About.com Stereos

Best Black Friday Deals

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:16:10 +0000

Best Buy: Black Friday hours - Open 5AM

Alpine CDE-100 50-watt x 4 Car Stereo: $99.99

Harmony 510 Advanced Universal Remote control: $39.99

iHome Alarm Clock with iPod Dock: $39.95

Apple iPod Nano 8GB player - Black: $149.99

Bose Earbud Headphones: $89.99

Motorola S9HD Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Headphones: $49.99

Pioneer 50-watt x 4 Car Stereo with two 6.5" Speakers: $89.99

Kmart: Black Friday hours - Open at 6AM

iHome Portable iPod/MP3 Player Speaker system: $9.99

Philips 4-device Universal Remote Control: $9.99

Sony Earbud Headphones - Assorted Colors: $4.99

Wireless Gear Bluetooth Headset: $7.99

Radio Shack: Black Friday hours - Open at 5:30 AM

iLive 2.1 channel DVD/CD system with iPod Dock: $99.99

ION Profile Pro USB Turntable with Software: $79.99

ESPN GameDay Universal Remote Control: $9.99

Radio Shack NOAA Weather Cube Radio: $10.00

Sirius Radio Dock & Play Radio with Car Kit: $29.99

For the best gift ideas, check out my Top Pick Gift List for stereo and music lovers with links to compare prices.

Best Black Friday Deals originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 12:16:10.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Speaker of the Week: KEF iQ50 Floorstanding Speakers

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Audiophiles and avid music lovers know the KEF name well and associate it with fine loudspeakers. The KEF iQ50 is a 2 �-way floorstanding bass reflex speaker in the middle of the Q series line with sound that belies its small size. The iQ50s are among the best speakers I've reviewed in the sub-$1000 per pair price range and it's clear to me why serious music lovers revere KEF speakers. Neutral, uncolored and balanced are a few of the adjectives I would use to describe the iQ50 speakers. Read my full review.

Speaker of the Week: KEF iQ50 Floorstanding Speakers originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 20:20:00.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Review: The Beatles Remastered CDs

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:39:00 +0000

Audio recording techniques and quality have greatly improved since the 1960s and 1970s when the Beatles recorded many of their hit songs. EMI Records has released remastered versions of these timeless recordings in boxed sets or individual discs. Before springing for the boxed set, I bought "A Hard Days Night" to check out the quality. Based on what I heard, I'll be buying the rest of the collection. Read my review, and if you like Beatles music, check out the remastered versions - they'll make a nice addition to your collection and make great gift ideas.

Review: The Beatles Remastered CDs originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 09:39:00.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Update: California Energy Regulations Ignore the Real Issue

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:06:31 +0000

As expected, today the California Energy Commission on a unanimous vote passed strict regulations that will prohibit sales of TVs up to 58" that don't meet strict energy efficiency requirements beginning in 2011. The Commissioners say this is the easiest and cheapest way to conserve electricity. Unfortunately, this unelected commission misses the point. The main issue is how to provide enough electricity for the citizens in the state and for future needs, not to force conservation by restricting the sales of TVs. Building more power plants is the place to start. Pay attention if you value the freedom to choose which television you wish to buy and expect your legislators to use the California decision as a model for other states.

California citizens can do three things:

Demand our state government build more power plants to meet our present and future energy needs.
Buy 'banned televisions' online or from another state to bypass these ridiculous regulations.
Elect representatives with some common sense that will dismantle the California Energy Commission.

The Rasmussen Reports has released a poll indicating that 66% of Americans oppose regulations and favor big screen TVs over energy conservation.
Robert Silva, About.com Guide to Home Theater has more.

Update: California Energy Regulations Ignore the Real Issue originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 16:06:31.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Special Report: Demystifying Surge Suppression & AC Power Line Conditioning

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:17:01 +0000

Understanding surge suppression and power conditioning can be illusive and difficult to comprehend. Many people think that surge suppression is only useful in lightning prone areas and power conditioning is...who knows what? I did, so I conducted a bit of research with the help of Innovolt, a manufacturer of power protection devices. I learned a lot about the power grid that we're all connected to and why it's necessary to protect sensitive electronic devices from power grid disturbances. Read my full report on surge suppression and AC power line conditioning.

Special Report: Demystifying Surge Suppression & AC Power Line Conditioning originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 16:17:01.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Audio-Technica Introduces New High-Performance USB Turntable

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:54:44 +0000

Following the introduction of the AT-LP2D-USB turntable, Audio-Technica has introduced a new professional model with high-performance features. The new AT-LP120-USB turntable features a high torque direct-drive motor for quick start up with forward and reverse cueing, a 78 RPM speed, pitch control, a cast aluminum platter and a dual-magnet phono cartridge. Like the AT LP2D-USB turntable, the new model comes with PC and Mac compatible Audacity software to convert analog LPs to digital audio files. The AT-LP120-USB is available now with a suggested retail price of $429. To learn more about converting LPs to digital, read my full review of the AT-LP2D-USB turntable and shop for the best price on the AT-LP120-USB.

Audio-Technica Introduces New High-Performance USB Turntable originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 10:54:44.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Americans Reject Energy Regulations

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Any day now, California is expected to implement energy regulations that will ban the sale of some big screen televisions in the state because they consume too much electricity. Today a Rasmussen Reports poll (in my opinion, the most accurate polling firm) indicates that 66% of Americans oppose the law, while only 16% favor it and 18% are not sure. Seems like an overwhelming majority to me. According to Rasmussen, most adults (53%) say being able to buy the TV of their choice is more important than conserving energy and 37% say conserving is more important. Is anyone in the California Energy Commission listening? As I have previously written, "Why don't we build more power plants instead of restricting consumer choice?" For more information and background on this issue, read an extensive article written by Robert Silva, About.com Guide to Home Theater.

Americans Reject Energy Regulations originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 14:21:00.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Top Pick Stereo Systems - Updated

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:45:49 +0000

A good sounding home stereo system consists of a receiver or amplifier and a pair of speakers that have performance-matched characteristics. I have tested and reviewed the home stereo systems in my Top Pick list and recommend them based on real world listening experience. The systems range in suggested retail price from $698.00 to $11,200 and can be purchased online or from your local reseller.

Top Pick Stereo Systems - Updated originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 08:45:49.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Product of the Week: Outlaw Audio RR-2150 Stereo Retro Receiver

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:26:52 +0000

The RR 2150 has just the right mix of features and audio performance. Its construction quality reminds me of the days when stereo receivers were built like a tank and had the audio performance to prove it. Its generous power supply backed by a toroidal transformer delivers 100 watts x 2 and is compatible with 4-ohm and 8-ohm speakers, so it can drive a wide variety of speakers. Read my full review of the Outlaw Audio RR-2150 Stereo Retro Receiver.

Product of the Week: Outlaw Audio RR-2150 Stereo Retro Receiver originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 10:26:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Stereo Tip: Best Way to Adjust an Audio Equalizer

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:54:12 +0000

Equalizers are like expanded tone controls that permit more accurate adjustment of the sound. Equalizers come in two types, graphic and parametric. A good rule to follow when adjusting an equalizer is to cut a frequency whenever possible instead of raising a frequency. For example, if you want more high frequencies, try reducing the midrange instead. Or if you want more midrange, try reducing the bass or the higher frequencies instead of raising the midrange. Raising a frequency can add small amounts of distortion, while reducing a frequency does not. Read my full article about how to adjust an audio equalizer.

Stereo Tip: Best Way to Adjust an Audio Equalizer originally appeared on About.com Stereos on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 13:54:12.

Permalink | Comment | Email this