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(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.

Acoustic Energy Radiance 3 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
  • Reviewers Choice

201004_ae_radiance3Price: $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.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! review.

The gist: Thom's new reference speaker.

Amphion Argon3 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
  • Reviewers Choice

201007_argon3_black_b_300hPrice: $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. 

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! review.

The gist: The third time's the charm for the Argon.

Aperion Audio Intimus 6-IC In-Ceiling Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999

201005_aperion_ng_bPrice: $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!

Audioengine P4 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
  • Reviewers Choice
  • Great Buy

201003_audioengine_p4Price: $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.

Great Buy

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Get your motor running with the tiny Audioengine P4.

Blue Circle Audio BM2 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999

201005_bluecircle1Price: $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.

Read the SoundStage! review.

The gist: Gilbert's slant on the Ohm Acoustics loudspeaker.

Bowers & Wilkins 684 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
  • Reviewers Choice

bw_684Price: $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.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! review.

The gist: Are B&Ws best speakers at the lower price points?

Bowers & Wilkins CM5 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999
  • Reviewers Choice

201010_bwPrice: $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.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: You just can't go wrong with a CM-series B&W.

Compact WZ-5 SE Collector’s Edition Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4999

Compact WZ-5 SEPrice: $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.

  1. Focus Audio Classic FC 9 Loudspeakers
  2. Focus Audio Prestige FP50 Loudspeakers
  3. JBL LS60 Loudspeakers
  4. KEF XQ40 Loudspeakers
  5. Legacy Audio Studio HD Loudspeakers
  6. MartinLogan Motion 12 Loudspeakers
  7. Polk Audio RTi A1 Loudspeakers
  8. PSB Image T6 Loudspeakers
  9. Tannoy Definition DC8 Loudspeakers
  10. Von Schweikert Audio UniField 1 Loudspeakers

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