A soundbar is a thin bar with multiple drivers. They point the speakers directly at your couch, with different tweeters and woofers replicating highs and lows. Newer soundbars include wireless connectivity options, making them hassle free compared to a full surround sound system. No soundbar will ever compete with the fidelity of traditional speakers, the drivers are just not large enough, but they can fill a small room with lush noise. These are the best soundbars available right now.

Best Overall Soundbar of 2016: Samsung HW-K950

The Samsung HW-K950 is the biggest leap forward in soundbar technology of the year. Released in summer 2016, the soundbar boasts Dolby Atmos, 4k/HDR, and 5.1.4 channel surround sound. One big drawback: it does not offer DTS-HD. So if you want the best possible sound quality out of a soundbar and don’t plan on playing Blu-rays on an older player, this is the soundbar for you.

Most soundbars simply can’t replicate the immersive multi-directional sound of a proper home theater system. Samsung shortens the gap with one of two soundbars released this year that features Dolby Atmos (the other is the Yamaha YSP-5600, which has DTS:X support but suffers from poor design). For those who don’t know, Dolby Atmos is an audio format designed to deliver three-dimensional sound. It’s what makes makes you think a helicopter is actually whirling overhead, or what clues you in to the sound of footsteps approaching from a distance.

The HW-K950 delivers Atmos sound from 15 built-in speakers. Most of those drivers come from the main soundbar itself, a minimalist 47 inch unit with metal grills and brushed metal dim plates. It has 3 forward firing channels, with twin mid-range drivers and a wide-range tweeter engineered just for the soundbar. Atop the wide bar are two upward firing full-range drivers that provide front overhead effects.  The rest of the sound comes from two wireless rear speakers with front and upward firing speakers and a wireless 160W sub-woofer. All drivers come with their own amplifier.

The sound is extremely crisp and expansive on Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital 5.1 compatible files. It is extremely clean and captures everything from dialogue to bass-heavy music in a way you thought a soundbar could not. The set up is easy and, unlike many previous-generation high end soundbars, it comes with 2 HDMI plugs. So unlike the popular SONOS soundbar, your audio isn’t rerouted through a optical port.

There are two big drawbacks to this soundbar. The first is the price. It’s an expensive package, but it includes the sub-woofer and rear speakers. You can definitely find better quality used home theater equipment for the same price range, but you lose all the convenience and connectivity the soundbar offers. So it depends on your needs. If you’re building a home theater, look elsewhere. If you want three-dimensional Dolby Atmos sound in your apartment without a receiver and a bunch of speakers, this wireless setup can’t be beat.

The main drawback, and this is a huge one, is that it does not support DTS-HD Master Audio, the most common format for many Blu-Ray movies. Newer Blu-Ray players do support Atmos, so you will have to check your player.

Best Value Soundbar: Vizio SB3851-C0

If you don’t want to spend a grand on a soundbar but still want a powerful upgrade from your TV speakers, check out Vizio’s SB3851-C0. For less than $300 you get 5.1 sound with a wireless sub-woofer and 2 rear satellite speakers.

This model captures engrossing Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, faithfully replicating highs and lows. The 6″ driver on the sub delivers a serviceable bass, definitely the best you will experience at this price range. It has an impress 100dB sound with less than 1% total harmonic distortion. Connect music directly with a Bluetooth. The setup is easy, and the 38 inch aluminum accented soundbar looks nice in the living room.

Unfortunately the unit lacks an HDMI connection. It also lacks EQ options to satisfy an audiophile.

The post The Best Soundbars of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

The Onkyo TX-NR545 is equipped with everything you want in a home stereo receiver in 2016. Each channel has an impressive 115 watts (6 Ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9% THD, 1 Channel Driven, FTC), and Discrete Amps deliver additional current for higher quality audio reproduction. The built in 384kHz / 32bit hi-grade AKM DAC (Digital Audio Converter) assures that HD audio files play at their full potential. 

The biggest innovation comes with the HDMI 2.0 capability. HDMI 2.0 is a recent upgrade in audio/video technology designed, among other things, to support new 4k UltraHD quality video and sound. Receivers without HDMI 2.0 will not be able to transmit audio in the new standard, which is the format new Blu-ray players and TV producers are switching to. All six HDMI terminals on the TX-NR545 support the latest 4k UltraHD format. The TX-545 also has built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and can stream from Pandora and Spotify.

Wirecutter noted that the TX-NR545 is difficult to set up. The TX-NR545’s USB port is also on the back of the receiver, which is inconvenient.

The Onkyo TX-NR545 is available from Amazon for about $430.

Another Option

The Yamaha RX-V479 is another great stereo for its price. CNET gave it a 8.9/10 and praised its sound quality and connectivity features. It has 140 Watts output and UltraHD 4k connectivity. It is available for around $400.

The post The Best Stereo Receiver appeared first on Reactual.

Most generators run on gasoline, but propane and diesel models are also for sale. In order to use a portable generator to power sections of your home in the event of an electricity outage, you will also need to purchase and install a transfer switch, which regulates the connections between your power sources and your house

We’ve consulted review sources such as Electric Generators Direct, Amazon, Northern Tool + Equipment, Home Depot, and Good Housekeeping to find the highest rated portable power sources.

Briggs & Stratton 30470 ($917)

Pros:

• Electric start
• Rugged construction

Top Review Sources:

• Electric Generators Direct: 5.0/5.0 “It’s hard to come by a mid-sized generator such as this one, loaded with features and that has electric start in this price range”
• Electric Generators Direct Customer Reviews: 4.9/5.0 (60+ reviews)
• Amazon: 4.0/5.0 (10+ reviews)

With 7,000 watts (8,750 watts surge) of power, the Briggs & Stratton 30470 is capable of keeping several rooms of your home fully operational when paired with a transfer switch. You can still use power cords with this unit, which includes four 120-volt outlets and one 240-volt outlet, but the 30470 is at its best when connected directly to your home’s electrical system. About the only appliance the 30470 is incapable of handling is a central air conditioner. Its 7-gallon gas tank can supply energy at 50% capacity for approximately nine hours. Big wheels and space-efficient construction ensure you don’t have to wrestle with this 250-pound machine in order to move it. Its dimensions are 34.8” L x 22.2” W x 25.9” H. Recoil starters are still common in this class of generators, so the electric starter in the 30470 is a notable convenience. Other features: an hour meter to remind you of oil changes, low-oil automatic shutdown, and included battery. The Briggs & Stratton 30470 ships with a 3-year warranty.

You’ll find the Briggs & Stratton 30470 on Amazon.

Generac GP5500 ($669)

Pros:

• Reliable
• Easy to use and move

Cons:

• No DC outlet

Top Review Sources:

• Electric Generators Direct: 5.0/5.0 “You can find cheaper generators, but no where near the quality of this Generac”
• Northern Tool + Equipment Customer Rating: 4.9/5.0 (15+ reviews)
• Home Depot Customer Reviews: 4.5/5.0 (5+ reviews)

The Generac GP5500 provides 5,500 watts of power (6,875 watts surge) from a 389cc gasoline engine. Reviewers like the GP5500 because of its excellent build quality, value, ease of use, and reliability. Think of the GP5500 as a way of keeping the vital systems running in the event of a home power outage. With 5,500 watts, you won’t be able to run your entire house, but you will be able to connect a refrigerator, furnace fan, and lights at the same time. You can use a transfer switch with the GP5500, but running extension cords is a more appropriate option with a generator of this size. The GP5500 has four 120v outlets and one 240v outlet, all of which are covered when not in use. It will run for 10 continuous hours under moderate load and holds 7.2 gallons of fuel. Its rigid frame and two-wheel design ease transport. The GP5500 weights 180 pounds and has dimensions of 33.5” L x 26.5” W x 27.5” H. It comes with a 2-year consumer warranty.

Purchase the Generac GP5500 on Amazon.

Generac GP17500E ($2,599)

Pros:

• Immense capacity
• Many outlets

Cons:

• Not CARB compliant

Top Review Sources:

• Electric Generators Direct: 5.0/5.0 “Recommended”
• Electric Generators Direct Customer Reviews: 4.8/5.0 (20+ reviews)
• Good Housekeeping Seal

The Generac GP17500E is about as powerful as portable generators get. It delivers 17,500 watts of continuous power and up to 26,250 watts surge. Its engine is a gasoline-powered 992cc unit capable of providing 10 hours of uninterrupted power when loaded at 50%. Fuel capacity is 16 gallons. The GP17500E fires up via an electric start system connected to the included 12-volt battery. 17,500 watts is enough to power central air conditioning systems of up to 60,000 BTUs. The GP17500E is capable of energizing an entire house. Its advantage over immobile, standby generators is that is doesn’t need propane or natural gas to run. Keep in mind, however, that portable generators do not have auto on/off switches; if you aren’t around when the power goes out, the GP17500E will not activate. If you need this functionality, look into standby generators. The GP17500E has an oil hour meter, low oil alert, 12-inch all-terrain wheels, and built-in lifting eye. Outlets include several AC-type and one DC-type. As large as the GP17500E is (48.5” L x 30.75” W x 38.5” H, 400 pounds), it is compact and rigid enough for one person to roll. The manufacturer’s warranty is 2 years for consumers.

Generac’s GP17500E can be purchased through Amazon.

Yamaha EF2000iS ($989)

Pros:

• Fuel efficient
• Very portable
• Quiet

Cons:

• Oil not included

Top Review Sources:

• Amazon: 5.0/5.0 (35+ reviews)
• Electric Generators Direct: 5.0/5.0 “A practical, versatile machine that can go anywhere with ease”
• Electric Generators Direct Customer Reviews: 5.0/5.0 (15+ reviews)

The Yamaha EF2000iS is a gas-powered inverter-generator of compact size and class-leading performance. The EF2000iS produces 1,600 watts of continuous power—enough to run several small appliances simultaneously. It is capable of producing a temporary surge of 2,000 watts should the demand arise. Built in are two 120v AC outlets and one 12v DC outlet. The EF2000iS is extremely portable, measuring only 19.3” L x 11” W x 17.9” H and weighing 44 pounds. Compared to older, traditional camping generators, the EF2000iS’s inverter alternator setup is much quieter (51.5 to 61 dB at a distance of about 20 feet). Its 1.1-gallon gas tank provides 8 to 10 hours of nonstop operation at moderate load. To conserve fuel, the EF2000iS features a smart throttle system that adjusts engine speed to match demand. Two EF2000iS’s can be connected to produce 3,200 watts of power. The Yamaha EF2000iS carries a 3-year consumer warranty.

The Yamaha EF2000iS is for sale on Amazon.

The post The Top Rated Portable Generators appeared first on Reactual.

We present here the four of the top rated directional outdoor speakers on the market. These outdoor speakers are best suited for maximizing sound quality in a defined space, such as a porch or patio.

Most can be easily mounted on an exterior wall under an eave or overhang, which has two advantages: it offers protection from the elements, and also adds reflective surfaces near the speaker to improve sound quality.

Boston Acoustics Voyager 4 Outdoor Speakers

Boston Acoustics brings its legendary sound quality outdoors with its Voyager 4 speakers, the smallest of the Voyager series. Each Voyager 4 speaker is enclosed in a weather-resistant polypropylene case, and features a 4” co-polymer woofer to withstand moisture and temperature swings. A ¾” Kortec dome tweeter provides high tones, and the Voyagers are available in black or paintable white to match any outdoor décor. The wedge-shaped rear case allows installation in a corner location.

The Boston Acoustics Voyager 4 outdoor speakers are available from Amazon for about $200 per pair.

Polk Audio Atrium 45 Outdoor Speakers

The Atrium 45 from Polk Audio is another high-fidelity outdoor speaker with a streamlined design, and it’s the most compact model of Polk’s Atrium series. Its 4 ½” polymer bass cone features a butyl rubber suspension surround, and a ¾” dome tweeter covers the high notes while a sculpted front baffle minimizes sound diffraction. But this performance speaker is rugged enough to hold up to the nastiest weather too: all hardware is stainless steel or brass, the brackets and grilles are aluminium, and the Atrium meets or exceeds military specs for waterproofing, salt and corrosion resistance.

The Polk Audio Atrium 45 outdoor speakers are available in either black or white. You can find them at Amazon for about $100 per pair.

Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers

The Klipsch AW-400 sets itself apart from the pack with its efficient power usage, meaning bigger sound from even relatively low-wattage inputs. There are larger models available in the AW series, but the AW-400 packs a 4” IMG woofer and 1” Tractix Horn polymer tweeter into a weather-resistant ABS housing. Non-corrosive aluminum grilles and heavy-duty zinc brackets help the AW400 stand up to the elements, and a 3/8” – 16 threaded insert adds flexibility for mounting options. The AW-400 is available with black or white finishes, which are paintable and UV-resistant.

The Klipsch AW-400 outdoor speakers cost around $220 per pair at Amazon.

Yamaha NS-AW150W Outdoor Speakers

The Yamaha NS-AW150 is the least expensive of the bunch, but still offers great sound in an efficient and weather-resistant package. The speakers utilize a 5” polypropylene mica-filled woofer and ½” PEI dome tweeter, and they are magnetically shielded so they can be used near televisions & monitors with no image distortion. They feature five-way binding posts to accommodate various cable connection types.

The Yamaha NS-AW150W outdoor speakers are available at Amazon for around $70 per pair.

The post The Best Rated Outdoor Speakers appeared first on Reactual.