There are so many product reviews, we've had to split them over seperate pages! To read a product's full reviews, click the link for its brand. Otherwise, check out the review highlights below.
Specific Products (many of these are shortened reviews - for full reviews click brand links above):
Cerwin-Vega XLS Series Loudspeakers:
Reviewboard, 13 June 2010 - the sound delivered is where the XLS Series really shines
The XLS is the big brother to the mildly revolutionary CLS series, which introduced a high-sensitivity speaker that offered bass response into the mid-20Hz range, that was also inexpensive. The XLS, in typical big brother fashion, one ups the CLS series by getting a bass response of 38 Hz – 20kHz. Which as a warning to anyone planning to purchase these units, is probably more bass than you or your neighbors can handle.
While these speakers are obviously marketed to a younger audience with their bold black and red accent that is designed to “give you everything you need to that live concert or cinema experience”, an approach that is surprisingly well-executed.
The XLS series set provides a soundstage with clarity of bass, a feat that is almost never accomplished. Instead of the cliche BOOM you’ll be overjoyed with the ever-deeper GRUMBLE of the series.
Absolute Sound Golden Ear Award '07, US, January, 2008 - remarkable speaker... the R 909 does a positively spectacular job of reproducing the scope and power of large-scale music.
Home Studio, Holland, January, 2008 - Easy to play loudspeaker... Great separation of high and low frequencies... Crystal clear sound
Australian Hi-Fi, Australia, February, 2007 - a truly great loudspeaker, one that I predict will achieve immortality
Hjemmekino, Norway, February, 2007 - You won’t believe it before you hear it
Sound & Image Award, Australia, February, 2007 - LOUDSPEAKER OF THE YEAR OVER $ 2,500 The revolutionary Jamo R909 Reference Loudspeaker has just taken out two major awards, back to back. Hot on the heals of coveted European Title ‘Best High-End Loudspeaker‘, the R909 is back on stage again, this time receiving Australian ‘Loudspeaker of the Year over $ 2,500’.
The Absolute Sound, US, December, 2006 - glorious, full yet precise and extended bass, a bass undreamed of by any but truly enormous electrostatics
HI-FI CHOICE, UK, June, 2006 - this is a speaker with personality... the physical presence of musical performers right there in the listening room, appears to be intrinsic, where more conventional speakers with a similar balance often sound overblown. Editor’s choice Overall score: 89%.
WHAT HI-FI?, UK, June, 2006 - While these speakers can indubitably do ‘big’, with a rich, powerful and well-defined bass, their main characteristics is subtlety, whether with the finer details of voices or the way in which they reveal the recorded acoustic.
Stereo & Video, Russia, March, 2006 - a very spacious (almost natural-sized) soundstage, and a fantastically deep and powerful bass – which at the same time sounds absolutely true to life. Beyond any doubt, such an impeccable performance is an extremely rare treat even in the world of top-quality audio
HiFi & Musik, Sweden, February, 2006 - “These speakers sound almost like no other speakers we have encountered. Their effortless and natural way of playing possesses such an obvious authority that almost everything else sounds boxed-in, smeared out and slow.
CINEenCASA, Spain, January, 2006 - I can't imagine the R 909s failing to satisfy…. I fervently recommend listening to them. Verdict: 6 of 5 stars!
Prestige Audio Video, France, January, 2006 - a remarkable speaker with and impressive performance, providing and unforgettable experience for the listener whose primary concern is to enjoy an unconstrained sound space, with impressive levels of realism.
Electronic House, March 2010 - Excellent Blu-ray and DVD video quality... Extremely fast operational speed and disc load times... Can’t-be-beat performance.
Budget Blu-Ray Disc players often seem to offer capable BD playback and a multitude of ancillary features, yet skimp on playback of the bulk of most enthusiasts’ media library: the standard-definition DVD. JVC’s first foray into the Blu-ray Disc player market, on the other hand, takes the road less traveled. Instead of playing the buzz-word feature set game, JVC’s XV-BP1 player is all about performance of core features like disc load speed, audio decoding, and scaling DVD playback. Read the full review here.
Marantz AV8003 Home Theatre Pre-Amplifier / Processor / Tuner:
Home Cinema Choice, October 2008 - This is a stonkingly huge pre-power set-up for one-third the cost of Denon's flagship AVP & POA A1HD duo. Sibling rivalry? More like all-out war. A genuine AV bargain that deserves considerable applause.
Home Theatre Magazine, October 2008 - The AV8003 includes just about every feature you need and provides enough inputs and outputs to satisfy the vast majority of home theatre enthusiasts.Consumers expect improved build quality and meticulous circuit layout in separates, and Marantz does not disappoint. I doubt any receiver at any price can match its sonic performance.
Audio Video Revolution, November 2008 - one of the less expensive surround sound processors, positioned to attract those on the verge of buying separates or considering one of today’s uber-receivers, but who prioritize sound quality over bells and whistles. One would likely have to spend multiples of the AV8003’s price in order to obtain significantly better performance.
AV Guide, September 2009 - this controller is close to state-of-the-art; considering that you also get a full multi-channel decoder and Audyssey processor it is almost ideal for a mixed music and theatre system.
SA-KI Pearl Super Audio CD Player Reviews
Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity by Robert Kozel, 28 June 2010
The Marantz tradition has always been about enjoying music... Listening to the SA-KI Pearl was a simply delightful experience. The stereo imaging was excellent, and I became immediately involved with the music.
Listening to the Marantz SA-KI Pearl SACD player was a truly enjoyable experience. I think Mr. Ken Ishiwata would be very pleased with the emotional enjoyment that his player brought into my home.
Home Theater Review - September 2009
Sonically, SACD is pretty much the highest level of audio you can hope to get in a high definition audio system and this ultra-stable player offers smooth highs and beefy bottom end performance when directly compared to Compact Disc sources. The additional bits, lack of digital jitter and hash make for a much more musical sound overall.
The build quality of the SA-KI-Pearl is first class. It is built like the proverbial tank both inside and out with an industrial design that is deserving of proud display. The SA-KI-Pearl places sound quality first. The Pearl line provides the enhanced performance of a modded unit at a reasonable price and without compromising the manufacturer's warranty.
Audioholics - July 2009
Marantz is stuffing their new SA-KI Pearl SACD player full of high end components.
Audio Video Revolution December 2009
I noted in my review of the Turbines that I am not a frequent headphone listener but the awesome detail revealed via the Pearl could change my mind permanently. Several late-night sessions with headphones convinced me that this SACD/CD player is also an exciting headphone player.
The SA-KI Pearl is a testament to Marantz and Ishiwata ongoing quest for true music reproduction. The rich, opulent sound won me over and kept me feeding it disc after disc in anticipation of what hidden audio treasures might be revealed. Most important, I wanted to listen to the player and enjoyed listening to digital like never before. For SACD and CD, buy this component for the sound and revel in an audio experience that few others will. The SA-KI is a rare Pearl, indeed.
Marantz MM8003 Home Theatre Power Amplifier:
Residential Systems - Best Power Amp Resi Awards 2008, October 2008 - When Marantz set about creating its MM8003 140-watt x 8 channel power amplifier, the company wanted to uphold its reputation for creating some of the best-sounding and best-looking components in the industry. The end result is an exquisitely designed, beautiful component that sounds as good as it looks, and is equally "at home" in a custom rack as it is on display in a living room.
Home Cinema Choice - 5 STAR BEST BUY, October 2008 - supplying an abundance of welly and grunt. Our Tech Labs measured 141W into 8 ohms across five channels, which is a very good performance; the fidelity firewall rating of 167W is equally impressive.
Home Theatre Magazine, October 2008 - features a massive toroidal transformer, custom filter capacitors, and hand-selected components. The MM8003 also includes a copper-plated chassis, power distribution via copper buss bars, and ultra-bandwidth current feedback technology... it sounded more powerful, dynamic, and definitely more supple and nuanced
Audio Video Revolution, December 2008 - no matter how many channels were involved the Marantz had plenty of power to handle it while keeping the sounds discrete, detailed and realistic. No matter what I threw at this amplifier it was quick, detailed and neutral.
Marantz NR1501 AV Receiver Reviews
Home Theatre Review, March 31, 2010, Review by Brian Kahn - The Marantz NR1501 price and form factor make it an attractive choice for the casual buyer. Its capabilities make it a solid choice for those seeking a high performing product. The sound quality of this unit is refined and compares well with other similarly priced units. I have personally purchased this unit for my mothers system.
Audioholics September 2009 - Gotta have it! Full featured, tons of inputs, and slim design all with the quality Marantz is known for? The NR1501 is really a no brainer for the fledgling Audioholic that is working within the constraints of an existing piece of furniture or a spouse's decor.
Marantz SR6004
Audioholics 11 June 2010
4 1/2 out of 5 Stars Performance / 4 out of 5 Stars Value
Excellent sound quality / Easy to setup and operate (main zone) / Compact and attractive design
If you're looking for a midpriced receiver with respectable power reserves and audio performance, the Marantz SR6004 is a top contender. Good sound quality and looks are the two key selling points of this product which should appeal to any serious audiophile not able to commit to the expense and space constraints of full fledged separate components. Recommended!
Home Theatre Magazine (February 2010) - Top Pick: 4 1/2 star Performance, 4 star Features, 4 1/2 star ergonomics, 4 star Value.
Audioholics Online A/V Magazine (24 February 2010) - 2009 Consumer Excellence Award Winner. Category: Receivers & Media Systems > A/V Receiver
Mordaunt-Short 309W Subwoofer:
Active Home, Summer 2006- "Well made... good value for money."
Avant Premiere Plus - Home Cinema, February 2005 - "Small but beautifully formed would be a fitting way to summarise this gem-like system"
Avant Premiere Plus - Audioholics, Awards 2004 - "These speakers produce big sound on a low budget. With a stylish look, beautiful aluminum drivers and a proclivity to provide excellent imaging, it's hard to beat the value of this system."
Avant Premiere Plus - What Home Cinema, December 2004 - "Deeper and faster than any rivals at this price point, it makes a sound that's as precise as it is tuneful"
Avant Premiere Plus - Home Cinema Choice, August 2004 - "Bold and dynamic with a suprisingly large sound, the Avant Premiere Plus is a stylish, individual subsat solution, with a great subwoofer."
MS309 - What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, May 2004 - "In the end, a clear winner did emerge: Mordaunt-Short's MS309. This terrific performer blends pace with power, depth with deftness, and even looks quite neat... a bargain bass boost for movies and music."
Ortofon 2M-Black Magnetic Cartridge
Winner of The Absolute Sound 2008 "Product of the Year" Award!
The Absolute Sound, Product of Year Award Issue, Neil Gader, January 2009 - "The flagship Ortofon 2M Black utilizes a Shibata stylus (usually not found on cartridges any where near this price). With a heavily upgraded generator and a proprietary body material, the 2M Black is exceedingly fast, detailed yet supremely musical. An excellent value and has earned our highest recommendation!"
"The 2M Red is the entry level and 2M Black is the flagship. The 2M Black has a light, fast touch with good treble extension. Its greatest attribute is the way it provides a more transparent window on the world of micro-energies, permitting it to plumb the depths of soundstaging and dimensionality. Their performance is a fitting tribute to Ortofon and chief engineer Per Windfield!"
Winner of the Hi-Fi World Cartridge Award, Hi-Fi World, January 2008 - "...the Ortofon 2M is one of the most cohesive sounding moving magnets we've yet heard. It is natural and unforced in a way that makes listening a pleasure, bristling with fine detail and totally engaging on a musical level. A masterful design for anyone keen to get the best from LP, without moving up to the complexities, cost and delicacy of moving coils, it's a blistering first 'high end' cartridge and, as such, a worthy recipient of this year's Hi-Fi "World Award."
Pioneer BDP-320
TechRadar Review, www.techradar.com, October 2009 - Pioneer's new Blu-ray player, the BDP-320, shuns the bells and whistles that the budget players are currently competing on to concentrate entirely on picture and sound quality. It's a refreshing change and a welcome move for videophiles. What this performance-driven deck has in spades is video and audio processing to wring every last drop of quality from your Blu-ray, DVD and even CD collections.
Pioneer BDP-LX52
What Hi Fi Review, www.whathifi.com - The BDP-LX52 manages a cleaner, sharper rendition of the Watchmen Blu-ray compared with the BDP-320. There are also improvements to sound, too, with effects sounding crisper, fuller and more detailed. We were massively impressed with the Pioneer BDP-320, but the BDP-LX52 is well worth the extra cash should your budget stretch.
TechRadar.com, October 2009 - Picture quality is nothing short of sensational. The LX52 conjures up some of the sharpest and most substantial hi-def images we've seen from a player at this price point. Blacks are profound, while colours dazzle with a combination of strength and accuracy. But it's with detail that the deck really works its magic. Viewed side by side with most of its rivals (except perhaps the Oppo BDP-831), there seems to be an extra degree of crispness and punch to fine textures and patterns, and edges look just a touch more definitive. Add fluid motion tracking and jaggie-free diagonal lines into the mix and you've got yourself one seriously good picture performer. The LX52 tackles audio with equal relish. HD audio tracks piped to an amp as LPCM are virtually indistinguishable from the bitstream, boasting equal levels of dynamism and detail, while music on CD is smooth and natural sounding.
Gadget Guy Review, http://www.gadgetguy.com.au - With the BDP-LX52, Pioneer has moved to the correct side of the thousand dollar barrier for Blu-ray players, and at the same time produced a full featured unit, preserving the most important of Pioneer's previous innovations.The player does all the things we expect of a modern Blu-ray player, such as delivering high definition digital audio as a bitstream to a suitable home theatre receiver. As far as performance went, there were no surprises with this player. I was expecting great picture and audio performance from a Pioneer player, and it delivered it. And I was expecting a moderate amount of clunkiness, and it delivered that as well. But on the other side, you get enormous power and glorious performance. The picture quality was as good as it gets.
Pioneer Cinema 919: BDP-320 Blu-Ray Player & VSX-919AH-K AV Receiver
What Hi Fi?, Sound And Vision Group Test Winner, February 2010
For a home cinema system that demonstrates the meaning of the word 'synergy' look no further than this very special Pioneer pairing. Your money can't buy a glossier look.
Pioneer's MCACC speaker set-up system is equally showy, firing out several minutes worth of frenzied squelching noises to its microphone while it (pretty accurately) trims the settings to best suit your room. And there's no let-up in the attention-grabbing when sound is the issue, either. District 9's DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack inhabits a large, well-defined soundstage, and the VSX-919AH proves as supple and fast as a panicked gazelle when the going gets hectic.
For all its alacrity, the Pioneer manages to remain stable and focussed when moving effects around the stage, and it's particularly accomplished through the centre channel - dialogue is amply detailed and informative. It's substantial and attacking with the lowest frequencies (although the Denon AVR-1910 has even more body) while it has a crisp (though slightly gritty) top end. Integration throughout the frequencies is great, with seamless transitions between midrange and the extremes.
Images from the same film are delightfully detailed and confidently defined. We've long admired the BDP-320 and here it impresses all over again with its inky blacks, bright contrasts and lovely colour balance. Edges are sharp, textures are convincing and skin tones as natural as can be.
It's the strength of the Pioneer system working together that sees it make off with top honours. The BDP-320 isn't far behind Sony's BDP-S760, and there's not much distance between the VSX-919AH and Denon's AVR-1910. When they form a one-make system, they complement each other beautifully and are easily the least compromised couple here.
Pioneer VSX-LX52
Winner of the Smarthouse.com.au Best Receiver Over $1,000 Award
Smarthouse.com.au
December 2009
This receiver offers many features that rival devices twice its price. It has multi-zone audio, 1080p scaling and an iPod dock, and is THX certified. Not only that, it also looks sexy, with its polished black metal and large dimmable display.
PURE Sensia Digital Radio (DAB+)
Winner of the SmartHouse Best Digital Radio Award!
www.smarthouse.com.au
December 2009
Many digital radios do pretty much the same thing, but the Sensia is much more than just a radio. In addition to its touchscreen and impressive futuristic style, it is also a network music player. There is also an iPod dock accessory that essentially turns the unit into a speaker system as well.
Hi-Fi World - 5 Star Award
April 2010
"Superbly packaged DAB/internet radio with 'game changing' touchscreen user interface. An important product."
MacUser
January 2010
"It looks great and it sounds great too. The Sensia is to radio what the iPhone is to mobiles."
Stuff - 5 Star Award and Stuff Test Winner
www.stuff.tv
March 2010
"music sounds fast, crisp and balanced"
Sonos continues to garner rave reviews: here's just a sample.
Check out the Sonos YouTube channel. This feature video is a collation of reviews of Sonos from US TV and Radio shows.
The Wall Street Journal
The Mossberg Solution’s Katie Boehret reviews the Sonos S5 in Wednesday’s paper. “..the setup process is fantastically simple. Now that the iPhone and iPod Touch can use a free remote-control app that works just as well as the Sonos Controller 200, these players are even more accessible.” In the video portion of the demo, she calls Sonos “a solution that doesn’t cost much money. It helps you create a stereo system without much work.” Read The Wall Street Journal Sonos review here.
BusinessWeek.com
Sonos’ Splendid ZonePlayer. S5 receives 5 out of 5 star review. “Ease of use and sound quality are astonishing.” But overall, there's nothing on the digital home audio market that comes close to the Sonos S5.” Read the Business Week 5 Star Sonos review here.
CNET
The 5 most welcome digital audio products of 2009 – S5 introduction is one of those products, along with the Zune HD, Rhapsody/Spotify on iPhone and others. Read CNET best Digital Audio Products of 2009 featuring Sonos here.
Engadget.com
Michael Gartenberg writes about his best personal tech for 2009. He lists the Sonos S5 as one of the best general gadgets of the year. “Add in the cool iPhone app and you've got the first device that's not an accessory to the iPhone, it's now the first accessory to an app.” Read Endgadget.com Best of 2009 featuring Sonos here.
AppAdvice.com
A full review of the Sonos S5. “I found the ZonePlayer S5 and Sonos iPhone remote to be a true winner. Some might balk at the $399 price of the ZonePlayer S5 and the optional $99 ZoneBridge at first but after experiencing all the features you receive with this price, you find you are very well getting your moneys worth.” Read AppAdvice.com Sonos review here.
ZDNet Blogs
Livin La Vida Linux – feature write-up by a Sonos customer about how he loves his Sonos and goes into describe how Linux powers Sonos under the hood. Read ZDNet customer review here.
The Hartford Courant
Sonos S5: Sound Entry in Music Wars. “With the S5, Sonos might have produced the most technologically advanced one-piece, under-$400 music system in the world.” Read The Harford Courant Sonos review here.
Steinman Audio Labs have received excellent reviews for their range of Home Entertainment products in leading publications including Best Buys Home Theatre magazine. Here's a selection:
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TechRadar.com
June 2007
4 1/2 stars. This is an elegant but generously sized loudspeaker, more efficient than average and thus easier to drive. Overall, the Glenair 10 is a highly enjoyable and revealing loudspeaker that delves into the mix but keeps the musical message at the forefront.
Hi-Fi Choice
July 2007
Best Buy! Modern Classic - Tannoy's new Glenair 10 is intended to give its Presige range more modern appeal. The Tannoy has an uncanny ability to delve deep into the mix and deliver seemingly every last nuance of the recording. Extremely revealing of detail, with excellent timbre and speed, and it doesn't need a lot of power. But it's the ability to keep you listening that marks it out as a winner.
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