Best of 2011 Awards

Best of 2011 Awards:

Best AV Receiver Winner: Anthem MRX-700

Best AV Receiver Winner: Anthem MRX-700:

The Anthem packs in all of the current features you need paired with many of the features from the lofty Anthem D2v AV preamp all for about $2,000. That’s a lot of value.

Runner-up: Cambridge Audio Azur 650R

The runner-up Cambridge also brings high-end separate sound to an AV receiver and we like that. We like that a lot.

Best AV Preamp Winner: Cary Audio Cinema 12

Best AV Preamp Winner: Cary Audio Cinema 12:

If you are an audiophile looking for 7.1 audio, HDMI and modern surround sound modes – Cary will be speaking your language with the Cinema 12.

Runner-up: Marantz AV7005

Marantz AV7005 has nearly every feature you could ever hope for in a wrapper that looks crazy-sexy-cool. At its price, it’s hard to beat.

Best Blu-ray Player Winner: Oppo Digital BDP-95

Best Blu-ray Player Winner: Oppo Digital BDP-95:

Talk about a dominant player in their space! Oppo Digital’s two Blu-ray players have basically taken over as “the disc player of choice” as they do 3D, Blu-ray, DVD-Audio, SACD and more. For the audiophile, the Oppo Digital BDP-95 offers a sexy analog section that people using an HDMI AV preamp or receiver (or a high end DAC) won’t need.

Runner-up: Oppo Digital BDP-93

Best Front Projector Winner: Optoma HD-33

Best Front Projector Winner: Optoma HD-33:

No category has changed more favorably for HomeTheaterReview.com readers than front video projectors and leading the charge in the affordable 3D category is the $1,495 Optoma HD-33. This small projector outputs some serious light, has a phenomenal out of the box picture and throws in 3D to boot.

Runner-up: JVC DLA-X3

JVC brought the world of high-end projectors to the masses with the DLA-X3. Although more expensive than the mass-market units, you get a lot of performance and 3D when you spend up to the next category.

Best LCD-LED HDTV Winner: Sharp LC-70LE732U

Best LCD-LED HDTV Winner: Sharp LC-70LE732U:

This gigantic HDTV brings front projection-like size to consumers at a very fair price (under $3,000 these days) without ever making them worry about ambient light in the room. The idea that people paid $20,000 for a 50-inch HDTV less than 10 years ago seems amazing when you look at this big, bright and beautiful HDTV set.

Best Plasma HDTV Winner: LG 50PZ550

Best Plasma HDTV Winner: LG 50PZ550:

In terms of picture, the LG 50PZ550 quality competes favorably with top sets from two years ago (yes, I said KURO) and packs every feature, application and goodie known to man at a price that The People of Wal-Mart can afford. It’s simply a game changer for the value-seeking consumer who now can get incredible quality and performance for under $1,000.

Panasonic TC-P50GT30

The Panasonic TC-P50GT30 is the best value among their line of plasma HDTVs. The GT30 includes ISF picture controls, THX certification and 3D. When both the video editor and the managing editor of HomeTheaterReview.com buy this set for their own homes, you know it’s pretty damn good.

Best Media Server Winner: Meridian Sooloos

Best Media Server Winner: Meridian Sooloos:

While still pricey, Meridian has brought the cost of ownership down to more real-world levels with their Media Core. Packing the best audiophile sound output and the absolute best meta data – you now can control your Sooloos with an iPad and/or other Apple devices. AppleTV is good but Meridian Sooloos is much better and worth the extra money for those who can spring for it.

Best Bookshelf/Small Speaker Winner: Focal Bird System

Best Bookshelf/Small Speaker Winner: Focal Bird System:

What is a bookshelf speaker these days anyway? Nobody really puts speakers in a cabinet; however the need for products designed to match today’s thin HDTVs and lifestyle market often leaves audiophiles wanting more. Much more.

Focal, one of the world’s best speaker manufacturers, has answered the call for the lifestyle market with their $999 Bird system which comes with two speakers; a unit that looks like a receiver, but also plays the role of a subwoofer. Add in wireless connectivity from your iPad, iPhone as well as analog and digital audio inputs and you have one of the sexiest lifestyle products we’ve ever seen and tested. Bose markets similar systems with less features but Focal makes it actually sound fantastic.

Runner-up: Bowers & Wilkins PM1

The Bowers & Wilkins PM1 at about $3,500 per pair (with stands) is a poor man’s way of getting an awful lot of the performance of Bowers & Wilkins’ higher-end reference speakers at a fraction of the cost. The finish is unique to the PM1 and is gorgeous and perfect in any home décor.

Best Affordable Speaker Winner: Aperion Audio Verus Grand

Best Affordable Speaker Winner: Aperion Audio Verus Grand:

The Aperion Audio Verus Grand look like Revels, cost less than Paradigms and are sold Internet-direct for well under $2,000. They have the audiophile chops to compete with any brand at the audio salon; they just don’t come with the audiophile attitude.

Runner-up: Paradigm Monitor 7

Paradigm knows value and the new Monitor 7s take their dedication for bang-for-your-buck speakers to a new level. More refined, better drivers and a meaningful dealer network only start to suggest why Paradigm is such an industry leader. At about $898 per pair, these speakers call to anyone looking for truly great sound on a budget.

Best On-Wall Speaker Winner: Wisdom Audio L75M

Best On-Wall Speaker Winner: Wisdom Audio L75M:

Wondering why all the hype around Wisdom Audio? Well, basically they provide you the ability to build a sleek on-wall system that can compete with a Revel, Wilson or B&W floorstander in a package that doesn’t take up much (or any) space in your room. There is a new player in high-end audiophile transducers but they don’t make traditional looking speakers; however they do make products that rock.

Best High End Floorstanding Speaker: Paradigm Signature S8

Best High End Floorstanding Speaker: Paradigm Signature S8:

The idea that an $8,500 per pair set of Paradigms can take on the likes of a Wilson WATT Puppy or Revel Ultima Salon2 would be considered audiophile blasphemy to some, but guess what – they not only compete, they win. You don’t necessarily have to spend $30,000 per pair to get one of the best, most highly engineered speakers money can buy. Thank you Paradigm.

Runner-up: Wharfedale Opus 2-3

Another player in the bang-for-your buck big boy speaker game, Wharfedale came out of nowhere recently with their Opus 2-3. It’s no secret that the guy behind Mark Levinson’s past success, who also happened to be the former President of Meridian is calling the shots for this old-school speaker brand now and guess what – this brand is coming on strong both with value speakers as well as these more reference level products.

Best Affordable Floorstanding Speaker: Golden Ear Triton 2

Best Affordable Floorstanding Speaker: Golden Ear Triton 2:

With a track record unlike anybody (even Dr. Bose), with companies like Polk Audio and Definitive Technology – Sandy Gross’ first speaker for his new brand, Golden Ear, was likely to kick ass and take names. And that it did. The Triton 2 from Golden Ear Technologies is priced right, comes with a sweet tweeter and a modest footprint. We just think the world of these speakers, as they would be lovable at twice the price.

Runner-up: MartinLogan Electromotion

Any audiophile worth their salt has owned (or does own) a pair of MartinLogans. At $2,000 the Electromotions represent the “magic price point” for entry-level audiophila. You can’t get a more special audiophile loudspeaker for less money.

Best Stereo Preamp: Audio Research 40th Anniversary Preamp

Best Stereo Preamp: Audio Research 40th Anniversary Preamp:

We all want what we can’t have and The Audio Research 40th Anniversary Preamp is about as hard a product to get in the audiophile world today. This limited edition, zero feedback preamp might be the best tube preamp ever made; a strong argument that could be made that the ARC 40th is the best stereo preamp ever built. It’s that good.

Best Stereo Amp Winner: Classe CA-2300

Best Stereo Amp Winner: Classe CA-2300:

In the pantheon of audiophile stereo power amps we speak of Krells, Levinson and now of Classe with their CA-2300, which some of our reviewers are saying makes the best one-chassis stereo amp and the best value product in the high-end market. Classe’s industrial design puts everybody to shame and their defined, controlled and forceful sound is able to power any high-end speaker.

Runner-up: Mark Levinson No. 532H

Many think the Mark Levinson No. 523H is the best sounding stereo amp that Harman has made since the 300 series. While still expensive at $8,000, this amp competes with other amps costing nearly double the price.

Best Multi-Channel Amp Winner: Outlaw Audio 7900

Best Multi-Channel Amp Winner: Outlaw Audio 7900:

HomeTheaterReview.com readers love Internet-direct brands and nobody, I mean nobody, does a better big-time 7 channel amp than Outlaw Audio’s 7900. With a design lineage that speaks to relatives like Mark Levinson, Lexicon and other high end brands – the Outlaw Audio 7900 is a downright steal of a power amp.

Runner-up: Krell Evolution 3250e

Krell somehow found a way to bring much of what you get from last year’s “amp we can’t live without” in the $18,500 402e and delivered a slightly stripped down product for the high-end loving consumer who can’t always spring for the all-out amp. Make no mistake, the 402e (or 403e) is superior, but for the money the Krell Evolution 3250e is one hell of a performer.

Best Soundbar Winner: Polk Audio Surroundbar 6000

Best Soundbar Winner: Polk Audio Surroundbar 6000:

Form factor, ease-of-use and overall powerful sound makes for one speaker system designed to match with the best in thin HDTVs. People love soundbars, but respectfully – so many of them sound like crap. The Polk Audio Surroundbar 6000 sounds damn good and flies in the face of other cheapie soundbar products.

Runner-up: Fineline FC-3

The Fineline FC-3 is a well-crafted soundbar product that, when matched with the right receiver, can make audiophile sound from a realistically sized speaker designed to match today’s HDTVs.

Best Subwoofer Winner: JL Audio Fathom

Best Subwoofer Winner: JL Audio Fathom:

JL Audio’s $2,000 Fathom brings all the slam you could want in a product that is pretty small in overall size. Front controls, room correction and compact footprint makes this the best bargain of all the JL Audio subwoofers.

Runner-up: Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D

This remote controllable, Equalized subwoofer comes with a fit and finish that will make you think the Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D cost twice their Internet-direct asking price of about $800.

Best Racks and Furniture Winner: ASC Tube Traps

Best Racks and Furniture Winner: ASC Tube Traps:

For those looking to get the most out of the most important audio component (your room), the ASC Tube Trap brings real audio science to a cylindrical tower near you. Seriously, they work – and can make speakers sound twice their price in a properly treated ASC room. Try one and you might get hooked.

Runner-up: Sanus CFR144 Equipment Rack

For those looking for the custom look of a Middle Atlantic rack without the cost, Sanus brings to market an option filled rack system for around $1,500 that will give you a chance to install your gear like a pro.

2011 Product of the Year: Oppo Digital BDP-95

2011 Product of the Year: Oppo Digital BDP-95:

In a year of game-changing products, price drops and market corrections – no one product has been more meaningful to the HomeTheaterReview.com editors, writers and readers than the Oppo Digital BDP-95. This disc player can do it all (ok, not HD DVD but who cares) and likely is the last disc player you will need for a while. It also comes packed with audiophile DACs for those using the player in non-home-theater situations. It wasn’t that long ago when you could spend ten times the cost of the Oppo Digital BDP-95 on a source component and not get the functionality provided here. Calling this player a game changer is an understatement. Calling it HomeTheaterReview.com’s 2011 Product of the Year seems more appropriate.

Runner-up: Focal Bird System

High-end audio juggernaut, Focal, has “flipped the bird” to the affordable lifestyle speaker market with this 2.1, wirelessly connected audio system for under $1,000. Packing audiophile sound and a game-changing form factor, this speaker system really knows how to impress. Think: Bose-like product insight but with audiophile quality, Focal sound.