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What’s not to like about an $800 THX-certified subwoofer? Or how about a set of comfy planar-magnetic headphones that get the job done and then some for only 500 bucks? Add to this an integrated amplifier for the 21st Century, a great sounding home theater speaker system that trades cosmetics for performance, plus a faux-4K projector that’ll convince you you’re watching true 4K, and you have a far-flung batch of exemplary gear that screams for attention. Read on and, please, try not to drool.

Naim Uniti Atom Wireless Music Player: $3,000

A follow-up to Naim’s outstanding Mu-so Qb Wireless Music System — one of 2017’s Top Picks of the Year — the Uniti Atom is a gorgeous and impeccably-built 21st Century remake of the classic integrated amp, melding hi-res streaming capabilities with a high-performance 2 x 40-watt power amplifier. “I loved almost everything about Naim’s Uniti Atom stream-plifier,” wrote reviewer Daniel Kumin. “Everything, that is, except the price. Which is not to say that $3,000 is unfair for so beautifully conceived, engineered, and executed a product.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Outstanding sound quality
Very high standard of fit, finish, and industrial design
Generally excellent ergonomics with well-conceived app
Minus
Premium pricing may scare off some buyers
Occasionally slow volume-control response via iOS app

Full Review Here

 

Monoprice Monolith 12" and 15" THX Ultra Subwoofers: $800, $1,300

If you’re looking for serious bass but have limited funds, you owe it to yourself to take one of Monoprice’s new THX Ultra-certified Monolith subwoofers for a test drive. They won’t win any beauty contests but these subwoofers will deliver just the sort of deep, clean, controlled bass you would expect from a speaker that has survived THX scrutiny. “I truly enjoyed my time with both of these subs and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to a friend,” wrote resident bass guru David Vaughn, “but I would add to this my usual adage: Two is better than one, because, well...there’s never such a thing as too much bass!”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clean, copious, and articulate bass
Outstanding build quality
Five-year replacement warranty
Minus
No parametric equalizer
No app control
Extremely heavy

Full Review Here

 

HiFiMan Sundara Planar-Magnetic Headphones: $499

If you haven’t experienced the sweet, clear sound of planar-magnetic headphones, HiFiMan’s new Sundara would be an excellent place to start. They’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time, sound great, thanks to the use of a new super-thin diaphragm, and affordably priced. Resident headphone guru Steve Guttenberg praised Sundara’s natural imaging and high-resolution capability that “brought him into the [recording] session” without exaggerated detail or presence.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
80 percent thinner diaphragm
New HiFiMan aesthetic
Improved comfort
Minus
Can’t hush external noise

Full Review Here