2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2015 SoundStage! Network Buying Guide features summaries of all stereo and home-theater products reviewed in the calendar year across all of our publications. The Buying Guide is subdivided by product and price, with each article including pricing details, a review summary, a full-review link, and product-award indicators.
All prices are in US dollars.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Subwoofers
Price: $1699.99
Website: www.kef.com
Roger said: The KEF R400b subwoofer’s agility and musicality should nicely complement the sound of high-quality speaker systems, and its modern look and small size will easily blend with the furnishings of fashionably decorated rooms -- not something that can be said of most subs.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: The perfect complement to your KEF R-series speakers.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $3990 per pair
Website: www.ascendo.de
Sid said: the Ascendo C6 proved that pleasing appearance, placement flexibility, and great sound need not be mutually exclusive. If you’re looking for a loudspeaker for your family or living room, and need great sound without worrying too much about front-wall proximity, the Ascendo C6 should be at the top of your must-audition list.
Read the SoundStage! Ultra review.
The gist: Slimline German speaker with some unique design traits.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $999
Website: www.bluesound.com
Kevin said: The Powernode and Duo are simply a dedicated combo of receiver and speakers -- but this “receiver” is a dedicated streaming tuner, and the speakers are three diminutive wonders from Paul Barton. They are elegant reinventions of tried-and-true audio products.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: Barton-designed 2.1-channel speaker system is compact and attractive.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1200 per pair
Website: www.bryston.com
Philip said: The no-frills Mini A gets on with the business of producing superb sound at a price within the reach of many. Add to this Bryston’s 20-year warranty, and the Mini A seems not only a good investment, but a sensible one.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Gets all the basic speaker stuff right at an affordable price.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1500 per pair
Website: www.cambridgeaudio.com
Vince said: The cohesiveness of voices and piano through the Aeromax 6 is unmatched in my experience in the price range of $1500-$3000/pair. If you’re looking in that range, and value imaging and soundstaging above all else, look no further: the Aeromax 6 is your answer. It’s pure gold.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: The Balanced Mode Radiator really delivers vocals just right.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1490 per pair
Website: www.eclipse-td.net
Wes said: Would I be happy with the Eclipse TD508MK3s as the main speakers of my nearfield system? Absolutely yes. Try a pair. I think you’ll be happy too.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: These tiny desktop speakers are imaging champs.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1999.98 per pair
Website: www.goldenear.com
Roger said: At $1999.98/pair, the GoldenEar Triton Five is a fantastic performer -- a true high-end speaker at a true entry-level price. It receives my highest recommendation.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: All of these GoldenEar speakers seem like winners.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2015 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2015) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $4999.98 per pair
Website: www.goldenear.com
Doug said: The Triton One’s performance across the board is exceptional. I’m sure you can’t find another speaker that offers all it does -- in short, full-range, reference-grade sound -- for a price that any serious audiophile with a decent job can afford: $4999.98/pair. The hi-fi world needs more products like this. That’s why GoldenEar’s Triton One gets my highest recommendation.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Bass: get 20Hz for the price of 40Hz.