LATEST ADDITIONS

I am doing spring cleaning. Yes, it is currently winter. But I live in Florida, and it's too damn hot to do manual labor in the spring. Ergo I am currently cleaning out my storage locker. As a result, I think I have to buy this Audio-Technica turntable. I'll explain.

Yes, we know… You haven’t finished your holiday shopping. You’re not alone and if you’re like me, you haven’t even started. Yet, the clock keeps ticking: 16 days ’til Christmas with only days left to order online and ensure gifts get where they need to be in advance of the Big Day. In the spirit of helping you (and me) check an item or two off the ’ol shopping list, here are 10 potential gifts to give (and get) — all Top Picks, vetted and approved by your friends at Sound & Vision — 11 if you count our just-posted Top Value Pick: the Monolith THX-certified 5.1 minispeaker system.

PRICE $799.99

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact
Clear and precise sound
Wall mountable
Tunable subwoofer EQ
Minus
4 ohms impedance
Low sensitivity

The Verdict
This 5.1 HTiB speaker system combined with a suitable AVR offers a high-performance yet compact alternative to soundbars. The concentric driver satellites provide pinpoint imaging that results in cohesive surround-sound envelopment. Even with stereo music you get a listening experience that defies expectations for a system this small in size and cost.

Home Theater in a Box Done Right
The classic HTiB—an all-in-one subwoofer/satellite speaker system—was long ago supplanted by soundbars as the go-to upgrade for TV audio. But a solid HTiB system, with the speakers properly placed and paired with the right AVR, is a great way to get superior surround-sound on a budget—so long as the components are high quality.

Disney+ is raising its streaming subscription rates tomorrow (December 8), ending a year of price hikes that started with Netflix, Hulu, and many niche streaming services. If you act fast, you can still get some deals before the higher prices go into effect. After that, you’ll need to get creative, so your monthly subscription budget doesn’t look like your old cable bill.