Articles by Stephen Withers, Freelance Home Entertainment Reviewer

Stephen is a freelance reviewer with over ten years experience writing for all the major tech publications. As a lifelong film fan he’s embraced the evolution of home entertainment over the decades, and as a professional audio and video calibrator he’s able to keep abreast of the latest developments and innovations. When not reviewing the latest products, Stephen can be found obsessing over how to cram a bigger screen and more speakers into his own home cinema.

Articles by: Stephen Withers

Kaleidescape Strato V Movie Player review: 4K Blu-ray video and audio quality minus the discs

By Stephen Withers published 8 December 24

Editor's Choice

Kaleidescape's Strato V combines a movie player and server in one for a more simple and affordable home theater content solution.

Samsung The Premiere 9 ultra short throw projector review: bright, beautiful images and big sound

By Stephen Withers published 12 September 24

Editor's Choice

Samsung’s latest ultra short throw projector employs a triple-laser light source to deliver stellar HDR images.

Projector and giant TV on colored background

How do the world’s elite projectors compare to giant TVs?

By Stephen Withers published 3 September 24

TVs with 98-inch and larger screens are closing the size gap with projectors, but what do the best projectors offer that TVs can't provide?

JVC DLA-NZ800 projector review: class-leading performance plus 8K and 3D

By Stephen Withers published 18 July 24

Editor's Choice

The JVC DLA-NZ800 is a home theater fan's dream projector, offering advanced HDR support and the ability to upscale pictures to 8K resolution.

The JVC DLA-NZ8 setup in a home theater.

JVC DLA-NZ8 4K Laser Projector review

By Stephen Withers last updated 13 February 24

Best in Class

The JVC DLA-NZ8 isn’t cheap, but if you’re serious about home cinema you won’t find a better specified or more feature-packed 4K projector.

The Samsung Q70 QLED TV pictured mounted on a wall and displaying an image of waves crashing against cliffs

Samsung Q70 QLED TV review

By Stephen Withers last updated 14 July 22

Recommended

Updated The Samsung Q70 QLED is a midrange TV with a direct backlight and local dimming, resulting in an excellent picture performance.

The Samsung QN95A TV in a grey room displaying a flock of seagulls against a sunset

Samsung QN95A Neo QLED 4K TV review

By Stephen Withers last updated 28 June 22

Editor's Choice

REVIEW Samsung’s first foray into Mini LED, the QN95A delivers blacks that give OLED a run for its money.

The Reavon UBR-X200 on a home entertainment center.

Reavon UBR-X200 4K Blu-ray Player review

By Stephen Withers published 23 March 22

If you’ve got the necessary budget, the Reavon UBR-X200 is sure to please, but there are considerably cheaper options.

Reavon UBR-X100 4K Blu-ray Player review

By Stephen Withers published 15 March 22

Sleek styling and solid build quality go some way towards justifying the UBR-X100’s hefty price tag, but there are better alternatives.

Should I buy a projector screen?

By Stephen Withers last updated 1 October 21

A projector screen will get the most out of your beamer’s large-scale images – but is there a catch?

Should I buy a BenQ projector? A look at the budget DLP projector brand

By Stephen Withers last updated 2 September 21

Nothing says home cinema like a massive 100-inch or larger picture, so the question is: which projector should you buy?

A view of the Epson EH-TW9400 / Pro Cinema 6050UB projector from above

Epson EH-TW9400 / Pro Cinema 6050UB review

By Stephen Withers last updated 27 July 21

Editor's Choice

The Epson EH-TW9400 is a superb home cinema projector that delivers a winning combination of performance and high-end specs.

What is HFR, and what does high frame rate mean for sports and gaming?

By Stephen Withers published 3 July 21

HFR allows for smoother action and more fluid motion – but how does it work, and how important is it?

Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar review

By Stephen Withers published 23 June 21

Best in Class

Updated Samsung's flagship soundbar delivers a completely immersive surround experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

LG C9 OLED (OLED55C9, OLED65C9, OLED77C9) review

By Stephen Withers published 23 June 21

Best in Class

The LG C9 is a triumph of TV technology that offers significantly improved performance thanks to the addition of artificial intelligence.

Samsung HW-Q70R Soundbar review

By Stephen Withers published 27 January 21

Recommended

Updated The Samsung HW-Q70R delivers immersive cinematic soundscapes thanks to support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Should I buy an Epson projector? A look at the leading LCD projector brand

By Stephen Withers published 8 November 20

Nothing says home cinema like a massive 100-inch or larger picture, so the question is: which projector should you buy?

Samsung Q90 QLED TV review

By Stephen Withers published 8 October 20

Best in Class

The Samsung Q90 is easily the most impressive QLED we have reviewed to date.

Samsung HW-N950 Soundbar review

By Stephen Withers published 4 June 20

Best in Class

The Samsung HW-N950 delivers a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X experience with maximum performance and minimum fuss.

Samsung HW-N650 soundbar review

By Stephen Withers published 4 June 20

The Samsung HW-N650 will delight gamers and cinephiles with a panoramic soundstage and impressive build quality.

Samsung HW-Q60R Soundbar review

By Stephen Withers published 4 June 20

The Samsung HW-Q60R delivers a strong sonic performance but is far too limited on features.

Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar review

By Stephen Withers published 21 February 20

It's not as fully featured as other soundbars, but the Yamaha YAS-209 offers a big soundstage, DTS Virtual:X and Alexa in a sensible design.

Bose Soundbar 700 review

By Stephen Withers published 14 January 20

A lack of HDMI inputs, no Atmos/DTS:X support and a glass top that reflects the TV screen are just a few of the Bose Soundbar 700's issues.

Samsung Q950R 8K QLED TV review

By Stephen Withers published 5 January 20

Best in Class

The Samsung Q950 takes 8K performance to a new level with advanced AI processing.

Klipsch BAR 48 Sound Bar review

By Stephen Withers last updated 2 January 20

The Klipsch BAR 48 delivers impressive audio performance but is hindered by a lack of features.

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