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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2018 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2018) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
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.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: Re-evaluate what you think great speakers cost.
- 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.