Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50-inch plasma HDTV
$2,400 ($3,200 list), September 2008
Each generation of Panasonic plasma tends to be better than the last, and this THX-certified 50-incher is no exception. "The striking thing about the Panasonic's picture," observed reviewer Al Griffin, "was its color balance in THX mode." Green grass looked exceedingly natural, while red flags managed to look rich without seeming too vivid. The best thing: the price, which makes it one of the most affordable sets in the category.
panasonic.com
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HDTV
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LG LG4760 47-inch HDTV
$2,600 ($3,199 list), July/August 2008
A fine TV that offers unique styling, outstanding color, and superior video processing that was deft at handling day-to-day standard-definition material.
lgusa.com
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Samsung LN46A750 46-inch LCD HDTV
$2,400 ($2,799 LIST), SEPTEMBER 2008
Delivers a solid high-def picture, is DLNA-compatible, and can display InfoLink feeds.
samsung.com
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Mitsubishi HC6000 1080p LCD front projector
$3,995, June 2008
Ups the ante set by its HD1 predecessor with a crisp high-def picture and superb picture contrast.
mitsubishi-presentations.com
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Sony XEL-1 11-inch OLED TV
$2,500, April 2008
The first OLED to hit the market defines the phrase "truly flat": Its cabinet depth is a mere 3 millimeters.
sonystyle.com
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A/V ELECTRONICS
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Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray Disc player
$500, May 2008
Looking for a standalone Blu-ray Disc player? You'll be hard-pressed to find a $500 model that's as pretty to look at or as well equipped, or that works as smoothly, as this one. Noted reviewer Rob Sabin: "I was satisfied with the crisp, vivid look of the animation in Meet the Robinsons and the well-mixed surround effects from that disc's uncompressed PCM soundtrack." Clean, dynamic, and sleek-looking to boot - bingo!
panasonic.com
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Anthem Statement D2 A/V processor
$7,499, June 2008
Room correction makes the best A/V processor out there even better.
statement.anthemav.com
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Integra DTR-8.8 A/V receiver
$2,400, July/August 2008
Combines HDMI 1.3 switching with a solid set of power and processing abilities.
integrahometheater.com
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Rega P3 24 Turntable
$1,470 as tested, June 2008
Able to reveal microscopic sonic details and a sense of space, it's a smart step-up model for vinyl addicts looking to enter the high-fidelity Big Leagues.
rega.co.uk
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SPEAKERS
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Infinity Classia home theater speaker system
$4,094 as tested, September 2008
Controlled, detailed, transparent sound; very good dipole/bipole/monopole surrounds; and a wireless sub that delivers the low-end goods
infinitysystems.com
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Thiel Audio SCS4 speakers and SS1 subwoofer
$5,380 as tested, September 2008
Emphasizing sound quality over sound quantity, this system rounds out nicely as a true full-range package with the addition of a sub that packs quite a wallop.
thielaudio.com
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Soundcast Outcast all-weather wireless speaker system
$699, September 2008
Comes through on its promise of providing plug-and-play wireless music, making it a great solution for adding tunes to remote listening areas.
soundcastsystems.com
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