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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.

Emotiva BasX S12 Subwoofer

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.

Outlaw Audio Ultra-X13 Subwoofer

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.

SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2017) Subwoofers
  • Reviewers Choice

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.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Tremendous bass-for-dollar proposition.

Award: Reviewers' Choice

Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2 Loudspeakers

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.

Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 Loudspeakers

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.

Definitive Technology BP9080x Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
  • Reviewers Choice

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.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: The integral elevation module makes this perfect for home-theater use.

Dynaudio Emit M10 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
  • Reviewers Choice

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.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Low price doesn’t necessarily mean compromised sound.

Elac Uni-Fi Slim FS U5 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2017 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
  • Reviewers Choice

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.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Andrew Jones-designed affordable floorstander delivers.

  1. Harbeth P3ESR Loudspeakers
  2. KEF LS50 Wireless Loudspeakers
  3. KEF LS50W Wireless Loudspeakers
  4. Markaudio-Sota Cesti T Loudspeakers
  5. Markaudio-Sota Viotti One Loudspeakers
  6. Paradigm PW 300 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  7. Vermouth Audio Little Luccas Mk.II Limited Edition Loudspeakers
  8. Wharfedale Diamond 225 Loudspeakers
  9. Audio Physic Codex Loudspeakers
  10. KEF Reference 3 Loudspeakers
  11. Legend Acoustics Big Red Active Loudspeakers
  12. Magico S3 Mk.II Louspeakers
  13. Monitor Audio Platinum II PL300 II Loudspeakers
  14. Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeakers
  15. Sonus Faber Amati Tradition Loudspeakers
  16. Sonus Faber Homage Amati Tradition Loudspeakers
  17. TAD Micro Evolution One Loudspeakers
  18. Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Mk.II Loudspeakers and M7-HPA Mono Amplifiers
  19. Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit Loudspeakers
  20. Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia Series 2
  21. Axis Voicebox S Monitor and EBS Extended Bass System
  22. Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 Loudspeakers
  23. Devialet Gold Phantom Loudspeakers
  24. Dynaudio Contour 60 Loudspeakers
  25. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD Active Loudspeakers
  26. GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference Loudspeakers
  27. MartinLogan Masterpiece Classic ESL 9 Loudspeakers
  28. Paradigm Persona B Loudspeakers
  29. Arcam Solo Music DAC-Integrated Amplifier-Universal Player
  30. Audio Research G Series GS150 Stereo Amplifier
  31. Devialet Expert 130 Pro DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  32. Devialet Expert 440 Pro Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  33. Hegel Music Systems H190 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  34. Hegel Music Systems Röst DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  35. Hegel Music Systems Röst Integrated Amplifier
  36. NAD C 338 Hybrid Digital Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  37. NAD C 368 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  38. NAD Masters Series M32 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  39. Naim Audio Uniti Atom Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  40. Onkyo TX-8270 Network Stereo Receiver
  41. Outlaw Audio RR2160 Stereo Receiver
  42. Rotel A12 Integrated Amplifier
  43. Simaudio Moon Neo ACE DAC-Streamer-Integrated Amplifier
  44. SPEC Corporation RSA-M3EX Integrated Amplifier
  45. Yamaha R-N803 Network Stereo Receiver
  46. Arcam rPlay Music Streamer
  47. Audio Research Foundation DAC9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  48. Auralic Polaris Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  49. Aurender A10 Music Server
  50. Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Digital-to-Analog Converter
  51. Bryston BCD-3 CD Player
  52. EMM Labs DA2 Reference Digital-to-Analog Converter
  53. Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD/CD Player-DAC
  54. Esoteric K-05X Stereo SACD/CD Player/DAC
  55. Hegel Music Systems Mohican CD Player
  56. Mytek Digital Brooklyn DAC-Phono Stage-Preamplifier-Headphone Amplifier
  57. NAD Masters Series M50.2 Digital Music Player
  58. Oppo Digital Sonica Digital-to-Analog Converter
  59. Oppo Digital UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Universal BD Player
  60. Fluance RT81 Turntable with Audio-Technica AT95E Cartridge
  61. iFi Audio Micro iPhono2 Phono Stage
  62. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Debut Carbon Turntable and Tonearm
  63. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Tube Box DS2 Phono Stage
  64. Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable and 10cc Evolution Tonearm
  65. Audio Research Foundation LS28 Preamplifier
  66. Furutech FI-50 NCF Series Power Connectors and FP-TCS31 Alpha PC-Triple C Bulk Power Cord
  67. Mad Scientist Audio Nitro Power Cords
  68. Anthem MCA 525 Multichannel Amplifier
  69. Audia Flight FLS4 Stereo Amplifier
  70. Audio Research Foundation VT80 Stereo Amplifier
  71. Bryston 4B3 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
  72. Constellation Audio Revelation Taurus Mono Amplifiers
  73. Exogal Ion PowerDAC
  74. Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers
  75. Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Evo Stereo Amplifier
  76. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 860A Stereo Amplifier
  77. PS Audio BHK Signature 300 Mono Amplifiers
  78. Redgum Magnificata Passive Preamplifier and Mono Amplifiers
  79. VAC Signature 200iQ Stereo Amplifier
  80. VTL MB-185 Monoblock Amplifiers
  81. Axiom Audio AxiomAir N3 Wi-Fi Loudspeaker
  82. Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 Wi-Fi Speaker
  83. Bryston BryFi BW-1 Wi-Fi Speaker
  84. G-Project G-Boom Bluetooth Speaker
  85. Grace Digital EcoXGear EcoBoulder Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
  86. JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth Speaker
  87. JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker
  88. MartinLogan Wireless Ensemble Bravado Wireless Loudspeaker
  89. McIntosh Laboratory RS100 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  90. Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wi-Fi Speaker
  91. Riva Audio Festival Wi-Fi Speaker
  92. Thiel Audio Aurora Home Wi-Fi Speaker
  93. HiDiamond D3 Balanced and D7 Single-ended Interconnects and D7 Speaker Cables
  94. Mad Scientist Audio Heretical Analog Interconnects
  95. Nordost Leif Purple Flare Speaker Cables and Interconnects
  96. Synergistic Research Galileo UEF Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and IFT Jumpers
  97. Vermouth Audio Black Pearl Mk.II Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  98. Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Wireless Loudspeaker and Subwoofer
  99. MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 Soundbar
  100. Paradigm PW Soundbar / PW 600 Loudspeakers / Monitor Sub 8 Subwoofer
  101. Integra Research Series DRX-R1 A/V Receiver
  102. McIntosh Laboratory MVP901 Universal Blu-ray Player
  103. Oppo Digital UDP-203 4K Ultra
  104. 1More Quad Driver Earphones
  105. Altec Lansing MZX300 Bluetooth Headphones
  106. Audeze iSine10 Earphones
  107. Audio-Technica ATH-SR6BTBK Bluetooth Headphones
  108. Audio-Technica ATH-SR7BT Bluetooth Headphones
  109. Audiofly AF1120 Earphones
  110. Blue Ella Headphones
  111. Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature Headphones
  112. Brainwavz B200 Earphones
  113. Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC-Headphone Amplifier
  114. HiFiMan Susvara Headphones
  115. JBL E55BT Quincy Edition Headphones
  116. JBL Everest Elite 7050NC Wireless Headphones
  117. JE Audio HP10 Phono Stage
  118. Koss BT539ik Bluetooth Headphones
  119. Koss UR42i Headphones
  120. Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones
  121. Monoprice M1060 Headphones
  122. Monoprice Monolith M300 Earphones
  123. Schiit Audio Jotunheim DAC-Headphone Amplifier
  124. Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Headphones
  125. Sennheiser HDV 820 Headphone Amplifier
  126. Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
  127. Tidal Force Wave 5 Headphones
  128. Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner Pro
  129. JPlay USB Card
  130. JPlay USB Isolator
  131. Magico MPod Support System
  132. SGR Audio Signature Hi-Fi Rack
  133. Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack

Subcategories

(2017) Subwoofers

(2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999

(2017) Stereo Loudspeakers Over $10,000

(2017) Stereo Loudspeakers $5,000-$10,000

(2017) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers

(2017) Stereo Digital Source Components

(2017) Stereo Analog Source Components

(2017) Preamplifiers

(2017) Power Conditioners and Cords

(2017) Power Amplifiers

(2017) Portable Speakers

(2017) Interconnects and Speaker Cables

(2017) Home-Theater Loudspeakers

(2017) Home-Theater Components

(2017) Headphones and Related

(2017) Accessories, Stands and Other Products

Us

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Edgar Kramer
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