Audio Video News

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. To help you get the ball rolling we’ve compiled a list of Sound & Vision’s Top Picks that represent a good value at prices ranging from $80 to $1,000. Of course, as more and more companies look to kick start sales in advance of Black Friday, some of these products may already be discounted, so don’t forget to check. Oh, and be sure to peruse each of the five pages presented here so you don’t miss anything.

Mixcder E9 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: $80

Looking for noise-canceling wireless headphones you can take along with you when you travel but discouraged by high prices? We recommend taking the Mixcder E9s for a test drive. Eighty bucks ($70 on Amazon) gets you a set of comfortable over-ear headphones that deliver satisfying sound and active noise cancellation that does a good job of suppressing the most egregious noise. All this for two to three times less than many comparably equipped name-brand headphones. Best part: The company has a 30-day return policy. (See page 5 for more headphone gift ideas).

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Satisfying sound
Effective noise canceling
Light weight and not overly bulky
Minus
Sound could be fuller
Some discomfort after an hour or so of listening

Full Review Here

JBL One Series 104 Powered Reference Monitors: $129/pair

We know what you’re thinking: Let’s get real: there’s no way you’re going to get crisp, distinctive sound from a pair of powered minispeakers that cost $129 a pair. But we’re here to tell you that’s exactly what you get with JBL’s One Series 104 speakers. Reviewer Al Griffin was as surprised as anyone: “There was a striking sense of clarity to the sound, along with precise imaging that allowed me to easily sort out individual instruments in the mix.” Need a pair of kick-ass speakers for your desktop? Look no further.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clean, dynamic sound
Compact form factor
Great value
Minus
Limited connection options

Full Review Here

Sennheiser HD 569 Headphones: $149

If you think audiophile sound quality is beyond the reach of headphones that cost a hundred and fifty bucks, think again. Perfect for late-night educational, er, entertainment, sessions, Sennheiser’s rugged HD 569 delivers impressively neutral sound and boasts super comfortable memory-foam earpads. It even comes with two cables — a 10-footer and a 4-footer with an in-line remote/microphone. In the words of headphone maven Steve Guttenberg, “Don’t underestimate these headphones; this is an audiophile-oriented design. That much was clear when I spent a few hours spellbound listening to Vladimir Horowitz CDs…The HD 569 was a faithful messenger of this music.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Lightweight yet rugged design
Smooth overall sound balance
Two-year warranty
Minus
Isolation from external noise could be better

Full Review Here

Riva Concert Wireless Smart Speaker: $179

Perfect for dorm rooms, the grab-’n’-go Riva Concert is a standout in the over-crowded world of voice-enabled smart speakers. It’s splash-resistant, can play for up to 15 hours on a single charge, and is packed with features such as Alexa voice control. It also supports streaming via AirPlay or Bluetooth and delivers robust sound that is surprisingly well-balanced. All that from a speaker that stands 7 inches tall and costs less than $200.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Audio playback from connected USB drive
Portable with optional external battery
Solid bass performance
Minus
Narrow soundstage at close range
Treble could be more transparent

Full Review Here

Cleer Enduro 100: Wireless Headphones: $180

They don’t call these wireless ’phones Enduro 100 for nothing. In a stroke of genius, the engineers at Cleer have figured out how to extend battery life to upwards of 100 hours. In other words, you can listen wirelessly for a good week (or more) without having to worry about charging. And listen you will — the Enduro’s are comfortable to wear for long periods and produce smooth, detailed sound. All in all, a great value.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Smooth, detailed sound
Solid construction
Light weight
Comfortable
Minus
Sound can be somewhat muted

Full Review Here