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A tech guide explains how to pick the right TV size using the industry's 30-degree and 40-degree field-of-view rules, which calculate ideal seating distance based on screen size. It notes a 55-inch TV works best around 7.5 feet away, while a 65-inch set under the more cinematic 40-degree rule suits a closer 6.5-foot distance, and recommends smaller screens for cramped apartments and larger ones for spacious rooms.
Amazon has cut the price of the Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar to $669, a $330 discount off its $999 list price and the lowest it has been. The soundbar features a nine-driver array, up-firing speakers, ADAPTiQ room calibration, and supports HDMI eARC/ARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast, with built-in Alexa and Google Assistant support.
Amazon is selling the Klipsch Flexus CORE 300, a 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar with built-in bass, for $836 instead of its $1,199 list price, a $363 reduction. The bar includes Dirac Live room correction and up-firing, side-firing and horn-loaded tweeter drivers, and supports optional wireless surrounds and subwoofers for later expansion.
Apple's iOS 27.2 release candidate introduces Sound Glow, which turns the HomePod mini and 2nd-gen HomePod's LED top cap into an animated, color-matched display that reacts to playing music and podcasts, with custom animations for Soundscapes. The update also adds a Lock Controls option to prevent accidental top-cap taps, new profile support in the TV app, Suggested Actions in Messages, and new assets for Apple TV's surround-sound Home Theater feature.
The Hisense L9Q projector is currently selling for $3,999.99, a 33% discount off its $5,999.99 list price. Retailers tracking the deal describe it as the lowest price recorded for this premium Laser TV projector setup.
A home theater enthusiast testing Samsung's Q990D soundbar found the front sound stage felt too compressed, with the center and front channels blending together. Using SmartThings app settings, they reconfigured the satellite speakers—normally used as rears—to function as front drivers, which widened the front soundstage but left the system without rear surround speakers.
The TMY Smart Projector, which runs Google TV, is currently being sold for $169.99 after an $80 price cut representing a 32% discount. The deal applies to the projector as a home entertainment option for setting up a larger screen in a bedroom or living room.
Engadget's review of Bose's Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar found it easy to set up via the Bose app's CustomTune calibration and praised its bass output, up-firing drivers and PhaseGuide technology for immersive sound on both movies and music. The soundbar can be expanded with a $899 Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer or $349 Lifestyle Ultra Speakers, or purchased as part of discounted bundles.
A home audio guide explains that front left, right and center speakers should sit at seated ear height rather than being mounted high above listeners. It notes that forward-firing, high-frequency speakers lose clarity in dialogue, cymbals and positional effects when aimed over people's heads, while subwoofers and upward-firing speakers designed to bounce sound off ceilings are exempt from this rule.
Amazon has cut the price of the Dangbei DBOX02, a 4K UHD laser projector, to $948.99 from its $1,199 list price, a 21% discount that matches its lowest recorded price. The device comes with Google TV, built-in Chromecast, and licensed Netflix support, along with 2450 ISO lumens of ALPD laser brightness and HDR10+ compatibility for screens up to 200 inches.
Sound engineer Anthony Grimani explains that room acoustics, not expensive equipment, are usually the biggest factor hurting home theater sound quality. Hard surfaces like bare walls and tile floors reflect sound waves, causing echo and muddled audio, but simple additions like rugs, curtains and framed art can absorb those reflections. He also outlines proper speaker placement and angling for both 5.1 and 7.1 setups.
A new home theater buying guide explains that while projectors can technically display images on any wall, dedicated screens significantly improve brightness, smoothness, and contrast. The guide notes that even inexpensive screens outperform painted walls by eliminating surface texture and better reflecting light back toward viewers.