AVNirvana.com reviews and commentary

---

These locking, expanding, and stackable banana plug connectors are manufactured with color-coded polycarbonate shells for quick polarity identification and protection from possible short circuits. The angled body allows for stacking multiple connectors atop each other and lower wire strain. The connectors are milled from solid brass and plated with 24 karat gold. Each connector features two hex-head setscrews that hold the speaker wire firmly in place in the wire barrel to create a solid connection. Integral to the design of these banana plugs is a central spike, driven by the insulated thumbscrew, which spreads the banana plug tines. This action firmly locks the banana plug into 5-way binding posts, banana jacks, and stacked banana plugs for a worry-free connection. The connectors accept up to 8 AWG wires.

The BRX (Bookshelf Reference X) speaker is a beautiful, compact, 2-way bookshelf speaker. The sleekly styled cabinet is luxuriously finished in a hand-rubbed piano black lacquer. The BRX incorporates a 6” cast-basket bass/midrange driver and the tweeter is the GoldenEar Reference  High-Gauss High-Velocity Folded Ribbon. The two drivers are perfectly blended with a unique “balanced crossover”. A pair of inertially balanced 6.5” planar infrasonic radiators are located on either side of the cabinet for tight, quick, powerful bass response. The BRX delivers superior reference level performance for both two-channel as well as home theater systems of the highest quality, with extraordinary three-dimensional imaging and high-resolution clarity. Now Live at AVNirvana.com

The GoldenEar SuperCenter Reference center channel speaker. The perfect match for GoldenEar speakers and beyond. Full review now on www.AVNivana.com soon!

The Pioneer VSX-LX305 is a thoroughly modern AV receiver complete with HDMI 2.1 and 8K video capabilities. Surround modes include the full suite of Dolby decoding schemes featuring Dolby ATMOS (5.1.4 or 7.1.2) and the rest of the current Dolby team. Team DTS is fully represented with the current DTS decoding algorithms, including DTS:X and downward. The Pioneer includes a bevy of DSP-constructed soundstages as well that can be used alone or layered on top of the Dolby/DTS surround schemes. On the video side, the receiver is packed to the brim with HDMI 2.1 4K/8K support, DDR10+, HDR10, HLG (8K HDR video), Dolby Vision, and iMax Enhanced. It’s also a deluxe streamer working with the Pioneer Remote App to directly stream Amazon Music HD, Pandora, Spotify, TIDAL, and Deezer. The VSX-LS305 is ROON tested and Internet Radio ready with TuneIn, while retaining the essence of a true receiver with AM/FM/FM HD terrestrial receivers built-in. And, of course, the Pioneer VSX-LX305 works with Alexa, Hey Google, and Apple AirPlay. And in partnership with SONOS it’s a certified "Works with SONOS" device. Whew! Full review now live on AVNirvana.com

The latest offering in the Vivid Kaya lineup, the Kaya S12, is a modestly sized speaker featuring a beautiful flowing and stunning industrial design aesthetic and a flawless, lustrous finish. According to Vivid, the new Kaya S12 should be equally at home in pro-audio production studio applications, home stereo and multichannel audio systems, and home theater environments.  Now live on  AVNirvana.com! Click here!!

The Polk Monitor XT70 is a lightweight floor-standing 2-way speaker with a simple, inclusive design aesthetic. There is good reach into the low-end provided by two 6.5” woofers and two 8” passive radiators. The waveguide-mounted dome tweeter has a frequency response extending beyond 40K Hz. Relatively sensitive and should be a good fit for use with smaller receivers/amplifiers. Full Review Here!

The NAD T 778 A/V Receiver is a cool running yet powerful receiver with nine channels of Class D amplification. Flexible analog and digital I/O with internal patching make for easy setup. A large 6 ¼” x 2 ½” color touch display occupies the front panel. BluOS enabled, and Apple AirPlay, ROON Ready, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect make the T 778 a very internet-ready/friendly receiver. MQA decoding is also included via the BluOS interface. Video is a true 4K pass-through and is HDMI CEC/eArc compliant. Custom Integration features like IR relay, RS232 Control port, IR inputs/outputs, and assignable triggers make the T 778 very customizable, enabling it to flex into most custom installation integrations. Modular design (MDC) aids in “future-proofing” the lifespan of the receiver.

Combining stunning aesthetics with high performance derived by using trickle-down technology from the Focal Utopia line of ultra-premium speakers, the Aria K2 series delivers crisp highs and solid lows with a natural and pleasing sound. The Aria K2 936 tower speakers offer pinpoint imaging with a wide and deep soundstage. The smaller Aria K2 906 bookshelf speakers offer commensurate performance in a compact form factor for side and rear surround duties or as the heart of a small room stereo/home theater system. The Aria K2 Centre speaker renders the critical dialog channel with striking clarity and a natural vibe. The visually appealing 12" Focal SUB 1000F subwoofer pumps solid LFE into medium-sized rooms without protest. 

The small but mighty DALI RUBICON LCR speaker. A balanced on-wall/bookshelf speaker with power and finesse.
A high-quality speaker system optimized for on-wall mounting
Woofer and the closed-back Hybrid Tweeter assembly are effectively isolated cabinet chambers
Ported cabinet for high-performance bass in a small enclosure
The Hybrid Tweeter Assembly can be removed and rotated 90˚, allowing it to be positioned horizontally for center channel use
2 ½ way Crossover design
Available in four finishes

Tiny but mighty JBL Stage A130 Bookshelf Speakers. Full review now on AVNirvana.com. A compact but high output possible, 2-Way speaker system that would be equally at home in a modest stereo system or as the heart of a high-performance home theater system in any mid-sized room. This speaker would also be an excellent choice for a desktop system or a nearfield monitor solution when used with high-quality amplification. The JBL Stage A130 plays "loud and proud" whenever asked to do so! The A130 is part of JBL's Stage series that features a full range of floor standing, center channel speakers, bookshelf speakers, and two different subwoofer choices.

A two-channel soundbar that simulates Dolby ATMOS Surround using DSP. The speaker has an excellent connectivity package that includes eARC HDMI, two additional HDMI inputs, Coaxial and Optical Digital audio inputs, and one analog input. There is also a USB input that will allow the play of Mp3 file formats. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to play audio using your mobile device of choice. The soundbar comes complete with mounting hardware and all necessary cables. No provision for adding a subwoofer is made.

Now live on AVNirvana.com! An entry level subwoofer that is priced right and offers excellent performance. The lowest priced subwoofer offering from SVS is a winner in every respect! A modestly sized and priced, high-quality subwoofer, that should work well in many situations and rooms. Attractive faux wood, Black Ash vinyl finish lends a premium look and feel to this well-priced subwoofer. Integration and fine-tuning are a snap thanks to a well-thought-out, and implemented, mobile device app that is free for download. Many of the app controls are duplicated on the sleek rear control panel. Discount pricing when buying two.

Now live on AVNirvana.com, my review of the Aperion Audio AMT Dual Firing Super Tweeter!  Need some additional high frequencies,  “crispies,” “shimmer,”... AIR in your life? These Super Tweeters may be just what the “Audio Doctor” ordered!  Check out the full review at AVNirvana.com

Have you ever had any issues with HDMI cables falling out when shifting equipment around? Back tension on those big ol’ honking HDMI cables causing them to back out? Think you need a better strain relief for those big heavy HDMI cables hanging off the back of your gear? Well, I have from time to time! In my equipment rack I have always used cross bars and tie wraps to provide strain relief and security for HDMI cables. But even with that, I was left wanting more peace of mind on some of the heavier cables and on the individual components sitting on shelves. Here is a simple, inexpensive device that can help with almost any cable! Check out the review here!

Full review of the IOGear True 4K HDMI Switch. Inexpensive 3-in 1-out HDMI switch with IR remote. Now on AVNirvana.com HERE!

Full review of the mighty SVS PB-2000 PRO Subwoofers. Dual Configuration! Check it out on AVNirvana.com!

It's live! Full review of the SVS Prime Pinnacle Tower Speakers! Power and Finesse at an Attractive Price Point! Read it at AVNirvana.com

Full review of the Aperion Planar-Ribbon Add-On Super Tweeters.Now on AVNirvana.com HERE!

Full Review now on AVNirvana.com! The Monolith THX-465T ATMOS enabled tower speaker!

A full review of the ENCLAVE Audio CineHome II - WiSA wireless 5.1 surround system! Wireless that works!

A high performance home theater system featuring the Monolith THX Certified Series of speakers!

The truly monstrous Monolith M-215 Subwoofer. My second review for AVNirvana.com

My first official review for AVNirvana.com!