Digital Trends

Serious home audio enthusiasts are in luck this year: There are plenty of great new home theater-ready models just itching to tickle your eardrums for the holidays. Want to see what you’ll be rocking out with well into 2009? Check out the following product gallery, and don’t say we didn’t warn you – these recommendations are sure to keep the good times rolling for months to come.

Yamaha YAS-71, $600 

Yamaha was the first company to create an all-in-one speaker that provides simulated surround sound for an entire room. And being first in the category has its benefits, like having the wisdom to know how to do it right. The company recently released the YAS-71 AIR Surround Xtreme front system, which is ideal for those who want a good surround sound experience, but don’t have the space for five or more speakers and a subwoofer. You can neatly wall-mount the YAS-71 under a flat panel or on a shelf, and the included powered subwoofer is nothing if not discreet-looking. Ideal for smaller rooms, the YAS-71 offers narrow and wide listening modes depending on—you guessed it—room size. Add an iPod dock for another $100 or a Bluetooth receiver for an extra $130. And if you don’t feel like listening to your own tunes, venture out onto the airwaves via the FM tuner. (www.yamaha.com)