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2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide

The 2021 SoundStage! Network Buying Guide features summaries of all stereo and home-theater products reviewed in the calendar year across all of our publications. The Buying Guide is subdivided by product and price, with each article including pricing details, a review summary, a full-review link, and product-award indicators.

All prices are in US dollars unless indicated otherwise.

SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Subwoofers
  • Reviewers Choice

Price: $799.99

Website: www.svsound.com

Gordon said: The 3000 Micro performed well—remarkably well for its size—and looks great.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.

The gist: Little sub packs a big-time punch.

Acoustic Energy AE1 Active Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

Price: $1599 per pair

Website: www.acoustic-energy.co.uk

Gordon said: The AE1 Actives definitely held their own against the KEFs, which have already received a Reviewers’ Choice award.

Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.

The gist: Add a DAC-preamp and you’re ready to go.

Bowers & Wilkins 705 Signature Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

Price: $3999.99 per pair

Website: www.bowers-wilkins.com

Evan said: Aesthetically and sonically, the B&W 705 Signature ticks every box on the audiophile checklist for standmount speakers at any price.

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: The strength of B&W is you know what you’re getting, and the 705 Signature is no exception.

Definitive Technology Demand D17 Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

Price: AU$5999 per pair

Website: www.definitivetechnology.com

Mark said: They are excellent all-round floorstanders at an affordable price and they only get better with higher resolution music formats.

Read the SoundStage! Australia review.

The gist: A lot of speaker for the money.

Edifier Airpulse A300Pro Active Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

Price: $1999 per pair

Website: www.airpulse.com

Gordon said: For anyone looking for an affordable, highly revealing, all-in-one active speaker, the Airpulse A300Pro deserves a careful listen.

Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.

The gist: Solid product, but not quite Gordon’s favorite.

HEDD Type 05 MK2 Active Loudspeakers and Bass 08 Powered Subwoofer

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

Price: $1598/pair and $1199, respectively

Website: www.hedd.audio

Gordon said: For less than three grand, you get a superbly integrated, fully active sat-sub system with 700W of built-in amplification and a specified frequency response of 24Hz-40kHz, -3dB.

Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.

The gist: Beautifully integrated sub-sat system for almost any environment.

KEF LS50 Wireless II Active Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
  • Reviewers Choice

Price: $2499 per pair

Website: www.kef.com

Gordon said: I think it’s the best deal in hi-fi right now.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.

The gist: Gordon was blown away.

PSB Alpha AM3 Powered Loudspeakers

Details
Parent Category: 2021 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000
  • Reviewers Choice

Price: $399 per pair

Website: www.psbspeakers.com

Gordon said: What I can say is that I’d love to have a pair of AM3s on my desktop, for watching movies, listening to music, or catching up on the news.

Reviewers' Choice

Read the SoundStage! Simplifi review.

The gist: Incredible value in a powered desktop speaker system.

  1. Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Active Loudspeakers
  2. Sonus Faber Lumina V Loudspeakers
  3. Triangle 40th Anniversary Comète Loudspeakers
  4. Aurelia XO Cerica XL Loudspeakers
  5. Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Loudspeakers
  6. Estelon X Diamond Mk II Loudspeakers
  7. KEF Blade Loudspeakers
  8. Magico A5 Loudspeakers
  9. Dynaudio Heritage Special Loudspeakers
  10. Focal Aria K2 936 Loudspeakers
  11. Harbeth SHL5plus XD Loudspeakers
  12. Heavenly Soundworks FIVE17 Active Loudspeakers
  13. JBL 4349 Studio Monitor Loudspeakers
  14. Paradigm Founder Series 100F Loudspeakers
  15. Sony SA-Z1 Active Nearfield Loudspeakers
  16. Theory Audio Design sb25 Loudspeakers
  17. Bluesound Powernode Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  18. Bryston B1353 Integrated Amplifier
  19. Line Magnetic LM-34IA Integrated Amplifier
  20. Lyngdorf Audio TDAI-1120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  21. Marantz PM-KI Ruby Integrated Amplifier
  22. Musical Fidelity M6si Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  23. Rotel Michi X5 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  24. Rotel RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  25. Vincent Audio SV-500 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  26. Bluesound Node Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  27. Bryston BR-20 Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  28. Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M Digital-to-Analog Converter
  29. Chord Electronics 2go Streamer/Server & 2yu DAC Interface
  30. Denafrips Ares II Digital-to-Analog Converter
  31. Denafrips Terminator-Plus Digital-to-Analog Converter
  32. Linn Klimax DSM Digital Music Player
  33. Linn Majik DSM/4 Network Music System
  34. Luxman D-03X CD Player
  35. Marantz SACD-30n SACD/CD Player and Streaming DAC-Preamp
  36. Meitner Audio MA3 DAC-Preamplifier
  37. MSB Technology Premier Digital-to-Analog Converter
  38. MUTEC MC-3+ Smart USB Reclocker & REF10 Reference Master Clock
  39. Rockna Wavelight Digital-To-Analog Converter
  40. Rotel CD11 Tribute CD Player
  41. Totaldac d1-direct Digital-to-Analogue Converter
  42. Audio-Technica AT-PEQ30 Phono Preamplifier
  43. Hegel Music Systems V10 Phono Stage
  44. Helius Designs Viridia Turntable and Phaedra Tonearm
  45. iFi Audio iPhono3 Black Label Phono Stage
  46. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Debut Pro Turntable with Pick it Pro Cartridge
  47. The Funk Firm Houdini Cartridge Decoupler
  48. U-Turn Audio Orbit Special Turntable with Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
  49. VPI Cliffwood Turntable with 2M Red Cartridge
  50. Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II Phono Stage
  51. Accuphase C-2850 Preamplifier
  52. Allnic Audio L-9000 OTL/OCL Preamplifier
  53. Audio Research Reference 6SE Preamplifier
  54. Classé Audio Delta Pre Preamplifier-DAC
  55. Karan Acoustics Master Collection LINEb Preamplifier
  56. SPL Electronics Director Mk2 Preamplifier-DAC
  57. Hemingway Audio Cable Z-core Alpha, Beta, and Sigma Power Cords
  58. Audio Research Reference 80S Power Amplifier
  59. AudioControl The Director Model M4800 Eight-Channel Network DSP Matrix Amplifier
  60. Classé Audio Delta Mono Amplifiers
  61. Heschl Audio Labs HAL 300 Power Amplifier
  62. MSB Technology S202 Stereo Amplifier
  63. NAD C 298 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
  64. SPL Performer m1000 Monoblock Amplifiers
  65. EcoXGear EcoLantern Bluetooth Speaker
  66. JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
  67. Siltech Classic Legend 680L Speaker Cables
  68. PSB Performance Wall Mount Home-Theater Speaker System
  69. Theory Audio Design Sys5.2.2.8515 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos Surround Speaker System
  70. NAD Masters M28 Multichannel Amplifier
  71. 64 Audio Nio Earphones
  72. 64 Audio U6t Earphones
  73. AKG K72 Headphones
  74. Bowers & Wilkins P17 True Wireless Earphones
  75. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition Bluetooth Headphones
  76. Campfire Audio Honeydew Earphones
  77. Campfire Audio Satsuma Earphones
  78. DALI IO-4 Bluetooth Headphones
  79. EarFun Free 2 True Wireless Earphones
  80. Emotiva Airmotiv GR1 Headphones
  81. Focal Celestee Headphones
  82. HiFiMan HE400se Headphones
  83. ISOtunes Free True Wireless Earphones
  84. KEF Mu3 True Wireless Earphones
  85. Kinki Studio Vision THR-1 Headphone Amplifier
  86. Sendy Audio Peacock Headphones
  87. Sennheiser IE 300 Earphones
  88. Sivga P-II Headphones
  89. Sony WF-1000XM4 True Wireless Earphones
  90. Soundcore Life Q35 Bluetooth Headphones
  91. Yamaha YH-E700A Bluetooth Headphones

Subcategories

(2021) Subwoofers

(2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Under $5000

(2021) Stereo Loudspeakers Over $10,000

(2021) Stereo Loudspeakers $5,000-$10,000

(2021) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers

(2021) Stereo Digital Source Components

(2021) Stereo Analog Source Components

(2021) Preamplifiers

(2021) Power Conditioners and Cords

(2021) Power Amplifiers

(2021) Portable Speakers

(2021) Interconnects and Speaker Cables

(2021) Home-Theater Loudspeakers

(2021) Home-Theater Components

(2021) Headphones and Related

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