2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2010 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: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Subwoofers
Price: $2350
Website: www.axiomaudio.com
Vince said: . . . if you have a large room and you’re in the market for a cost-no-object subwoofer, then give the Axiom Audio EP800 v3 a listen. It competes with subwoofers that cost several thousand dollars more, and might just save you a ton of money.
The gist: Axiom's worthy entry into the bad-boy subwoofer sweepstakes.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Subwoofers
Price: $800
Website: www.edesignaudio.com
Rob said: The A5-350 was equally at home with music or movies -- a great attribute, and the sort of all-around versatility that makes purchasing an A5-350 a valid choice for audiophiles who seek a substantial subwoofer at a terrific price for their own large listening room or home theater.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Forget those little dinky subs -- shake the walls with this monster.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Subwoofers
Price: $1099
Website: www.jbl.com
Thom said: Throughout my listening sessions, I was most amazed by how seldom the LS120P’s presence was obvious to me. It just did its job -- when it was needed, I heard deep, sonorous, well-articulated bass. When the recording didn’t include deep bass, the LS120P might as well have not been there at all.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: JBL has always been known for bass, and for good reason.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Subwoofers
Price: $2100 USD in Black Satin finish; $2200 High-Gloss Black finish
Website: www.jlaudio.com
Vade said: $2100 is pretty pricey for a 10” subwoofer -- but that’s like comparing Chevy’s Aveo with its Corvette. While they’re both cars, the Corvette provides a level of performance that’s totally beyond the Aveo’s capabilities. And while the Corvette is unquestionably expensive, you’d be hard-pressed to find a car that provides more performance at its price point. The Fathom f110 is similar: It’s not the cheapest 10” subwoofer on the market, but I challenge you to find a better one at its price -- or at any price. I haven’t.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Possibly the best 10" subwoofer you can buy.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Subwoofers
Price: $695
Website: www.martinlogan.com
Ron said: Not only did the Dynamo 700 give me true full-range sound, it had a pinpoint curative effect on the response curves of the partnered speakers: When I’d set it to fix only what needed fixing, it did, and then stepped out of the way to let the Snells and Motion 12s sing. Pinpoint cures. I like that in doctors, too. Highly recommended!
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Known for 'stats, now known for woofers, too.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2010 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2010) Subwoofers
Price: $1199
Website: www.velodyne.com
Kevin said: If there is a subwoofer out there that delivers the brand of honest sound that the Optimum-10 does, I want to hear it. But folks, I’m not sure it exists. The Optimum-10 is an outstanding audio product. Highly recommended.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: Tiny sub that delivers big on bass and room friendliness.
- 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.
- Aperion Audio Intimus 6-IC In-Ceiling Loudspeakers
- Audioengine P4 Loudspeakers
- Blue Circle Audio BM2 Loudspeakers
- Bowers & Wilkins 684 Loudspeakers
- Bowers & Wilkins CM5 Loudspeakers
- Compact WZ-5 SE Collector’s Edition Loudspeakers
- 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
- EgglestonWorks Andra III Loudspeakers
- KEF Reference 205/2 Loudspeakers
- Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Loudspeakers
- Verity Audio Amadis Loudspeakers
- Vivid Audio B1 Loudspeakers
- Anthony Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Reference 3.5 Loudspeakers
- Curvi-Hifi Model 1 Version 2 Loudspeakers
- Dynaudio Focus 360 Loudspeakers
- Jaton Real A&V-803 Loudspeakers
- Paradigm Reference Signature S6 v.3 Loudspeakers
- PMC Fact.8 Loudspeakers
- Van Zyl Audio Frontline Loudspeakers
- Antique Sound Lab AQ1003 DT Mk.II Integrated Amplifier
- ASR Emitter I Integrated Amplifier
- Audio Research DSi200 Integrated Amplifier
- Audio Research VSi60 Integrated Amplifier
- Bel Canto e.One S300iU 24/96 Integrated Amplifier-USB DAC
- Blue Circle Audio GDC Integrated Amplifier
- Esoteric AI-10 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Hegel Music Systems H200 Integrated Amplifier
- Icon Audio Stereo 25 Integrated Amplifier
- Karan Acoustics KA I 180 Integrated Amplifier
- Micromega IA-180 Integrated Amplifier
- Musical Fidelity AMS35i Integrated Amplifier
- Musical Fidelity M6i Integrated Amplifier
- NAD Classic Series C 326BEE Integrated Amplifier
- Naim Uniti All-in-One Audio Player
- Peachtree Audio Nova Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Raysonic SP-300 Integrated Amplifier
- Simaudio Moon Evolution 600i Integrated Amplifier
- Stello Ai500 Integrated Amplifier
- TEAC CR-H500NT CD Receiver
- Accustic Arts Reference Tube-DAC II SE Digital-to-Analog Converter and Drive II CD Transport
- Aperion Audio Home Audio Link
- Asus O!Play HDP-R1 Media Player
- Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP CD/SACD/DVD-A Player
- Bel Canto Design DAC3VB Digital-to-Analog Converter and VBS1 Power Supply
- Benchmark Media Systems DAC1 HDR DAC-Preamplifier-Headphone Amplifier
- Blue Circle Audio USB Tunnel 24/96 Digital Converter
- Devilsound DAC Version 2.1 USB Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Esoteric D-07 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Hegel Music Systems CDP2A CD Player
- Logitech Squeezebox Touch WiFi Music Player
- Simaudio Moon 300D Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Simaudio Moon Evolution 750D Digital-to-Analog Converter-CD Transport
- TEAC PD-H600 CD Player
- Weiss DAC202 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Western Digital WD TV Live Media Player
- Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- ASR Mini Basis Exclusive Phono Stage
- Blue Circle Audio BC703 Phono Stage
- Esoteric E-03 Phono Stage
- Nagra VPS Phono Stage
- Anthem LTX 500 LCOS Projector
- NūVision Lucidium NVU40FX5LS LED TV
- Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier
- Blue Circle Audio BC310FY Preamplifier
- Bryston BP26 DA Preamplifier and MPS2 Power Supply
- EAR 868 Preamplifier
- Jaton Operetta RC2000P Preamplifier
- VAC Renaissance Mk.3 Preamplifier
- VAC Renaissance Mk.3 Preamplifier
- Audience adeptResponse aR2-T Power Conditioner
- Crystal Cable Piccolo Power Cords
- Shunyata Research Hydra V-Ray Version II and Model-8 Version II Power Conditioners
- Shunyata Research Python CX, King Cobra CX, and Anaconda CX Power Cords
- WireWorld Silver Electra 52 Power Cords
- Ayre Acoustics MX-R Mono Amplifiers
- EAR 890 Stereo Amplifier
- Esoteric A-03 Stereo Amplifier
- Musical Fidelity Titan Stereo Amplifier
- Bel Canto Design e.One REF500M Mono Amplifiers
- Analysis Plus Black Oval 12 Speaker Cables and Micro Copper Oval-In Interconnects
- Artisan Silver Cables Ultimate Silver Dream Interconnects
- Audience Conductor-e Interconnects
- Cardas Clear Interconnect and Clear Beyond Speaker Cable
- Crystal Cable Piccolo Interconnects and Speaker Cables
- Nordost Norse Frey Interconnects and Speaker Cables
- Nordost Norse Tyr Phono Cable
- Shunyata Research Aeros Stratos-IC Interconnects and Aeros Stratos-SP Speaker Cables
- Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Speaker and Interconnect Cells
- WireWorld Silver Eclipse 6 Interconnects, Silver Eclipse 6 and Horizon Speaker Cables, Gold Starlight 6 Digital Cable
- XLO Electric Signature 3 Speaker Cables and Interconnects
- Paradigm Reference Signature S6 v.3 / C3 v.3 / APD3 v.3 / Sub 1 / PBK Home-Theater Speaker System
- Thiel Audio SCS4 / PowerPoint 1.2 / SS3 SmartSub / PX05 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Definitive Technology Mythos XTR-50 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Focus Audio Classic FC 8 / FCC 2 / FC 6 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Monitor Audio Silver RX6 / RX Centre / RXFX / RXW-12 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Paradigm Reference MilleniaOne / Seismic 110 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Paradigm Special Edition SE 1 / SE 3 / SE Center / SE Sub Home-Theater Speaker System
- Polk Audio RTi A1 / CSi A4 / DSW Pro 400 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Revel Concerta M10 / C10 / M8 / B120 Home-Theater Speaker System
- NAD T 175 A/V Processor
- NAD T 747 Audio/Video Receiver
- NAD T 775 Audio/Video Receiver
- AudioPrism Ground Control Grounding Cables
- Machina Dynamica Clever Little Clock Signature Version
- Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA Headphone Amplifier-DAC
- Schiit Audio Asgard Headphone Amplifier
- Silent Running Audio VR fp isoBASE Equipment Platforms
- Stillpoints ESS 28-40-3 Equipment Rack
Subcategories
(2010) Subwoofers
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(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.
(2010) Stereo Loudspeakers Over $10,000
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.
(2010) Stereo Loudspeakers $5,000-$10,000
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.
(2010) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Stereo integrated amplifiers and receivers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010. 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.
(2010) Stereo Digital Source Components
Stereo digital source components (CD and SACD players, DACs, music servers, etc.) reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010. 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.
(2010) Stereo Analog Source Components
Turntables, phono stages, cartridges, etc., reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010. 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.
(2010) Projectors and Video Displays
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2010) Preamplifiers
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2010) Power Conditioners and Cords
Power conditioners and power cords reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010. 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.
(2010) Power Amplifiers Over $5000
Mono, stereo and multichannel power amplifiers over $5000 reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010. 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.
(2010) Power Amplifiers $5000 and Under
Mono, stereo and multichannel power amplifiers $5000 and under reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010. 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.
(2010) Interconnects and Speaker Cables
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
(2010) Home-Theater Speakers Over $5000
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010 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.
(2010) Home-Theater Speakers $5,000 and Under
Loudspeakers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010 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.
(2010) Home-Theater Components
Home-theater components reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2010. 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.
(2010) Accessories, Stands and Other Products
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.