High House Theater Speaker Programs
RSL W25E In-Wall Speaker System: $2,020 (as examined)
When audio system designed particularly for mounting in a wall or ceiling first appeared in the marketplace 30 or so years in the past, they had been ridiculed by audiophiles. So-called “architectural audio system” might by no means match the sound produced by freestanding audio system, they scoffed. However over time, in-wall/ceiling speaker designs improved to the purpose the place the perfect of the lot can sound each bit nearly as good as conventional stand-alone audio system and accomplish that at costs which might be fairly affordable. Working example is the W25E in-wall speaker system from Rogersound Labs (a.ok.a. RSL).
The 5.1 setup we reviewed mated 4 W25E in-walls with a timbre-matched freestanding CG25 middle speaker and standalone Speedwoofer 12s. The W25E audio system used within the entrance left/proper and rear encompass positions characteristic the corporate’s patented Compression Information enclosure for lowered cupboard resonance and an MTM (midrange-tweeter-midrange) driver association through which the tweeter is offset; the structure, which additionally locations the drivers on an angled baffle, is designed to enhance vertical and horizontal dispersion to attain a smoother response on the listening place. Guess what? It really works.
To make the change from cumbersome wall-mounted audio system to in-wall audio system that sit flush within the wall, long-time reviewer David Vaughn broke out his toolbox and put in the RSL system in his den. He was instantly impressed by what he heard, first with music after which with film soundtracks. Imaging was exact and, with films, the audio system “excelled at making a strong wall of sound that emanated from the entrance of the room.” The system additionally received over his spouse for its inconspicuous presence. Audiophiles who suppose it’s unattainable to get credible sound from in-wall audio system that each one however disappear can be shocked after they hear what RSL’s W25E audio system can do.
AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clear output
Edgeless magnetic grille
Angled baffle design improves imaging
Minus
Set up requires insulation behind the speaker
Full Overview Right here (posted 6/22/23)
Sonos 7.1.4 Atmos Speaker System: $2,471
The Sonos Period 300 is a mighty spectacular speaker by itself however we wished to see what degree of dwelling theater goodness might be achieved if we mated a pair of the little 300s with a Sonos Sub (Gen 3) and the excellent Arc soundbar. Might this four-piece system ship a full-on Dolby Atmos expertise to rival a prime performing eight-speaker Atmos setup?
Certainly it will probably!
Rob Sabin, former editor of Sound & Imaginative and prescient and a veteran reviewer with deep hands-on data of Sonos merchandise, didn’t mince phrases, describing the Atmos movie-watching expertise as “full-ticket superior.” Swapping within the Period 300s for a pair of Sonos Play 1 audio system that date again to 2014 was a night-and-day second: “The very first thing I observed was the apparent completion of the front-to-back Atmos dome, a really coherent bubble from which sounds or devices had been lastly capable of emerge alongside any aircraft starting from barely behind my candy spot on the sofa to the highest of the entrance stage above the TV.” Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was one in all many standouts with “dinosaurs roaring, squealing, and stampeding by the house from entrance to again” and its tense rating extending to the center of the ceiling.
The system additionally did an outstanding job of including realism to sports activities broadcasts, upconverting 5.1 soundtracks to Atmos splendor, and bringing music to life in an expansive method that transcends stereo recordings — all with a strong basis due to the Sonos Sub. And, after all, on prime of the mesmerizing listening expertise you acquire entry to what’s arguably the perfect wi-fi multiroom platform on the planet with its easy-to-use app and wide selection of music streaming choices. Sonos calls it the “Final Immersive Set with Arc.” We name it a knockout.
AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent full-dome Atmos film results
Excellent spatial audio music copy
Performs loud with out distortion
Minus
Costly
No spatial audio streaming from the Sonos Tidal app
Full Overview Right here (posted 7/12/23)
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Arendal 1723 S Speaker System: $7,996 (as examined)
In the event you haven’t heard of Arendal you’re not alone. The model hails from Norway the place it’s been producing and promoting audio system in Europe for greater than a decade. We assembled a 5.1 dwelling theater setup comprising 4 fashions from the well-crafted 1723 sequence: Pairs of Tower S and Bookshelf S audio system, a Heart S, and the app-controllable Subwoofer 2S, which mates two 14-inch drivers with a 1,200-watt amplifier in a reasonably imposing sealed enclosure. The whole lot is THX Extremely Licensed for reference-level volumes in rooms as much as 3,000 cubic ft with a 12-foot listening distance. A testomony to the arrogance it has in its merchandise, Arendal gives a 60-day in-home trial and a beneficiant 10-year guarantee on every part however electronics, which is 5 years.
The system carried out admirably with films and music, producing sound that was balanced and impartial. As reviewer Jim Wilson put it, “The audio system are detached to quantity and comport themselves when pushed, but they’re simply as revealing when performed with restraint. I heard nuances in acquainted songs that are not anyplace close to as evident with different audio system. I am not kidding, I actually skilled particulars I did not know had been there. I might pay attention to those audio system all day day-after-day, there’s completely no fatigue or pressure.” And the Subwoofer 2S, which earned a High Choose in its personal proper, shrugged off the brutal opening sequence of Fringe of Tomorrow — a torture take a look at identified to destroy lesser subs — producing powerfully deep, articulate bass. In a phrase, efficiency from prime to backside was spectacular.
AT A GLANCE)
Plus
Impeccable construct high quality
Small in dimension, giant in sound
Trendy design, very good engineering
Minus
Expensive
Subwoofer app a bit finicky
Full Overview Right here (posted 3/8/23)
MartinLogan Movement House Theater Audio system and BalancedForce Subwoofer: $9,194 (as examined)
When MartinLogan launched the Movement Collection greater than a decade in the past, the road represented a brand new route for a model that had constructed its fame across the magnificent sounding electrostatic audio system it had been producing since 1983. The corporate embraced a standard field speaker design with one essential exception: as a substitute of a regular dome tweeter, it used an modern Folded Movement tweeter — an oblong thin-film diaphragm that’s folded like an accordion and suspended in a magnetic area. The tweeter, which gives lots of the similar efficiency advantages of electrostatic expertise however in a smaller bundle, stays a cornerstone of the Movement Collection, now in its fourth era, and sounds as candy as ever.
The 5.1 dwelling theater ensemble we reviewed mated two Movement F20 towers with a Movement C10 middle, two stand-mounted Movement B10 bookshelf/encompass audio system, and a BalancedForce 210 subwoofer — all fantastically appointed and constructed with distinctive care. As soon as the system was arrange and the requisite subwoofer changes made, reviewer Jim Wilson settled in for an prolonged movie-watching session that included the World Battle II chaos of Furyold-school-western-style mayhem courtesy of Open Varyand the all-natural prehistoric sounds of 10,000 BC.
Although the motion and corresponding audio in these three movies could be very completely different, the Movement audio system conveyed the large ranging sounds with authenticity. Voices, specifically, had been a standout. As Wilson put it, “Some of the telling facets of a speaker is whether or not or not it will probably precisely replicate the human voice.” The system handed this take a look at with ease. The audio system additionally acquitted themselves honorably with music, leaving Wilson impressed with their capability to mix beautiful element with razor-sharp imaging and wealthy bass. In the event you’re a severe audiophile on the lookout for a brand new thrill, MartinLogan’s up to date Movement Collection audio system will do the trick.
AT A GLANCE
Plus
Unimaginable mids and highs
Elegant look
Distinctive construct high quality
Minus
Not cheap
Excellent Bass Package not included with sub
MAP (Producers Marketed Pricing) enforced
Full Overview Right here (posted 6/8/23)
Arendal 1961 9.4.4 Speaker System: $14,490 (as examined)
We had been so impressed with the Arendal 1723 sequence dwelling theater speaker system that we determined to up the ante to see how the Norweigan model would fare within the high-flying, immersive world of Dolby Atmos. Drawing this time from the corporate’s 1961 sequence, we assembled an over-the-top (some may say ridiculous) 9.4.4 system comprising 9 2.5-way 1961 Tower audio system organized across the room ($1,799/pair), 4 wall-mounted 1961 Top audio system ($799/pair), and 4 16-Hz-capable 1961 Subwoofer 1V subs ($1,199 every), every of which mates a 12.2-inch woofer with 550 watts of uncooked energy in a ported cupboard. About these 9 towers: the considering was to put-together a no-compromise speaker system, full-range at its core, with one of many towers appearing as the middle channel — an atypical setup for positive, however one which occurred to work in the primary dwelling space of Mark Henninger’s spacious loft (see photograph). Loopy? Certainly. But additionally mind-blowing in efficiency — and worth.
Powering the entire shebang with maybe essentially the most highly effective A/V receiver on the planet — Denon’s 15.4-channel AVR-A1H — Henninger reveled in an auditory expertise he likened to “watching a hologram — clear, exact and thrillingly lifelike.” Settling in with Apple Fritzan EP put out by the English digital group Orb in 1994, he wrote: “I discovered the audio system not merely producing sound, however crafting an digital orchestra in my room. The audible nuances within the tracks circled round my head, creating an audiosphere as enveloping because it was entrancing.” The 9.4.4 listening expertise was each bit as riveting whether or not watching John Wick: Quantity 4 or enjoying Tomb Raider on an Xbox Collection X.
Other than their superb efficiency, the towers will work in quite a lot of extra typical (and more cost effective) configurations and look nice in nearly any room due to a minimalist aesthetic. Add to that Arendal’s 60-day in-home trial and beneficiant 10-year guarantee on every part however electronics, and you’ve got a profitable mixture.
AT A GLANCE
Plus
Highly effective, correct sound
Comparatively compact
Engaging
10-year guarantee
Minus
Subwoofer lacks an app
Solely accessible in black or white
Full Overview Right here (posted 7/26/23)
