2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2013 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: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Subwoofers
Price: $1500
Website: www.jlaudio.com
Kevin said: JL Audio’s E-Sub e110 is a terrific component. If $1500 is your price point, then you’re missing something special if you don’t give it a listen. Recommended.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: One of the best subs for the price we can think of.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Subwoofers
Price: $1900 in Black Ash, $2100 in Black Gloss
Website: www.jlaudio.com
Jeff said: At the end of the day, the E-Sub e112 is an output beast with fidelity to match. That’s worth the asking price in most any system. In fact, its performance makes the e112 the no-brainer buy of the year.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Pounds out high-fidelity bass.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Subwoofers
Price: $1799
Website: www.rel.net
S. Andrea said: The R-328 made my system sound more dynamic, and remarkably increased its ability to convey the ambient information contained on most naturally miked recordings. To sum up the REL R-328’s performance in a single word: excellent.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Not designed for HT, but for the audiophile in need of deep bass.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Subwoofers
Price: $1699
Website: www.svsound.com
Jason said: I heartily recommend the SVS PC13-Ultra. If you’re looking to add a subwoofer to a system that you use mostly for movies, but also want to use for listening to music without any drawbacks, I can’t imagine that it will disappoint you. If you’re looking for a music-only sub, the PC13-Ultra might well be overkill -- I doubt you’d ever use it to anywhere near its full capabilities.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: A good all-‘round sub in a tube.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1395 per pair
Website: www.amphion.fi
Hans said: Amphion’s Ion+ is a precision instrument. Its hallmark of accuracy makes it a compelling proposition, and its size and Northern European style make it an attractive one as well.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Finnish minimonitor with a distinctive style and neutral sound.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1800 per pair
Website: www.atlantictechnology.com
Philip said: I’m certain that the AT-2’s combination of strengths will appeal to those who want the more full-range sound of a floorstander combined with the sort of imaging usually heard only from minimonitors. If that describes you, you’ll definitely want to hear a pair of AT-2s.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Great bass, and overall pretty good.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1000 per pair
Website: www.audiopro.com
Jeff said: For speakers so small, the LV2e’s had wonderful resolution and exceptional transparency, while establishing a soundstage of impressive depth and dimension. They’re fast, delicate, and detailed, and their two-way design coherently integrates the bass, treble, and midrange.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: Who wouldn't want a powered, leather-wrapped minimonitor?
- Details
- Parent Category: 2013 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2013) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $4187 per pair
Website: www.audiosolutions.lt
Doug said: All told, for its asking price, the Rhapsody 80 performed exceedingly well in my room. Color me impressed -- very impressed.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: A new company producing a surprisingly good speaker for a fair price.