Top Picks

Value

Vizio M65-E0 LCD UHD Monitor
(January 2018) Vizio’s mid-line M Series appeared on our Value list last year as well, and this year is an even better bargain, with the 65-inch model priced out of the gate for $200 less while delivering improvements in both image quality and the Chromecast built in user interface. $1,100, vizio.com

Epson Home Cinema 3700 LCD Projector
(July/August) As 4K content becomes ubiquitous, it’s harder to justify spending more than a few hundred bucks on a straight, non-pixel-shifting 1080p projector. But the Home Cinema 3700, with its installation flexibility, bright picture, and dynamic iris for better contrast and blacks, makes a good case for stepping up. $1,500, epson.com

BenQ HT1070 DLP Projector
(May) At $699, the BenQ HT1070 was, very simply, a good picture for a good price and the best of the under $1K budget projectors we tested last year. $699, benq.com

Elite Screens Aeon CLR Ultra Short Throw ALR Projection Screen
(February/March 2018) Ultra short throw projectors are coming on strong as an alternative to oversized (and expensive) flat panels, but they require a special ALR screen for use in ambient light. Elite’s Aeon CLR material offered excellent performance that was nearly the equal of UST screens costing multiples of its price. $799 as reviewed (90-inch, 16:9), elitescreens.com

Emotiva BasX A-500 Power Amplifier
(January 2018) Emotiva’s low-profile Class A/B, five-channel amp represents an inexpensive, robust alternative to the power plant in most A/V receivers. $499, emotiva.com

Pioneer VSX-832 A/V Receiver
(November) This 5.1-channel receiver, which was selling promotionally for about $300 by year end, offers more bells and whistles than most budget AVRs have a right to claim, while delivering robust power on our test bench that exceeded its published specs. $479, pioneerelectronics.com

Focal Sib Evo Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 Speaker System
(January 2018) Focal updated its sub/sat system featuring egg- shaped satellites to include an Atmos-enabled monitor, but it was this 5.1.2 system’s “remarkable imaging and timbral distinction,” plus its surprising little subwoofer, that most impressed reviewer Dan Kumin. $1,299, focal.com/en

RSL Acoustics CG3 Speaker System and Speedwoofer 10 Subwoofer
(April) RSL delivered solid imaging, timbral accuracy, and better-than-expected dynamics from this compact, affordable 5.1 system that also featured the snappy Speedwoofer 10 sub, a Top Pick of the Year from 2016. $1,079, rslspeakers.com

Q Acoustics 3000 Speaker System
(September) A “smooth, sweet, spacious midrange” from the compact 3010 satellites and the well-performing vertical sub featured in this 5.1 system allowed audio editor Mark Fleischmann to “recommend these speakers to budget buyers with unbridled enthusiasm.” $900, qacoustics.com

Polk MagniFi Mini Soundbar System
(May) Polk tapped a DSP-driven version of its classic SDA (stereo dimensional array) spatial processing and a proprietary six-speaker driver array to deliver both surprisingly neutral tonal balance and a shockingly huge image from this 13-inch-wide, bargain-priced soundbar. $300, polkaudio.com

Emotiva SB12 Subwoofer
(January 2018) Emotiva’s ported 12-incher from its BasX value lineup proved an impressive performer for its price, delivering usable bass down to a measured 20 hertz. $399, emotiva.com

1More Quad Driver In-Ear Headphones
(July/August) 1More’s Quad Driver ’phones combine a dynamic carbon driver and three armatures, all proprietary, inside solid-aluminum earpieces to deliver sound and build quality that greatly betray the asking price. $200, 1more.com

Sonos One Wireless Speaker
(December, soundandvision.com / April 2018) Sonos upped its game by introducing a replacement for its high-value Play:1 entry-level speaker featuring Alexa (and soon, Google Assist- ant) voice control. $199/pr, sonos.com