It's always fascinating to look back on the 150 or so products we touch each year at Sound & Vision and select those that left an indelible impression on our editors and reviewers. After the votes are tallied and the debates quelled, we often end up with an eclectic list: big, small, cheap, expensive; products that perform remarkably, and some that simply perform but speak so loudly to the philosopher-enthusiast inside us that they deserve to be recognized. And so it is that our 2006 Editors' Choice Awards range from the pricey (a $21,000 LCD flat-panel TV, a $16,000 front projector) to the affordable ($350 headphones, a $250 wireless music system); from the evolutionary (the world's first 50-inch 1080p plasma set, a next-gen game console) to the breakthroughs (the world's first high-def disc player, an IP-based multiroom audio system).
We hope you'll find this year's mix of products as intriguing as we do.
Let us know what you think.
HD-XA1 HD DVD Player
June
Format wars are nasty things.
Everybody in the supply chain hates them, including the electronics manufacturers, the movie studios, the retailers, and especially the consumers, who — if they're really smart — will skip the whole mess till things play out and put that money into a flat-screen instead.
So the greatest tribute that can be paid to Toshiba's first HD DVD players is that so many really smart enthusiasts couldn't wait to slap down full retail for the HD-XA1 flagship ($799) or the value-priced HD-A1 ($499). Much of that had to do with the superlative reviews of their picture and sound following their introduction last spring. This, in spite of universal condemnation of the players' ergonomics, which were clunky, slow, and inconvenient.
In the end, it was Toshiba alone — not Blu-ray's band of Keystone Kops — that unflinchingly delivered on the long-delayed promise of high-definition movie discs. And these discs, thanks to the meticulous work of committed studios like Warner and Universal, actually proved from word go that we could have film-like video of unmatched purity, detail, and punch that easily eclipsed the slop that often passes for HD over broadcast channels. By the CEDIA Expo in September, anyone wandering the show floor could see that HD DVD had become a new favorite for demonstrating high-end home theater gear.
As I write this, the Blu-ray camp has finally achieved video equity with HD DVD with its latest players and software — some 6 months after the launch of HD DVD. Meanwhile, Toshiba is about to replace the HD-XA1 and HD-A1 with second-generation models. So the horse race is on, and we'd be fools to predict how the battle will end.
But looking back on a year filled with mostly evolutionary new products, it's obvious none raised the bar quite so high or had as profound an impact on the industry or thrilled the serious videophile more than HD DVD. Our hats go off to Toshiba for hitting the mark so squarely while fighting the underdog fight, and we're proud to name the world's first high-def disc player, the HD-XA1, Sound & Vision's Product of the Year.
tacp.toshiba.com
— Rob Sabin
Pioneer Elite PRO-FHD1 50-inch Plasma HDTV
October
As far as picture quality goes, plasma technology has always had the upper hand in the flat-panel TV wars. And since Pioneer's Elite PRO-FHD1 is the best-performing plasma TV to hit the market, that makes it the best flat-panel TV available — period. Pioneer's plasmas have long been able to deliver images with a deep, CRT-like black and rich, natural-looking color. But what the PRO-FHD1 adds to the mix is true 1080p resolution — something that until now has been missing from plasma sets. Aside from its standard-setting picture, the Pioneer's other benefits include a sleek, black-toned design, a Dot-by-Dot mode that lets you bypass the set's video processing, and a generous range of inputs, including custom installer-friendly DVI, RGB+H/V, and RS-232 connections.
At $8,000 (a few grand more than other like-size plasmas on the market), the PRO-FHD1 isn't a casual purchase. And its 50-inch screen size makes it suited for only small to medium-size rooms. But if you're looking for a flat-panel TV and aren't willing to make any picture-quality compromises, this Pioneer is the one to buy.
pioneerelectronics.com
— Al Griffin
Sony KDL-40XBR2 40-inch LCD HDTV
November
The year 2006 marked a turning point — and I'm not referring to the recent congressional elections. I'm talking about the video performance of LCD TVs finally starting to catch up with other display technologies. As the first-ever LCD model to receive an S&V Editors' Choice award, Sony's KDL-40XBR2 ($3,500) racked up that honor by putting out a picture discerning viewers can hang their hats on. The biggest advancement here is in the set's handling of dark images: Even the gloomiest movies show rock-solid blacks and a high level of shadow detail. And the plentiful picture adjustments, including a variable backlight and flexible color-temperature and gamma settings, all pitch in toward achieving great performance. When you add features like 1080p resolution, automatic contrast enhancement for daylight viewing, and a side-panel HDMI input for plugging in a PlayStation 3, Sony's 40-inch LCD, while far from being the most affordable model in its size range, is definitely the most desirable.
sonystyle.com
— Al Griffin
SIM2 HT3000 1080p DLP Front Projector
October
I've discovered the secret to happiness: having a 1080p-rez video front projector to watch movies with. Sim2's HT3000 was the first 1080p model to come through my door, and it set a lofty standard that all other projectors now have to meet. With this single-chip DLP projector plugged in, high-def movies look exquisitely crisp, with little evidence of "rainbow" effect. And its extensive setup features let you easily optimize the picture for all video sources. Although the HT3000 isn't the brightest 1080p model out there, it delivers punchy contrast and more than sufficient light output for a dark home theater. It also looks pretty sweet with the lights turned on — leave it to an Italian company like Sim2 to take care of that. At $16,000, you'll definitely pay for the pleasure of hanging this projector from your ceiling, but its refined, near-flawless picture won't leave you wanting. www.sim2usa.com
— Al Griffin
Tivo Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder
November
Anyone who appreciates how superior TiVo's guide and navigation features and storage capacity are compared to those of DVRs leased by cable companies will be delighted to make the Series3 the centerpiece of his home theater. (Those cable-company DVRs make you scan through commercials when you'd rather leapfrog them, typically run out of space if you dare to save 10 hours of high-def shows, and shut out multicast broadcasts from over-the-air stations that the cable operator doesn't deign to carry.) THX certification, a striking front panel that displays both titles when two programs are being recorded, and a backlit remote are just some of the features that put the Series3 ($800 plus $12.95 monthly subscription) in a league by itself.
Further distancing the Series3 from cable-company boxes that can display only cable channels, TiVo has added the ability to convert and play various formats from the video-exploding Internet; expanded its search and WishList functions to unify results from broadband, broadcast, and cable sources; and enabled home movies sent over the Web to be shared by friends and family. Suddenly, getting a Season Pass to the grandkids is a click away — something no cable box can match.
tivo.com
— Michael Antonoff
Sharp LC-65D90U 65-inch LCD HDTV
May
When the history of HDTV is finally written, 2006 will surely be seen as the year LCD flat-panels came of age. From the beginning of the year to the end, manufacturers steadily pushed the state of the LCD art. Along the way, they improved LCD's black levels and largely eliminated image smearing on fast motion, allowing us to finally take the technology seriously as an alternative to plasmas and projection HDTV for home theater movie-watching. At the same time, they drove LCD screen sizes larger and larger ... and larger.
But back in May, when we were first to review it, none even came close to the 65-inch Sharp LC-65D90U ($21,000). I remember uncrating the 175-pound beast for the first time in our test lab: Sleek, sexy, svelte, and simply massive, it commanded attention well before it was turned on. The fact that it had 1080p resolution when few other 1080p LCDs yet existed was one more feather in its cap.
In such a banner year for LCD, the spotlight on the LC-65D90U naturally faded as LCD makers — including Sharp itself — introduced new-generation sets whose performances eclipsed it. But for Sharp's bold and ongoing commitment to advancing LCD technology, and the sheer guts to introduce the biggest, baddest, and most expensive LCD anyone had ever seen, we offer this salute.
sharpusa.com
— Rob Sabin
Sony PlayStation 3 Game Console/Blu-ray Disc Player
January 2007
As a non-gamer, I approached the prospect of testing Sony's PlayStation 3 ($599) with some trepidation. Would playing videogames make me violent? And what were the chances of a home invasion should word get out that I was harboring a PS3? Turned out there was nothing to fear — Sony's multimedia wonder is all good. Not only does it deliver picture and sound quality on par with the other Blu-ray Disc players on the market, its speedy Cell processor gives it an ergonomic edge by enabling the player to quickly load discs and scan menu items. The PS3's built-in Dolby TrueHD decoding, HDMI 1.3 output, and Ethernet port also offer comfort that your hard-earned dollars aren't being spent on a product that will soon become obsolete. And then there's the built-in Wi-Fi link for tapping into a home network for online game play — and retrieving firmware updates. The first item on our update wish list: more flexible video-scaling options. That and a whole lot more PS3s, so everyone can own one.
sonystyle.com
— Al Griffin
Anthem AVM 50 A/V Preamp/Processor
October
When Anthem released the THX Ultra2-certified AVM 30 preamp/processor a few years back, its wide array of surround processing modes (including Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES), along with a six-channel analog input with full bass management, made it the must-have product for home theater. Now, with the AVM 50 ($4,699), the company has pulled off the impressive feat of adding broadcast-quality video processing to the package. Its hefty sampling of video jacks — everything from four HDMI inputs to component-, composite-, and S-video plugs — can accept video in any format you care to feed it upconvert the signal to a crisp 1080p-rez picture. And the Gennum VXP pixel-based, motion-adaptive processing ensures that images retain clarity even during fast-motion movie scenes. I could go on endlessly barking about the benefits of Anthem's amazing preamp, but there's no need to. This component essentially sells itself.
anthemav.com
— Al Griffin
Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
November (as part of the Klipsch RF-83 home theater system)
It's big, it's a substantial chunk of change ($1,999), and you might find it a bit awkward anywhere except in a corner, but Klipsch's flagship subwoofer is a stellar reproducer of deep bass, delivering the real thing down to truly proctological frequencies in genuinely cinema-grade quantities. An unusual three-cone layout, massive amplification, and competent DSP room-EQ combine for accurate, fully extended bass with enough volume and dynamics for almost any setup. (If not, you could always buy two ...)
klipsch.com
— Daniel Kumin
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Sony STR-DA5200ES 1080p A/V Receiver
December
Sony's STR-DA5200ES ($1,500) is the first A/V receiver to really earn its "V," because it's the first that can handle 1080p — which does or doesn't matter, depending on what TV you own, who you talk to, and what belief system you subscribe to. More important, it delivers truly useful video scaling and processing, cross-conversion from pretty much everything to everything, and — fanfare, please — full graphic displays on all outputs, including HDMI. Oh yeah: It also has the by-far-coolest, most graphically slick, PS3-styled onscreen displays and menus. The Sony's user interface can be a bit labyrinthine, and the audio side of the equation is merely flagship-average (though that's very good), but this is one nifty, innovative receiver nonetheless.
sonystyle.com
— Daniel Kumin
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KEF Q-Series Speaker System
November
Beautiful to see, beautiful to hear — is there anything else you desire from a speaker? KEF's Q-Series system ($3,500) proves that the British are still masters and commanders of transducer technology. And somewhere along their 100-year evolutionary technical path, they've learned how to design for both style and substance. "Damn, these are fine-looking!" That's what I thought as I pulled the speakers out of their cartons, running my hands across their sculpted wooden cabinets. Then when I heard their silky-smooth sound, I realized that beauty is more than veneer-deep. The iQ9, iQ6c, and iQ8ds sats provided a warm low end as well as midrange clarity and upper-frequency evenness. When goaded with my massive receiver's volume control, the system responded with crystal-clean sound at concert-hall levels. The PSW3500 sub was stoutly competent — especially given its moderate size — providing very musical bass. It also adds the considerable perk of remote control of level, phase, and crossover frequency — perfect for tweaking your LFE between movies and music. My traditionally stiff upper lip quivered when I had to pack up these speakers and return them to KEF.
kef.com
— Ken C. Pohlmann
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Bose QuietComfort 3 Noise-canceling Headphones
October
An Editors' Choice award for a pair of headphones? An iPod accessory? Well, yeah. Not because they're the first noise-canceling 'phones to come down the pike or because of any earth-shattering technology. Nor can I argue that they give the shopper in me goosebumps for their fabulous value — at $349, these things are almost breathtakingly expensive. But they deliver the goosebumps, nonetheless, for several reasons. First, they perform very well, with cannily balanced, unfatiguing sound and excellent, refined noise-reduction circuitry. Second, they represent (for me, at least) a breakthrough in comfort for on-ear headphones, thanks to their light weight and memory-foam ear pads, which are easy on the ears while delivering a good seal from outside noise. And third, their packaging and presentation will instill a pride of ownership that makes you feel like you've got something special every time you pull them out. I get to try out a lot of products, and few of them ever turn into something I'd really want to own. Plain and simple, nothing else I've played with all year has gotten as much personal use or more strongly deserves my unabashed endorsement as the QuietComfort 3s.
bose.com
— Rob Sabin
Definitive Technology ProCinema 800 Speaker System
November
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I confess a weakness for really good small, cheap speaker systems, and this, as Pogo might say, are one. The trick for creating any such system is to make the right compromises in the right places, something Def Tech has done with great finesse here. The ProCinema 800 ($1,099) produces enough bass to satisfy modest rooms, with enough extension to create a decently cinematic experience — and without the bloat or boom of so many HTiB minisystems. Also, the ProCinema 800 satellites get the critical midrange so near perfectly right that this little system is a pleasure to listen to with music as well. Plays really loud, too, if you consider the size (or even if you don't).
definitivetech.com
— Daniel Kumin
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Netstreams DigiLinX Audio System
July/August
Polk LC265i-IP In-wall IP Speaker System
July/August
To be named as a product of the year, a component has to be firing on all cylinders — breaking new ground in both innovation and performance. This year's winners in Multiroom A/V give us an exciting glimpse of audio distribution's future. The collaboration that NetStreams and Polk Audio announced in 2003 finally came to fruition in 2006, and it was worth the wait. The performance and expandability of this truly forward-looking, entirely IP (Internet protocol)-based audio system leave nothing to be desired.
NetStreams' DigiLinX ($7,270) is a fully IP-based system that has virtually no limits to the number of zones or sources it can support. Plus, its StreamNet technology overcomes a major problem with IP distribution — delay — so music is in sync as you walk from room to room. Network-friendly devices such as Escient and ReQuest music servers simply plug into the SwitchLinX Ethernet switch and instantly become available to every listening zone in the house. DigiLinX supports legacy sources such as CD players and satellite-radio tuners, too. Also, the SMM100 Streaming Music Manager grabs music from any shared music folders on your network. Since the system is entirely IP-based, control via desktop, laptop, or any Web- enabled device on the network is no problem.
While you could add NetStreams' SpeakerLinX amps to drive any speaker, the Polk LC265i-IP in-wall speaker ($1,449) is literally tailor-made for the job. With IP distribution, the digital signal is kept full-bandwidth right until it reaches the onboard amps, producing purer fidelity, with no signal loss or chance of picking up line noise. And every LC265i-IP in an IP system is an independent zone, so you can log in with a Web browser and select sources, change volume, and make bass, midrange, and treble adjustments. Also, the Performance Optimization Wizard ensures you get the best sound possible in your listening environment by letting you tweak the speakers' DSP to correct for anomalies caused by less-than-ideal placement. All of this adds up to one of the best-sounding in-walls I've heard, with tight, punchy bass and an incredibly wide soundstage.
netstreams.com
polkaudio.com
— John Sciacca
HP z556 Digital Entertainment Center
February/March 2006
When you consider its three TV tuners, pause-and-replay FM tuner, and superb handling of over-the-air HDTV programs along with everything else this Media Center PC does, HP's z556 ($1,500) is a great value. Media Centers aspire to replace your DVR, DVD recorder, and audio server, even while letting you download movies and check e-mail. And, unlike an office PC, the z556 looks like it belongs in your home theater. I really enjoyed using the free but deep program guide to record high-def shows like Lost and archive them to DVDs playable in newer Windows notebooks. But the z556 has already been replaced in the HP line by the z560 ($1,800) and z565 ($3,000). Both incorporate dual-core Intel processors, larger-capacity hard drives, and more RAM. They're also Intel Viiv-compatible and Windows Vista-ready.
hp.com
— Michael Antonoff
Niles IntelliControl ICS Multiroom Audio System
October
For years, computer manufacturers have been producing modular, card-based systems that users can outfit and upgrade at will. Niles followed this approach in revamping its IntelliControl line, developing the GXR2 chassis that can be personalized with any combination of up to six Integration Modules. Want multiple Sirius and XM feeds? No problem. Need simultaneous access to multiple iPod streams? Piece of cake! And with two new IMs that support HD Radio and networked audio devices, the ICS system ($6,800) proves that it's capable of changing with the times.
An audio-distribution system's heart is amplification, and the ICS has one of the strongest amps I've tested, blasting out 60 watts to each of 12 channels with full, rich sound. A distribution system's soul is its control, and the ICS offers four options to fit any budget and need. To truly excel, next-gen systems need to display metadata so you can find what you want, and the ICS has you covered here, too. The star of its controller lineup is the incredible iRemote. You can put this bad boy in your pocket and stroll through the house, wirelessly operating any zone while always knowing what's on. Now that's control!
nilesaudio.com
— John Sciacca
Crestron Adagio Entertainment System
October
While Crestron's name is virtually synonymous with ultra-high-end installations, its systems have been beyond the reach of most homeowners. Enter Adagio ($13,600 as reviewed), a far more approachable system that works right out of the box. That's right — Crestron with no programming. When outfitted with AM/FM, XM, or Sirius tuner cards, the CEN-IDOC iPod docking station, and the Adagio audio server, the system is plug-and-play, while still providing the metadata needed to browse your digital sources. iPod users will feel right at home with the APAD controllers, which let you use the scroll wheel to browse music as if the Pod had never left your hand! Eschewing the black-box cosmetics of most audio-distribution products while providing full system control, the six-zone, 10-source AES chassis looks as good as it performs.
Crestron's real trick was packing the Adagio with its Series 2 processor. This gives the Adagio the pedigree to do far more than just music, including the ability to automate your lighting, HVAC, security, and more. And with its new Adagio media system — which combines all of the audio-distribution features with a full-blown home-theater receiver that includes HDMI switching — this is one system that can truly do it all.
crestron.com
— John Sciacca
Logitech Wireless DJ Music System
December
Forget about big-bucks servers and phone-book-size owner's manuals. What you need is a low-cost way to wirelessly — and effortlessly — stream music through your home. With the Wireless DJ, storing music in your computer (as opposed to filling up bookcases with CDs) becomes eminently practical, and at a cost ($250) that's tiny compared to some wireless servers. First, install Logitech's StreamPoint software on your PC to create a unified, browsable music catalog. Next, connect the USB Bluetooth transmitter to the PC and the receiver/docking station to your playback system. Then use the rechargeable remote to navigate your PC's music resources — streaming MP3, AAC, WMA, Internet radio, podcasts, and other audio formats. The DJ system can support as many as four wireless receivers with an advertised range of 150 feet, but you can stream to only one room at a time. Reception in my house was excellent, and sound quality was limited by the quality of the source files, not by the Bluetooth connection. If you need an economical wireless link between your PC and home theater, the DJ is the answer. Or, if you want to buy a wooden bookcase, please contact me c/o S&V.
logitech.com
— Ken C. Pohlmann
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TWEETER CE PLAYGROUND
When Jamie Sorcher profiled Tweeter's first "concept" store, in Las Vegas, for the September 2005 issue, she wrote, "It's obvious from the moment you walk in that this store focuses on home-entertainment solutions, not stuff." In 2006, the company opened two more "CE Playgrounds" — one in Oak Brook, IL, and one in Burlington, MA — that put the same emphasis on customer service, beginning with a concierge who greets you when you walk in, helps determine your needs, and figures out the best way to address them. You can then walk through a variety of simulated room environments, where you can try out flat-panel TVs, front-projection systems, speakers, multiroom control systems, and all kinds of other A/V gear. Complimenting the chain on its forward-looking approach to retailing, Jamie ended her article by calling a visit to a Tweeter concept store "a stroll into the future that's worth taking." For rethinking how people not just shop for but experience home-entertainment gear, Tweeter earns our Editors' Choice Award for Retailer of the Year.
tweeter.com
Exceptional Entertainment Experience
ANDRE BROWN
Bonita Springs, FL
Andre Brown of Exceptional Entertainment Experience in Bonita Springs, Florida, installed the system in Exceptional Innovation founder Seale Moorer's Columbus, Ohio, home. For creating such a well conceived and executed system using cutting-edge gear, we've named him our Installer of the Year.
Has integrating PCs changed how you approach installations?
My company installs home networks, and most people have computers in their homes already. I'll give prospective clients a demo showing the Media Center's ease of use with one remote, and usually the wife loves it first. I started using PCs as a source and as a control solution 3 years ago when I was first introduced to Exceptional Innovation and its Lifeware software.
How have you overcome problems with PC lockups and restarts?
First, I clean off all the unnecessary things on the PC that can make it have problems. After that, the client surfs the Net only with one or two of their other computers, so there really aren't any lockups or restarts.
Does working with Media Center PCs restrict your installs in any way?
No. I believe in keeping things simple. A Media Center, some kind of amp or receiver, and some speakers are all you need.
What is the biggest advantage of using Lifeware?
I used to do AMX and Crestron, but when a client cuts back on a budget, the first thing that goes is the A/V gear. With Lifeware, the ease of programming, the debugging, and just the overall use of the system cut the cost of automation in half. The clients can then use that money to buy better gear.
How do you prepare for a job on the scale of Seale Moorer's house?
I sit down with my team and say, "If this were your house, how would you want it to work?" And that's how we look at all our jobs, whether they're big or small.
What challenges did you face on that install?
The biggest challenge was trying to get that many new products to work together and keep them in a stable environment. Also, with so many things on the network, it was a challenge to get the right gear to handle the traffic. You can't do that type of install with low-end gear. The most imposing challenge was getting everything to work together in the time frame we had to work with. I'm really proud that my team was able to put it all together and make it work.
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