2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2017 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: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Subwoofers
Price: $399
Website: www.emotiva.com
Brent said: I think anyone shopping for a subwoofer at or near this price would be very happy with the BasX S12 -- especially if they like a little extra kick in the bottom end.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Compact-but-potent sub for cheap.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Subwoofers
Price: $1499
Website: www.outlawaudio.com
Brent said: My guess is that, once audiophiles hear how clear, clean, tight, and punchy this sub sounds -- and how, even in ported mode, it reveals no hint of boom, ringing, bloat, or all those other things audiophiles often hate about subwoofers -- they’ll flock to it.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Solid performer if you want deep bass at a great price.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Subwoofers
Price: $1999.99
Website: www.svsound.com
Roger said: The SVS SB16-Ultra is a fantastic subwoofer that offers exceptional performance for $1999.99, but it faces strong competition from other great subs, such as the aforementioned JL Audio and models from GoldenEar, Paradigm, Hsu Research, and Outlaw Audio, to name just a few.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Tremendous bass-for-dollar proposition.
Award: Reviewers' Choice
- Details
- Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $699 per pair
Website: www.bowers-wilkins.com
Al said: Anyone looking for an easy entry into the audiophile world would be well served by the Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2. For a $699/pair speaker, it hits most of the high-end high points: precise imaging, refined detail, ample dynamics. And for the speaker’s modest size, its bass extension is impressive.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Get that B&W marquee in your room for under 700 bucks.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: AU$3499 per pair
Website: www.bowerswilkins.com
Scott said: They play loud, deep and clean, but more (much more) importantly they connect you to the music and are liberally laced with a large helping of "it."
Read the SoundStage! Australia review.
The gist: Packs quite a punch for such a small package.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $3498 per pair
Website: www.definitivetechnology.com
Roger said: With high-fidelity sound and the ability to play at incredibly high volume levels, it’s one of the best speakers available at or near $3498/pair.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: The integral elevation module makes this perfect for home-theater use.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $799 per pair
Website: www.dynaudio.com
Hans said: Strong, linear bass, a beautifully clear midrange, and terrific soundstaging are just a few of the qualities that make the Emit M10 a bombshell of a minimonitor. Strong recommendations don’t come much easier.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Low price doesn’t necessarily mean compromised sound.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1499.96 USD per pair
Website: www.elac.com
Hans said: This Goldilocksean recipe of “just right” means that the Uni-Fi Slim FS U5, with its narrow cabinet and unassuming satin paint job, is a speaker that anyone can appreciate looking at and listening to for the long term -- and that usually comes at a price far dearer than $1500/pair.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Andrew Jones-designed affordable floorstander delivers.
- Harbeth P3ESR Loudspeakers
- KEF LS50 Wireless Loudspeakers
- KEF LS50W Wireless Loudspeakers
- Markaudio-Sota Cesti T Loudspeakers
- Markaudio-Sota Viotti One Loudspeakers
- Paradigm PW 300 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
- Vermouth Audio Little Luccas Mk.II Limited Edition Loudspeakers
- Wharfedale Diamond 225 Loudspeakers
- Audio Physic Codex Loudspeakers
- KEF Reference 3 Loudspeakers
- Legend Acoustics Big Red Active Loudspeakers
- Magico S3 Mk.II Louspeakers
- Monitor Audio Platinum II PL300 II Loudspeakers
- Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeakers
- Sonus Faber Amati Tradition Loudspeakers
- Sonus Faber Homage Amati Tradition Loudspeakers
- TAD Micro Evolution One Loudspeakers
- Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Mk.II Loudspeakers and M7-HPA Mono Amplifiers
- Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit Loudspeakers
- Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia Series 2
- Axis Voicebox S Monitor and EBS Extended Bass System
- Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 Loudspeakers
- Devialet Gold Phantom Loudspeakers
- Dynaudio Contour 60 Loudspeakers
- Dynaudio Focus 20 XD Active Loudspeakers
- GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference Loudspeakers
- MartinLogan Masterpiece Classic ESL 9 Loudspeakers
- Paradigm Persona B Loudspeakers
- Arcam Solo Music DAC-Integrated Amplifier-Universal Player
- Audio Research G Series GS150 Stereo Amplifier
- Devialet Expert 130 Pro DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Devialet Expert 440 Pro Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Hegel Music Systems H190 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Hegel Music Systems Röst DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Hegel Music Systems Röst Integrated Amplifier
- NAD C 338 Hybrid Digital Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- NAD C 368 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- NAD Masters Series M32 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Naim Audio Uniti Atom Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Onkyo TX-8270 Network Stereo Receiver
- Outlaw Audio RR2160 Stereo Receiver
- Rotel A12 Integrated Amplifier
- Simaudio Moon Neo ACE DAC-Streamer-Integrated Amplifier
- SPEC Corporation RSA-M3EX Integrated Amplifier
- Yamaha R-N803 Network Stereo Receiver
- Arcam rPlay Music Streamer
- Audio Research Foundation DAC9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Auralic Polaris Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Aurender A10 Music Server
- Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Bryston BCD-3 CD Player
- EMM Labs DA2 Reference Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD/CD Player-DAC
- Esoteric K-05X Stereo SACD/CD Player/DAC
- Hegel Music Systems Mohican CD Player
- Mytek Digital Brooklyn DAC-Phono Stage-Preamplifier-Headphone Amplifier
- NAD Masters Series M50.2 Digital Music Player
- Oppo Digital Sonica Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Oppo Digital UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Universal BD Player
- Fluance RT81 Turntable with Audio-Technica AT95E Cartridge
- iFi Audio Micro iPhono2 Phono Stage
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems Debut Carbon Turntable and Tonearm
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems Tube Box DS2 Phono Stage
- Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable and 10cc Evolution Tonearm
- Audio Research Foundation LS28 Preamplifier
- Furutech FI-50 NCF Series Power Connectors and FP-TCS31 Alpha PC-Triple C Bulk Power Cord
- Mad Scientist Audio Nitro Power Cords
- Anthem MCA 525 Multichannel Amplifier
- Audia Flight FLS4 Stereo Amplifier
- Audio Research Foundation VT80 Stereo Amplifier
- Bryston 4B3 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
- Constellation Audio Revelation Taurus Mono Amplifiers
- Exogal Ion PowerDAC
- Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers
- Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Evo Stereo Amplifier
- Moon by Simaudio Evolution 860A Stereo Amplifier
- PS Audio BHK Signature 300 Mono Amplifiers
- Redgum Magnificata Passive Preamplifier and Mono Amplifiers
- VAC Signature 200iQ Stereo Amplifier
- VTL MB-185 Monoblock Amplifiers
- Axiom Audio AxiomAir N3 Wi-Fi Loudspeaker
- Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 Wi-Fi Speaker
- Bryston BryFi BW-1 Wi-Fi Speaker
- G-Project G-Boom Bluetooth Speaker
- Grace Digital EcoXGear EcoBoulder Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker
- MartinLogan Wireless Ensemble Bravado Wireless Loudspeaker
- McIntosh Laboratory RS100 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
- Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wi-Fi Speaker
- Riva Audio Festival Wi-Fi Speaker
- Thiel Audio Aurora Home Wi-Fi Speaker
- HiDiamond D3 Balanced and D7 Single-ended Interconnects and D7 Speaker Cables
- Mad Scientist Audio Heretical Analog Interconnects
- Nordost Leif Purple Flare Speaker Cables and Interconnects
- Synergistic Research Galileo UEF Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and IFT Jumpers
- Vermouth Audio Black Pearl Mk.II Interconnects and Speaker Cables
- Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Wireless Loudspeaker and Subwoofer
- MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 Soundbar
- Paradigm PW Soundbar / PW 600 Loudspeakers / Monitor Sub 8 Subwoofer
- Integra Research Series DRX-R1 A/V Receiver
- McIntosh Laboratory MVP901 Universal Blu-ray Player
- Oppo Digital UDP-203 4K Ultra
- 1More Quad Driver Earphones
- Altec Lansing MZX300 Bluetooth Headphones
- Audeze iSine10 Earphones
- Audio-Technica ATH-SR6BTBK Bluetooth Headphones
- Audio-Technica ATH-SR7BT Bluetooth Headphones
- Audiofly AF1120 Earphones
- Blue Ella Headphones
- Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature Headphones
- Brainwavz B200 Earphones
- Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC-Headphone Amplifier
- HiFiMan Susvara Headphones
- JBL E55BT Quincy Edition Headphones
- JBL Everest Elite 7050NC Wireless Headphones
- JE Audio HP10 Phono Stage
- Koss BT539ik Bluetooth Headphones
- Koss UR42i Headphones
- Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones
- Monoprice M1060 Headphones
- Monoprice Monolith M300 Earphones
- Schiit Audio Jotunheim DAC-Headphone Amplifier
- Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Headphones
- Sennheiser HDV 820 Headphone Amplifier
- Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
- Tidal Force Wave 5 Headphones
- Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner Pro
- JPlay USB Card
- JPlay USB Isolator
- Magico MPod Support System
- SGR Audio Signature Hi-Fi Rack
- Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack