Holiday Preview: Home Audio Buying Guide
By Krissy Rushing
October 30th, 2008
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)
Sony S-AIRPLAY, $400
Multi-room audio is the stuff of dreams for some, but it doesn’t have to be as costly or intrusive as one might suspect. Sony recently unveiled a new wireless, multi-room audio system for the iPod, known as S-AIRPLAY. It’s a straightforward system: Wireless audio is transmitted from the system’s main docking station in one room to various S-AIR speakers in your home, so long as they are within the 164-foot wireless range. No messy installation, no in-wall speakers, no sky-high installer’s bill. The system comes with one docking station and two S-AIR wireless speakers, but it can transmit to 10 speakers simultaneously (additional speakers are sold separately for $130). (www.sonystyle.com)
B&W CM Series, $750, CM5; $1,500 CM9; $1,250, CMC2; $1,500 ASW 10CM
While all-in-one audio solutions and small home theater speaker systems make great, affordable gifts, it’s sometimes nice to spend a little more and get a set of kick-ass speakers that will do a home theater justice. That’s where B&W’s breathtaking new CM Series models come in. While the CM Series has earned its many plaudits, the company saw fit to add four new, sophisticated speakers to the line, including a three-way floor-standing model (CM9), a two-way stand-mount model, a dedicated 500-watt subwoofer (ASW 10CM) and a larger center-channel speaker (CM Center 2). Most striking are the speakers’ cabinets, which are available in several real-wood veneers or polished gloss black. Of course, all models feature B&W’s exquisite attention to detail and refined audio. (www.bowers-wilkins.com)
Definitive Technology Mythos Nine, $800 ea.
On-wall speakers that go with flat-panel sets are a popular trend in home audio, but sometimes, they are more about good looks than good sound. That’s certainly not the case with Definitive Technology’s new Mythos Nine on-wall speaker. Designed for use with 50-inch flat-panel TVs (or 42-inch sets as a center channel), each speaker features two 4.5-inch drivers and two “low-bass radiators” for smooth bass response. The cabinets are hand-polished aircraft-grade extruded aluminum and are extremely rigid. Of course, the best feature here isn’t the speakers’ aesthetic or sweet specifications – it’s their open soundstage, power and realistic sound. (www.definitivetech.com)
Meridian Audio Alfred Dunhill AD88, $3,995
Two British powers, Meridian Audio and Alfred Dunhill, have teamed up to provide an ultra-slick, one-piece entertainment system—the AD88. Meridian, renowned for its superb audio, and Alfred Dunhill, recognized for its leather goods and writing tools, may seem like a disparate duo, but both cater to a very high-end clientele. And the AD88 looks (and costs) the part, touting elegant industrial design and sophisticated engineering. The system includes a reference-grade Meridian CD player, AM/FM tuner, iPod docking station, and a remote control. It also features DVD playback, which is perfect for a bedroom system where an entire home theater system is neither practical nor desirable. If you know someone who likes the finer things in life, the AD88 will surely impress. (www.meridian-audio.com)
Sonoro Cubo Elements/W, $300
The resurgence in radio, thanks in no small part to new technologies, is a boon for music lovers who now have more variety available at their fingertips than ever before. If you consider yourself a radio adventurer, then Sonoro’s Cubo Elements is your key to a whole new world of programming options—10,000 Internet radio stations to be exact. We are especially impressed with the fantastic styling of the Cubo Elements, with its glossy sheen and minimalist control knob. (www.sonoro-audio.com)
SoundMatters FoxL, $199, $249 (with Bluetooth)
If you’re like us, listening to your music through a small, portable speaker system is about as fun as hearing someone rake their nails across a chalkboard. The FoxL from SoundMatters International, however, will change the way you think. This pint-sized (5.6” wide x 2.2” deep x 1.4” high) speaker pumps out jaw-droppingly good sound and surprisingly robust bass. You can also get the unit with Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to enjoy music streamed from compatible devices. Say goodbye to janky sound when you’re on the road, because with foxL around, there’s simply no excuse for it. (www.soundmatters.com)
Panasonic SC-BT100, $999
Home-theaters-in-a-box have been on the decline in recent years, but now manufacturers are reinvigorating the category with the addition of Blu-ray players. Panasonic’s new SC-BT100 is the company’s first to include the high-def disc format, letting you watch unbelievably lifelike video while including everything you need to get a home theater started. In fact, the Blu-ray player included in the BT100 provides a superb image and lets you enjoy Bonus View (picture-in-picture) functionality. But Blu-ray is just part of the system; there is also a built-in iPod dock, an SD memory card slot for playing back your personal media files and five speakers plus a subwoofer. If you’re ready to go high-def but aren’t sure how to get started, the BT100 home theater system has everything you need to do so. (Check Price)
Pioneer Elite SC-05, $1,800
When it comes to A/V receivers, you’d be hard-pressed to find more well-rounded models than those from Pioneer, and the company’s new Elite line of receivers is no exception. Built to maximize high-resolution surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc, the Pioneer Elite SC-05 receiver offers a rich audio experience, thanks to the company’s Direct Energy HD Amplifier. DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus are all supported. Plus, you can really crank this baby without distortion. Of course, there are a host of other features and functionality as one would expect from the Elite line, so check the SC-05 out at your local retailer. (www.pioneerusa.com)
Sirus XM XMp3, $279
With the Sirus XM merger approved, the masses are wondering what products will be out this holiday season that will be take advantage of new programming choices. The XMp3 is one of those contenders. The unit is not only an MP3 player – it’s also a wearable portable receiver that can store up to 100 hours of XM satellite radio content for playback at your convenience. In fact, it can record from five different channels at the same time. You can also access your own digital music files and keep track of sports and stocks on the go. Stay tuned for information on upcoming compatible docking stations. (www.xmradio.com/xmp3)