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

	UAV's Current Top Picks. These components offer the Ultimate in pure performance in each product category.


	Aerial Acoustics LR5 System $24,700 ($27,900 as reviewed in Rosewood finish) LR5: Sealed three-way, four drivers, stand-mounted, 40Hz LF, $7000-$8000/pr., depending on finish; stands $800/pr. CC5 center : Sealed three-way, four drivers, stand-mounted, 40Hz LF $3500-$4100 depending on finish; stand $700 LR3 surrounds: Sealed three-way, four drivers, stand-mounted, 50Hz LF, $3200-$4000 depending on finish; stands $500/pr. SW12 subwoofers (two used in review system): Ported with 12.5" aluminum driver, 400W amp, below 20Hz LF, XLR and RCA line level and high pass inputs, $500-$5300 depending on finish; base $400 The Skinny: What makes a speaker an Ultimate Choice? There's no single formula, but smooth and ideal tonal balance, a vast but focused soundstage and seemingly unlimited dynamics sure don't hurt. This dual subwoofer system from Aerial Acoustics' is big physically, and has the high-octane performance to match. As long as the amplifiers they're mated with are capable of larger than life performance with respect to both power and nuance you'll hear the performance that to MF "seemed to be without limitation." It's an expensive system with a fit n' finish and performance that's completely beyond reproach.
	Pioneer EX Series Surround Speaker System $22,200 as reviewed with two subwoofers, not including stands for S-2EX and S-7EX speakers S-1EX L/R: Three-way, four-driver, magnetically-shielded design, in a vented, floor-standing enclosure, $9K/pr. S-7EX Center: 3-way, 4-driver, magnetically-shielded design, in a vented, floor-standing enclosure, $3,800/ea. S-2EX Surrounds: Three-way, three-driver, magnetically-shielded design, in a vented, stand-mounted enclosure, $6,000/pr. SS-W1EX Subwoofer (two used in review system): 12" Aramid cone woofer and 12" Aramid cone passive radiator, 250W amp, $1,700/ea. The Skinny: Just in case we forgot that Pioneer's roots are in loudspeakers, along comes a major reminder in this ambitious EX speaker system. These speakers are derived from technologies realized in the ambitious, $45K/pr. Model-1 from TAD, which is Pioneer's high-end speaker division. The EX system has a big, full-blooded sound that's immediate and genuinely detailed, but also laid back and relaxed. In addition this system has dramatic dynamic scale and effortless majesty, with a spacious but seamlessly integrated soundstage. We need to note that this system is a borderline Ultimate Choice for having subwoofers that don�t do quite much woofing as we want them to, and an overall sonic signature that might be a bit too warm and polite for some rooms and people. But to TJN this system is a definite candidate for the best film sound he's yet heard in his home theater. And since home theater rules the roost 'round here, that's the Ultimate compliment we can give Pioneer's majestic EX speaker system.
	Revel Performa F52 System $14,495 F52: Five driver, three-way, floor standing, ported box, $6,500/pr. C52 center: Four driver, three-way, stand mounted, ported box, $2,500 ea. M22 surrounds: Two driver, two-way, stand mounted, ported box, $2,200/pr. B15a subwoofer: 15" driver, sealed box, $3,295 The Skinny: It's a tribute to speaker manufacturer Revel that the technology in its F50 system was cutting edge just three years ago, yet the company has already moved on with the substantially upgraded F52. The latter offers genuine improvements in lowered coloration and a sweeter top end, a slightly warmer balance, and a reduction in the F50s occasional brightness. But it retains the F50's superb detailing, wide dynamic range, lack of compression, solid bottom end (response to 23Hz is claimed), and sheer rightness with all sorts of program material from the simplest musical riff to the most explosive soundtrack. For movie sound, the new C52 center channel and small M22 stand mount speakers, used as surrounds (Revel also offers the S30 selectable monopole or dipole surrounds) provide more than ample support. The B15 subwoofer (now upgraded to the B15a produces alarmingly deep and powerful bass. The fact that this Performa F52 system (full review scheduled) is one step down in price and, in theory, performance from the company's flagship Ultima range is downright scary. Full review coming soon.
	Triad InRoom Platinum Speaker System $29,850 InRoom Platinum LCR: Sealed five driver, three-way, stand-mounted horn speaker, $6,350/ea. w/custom paint, $7,250 w/ wood veneer InRoom Silver Monitor: Sealed three-driver, two-way, stand mounted horn speaker, $2,050/ea. InRoom Platinum Power Sub: 18" driver, sealed box, $2,850/ea. with one RackAmp power amplifier The Skinny: Triad's InRoom Platinum system apepals to the beauty and the beast in all of us- and our home theaters! Based on not quite full range InRoom Platinum LCR stand-mounted speakers, and boasting a pair of big ass subs, this system captures every nuance of detail in music and movies, but is also capable of earth-shaking dynamic swing and incredible bass potency and articulation. SS summed up the Triad's performance as "loud, clean, dynamic and exciting," which is what home theater is supposed to be. In addition to making this speaker system an Ultimate Choice, Triad's system earned our Speaker System of the Year for 2006. In the simplest term, this system is a winner.