2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2016 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: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Subwoofers
Price: $799.99
Website: www.jlaudio.com
Hans said: Given the level of performance it was able to muster in my system, and the fact that it’s the smallest, least expensive subwoofer JL Audio makes, I worry for the competition.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: JL breaks into a new price range.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Subwoofers
Price: $999.99
Website: www.jlaudio.com
Howard said: Like the crazy puppy who lives in my building, the d110 might not be fully grown, but it sure doesn’t act that way. And surprisingly, unlike the puppy, the d110 has bark and bite, providing high output, linear extension, and, above all, tuneful music. It stands among the best of a large class of highly able competitors, and might even be the very best of that small bunch.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: JL-quality bass for under a grand is always a good deal.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Subwoofers
Price: $1499.99
Website: www.psbspeakers.com
Kevin said: PSB has not only cut the edge but stropped it razor sharp; it’s a bold statement, and a challenge to all other makers of subwoofers.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Flagship PSB subwoofer strikes all the right cords.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $4299 per pair
Website: www.atcloudspeakers.co.uk
Wes said: If you want the sound quality and sturdiness of a pro speaker, and the knowledge that your music was likely monitored in the studio through speakers made by the same company in the first place, then look at ATC’s Consumer HiFi models. A pair of ATC SCM19 V2s ($4299), along with their clean- and open-sounding P1 dual-mono power amplifier ($4200), total $8499 and would be hard to match.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: Small prosumer speaker packs a punch.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $749 per pair
Website: www.audioengineusa.com
Hans said: It’s pretty and stylish, with a gorgeous real-wood finish. Its high-quality remote has a pleasing weight and solidity. Perhaps most important, its Bluetooth functionality was flawless in execution. Add to these its smooth midrange and properly punchy bass, and Audioengine’s HD6 is an easy recommendation for, well, just about anyone.
Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.
The gist: Audioengine’s most expensive speaker to date is also their best.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $2780 per pair
Website: www.audiosolutions.lt
Jeff said: The AudioSolutions Overture O203F is a solid choice of speaker at a competitive price. Which is just what a lot of folks are looking for.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Cool-looking speaker from Lithuania offers admirable sound quality for a good price.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $2390 each
Website: www.devialet.com
Hans said: For around $5000, a pair of Silver Phantoms offers more to consumers than any other complete sound system I can think of. It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, and it’s not quite perfect, but the Devialet Silver Phantom is the most daring effort to come out of the high end in a long, long time.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: Groundbreaking product, period and point blank.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2016 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2016) Stereo Loudspeakers Up to $4,999
Price: $1599 per pair
Website: www.dynaudio.com
Hans said: Dynaudio’s Xeo 2 is a little powerhouse, with spacious sound, bell-like midrange clarity, and genuinely taut, powerful bass. Also praiseworthy are its boundary-related tuning, clever adaptive bass technology, and tiny proportions. But what I find most commendable is that all of this can be had for $1599/pair, with no need for additional hardware or wiring.
Read the SoundStage! Access review.
The gist: The smallest Xeo is the line’s most advanced.