2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2009 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: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Subwoofers
Prices: $1350 (CT SW15), $1500 (SA 1000)
Website: www.bowers-wilkins.com
Wes said: The B&W CT SW15 plus SA 1000 sounded imperturbable and unflappable. . . . the B&W sub fits my décor as perfectly as it fits my room’s acoustic. It stays.
Read the Home Theater & Sound review.
The gist: Wes likes it. A lot.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Subwoofers
Price: $4200
Website: www.genesisloudspeakers.com
Howard said: Based solely on its stellar sonic performance, the S2/12t warrants critical recommendation. However, when you also consider its features, versatility, and cutting-edge appearance, it can fairly be said to be among a handful of exceptional subwoofers at its price.
Read the Home Theater & Sound review.
The gist: If the looks attract you, the sound will keep you.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Subwoofers
Price: $2800 (satin), $2900 (high gloss)
Website: www.jlaudio.com
Aron said: If you’re in the market for a wonderfully versatile subwoofer that offers deep, controlled, powerful bass, looks classy, and is impeccably built, JL Audio’s Fathom f112 deserves to be on your short list.
Read the Home Theater & Sound review.
The gist: A mainstay in compact subwoofer land.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Subwoofers
Price: $7499
Website: www.paradigm.com
Jeff said: My recommendation: Find a Sub 2 you can demo, and I think you’ll come to the conclusion I have. Get it. Play it. Be moved by it.
The gist: There’s a new sheriff in town.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Subwoofers
Price: $4000
Website: www.paradigm.com
Randall said: I so loved my time with Paradigm’s Signature Sub 25 that I’ve decided to make it my reference subwoofer. Never has a subwoofer energized my room in so dominant yet so controlled a way. In the past, whenever I’ve written about how this or that subwoofer I was reviewing did a wonderful job of “disappearing” -- i.e., not audibly drawing attention to its position -- I never felt as if I was overstating that quality. I guess it just takes a better one to point out the difference.
Read the Home Theater & Sound review.
The gist: One of the best, pure and simple.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Subwoofers
Price: $949
Website: www.svsound.com
Howard said: In fact, for the ticket price of many similarly performing subs, you could buy two or three PC-12 Pluses: one for each of the two front corners of your home theater, and perhaps a third, to be placed close to your seating position. That, I think, would be one awesome setup.
Read the Home Theater & Sound review.
The gist: Big, tubular bass, dude.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $650 per pair
Website: www.aperionaudio.com
Ron said: The 4T asks little in terms of space, watts, or money, but play through them your favorite but imperfectly recorded LPs or CDs and they’ll make the most of the good that’s there while downplaying the bad. In a world of cynical hi-fi gear, the Aperion 4T is a true optimist.
The gist: Mini-floorstander with monster sound, direct to your door.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1390 per pair
Website: www.aperionaudio.com
John said: I had to keep reminding myself that these wonderful-sounding speakers are affordable by almost anyone’s standard, not just an audiophile’s. And these speakers always brought me closer to the music played through them.
The gist: Aperion’s flagships are only $1390 a pair and sound terrific. Refreshing.
Subcategories
(2009) Subwoofers
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2009) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009 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.
(2009) Stereo Loudspeakers Over $10,000
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009 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.
(2009) Stereo Loudspeakers $5,000-$10,000
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009 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.
(2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Stereo integrated amplifiers and receivers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009. 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.
(2009) Stereo Digital Source Components
Stereo digital source components (CD and SACD players, DACs, music servers, etc.) reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009. 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.
(2009) Stereo Analog Source Components
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2009) Preamplifiers
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2009) Power Conditioners and Cords
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2009) Power Amplifiers Over $5000
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2009) Power Amplifiers $5000 and Under
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2009) Interconnects and Speaker Cables
Analog interconnects and speaker cables, digital interconnects, and power cords reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009. 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.
(2009) Home-Theater Speakers Over $5,000
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009 in the context of a home-theater 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.
(2009) Home-Theater Speakers $5,000 and Under
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009 in the context of a home-theater 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.
(2009) Home-Theater Components
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2009) Accessories, Stands and Other Products
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.