UltimateAVmag.com: Buyer's Guide: Speaker Systems: Premium Choice

	UAV Recommends. These components offer outstanding performance that is just short of the Ultimate, but still worthy of consideration for your system.


	Atlantic Technology 6200 System $8,000 (unfinished trim panels) 6200 LR: Three driver, two-way, sealed-box, stand-mounted, $2200/pr. 6200 C center: Three driver, two-way, sealed-box, $1200 ea. 6200 SR surround: Four driver, three-way, sealed-box, dipole/bipole (selectable), $1400/pr. 6200 PedWoofer subwoofer system: passive, sealed-box pedestal subs & outboard SA-6200 amplifier, 10" driver, $3200/pair (including SA-6200 amplifier). The Skinny: This complex system, with its modular L/R satellites, pedestal subwoofers (typically used as stands for those L/R speakers), and adjustable center and surrounds, produces a disarming and compellingly enveloping sound. The sound of the System 6200 sneaks up on you—the mark of a good speaker. Its top end was sweet yet clearly detailed, its midrange free of obvious colorations, and its bass—after setup and calibration—full-bodied and free of boom or bloat. While just forgiving enough of less than ideal sources, the system provides all the detail you could want. In TJN's room the subwoofers worked best detached from their duties as stands for the left and right speakers, and optimally positioned, provided a powerful enhancement of this system's outstanding overall sound quality.
	B&W 703 System $6,850 703: Three-way, four driver, floor-standing ported-box, $3000/pr. HTM7 center: Two-way, two-driver, ported-box, stand-mounted, $750 ea. 705 surrounds: Two-driver, two-way, ported-box, $1500/pr. ASW750 subwoofer: 12" driver, sealed box, $1600 The Skinny: While the B&W 700-series may be one step down from the company's 800 range, it's not nearly as big a step down in sound as in price. The 703 system sounds open and immediate, with plenty of air and detail. The midrange was exceptionally free of coloration. The balance was a little more forward than is typical of many audiophile speakers, but it was remarkably natural, with bags of unforced detail. The best front end you can afford will not be wasted on the 703s, though they'll also perform well with well-matched, more affordable gear. The ASW750 subwoofer may not crack the walls with the bass energy of larger, more expensive subs, but it nevertheless provided a solid, extended bottom octave without boom or bloating. Altogether, the 703 system continually surprised and delighted us on both music and movies.
	Dynaudio Contour 5.4 $13,150 as reviewed Contour S5.4: Three-way, four driver floor standing, 30Hz LF, $8000/pr. Contour SC center: Two-way, three driver, 55Hz LF, $1900 Contour S1.4 surrounds: Two-way, two driver, 41Hz LF, $2800/pr.; stands $450/pr. The Skinny: This Dynaudio speaker system rivals planar speakers in its open, completely not boxy sound, which is remarkable for a system built on a large floorstander. While we've heard home theater speakers with better jump factor, this system mastered the difficult task of being highly detailed and capable of resolving the most complex mixes without being too analytical in nature. And they look as good as they sound, which is a must for these kind high price points. Rich and full-bodied is probably how we'd call it, a system so good that we critics were hard pressed to find much of anything to criticize.
	Energy Reference Connoisseur RC-70 System $4,000 RC-70: Three-way, four driver, floor-standing bass reflex box, $2000/pr. RC-LCR center: Three-way, four driver, sealed box, stand-mounted, $600 RC-R dipole/bipole/direct radiating surround: Three-way, four-driver, acoustic suspension box, wall mount, $300 each S12.3 subwoofer: single 12" driver, vented box, $800 XXX The Skinny: A first-class surround speaker system for $4000? With this Energy system's uncolored midrange, sparkling highs, extended bass, and flexible surrounds, that's exactly what you get. It performs equally well on soundtracks and music, which isn't true of all surround speaker systems. TJN was particularly impressed by the subwoofer, which provides a far more subterranean low-end feel than you have any right to expect for $800. The fit and finish are outstanding, too. Our review samples needed a bit more breaking in than many speakers to sound their best (particularly the center channel) but it was well worth the time.
	Focal-JMlab Diva Utopia Be System $28,500; add $1200/pair for Micro Utopia Be stands, $600 for Center Utopia stand Diva Utopia Be: Four driver, three-way, floor-standing ported-box, $11,500/pr. Center Utopia Be: Four driver, three-way, ported-box, stand-mounted, $5000/ea. Micro Utopia Be surrounds: Two driver, two-way, ported-box, stand-mounted, $6000/pr. Sub Utopia Be subwoofer: 16" W cone, ported box, $6000 ea. The Skinny: French manufacturer Focal-JMLab is a leader in high-end speaker design, and its prices reflect that. The Diva Utopia Be is the baby of the company's floor-standing Utopia range. It incorporates the company's best, class-defining beryllium tweeter, with its super-silky top end. The rest of the engineering of all the speakers here is similarly cutting edge, and the sound—and appearance—of the system lives up to what it promises. The speakers produced a huge, coherent soundstage that was not challenged by any program material I could feed it at any sane level. The only limitation in the system is the off-axis performance of the Center Utopia Be. An expensive, but superb, package.
	Focal Profile 918 System Price: $10,970 as reviewed without stands Profile 918: Three-driver, "2 1/2 way" floor-standing ported box, $3,995/pr. Profile 908: Two-driver, two-way stand-mounted ported box $2,295/pr., $495/pr. for stands Profile CC908: Four-driver, three-way stand/cabinet mounted ported box, $1,695/ea. Profile SW908 subwoofer: 500-Watt 13" ported subwoofer, $2,995/ea. The Skinny: Even in FM's large room, the relatively diminutive Focal Profile 918 system did a credible job at both reasonable and unreasonable volume levels. Although not as detailed as FM's reference electrostats, the Focal Profile offers startling clarity with both movies and music while also sounding completely musical. The soundstage is beautifully detailed, and only the most demanding sequences will occasionally induce a slight degree of compression. We'd shoot for a different sub at this price range, but the speakers earned an unconditional recommendation for imparting near perfect timbre with the difficult to reproduce human voice, whether two-channel music is source or the 5.1-channel bombast of film.
	Genesis 7.1c Speaker System $14,250 as reviewed 7.1c L/C/R/Surrounds: Sealed two-way, four drivers, stand-mounted, 50Hz LF, $1975-$2350 ea., depending on finish G-928 Servo subwoofer: Sealed box with two 12" drivers, outboard 1000W amplifier, 20Hz LF, single-ended line level and speaker level inputs, $2250-$2350 ea., depending on finish The Skinny: This speaker system by Genesis is remarkable not only for delivering uncompromised sonic performance but for being compact enough to do so in medium-sized rooms and pretty enough to garner the ever-important spouse approval factor. In fact, SS found that this high-resolution system shares the speed, transparency, and neutrality of Genesis' larger and far more expensive 6.1 system. On top of all that, the system is incredibly well integrated, presenting film and music a coherent whole. Anyone shopping in this price range needs to have this system on the proverbial short list!
	Genesis 6.1 System $27,050 as reviewed 6.1: Sealed four-way, seven drivers, floor standing, 16Hz LF, $9000-$11,200/pr., depending on finish 6.1c center: Sealed three-way, five drivers, 48Hz LF, $2800-$3400 ea., depending on finish 6.1sr surrounds: Sealed three-way, five drivers, switchable monopole/bipole operation, 55Hz LF $7000/pr. S4/8 subwoofer: Sealed box with four 8" drivers, outboard 500W amplifier, 20Hz LF, single-ended and XLR line level and speaker level inputs $2850-$3300 ea., depending on finish The Skinny: The Genesis 6.1 system is so transparent and high in resolving power that it presents the ultimate AV enthusiast conundrum- while it's certainly thrilling, it's also merciless in revealing the flaws of upstream equipment and program material alike. This means you have to be committed to keeping the rest of your system up to snuff sonically to keep up, which will be pricey. But should you decide to commit to this home theater mission, the Genesis 6.1 system envelops you with its dimensional soundstage, thunderous bass, and striking, see-through transparency. Uncompromising in every way.
	Magnepan 3.6 System $7,090 as reviewed MG 3.6: Three-way, three driver planar-magnetic hybrid floor standing, 34Hz LF, $4375/pr. CC3 center: Two-way, three driver planar-magnetic hybrid, 34Hz LF, $990 MG 1.6 surrounds: Two-way, two driver planar-magnetic hybrid floor standing 40Hz LF, $1725/pr. The Skinny: Are you ready for an out of box speaker experience? Magnepan planar speakers have been big in audiophile circles for decades now, and this surround system based on the 3.6 shows why. It was love at first listen for FM with the Maggies' open sound and magical midrange. And that midrange magic that does vocals so well in two-channel imparts the same natural qualities to human voice. And these planar speakers disappeared, creating an expanse to rival the best cineplexes. Maggies need a lot of power, but if you can commit to giving these speakers the juice they need you're getting true high-end sound for mid-fi money. A great deal on a great speaker system.
	Mirage OMD-28 System $11,500 as reviewed Model OMD-28: Three-way, four driver ported floorstander, $7,500/pr. Model OMD-C2 center: Three-way, four driver acoustic suspension center, $2,000 Model OMD-R: Three-way, six driver sealed surround, $2,000/pr. The Skinny: Omnipolar speakers may not be to everyone's taste, but there's no doubt that some will be hooked on the enormous soundstage and the forgiving but highly detailed sound from this Mirage system. The OMD-28s have pwoerful bass, if a loittle overripe now and then, and the system has striking depth. There is an addicitve listenability with these speakers with both movies and music. Audition these speakers carefully and you just might falll in love.
	Paradigm Signature System $9,900 as reviewed Signature S4 L/R/surrounds: Ported "2.5-way," three drivers, stand-mounted, 62Hz LF, $2600/pr. Signature C3 center: Ported three-way, four drivers, 55Hz LF, $1500 ea. Signature Servo subwoofer: Sealed box with one 15" driver, 1200W amplifier, 20Hz LF, single-ended and XLR line level inputs, $3200 ea. The Skinny: Paradigm's Signature system isn't a polite speaker in the lower midrange, but it offers up inner detail like nobody's business, with layers of resolution and absolutely visceral, seemingly limitless dynamic impact. There isn't a home theater stress test we could find that could induce any degree of compression or congestion in this system. The bass is deep and gut-thumping powerful, but it's also tight enough to carry a tune. Dialog was crisp and clear, and even complex soundscapes were capably and believably defined. This Paradigm system has few weaknesses and an array of obvious engaging strengths.
	PSB Platinum M2 System $8,896 (plus stands) Platinum M2 L/R front: Two driver, two-way, ported-box, stand-mounted, $1999/pr. Platinum S2 surrounds: Four driver, two-way sealed box, wall- or stand-mounted, $2399/pr. Platinum C4 center: Five driver, three-way, ported box, $1999/ea. SubSonic 10 subwoofer: 2x12" drivers, ported-box, $2499 The Skinny: The little M2 may be the smallest model in PSB's Platinum line, but it's a superb performer that's used here for the front left and right channels. It's rewardingly free of colorations with an open, airy, silky-smooth top end. The soundstage from the M2 system, on both music and movies, is well-defined, with a convincing yet natural sense of depth. The SubSonic 10 is also an agile performer. With all five channels plus the sub singing together, the M2 system pulled off that most difficult of balancing acts: it reproduced the most cacophonous sound effects and the most subtly shaded music and dialog with equal ease.
	Revel Performa F32 System $11,295 as reviewed (not including stands) Performa F32: Ported three-way, four driver floor standing, 26Hz LF, $4000/pr. Performa C32 center: Sealed three-way, four drivers, 63Hz LF, $1800 ea.; stand $200 Performa M22 surrounds: Ported two-way, two driver stand-mounted, 48Hz LF $2200/pr.; stands $220/pr. Performa B15a subwoofer: Sealed box with 15" driver, 1000W amplifier, 18Hz LF, single-ended and XLR line level and speaker level inputs, $3295 ea. The Skinny: This Revel Performa system competes with the sonics of "cost no object" designs for a price that certainly isn't cheap, but just as certainly isn't as wildly exorbitant as many entries in that upscale speaker market. Few speakers SS has heard in this price range have offered this combination of clean bass extension, with overall detailed and neutral, unembellished sound. And yet this system's truthful presentation doesn't rob it of any emotional impact or involvement. A powerful statement from top to bottom.
	Sonus Faber DOMUS System Price: $10,080 as reviewed without stands Grand Piano DOMUS: Three-driver, three-way floor-standing ported box, $3,495/pr. Concertino DOMUS: Two-driver, two-way stand-mounted ported box $1,495/pr., $695/pr. for stands Center DOMUS: Four-driver, three-way stand/cabinet mounted ported box, $1,295/ea., $395 for optional stand Gravis DOMUS subwoofer: 200-Watt 12" subwoofer w/10.25" passive radiator, $2,495/ea. The Skinny: This DOMUS surround system does what Sonus Faber does best- combine world beating Italian grace and style in design with fantastic sound quality. MF found the DOMUS system superior to Sonus' previous Concert series in offering better dynamic contrast, more freedom from compression and a center channel that ranks among the most natural and believable that he's heard at reproducing the human voice. The woofer here isn't the biggest or baddest with sound effects, but is outstanding for music, with pitch definition and texture to spare. And in fact, while the DOMUS system is certainly worth auditioning for anyone shopping in this price range, it bumps up to the shortest of short lists for music loves whose home theater will also be their primary music system.
	Tannoy Highline Arena System Price: $5,438 as reviewed Arena Highline 500 Tower: Sealed three-driver, three-way floorstander, $1,800/pr. Arena Highline 500 Center: Sealed two-way with dual concentric driver, $720 Arena Highline 500 Satellite: Sealed two-way with dual concentric driver, $720/Ea. Arena Highline 500 subwoofer: Sealed 500-Watt 12" subwoofer, $1,100/ea. The Skinny: This Tannoy Highline system doesn't possess overpowering scale of some of the cost-no-object systems MF has reviewed for us over the years. But the Tannoy system does produce palpably realistic dialog, and is second to none in consistently drawing the listener/viewer into the sonic spaces created by the movies and music played on them. On top of that, it's attractively finished and has surprising scale and power for a system that's not physically imposing in the room. Overall, one of the most satisfying sytems MF has reviewed, which is saying a lot!