Sound & Vison's Best
The best gear to buy right now
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Audio Separates
Anthem AVM 50 Preamp/Processor
$4,699, October 2006
anthemav.com
Anthem MCA 50 5-Channel Amplifier
$2,299, October 2006
anthemav.com
Home Theater Speakers
Definitive Technology ProCinema 800
$1,099 as tested, November 2006
Top-mounted passive radiators in the tiny satellites extract surprising bass from this value-priced system.
definitivetech.com
JL Audio Fathom f112
$2,200, November 2006
Simply put, a 115-pound beast of a subwoofer that goes way low and loud but still fits in a relatively compact box.
home.jlaudio.com
KEF Q Series
$3,500 as tested, November 2006
Beautiful cabinetry and classically refined British sonics in an affordable system that should, frankly, cost more.
kef.com
Thiel PowerPoint 1.2 Ceiling Speaker
$10,750 as tested, December 2006
This astonishing system delivers true high-end sound from ceiling-mounted speakers for demanding listeners with some serious budget to work with.
thiel.com
Crystal Acoustics THX-3D12
$1,999, June 2006
Balanced and powerful British sound is the hallmark of this THX-certified system with a hefty 12-inch subwoofer.
crystalaudiovideo.com
B&W XT Series
$5,800, May 2006
Striking high-end looks combined with that classic B&W sound: exceptionally clean midrange, refined highs, and precise imaging.
bwspeakers.com
Infinity Cascade Home Theater Speaker System
$5,194 as reviewed, September 2006
www.infinitysystems.com
Revel Concerta System
$3,794, December 2005
These big, boring, rectangular boxes are so well built and sound so accurate and unstrained that only your spouse will care that they're a throwback to the 1970s audiophile aesthetic.
www.revel.com
Definitive Technology Mythos and Mythos Gem
Mythos, $3,694, January 2004; Mythos Gem, $2,048, June 2005
DefTech invented the high-performance “plasma speaker” with the slim, aluminum-enclosure Mythos system, then followed up with the more affordable Mythos Gem.
definitivetech.com
Infinity TSS-4000/1100
$2,394, October 2005
An all-around great-sounding and good-looking on-wall/freestanding system.
infinitysystems.com
Magnepan Magneplanar MC-1
$2,250, April 2005
Thin dipole-panel speakers that deliver remarkably three-dimensional and accurate sound.
magnepan.com
Energy Take Series
$2,225, July/August 2005
Extends the high-value tradition set by the original Take 5 series in a stylish new design.
energy-speakers.com
Atlantic Technology System 1200
$1,280 to $1,410, November 2005
A good all-around system for movies and music that delivers AT's classic neutral sound at an affordable price.
atlantictechnology.com
Aperion Intimus 532 System
$1,339, November 2005
Excellent stereo imaging, a vertical-array center speaker, a strong compact sub, and good build quality make for great value.
aperionaudio.com
Yamaha YSP-800 Digital Sound Projector
$900, February/March 2006
Both smaller and cheaper than the original YSP-1 or its successor the YSP-1000, the YSP-800 delivers exceptional one-speaker surround sound for flat-panel TVs.
yamaha.com/yec
Paradigm Cinema 110
$800, April 2005
An excellent-sounding and stylish compact system with dipole surrounds — a rarity at this price.
paradigm.com
HSU Research Ventriloquist V-12/STF-1
$500, October 2004
Cleverly designed 6.1-channel system that represents the pinnacle of value.
hsuresearch.com
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