2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
The 2021 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: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Subwoofers
Price: $799.99
Website: www.svsound.com
Gordon said: The 3000 Micro performed well—remarkably well for its size—and looks great.
Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.
The gist: Little sub packs a big-time punch.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
Price: $1599 per pair
Website: www.acoustic-energy.co.uk
Gordon said: The AE1 Actives definitely held their own against the KEFs, which have already received a Reviewers’ Choice award.
Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.
The gist: Add a DAC-preamp and you’re ready to go.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
Price: $3999.99 per pair
Website: www.bowers-wilkins.com
Evan said: Aesthetically and sonically, the B&W 705 Signature ticks every box on the audiophile checklist for standmount speakers at any price.
Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.
The gist: The strength of B&W is you know what you’re getting, and the 705 Signature is no exception.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
Price: AU$5999 per pair
Website: www.definitivetechnology.com
Mark said: They are excellent all-round floorstanders at an affordable price and they only get better with higher resolution music formats.
Read the SoundStage! Australia review.
The gist: A lot of speaker for the money.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
Price: $1999 per pair
Website: www.airpulse.com
Gordon said: For anyone looking for an affordable, highly revealing, all-in-one active speaker, the Airpulse A300Pro deserves a careful listen.
Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.
The gist: Solid product, but not quite Gordon’s favorite.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
Price: $1598/pair and $1199, respectively
Website: www.hedd.audio
Gordon said: For less than three grand, you get a superbly integrated, fully active sat-sub system with 700W of built-in amplification and a specified frequency response of 24Hz-40kHz, -3dB.
Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.
The gist: Beautifully integrated sub-sat system for almost any environment.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
Price: $2499 per pair
Website: www.kef.com
Gordon said: I think it’s the best deal in hi-fi right now.
Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.
The gist: Gordon was blown away.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
Price: $399 per pair
Website: www.psbspeakers.com
Gordon said: What I can say is that I’d love to have a pair of AM3s on my desktop, for watching movies, listening to music, or catching up on the news.
Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.
The gist: Incredible value in a powered desktop speaker system.
