The 101 of speakers – In this weeks blog we break down the different types of home speakers that Rapallo Read More

4K Blu-ray vs. Streaming – This week we look at which is the best way to watch movies? Is it Read More

Nothing beats the surround sound for movies and TV, and the surround sound starts with a home theatre receiver. But Read More

Today I’m going to show you 15 Steps To The Perfect Turntable, often a over-looked aspect to enjoying the vinyl. Read More

Us Kiwi’s do outdoor entertaining like nobody else. We love spending time outdoors; whether it’s pottering in the garden, reading on the patio, or firing up the BBQ with a bunch of friends, outdoor speakers make total sense with our outdoor Kiwi lifestyle. After all, the fun shouldn’t stop at the back door. 

Outdoor entertainment is a bit of art on its own (I mean, there are no walls to start withJ), but just like with any AV set-up, planning is the word if you want to do a half decent job. 

It’s a common problem: due to hearing loss, some folks can’t hear sound in its full detail, contrast or richness. When we listen to music, frequencies are lost and nuances can’t be processed fully.

And when it comes to watching television, even at a decent volume, many people can’t quite make out the dialogue. Turning the TV full blast doesn’t help. And many more people seem to struggle with this than we realise. 

Luckily, when it comes to watching television or listening to music there a number of things you can do. 

Chances are pretty good that an AV receiver is amongst the audio visual items present at your home. Said AV receiver these days is packed with advanced technology and features that all carry some abbreviated letter name of some sort. Many of us will have to admit, half of the time that fancy letterword may as well be mumbo jumbo. You can relax, it’s not you.:-)
But when it’s time to upgrade and with every supplier screaming how they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, how do you make any sense out of that? I mean confusion reigns, no?

A new AVR  or AV-receiver might be on the top of your Christmas wish list. It is arguably the most important part of your AV set up and home theatre. Brands seem to launch updated version of their AVR’s just about every year. But deciding on what you really need as opposed to being pulled into the next fancy marketing thing, when it is time for an upgrade can do anybody’s head i In the end, you want to make sure you have considered every aspect so that your AVR with work in perfect unison with the rest of your set up. Nobody wants to spend unnecessary money, while at the same time, we want to get the best performance for our needs. A few weeks ago, we bumped into an excellent article on AVS forums which quick-fired 10 points to consider when shopping for AVRs. It is almost a ticking list of things to consider. We thought it was just excellent and wanted it share it with you, adding our own comments, examples and experiences.I mean, nothing beats a comprehensive (albeit a bit lengthy) overview that is specked with insider information. Right?

If you’ve ever spent any time browsing the forums, the odds are good you’ve run into a discussion regarding the benefits of AV receivers versus separates. This rivalry has proponents and valid arguments on both sides of the table. Long story short: we can see valid arguments on both ends of the table. But what works best for you?