Audio Video News

Thank you March for bringing us spring…and 10 stellar Top Pick recommendations. Among our picks for the month: headphones ranging in price from $200 to $2,300, a pair of Class D amplifiers that will make even the most devout audiophile smile, and possibly the most sophisticated speaker system on the planet.

Russound MCA-88X Whole-House Audio Streamer: $3,499 ($4,477 as reviewed)

The MCA-88X is not for everyone. It’s an advanced audio controller that delivers whole-home music entertainment in a single, massively expandable chassis—one that integrates with home automation control systems and supports high-resolution audio streaming while providing access to legacy analog and digital sources. As reviewer Darryl Wilkinson put it, “Russound has delivered a single-box solution that offers a lot of bang for the buck.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Fast setup/programming
Supports modern and legacy sources
Integrates with many third-party systems
AirPlay gives virtually unlimited access
Minus
NAS streaming has quirks
Native app support is fairly limited

Full Review Here

 

RSL Speakers CG3 5.1 Speaker System: $1,079 (as reviewed)

You will be hard pressed to find a better sounding set of compact home theater speakers than RSL’s CG3 5.1-channel system. A thousand bucks gets you impressive neutrality, solid dynamics, and a superstar subwoofer. Veteran reviewer Dan Kumin wrote, “A full-system workout on the soundtrack of a big-budget film, such as the Dolby TrueHD mix of Pan, proved impressive. Dialogue was clear and intelligible but naturally voiced, while a solid front-stage image of ambience, music, and effects from the flanking CG3 pair was fully evident…”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Rigorously balanced sound
Plays surprisingly loud
Easy, excellent sub/sat blending
Minus
Sats can be a bit power-hungry in larger rooms

Full Review Here

 

Sony MDR-Z1R Headphones: $2,300

The MDR-Z1R, the latest in a long line of reference-quality headphones from Sony that dates back to 1989, continues a tradition of excellence. That they are handcrafted and finely honed by one man in a factory in Japan shows in fit and finish, comfort, and sound quality. Headphone guru Steve Guttenberg called them spectacular, while noting that they match or exceed performance standards set by the very best planar-magnetic headphones he’s heard.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Balanced and unbalanced output
Drives moderately demanding headphones
Hi-res capable, including DSD
Minus
No album art
No fancy DAC chip
No user-accessible internal RAM

Full Review Here

 

Aperion Audio Verus II Grand Speaker System: $5,005 (as reviewed)

Internet-based Aperion Audio has made modest but significant improvements to its flagship Versus speaker line, proving once again that it can deliver amazing value backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee that includes shipping both ways in the continental U.S. Watching the final, climactic scene of The King’s Speech, veteran reviewer Tom Norton said the Aperions “played their part flawlessly, every step of the way.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Tight, detailed bass
Excellent tonal balance
Spacious, cohesive soundstage
Minus
Sub has limitations in very large rooms
Narrow tower can be unstable on carpet

Full Review Here