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Sound Advice: New ZVOX soundbar their 1st to feature HDMI connection

Q. About four years ago I bought a ZVOX SB380 soundbar to use with a Samsung Series 8 TV. The soundbar recently failed after a power surge, so I'm looking for a new one. Is there wisdom in pairing a Samsung soundbar with a Samsung TV? I’ve looked at the Samsung soundbar options and most of them come at a higher price point. Is it possible to ...Read more

Handout/Don Lindich/TNS

Sound Advice: Panasonic TVs set to make US return

Q. Currently I have an old plasma TV from Panasonic and love the television, but the Netflix app no longer works because it is out-of-date and cannot be updated. I know I can buy a streaming box to get Netflix, but it is probably time to upgrade to 4K anyway. I would like to stick with a Panasonic TV, but they are no longer available. What do ...Read more

Don Lindich/Don Lindich/TNS

Sound Advice: Value water flosser and replacing amps

Q. I followed your electric toothbrush recommendation several years ago and have been very pleased with it. Can you recommend a water flosser?

—J.B., Minneapolis

A. After my positive experience with the Oclean toothbrush I bought the Oclean W10 Water Flosser and have been very pleased with it. I will expand on that later, but first would ...Read more

teacusa.com/teacusa.com/TNS

Sound Advice: Cassette deck/CD player with lots of features and a simple thermostat

Q. Earlier this year you highlighted the TEAC AD-850-SE Cassette Deck CD Player, which also has a USB port for recording to USB flash drives. I am considering buying one, but do you know if it possible to use it with a turntable and record to the USB port, like you can record to USB from the integrated cassette deck and CD player? I would like ...Read more

Don Lindich/Don Lindich/TNS

Sound Advice: Budget wireless earbuds and finding EV chargers

EarFun Air 2 NC earphones for only $39.95: A few weeks ago a reader asked about quality earphones for between $20-$40 after the ZVOX AV30 earbuds were discontinued and sold out. I replied that I was looking for another budget recommendation, and I have found it in the newly introduced EarFun Air 2 NC earphones.

EarFun is better known overseas, ...Read more

samsung.com/samsung.com/TNS

Sound Advice: Frame this gift idea for music, home theater lovers

Samsung Music Frame: Samsung has seen great success with their Frame TVs, which display your own or Samsung-provided art when not in use as a television. The effect is quite convincing, especially with the included flat wall mount and single thin cable that runs to the television. I have recommended them to friends and they have been very ...Read more

emporiaenergy.com/emporiaenergy.com/TNS

Sound Advice: Get plugged in to EV charger

Q. You mentioned in your column about your plug-in hybrid that you have a 240V charger as well as the 120V charger that came with the car. Which 240V charger do you have, and how much did your electric bill go up per month?

—L.D., San Francisco

A. I have an Emporia Level 2 EV charger with J1772 connector, sold by Emporia Energy. Since it was...Read more

mezeaudio.com/mezeaudio.com/TNS

Sound Advice: High-end headphones worth the investment

Kicking things off this week is a review of some of the best headphones I have ever heard, a product on the completely opposite end of the spectrum compared to the budget earphones I have covered recently. The Meze 109 Pro open-back wired headphones are a premium product meant for audiophiles and music lovers. Handmade in Romania, the 109 Pro is...Read more

skyworthusa.com/skyworthusa.com/TNS

Sound Advice: QLED TV bargains and travel-ready displays

Q. A few months ago you gave an ecstatic review of a $1,000 75-inch TV. Could you tell me what brand, model, etc., and where I can see one in person?

—E.T., Minneapolis

A. You are referring to the TCL Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV, which uses the Google TV operating system. I did not review the entire TV but mentioned it had the best TV tuner I had ...Read more

MAREK MICHALEK/fluance.com/TNS

Sound Advice: Buying turntables, selling speakers and sonic toothbrush follow-up

Q. I am looking for a decent stand-alone record player for our living room cabinet, preferably one that has its own internal speakers. I also have a Bose TV Speaker on the cabinet that we can use with the turntable. I am considering the $249 Fluance RT81 turntable. Do you have any other recommendations between $200-$500?

—R., Coon Rapids, ...Read more

Don Lindich/Don Lindich/TNS

Sound Advice: Kicking the tires on Alfa hybrid vehicle

Q. I was entertained to see you were reviewing the Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid SUV. As a long-time Alfa 164 owner, I was hoping to hear how the trial turned out. As a Chevy Volt owner, I was curious about whether an Alfa could approach the Volt's incredible drivetrain (acknowledging that many other aspects of the Volt are terrible.)

—M.W...Read more

Don Lindich/Don Lindich/TNS

Sound Advice: A sonic toothbrush worth brushing up on

Q. I’ve enjoyed the TLOVII sonic toothbrush you recommended years ago, but replacement brush heads are getting hard to find and I think I’m ready to try something new anyway. Any recommendations?

—T.B., Beaver, Pennsylvania

A. I'll start with a sheepish admission. I recently had a cleaning and checkup but it had been over two years since...Read more

Don Lindich/Don Lindich/TNS

Sound Advice: USB charger recommendation and guidance for TV setup

Q. I saw your article about the multiport USB charger and I'd like to purchase one. It was impossible to find and Amazon does not know when it will be in stock. Can you update your readers please?

—C.P., Milwaukee

A. I mentioned last week that I was looking for an alternative to the ZVOX earbuds that sold out so quickly, and over the past ...Read more

 

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