This issue was long on whole-house audio solutions. The Netstreams DigiLinx system and Polk IP speakers we reviewed were remarkable for their cutting-edge technology and high performance, but their lofty prices make them difficult to recommend for now. On the other hand, the three streaming music systems in our Spotlight report proved equally remarkable for their elegance and value. So the Philips WAC700/WAS700 Wireless Music Center and Yamaha MusicCAST system join the previously anointed Sonos Digital Music System on The List. Also new: Harman Kardon's Harmony-driven universal remote. Other highlights from The List are below. Prices in most cases are manufacturer's suggested retail, which may not reflect actual selling price.
HDTVs
Flat-Panel
Pioneer Elite PRO-1130HD 50-inch plasma
$6,500 (street price), February/March 2006
Pricey, but its truly outstanding picture makes it the best 50-inch plasma TV we've laid eyes on.
www.pioneerelectronics.com
Vizio P42HDTV 42-inch Plasma
$1,800, May 2006
With its crisp picture, natural color, and a street price closer to $1,500, this plasma bargain is hard to beat.
vizioce.com
Westinghouse Digital LVM-42w2 42-inch LCD
$2,300, June 2006
This high-value LCD panel delivers a sharp 1080p picture and accepts native 1080p HDTV signals, making it a match for future high-def disc players.
westinghousedigital.com
Rear-Projectors
JVC HD-70FH96 70-inch HD-ILA
$6,000 (street price), February/March 2006
A gargantuan 1080p picture with oodles of detail and the deepest black we've seen on an RPTV.
www.jvc.com
HP Pavilion MD6580n 65-in DLP
HP Pavilion MD5880n 58-in DLP
$5,500 (65 in), October 2005
$3,500 (58 in), April 2006
Superb color and detail, and a future-proof 1080p input, place these among the best bargains in HDTV.
hp.com
Sony KDS-R60XBR1 60-inch SXRD
Sony KDS-R50XBR1 50-inch SXRD
$4,500 (60 in), April 2006
$3,500 (50 in), November 2005
Sony delivers stunning picture quality in these 1080p, LCoS-based HDTVs.
sony.com
Front Projectors
Sony Cineza VPL-HS51 LCD
$3,500, April 2005
There’s terrific value in this LCD projector that delivers great HDTV and progressive-scan DVD images.
sonystyle.com
Samsung SP-H710AE DLP Front Projector
$4,000, May 2006
Designed in association with Joe Kane, this HDTV front pro costs a little more than its "budget" competition, but delivers super-accurate color.
samsung.com
InFocus Play Big IN76 DLP Front Projector
$3,000, May 2006
This HD projector boasts powerful light output, excellent grayscale and color reproduction, sharp detail, and a slick, sci-fi design.
www.infocus.com
Optoma HD72 DLP Front Projector
$2,000, May 2006
Its low price and great performance make the Optoma HD72 one of the great bargains in HDTV front projectors.
www.optomausa.com
Panasonic AE900U LCD Front Projector
$1,800, May 2006
The ability to deliver deep blacks and great shadow detail make this high-def LCD projector a tremendous value.
panasonic.com
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