Philips Pronto TSU9600 Touchscreen Remote Control
$1,299, $1,899 as tested, June 2007 Philips pulled out the stops in this latest-generation Pronto touchscreen remote, adding features such as Wi-Fi communication and easy control of Escient music servers and Lutron lighting systems. pronto.philips.com
Bose QuietComfort 3 Noise-Canceling Headphones
$349, October 2006
Though pricey for a pair of headphones, the QC3 combines cannily balanced, unfatiguing sound with excellent noise-reduction circuitry and a remarkably comfortable, lightweight on-ear design. bose.com
Apple iPod Hi-Fi Speaker System
$349, May 2006
This one-piece, portable tabletop solution was designed with good sound in mind — and you'll hear it on every track. apple.com
Harman Kardon TC30 Universal Remote
$299, July/August 2006
Harman wisely licensed the web-based programming capabilities and "activity-driven" operation from Harmony's award-winning remotes for this sleek spinoff. harmankardon.com
Logitech Wireless DJ Music System
$250, December 2006
This system for streaming music from your PC to a sound system in a remote room has some limitations — even with additional receivers available through Logitech, you can still stream to only one remote zone at a time. But its low cost, simple setup, and elegant wireless remote make it the poor man's Sonos. logitech.com
