Audio Video News

Sound & Vision’s Top Picks for July share an admirable trait: They deliver what most of us are looking for: excellent performance at reasonable prices. How reasonable? Prices range from four hundred bucks for a surprisingly refined subwoofer to a full-featured projector with impressive brightness and contrast that can be had for just under $3,000.

Pioneer VSX-LX504 AV Receiver: $999

With nine channels of onboard power, the VSX-LX504 accommodates 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 speaker layouts and supports a roster of must-have features and immersive-surround technologies, including IMAX Enhanced certification for unlocking cinematic mixes created by IMAX. As reviewer Michael Trei put it, the LX504 “delivers many of the features you'd expect from a top-of-the-line model, but at a mid-level price. Add in powerful and detailed sound, and the result is a well- sorted receiver that I can recommend as the hub of a forward-thinking home theater.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
IMAX Enhanced certified
Nine-channel amp for flexibility
Extensive wireless options
Minus
Limited crossover control
Non-illuminated remote

Full Review Here

SVS Prime Pinnacle Speaker: $1,600/pair

The stately Prime Pinnacle is a true contender in the world of affordable full-range tower style speakers — in this case, one with a lone tweeter bolstered by a 5.25-inch midrange driver and three 6.5-inch woofers, all situated in slender cabinet that’s about 40 inches tall. Expect to be wowed with prodigious bass, spot-on tonal balance, and a satisfyingly deep sound stage. In the words of audio maven Dan Kumin, SVS’s Pinnacle is a “slam-dunk value.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Accurate and dynamic sound
Excellent imaging depth of field
Impressive bass extension and weight
Minus
Bass balance may be less amenable to some rooms or placements

Full Review Here