Audio Video News

Monoprice Monolith 7 Amplifier: $1,499

If you’re on the prowl for a new power amp or have an itch to go the separates route but are afraid of the added expense, the Monolith 7 is your salvation. Monoprice has delivered a top performing 7 x 200-watt power block at the shockingly low price of $1,499. Sure, you can spend thousands more and get slightly better performance, but the law of diminishing returns looms large. In the words of reviewer David Vaughn: “The Monolith 7 is one of the best and most affordable home theater amps I’ve ever auditioned.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Class A/B design
Impressive sound quality
Equal power to all channels
Minus
Very heavy
Lacks balanced inputs

Full Review Here

Denon Heos 1 Wireless Speaker: $200

Standing a mere 7 inches tall, the Heos 1 is the baby of Denon’s Heos family yet it provides the same suite of features you’ll find in the larger, more expensive models, including an impressive app that makes it easy to switch between music services and system control. Al Griffin found its sound to be clear and balanced with a wide, detailed soundstage when two speakers were paired for stereo but, as with most small speakers, bass was restrained and volume somewhat limited.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Good sound quality
Nice app
Minus
Limited bass
Resolution tops out at 48-kHz/16-bit (the new HS2 version supports Hi-Res Audio)

Full Review Here

 

Raumfeld One S Wireless Speaker: $249

The first in a series of wireless speakers from Germany’s Raumfeld, the One S handled loud volumes gracefully and delivered dynamic sound from a silicon-encased cabinet you can put almost anywhere, including bathrooms and kitchens. The speaker supports Hi-Res streaming up to 192/24 and puts Tidal, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Google Cast at your fingertips. Bass was plentiful thanks to a pair of passive radiators and setting up a second speaker zone with independent volume control was easy thanks to Raumfeld’s intuitive app.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Big sound for a tiny speaker
Easy-to-use app
Minus
Complex setup for stereo pairing

Full Review Here

 

Sonos PLAY:1 Wireless Speaker: $199

Wireless-speaker pioneer Sonos remains a top contender with a best-in-class app, refined sound, and Trueplay, a unique calibration system that automatically compensates for less-than-ideal speaker placement. The PLAY:1 did an excellent job of not sounding like a single speaker: Sound was full and enveloping and easy to control thanks to an app that seamlessly integrates music services such as Tidal, Spotify, and even Apple Music—a unique capability among the seven speakers in our test group.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Great sound—now better with Trueplay
Elegant, simple app
Minus
Slightly overemphasized bass
No Hi-Res support

Full Review Here