Audio Video News

While April didn’t necessarily shower us with gear goodness, it turned in a lucky seven lineup of Top Pick recommendations. From two mind-blowing speaker systems and the world’s first planar-magnetic in-ear headphones to a spectacular Ultra HD Blu-ray player and a pair of projectors that meet different needs, there’s something here for everyone.

GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference Loudspeaker: $8,498

GoldenEar Technology, co-founded by audio legend Sandy Gross in 2010, has built a remarkable line of speakers in a relatively short period of time. The Triton Reference represents the pinnacle of the company’s efforts to date, delivering true reference-quality performance at a fair price. “The detailed, dynamic, and full-range sound had the effect of turning me into a music junkie,” wrote reviewer Al Griffin. “I’m a regular music listener, but once I had the Reference up and running, I found myself wanting to do little else.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Powerful, full-range sound
Great looks
Easily driven by modest-power amps
Minus
Price may seem high to non-audiophile civilians
Large, space-dominating size

Full Review Here

 

Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema LS10500 LCD Projector: $8,000

If you’re looking to transition to a laser-illuminated projector that can be had for less than five figures, Epson’s LS10500 is the only game in town. Its dual lasers, rated to last 14,000 hours—which translates into 10 years for most of us—deliver outstanding “4K-enhanced” HD performance with compelling HDR (high dynamic range) highlights. “Oblivion was one of the best-looking HDR discs I watched on the Epson,” observed veteran reviewer Tom Norton. “[It] produced deep, rich, crisp, and immersive images.” All that for the same price of last year’s LS10000.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Stunning resolution
Excellent blacks and shadow detail
Compatible with 4K content
Minus
Some clipping in HDR

Full Review Here

 

Audeze iSine 10 Headphones: $399

The Audeze iSine 10 earphones break new ground as the first in-ear designs to use thin-film planar magnetic drivers. While they don’t provide much isolation from external noise, they deliver a huge payoff: Sound that's dynamically alive, spacious, and more transparent than other in-ear headphones. Calling them a “stunning achievement,” headphone guru Steve Guttenberg wrote: “The Audeze iSine 10’s sound will be a revelation to even the most experienced in-ear headphone buyer.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
High-resolution sound
Planar magnetic drivers
Comes with Apple Lightning and standard cables
Minus
Little or no isolation from external noise

Full Review Here

MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL X Speaker System: $11,395 (as reviewed)

MartinLogan has once again demonstrated why electrostatic speakers are so special with its exceptional ElectroMotion ESL X system. Delicacy, detail and serious dynamics—thanks to the Dynamo 1500X subwoofer—are what you can expect from this meticulously crafted suite of speakers. “Auditioning this system was like going home again,” wrote reviewer Al Griffin. “The affordable (by MartinLogan standards) electrostatic towers delivered the detailed, lifelike sound I know and love, and the solid foundation provided by the Dynamo 1500X enabled them to reach dynamic heights I hadn’t previously experienced in my days as a MartinLogan-phile.” If you’ve never heard electrostatics, it might be time to arrange for audition.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent performance with music and movies
Perfect Bass Kit for sub eases setup
Compact electrostatic center speaker
Minus
Some timbral shift between center channel and towers
Towers and center require AC power

Full Review Here