Home Theater News Review - HTNR

🎥 Home Theater News Review Podcast Season 3, Episode 16Join our AV and home theater forum community at AVNirvana.com.
Build real relationships with other home theater enthusiasts and talk shop about speakers, processors, projectors, TVs, and more. We look forward to seeing you in the forums!🔥 Show Sponsors🔥🔗 SVS – Visit: https://www.svsound.com/SVS Codes: GoDual (5% off dual subs), System (5% off 5 or more Speakers)🔗 madVR Labs – Visit: https://madvrenvy.com/💿 DISC DEALSTop Gun Maverick 4K: https://amzn.to/3MA6QNREverest 4K: https://amzn.to/4916bMY Oblivion 4K: https://amzn.to/4qgy7U2🛠️ Gear Deal of the WeekKlipsch Bluetooth Speaker DealsTwo great gift ideas for the holidays, with the Klipsch Austin dropping to about $66 and the Nashville landing at about $99. Austin: https://amzn.to/45h3e9INashville: https://amzn.to/4oWqvor🔗 Links:Capital Audiofest Interview with SVS/Nick Brown: https://youtu.be/AmbmYTZQIi0Klipsch ProMedia Lumina 2 Desktop Speaker System (Amazon): https://amzn.to/3L0UiyuPx8 S2 (Amazon): https://amzn.to/4s5D57LKaleidescape Mini Terra Prime (Audio Advice): https://audioadvice.io/4j3sVjIThe Focal Pro Experience: https://www.thefocalproexperience.comFocal Powered by Naim: https://www.focalpoweredbynaim.com⏱️ Chapters00:20 Cold weather intro, snowblower talk, squirrel cam chaos05:42 Show Sponsors begin05:47 Show Sponsors, madVR Labs07:04 Show Sponsors, SVS and Cyber Sale mention08:37 Time Machine, Alan Blumlein and the stereo disc cutting tests11:21 Lightning News begins, no TV rumors this week11:35 Klipsch ProMedia Luminina 2.1 desktop system12:59 Bowers and Wilkins PX8 S2 McLaren Edition14:03 Kaleidescape Mini Terra Prime server16:30 StormAudio new headquarters and Carson City service center18:07 Streaming availability reality check, RealGood stats19:49 Cleer Audio Arc 4 and Arc 4 Plus open ear earbuds21:45 Krix next gen MX modular front wall systems23:40 Focal Mix on Focal Number 7 playlist and holiday mix24:58 Featured gear, Amp Genie AVR automation28:50 Disc and entertainment, Michael Scott review roundup29:58 New to Disc highlights, major 4K releases and sets31:30 Kaleidescape content update and Special Prices callout32:50 Disc market share talk and why it can feel meaningless34:00 Top selling 4K discs rundown35:32 Most streamed movies and TV updates37:45 Disc deals of the week39:30 Gear deal of the week, Klipsch Austin and Nashville41:16 Holiday close, community message, 988 mention42:00 Outro🔗 Forum Links• For the latest disc reviews: https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/blu-ray-media-reviews.12/• For the latest news covered in this episode: https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/av-industry-news.6/🎧 Podcast Links• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XZc1WVL7gGazxGLiURw0E• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/av-nirvanas-home-theater-news-review-htnr/id1715862636📺 Episode SummaryIt’s a cold one in the DMV. To warm things up, the time machine heads back to December 1933, when Alan Blumlein and the EMI team proved stereo could be cut into a single record groove, laying the groundwork for how we still experience vinyl.
The lightning round skips TV rumor season and dives into current AV headlines, including Klipsch’s ProMedia Luminina 2.1 desktop system, Bowers and Wilkins’ PX8 S2 McLaren Edition, Kaleidescape’s compact Mini Terra Prime server, and StormAudio’s plans for expanded facilities and faster North American service. The episode also delivers a reality check on streaming, with new data showing how limited major platforms’ catalogs really are.
The show wraps with Amp Genie, a touchless controller designed to simplify modern AV receivers, followed by a packed disc segment with Michael Scott’s latest reviews, new releases, Kaleidescape updates, and holiday-ready disc deals.
Please Note: AV Nirvana may make a small commission from affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

🎥 **Home Theater News Review Podcast — Season 3, Episode 15****Join our home theater community at AVNirvana.com.**Build real relationships with other Home Theater Enthusiasts and talk shop about speakers, processors, projectors, TVs, and more. We look forward to seeing you in the forums!🔥 **Show Sponsors**💥 **SVS**Visit: https://fave.co/4bCbL9rExplore **SVS’s Black Friday Deals**:https://go.skimresources.com?id=106365X1563484&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.svsound.com🎛️ **madVR Labs**Visit: https://madvrenvy.com/💿 **DISC DEALS****Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning 4K**https://amzn.to/49j2CU4**Raging Bull 4K**https://amzn.to/4r1Hpoa**The Big Lebowski 4K**https://amzn.to/4r1Hpoa🛠️ **Gear Deal of the Week****LG TV Black Friday Sale**Take advantage at trusted national retailers:• **Audio Advice**: https://audioadvice.io/49odMXL• **Value Electronics**: https://valueelectronics.com/⏱️ **Chapters**00:01 Intro02:02 Show Sponsors: madVR Labs03:56 Show Sponsors: SVS Black Friday Event05:18 Time Machine: The Birth of HBO (1972)08:39 HBO Max Name Change Update09:24 Lightning News Begins: MartinLogan Grotto Series10:20 MartinLogan Depth Series11:17 Andover Audio SpinPlay Portable Turntable12:42 Lamborghini Exhaust Speaker (Isusavox)14:12 Next-Gen Quantum Dot: PQD and Rec.2020 Gains15:21 LG MicroRGB LCD TV (CES 2026 Preview)16:12 Panasonic 77" Z8BA OLED17:19 Krix Ever Range Loudspeakers18:22 Focal Mu-so Hekla Atmos Soundbar19:38 Deep Dive: New Research on Human Vision and 8K Resolution24:09 Key Takeaways for Home Theater Fans24:15 Disc & Entertainment: Michael Scott Surpasses 2,200 Reviews25:51 New to Disc This Week26:59 Kaleidescape Content Update27:31 Disc Sales Breakdown & Market Trends28:23 Top-Selling 4K Discs28:56 Most-Streamed Movies (JustWatch Rankings)29:35 Baseball Wrap-Up: World Series & Orioles Outlook30:25 Disc Deals of the Week31:20 Gear Deal of the Week: LG Black Friday TV Pricing32:29 Show Close🔗 **Forum Links**• For the latest disc reviews: https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/blu-ray-media-reviews.12/• For the latest news covered in this episode:https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/av-industry-news.6/🎧 **Podcast Links**• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XZc1WVL7gGazxGLiURw0E• Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/av-nirvanas-home-theater-news-review-htnr/id1715862636📺 **Episode Summary**In this episode of **HTNR**, we fire up the time machine and revisit the **birth of HBO**, exploring how a tiny Pennsylvania cable experiment grew into the first premium TV network. Then it's on to a packed slate of AV news, including a **portable turntable-and-speaker system that fits under an airline seat**, a **Lamborghini-inspired wireless speaker**, major breakthroughs in **TV technology**, new speaker launches from **MartinLogan** and **Krix**, and flat-panel advances from **LG**, **Panasonic**, and **TCL**.We also break down **new research suggesting that 8K can deliver real visual benefits** when viewing conditions are right. The show wraps with updates from the world of discs and movies, a milestone from our forum’s disc critic, and a **Black Friday TV deal worth knowing about**.Please Note: AV Nirvana may make a small commission from affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Join the Conversation: Dive deeper into home theater, hi-fi, and the latest industry news with over 63,000 enthusiasts on the AV NIRVANA forum. 👉 avnirvana.com

Chapters
00:01 Intro
06:07 Show Sponsor: madVR
07:24 Show Sponsor: SVS
08:37 Time Machine Segment: First Movie on a Plane
12:09 Begin News
13:51 Samsung RGB TV
15:51 Acoustic Enegry
17:09 Just Video Walls
18:41 Integra Professional Amps
20:26 8K Association
21:38 Bluesound Pulse Cinema and Mini
23:48 Ascendo Best of Show HALO
25:07 AudioControl Hyperion Series
26:21 Grimani Systems MP-84 Mini Port
27:53 MadVR Core MK2, Pro MK3, and Extreme MK3 processors
29:24 Quantum Media Systems XDR4-8K Extreme LED Wal
30:46 Trinnov AltitudeCI
32:45 Klipsch Courtyard
34:27 Perlisten S7t Black Edition
36:12 L-Acoustics HYRISS
38:45 JBL Synthesis
40:01' StormAudio Sound Room 7
42:17 Theory Audio and Pro Audio Technology
44:20 Apex Cinema Hub
45:22 Just Video Walls Visual Source Management System
47:06 Kaleidescape kAI
48:57 Trinnov Web UI
50:27 Close

Home theater fans, welcome to a CEDIA Expo 2025 special edition of HTNR (Home Theater News Review)! 🎬 This episode covers the biggest news we didn't cover on AV Nirvana in the lead up to CEDIA, plus a full breakdown of AV NIRVANA’s Best of Show, Spotlight, and Innovation Award winners. From jaw-dropping MicroLED walls to groundbreaking AVRs, processors, and immersive speakers, this is your front-row seat to the latest in home theater technology.

Whether you’re shopping for new gear or just love staying informed, you’ll hear about Samsung’s Micro RGB TV, Acoustic Energy’s 300² Series, new gear from Just Video Walls, Integra’s Professional Amplifier Series, and much more. We also dig into award-winning products from Ascendo, AudioControl, Grimani Systems, madVR Labs, Quantum Media Systems, Trinnov, Klipsch, Perlisten, L-Acoustics, JBL Synthesis, StormAudio, Theory/Pro Audio Technology, Apex Technologies, Kaleidescape, and more. 🚀

Stick around for a trip in the HTNR Time Machine back to 1993 to revisit the launch of DTS with Jurassic Park, plus shoutouts to our great sponsors madVR Labs and SVS. If you want to know what’s hot in home theater right now, you’ve come to the right place.

🔗 Show Links:
👉 madVR Labs: https://madvrenvy.com
👉 SVS: https://www.svsound.com
👉 Acoustic Energy 300² Series (Essence Hi Res Audio / Fidelity Imports): https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/next-generation-acoustic-energy-300²-speakers-arrive-in-america-—-available-now-through-essence.15517/
👉 AV NIRVANA CEDIA Awards Article: https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/cedia-2025-awards-av-nirvana-announces-best-of-show-spotlight-and-innovation-winners.15651/
👉 Ascendo HALO Unboxing Video: https://youtu.be/A3ng4MASy4A
👉 AudioControl Hyperion Designer Interview: https://youtu.be/kE1y1Lh8W8g
👉 Perlisten Loft Demo: https://youtu.be/RORiAbnnbBA
👉 L-Acoustics Highgate Visit Article: https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/home-theater-reimagined-a-visit-to-l-acoustics’-highgate-showroom-with-hyriss-signals-a-new-era-in-av.15179/
👉 StormAudio Sound Room 7 Interview: https://youtu.be/xO6Ww1FCbnw
👉 Kaleidescape kAI Discovery Tool Demo: https://youtu.be/UvAnKL1DyZ4
👉 Trinnov AltitudeCI Media Event: https://youtu.be/wy8YEuHPLEM

Home Theater News Review Podcast Season 3, Episode 12

Join our home theater community at AVNirvana.com. Build relationships with other Home Theater Enthusiasts and talk shop about speakers, processors, projectors, TVs, and more. We look forward to having you join our community!

00:01 Intro
01:18 Show Sponsor: madVR
02:13 Show Sponsor: SVS
03:10 Time Machine Segment: First Movie on a Plane
06:51 Begin Lightning News: Epson LS9000
09:03 madVR DSO Dynamic Subtitle Overlay
12:41 Ascendo 64” 100” THE64 and THE100
14:29 JTR Kallos
16:05 Yamaha True X Surround 90A Auro-3D
19:02 Onkyo ICON C-30
21:16 Audio Advice Live 2025
25:07 Value Electronics TV Shootout King of TV 4K OLED
33:14 Check in with Michael Scott, AV Nirvana Disc Reviews
34:07 New to Disc this Week
35:57 Kaleidescape Content Update
36:41 Streaming and Disc Charts
38:38 Disc and Gear Deals

This episode is sponsored by SVS:
Visit them SVSound.com
SVS Promo: GoDual

This episode is also sponsored by madVR Labs:
Visit them at https://madvrenvy.com/

*Watch Ascendo - Geoffrey Heinzel Interview*

Link to a full listing of Audio Advice Live 2025 Videos:

*DISC DEALS*
-Death Proof BD: https://amzn.to/3UUl2Sx
-A Quiet Place 4K: The Daniel Craig 5-Film Collection (4K): https://amzn.to/45LLCU0
-The Right Stuff BD: https://amzn.to/4lqjcng

*Gear Deal of the Week*
Sony Bravia 8 II 65”: https://amzn.to/45gYMse
Sony Bravia 5 XR50 98”: https://amzn.to/4mGXsES
Sony Bravia 8 77”: https://amzn.to/3UqEC8M
Sony Bravia 8 65”: https://amzn.to/45dv6fw
Sony Bravia 8 55”: https://amzn.to/4mcnVdk

*Forum Links*
-For the latest disc reviews, go to: https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/blu-ray-media-reviews.12/
-For the latest news, including stories covered in this episode:
https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/av-industry-news.6/

*PODCAST LINKS*
-Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XZc1WVL7gGazxGLiURw0E

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/av-nirvanas-home-theater-news-review-htnr/id1715862636

Coming up on this episode of HTNR, we’ll cover news from the likes of Lumagen, HDMI, Shanling, StormAudio, Apple, Samsung, and friend of the show, Gary Dayton. We also have a huge headline story featuring Onkyo and Premium Audio Company and a well known name, that being Pioneer.

We’ll also take a look at the world of discs and movies, check out which titles AV Nirvana’s Michael Scott has reviewed since we last talked, and check in with Kaleidescape. We also take a look at news and trends in the world of content, and I’ll give you a tip on how to save some money if you’re planning on attending Audio Advice Live next month.

Please Note: AV Nirvana may make a small commission from affiliate links... thanks for your support!

Home Theater News Review Podcast Season 3, Episode 11

Join our home theater community at AVNirvana.com. Build relationships with other Home Theater Enthusiasts and talk shop about speakers, processors, projectors, TVs, and more. We look forward to having you join our community!

00:01 Intro
03:14 Show Sponsor: SVS
04:01 Show Sponsor: madVR
05:00 Time Machine Segment: First OLED
07:31 Begin Lightning News: Lumagen Artisan 8K Ready
09:43 HDMI 2.2 Launch
11:41 Shanling EC Zero T portable CD player
12:35 StormAudio Core 16+ (plus)
13:52 Apple Spatial Audio Format
15:20 Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar
16:38 Thiel Coherent Source Service, Gary Dayton
17:54 Onkyo/Premium Audio Company end Licensing Agreement with Pioneer
28:42 Check in with Michael Scott, AV Nirvana Disc Reviews
30:18 New to Disc this Week
31:22 Kaleidescape Content Update
32:39 What’s Hot and What’s Cold
34:42 Disc and Gear Deals

This episode is sponsored by SVS:
Visit them SVSound.com

This episode is also sponsored by madVR Labs:
Visit them at https://madvrenvy.com/

*Shanling Link*
Buy the Shanling EC Zero T portable CD player: https://amzn.to/44HTuEk

*DISC DEALS*
-Jurassic World Ultimate Collection (4K): https://amzn.to/44cGXd9
-James Bond: The Daniel Craig 5-Film Collection (4K): https://amzn.to/44oFwHu
-Jaws 3-Movie Collection (4K): https://amzn.to/46asXCj

*Gear Deal of the Week*
Audio Advice Live 10% off tickets: AVNAALIVE25
$10off a 3-day all access pass - (early bird rate is $45) - code is valid until midnight on 8.1.25

*Forum Links*
-For the latest disc reviews, go to: https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/blu-ray-media-reviews.12/
-For the latest news, including stories covered in this episode:
https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/av-industry-news.6/

*PODCAST LINKS*
-Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XZc1WVL7gGazxGLiURw0E

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/av-nirvanas-home-theater-news-review-htnr/id1715862636

Coming up on this episode of HTNR, we’ll cover news from the likes of Lumagen, HDMI, Shanling, StormAudio, Apple, Samsung, and friend of the show, Gary Dayton. We also have a huge headline story featuring Onkyo and Premium Audio Company and a well known name, that being Pioneer.

We’ll also take a look at the world of discs and movies, checkout which titles AV Nirvana’s Michael Scott has reviewed since we last talked, and check in with Kaleidescape. We also take a look at news and trends in the world of content, and I’ll give you a tip on how to save some money if you’re planning on attending Audio Advice Live next month.

Please Note: AV Nirvana may make a small commission from affiliate links... thanks for your support!