OVERALL:

Winter Kills Gwendoline: Limited The Protector

Indicator ➜ Region B BD
£16
With a cast that few
films could ever hope to
match (including Jeff
Bridges, John Huston,
Anthony Perkins, Eli
Wallach and Elizabeth
Taylor) you’d think
William Richert’s 1979 political satire
would be better known. But thanks to
an all-too-brief run at cinemas, this
enjoyably scattershot conspiracy comedy
has been largely forgotten. Indicator’s
terrific new Blu-ray release comes to the
rescue, and features two different versions
(the 1979 theatrical cut and a 1983
re-edit), remastered visuals and an
absorbing array of extras. AvB
Edition
Severin/Screenbound Pictures
All-region BD ➜ £15
Indiana Jones meets
Barbarella in this
1984 French action-
comedy based on a
1940s comic strip.
Tawny Kitaen plays
the eponymous
young woman whose quest to find her
missing father sees her confronting
cannibals, discovering a lost city,
and repeatedly losing her clothes.
Remastered in 4K, this bonkers movie
looks better than ever, despite some
obvious speckling. A treasure trove
of extras includes commentaries, the
US cut, and more. AvB
88 Films ➜ Region B BD
£25
This 1985 flick has Jackie Chan
playing against type as a tough
US cop heading to Hong Kong
to bust a global drug ring.
As sleazy as you’d expect
from a film directed by James
(The Executioner) Glickenhaus, Chan hated it so much that
he shot new scenes for the Hong Kong release – that version is
presented here as an extra, upscaled from an HD source. Neither
as bad as Chan believes, nor as fun as you’d hope, The Protector
is a so-so slice of gritty action cinema that brushes up well on
BD thanks to a colourful 2K remaster. Other bonuses are a chat-
track, interviews, and a comparison of the two versions. AvB

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 Beautiful Cinemas
FROM AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS

Independent | Nationwide | Dolby Atmos Demo Suite

“Technically perfect” cinemas

using the world’s leading manufacturers

Visit our NEW CENTRE

Call: 0800 0185 933 to discuss options, book a free

consultation or visit thepyramidgroup.co.uk
96 SUSPIRIA 4K/FEAR THE WALKING DEAD

Argento gets a chance to shine

This 1977 horror masterpiece has never looked more gloriously nightmarish

➜ Suspiria
While the horror genre has more than its fair share
of cult classics, Dario Argento’s Suspiria (1977) is
arguably the daddy of them all. It tells its grim tale
of witchy goings on at a German dance school with
minimal narrative but extraordinary visual flare,
and 43 years after its release remains influential.
Argento's extraordinarily visceral style and
unforgettable set-pieces have lost none of
their power either – in fact, via this glorious new 4K
Blu-ray release from US label Synapse, their impact
is stronger than ever.
Picture: Suspiria's 4K HDR image is derived from a
4K scan of an uncut 35mm negative, and the film's
famously dynamic colour scheme proves a perfect
match for the format's expanded colour and light
range. The School’s terrifying red corridors and
Argento’s jarringly extreme colour shifts (aided by
three-strip Technicolor processing) feel intoxicatingly
intense. Yet this new 4K HDR remaster never pushes
the spectacular colours to a point where they
become blown or unbalanced. There’s lots of subtle
shading too, even in dark areas, and there’s
no unnecessary noise.
The image’s grain is subtle and feels totally
organic, while detail levels are intense and dense,
with no grittiness. In fact, Suspiria rivals The Shining
as perhaps the most stunning example of how good
catalogue movies can look on 4K Blu-ray.
Audio: The film isn't only famed for its visuals; also
much loved is its electronic score, created by Argento
and experimental rock band Goblin. This delirious
mix of bombastic chords, delicate nursery-rhyme
4K
ULTRA
HD
The Ofsted report
was going to be bad...
themes, choral undertones, and cascading moans,
shrieks and whimpers is presented here in Dolby
Atmos for the first time. And it's mesmerising.
This Atmos makeover broadens the score’s
dynamic range and adds dramatic transitions and
height effects without losing the mix’s essence.
There’s some great effects placement too – such as
VERDICT
when Suzy hears footsteps overhead – and dialogue Suspiria
always sound clear despite the enhanced score. ➜ Synapse Films ➜ Ultra HD
Synapse also provides the original 1977 4-track BD ➜ £47 (US import)
surround mix (DTS-HD MA 4.0). WE SAY: A stellar 4K HDR remaster
Extras: Bonuses, on a separate BD, match those of of one of horror cinema’s most
iconic and visually arresting classics.
Suspiria’s 2018 Blu-ray. It’s a shame there’s nothing
new, perhaps, but the two commentary tracks by Movie:
Argento experts, interview with actress Barbara Picture:
Magnoli, collection of trailers and TV/radio spots, Audio:
and documentaries on the film’s creation, legacy Extras:
and locations give you plenty to enjoy. Note this US
import package doesn't include the film in HD. JA
OVERALL:

Fear the Walking Dead: Killer Crocodile 1 & 2: The Beyond

The Complete Fifth Season Collector's Edition
eOne/Universal Pictures ➜ Region B BD 88 Films ➜ Region B BD
£45 £25
This formerly solid Walking Are you a fan of bad
acting, unconvincing
Dead spin-of hits the skids just
gore and goofy
as its parent show has found its creature efects?
mojo again. There are intriguing If so, you’ll love this
ideas (not least the looming double-bill of Italian
Jaws rip-ofs, where
threat of a nuclear reactor going environmentalists, journalists and
into meltdown), but poor pacing makes it hard to stay interested, holiday makers run afoul of a mutated
and the protagonists are such proficient zombie-slayers the croc with a taste for human flesh. Based
on new 2K scans of the original 35mm
undead barely register as a threat. This BD release unearths negatives, these two Blu-ray encodes
plenty of detail in the show’s deliberately grainy, desaturated look surprisingly good – not that this
visuals. Extras get a separate disc, but only add up to just over does the special efects any favours.
Modest extras consist of interviews, three
an hour of featurettes. AvB deleted scenes and trailers. AvB
Shameless Screen Entertainment
All-region BD ➜ £22
First released on UK
BD by Arrow in 2011,
Lucio Fulci’s surreal
splatterfest returns
to disc via Shameless,
and there’s no
denying its new
AVC 2.40:1 Full HD encode ofers
a significant uptick in image quality over
Arrow’s old scanner-noise riddled disc. Yet
this makes it all the more disappointing
that both the English and Italian DTS-HD
MA 2.0 soundtracks appear to be slightly
out of phase, resulting in an odd echo
efect. Extras include a baffling choice of
four presentations of the film’s prologue,
interviews and a pair of chat-tracks. AvB

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 Check out the brand new

• 12.2" CUSTOMIZED WOOFER

• 550 IQ AMPLIFIER WITH LCD SCREEN
• HDF ROCK SOLID CABINET
• PREMIUM PAINT FINISH

€799
Incl. shipping

A R E N DA LS O U N D. E U
98 6 UNDERGROUND/THE WITCHER
ON
DEMAND

The look and sound of excess

Michael Bay goes overboard with Netflix’s biggest ever original movie budget

➜ 6 Underground
‘Never underestimate the power of a nice-looking
suit,’ quips Ryan Reynolds. He’s undercover, intent
on blowing something up, but he might as well be
summarising the pitch behind 6 Underground.
Unfettered Bay-hem, this is a gilt torpedo of an
action movie that appears to be positioned
as a franchise opener for the streaming service.
Think Mission Impossible meets Fast and Furious.
Reynolds plays One, a tech billionaire with a Bruce
Wayne complex, who assembles a team of covert
vigilantes (known only by code numbers) to take
down a despicable dictator.
What makes 6 Underground noteworthy isn’t the
premise, but the execution. The movie reportedly
enjoyed the largest budget yet for a Netflix Original
(some $150million), and a good deal of that makes
it to the screen. It’s also interminably long at over two
hours, slowed by the incessantly chippy dialogue of
Deadpool writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese.
But stick with it and a bizarre fascination kicks in.
The audacity of the set-pieces begins to hold your
attention. The stunts, many staged and physical,
are top notch. VFX work is also premium grade.
The finale may be sillier than Die Another Day,
but it’s bolstered by an admirable splatter aesthetic.
Somewhere beneath Bay’s over-bearing opulence
there’s a decent low-budget exploitation B-movie
struggling to get out.
Picture: This movie looks lush. Shot widescreen and
available in 4K HDR and Dolby Vision, it’s lovingly
lensed by cinematographer Bojan Bazelli. The entire
film evidently takes place during the golden hour.
It’s also an impressive showcase for camera 6 Underground's globe-trotting plot
technology and techniques. Capturing the action takes in Florence, Las Vegas, Hong Kong
and 'Turgistan'
were Red Weapons with 8K Monstro sensors, plus
modular Sony Venice cameras for vehicle interiors
and Red Raven drone footage for aerial coverage.
To add additional artifice, there’s a hand-cranked
old-school Arri IIC 35mm camera mixed in.
Sound: As you'd expect of a Michael Bay action
extravaganza, this multichannel mix is boisterous.
VERDICT
Available in Dolby Atmos on some devices, it wastes 6 Underground
no time throwing objects hither and thither. ➜ Netflix
Technical credentials are high, but artistically it’s a WE SAY: Bay and Netflix throw a lot
mess. Composer Lorne Balfe adds symphonic gloss, at the wall here, but it's only the
but he’s competing against a playlist that includes image quality that sticks.
Muse and The Spice Girls. At one point, a character Movie:
makes reference to a track playing during an action Picture:
sequence. Is it supposed to be diegetic? Or is the Audio:
movie just being meta? We even get a THX Deep
Note gag, lifted straight out of The Simpsons... SM OVERALL:

➜ The Witcher: Season One

Netflix greenlit a second season of The
Witcher before the first began streaming
➜ Netflix
Based on the books of Polish author Andrzej
Sapkowski, The Witcher is a muddy romp starring
Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, a sword-wielding
mutant monster hunter.
For those not familiar with the source material,
the show’s lineage is less Game of Thrones and more
low-budget fantasy yarns like Kull The Conqueror,
The Sword & The Sorcerer, Deathstalker and
Conquest.
The eight-episode first season has been a hit
for Netflix, with gamers and casual viewers warming
to its incomprehensible cauldron of witchery,
gore and nudity. Cavill is a fit as the gruff, almost
monosyllabic hero with a chest as wide as his horse.
Inevitably, there are elves and monsters, and much
medieval intrigue.
Unfortunately the show seems unable to decide
just how seriously it wants us to take its fantastical
conceits, unable to resist the odd anachronistic
one-liner. Ham is sliced thickly, enough for a dozen
kingly banquets.
Set and costume design are impressive though,
and there's a location and visual effects budget that
would make those aforementioned sword and
sorcery movies goblin-green with envy.
The show is available in 4K HDR and Dolby
Vision, and has been lensed with a Panavision DXL2
8K camera. Predominantly shot with a colour-
denuded palette, and copious dark scenes with
scant illumination, its aggressive grading could
make it a challenge in living rooms with ambient
light. What might look good in no/low light, where
subtle shadow nuances can be pawed over, doesn’t
necessarily translate well to TVs which offer
little latitude when it comes to image control.
Heresy to say, but many will find The Witcher
an easier watch in HD with SDR grading. SM

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 SAVEO
UP T
94% 3 ISSUES
FOR £1*
Whether it’s Hi-Fi or Home Cinema, make 2020 the year that you
give yourself some me-time. And what better way than to try one
of our great magazines for just £1 with no obligation to continue!
So go on, treat yourself… or someone else!

£1*
FOR ANY
OF THESE
TITLES

HI-FI NEWS HI-FI CHOICE HOME CINEMA CHOICE

3 issues for £1 3 issues for £1 3 issues for £1
Then £11.45 every 3 months Then £11.45 every 3 months Then £11.50 every 3 months
SAVE 94% SAVE 93% SAVE 93%

« RANGE OF GREAT TITLES TO CHOOSE FROM « NO OBLIGATION TO CONTINUE

« GREAT FUTURE SAVINGS « DELIVERED CONVENIENTLY TO YOUR DOOR

DON’T MISS OUT! OFFER ENDS 28TH FEBRUARY 2020

Order online today

www.mytimemedia.co.uk/NY20P
Or call 0844 243 9023**
and quote reference NY20P
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Ofer ends 28th February 2020. Subscriptions will begin with the next available issue when order is placed. You can cancel your subscription
before the third issue and pay no more money than the £1 already debited. Otherwise your subscription will automatically continue at the low rate selected above.
*This is a UK ofer only. The prices above relate to trial print subscriptions. Digital and Bundle trial subscriptions are also available online at www.mytimemedia.co.uk/
NY20P. MyTime Media collects your data so that we can fulfil your subscription. We may also, from time to time, send you details of MyTime Media ofers, events and
competitions but you always have a choice and can opt out by emailing us at unsubscribe@hifinews.com unsubscribe@hifichoice.co.uk unsubscribe@
homecinemachoice.com. We do not share or sell your data with/to third parties. Details you share with us will be managed as outlined in our Privacy Policy here http://
www.mytimemedia.co.uk/privacy-policy. Please visit www.mytimemedia.co.uk/terms for full terms & conditions. **Calls are charged at the same rate as standard UK 8MK\Z_
landlines and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances. There are no additional charges with this number. Overseas calls will cost more. d\[`Xck[
Missed an issue?
Have you missed a copy of Home Cinema Choice? You can now order these online

Issue No.296 Issue No.297 Issue No.298 Issue No.299

Issue No.300 Issue No.301 Issue No.302 Issue No.303

Issue No.304 Issue No.305 Issue No.306 Issue No.307

Order Online:
www.mags-uk.com 8MK\Z_
Please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of all issues displayed above.
d\[`Xck[
 WWW.HOMECINEMACHOICE .COM 101

SELECT
➜Gear Guide TELEVISIONS From entry-level 40in LEDs to flagship 4K monsters
BLU-RAY PLAYERS Which deck rules the roost? PROJECTORS It's time to blow up your video!
AV RECEIVERS 5.1, 7.1, 11.2 – we've got all the options covered SPEAKERS Killer surround sound setups
for all rooms and budgets PVRs Including super-slim Freeview boxes and Sky Q AND MORE!

G
LOOKINW
FOR NERS?
SPEATKoEp 15
Our here
guide iselp
to h

RATINGS KEY…
Outstanding
Above average
Acceptable
Disappointing
Dire
All prices quoted are approximate and may have changed

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

102 GEAR GUIDE

TOP 15 Televisions

01

Panasonic TX-55GZ2000 ➜ £3,300

Panasonic bolsters its 2019 OLED

proposition with this 'Professional Edition'
flagship that adds a brightness hit and
noteworthy Dolby Atmos sonics to its colour-
rich and detailed performance. HCC #305

TOP 5 Blu-ray movies

Fast & Furious...: Hobbs
& Shaw [UHD Blu-ray]
Franchise spin-off layers on the
over-the-top stunts and snappy
gags, on a 4K Blu-ray offering
both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
HDR grades, plus an aggressive
Dolby Atmos mix. HCC #306
Toy Story 4
Pixar's charming, action-packed
and funny sequel benefits from
an impeccable 1080p image on
Blu-ray. Audio here (and on the
also available 3D BD) is DTS-HD
MA 7.1, instead of the Atmos mix
of the 4K release. HCC #305
The Lion King [2019]
[UHD Blu-ray]
Disney's CG-realist remake of
its popular 'toon is a bit of a
misfire, but the picture quality
here – exquisitely detailed,
colour-rich and dynamic
– is simply sublime. HCC #306
Once Upon a Time
in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino's lovingly
realised homage to 1960s
Hollywood dazzles on this
1080p platter, while the extras
are worthwhile. Audio is only
5.1, though. HCC #307
Spider-Man: Far From
Home [UHD Blu-ray]
Marvel follows up Avengers:
Endgame with this hugely
enjoyable standalone Spidey
outing. The disc's HDR grade is
top-drawer, but the Atmos sonics
are a bit lightweight. HCC #305

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020


02
Philips 55OLED804 ➜ £1,700
Claiming the affordable OLED crown is this Ambilight-
enhanced 55-incher that benefits from Philips' processing
expertise. Dramatic and cinematic 4K HDR images, with plenty
of user adjustment. HCC #301
04
Panasonic TX-55GZ1500
➜ £2,000
This well-priced 55in OLED
backs up its multi-HDR
support with dynamic,
naturalistic images – colour
handling in particular is a
strong suit. Smart hub/UI
is well-designed too.
HCC #303
08
Samsung QE82Q950R
➜ £10,000
Second-generation 8K QLED
that introduces an HDMI 2.1
input, and viewing angle and
backlight management
tweaks. Upscaled 4K imagery
is mindblowing at times,
and the 82in size sells the
resolution well. HCC #300
12
Samsung QE65Q80R
➜ £2,000
A middle option in Samsung's
2019 QLED range, with a less
precise backlight engine than
the step-up Q85R. But this
brings a cost-saving – and the
TV's performance is still
admirable. No DV support.
HCC #303
05
LG 65OLEDC9 ➜ £3,300
LG continues to evolve its
OLED proposition, fine-tuning
AV performance and smart
skills to deliver an excellent
all-rounder. HDMI 2.1 brings
some feature tricks, too.
HCC #299
09
Samsung QE65Q85R
➜ £3,000
Reducing the number of local
dimming zones versus the
Q90R weakens backlighting
precision, but otherwise this
step-down model is highly
desirable. Bright, sharp and
well contrasted. Smarter
design, too. HCC #299
13
Hisense H75U9A
➜ £3,500
This 75in LED is the brightest
display we've seen, yielding
benefits with HDR content,
while backlit illumination aids
black levels. Sharpness and
colour delivery are less
impressive, but the price/size
ratio is good. HCC #289
03
Samsung QE65Q90R ➜ £3,800
The Korean giant's premium 4K HDR TV continues to showcase
the colour and brightness talents of QLED tech, and improves
black level delivery and upscaling via panel/processing
upgrades. HCC #298
06
Panasonic TX-50GX800
➜ £700
50in mid-range model ideal
for compact cinema setups,
with an accomplished edge
LED backlight system and
enough brightness to suit 4K
HDR (DV/HDR10+) content.
Solid smart system too.
HCC #302
10
Philips 65OLED984
➜ £4,500
With a Bowers & Wilkins
soundbar integrated into
its floorstand design, this is
more than just an OLED TV.
Beautiful 4K pictures are
joined by clean, powerful
and expansive sonics.
HCC #303
14
Sony KD-65XG9505
➜ £1,800
This bigscreen 4K Bravia
(with Android OS) is a good
fit for daytime viewing and
well-lit rooms, where its high
brightness pays dividends.
Direct LED engine would
benefit from more dimming
zones, though. HCC #304
FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
SELECT 103
07
Sony KD-85ZG9
➜ £14,000
A debut 8K model from Sony
that makes an astonishing
impression, by virtue of its
supreme clarity, effective
(and bright) locally dimmed
LED engine, and remarkably
involving onboard audio.
HCC #301
11
Hisense H65U8B
➜ £1,000
High-value Dolby Vision
LED largescreen. Not the
brightest or most convincing
with black level, but there's
an appealing vibrancy here
and a surprisingly slick
proprietary smart platform.
HCC #303
15
LG 65SM9800PLA
➜ £2,300
This direct-lit 65-incher has
a forward-thinking spec,
slick smarts and impacts
with brightness and colour.
But it's not the most
cinematic of performers, with
noticeable backlight niggles.
HCC #301
104 GEAR GUIDE

TOP 15 Speaker systems

01

Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series 5.1

➜ £7,350
This array finds the larger models in the 700
Series proving their mettle with formidable
power and precision, an expressive mid-band
and detailed highs. Excellent. HCC #285

TOP 5 On-demand

El Camino [Netflix]
Aaron Paul returns as Jesse
Pinkman for this feature-length
follow-up to Breaking Bad that
adds plenty of callbacks and
cameos to a tight narrative.
Netflix's 4K HDR stream oozes
cinematic appeal. HCC #305
The Irishman [Netflix]
Martin Scorsese's crime drama
– starring Robert De Niro, Al
Pacino and Joe Pesci – skips
cinemas and comes straight to
Netflix. Enormous in scope (and
210 minutes long), it's a total
triumph. HCC #307
Watchmen [Sky Boxsets]
This original HBO series from
showrunner Damon Lindelof
builds upon Alan Moore's
graphic novel source material
in inventive, intriguing ways
– and its multichannel soundmix
is superheroic. HCC #306
Carnival Row
[Amazon Prime]
This fast-paced period fantasy
noir – where humans live
alongside faeries – has already
been renewed for a second
season. Enormous fun, and
shouldn't be missed. HCC #304
Dolemite is My Name
[Netflix]
Eddie Murphy gives his best
performance in years in this
biopic of foul-mouthed
comedian/actor/movie producer
Rudy Ray Moore. Funny and
evocative. HCC #306

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 SELECT 105

02 03

M&K Sound IW150 5.1 ➜ £8,550 Wharfedale DX-2 ➜ £450

The in-wall IW150 speakers offer the transparency and detail of The asking price of this 5.1 system will tell you it doesn't offer
a professional studio monitor in an enclosure that can vanish. the last word in surround sound fidelity, but Wharfedale's
This array adds driver-matched on-wall tripole surrounds and package is compact, well made and faultlessly delivers on
M&K's fearless X12 sub. The result is outstanding. HCC #289 its home-cinema-on-a-budget promise. HCC #283

04 05 06 07

B&W 600 Series 5.1
➜ £1,850
Continuum drivers replace
Kevlar in B&W's entry-level
speaker range, delivering
a sound that's precise,
transparent and highly
entertaining. HCC #295
KEF R Series 5.1.2
➜ £6,250
Put four floorstanders on
front and rear duty for a
wonderfully full-bodied
surround experience, add
Atmos upfirers, and enjoy.
HCC #303
Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1
➜ £900
Smaller in stature (and scale)
than the 3050i pack, but
easier to accommodate.
A brilliant performer for the
price – balanced, detailed
and musical. HCC #296
Fyne Audio F300 5.1
➜ £1,000
Start-up Scot brand hits
the ground running with a
floorstanding pack of great
value. Plenty of LF heft, detail
delivery and soundstage
scale. HCC #297

08 09 10 11

Elipson Prestige Facet 7.2.4
➜ £3,500
13 cabinets come together
to create a great-value and
immersive Dolby Atmos array.
Rich in fidelity and neutrality;
modern styling is another
plus point. HCC #291
Klipsch Reference Premiere
5.1 ➜ £3,000
Bipole surrounds, a wide,
low-slung centre, full-range
floorstanders and a well-
integrated sub combine in
this dynamic, easy-to-drive
array. HCC #300
Monitor Audio Gold 5.1
➜ £8,900
MA's upper-tier range delivers
clean, rich, dynamic and
fullscale sonics from
gorgeous cabinets using
custom driver tech. Pricey,
but oh-so-good. HCC #302
Paradigm Persona 5.1
➜ £36,200
The huge passive speakers
and six-driver subwoofer of
this ultra-premium 5.1 array
deliver on the price promise.
An astonishing performance.
HCC #305

12 13 14 15

Arendal 1723 S THX 5.1
➜ £4,100
Premium standmount setup
with aesthetic charm and
a beguiling performance
through the frequency band.
Not small speakers, despite
the 'S' branding. HCC #302
NEW
ENTRY
A
Acoustic Energy 300 Series
5.1 ➜ £2,500
A floorstanding system that's
refined, dynamic and above
all fun, with a classic,
timeless look and an
impressive level of build
quality. HCC #306
Monitor Audio MASS 5.1
➜ £600
Second-gen redesign of MA's
sub/sat system refines the
styling and colour options,
while retaining the compact
dimensions and all-round
sound quality. HCC #298
Cabasse Eole 4 5.1
➜ £900
Smallscale sub/sat bundle
with gorgeous styling
and magnetic bases for
placement flexibility. Creates
a surprisingly wide, fluid
soundstage. HCC #304

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

106 GEAR GUIDE

TOP 10 Projectors

01 02

Sony VPL-VW570ES ➜ 8,000 JVC DLA-N5 ➜ 6,500

This native 4K projector offers a top-flight UHD performance, The entry-level native 4K beamer in JVC's current range is still
and adds a dynamic iris and boosted luminance over the a premium option, with motorized zoom/focus/shift controls,
step-down 270ES. Still not the brightest model around, but extensive setup tools and an excellent performance with 4K
in a dedicated cinema it shines. HCC #295 HDR and 1080p SDR. HCC #304

03 04 05 06

JVC DLA-N7B
➜ £8,500
JVC revamps its home
cinema projector line with
native 4K optics, new HDR
tone mapping skills and
revised styling. Quiet in
operation and an excellent
4K/HD/3D performer.
HCC #298
NEW
ENTRY
Optoma
O t UHZ65UST BenQ W2700 Epson EH-TW9400
➜ £3,300 ➜ £1,500 ➜ £2,550
4K ultra-short-throw Keenly priced single-chip A boosted spec over the
projector made for media 4K DLP projector with wide TW7400 without a huge
rooms that impresses with colour mode and impressive price leap. This model ups
its smart styling, best-in- HDR tone mapping. Excellent brightness and contrast, and
class integrated audio clarity and living room- – with some user care
and laser-delivered bright, friendly styling. A bit of – delivers exceptional 4K
colourful imagery. a noisy runner though. HDR images. HCC #301
HCC #306 HCC #299

07 08 09 10

Sony VPL-VW270ES BenQ W5700 Epson EH-TW7400 ViewSonic X10-4K

➜ £5,000
Sony has refined the
performance of its entry-level
4K PJ, improving contrast and
HDR delivery, ensuring
cinematic thrills. Bonus
features include motorised
controls and 3D playback.
HCC #293
➜ £2,600
A performance step-up from
the more affordable W2700,
with a wider throw ratio and
improved colour handling
(to 100 per cent DCI-P3).
Impressive motion handling,
but again a bit noisy.
HCC #300
➜ £2,200
HLG playback is missing from
the spec sheet but otherwise
this 4K upscaling LCD PJ hits
all the right notes. Setup
tools include lens memory
presets; images are bright,
colourful and contrast-rich.
HCC #293
➜ £1,200
Doesn't have the form factor
or setup flexibility for a
permanent cinema install,
but otherwise this short-
throw 4K HDR PJ is smart,
visually strong and has
a surprisingly excellent
onboard speaker. HCC #300

Award-winning home cinemas

At Cyberhomes our home cinemas and smart home installations aren’t just
about the amazing 4K picture and immersive Dolby Atmos sound. We can also
implement the lighting, the seating, the room acoustic treatments, the intuitive NOW
control system from Savant, Crestron or Control4, and so much more. OFFER
ING
3D DE
For more details call 0333 344 3718 or visit www.cyberhomes.co.uk/hcc WITH SIGN
F
IN-H ULL
FABRI OUSE
CATIO
N!
FINALIST
Best Home Cinema
under £40,000

Home cinema design and installation • Lighting control systems • Multi-room audio and video • Home automation
0333 344 3718 hello@cyberhomes.co.uk www.cyberhomes.co.uk
 SELECT 107

TOP 10 Blu-ray players

01 02

Pioneer UDP-LX800 ➜ £2,200 Panasonic DP-UB9000 ➜ £850

A phenomenal universal disc spinner, which adds audiophile- Supporting both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and incorporating
grade music playback to its 4K BD talents. Includes Dolby Vision useful image adjustments, this premium player is at the leading
support, with HDR10+ promised via future firmware. Build quality edge of UHD BD playback. The astonishing construction and
is staggering. HCC #293 provision of VOD apps heighten its appeal. HCC #292

03 04 05 06

Pioneer UDP-LX500 Sony UBP-X700 Panasonic DP-UB450 Panasonic DP-UB820

➜ £1,000
Lacks the audiophile features
(including XLR output) of the
UDP-LX800 but still sounds
sublime with CD and hi-res
audio. Dolby Vision playback,
with HDR10+ due via
firmware. No VOD apps.
HCC #296
➜ £200
A compact player updated
to Dolby Vision support, the
UBP-X700 has a nondescript
design, no analogue outs
and a stubby remote. But
it's well priced, and offers
SACD support.
HCC #284
➜ £200
Panasonic lowers the price
for Dolby Vision and HDR10+
playback with this feature-
lite 4K deck – there's no
Wi-Fi or VOD apps, or the
brand's HCX processor to
fine-tune imagery.
HCC #303
➜ £330
Panasonic's mid-ranger
delivers on both the HDR10+
and DV fronts, and introduces
multichannel analogue
outputs. As with the UB420,
the VOD portal could do with
a style makeover.
HCC #295

07 08 09 10

Sony UBP-X800M2 Cambridge Audio CXUHD Xbox One X Sony UBP-X1100ES

➜ £350
DVD-A and SACD playback
join Dolby Vision 4K HDR and
Sony's typically excellent
design and build quality
in this mid-range spinner.
Yet DV remains awkward
to instigate, and HDR10+
is off the menu. HCC #304
➜ £800
The lack of analogue outputs
is a surprise considering CA's
heritage, but this universal
(and DV-capable) deck
sounds sweet over its digital
outs. As with Oppo's UDP-
203, a MediaTek SoC is used.
HCC #279
➜ £400
Microsoft's superior console
dazzles with its native 4K
HDR gaming chops – and
doubles as a UHD disc
player. If you're short of shelf
space and like mixing movies
with joypad fun, it's a decent
option. HCC #280
➜ £750
This update on Sony's
previous ES-level 4K spinner
continues to dazzle with its
build quality and audio
playback, but the lack of
HDR10+ and a clunky Dolby
Vision implementation limits
its appeal. HCC #301
108 GEAR GUIDE

TOP 10 AV Receivers/AV Processors

01 02

Denon AVR-X4500H ➜ £1,500 Arcam AVR850 ➜ £4,500

Denon's top-tier nine-channel AVR is due an IMAX Enhanced High-end seven-channel AVR marrying Class G amplification
update shortly, topping off an already extensive, user-friendly and Atmos support with talented Dirac Live Room EQ for an
feature set. Movie playback is dynamic and detailed, and excellent performance. Lacks a few feature frills, but
two-channel music sounds sweet too. Superb. HCC #293 11-channel pre-outs allow full-fat setups. HCC #257

03 04 05 06

Denon AVC-X8500H Yamaha CX-A5200 Marantz SR6014 Marantz NR1710

➜ £3,300
For those want to go even
bigger with their Atmos/
DTS:X system, this flagship
provides 13 channels of
power. Setup can be
complex, and there's no FM
tuner, but otherwise this is
first-class. HCC #285
➜ £2,600
11-channel processor with
MusicCast integration, XLR
hookup and a trio of HDMI
outs. Atmos and DTS:X
support is bolstered by
impressive Surround:AI DSP.
Flexible and enjoyable.
HCC #292
➜ £1,250
A cracking mid-range option
from Marantz. Nine-channel,
but able to process to 11 with
an external amp, this sounds
both muscular and musical,
and is class-leading when it
comes to connectivity.
HCC #304
➜ £650
Marantz's gorgeous, sweet-
sounding slimline receiver
brings 7.1 or 5.1.2 to living
room setups, plus music
streaming/multiroom through
HEOS. Very easy to setup and
use, too.
HCC #305

07 08 09 10

NAD Masters Series M17 V2
➜ £5,500
Dirac Live replaces Audyssey
EQ in this revamped high-
end processor; 4K HDR
passthrough, Atmos and
DTS:X decoding, and BluOS
music streaming also join
the party.
HCC #293
Denon AVR-X2600H
➜ £600
Denon puts in more effort
than most to make its
entry-level AVRs easy to use,
but not only is this seven-
channel model a doddle to
drive, it sounds dynamic and
detailed too. Multiroom is via
the HEOS platform. HCC #302
Pioneer VSX-934
➜ £440
This update on last year's
VSX-933 retools the remote
control, adds Dolby Atmos
Height Virtualizer for non-
Atmos speaker setups, and
packs in streaming features.
Auto EQ is a bit basic, but
it's a fun listen. HCC #303
IOTAVX AVXP1
➜ £1,050
Brit brand power amplifier
with plenty of Class AB grunt
(rated at 7 x 110W into 8
ohms) and a rugged build
quality – one to audition if
your cinema setup is in need
of more channels.
HCC #293

TOP 5 Bonus features

Detective Mode
A throwback to the earlier days
of Blu-ray, Pokémon: Detective
Pikachu's 'Detective Mode' is
an alternate encode with PiP
interviews, commentary and
behind-the-scenes footage,
pop-up trivia and stats. HCC #304
Haunted Generation: The
Legacy of Usborne's World
of the Unknown
One of a number of superb
extras on the Borley Rectory
Blu-ray, this 30-min doc looks at
the infamous Usborne children's
book about ghosts. HCC #305
The Quiet Revolution...
Adding value to 101 Films'
Rabid: Limited Edition Blu-ray is
this 70-minute doc from cult film
historian Xavier Mendik exploring
the birth of the Canadian horror
scene. Described as Part One, so
more should follow. HCC #304
Restoring a Beloved Classic
Although relatively brief (just 13
minutes) this new behind-the-
scenes featurette on the It's a
Wonderful Life 4K Blu-ray goes
into impressive detail about
the vintage movie's recent
restoration. HCC #307
Mark of the Beast...
Joining An American Werewolf
in London on Arrow's recent
Blu-ray is this 77-minute 'talking
heads' documentary examining
Universal Studios' legacy
of werewolf movies. Nicely
in-depth. HCC #306

HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020

 SELECT 109

TOP 10 Subwoofers

01 02

REL S/812 ➜ £2,300 Bowers & Wilkins DB1D

A fine update of REL's upper-tier Serie S, with a new driver ➜ £3,750
design, punchier amp and revised signal filtering delivering a This sequel to the DB1 moves EQ to an app and changes driver/
powerful, poised performance from a glamourous cabinet amp design. Beautifully controlled performance with depth
with stacking potential. HCC #305 and detail. Gorgeous bodywork. HCC #277

03 04 05 06

SVS SB16-Ultra
➜ £2,500
A 16in driver and 1,500W
amp combine to give SVS's
flagship sealed sub real
appeal. Goes low but remains
tight and fast. App-assisted
EQ and operation. HCC #270
NEW
ENTRY
Arendal
A d 1961 Subwoofer 1S Fyne Audio F3-12 SVS SB-3000
➜ €800 ➜ £600 ➜ £1,275
A bargain 12in bassmaker 12in driver in a ported A new 13in driver and 800W
from the direct sale brand enclosure at a great price. amp combi is added to SVS's
(hence the Euro price) with Basic setup and styling, but app-based EQ/control. The
plenty of EQ tools and it maintains control and result is an excellent value
an assured, impactful nuance while dropping deep. sealed sub that hits deep
performance. HCC #306 HCC #297 and hard. HCC #298

07 08 09 10

Bowers & Wilkins DB3D
➜ £1,950
Twin 8in drivers (rather than
the 12in units on the DB1D)
result in a compact bass-
maker that still dazzles with
its control and performance
purity. HCC #299
REL HT/1508 Predator
➜ £1,600
The flagship of REL's Serie
HT lineup uses a 15in woofer
and claimed 800W power
plant to hammer home its
home-cinema-centric ethos.
Enormous fun. HCC #296
REL HT/1205
➜ £700
A larger (12in) driver and
punchier amp than on the
HT/1003 increases LFE
enjoyment – but still at a
bargain price. Lacks a bit of
subtlety though. HCC #290
Eclipse TD725SWMK2
➜ £5,000
Eclipse aims for speed and
accuracy with this flagship.
Dual opposed 10in woofers
perform as advertised – bass
is astonishingly precise
and percussive. HCC #297

TOP 5 Console games

Crash Team Racing
Nitro-Fueled
A superb renovation of the
much-loved PlayStation One
classic, that – thanks to its
colour-rich visuals, varied modes
and slick handling – feels like a
brand-new game. HCC #302
Control
Third-person puzzler/shoot-'em
up with an intriguing, unusual
narrative and some weird
weaponry that makes it stand
out from the crowd. No HDR
option, but the artsy visuals are
a winner too. HCC #304
Borderlands 3
Fantastic role-playing-game/
first-person shooter mashup
with exquisite visuals and
inventive weaponry/skill
progressions. No player-vs-player
mode, which is refreshingly
old school. HCC #305
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
More first-person-shooter
fun from the long-running series,
but this time adding co-op play
and RPG-style experience points
to invest in new skills, which
perhaps isn't what 'Stein
fans demand. HCC #303
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
This expansive, third-person
adventure set between the
events of Revenge of the Sith
and A New Hope offers franchise
Easter Eggs, awesome sound
design and fan-pleasing
lightsaber combat. HCC #307

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

110 GEAR GUIDE
TOP 10 Accessories
01
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ➜ £50
This upgraded streaming dongle brings 4K HDR (HDR10+;
Dolby Vision) and Dolby Atmos to your movie den. Voice control
improves search, while a new quad-core processor yields quick
load times and stream optimisation. A little stunner. HCC #295
03
Devolo Magic 2 (Home Kit)
➜ £270
This next-gen networking
system (featuring a trio of
plug adapters) combines
mesh Wi-Fi with the latest
(and fastest) Powerline tech.
Impressive in use, and a
potential boon to streamers.
HCC #298
07
NEW
ENTRY
DALI O Oberon On-Wall
➜ £440 (pair)
Relatively slim at 120mm
deep, and with neat fabric
grilles, DALI's entry-level
on-wall speakers can slip
in anywhere. Two-way
models, the sound here
is robust and warm.
HCC #306
TOP 5 Blu-ray/DVD boxsets
Oldboy:
4-Disc Limited Edition
Park Chan-wook's brilliant thriller
returns with a 4K restoration,
and this lush boxset includes
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and
Lady Vengeance, plus a wealth
of extras. HCC #305
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
02
Bluesound Node 2i ➜ £500
Hi-res preamp/DAC to hook up to a stereo amp/AVR/active
speakers. Integrates with the BluOS app for a wide range of
streaming services and home media playback. Compact and
an excellent performer. HCC #296
04 05 06
NEW
ENTRY
NAD Masters Series M10 Amazon
A Echo Studio Klipsch RP-500SA
➜ £2,200 ➜ £190 ➜ £575 (pair)
Processor/amp with Dirac This new flagship Echo A flexible addition to your
Live and dual independent speaker includes an upfiring multichannel system.
subwoofer outputs wants to unit in its five-driver array, Klipsch's two-way add-on
be the front-end of a high- making it a partner for speaker can function as an
spec 2.1 system. Gorgeous Amazon Music's 3D audio Atmos upfirer, or a height/
design, BluOS integration and streams. Goes loud, albeit on-wall surround model.
excellent performance. with somewhat rowdy bass. A solid performer.
HCC #304 HCC #306 HCC #301
08 09 10
Netgear Nighthawk Apple TV 4K Synology DS119j
AX8 AX6000 ➜ £180 (32GB) ➜ £95
➜ £300 With Apple's iTunes movie Entry-level single-bay NAS
Stream 4K video without store offering 4K HDR (Dolby (you'll need to add your own
fear through this leading- Vision) movies at the same HDD) that benefits from
edge router that supports price as Full HD downloads, Synology's impressive DSM
the super-fast Wi-Fi 6 this compact media player operating system. Quick to
standard and incorporates (irritating handset aside) is get up and running, versatile
MU-MIMO tech. HCC #304 sure to tempt. and smart-looking. HCC #292
HCC #284
Game of Thrones: The Hammer: Volume IV – Three Films with Warrior: Season One
Complete Eighth Season Faces of Fear Sammo Hung An entertaining period martial
HBO's record-breaking show A quartet of cult chillers on a 2K restorations of The Iron- arts drama series based on an
finishes with a six-part series. brilliant five-disc BD boxset. The Fisted Monk, The Magnificent idea originally cooked up by
This good-looking Blu-ray release Revenge of Frankenstein gets a Butcher and Eastern Condors Bruce Lee, and jam-packed
adds a feature-length Making lush 4K-based restoration; all (making its uncut UK debut here) with stylish action. Solid AV
of... documentary to the usual four are accompanied by a that look spectacular, and come presentation, but lacking in
run of extras. HCC #307 coffin-load of extras. HCC #306 with quality extras. HCC #305 extra features. HCC #306
 SELECT 111

TOP 10 Soundbars & Soundbases

01 02

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar ➜ £2,200 Canton DM55 ➜ £320

The audio specialist's debut soundbar makes a dramatic Canton's smallest soundbase still delivers big sonic thrills.
entrance. 13 drivers, including 4in woofers, create a cinematic Twin woofers underpin clean and crisp mids and highs, and
soundstage, with impressive immersion via Atmos, DTS:X and build quality is first-rate. Doddle to use. Bluetooth built-in.
Sennheiser's Ambeo processing. Big and bold. HCC #302 HCC #260

03 04 05 06

Samsung HW-Q70R
➜ £800
An impressively potent
subwoofer and nicely
expansive 3.1.2 presentation
make this sleek Samsung
system one to audition.
Includes a single HDMI input
and ARC-enabled output.
HCC #300
NEW
ENTRY
JBL Bar
B 2.0 All-In-One LG SL8YG Harman Kardon Enchant
➜ £150 ➜ £700 800 ➜ £620
Affordable and stereo-only, A surfeit of sound presets/ The baby 'bar in the Enchant
this compact HDMI ARC- tweaks means this Atmos range lacks secondary HDMI
equipped 'bar earns its keep 3.1.2 system can feel a bit inputs but presents a
by sounding powerful and tricksy, but it's a confident, well-organised soundstage
purposeful, and being full-range performer with an with effects localisation and
blissfully simple to set up enveloping soundfield. HDMI dynamic heft. Chromecast
and use. HCC #306 input/output are among the is integrated, and the design
connections. HCC #301 is gorgeous. HCC #298

07 08 09 10

Klipsch BAR 48 Panasonic SC-HTB900 Sony HT-ZF9 Canton Smart Soundbar 9

➜ £565
Naturalistic and transparent-
sounding 3.1 setup using
Klipsch's Tractrix horn
technology. Can be paired
with optional wireless rears
for 5.1 surround. Simple
to use, with HDMI ARC
onboard. HCC #303
➜ £700
The top dog in Panasonic's
soundbar stable, this 3.1
'bar struggles to deliver
on its Atmos credentials but
suceeds elsewhere. Excellent
integration with its potent
subwoofer; wide-ranging
connectivity. HCC #304
➜ £650
This 3.1-channel soundbar
handles Dolby Atmos
streams and promises
enveloping sonics via DSP
trickery. The result isn't
noticeable overhead audio,
but a wide, high and exciting
performance. HCC #289
➜ £700
Well-featured (Chromecast,
3 x HDMI inputs, Bluetooth)
and neatly styled, this stereo
soundbar impresses with
its detail retrieval and
separation. Add Canton's
optional wireless sub for
more low-end heft. HCC #305

TOP 5 Back-catalogue Blu-rays

Leon: Director's Cut
[UHD Blu-ray]
Luc Besson's 1994 action/thriller
enjoys a fan-pleasing 4K debut,
with a detail-packed, filmlike
image and Dolby Atmos mix
(ported from the previous US
Mastered in 4K BD). HCC #305
The Shining [UHD Blu-ray]
The restoration of this Stanley
Kubrick chiller was overseen by
Steven Spielberg – image quality
is exceptional, with colour
vibrancy being a particular
strength. Solid extras, but
nothing new. HCC #305
An American Werewolf in
London: Limited Edition
A new 4K scan of the camera
negative delivers an improved
image quality for John Landis's
horror-comedy, while Arrow digs
up the original mono audio and
a host of bonuses. HCC #306
It's a Wonderful Life
[UHD Blu-ray]
Paramount's classic fantasy gets
its 4K HDR wings, courtesy of a
year-long restoration process that
leaves it looking better than ever.
Includes a trio of brief but
interesting extras. HCC #307
RoboCop: Limited Edition
Based on the same scan as Fox's
2014 release, so this revisit is
all about the extras. You get
three cuts of the movie, four
commentaries, featurettes and
more – plus 5.1, 4.0 and stereo
audio options. HCC #307

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

 Fuel your
passion fo
sound and r
your musicmake
www.hifichoice.co.uk sing
OUT NOW!

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE...

to getting the best possible
sound from your hi-fi, whether
you’re buying, tuning
or tweaking

Follow us:
twitter.com@HiFiChoiceMag
facebook.com/hifichoice.co.uk
hifichoicemagazine
 SELECT 113

TOP 5 PVRs

Manhattan T3 Freeview
Play 4K, £80
Do you need an HDD PVR in the
streaming era? This Freeview
Play box loads up catchup via
a responsive UI, offers welcome
Watchlist functionality, and is
ready for 4K HLG HDR
Sky Q, £subscription
Sky's new top-tier product
offering dazzles with its
image-rich user interface,
wireless multiroom skills and
recording flexibility delivered by
the PVR's 12 tuners. Now
supports 4K content
Humax FVP-5000T, £varies
Revamped menus and tweaks to
its triple-tuner engine make this
the most advanced Freeview
Play PVR around – and it
doubles as a DLNA player/media
jukebox. 500GB (£200), 1TB
(£230), 2TB (£300) options
Humax DTR-T4000,
£subscription
This YouView-based PVR is
required to get BT Sport's new
Ultra HD channel – available
to those with BT fast fibre
and a BT TV sub. Easy to use
and with 1TB of storage
Manhattan T3-R, £varies
Available in 500GB (£170) or 1TB
(£200) models, this twin-tuner
Freeview Play PVR provides
– like its non-HDD T3 stablemate
– a slick user experience, with
classy menus, a compact design
and 4K HDR playback

TOP 5 Headphones

AKG Y500 Wireless, £130
These noise cancelling
headphones with useful
Ambient Aware mode are fine
value for money. Bluetooth spec
may only be 4.0, but the Y500s
are musical and revealing with
both movies and music
Nuraphones, £350
Unusual over-ear/in-ear hybrid
cans that measure the acoustic
response of your inner ear to
fine-tune performance. It's a
highly impressive trick, but the
design can make these a bit
uncomfortable to wear
Audio Technica
ATH-Mx50BT, £180
Cable-free Bluetooth update
of a wired design, with 45mm
drivers and lengthy battery life
(claimed to hit 40 hours). Sturdy
and comfortable, and a great
sound for the money
Bowers & Wilkins PX, £330
B&W adds noise-cancelling to
the general spec of its previous
P7 wireless cans, a welcome
update for those seeking
uninterrupted listening. Offers a
neutral, balanced sound suited
to both movies and music
Sony WH-1000XM3, £330
Third-gen noise-cancelling
wired/wireless 'phones are
deliciously comfortable and
deliver an intimate performance
with strong spatial imaging and
nuanced bass. Compatible with
LDAC source gear

TOP 5 Wireless speakers

DALI Katch, £330
Portable Bluetooth speaker
(aptX-capable) with stereo
driver array and gorgeous design.
Excellent blend of low-end
punch and mid-range/treble
detail. Rechargeable battery life
is rated at 24 hours
Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i,
£500
Hi-res-capable wireless speaker
that proves equally impressive
when used as a TV soundbar
alternative. A largescale stereo
sound with mid-range muscle
and HF sparkle
Dynaudio Music 7, £875
Top-of-the-range multiroom
option from Dynaudio, this
sizable speaker creates a
full-range, detailed soundstage.
Music App offers useful
adjustments and EQ modes.
Inputs include HDMI (ARC)
Edifier S3000PRO, £580
Wireless (Bluetooth 5.0)
active stereo pair employing
ribbon tweeters and 6.5in
midbass drivers for a
performance that excels across
the frequency range. Optical
input allows TV hookup
Libratone Zipp 2, £280
Well-priced do-it-all portable
speaker adds voice interaction,
Wi-Fi streaming, Spotify
Connect, 3.5mm hookup and
auto Room EQ to its Bluetooth
spec. Solid sound quality,
albeit monophonic

E
ISSU
N SA L E
# 309 O
20
Feb
➜ In the next issue ➜ Reviews
CES 2020 The hot new hardware to come Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 PLUS speaker pack
out of the US tech extravaganza Hisense Roku TV JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Epson
Cult Blu-ray New Anti-Worlds label hits the UK EH-LS500 UST projector Philips OLED754 4K TV
– we chat to its founders PLUS News, software, opinion, installs and more!
Room for all 15-seat pro cinema install CONTENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE – BUT ONLY FOR THE BETTER

FEBRUARY 2020 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

114 OPINION
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band could be the best advert yet for immersive music,
but you might have to take Steve May’s word for it
WHEN SGT. PEPPER’S Lonely Hearts Club Band
was first released in June ‘67, I doubt The Beatles
imagined it would be still drawing crowds to their
home town in 2020.
But tickets to a recent public play-through of
arguably rock’s greatest concept album, remixed
in Dolby Atmos, sold out in minutes. If you were one
of the few to nab a seat, consider yourself lucky.
The 3D remix is extraordinary. Theatrical and
engulfing, it’s difficult to believe that its first release,
as originally heard by fans and critics, was in mono.
Fast forward to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band: The Immersive Experience at the Tate
Liverpool, the first public outing in the UK for the
ambitious new 3D mix, held at a Dolby Atmos
theatre created specifically for the event.
For an album that’s ostensibly a live concert by
a fictional band, to be mixed in immersive audio and
then played live to an audience is as near perfect
a conceptual audio experience as I can imagine.
Not that it’s entirely new. The same Dolby Atmos
mix was previously heard during a similar album
listening event, held at 22 cinemas across North
America to celebrate the album's 50th anniversary.
It was played in full darkness, to heighten the sense
of immersion.
Hitting the Road
By way of a preview of the Liverpool happening,
I was invited along to Abbey Road to experience the
work exactly as the studio mixer did, on hulking ATC
speakers, a few metres from where it was originally
recorded. Abbey Road is a unique place. It’s as if the
fabric of the building itself holds echoes of the
classic recordings made on its hallowed grounds.
The redux has been masterminded by producer
Giles Martin, utilising the original four-track master
HOME CINEMA CHOICE FEBRUARY 2020
© APPLE CORPS LTD
tapes. The result is a remarkable new 22-object
Dolby Atmos listening experience.
One of the joys of this remix is the multichannel
implementation, which veers from stripped back to
full-on psychedelic. 'You have to mix to the song, you
can't mix to a technology,' Martin tells me post-
playback. Even the .1 gets a workout. 'There isn’t a lot
of deep bass on the original recordings,' Martin says,
'but we’ve placed elements of the kick drum,
elements of the bass...'
The 3D treatment isn’t just about placing sound in
surround and height channels. It also adds spatial air
to those magical Lennon/McCartney harmonies, and
depth to Harrison’s double-tracked lead guitar.
There’s a freshness about the presentation that’s
revelatory (A Day in the Life sounds like it could have
been recorded yesterday) and small details become
scene-stealers. Listen out for the harpsichord, played
by George Martin, during Fixing a Hole.
It may have been originally mixed by Giles’s dad
and the band in mono ('the stereo mix that followed
was almost an afterthought, with no band members
in attendance,' Martin confides), but it heralded
technical recording innovations all its own. It seems
fitting to once again push the sonic envelope.
Just don’t plan on buying a copy
anytime soon. There are currently no plans to
release the Atmos mix of Sgt. Pepper's on Blu-ray.
It is available on Amazon Music HD, although the
only device which can actually play it is the Echo
Studio smart speaker, which hardly does full justice Steve May is eager
to such an expansive show. to hear more
Atmos makeovers
The good news is other Amazon Music HD Dolby of Lennon/
Atmos devices are on the way. Immersive audio is, McCartney classics,
but maybe not the
as someone once sang, getting better ■
former's Two
Are you excited by Atmos remixes of classic albums? Minutes Silence
Let us know: email letters@homecinemachoice.com
 Listen. Think. Answer.
The World’s Number One OLED TV Brand
Now with Advanced ThinQ AI Technology

Perfect Colour | Perfect Black | Alpha 9 Processor | Dolby Atmos® Sound | ThinQ AI TV

Discover more: lg.com/uk/lgoled

Model Shown: E8