Home Cinema Choice - August 2022

118 Pages·2022·16 MB·English

OBJECTS OF DESIRE!
HIGH-PERFORMANCE SOUND & VISION The very best AV gear
money can buy... p22
LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Perfect pictures from Philips OLED807 Ambilight TV
ACTION BRING ON
STATIONS
Michael Bay’s THE WALL
Ambulance kicks
orefvf ioeuwrs B, plu8-6ray STUNNING XGIMI
AURA LASER
PROJECTOR
Get Carter
Classic British
crime flick reborn
on 4K Blu-ray
On Test FILM & TV
REL HT/1510 sub
■ THE BATMAN
Epson EH-LS12000 PJ ■ THE NORTHMAN
■ THE TERMINAL LIST
Devialet Dione Dolby
■ TENEBRAE ■ THE
Atmos soundbar UNTOUCHABLES
Trinnov power amp ■ LOST CITY ■ THE
QUARRY ■ & MORE!
TCL 4K Mini LED TV
Polk MagniFi Mini AX
www.homecinemachoice.com
Inside ISSUE 333 AUGUST 2022 £5.99
AUS- $15.99 NZ- $18.50 CAN- $18.99
GEAR GUIDE ➜ COMPETITIONS ➜ CABASSE PEARL KESHI SYSTEM
➜ UK CULT BLU-RAY LABELS ➜ CUSTOM CINEMA ROOM ➜ OPINION ➜ AND MORE
OLED 807 series
Philips OLED with Ambilight.
The only OLED that goes
beyond the screen.
AMBILIGHT tv
www.philips.com/oled
3
OPINION
Trinnov Amplitude16
power amplifi er, p48
www.homecinemachoice.com
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor Mark Craven
[email protected]
Art Editor John Rook
CONTRIBUTORS
Steve May, Anton van Beek, John Archer, Steve Withers,
Rik Henderson, Jon Thompson, Richard Stevenson
Photography Mike Prior
ADVERTISING
Advertising Sales Executive
Richard Morris
Mob: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
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BACK ISSUES
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MANAGEMENT TEAM
Group Editor Paul Miller, [email protected]
Group Sales Manager Sonia Smart
Subscriptions Manager Beth Ashby
Chief Executive Owen Davies You can't move for anniversary edition products at
Published by AVTech Media Ltd
Suite 6G, Eden House, Enterprise Way
Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF the moment – see Monitor Audio marking its 50th
Tel: [phone]
From outside the UK: [phone]
birthday with the Concept 50 loudspeaker, p10 – and
Distributed in the UK by Marketforce UK Ltd
BACKGROUND WALL IMAGES: it makes total sense. If your company has a storied
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past, why wouldn't you leverage that to appeal to new
Home Cinema Choice, ISSN 1359-6276, is published monthly with an additional
issue in May by AVTech Media Ltd, a division of MYTIMEMEDIA Ltd, Suite 6G,
Esudbesnc Hripotuiosen, pErnictee rips r6is8eG WBaPy ,( Eeqdueinvbarliedngte t,o K aepntp, rToNxi8m 6atHeFly, U9K8.U TShDe) U. SA iarfnreniugahlt customers? When you discover that Denon has been
and mailing in the USA by agent named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping
Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals post-
age paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Send address changes to Home
NY 11434, USA. SubsCcinripemtioan C rehcooicrde,s W aroer lmdnaeint tSahinipepdi nagt CInDcS., 1G5L6O-1B5A, 1L4 L6ttdh, ATovweneur eH, o2unsde F, lSooovr,e Jraemigna ica, in the audio game for over 110 years, you fi gure it
Park, Market Harborough, Leicester, LE16 9EF. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.
knows a thing or two about AV receivers.
Chinese companies Xgimi and TCL don't have that advantage.
Both are relatively young, and have only gained UK distribution in
the last few years. Their way to grab attention? By going big on
value for money – Xgimi's Aura projector (p52) and TCL's C835K
TV (p60) have serious wallet appeal. So perhaps, in the future,
If you can’t always fi nd a copy of these brands will be launching celebratory 50th birthday
this magazine, help is at hand!
Complete this form and hand in at
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AUGUST 2022 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
4
ISSUE 333/AUGUST 2022
CONTRIBUTORS
John Archer:
The experienced
TV tester cut his
teeth as an early
HCC staff er
Jon Thompson:
07 Film producer and
22 post-production
expert delves into
Hollywood and AV
Steve May:
HCC’s former Ed.
is one of the UK’s
most respected
AV journos
Anton van Beek:
Our avid movie
watcher and disc
collector cut his
teeth on Total DVD
28
Richard
Stevenson:
Former Editor of
the UK CE trade
16 journal ERT
Ed Selley:
Audiophile Ed
mixes his home
cinema passion
with a love of vinyl
Steve Withers:
Movie fan, display
calibrator and
object-based
audio obsessive
FEATURES BULLETIN REGULARS
In-depth interviews and special reports. Th e place for hot products, trends Whether you want our opinions or your
Starts... p22 and technology. Starts... p7 own, here's where to look. Starts... p75
COVER STORY
22 Objects of desire 07 Sony's got game 75 Digital Copy
Meet the world's most outrageous and INZONE gaming hardware launched Mark Craven wonders what happened to the
most covetable AV hardware '8K revolution'
08 Series fi nale
28 Journey of discovery 76 Film Fanatic
Acoustic Energy AE1202 fl oorstanders
Love vintage TV, genre classics, and the best Top Gun: Maverick has broken records for
of British fi lm? These UK BD labels are for you 09 ITV scrubs Hub, fi nds X Paramount Pictures, so why did Pixar's
Video-on-demand service reborn with focus Lightyear fail to take off ?
38 Dream Theatre
on 'new, fresh content' 78 Feedback
Need inspiration for your own AV project?
10 Monitor Audio's big idea You share your thoughts on Onkyo,
Check out this dining room do-over
soundbars and missing fi lms on 4K BD
COVER STORY Prototype fl agship speaker breaks cover
98 Catalogue classic 114 AV Avenger
12 Piega upgrades Coax line
Michael Caine is Jack Carter!
Steve May is waiting impatiently for
Swiss brand cuts some new ribbons...
streaming service Paramount+ to sort out
SELECT 13 News x10 its sound and vision shortfalls
AV stories in bite-sized chunks COMPETITIONS
Th e place to look if you're planning to buy
some new AV gear. Starts... p101 14 Full speed ahead!
82 Great Blu-rays to be won!
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 races to 4K Blu-ray
101 Gear guide Get Carter [1971] 4K, The Unbearable Weight
HCC's comprehensive Top 10s/15s list 16 Tech Talk of Massive Talent 4K, Belle and The Outfi t up
only the very best kit money can buy Room correction explained for grabs
HOME CINEMA CHOICE AUGUST 2022
SUBSCRIBE! Sign up to the world’s best AV magazine
to save money and never miss an issue p20
40 44
'HDR highlights are more intense than
I’ve seen from any OLED TV to date'
48
52
56
88
REVIEWS
With a focus on performance, these are in-depth tests you can trust... p39
COVER STORY
40 Philips 55OLED807
system for space-starved setups
Ambilight illumination, advanced processing
and a brighter 'EX' panel make this mid-range 60 TCL 65C835K PLAYBACK
OLED TV a stunning proposition 4K Mini LED TV no longer playing catch-up
with its European siblings Th e latest Blu-rays, DVDs, games and
44 Devialet Dione
books reviewed and rated. Starts... p85
64 Loewe Klang bar5mr
Debut soundbar from the French audiophile
86 Ambulance [4K]
marque brings premium style and proprietary Dolby Atmos soundbar system can expand
87 Singin' in the Rain [4K]; The Unbearable
tech to Dolby Atmos sonics its soundstage with wireless rears
Weight of Massive Talent [4K]; The Green
48 Trinnov Amplitude16 68 Epson EH-LS12000B Knight: Limited Ed. [4K]; The Lost City [4K]
88 The Batman [4K]
16-channel Class D power amp is the perfect We cheer for the return of Epson's laser-
90 The Quarry [PS5/Xbox Series X/S]; Get
partner for the brand's Altitude processors powered 4K LCD projector
Carter [1971] [4K]; Tenebrae: Limited
Edition [4K]; Dirty Dancing [4K]
52 Xgimi Aura 70 Cabasse Pearl Keshi
91 The Northman [4K]
Flagship ultra-short-throw projector shows the Great balls of fi re – this slick-looking 2.1
92 Columbia Noir #5: Humphrey Bogart
Chinese company means business system rocks!
94 The Untouchables [4K]; The Discreet
56 REL HT/1510 Predator Charm of the Bourgeoisie [4K]; The Card
Counter; Belle; Rock 'n' Roll High School
Is this keenly priced 15in subwoofer proof that 95 Beverly Hills Cop II [4K]; We're All Going to
sequels can be better than the original? the World's Fair; The Duke; The Burning
Sea; The Worst Person in the World
58 Polk MagniFi Mini AX 96 The Terminal List [Prime Video]; Ms.
Pearl by name,
Ultra-compact soundbar and subwoofer pearl by nature? Marvel [Disney+]
AUGUST 2022 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
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B U L L E T I N
News highlights 
➜ MONITOR AUDIO Flagship 'Concept 50' loudspeaker unveiled
ITV Hub streaming service to be replaced by ITVX ACOUSTIC ENERGY 100 Series gains three-way
floorstander AT THE PLEX This month's cinema releases NEWS X10 Hot news stories in bite-
sized chunks SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 Speedy hero returns on 4K Blu-ray & MORE!
Sony's got game
Sony INZONE M9 ➜ www.sony.co.uk
Joystick junkies are the target audience of
a new hardware range from Sony, dubbed
INZONE. Initially comprising monitor and
'360 Spatial Sound' headsets, the product lineup is
topped by the £999 M9 display (pictured). With Auto ONLINE…
HDR Tone Mapping to optimise video performance
For breaking AV news, blogs, features and
from a PS5, this stylish 27in screen features a 4K
reviews visit www.homecinemachoice.com
panel with local dimming LED backlight and claims Follow us on Twitter @hccmag
95 per cent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space. Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/homecinemachoice
Refresh rates up to 144Hz are supported, plus VRR.
AUGUST 2022 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
8
ACOUSTIC ENERGY/PLAYLIST
Series finale
Acoustic Energy AE1202 ➜ www.acoustic-energy.co.uk
Loudspeaker brand Acoustic Energy has
capped its recently relaunched, entry-level
100 Series with a new fl agship model.
The £799-per-pair AE1202 is a three-way
fl oorstander, partnering twin 5.25in bass
drivers with a 5.25in mid-range and 1in tweeter
with Wide Dispersion Technology (WDT)
waveguide. The speaker's 15mm-thick HDF
cabinet is mass-loaded to reduce vibrations,
and fi nished in a black or walnut veneer.
The movie-friendly series also features centre
channel (AE1072), bookshelf (AE1002) and
incoming AE1082 active subwoofer models.
HOME CINEMA CHOICE AUGUST 2022
9
BULLETIN
B&W revamps Px7 'phones Diamond anniversary for Rotel
Playlist...
Bowers & Wilkins has To celebrate its
What Team HCC has been
upgraded its Px7 headphones 60th year, Japanese
to 'S2' status. Priced £379, audio outfi t Rotel watching this month
these wireless cans has unveiled a pair
feature a new active noise of Diamond Series Malignant (4K BD)
cancellation (ANC) system separates. Priced
and upgraded internal £3,999, the RA-6000 is a 2 x 200W Class AB
microphone, new custom- integrated amplifi er utilising technologies fi rst
designed 40mm drive units, and a slimmer devised for the company's high-end Michi
profi le design. Input options are Bluetooth series, and off ering a range of inputs including
(with aptX Adaptive), USB-C or 3.5mm, with USB-B, Bluetooth and MM phono. Joining it is
sound performance fettled by proprietary the £1,999 DT-6000 DAC Transport, which This UHD upgrade of James Wan’s
B&W signal processing. EQ selection and combines CD playback with a high-spec unhinged 2021 horror fi lls the
ANC adjustment can be carried out through 32-bit/384kHz DAC stage and USB, coaxial screen with rich and detailed
the company's partnering Music app. and optical digital inputs. 4K HDR10 visuals.
www.bowerswilkins.com www.rotel.com
Wrath of Man (BD)
ITV scrubs Hub, finds X
Video-on-demand service to relaunch with focus on 'new, fresh content'
Having debuted on Prime Video
ITV has announced plans to revamp its ITV Hub Lenny Henry's six-part last year, Guy Ritchie’s action-
streaming platform later this year, replacing it with drama The Little Birds. packed reunion with Jason
a new service called ITVX. Kevin Lygo, managing Statham is now on UK Blu-ray.
The company describes it as 'the UK’s fi rst director of media and
Pink Flamingos (BD)
integrated advertising and subscription funded entertainment at ITV,
(AVOD/SVOD) platform'. This is because it will come says ITVX gives the
in two tiers – one free (with adverts), and another company a chance
premium option (price TBC) that removes to 'scale up' its streaming ambitions.
advertising and adds access to content from 'Our broadcast channels are very important to
the BBC/ITV/Channel 5 joint-venture Britbox. what we do, and we are still focused on delivering
Another key diff erence will be a greater emphasis what ITV does better than anyone in commercial
John Waters’ notorious 1972
on exclusive content, with the broadcaster opting TV – creating programmes that bring audiences
‘bad taste classic' is now available
to premiere 'much' of its new series on ITVX, before together, in-the-moment, in their millions, for that
fully uncut in the UK thanks to
airing them across its linear TV channels 'six to nine shared viewing, scheduled TV experience. However
The Criterion Collection.
months later'. we know we have to deliver our programmes to as
many people as possible in all the ways they want Dr. Who and the Daleks
Spying an opportunity to watch them.' (4K BD)
This 'digital fi rst windowing strategy' will include ITVX will off er movies as well as TV series, with
debuts for limited series A Spy Among Friends, plans to have a 'constantly refreshed' selection of 150
starring Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce; Litvinenko, titles available at any time. It will also stream ITV's
featuring David Tennant; Russell T. Davies' biopic linear channels, and introduce a rotating range of
series Nolly, starring Helena Bonham-Carter, and themed 'pop-up' channels. Described as off ering 'the
lean-back experience of watching
a curated, scheduled channel',
UHD release for the time traveller’s
these will include 'True Crime'
fi rst cinema outing exterminates
and '90s Favourites' at launch.
all previous versions with its
The launch date for ITVX, which
colourful 4K restoration.
will feature around 15,000 hours
of on-demand content, has not yet Dexter: New Blood (BD)
been confi rmed. It should, however,
arrive before the FIFA World Cup
2022, which begins in November,
as ITV says the platform will off er
simulcasts of tournament games
airing on ITV channels.
While we wait, the broadcaster This revival miniseries fi nally gives
Guy Pearce and Damian says it will grow the amount of Michael C Hall’s serial killer the
Lewis in upcoming ITVX
show A Spy Among Friends content available on ITV Hub. send-off he deserves.
www.itvx.com
AUGUST 2022 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
10
CONCEPT 50/NAD AMP
Monitor Audio's big idea
At the 'plex…
Heading out to see a fl ick?
Monster Concept 50 loudspeaker, weighing 96kg, arriving late 2022
Catch these this month
DC League of Super-Pets Bass drivers in each side enclosure of the
Concept 50 fi re into the gap between
July 29: Ahead of the upcoming
Black Adam, Dwayne Johnson
pops up in another DC Comics
movie, voicing Superman’s dog
Krypto in a CG animation
about a team of super-powered
pets on a mission to rescue the
Justice League.
Bullet Train
August 3: A down-on-his-luck Monitor Audio has announced a new fl agship Bass drivers, which contribute to a claimed
assassin, tasked with collecting a model that it says will enter production later this low-end reach of 21Hz, are housed within the two
briefcase on a Bullet Train heading year. Currently named 'Concept 50', it made its side cabinets and are not visible until you peer inside
from Tokyo to Kyoto, discovers debut as a prototype at the Munich High End show. the gap between. The Concept 50 uses four 200mm
the train is full of competing Pricing isn't fi nalised, and there's also the woofers, arranged in anchored, inward-fi ring
professional killers. Zippy action- possibility the company may arrive at a diff erent 'force-cancelling' pairs.
comedy starring Brad Pitt. product name, but plenty of specifi cation details The speaker's main enclosures are down-ported
Nope have been revealed. and made from thermoformed mineral/acrylic stone.
A towering 1.3m-high, 96kg three-way, the A 3D-printed 'acoustic resin', on a solid aluminium
August 12: Shrouded in secrecy,
speaker features an unusual chassis confi guration baffl e, is used for the 'Array'.
not much is known about horror
with two full-size cabinets positioned either side Monitor Audio says development of the Concept
writer/director Jordan Peele’s
of a central mid/treble array. Called, somewhat 50 began two years as 'an experiment', and it has
latest beyond trailers focusing on
unimaginatively, ‘The Array’, this mounts six 50mm been designed 'to deliver unrivalled sound like
abnormal events in an isolated US
mid-range drivers around what the brand says is the no other loudspeaker on the market.' No doubt
town and glimpses of people
‘defi nitive’ version of its Micro Pleated Diaphragm it will cost more than many others too...
being sucked up into the sky...
(MPD) tweeter, for 'single point source' dispersion. www.monitoraudio.com
NAD C Series amp welcomes TV
Slim-line two-channel C 389 adds eARC connectivity to Class D power
Those looking for an integrated 'hi-fi ' amplifi er available out-of-the-box. Network streaming
that will play nicely with their TV can add NAD's (plus Dirac room correction) can be added via NAD's
new C 389 to the list. optional BluOS module, which slots into one of the
This latest addition to the Canadian corp's amp's Modular Design Construction (MDC) bays.
As well as the wired headphone out,
C series is priced £1,299 and includes an HDMI The C 389 has A/B speaker terminals tethered
the C 389 has two-way Bluetooth,
enabling streaming to wireless cans eARC connection, as well as twin subwoofer to a claimed 2 x 130W power stage based around
outputs, for 2.1-channel playback HybridDigital UcD amplifi er modules. Digital-to-
of movie and TV content. analogue conversion is handled by a 32-bit/384kHz
Naturally, it also caters to ESS Sabre DAC. Other features are an integrated
music sources – wired inputs headphone amplifi er, 12V trigger and RS-232
are 2 x coaxial, 2 x optical, 2 x connections for system integration, pre-amp output
analogue line-level and MM and colour front-panel display.
phono, while Bluetooth (aptX HD) is www.nadelectronics.com
HOME CINEMA CHOICE AUGUST 2022