Home entertainment
01 SONY B DP-S790
$379, SONY.COM.AU, TESTED FEBRUARY 2013
LOVE 4K upscaling means amazing HD visuals at an affordable price. Built in Wi-Fi leads to a stack of web content
HATE Full internet browser is nice, but awkward to navigate T3 SAYS A feature-packed, 4K-ready, future-proof Blu-ray deck at a reasonable price SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIONS Wi-Fi, 2x HDMI, 2x USB, coaxial digital audio out, line out, ethernet SIZE 430x193x42mm
02 ONKYO TX-NR515
$649, AVAUSTRALIA.COM.AU, TESTED APRIL 2013
LOVE Bombastic, 130W-per-channel oomph. Slick interface. Eight HDMI inputs. Can upscale images to 4K resolution
HATE No AirPlay, unlike some rival receivers T3 SAYS A polished multichannel AV receiver with all the modern trimmings, at an affordable price SPECIFICATIONS POWER 130W per channel CONNECTIONS 8x HDMI, 2x USB, 5x composite, 4x digital audio, 5x analogue audio. Wi-Fi via dongle
03 FOCAL BIRD
$1,259, VISIONLIVING.COM.AU, TESTED DECEMBER 2012
LOVE Powerful stereo sound that’s crisp, no matter what it’s playing, 80W subwoofer and a high-end finish
HATE No surround sound, and “a bit” pricey T3 SAYS A good-looking, high-end 2.1 system with stunningly pure sound quality. Worth the entry fee… SPECIFICATIONS
POWER 2x 35W + 80W CHANNELS 2.1 CONNECTIONS Analogue, digital, wireless Kleer connectivity
04 LG B P420
$149, LG.COM/AU, TESTED FEBRUARY 2013
LOVE Neatly designed, fast-loading deck offers great HD and 3D visuals plus handy web apps at a budget price
HATE No built-in Wi-Fi T3 SAYS A great value Blu-ray deck, especially if you’re not bothered about Wi-Fi connectivity SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIONS HDMI, USB, composite, audio out, optical out, ethernet SIZE 430x188x41mm
05 PANASONIC DMP-BDT330
$299, PANASONIC.COM.AU, TESTED MAY 2014 LOVE Vibrant colours, striking detail. 4K upscaling on hand for proper encouragement to buy 4K telly HATE Rather convoluted interface T3 SAYS Future-proof Blu-ray player with cracking image quality, 4K scaling and decent smart TV trimmings SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIONS Wi-Fi, ethernet, 2x HDMI, optical digital out, 2x USB, SD card, ethernet SIZE 430x183x41mm
06 SONOS PLAYBAR
$999, SONOS.COM, TESTED MAY 2013
LOVE Simple design looks stylish parked under your telly. Delivers a real boost to TV sonics
HATE Pricey. Virtual surround effect could be better T3 SAYS An excellent soundbar with added streaming skills. A decent all-rounder SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIONS Wi-Fi, ethernet, optical audio in SIZE 85x900x140mm
07 SONY B DP-S5100
$169, SONY.COM.AU, TESTED APRIL 2014
LOVE Appealing and compact design. Vivid Blu-ray images and smooth upscaling from DVD. Useful apps and features
HATE Just one HDMI. Iffy 2D-to-3D conversion T3 SAYS “Distinctive” design houses high-class Blu-rayness. Striking 3D visuals and cinematic sound guaranteed SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTIONS Wi-Fi, ethernet, HDMI, 2x USB, coaxial digital audio out SIZE 360x199x43mm
08 KEF E305
$1,869, DIGITALCINEMA.COM.AU TESTED DECEMBER 2013
LOVE Oustandingly clear dialogue and serious boom for blockbusters. Designer style and 5.1 setup HATE Requires an AV receiver T3 SAYS Designer look and price tag, but Kef’s speakers deliver fantastically on sound SPECIFICATIONS POWER 5x 100W + 250W sub CHANNELS 5.1 CONNECTIONS RCA
09 APPLE TV
$109, APPLE.COM/AU, TESTED JUNE 2012
LOVE Brilliantly smooth 1080p video streaming. Simple iTunes interface, with on-demand movie rentals and it’s dinky small HATE Lack of free content T3 SAYS Now streams in full-HD with characteristic ease and simplicity. Still no free content, though SPECIFICATIONS TYPE Web TV CONNECTIONS HDMI, optical audio out,
ethernet, N Wi-Fi, AirPlay SIZE 23x98x98mm
10 LG N B4530A
$549, LG.COM/AU, TESTED OCTOBER 2013
LOVE Clear, dynamic sound from a mere slip of a soundbar. Incredibly well connected HATE Surround sound could be more convincing T3 SAYS Maximum sound quality from minimum square footage. A sleek upgrade to your TV’s sound SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIONS Wi-Fi, HDMI, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0, audio SIZE 1038x35.4x75mm