A/V Product Reviews

The original Dynamo subwoofer series were a smash hit for MartinLogan, but they are not a company to rest on their laurels or past accolades. The redesign of their Dynamo subwoofers was massive project years in the making that we got to see first-hand. These new subs place an emphasis on wireless technologies, with smartphone app control of the subs functions, app control of automated room equalization, and optional wireless signal transmission. They are loaded with a plethora of other innovations and performance enhancements. To find out more, read our preview of the new MartinLogan Dynamo subwoofers.

RBH has done it again! Another premium Bluetooth in-ear monitor. But this time the product is built specifically for hi-res audio. A lot has changed in Bluetooth technology with the addition of aptX HD and LDAC and the new ProStereo H2 features both hi-resolution audio codecs, making it an important musical companion for anyone streaming from an Android phone. Read our review and check out our YouTube video to see if these are the right wireless earphones for you.

The $549 NR1509 and $749 NR1609 from Marantz pack new features into their slim and elegant chassis. Now with Alexa compatibility and support for multi-room music via Denon’s Heos and Apple’s Airplay 2 protocols, the latest slimline receivers do it all. If you have a small space, a limited budget, and high expectations, these new receivers from Marantz might be just what you’ve been waiting for.

Monoprice Monolith series of products attempt to elevate the brand as evident with their latest USB DAC Headphone Amp, Portable Headphone Amp and DAC with THX AAA Technology, and M565C/M1060C Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones . Most of these are available now, but the Portable Headphone Amp and DAC with THX AAA Technology have yet to be released. Read on to determine if these items are products of interest or "one hit wonders".

The Sonus faber Sonetto collection of loudspeakers brings new technologies and Italian craftsmanship within reach of more audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. The eight-strong range includes two bookshelf models, three floor-standers, two center-channel speakers, and an on-wall model for surround duties. Is this the sweet spot between luxury and affordability?

In this review, we look at the Polk T15 bookshelf speakers, which are among the more affordable choices out there at $100 per pair ($69/pr on sale right now). Loudspeaker manufacturing giant Polk Audio has the resources to engineer a good sounding low-cost speaker, but the question is what approach would they take? Polk pulls out a few tricks to optimize this speaker for the conditions that a low-cost bookshelf speaker will likely be used in, which are typically not the perfect placement and setting that hi-fi speakers usually require for great sound. Read our review to see what Polk has done to make the T15 bookshelf speakers produce audiophile sound in imperfect circumstances.

Panasonic’s DP-UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray player will sell for €1,000 when it hits European shelves this October. Packed with cutting-edge video technologies, the new flagship player hopes to fill the high-performance void left by the late Oppo Digital players. But will the DP-UB9000 reach American shores, or will it remain as elusive as Panasonic’s OLED TVs?

How low in price can a full-size bookshelf speaker go yet still sound good? Monoprice tries to answer that question with the MP-65RT, which, at an impossible $50 per pair price point ($40 on sale), has to be the least expensive speaker in history to sport a ribbon tweeter. However, the inclusion of a ribbon tweeter in such an inexpensive speaker doesn't mean the rest of the speaker isn't good. Read our review of the MP-65RT Ribbon Bookshelf speaker to find out how Monoprice managed to make it all work at such a low cost.

With Onkyo’s purchase of Pioneer in 2015 it was just a matter of time before Pioneer introduced their foray into the midpriced / hi-end AV receiver arena with their Elite VSX-LX303. The 9.2 channel AV receiver is priced at $799 and, like Onkyo’s TX-NR787 supports and upmixes to DTS:X and Dolby Atmos soundtracks via 5.2.4-ch or 7.2.2-ch speaker layouts. See how this model compares to its Onkyo brethren.

The SR7012 is among the first crop of Marantz receivers to offer Amazon Alexa voice control and AirPlay 2 support (via firmware update). Along with robust HDR support and the latest HDMI 2.0 specifications, the SR7012 is at home in both smart homes and those wanting cutting edge tech. Add eleven channels of processing; nine on-board, assignable amplification modules; HEOS multi-room streaming; hi-res audio playback; and support for every major consumer 3D audio format on the market today and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value-laden package.

With CEDIA just around the corner we're seeing an influx of new AV receivers from all the major manufacturers. Yamaha decided to update their entire AVENTAGE RX-A lineup of receivers with their new and improved AVENTAGE RX-A 80 series. With the top three receivers adding artificial intelligence for surround and dialogue optimization and all six adding wireless surround options, Yamaha is looking to stand out and be noticed. Read on to see if their mission is accomplished.

After 16 years of great reviews from their JC 1 amplifier, Parasound has finally given consumers exactly what they want: Two top-of-the-line Halo JC 1 monoblock power amplifiers integrated into a single chassis that is the same size as one JC 1. The new Parasound Halo JC 5 combines high power and ultra-high bias Class A/AB sonic quality at roughly two-thirds the price of a pair of JC 1s.

With the recently released MK402 bookshelf speaker, Dayton Audio answers the challenge for a small bookshelf speaker that has significant bass extension and is also very inexpensive. The MK402, along with its corresponding MK442 center speaker, manages this engineering feat, but what else can these little over-achievers do? The answers to that question surprised us but you will have read our review of these budget wonders to find out.

We’ve seen our share of wireless adaptors through the years, but like upfiring Atmos speakers, some of them get the job done but we usually only recommend them when you can't use the real thing. Knowing the engineers at SVS though they’ve probably upped the ante on these wireless adapters to do wireless sound without compromise. Get the details to see if it's time to cut the cord once and for all.