A/V Product Reviews

Polk Audio has announced an all-new flagship line of speakers called the Legend Series. There are six models in the series: two bookshelf speakers, two floor-standers, a center-channel speaker, and a height/elevation speaker for home theater use. The range-topping L800 SDA sells for $6k/pair and features a unique “Stereo Dimensional Array” to cancel out stereo interaural crosstalk and deliver immersive sound with precise imaging. Read on and watch our CEDIA 2019 Youtube interview video to learn how Polk has brought back legendary SDA technology.

Legacy Audio is dropping the gauntlet down with their new 600 wpc iV7 7CH and 8CH Class D amplifiers which they claim to be the most powerful home theater amplifiers in consumer audio to date. Armed with the latest ICE high power modules and independent power supplies gives us little reason to doubt this claim. The fact that Legacy uses these amplifiers in their $80k flagship Valor speaker system gives a good indication of amount of performance and power this platform offers. Did we also mention they look great? Read on for more details.

Denon's new PMA-600NE Integrated Amplifier looks audiophile and sports 70 watts per channel for only $399! Or does it? Look closer and you'll see that Denon may be being ambitious with its power ratings. Read on to learn all of the juicy details of the affordable PMA-600NE integrated amplifier and matching CD player to see if our scrutiny is justified or if it's really a good deal for the price especially considering all of the audiophile features packed into this machine.

Monoprice was one of the first to bring highly affordable THX subwoofers to market, and now they continue that trend by introducing highly affordable THX speakers. The Monolith THX-365T and 365C speakers are some of the most inexpensive THX-Ultra certified home audio speakers to ever have been produced. This raises the question: how is Monoprice able to make THX-Ultra caliber speakers affordable? Read our full review to find out.

Anthem has launched a new series of advanced, multi-zone audio distribution systems aimed at audiophiles who want great-sounding music all around their homes. The MDX Series features Anthem’s ARC Genesis room correction as well as the ability to add subwoofers with custom bass management settings for every zone. The series includes the 8-zone, 16-channel MDX-16 ($2,999) and the 4-zone, 8-channel MDX-8 ($1,999). Both units are shipping now; read on to learn more.

Revel had a good loudspeaker platform in the Performa3 line. In fact, the basic design was so good that Revel decided to see what would happen when that design was upgraded to its full performance capabilities by using some of the highest-end components available such as air-core inductors, polyfilm capacitors, anodized aluminum woofers, and even a Beryllium tweeter. Read our detailed review of the Performa M126Be hot rod bookshelf speakers to see how much these premium components added to an already solidly engineered design.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 represent a completely new physical and acoustic design with new drivers and improved noise cancelling capabilities compared to its predecessor. This wireless bluetooth headphone allows the user to choose how much noise to block out or let in, depending on the requirements of the listening environment. Other key features include compatibility with Bose’s unique augmented reality platform and the ability to gain new features via over-the-air updates.

We were so impressed by the Paradigm Defiance X12 review that we asked Paradigm to send us its bigger sibling, the X15, so we could see how much further the Defiance platform can be pushed. Paradigm happily complied, and in for review today, we have the massive Defiance X15. This thing is a beast in size, but is it a beast in performance as well? Does the X15 live up to the expectations set by the X12? Read our in-depth review to find out!

Pro Audio Technology has introduced three new multipurpose loudspeakers designed for “ultimate accuracy, resolution, and unrestricted dynamics.” PRO claims that its new S and SR Series speakers can produce surprisingly full-range, visceral sound, despite their relatively modest cabinet sizes. The speakers all feature unique elliptical horns and wide-bandwidth “Ultra-Purity” high-frequency compression drivers, mated with 12-inch woofers. They promise BIG sound, and full performance metrics for better integration.

The YG Acoustics InVincible 21.2 is a monster subwoofer with twin 21-inch “BilletCore” drivers milled from solid slabs of aircraft-grade aluminum. The $100,000 InVincible 21.2 stands nearly six feet tall and weighs in at 462 pounds. With 6,000 watts of power on board, this sub promises to be the ultimate bass foundation for the world’s best stereo and surround sound systems. Read on to learn more.

The price range between $1.5k and $2k seems to be a sweet spot for tower speakers from many of the major speaker manufacturers. There are hundreds if not thousands of choices in this range. Recently, Audioholics reviewed five of what we consider to be some of the better speakers in this category. In this article, we take an overview of these five speakers and look at what each one brings to the table. Read our round-up of tower speakers in this range and watch our related YouTube video discussion to see if one of these makes a good fit for you.

With CEDIA just around the corner, audio manufacturers are scrambling to get their newest products ready for fall releases. Denon has one upped them by not only releasing information on their newest receiver, the AVR-X3600H, but also that it's shipping now! At $1,100, the new AVR-X3600H has 9CH of amplification and 11CH of processing to do a full 7.1.4 speaker system with the addition of a 2CH external amplifier. This is one of the least expensive AVR's on the market with 11CH of processing making it a compelling product to use as an inexpensive prepro with all the latest in HD audio and video processing.

Monitor Audio has completely redesigned its MASS satellite/sub speaker system. The 5.1-channel package includes 5 diminutive satellite speakers and a compact subwoofer, all wrapped in stylish woven fabric. At $950 for the package, the MASS speaker system promises a more cinematic experience than the faux surround provided by sound bars. Does it have what it takes to live up to that claim? Read on to learn more.

The Integra DRX-4.3 AV receiver sports the latest in HD audio and video with 9 amplification channels on-board and the ability to add an external 2CH amplifier to run a full 7.1.4 speaker configuration. It's a feature laden AVR with some excellent custom integrated tools that help differentiate it from its Onkyo lineup counterpart. In this review, we bench tested the older DRX-4.2 AV receiver and tested its HDBaseT system by running HD audio and video to a different room in the Audioholics Showcase home. We looked at what the newer DRX-4.3 successor model offers in comparison and discussed any potential shortcomings of both products.