(2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010 in the context of a stereo system. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and are accurate at the time of the review.
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $3000 per pair
Website: www.acoustic-energy.co.uk
Thom said: Their sound was as crisp and detailed as I might want, but never shrill or overpowering. When bass was called for, they stepped up and produced. And they look attractive -- my wife likes them better than anything else I’ve had in my listening room.
The gist: Thom's new reference speaker.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $2795 per pair in black or white (add $200 per pair for real-wood veneer)
Website: www.amphion.fi
Philip said: Amphion’s Argon3 is the finest-sounding bookshelf speaker I’ve ever reviewed for the SoundStage! Network. It has outclassed my longtime reference, PSB’s Platinum M2. The torch has been passed.
The gist: The third time's the charm for the Argon.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $149 each
Website: www.aperionaudio.com
Colin said: As surround or background-music speakers, Aperion Audio’s Intimus 6-IC is a winner. I would never suggest that the 6-ICs replace conventional loudspeakers in a conventional system, but then the 6-IC was never intended to be all things to all people. Keeping its inherent limitations in mind, I can say that the Aperion Intimus 6-IC is a most satisfying in-ceiling loudspeaker.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: Wow is this product a great value!
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $249 per pair
Website: www.audioengineusa.com
Kevin said: . . . the P4 is a great speaker and an incredible value. You’re going to have to spend a lot more -- a whole lot more -- to achieve the measures of sound quality and packaging convenience afforded by the Audioengine P4.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Get your motor running with the tiny Audioengine P4.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $4900-$6500 per pair, depending on finish
Website: www.bluecircle.com
Doug said: Kudos to Gilbert Yeung and Blue Circle Audio for trying something unique and producing the BM2. It’s an intriguing design well worth listening to for the distinctive things it can do.
The gist: Gilbert's slant on the Ohm Acoustics loudspeaker.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $1100 per pair
Website: www.bowers-wilkins.com
Randall said: The B&W 684 was a treat to have in my system. It was nice to have a well-designed, very affordable speaker on hand to deflate my speaker snobbery.
The gist: Are B&Ws best speakers at the lower price points?
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $1500 per pair
Website: www.bowers-wilkins.com
Jeff said: The best audio products make bad recordings sound tolerable, good recordings sound better, and great recordings sound sublime. Irrespective of source or perceived quality of amplification, the B&W CM5 did this. It made a case for spending what it takes to get the speakers you want and, if need be, scrimping on everything else.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: You just can't go wrong with a CM-series B&W.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
Price: $4500 per pair
Website: www.grantfidelity.com
Colin said: The Compact WZ-5 SE Collector’s Edition isn’t a totally bad speaker, but it doesn’t perform at anywhere near the level of such peers as the Definitive Technology Mythos ST, PSB Synchrony One ($4500/pair), or even the less-expensive Paradigm Studio 100 ($3599/pair).
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Just not very good.
- Focus Audio Classic FC 9 Loudspeakers
- Focus Audio Prestige FP50 Loudspeakers
- JBL LS60 Loudspeakers
- KEF XQ40 Loudspeakers
- Legacy Audio Studio HD Loudspeakers
- MartinLogan Motion 12 Loudspeakers
- Polk Audio RTi A1 Loudspeakers
- PSB Image T6 Loudspeakers
- Tannoy Definition DC8 Loudspeakers
- Von Schweikert Audio UniField 1 Loudspeakers