Dec 16 Podcast #1079: Buying Guide for your Audiophile, Movie Lover and Smarthome Enthusiast
On this week’s show we look at an article at CE Pro which is a list of 12 products that CE Pro writer Bob Archer thought were 2022’s products of the year. We only look at two products. One that is unobtainium and the other a mere mortal can buy today. We also have a buying guide that is a bit different than our usual one. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.
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Today's Show:
News:
- Bowers & Wilkins And McLaren Automotive Launch Px8 McLaren Edition Headphone
- Bally Sports Content Is Available to Samsung Smart TV Users
- Google Home routines keep saying that the Nest x Yale lock has ‘been unlocked’
- Oppo's hi-res audio chip could finally make wireless earbuds sound as good as wired
Other:
- Monoprice Blackbird 4K HDMI Audio Extractor
- Ara's Woodworking
- Join the Flaviar Whisky Club and get a free bottle
Bob Archer’s 2022 Products of the Year
We found this article (Bob Archer's 2022 Products of the Year) at CE Pro which is a list of 12 products that CE Pro writer Bob Archer thought were, as the title suggests, 2022’s products of the year. We are going to highlight two products on the list, one is unobtainium and the other a mere mortal can buy today. The rest of the items on the list are things that most people can buy and a few that we dream of buying. Please check it out, it's linked in the show notes.
Unobtainium
Taking a step up into the rarified air of high-end audiophile speakers, the Danish company DALI applied its impressive R&D resources to the development of its $110,000 Kore loudspeakers. Emphasizing the company's fundamental audio philosophies and a return to its Danish roots through the use of Danish labor and raw materials, the KORE performs at extremely high levels. The 88dB, 4-ohm speaker delivers a frequency response of 26Hz to 34kHz and the statuesque speakers nicely complement a range of home designs and amplifiers to deliver lots of musical fun. By the way, each speaker weighs 148Kg (not pounds!!!). In pounds that’s 325!!!
I thought this was funny! From the user’s manual: Disposal - If you want to dispose of your DALI KORE speakers, don’t mix them with your general household waste. In accordance with EU legislation, a separate collection system for used electronic products enables private households in EU member states, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway to return used electronic products free of charge to designated collection facilities or to a retailer (if you purchase a similar replacement product). If you reside in a country not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities to determine the correct method of disposal and prevent any potential negative effects on the environment and human health
For Mortals
Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector
If the projector category had a pound-for-pound ranking like the UFC, the leader of the pack would be Epson’s LS12000 laser projector. The 2,700-lumen LS12000 features the company’s 4K PRO-UHD pixel shifting technology, along with its 32-bit ZX Picture Processor and laser light engine that delivers up to 20,000 of lamp life. The LS12000 produces nice levels of image brightness, color performance and image clarity. You can find these online for $5000. Projector Central rates this projector Performance 5 Stars, Features 4 ½ Stars, Ease of Use 4 ½ Stars, and Value 5 Stars.
Gift Buying Guide
We usually do a buying guide this time of year but you can sum it up like this. Go to Costco and buy an OLED or QLED TV by either Samsing, Sony or LG. And if you are budget conscious take a look at Vizio or TCL. Yes that is an oversimplification but this year we wanted to help you find something that the music, movie or smarthome lover will be thrilled to unwrap. So without further ado, here is our 2022 gift giving guide for Audiophiles, Movie Lovers and Smarthome Owners.
Audiophiles
The new Debut Carbon EVO represents the epitome of Pro-Ject’s philosophy: high performance, clean aesthetics, and superb value. The elegant, simple aesthetic is unmarred by gimmicky lights, sliders, and buttons. It is a pure, high-performance turntable.
Hi-Fi, The History of High-End Audio Design $85
"Gideon Schwartz's book goes on a visual journey through the innovative world of home stereo design, from the tank-like amplifiers of the ‘50s to the sleek streaming hubs of today. Hi-Fi's 272 pages are filled with photos of iconic systems, including Bose's earliest forays into loudspeakers, and Dieter Rams' famous all-white turntable design for Braun. Warning: Perusing this book may result in eBay-fueled debt."―Wired Online
Custom Audio Rack/Furniture (prices vary $250 up to $3000)
These stands are designed to be simple and elegant. Depending on your requirement, many designers can custom build something just for you! Typical designs come with enough shelf space to hold a turntable and amplifier with enough room left over for your record collection.
Movie Lover
Movie Posters - Movie posters are easy to find on Amazon or ebay. The real old ones are expensive but you can find replicas for as little as $10. Framing costs more.
Custom Acoustic Panels ($100 24”X24”X1”) - Get better sound while adding a nice visual element to your theater with acoustic panels.
Movie Logbook Notebook $26 - Sure you can set up a spreadsheet with this information but where's the fun in that! Keep this log book in your theater and keep a diary of what you watch and who you watched it with.
Home Automation
Starter Kit ($200) - There are so many starter kits out there but for this list we decided on simple lighting system to dip your toes in the automation arena. We also chose the philips hue lights because they are compatible with everything and will support matter soon. Start with one room and work your way up to your entire house.
Hubitat Elevation ($99.95) - For that someone who is a little more technical and does not want to be beholden to a cloud system for their home automation, this gift is ideal! By combining the advantages of local automation processing with cloud IoT connectivity, Hubitat's innovative Hubitat Elevation hub ensures personal data privacy and is more reliable and responsive than competitive cloud-based solutions. Hubitat Elevation is compatible with popular home automation devices, comes with a variety of built-in apps, and has an active user community to share ideas, insights and solutions.
Smart locks - There are plenty of smart locks out there to choose from. Last week we had a listener write in about his Level Invisible Lock. They range in price from $199 up to $399 depending on style and lock mechanism. The best thing about these locks are that they don’t need to change the style and look of the original lock. There are models by Schlage and Kwikset as well. But for these you really need to know the style and look of the lock you are replacing.
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