Soundbars are a simple-looking device. They hang from your flat-panel TV, blending in and delivering audio from the display. But there’s a lot that this skinny speaker can do than perform as your TV’s audio sidekick. Yamaha proves this with the introduction of its MusicCast BAR 400 sound bar. Retailing for $499.95, this soundbar do […]
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Yamaha $650 Slimline Receiver, Small, Smart and Listens to Amazon Alexa
Audio and video components are shrinking in size, and that’s good news for people who live in smaller spaces or who simply want something that’s easier to hide. Yamaha’s newest A/V receiver, the $650 RX-S602 Yamaha Slimline, stands just 4.5-inches high. Although small in stature, it packs in plenty of top-notch technology. It supports 5.1 […]
Get the GuideMarantz NR1609 Receiver Features Amazon Alexa, Dolby Atmos
Typically people think of A/V receivers as big, black boxes. The new Marantz NR1509 and NR1609 Receivers break that stereotype by providing homeowners a choice of small-footprint home theater solutions, along with Amazon Alexa voice control capabilities. The space-friendly receivers offer an array of features, including surround sound decoding, multiple HDMI inputs, 4K UltraHD video […]
Get the GuideSonos Unveils New Smart Speaker for $399
As smart speakers continue to proliferate the home landscape, manufacturers are looking for innovative designs that deliver even more bang for the buck. Sonos has developed a new class of smart speaker with the upcoming July introduction of its Beam speaker. Created to provide consumers with more than just a voice-enabled speaker that responds to […]
Get the GuideAmazon Echo Dot and In-Wall Amplifier Combine to Power Speakers and Voice Control
Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home started off as a standalone solutions. Integrated into smart speakers, they listened for your verbal commands and responded by broadcasting music, information, and relaying signals to compatible smart devices. They’ve become a must-have device for many homeowners. In fact, a report from Juniper Research states that voice […]
Get the GuideNASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte on Cruise Control with Home’s New Automation System
After winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship in 2000, veteran race car driver Bobby Labonte has been investing in some well-deserved relaxation far from the frenzy of the track. In late 2017, Labonte purchased a 4,000-square foot cabin on over 15 acres of land within a mile of High Point, North Carolina, with the […]
Get the GuidePolk Smart Speaker Features Google Assistant, Chromecast
Smart speakers are widely available from a variety of manufacturers; so are speakers that can playback streaming content. Polk Audio has combined the two features in one device, delivering voice control and whole-house music streaming. Related: Top Reasons People Use Smart Speakers Bringing 45 years of audio engineering to the smart-speaker category, the new $199 […]
Get the Guide8 Reasons Why Chromecast Products Are Worth Installing
By Dan Allen Today, 10 percent of U.S. homes with Internet service have a voice-controlled speaker (like Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple HomePod). Just one year ago, that number was 3 percent. According to a report from Juniper Research, smart devices like the Google Home will be installed in 55 percent of U.S. households […]
Get the Guide3 Smart Home Spruce Ups for Summer
With summer just around the bend, you might be planning a vacation or thinking of spending more time outdoors. Basically, you’ll be spending less time inside your house. It may seem like the worse time to invest in technology for you home, yet summertime can be a great time to spruce up the place with […]
Get the GuideNew Yamaha Receiver Supports Wireless Surround Speakers
Entertainment enthusiasts know that the best way to build a reliable, versatile and great-sounding home theater surround system is to use an AV receiver with wired speakers. For many, this is still a go-to solution that works seamlessly. For others, it presents a dilemma: How to get wires to the back of the room for […]
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