2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2012 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: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Subwoofers
Price: $999
Website: www.paradigm.com
Vince said: On its own, without the Perfect Bass Kit or the PT-2 Wireless Transmitter, Paradigm’s Series 7 Monitor Sub 12 was a reasonably good subwoofer that performed as well as other subs in its price range; I have no reason to dissuade you from buying one. But two Sub 12s with PBK and PT-2 made an exceptional combo. The depth of bass, the transient performance, and all the features such as wireless transmission and room correction put it in a higher class, and that makes it one of the best options at the price available today.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: A good sub made even better with great accessories.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $795 per pair
Website: www.roundsound.com
Ron said: Anthony Gallo Acoustics’ Classico CL-2 is a reasonably priced, well-made bookshelf loudspeaker that, while requiring a bit more tweaking than I’m accustomed to, gave a very good account of itself, presenting a wide, spacious soundstage with very good to excellent imaging cues. Though not a detailmeister, it was quite pleasant to listen through, finding the “good” in even questionable recordings.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Classic round sound from a box speaker.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $790 per pair
Website: www.aperionaudio.com
Hans said: It’s an attractive and thoughtfully designed package that purports to be nothing other than what it is. It forgoes deep bass to focus on producing an expansive, evenhanded sound with admirable imaging. And with its ten-year warranty on drivers and 30-day guarantee, with free shipping both ways, the interested listener can sample a pair without risk. Bearing in mind Aperion’s return rate of less than 5%, the odds heavily favor the 5T making only a one-way trip.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Very nice little floorstander for the money.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $399 per pair
Website: www.audioengineusa.com
Hans said: In juggling many considerations in its 5+, Audioengine has contrived to not drop one. As well executed as it is well designed, this attractive bookshelf speaker is a thoroughly practical product that worked, and worked well, practically right out of the box. You could spend the same amount of money on a pair of passive bookshelf speakers and perhaps get better sound. You could invest in an identically priced pair of active speakers and get similar sound. But the 5+ combines quality sound with an attractiveness and remote-controlled, multiple-input convenience that separates it from its competitors. Emphatically recommended.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: The powered monitor to beat at its price.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $2998 per pair
Website: www.definitivetech.com
Roger said: When I reviewed the Definitive Technology Mythos STS SuperTower loudspeaker, I was impressed by how good it sounded, especially considering its slim, good looks. I was even more impressed by the excellent performance of Definitive’s new BP-8080ST SuperTower. By any standard, both are exceptional speakers. Those who might dismiss the Mythos STS because of its “lifestyle” look will miss out on a great speaker. Those who might dismiss the BP-8080ST because of its bipolar design or other reasons will miss out on an even better one.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Big speaker, big sound, not-so-big price.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $398 per pair
Website: www.definitivetech.com
Roger said: The Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45 is an excellent combination of performance and value in an entry-level loudspeaker. It offers a clean midrange, and smooth high frequencies that provide a high level of performance and musicality. It also has enough bass and power-handling capability to play loud enough when my listening sessions get a bit rowdy. All of this is packaged in an attractive bookshelf design at the ridiculously low price of $199 each.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Ridiculous value for money.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $598 per pair
Website: www.definitivetech.com
Philip said: If you like solid bass, clear-cut imaging, and a clean, open midrange, but don’t have the room and/or the money for bigger speakers, Definitive Technology’s StudioMonitor 55 could be what you’ve been waiting for. It does many things well for the audiophile on a budget, and doesn’t take a back seat to speakers costing even multiples of its price.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Sound quality unheard of at this price just a few years ago.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2012) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $2450 per pair
Website: www.dynaudio.com
Brooke said: I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Dynaudio Focus 110 A. It offered a beguiling combination of smoothness, accuracy, and transient speed with low-end extension and dynamic capabilities that belied its small size. The price of $2450/pair is reasonable for what the Focus 110 A does, but the fact that the speaker includes four channels of amplification tailor-made for the drive-units they’re connected to makes them a relative bargain.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: Very good all-around powered monitor from a speaker-making powerhouse.
- Dynaudio Focus 260 Loudspeakers
- Dynaudio Xeo 3 Wireless Powered Loudspeakers
- Elemental Designs EL8.3t Floorstanding Loudspeakers
- Fluance XL7F Loudspeakers
- Focal Chorus 807 W Prestige Loudspeakers
- Focal Chorus 836 W Prestige Loudspeakers
- GoldenEar Technology Aon 3 Loudspeakers
- GoldenEar Technology Triton Three Loudspeakers
- KEF R500 Loudspeakers
- MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL Loudspeakers
- MartinLogan Motion 40 Loudspeakers
- Monitor Audio Gold GX100 Loudspeakers
- Orb Audio Mod1 Loudspeakers
- Paradigm Millenia CT Powered 2.1-Channel Loudspeaker System
- Polk Audio LSiM703 Loudspeakers
- Polk Audio LSiM705 Loudspeakers
- PSB Imagine Mini Loudspeakers
- PSB Imagine T2 Loudspeakers
- Silverline Audio Minuet Supreme Plus Loudspeakers
- Tyler Acoustics Decade D4M Loudspeakers
- Artos Audio Sunrise Loudspeakers
- Bowers & Wilkins 802 Diamond Loudspeakers
- Crystal Cable Arabesque Mini Loudspeakers
- Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature Loudspeakers
- Magico Q1 Loudspeakers
- Magico Q7 Loudspeakers
- Raidho Acoustics C2.1 Loudspeakers
- Vivid Audio Giya G2 Loudspeakers
- YG Acoustics Kipod II Signature Loudspeakers
- EgglestonWorks Fontaine Signature Loudspeakers
- Monitor Audio Gold GX300 Loudspeakers
- PMC twenty.24 Loudspeakers
- Vandersteen Audio Treo Loudspeakers
- Von Schweikert Audio VR-35 Export Deluxe Loudspeakers
- Arcam FMJ D33 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Audio Research DSPre Preamplifier-DAC
- Audioengine D2 Wireless Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Calyx Audio Femto Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Calyx DAC 24/192 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Cambridge Audio Azur DacMagic Plus Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 Network Music Player
- Hegel Music Systems HD20 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- High Resolution Technologies Music Streamer II+
- Meitner Audio MA-1 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Musical Fidelity M1DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter
- NAD Masters M51 Direct Digital Digital-to-Analog Converter
- NuForce DAC-9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- NuForce Icon uDAC-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter/Headphone Amplifier
- Resonessence Labs Invicta Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Simaudio Moon Evolution 650D DAC-Transport
- TEAC UD-H01 Digital-to-Analog Converter
- WideaLab Aurender S10 Music Server
- Wyred 4 Sound MS-1 Music Server
- Densen Audio Technologies DP-Drive Phono Stage
- Musical Fidelity M1ViNL Phono Stage
- Parasound Zphono.USB Phono Stage/Analog-to-Digital Converter
- Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP Phono Stage
- Blue Circle Audio BC109 Preamplifier
- SMc Audio VRE-1C Reference Preamplifier
- Audience aR12-TS Power Conditioner
- Audience aR6-TS Power Conditioner
- DH Labs Encore Power Cord
- ESP MusicCord-Pro ES Power Cord and Power Conditioner
- Hemingway Audio Prime Reference Mk.II Power Cord
- Siltech Ruby Hill II and SPX-800 Power Cords / Octopus Signature Eight Power Distributor
- Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers
- Ayre Acoustics VX-R Stereo Amplifier
- Blue Circle Audio NSL Stereo Amplifier
- Boulder Amplifiers 1060 Stereo Amplifier
- Esoteric A-02 Stereo Amplifier
- Eximus S1 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
- First Watt J2 Stereo Amplifier
- JE Audio VS70.1 Stereo Amplifier
- Jones Audio PA-M300 Series 2 Mono Amplifiers
- McIntosh Laboratory MC452 Stereo Amplifier
- Rogue Audio Medusa Stereo Amplifier
- Vitus Audio Signature SM-010 Mono Amplifiers
- AudioQuest Diamond and Carbon FireWire 800 Cables
- DH Labs Odyssey Speaker Cables, White Lightning Interconnects, and Silversonic USB Digital Interconnect
- Hemingway Audio Prime Reference Mk.II Speaker Cables and Interconnects
- Synergistic Research Element Copper, Tungsten, and Copper-Tungsten-Silver Interconnects and Speaker Cables
- Bel Canto Design e.One C5i Digital-to-Analog Converter/Integrated Amplifier
- Esoteric I-03 Integrated Amplifier
- Hegel Music Systems H300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Musical Fidelity M6 500i Integrated Amplifier
- NAD C 375DAC Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- T+A Elektroakustik E-Series Music Receiver
- Axiom Audio Epic 60•500 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Fluance SXHTB+ Home-Theater Speaker System
- Paradigm Series 7 Monitor 11 / Center 3 / Surround 3 / Sub 12 Home-Theater Speaker System
- Anthem AVM 50v 3D Audio/Video Processor
- NAD T 787 A/V Receiver
- Onkyo TX-NR5010 A/V Receiver
- Beyerdynamic Tesla T 70 Headphones
- Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones
- HiFiMAN Express HM-601 Portable Audio Player
- HiFiMAN HE-400 Headphones
- Kinivo BTH220 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
- Logitech UE 9000 Wireless Headphones
- MartinLogan Mikros 70 Earphones
- Polk Audio UltraFit 2000 Sports Headphones
- Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
- PSB M4U 2 Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
- RHA SA950i Headphones
- SMS Audio Sync by 50 Wireless Headphones
- Stax SR-507 Lambda Signature Earspeaker Headphones
- Trends Audio PA-10.1D Headphone Amplifier/Preamplifier
- WooAudio GES Headphone Amplifier
- BSG Technologies qøl Signal Completion Stage
- NAD Viso 1 iPod Dock
- NuForce Cube Compact Portable Loudspeaker
- Spin-Clean Record Washer Mk.II
- Zoom H1 Handy Recorder