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2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide

The 2018 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 unless indicated otherwise.

Bowers & Wilkins DB2 Active Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Subwoofers

Price: AU$5300

Website: www.bowers-wilkins.net

Edgar said: The DB2D offers excellent build quality, superb driver engineering, generous high-tech features via comprehensive DSP and App control, a pedigree based on the world’s largest speaker manufacturer (alongside a high resale value) and, of course, extraordinary low frequency sound quality.

Read the SoundStage! Australia review.

The gist: Complete subwoofer package from a giant in the industry.

Elac Adante SUB3070 Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Subwoofers

Price: $2499

Website: www.elac.com

Brent said: Elac’s Adante SUB3070 is a beautifully designed, technically sophisticated subwoofer with the most capable and friendly control app I’ve ever encountered in a sub. It has the smooth, well-defined sound a subwoofer needs to blend well with a high-end music system, and its app allows it to be tuned to near perfection, even in situations in which the optimal subwoofer position must be compromised for the sake of visual aesthetics.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Sub for you connoisseurs of fine bass.

Elac IW-S10EQ In-Wall Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Subwoofers

Price: $1299.98

Website: www.elac.us

Brent said: The Elac IW-S10EQ is a very well thought-out and reasonably priced solution for those who want deep bass but lack the space for a subwoofer -- or who don’t want to listen to complaints about their sub taking up too much space.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: The nifty app is the main selling point.

Monoprice Monolith THX Ultra 15” Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Subwoofers

Price: $1299.99

Website: www.monoprice.com

Brent said: If you value precise pitch and definition over toe-tapping groove, this is your sub. If you value awesome punch over couch shake, this is your sub.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Sub that puts bass quality before quantity.

REL Acoustics 212/SE Active Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Subwoofers

Price: AU$6499

Website: www.rel.net

Edgar said: Given the 212/SE’s powerful set of attributes, I have to say that I was rather smitten… and will indeed miss this most superbly engineered and thought-out product.

Read the SoundStage! Australia review.

The gist: Getting this sub integrated properly is a key strength.

Aurender S5W Battery-Powered Wireless Active Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

Price: $3000 per pair

Website: www.aurender.com

Gordon said: In short, Aurender’s S5W is a beautifully made active wireless speaker that offers a unique mix of simplicity and versatility.

Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.

The gist: Great build, cool battery operation, with pretty good sound.

Axiom Audio M5HP Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
  • Reviewers Choice

Price: $968-$1474 per pair, depending on finish

Website: www.axiomaudio.com

Philip said: A speaker like Axiom’s M5HP is proof that you can get incredible sound, superb engineering, and fantastic build quality at a reasonable price.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Re-evaluate what you think great speakers cost.

Bowers & Wilkins 606 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2018) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

Price: $800 per pair

Website: www.bowers-wilkins.com

Diego said: In my room, the Bowers & Wilkins 606 provided clean, surprisingly ample bass for its size; a clean, extended top end; and a detailed, airy midrange -- all with very few cabinet colorations.

Read the SoundStage! Access review.

The gist: Incrementally better than its predecessors.

  1. Bowers & Wilkins 704 S2 Loudspeakers
  2. DALI Callisto 2 C Active Speaker System
  3. Definitive Technology Demand D11 Loudspeakers
  4. Definitive Technology Demand D9 Loudspeakers
  5. Dynaudio Special Forty Loudspeakers
  6. Edifier S350DB Loudspeaker System
  7. Harman/Kardon Invoke Voice-Controlled Wireless Loudspeaker
  8. KEF Q150 Loudspeakers and Kube12b Subwoofer
  9. KEF Q750 Loudspeakers
  10. MartinLogan Motion 20 Loudspeakers
  11. Monitor Audio Silver 200 Loudspeakers
  12. Monitor Audio Silver 300 Loudspeakers
  13. Paradigm Monitor SE Atom Loudspeakers
  14. Paradigm Prestige 15B Loudspeakers
  15. Studio Electric M4 Loudspeakers
  16. Technics Grand Class SB-G90 Loudspeakers
  17. Totem Acoustic Signature One Loudspeaker
  18. Totem Acoustic Sky Tower Loudspeaker
  19. Bowers & Wilkins 803 D3 Loudspeakers
  20. Bryston Middle T Active Speakers
  21. Burmester Ambience BA71 Loudspeakers
  22. Kii Audio Three DSP-Controlled Active Loudspeakers
  23. Muraudio SP1 Loudspeakers
  24. Raidho Acoustics XT-5 Loudspeakers
  25. Tidal Piano G2 Loudspeakers
  26. Wilson Audio Specialties TuneTot Loudspeakers
  27. Yamaha NS-5000 Loudspeakers
  28. Devialet Gold Phantom Digital Loudspeaker System
  29. M8audio Sweet Maxwell Loudspeakers
  30. Rethm Maarga Loudspeakers
  31. Triangle Esprit Australe EZ Loudspeakers
  32. Absolare Signature Integrated Amplifier
  33. Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  34. Cocktail Audio X35 Music System
  35. Control4 Triad One Streaming Amplifier
  36. Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  37. Hegel Music Systems H590 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  38. Hegel Music Systems H90 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  39. McIntosh Laboratory MA9000 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  40. Musical Fidelity M6 Encore 225 Music System
  41. NAD C 316BEE V2 Integrated Amplifier
  42. NAD C 328 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  43. NAD D 3020 V2 Bluetooth Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  44. NAD T777 V3 A/V Receiver
  45. Peachtree Audio decco125 Sky Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  46. Simaudio Moon 240i Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  47. Soulution 330 Integrated Amplifier
  48. T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier
  49. Technics Ottava f SC-C70 Music System
  50. Vinnie Rossi LIO Integrated Amplifier
  51. Vitus Audio RI-101 Integrated Amplifier
  52. Vitus Audio RI-101 Integrated Amplifier
  53. AVM Ovation SD 6.2 Preamplifier-DAC-Streamer
  54. Benjie BJ-T6HD Digital Music Player
  55. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) Network Streamer
  56. Chord Electronics Qutest DAC
  57. Esoteric Grandioso G1 Master Clock Generator
  58. Linnenberg Elektronik Telemann DAC-Preamplifier
  59. Lumin T1 Network Player
  60. Redgum Audio RGDAC8 Digital-to-Analogue Converter and RGMP8 Media Player
  61. Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Digital-to-Analog Converter with Analog 2 Upgrade
  62. Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Digital-to-Analog Converter with Analog 2 Upgrade
  63. T+A Elektroakustik DAC 8 DSD D/A Converter
  64. Waversa Systems WDAC3 Mk.II Digital-to-Analog Converter
  65. Cambridge Audio Duo Phono Stage-Headphone Amplifier
  66. DS Audio DS-W2 Phono Cartridge & Equaliser
  67. European Audio Team E-Glo S Phono Stage
  68. JE Audio HP20 Phono Stage
  69. MAG-LEV Audio ML1 Magnetic Levitation Turntable
  70. NAD C 558 Turntable with Ortofon OM Super 10 Cartridge
  71. Nagaoka MP-110H Moving-Iron Phono Cartridge
  72. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Classic SB Turntable
  73. Shelter Audio Harmony Moving Coil Cartridge
  74. Simaudio Moon 110LP v2 Phono Stage
  75. Sumiko Oyster Moonstone Moving-Magnet Phono Cartridge
  76. Sumiko Oyster Rainier Moving-Magnet Phono Cartridge
  77. Sumiko Reference Starling Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge
  78. Top Wing Blue Dragon Phono Cartridge
  79. VPI Prime Signature Turntable
  80. ZYX Ultimate 4D-X MC Phono Cartridge
  81. Balanced Audio Technology VK-53SE Preamplifier
  82. Constellation Audio Revelation Pictor Preamplifier and Optional DC Filter
  83. MartinLogan Unison Wireless Preamplifier
  84. Trinnov Amethyst DAC-Preamplifier-Processor
  85. Audience Au24 SX powerChord Power Cord
  86. Faber’s Power AC Products
  87. Nordost QKore1 Grounding Unit
  88. Shunyata Research Denali D6000/S Power Distributor
  89. Shunyata Research Hydra Typhon QR Power Distributor
  90. Synergistic Research SR25 Limited Edition Power Cord
  91. Balanced Audio Technology VK-255SE Stereo Amplifier
  92. PS Audio Stellar M700 Mono Power Amplifiers
  93. Simaudio Moon 888 Mono Amplifiers
  94. Cambridge Audio Yoyo (L) Wireless Speaker
  95. Dynaudio Music 7 Wi-Fi Speaker
  96. Elac Discovery Z3 Wi-Fi Speaker
  97. Grace Digital Mondo+ Wi-Fi Radio
  98. JBL Link 500 Wi-Fi Speaker
  99. Klipsch Heritage Wireless Three Wi-Fi Speaker
  100. Analysis Plus Silver Apex Speaker Cables and Interconnects
  101. in-akustik Referenz LS-4004 AIR Loudspeaker Cable
  102. sILENzIO Cable Loom
  103. TARA Labs The Muse Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  104. Tellurium Q Silver Diamond Speaker Cable
  105. SVS Prime Bookshelf / Elevation / Center / Satellite / SB-2000 Home-Theater Speaker System
  106. Acoustic Research AR-E010 Earphones
  107. Acoustic Research AR-H1 Headphones
  108. AKG N60 NC Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Headphones
  109. Akoustyx R-220 Earphones
  110. Audeze LCD2 Closed-Back Headphones
  111. Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 Headphones
  112. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC-700BT Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Headphones
  113. B&O Play Beoplay H9i Bluetooth NC Headphones
  114. Base Audio G12 Headphones
  115. Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless Headphones
  116. Bowers & Wilkins PX Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones
  117. Campfire Audio Comet Earphones
  118. Campfire Audio Solaris Earphones
  119. Fidue A85 Virgo Earphones
  120. Focal Clear Headphones
  121. Focal Elegia Headphones
  122. Fostex TH909 Headphones
  123. HiFiMan Ananda Headphones
  124. iFi xDSD DAC-Headphone Amplifier
  125. Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Headphones
  126. Marshall Headphones Mid A.N.C. Bluetooth Headphones
  127. Massdrop x NuForce EDC3 Earphones
  128. Monoprice Monolith M650 Headphones
  129. NAD Viso HP70 Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones
  130. PSB M4U 8 Headphones
  131. PSB M4U TW1 Bluetooth Earphones
  132. Sennheiser HD 660 S Headphones
  133. Sennheiser HD 820 Headphones
  134. Sonarworks True-Fi Headphone EQ Software
  135. Tribit Audio XFree Tune Headphones
  136. Furutech NCF Booster Cable Holder
  137. GIK Acoustics 2A Alpha Diffusor/Absorber Acoustic Panel
  138. Nordost Sort Kone BC Resonance Control System
  139. Redgum Audio RGPH2ENR Phono Stage
  140. SGR Audio Model V Statement Hi-Fi Equipment Rack
  141. VPI MW-1 Cyclone Record-Cleaning Machine

Subcategories

(2018) Subwoofers

(2018) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

(2018) Stereo Loudspeakers Over $10,000

(2018) Stereo Loudspeakers $5,000-$10,000

(2018) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers

(2018) Stereo Digital Source Components

(2018) Stereo Analog Source Components

(2018) Preamplifiers

(2018) Power Conditioners and Cords

(2018) Power Amplifiers

(2018) Portable Speakers

(2018) Interconnects and Speaker Cables

(2018) Home-Theater Loudspeakers

(2018) Headphones and Related

(2018) Accessories, Stands and Other Products

Us

Schneider
Dennis Burger
Jason Thorpe
Joseph Taylor
Geoffrey Morrison
Edgar Kramer
Gordon Brockhouse
Vivid Audio D26
Vivid Audio Kaya

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