A/V Product Reviews

The new AKG N5005 in-ear monitor features four interchangeable sound filters that let the user tweak the headphone’s frequency response. This five-way hybrid design employs a single dynamic driver and four balanced armature drivers per side. The removable cables can be swapped out for the included bluetooth dongle for hands-free, wireless listening and phone calls. Will this $1,000 flagship compete with the even pricier designs from JH Audio, 64 Audio, Audeze, and Shure?

High end audio stalwart Definitive Technology is back with a Dolby Atmos system that will make even the most demanding home theater enthusiast salivate. This 5.0.4 Dolby Atmos setup is perfect for spaces that can't fit dedicated subwoofers or discrete height speakers but still want the full slam that you'd expect from a premium home theater setup. Our review explores the full capabilities of this Atmos speaker system to determine if it has all you need to achieve a fully immersive experience.

McIntosh’s 7-foot-tall XRT2.1K loudspeaker now has a smaller sibling in the XRT1.1K. Designed to deliver flagship tech in a less imposing package, the XRT1.1K still stands nearly 6 feet tall and contains 70 drivers, but should be at home in a wider range of listening environments. McIntosh says its line array design provides superb imaging from any seat in the house. Read on to learn more.

With the new LSX wireless speakers, KEF seeks to repeat the success the company had with the LS50 Wireless. Smaller and more stylish, the LSX delivers a scaled-down LS50 experience for half the price. A proprietary wireless inter-speaker connection offers placement flexibility while enabling the wire-free installation that customers have come to expect from Sonos and similar home audio products. Read on to learn more.

There is a lot of online buzz about Philharmonic Audio's BMR Philharmonitors, so we decided to get a review pair to see what they were all about. These large bookshelf speakers use a 3-way design with a very special driver outlay that has audio enthusiasts excited about the potential performance advantages that it could offer, especially for the price. In our in-depth review, we ask the question, do these speakers live up to the hype surrounding them? Read on to find out what we have uncovered.

The new “Serie HT” home theater subwoofers from REL promise to shake your foundation walls while shaking up the competition. The revered British brand has a loyal following among audiophiles, but these new subs are the first from the company to target home theater shoppers with limited budgets. Will REL become the go-to brand for affordable home theater subwoofers?

The Amazon Fire TV Cube is an all-in-one media streamer and voice-activated smart speaker. The new $120 device allows the user to control TVs, AV receivers, sound bars, and even cable boxes using voice commands. Can we finally ditch our remote controls and let Alexa handle all of our entertainment needs? Read on to find out.

Some other speaker manufacturers look at subwoofers as "accessory" products, high in price, but low on precision and design. Paradigm though has always given us high performance subs at reasonable price points. Will they continue this tradition with their affordable V12 and heavy hitting X12? Read on to find out what our detailed product review and precision measurements had to say and be sure to also check out our YouTube video overview of the Defiance series of subwoofers.

Internet direct company Monoprice released details on their state of the art Monolith HTP-1 16 Channel Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D home theater processor with Dirac & Alexa compatibility. This 16 channel processor looks to be engineered for the most demanding audiophile and comes in at $1,000 less than the Emotiva RMC-1. Does it have all the features you need for your new fully immersive home theater? Read on to find out.

The new Atlantic Technology Gatecrasher 1 is the first in a series of smart, multi-room wireless speakers from the company. The $499 Wi-Fi and bluetooth-enabled tabletop speaker is a 2.1-channel design with a premium look and high-performance aspirations. Will the Gatecrasher 1 have what it takes to carve out a niche in the increasingly crowded multi-room speaker market?

RSL recently announced the CG5 Bookshelf Speaker and CG25 Monitor / Center Channel Speaker which pushes RSL Speaker’s products into higher price points and higher levels of performance. The $400 and $500 each price points don't have buyers shying away as they are completely sold out for December. Find out why in our preview of RSL's newest products and see what performance upgrades you get over their popular CG3 line.

Wharfedale’s new D300 Series seeks to redefine expectations for low-cost, high-performance loudspeakers. The four-strong range consists of two compact bookshelf speakers, one floor-stander, and one center-channel speaker, all priced to challenge Elac’s Debut 2 series for the entry-level crown. Will the Wharfedale D300 Series speakers have what it takes? Read on to learn more.

Fluance has followed up its successful 2016 entrance into the turntable business with four new models. The RT82 ($300), RT83 ($350), RT84 ($450), and RT85 ($500) offer industry-leading build quality and high-end components at reasonable prices. All built upon a common shared platform, the four models are distinguished by the different platters and cartridges that come as part of the package. We compare the differences to help you decide which one is right for you. Read on.

There is no shortage of floor-standing speakers in the $2k/pair price range, yet Paradigm has decided to jump back in this market segment with a brand new design. Using technology trickled down from their acclaimed Persona series, Paradigm has launched the Premier line so audio enthusiasts can get some of the high-end sound of the Personas but without paying the high-end price tags. In this full review, we take a close look at the Premier 800F floor-standing and 500C center speakers to determine if Paradigm pulled off a sonic miracle.