Home Theater Systems Buying Guide
Home Specialists Brian Sowden
I refer to myself as an A/V Imagineer. I pride myself in taking client's ideas to the next level through design and execution even with thought to be improbable. I'm a music enthusiast and an electronics tinkerer. I like to know how things work and strive to take something complicated and simplify it so it's easy to use and enjoy.
I started my career in the industry and with World Wide Stereo in 2005. I am certified for design and programming for Universal Remote Control (URC) TRC1.0/2.0/3.0, Savant Control Systems, Lutron RA2/RA3/Homeworks Illumination/Homeworks QS/Homeworks QSX/Ketra Lighting/Palladiom Wireless Shades, ProSource Lighting Level 1, and RING certified.
My favorite song is Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves (yup, there really is no better mood-changer than that "banger"). My music collection (and Discog's account) is extensive and diverse both in genre and in media: CDs and vinyl. I've customized plenty of IKEA furniture to house my various collections when I couldn't find the storage solutions for my ever growing music library and music souvenirs.
My all-time favorite movie is Spaceballs. I'm the diehard movie nerd who rented 5 movies a week for 6 years while working the register at your favorite video rental establishment of the late 90's early 2000's. My movie memory from the 1980s through to the 2000s is great for trivia games and impressing no one.
Two of my favorite things to do is see live music and travel. I have often combined the two. Early 2022, I travelled to LA to see The Specials play an intimate set in someone's backyard for the Musack Rock N' Roll Carnival (which raises money to fund musical programs for kids). It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was exceptional. I've seen bands on a boat while circling the Statue of Liberty, an acoustic set on the steps of a pizza place for people that couldn't get into the venue, an airfield in Atlantic City, a "car park" (that was broken up by cops), the back of a U-Haul (that was broken up by cops on horses), and a number of underground Philadelphia house shows at places like Disgraceland, The Thunderdome, Golden Tea House, The Killtime, The Stabbin' Cabin, and The AVA house.
My goal is to keep adding to this list and continue to explore new music and excavate the old. I just love this stuff.
Featured Reviews & Articles:
Focal Littora Outdoor Speakers: Garden & Poolside
Are you ready for the best sounding outdoor speakers of 2023? Focal is bringing their award-winning speaker design outside. Prepare your outdoor escape and fill it with ripping good music and clarity you could never imagine you’d hear on your deck, pool, or boat.
Review: New Sonos Era 100 - The Next Level Audio Speakers
The new Sonos Era 100 is a voice-controlled wireless smart speaker and represents the first significant audio upgrade that Sonos has made to its smaller speaker lineup in quite some time. Not only does it have a new design, but there are plenty of new features and connectivity options that demonstrate Sonos' commitment to innovation for not just the audio quality, but for the user. So, what's different in the Era 100 compared to previous Sonos speakers? Era 100 vs. Sonos One and Play:1? Should you switch out your old Sonos speakers for the Era 100? We put this brand new speaker to the test and then some in this review, so read on.
Review: New Sonos Era 300 - Wireless Spatial Audio Speakers
The new Sonos Era 300 is a voice-controlled wireless smart that introduces Spatial Audio to the SONOS ecosystem. The Era 300 immerses you in rich, room-filling sound that adapts to any space, lets you stream all your favorite music services with the touch of a button, and control everything from your smartphone
Sony ES Receivers Review for Home Theater
SONY RECEIVERS ARE BACK. The ES line of Home Theater 8K Receivers are highly configurable and easy to use. They range from a “simple” 7.1 surround system to a knock your socks off 13.2 Channel Home Theater Masterpiece.
Focal Vestia Released - New High-End Speakers for Home Theater
Developed and made in France, the Vestia line boasts five new products: 3 floorstanding models (Vestia N°2, Vestia N°3, Vestia N°4), a bookshelf speaker (Vestia N°1), and a center channel speaker (Vestia Center). Read on to learn about what makes this series different from other Focal speakers and what they have in common.
How Do I Decide The Right Screen Size And Type For My Home Theater?
The awe-inspiring, fully immersive, disbelief-suspending home theater experience we're known for doesn’t come in a box – it comes with insight about you, your family and your home environment.
Top 5 Features to Look for In a Home Theater
A great home theater system can take the cinematic experience and bring it into your home. In this article, we’ll go over the importance of your display, how your audio system brings the experience to life, what to do with all of your equipment, the best video source for a home theater, and most importantly making sure you have the best seat in the house.
Review: Focal Bathys HiFi Wireless Headphones
Bathys are Focal's first active noise-cancelling hi-fi headphones. Check out Brian's video review to learn more.
Review: Sonos Sub Mini Wireless Subwoofer
Sonos’ new Sub Mini fills a gap we’ve all been waiting for—an affordable subwoofer for smaller audio systems. Brian nerds-out on one of his favorite brands and shows you how this sub fits in to your home audio, home theater, and even your gaming systems.
Review: Focal Utopia Over-Ear Headphones 2022
Watch our latest video review to hear Brian's thoughts on the new Utopia Headphones and how they compare to the 2020 model.
Review: Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones
Brian gets his hands on Sony's latest noise-canceling headphones and shares what's new, different, and upgraded from Sony's XM3 and XM4 headphone offerings.
Sonos Sound Bars 2022 Review: Ray Vs. Beam Gen 2 Vs. Arc
With the Ray rounding out the Sonos sound bar lineup, you can now find a Sonos speaker that fits in your budget and works no matter what room it’s going in. The question we’re left with is which one is right for you? Let's compare the Arc, the Beam, and the Ray, and see!
Review: JVC NZ9 8k Home Theater & Gaming Laser Projector
Meet the new JVC flagship projector: the NZ9. Using only the top 1% of D-ILA chips produced by JVC to produce stunning 8K quality, the NZ9 takes gaming and home theatre setups everywhere to the next level. Check out our full video review.
Review: Sonos Beam Gen 2 Sound Bar
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the latest version of the original Sonos Beam compact sound bar. This new model comes with upgrades to the grille, Dolby Atmos support, and more. Check out our full video review.
Review: Klipsch T5 II ANC True Wireless Earbuds
The all new Klipsch T5 II ANC earphones focus on clear and accurate sound, comfort, and the latest technology not seen in any other earbud.
Review: Cambridge Audio EVO 150 & EVO 75 All-In-One Player
The all-new Cambridge Audio EVO is a game-changer for the HiFi world. Available in two models, the EVO 75 and EVO 150 both use revolutionary Hypex NCore Class D amplification, allowing you to enjoy extraordinary sound quality from a compact, convenient, good-looking all-in-one system. Check out our full review.
Review: Audioengine HD4 Speaker System with Bluetooth APTX-HD
The Audioengine HD4 is an all-in-one hi-fi system that includes Bluetooth aptX-HD, RCA, wired, or USB connections. Check out our full video review.
Review: New SVS SB-1000 Pro & PB-1000 Pro Powered Subwoofers
SVS has a new line of subwoofers: the 1000 Pro Series. Directly replacing their 1000 series predecessor, the all-new SB-1000 Pro and PB-1000 Pro powered subwoofers come equipped with massive upgrades and slick finish options. Check out our full review for the low down on these new subs.
Review: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO vs. DC Turntable
Pro-Ject has taken their most popular turntable design and improved every aspect of it with the long awaited replacement of the Debut Carbon. Check out our full review of the new Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO turntable right here and how it compares to its predecessor.
Review: Audioengine A1 Wireless Bookshelf Speakers
Combining high performance and a classic Mark Levinson design, the No. 5805 Integrated Amplifier is 62 pounds of pure power with a whole lot of functionality. Check out our full overview.
How to Choose the Right Pair of Headphones for You
From on-ear, over-ear and in-ear to closed back, open back, wireless and noise-canceling. Find the best type of headphones for you and your budget, right here.
