Audio Video News

Kanto SYD Bluetooth Speaker: $330

In a world littered with mediocre Bluetooth speakers, Kanto’s SYD distinguishes itself as a stellar performer that delivers rich, powerful sound from a rock-solid enclosure that’s the width of a standard-size audio component. Best of all, it does so at an eminently reasonable price. Reviewer Bob Ankosko was impressed: “I was blown away by the intimacy, clarity and depth of Holly Cole and her jazz quartet performing “Larger Than Life” from 2007’s Holly Cole) — and that’s just one example of many. Quite an accomplishment for such as small speaker.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent sound quality
Compact and well-built
Easy to set up and use
Great value

Minus
No Wi-Fi streaming
No visual feedback
No grille cover

Full Review Here

 

Polk Audio Command Bar Soundbar: $300

You’ll be hard pressed to find a $300 soundbar that looks and sounds as good as Polk’s Command Bar, the second product to receive our new Top Value designation. The svelte Bar is brimming with features — from Bluetooth streaming and built-in Dolby Digital and DTS surround processing to four preset listening modes, 4K/HDR-compliant HDMI 2.0a inputs, and Alexa voice control. Calling the Command Bar “surprisingly authoritative,” reviewer Rob Sabin said it boasts “serious chops and…over delivers on features and performance. I don’t hesitate to recommend it.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Alexa voice control
Flexible connectivity
Good sound quality
Great value
Minus
No multiroom music functions

Full Review Here