The Klipsch RP-600M loudspeakers are part of the Reference Premiere series. Although they have only a 6.5” diameter woofer, they provide acceptable bass volume and extension. The real star of this speaker, though, is the Tractrix horn tweeter. It provides horn articulation and detail without the traditional horn sound.
The Power Sound Audio S1510DF Subwoofer is one of the smallest and least expensive subs produced by the company. But despite its modest cost, the Power Sound Audio S1510DF subwoofer, with its 15” driver, is one of the best sounding and most versatile products in the line. Since this is a downward-firing product, the driver is protected from pets and kids. And best of all, it is a sealed box design that prevents one-note bass and allows for even lower frequency response.
Sometimes you just can’t get a side-firing subwoofer to work in your room. Either the cone side is too close to the wall or some piece of furniture is in the way.
The Emotiva Stealth PA-1 Balanced Class-D Monoblock Power Amplifier is an exceptionally great amp, regardless of price, regardless of weight, and...
The Sonus faber Sonetto VIII floorstanding speakers not only look like a million bucks but sound that way too. And the Sonus faber Sonetto VIII speakers aren’t even Sonus faber’s top of the line! Everyone who walked into my living room during this review had the exact same reaction to them - “Oooooooh! – What are THOSE?” Although they are quite large, they have the highest visual acceptance factor of any speakers I’ve yet reviewed, and they sound every bit as great as they look.
The Sonus faber Sonetto VIII loudspeakers are an upscale member of Sonus faber's new Sonetto economy line. They are intended to achieve a more modest price point than some previous Sonus faber products.
The JBL Stage A180 loudspeakers bring back the fun that JBLs have always been famous for. Tight and powerful bass, clear and articulate treble, and a presence range that “puts the singer in the room with you” are all classic JBL traits that are on display in the JBL Stage A180 speakers. Other speakers may offer more subdued frequency response and/or more polite dynamics, but they lack the fun factor of the A180. If you’re looking for a durable, well-made, and high-value speaker from one of the most esteemed names in high fidelity, look no further!
The Emotiva PA-1 balanced class-D mono power amplifiers don’t generate any great expectations - Three pounds? Size of a paperback book? Only $600 a pair...
The JBL Stage A180 loudspeakers come to market in the highly-competitive “just under a thousand dollars per pair” segment.
The Performa M126Be loudspeakers are part of Revel’s popular Performa series. The Revel Performa M126Be speakers are bookshelf-sized and are intended to be stand-mounted. Although the speakers can serve as side or rear surrounds, their price and performance make it unlikely that too many will be used for that purpose. These are superior speakers for smaller rooms where articulation, detail, and imaging are the main goals.
The Revel Performa M126Be speakers are the bookshelf versions of Revel’s newest Performa speaker line, but this time with beryllium tweeter domes.
The Arcam AVR550 AV Receiver is in the middle of Arcam’s Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) line. It shares many features with Arcam’s flagship model, the AVR850, but for a lower price tag. The AVR550 sports a full complement of the latest surround decoding abilities including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also sports audiophile quality DACs and some surprisingly good power amplifiers.
The Arcam AVR550 AV Receiver is a mid-priced model from the Full Metal Jacket series by this storied English company.
The McIntosh MVP901 Audio Video Player, the McIntosh MX122 A/V Processor, and the McIntosh MC205 Five-Channel Solid-State Amplifier are some of the brand’s coolest home theater components. Iconic McIntosh meets the 21st Century! The McIntosh MVP901, MX122 and MC205 have some surprises up their sleeves. McIntosh fans will definitely want to check them out!
Emotiva’s Airmotiv T2 towers and C2 center channel speaker are very impressive, competing favorably with products costing far more. Despite their industrial looks, the Emotiva Airmotiv T2 and C2 speakers not only excel at home theater, but the towers are some of the most articulate stereo speakers around. Two eight-inch woofers in each cabinet can energize large rooms at high volumes while producing such deep bass that a subwoofer may not even be needed. The air-motion-transformer tweeters are clean and extended without sounding strident. This level of performance at such a low price is rare.
Glenn became involved with audio electronics and speaker building under the tutelage of the station engineer for the local public radio station in Baton Rouge, LA. During college, he earned pocket change by modifying Dynaco and other vacuum tube electronics. When the compact disc came out, he (foolishly) sold his vinyl collection and spent the next decades trying to recover the magic that was lost. Finally, with the implementation of hard-drive based digital music files, the joy of music has been "recovered". Glenn's daughter inherited his love of music and completed her bachelors and masters degrees in violin performance! Glenn is a safety consultant and continued to pursue better and better home audio and home theater performance. Although he has not enjoyed vinyl for many years, he is still of the opinion that only the very best digital systems can compete with a good phonograph record. Glenn's musical tastes are very broad…. electronica (Lords of Acid, Republica, & African Head Charge), popular music (including Lady Gaga, Katy Perry & LMFAO), small ensemble music (Atlantic Brass Quintet and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields), large orchestra music, vocalists, jazz, rap and anything not heard before. His A/V environments are constantly changing, but include multiple brands of speakers, power amplifiers, preamplifiers and DACs along with his Oppo BD93.
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