A/V Product Reviews

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.

Wilson Audio’s new TuneTot monitor 2-way speaker features high-performance drivers in a compact cabinet to boldly go where no Wilson has gone before. From the bookshelf to the desktop, Wilson’s go-anywhere speaker is said to break the audiophile rules to work in the most hostile acoustical environments. But, does it also break the bank or is it a viable product in an already saturated category?

THX certified subwoofers were once the reserve for high-end home theaters, but Monoprice Inc. has now brought them within reach of us mere mortals with the launch of their Monolith series subwoofers. In this review, we look at two high-powered but affordable subwoofers, the 10" THX Select and 12" THX Ultra. The operative word for the design of these subs is 'overkill' which can be discerned from their ultra heavy-duty enclosures, beefy drivers, and powerful 500-watt amplifiers. Read our review of these beasts to find out if your home theater can handle this much low-frequency muscle.

Thinking of buying a Google Home in the near future? You may want to check out the new Polk Assist with Google smart technology and a Chromecast built in! With hands free control and easy integration with other Chromecast and Polk home theater devices this new assistant may be just what you're looking for.

When Onkyo sent me information on their 9.2 CH TX-NR787 AV receiver I honestly thought it was a mistake. Maybe Onkyo has something to prove or they're just trying to corner the market? Whatever the cause, it’s good for the consumer. Check out why everyone is looking at the Onkyo TX-NR787 receiver which offers 100 watts x 9 channels of processing, streaming options galore, and noteworthy updates to their AccuEQ room correction system for under $700!