AVRant Podcast #850 - Monoprice Dark Matter Sentry Mic Review (Amazon Atmos Music Output via HDMI)

Tom reviews the affordable Dark Matter Sentry USB Microphone from Monoprice. Netflix announced price drops for dozens of countries. 2022 reports show Samsung, TCL, and LG dominating TV sales. And a helpful correction informs us that playing Atmos Music from Amazon Music Unlimited on your home theater system is now possible.

Funding for the podcast and videos by YOU!

https://www.patreon.com/avrantpodcast

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAtWQQ

For show notes with links and more information visit http://www.avrant.com/

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:03:01 - Dark Matter Sentry Microphone Review
It isn't perfect, but for the price, Tom's impressed with Monoprice's affordable USB mic: https://avgadgets.com/dark-matter-sentry-streaming-microphone-the-blue-yeti-killer/

00:11:44 - What We Watched
Rob finished Season 3 of Mythic Quest, and urges you to check out Corridor Digital's Anime Rock, Paper, Scissors, and especially their making of video where they detail their impressive use of AI and freely available tools.

Tom watched Super 8, and finished Season 1 of The Witcher.

- Corridor Digital's "Rock, Paper, Scissors": https://youtu.be/GVT3WUa-48Y
- How Corridor Digital used AI to convert live action to animation: https://youtu.be/_9LX9HSQkWo

00:24:17 - Listeners of the Week
Our Listeners of the Week are our 140 Patreon Patrons.
We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Jay, Gurinder, Julian, and Jorge.

NOTE: there's a helpful tip here about dual subwoofer placement!

In the news:

00:29:11 - News: Netflix Lowers Prices
Dozens of countries get a price drop in an attempt to boost subscriber numbers: https://on.wsj.com/3SAFNRn

00:31:11 - News: Samsung & TCL Sell Lots of TVs
Samsung & TCL sold the most TV units in 2022. Samsung & LG made the most revenue: https://bit.ly/3mhD977

Comments:

00:33:19 - Correction: James - helpfully informed us that it is now possible to send Atmos Music from Amazon Music Unlimited out to your home theater system or SoundBar via HDMI: https://amzn.to/3kCAzYM

00:36:53 - Comment: Mike - Black Hole Active Acoustic Pressure Reduction
Journey back to 2012 to witness audiophiles discover the benefits of adding a second subwoofer at the back of the room: https://bit.ly/3II3W3V

00:40:14 - Comment: Jorge - 2 Names for 2 Echos
A clever suggestion for isolating music streaming from Amazon's Assistant's voice.

QUESTIONS:

00:44:45 - Brian: 9.2.4 vs. 7.2.6
With a new 13-ch AVR, he asks what speaker layout he should use, which amp to add, and how to configure it all.
- Emotiva BasX A3: https://bit.ly/3ZsyrRX
- BasX A5: https://bit.ly/3SGH0Xu

01:03:04 - Ryan: Get an Ultra HD Blu-ray Player?
Should he continue using his Xbox Series X as a disc player with his Sony OLED?
- https://avgadgets.com/is-dolby-vision-worth-it/
- https://avgadgets.com/xbox-series-x-and-s-dolby-vision-update/
- https://avgadgets.com/what-is-dynamic-tone-mapping-and-why-is-it-important/

01:07:45 - Jay: AVR Apps, Diffusion & Coax
Are any AVR control apps good? Questions about acoustic panel types & placement. Terminating bare coax wire.
- RG-6 coax crimping kit: https://amzn.to/3mjH7w0
- F-type to RCA adapter: https://amzn.to/3ZvIK84
- F-type to RCA wall plate jack: https://amzn.to/3EPUJFt

01:26:21 - Infinite Gary: More on Anthem Logic
Speculation about Anthem Logic listening mode processing, and another great example of misattribution due to changing more than one variable.

01:30:50 - Andrew: The Most Canadian Decoupler
How's Rob's apartment restoration going? And can Canada's most sacred object make for a good decoupler?

01:33:04 - Jay: Single Subwoofer Upgrade
The room is open, placement options are limited, neighbors are attached: which sub to get?
- SVS PC-2000 Pro: https://bit.ly/41uV8qN

01:38:55 - Will: 2.1 Setup for Mac Mini
He owns a pair of speakers, but is willing to replace them to get the control and features he's looking for.
- Fosi DA2120C amp: https://amzn.to/3SDmJlk
- Jamo S 801 PM: https://bit.ly/3kCF1qs
- Klipsch R-15PM: https://bit.ly/3YiT0Q8
- Fluance Ai41: https://avgadgets.com/fluance-ai41-powered-bookshelf-speakers-review-soundbar-killer/
- Dayton SUB-1200: https://amzn.to/3KMKe9Y
- SUB-1000L: https://amzn.to/3kFi3z2

01:45:20 - Vincent: Headphone for PS VR2
What's Rob gonna use?
- Shure SE215: https://amzn.to/3ZctHAe
- Petition to add 3D Blu-ray playback to PS5 & PS VR2: https://bit.ly/3mivMvS

01:48:40 - Julian: Parasound Noise Floor
We speculate about what could be causing a low, soft hum.

01:54:44 - Anonymous: Choice of Room & Subs
Which spare bedroom to use as a home theater? And why small, sealed subs might or might not be enough.
- Dual SVS SB-1000 Pro: https://bit.ly/3J3r0eU
- Monoprice Monolith M-10 V2: https://avgadgets.com/monolith-by-monoprice-m-10-v2-thx-subwoofer-review/

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Hosts: Tom Andry & Rob H.

Intro & Outro by Austen Pond

Art provided by listener Ash

Ending music by listener Ted