SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Price: $795 per pair

Ron said: Anthony Gallo Acoustics’ Classico CL-2 is a reasonably priced, well-made bookshelf loudspeaker that, while requiring a bit more tweaking than I’m accustomed to, gave a very good account of itself, presenting a wide, spacious soundstage with very good to excellent imaging cues. Though not a detailmeister, it was quite pleasant to listen through, finding the “good” in even questionable recordings.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Classic round sound from a box speaker.

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Price: $790 per pair

Website: www.aperionaudio.com

Hans said: It’s an attractive and thoughtfully designed package that purports to be nothing other than what it is. It forgoes deep bass to focus on producing an expansive, evenhanded sound with admirable imaging. And with its ten-year warranty on drivers and 30-day guarantee, with free shipping both ways, the interested listener can sample a pair without risk. Bearing in mind Aperion’s return rate of less than 5%, the odds heavily favor the 5T making only a one-way trip.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Very nice little floorstander for the money.

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Price: $399 per pair

Website: www.audioengineusa.com

Hans said: In juggling many considerations in its 5+, Audioengine has contrived to not drop one. As well executed as it is well designed, this attractive bookshelf speaker is a thoroughly practical product that worked, and worked well, practically right out of the box. You could spend the same amount of money on a pair of passive bookshelf speakers and perhaps get better sound. You could invest in an identically priced pair of active speakers and get similar sound. But the 5+ combines quality sound with an attractiveness and remote-controlled, multiple-input convenience that separates it from its competitors. Emphatically recommended.

Great Buy

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: The powered monitor to beat at its price.

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Reviewers Choice

Price: $2998 per pair

Website: www.definitivetech.com

Roger said: When I reviewed the Definitive Technology Mythos STS SuperTower loudspeaker, I was impressed by how good it sounded, especially considering its slim, good looks. I was even more impressed by the excellent performance of Definitive’s new BP-8080ST SuperTower. By any standard, both are exceptional speakers. Those who might dismiss the Mythos STS because of its “lifestyle” look will miss out on a great speaker. Those who might dismiss the BP-8080ST because of its bipolar design or other reasons will miss out on an even better one.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Big speaker, big sound, not-so-big price.

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Price: $398 per pair

Website: www.definitivetech.com

Roger said: The Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45 is an excellent combination of performance and value in an entry-level loudspeaker. It offers a clean midrange, and smooth high frequencies that provide a high level of performance and musicality. It also has enough bass and power-handling capability to play loud enough when my listening sessions get a bit rowdy. All of this is packaged in an attractive bookshelf design at the ridiculously low price of $199 each.

Great Buy

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Ridiculous value for money.

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Reviewers Choice

Price: $598 per pair

Website: www.definitivetech.com

Philip said: If you like solid bass, clear-cut imaging, and a clean, open midrange, but don’t have the room and/or the money for bigger speakers, Definitive Technology’s StudioMonitor 55 could be what you’ve been waiting for. It does many things well for the audiophile on a budget, and doesn’t take a back seat to speakers costing even multiples of its price.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Sound quality unheard of at this price just a few years ago.

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Price: $2450 per pair

Website: www.dynaudio.com

Brooke said: I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Dynaudio Focus 110 A. It offered a beguiling combination of smoothness, accuracy, and transient speed with low-end extension and dynamic capabilities that belied its small size. The price of $2450/pair is reasonable for what the Focus 110 A does, but the fact that the speaker includes four channels of amplification tailor-made for the drive-units they’re connected to makes them a relative bargain.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Very good all-around powered monitor from a speaker-making powerhouse.

Details: Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide; Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

Price: $4900 per pair

Website: www.dynaudio.com

Aron said: It has proven to be a highly dynamic, emotive model that offers a great deal of innovative technology and quality engineering in a compact package. The combination of uncanny bass control, velvety midrange, and top-end sweetness is as addictive as melted chocolate on a New York cheesecake.

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Maybe Dynaudio’s greatest strength is in their mid-sized floorstanders.