AV NIRVANA Newsletter

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Newsletter: December 2025

This rustic-meets-reference build proves that passion and patience can transform any space into a personal escape. The Barn Home Theater blends a 9.4.6 layout with 72 total drivers and more than 3,000 watts of power, all anchored by an Anthem AVM 90. It is a massive system designed for impact, immersion, and serious fun. Take a tour and see why it’s one of the most ambitious DIY theaters on the forum!

For a chance to have your theater featured, build a theater thread in our AV Showcase at https://www.avnirvana.com/showcase/

The Mystery 60 Hz Spike Everyone Is Trying to Solve

A mysterious 60 Hz spike has one member scratching his head after years of clean measurements. The culprit seems to appear at night, hits almost every channel, and refuses to behave like typical hum. Is it the mic, the cable, the room, or something deeper in the signal chain? Jump into the discussion and see what seasoned REW and Dirac users think.

Cracking the Code on Measuring Smart Audio Glasses

Measuring smart-audio glasses inside a test chamber sounds simple, but this member quickly discovered it requires a very specific approach. They are trying to generate four key graphs covering speaker response, mic response, echo, and THD. The community has stepped in with advice, tips, and tools to help get accurate captures. If you love measurement challenges, this one is a fun puzzle.

The JRiver Routing Glitch That Has LFE on the Loose

Upgrading hardware can reveal odd routing behavior, and this JRiver plus Audiolense setup is no exception. After moving to a new MOTU interface, LFE output is unexpectedly landing on the wrong channel. The system sounds great for music, but movies uncover a quirky channel mismatch that begs for troubleshooting.

Status Audio Pro X: The Unexpected Upgrade No One Saw Coming

Sometimes the biggest innovation is the thing no one else has tackled, and the Status Audio Pro X proves it. Beyond the excellent tuning, ANC, and flagship-grade driver design, these earbuds shine in crowded, noisy spaces where conversation clarity suddenly becomes effortless. A few quirks exist, but the real-world performance makes them stand out. Watch the review and hear what sets them apart.

Px8 S2 vs Px7 S3: Bowers & Wilkins’ Battle at the Top

Bowers & Wilkins’ Px8 S2 takes everything great about the Px8 and lifts it with next-gen drivers, upgraded Bluetooth architecture, and refined tuning. But does it justify the premium over the excellent Px7 S3? After weeks of real-world testing, this deep dive compares comfort, ANC, call performance, and sonic character. If you are shopping for luxury wireless headphones, this review is required reading.

Amp Genie: The Tiny Box That Transforms Big AVRs

Amp Genie is a controller designed to make big systems feel effortless, eliminating the “AVR barrier” for anyone hesitant to fire up the big rig. It listens for audio, powers your system, selects the right input, sets volume, and locks into stereo mode without ever touching your signal path. After testing it with multiple flagship receivers, the results were surprisingly transformative. See how it works and why it can change how often your system gets used.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 4K: A Must-Own Restoration

One of cinema’s greatest stories returns with a stunning new 4K restoration that breathes life into every frame. The transfer is gorgeous, the extras are stacked, and Nicholson’s legendary performance feels as sharp today as it did fifty years ago. Whether you are a longtime fan or finally watching it for the first time, this is a must-own release. Read the full review for impressions on the film, the video master, and the audio options.

Black Friday Blowout: The Deals Every Home Theater Fan Should See

Black Friday is still lingering, and this curated roundup highlights the biggest savings across speakers, subwoofers, projectors, processors, and more. It is a high-energy mix of rare discounts, new product markdowns, and limited-time bundle offers. If you are building a system or upgrading a room, this is your treasure map. Dive in and see what’s shaking up the season’s biggest shopping event. But hurry... time is running out!

GT Audio Works: Meet the Master Behind Hi-Fi’s Hidden Gem

GT Audio Works is a one-man boutique where Greg Takesh hand-builds towering planar magnetic ribbon speakers that sound magnificent. In this interview from Capital Audiofest, Greg shares his journey, his design philosophy, and what it takes to build a three-way planar system by hand. His newest creation, the Giulietta Bellissima, is worthy of serious attention. If you love high-end two-channel audio, this is a rare chance to hear directly from the craftsman behind some of the best-kept secrets in hi-fi.