unmatched bang for the buck
357370
fantastic bang for the buck! the driver in the sennheiser HD 518's is very advanced. these are great audiophile grade headphones  for someone just getting into audiophile quality. the bass is a little heavy on these, but that's a guilty pleasure for me :)
1974359
Very impressive performance for the price. In my classroom at school I have a pair of Audioengine A5+ speakers with the A8 subwoofer which fill a large room full of students very nicely. For a small (12ft x 12ft) room at home I decided that a pair of the A5+ speakers would do the job on their own. They are good (and go down to around 50 Hz), but I really felt they needed some filling in at the bottom end. I couldn't justify an expensive unit like the A8 for such a small space but I didn't want to ruin good music with something 'cheap' (boomy or mushy). Based on reviews I got the Dayton Sub-800, and I'm glad I did.

On the minus side it didn't come with any connecting cables. I have a bag of spare cables left over from other systems but for some users this might be a frustration, which is why I've given it 4 instead of 5 stars.

On the plus side: I plugged everything in, set crossover to 80 Hz and gain to halfway, powered up, started a liquid dubstep mix..... Huh? Couldn't hear the sub! Confusion for a second or two until I tried turning the gain up and things got boomy, turned the gain down and the bass disappeared. I hadn't expected this level of quality - when properly set it merges with the regular speakers so nicely you can't hear it as a separate unit but you get a richer sound down to a much lower frequency. Simply outstanding at the price.

ps: two things you might want to note:
1)  Don't pass judgement until you've played it for a few hours. It seemed to me that like high end systems it took a little while to loosen up.
2) Even though it is very impressive at the price, don't expect it to do everything that high end systems will do. It's only rated down to 40 Hz so you'll miss out a bit on those bone-tingling infra-frequencies.
4272911
I purchased this reciever based on a review I read from audioholics and I figured why not just post it for everyone to read. I couldn't agree more with their review. It is a solid receiver for the $299 amazon price.

2008 has started off with some amazing prices and features being offered on budget A/V receivers. Just as the new high-end receivers gain new features and new technologies, so do the receivers on the low end of the price spectrum. This is the first time that basic HDMI functionality has been offered on receivers for under $350. This is a winning situation for everyone. Most would think that $350 would not get you anything of quality and in the past that would be correct; Not so anymore. The RX-V463 is a feature laden piece of gear that far from your budget receiver of the past.

With impressive audio processing power the Yamaha RX-V463 dives into territory once occupied by receivers costing twice as much or more. Those features include things such as 192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels, 6-channel external decoder input, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility (via optional Yamaha YDS-10 YBA-10 docking modules) and YPAO for automatically optimizing the sound in your room. And if thats not enough for you then how about 3 HDTV compatible component video inputs, 8 DSP programs, a compressed music (MP3) enhancer, and the ability to view iPod song titles displayed on the front panel and OSD, Dolby Digital and DTS processing, and XM- and XM HD-ready. That is one heck of a feature set for a sub-$350 receiver.

With a rated power of 100 watts x 5 the RX-V463 is no pansy when it comes to power either. Yamaha has offered more bang for your buck than most for a while now, and this budget receiver continues in this tradition. And with Yamaha's power ratings being very conservative, it is not unreasonable to think this little receiver will beat its rated specs. In short, there is more than enough power being offered here.

In addition to dual HDMI switching inputs, there are three component inputs, three S-video inputs, and three composite video inputs - each with one output as well. For audio, five analog stereo inputs, 6.1 analog inputs, two TOSlink inputs and one coaxial digital input round out the receiver. The RX-V463 also has real binding posts instead of those cheap spring clip terminals that so often plague other budget units.

Like all of the newest Yamaha receivers, setup is could not be any easier with the addition of the on-screen Setup menu. This is a noteworthy feature in itself on a budget receiver. While it is not as advanced as the system found on more expensive Yamaha receivers, it is accurate and easy. Also offered is a new feature called SCENE buttons. SCENE buttons are like macros that are preprogrammed to launch a variety of commands. Build quality is very good and the unit weighs a solid 17.6 lbs. This is a great budget receiver.
1176579
I have been installing home theaters for 20 years.  I have installed high end/high dollar systems and low end budget systems.  Sometimes people pay too much for what they get and don't get the performance they desire in return.  I am not going to get into all of the technical details as they have been covered thoroughly in many reviews, including Amazon.  What I will say is for the money, for the performance, the features, the setup, and ease of use, there isn't a better receiver you can buy.  I have owned Yamaha, Denon, Harmon Kardon, Pioneer Elite, and Sony ES.  They all were great products, but as I stated already, for the money this receiver just can't be beat.

It's dynamic, powerful, and can meet all of my needs in regards to multizone, networking, and video processing.  I have an Xbox One, Dish Hopper, 400 disc CD player, Chromecast, Roku Stick, Network Hub, 2 zones, use the ISF video processing and run a 9.1 speaker system.  I have had no issues whatsoever. In most cases, when people do have issues (outside of HDMI) with receivers, they are user error.  I am not saying that applies to everyone, but in many cases it is based on the users not being familiar enough with the equipment.

This receiver does exactly what its features say it will, it performs in all facets fantastically, and for the price is an outstanding bang-for-the-buck champ for home theater receivers.
2535378
Bang for Buck: Lucked out and got this as a free upgrade from the 3100 (seller ran out of stock and 3100 was discontinued by manufacturer). So, for me, this unit was worth every penny because I only paid $675 rather than the MSRP of $1k. If you are looking at paying full sticker, I can't really offer meaningful advice on how it stacks up to other similarly priced units.

Setup: On screen setup directions on first power up would make this easy to set up even for my grandma. Very clear and easy to follow. I have a really nice camera tripod that I used so I didn't have to use the supplied cardboard tripod(ish) thing they supply in the box.

Interface: I LOVE having everything available through the TV. Entering text is a bit clunky but presumably you should only have to do that at initial setup for wifi passwords, etc... I would really like to have back lighting on the remote control but as my wife pointed out, once you learn the button locations, you stop looking at it anyways. I haven't tried the smart device software yet. In theory, that should completely eliminate the need to use the supplied remote anyways. I was also pleasantly surprised when my TV/Satellite remote already worked on the volume control and power off w/o having to do any additional programming at all. I guess the industry must be standardizing certain remote sequences. So far I haven't even touched the front panel. I'm guessing I never will.

Features: LOVE that it connected to my wifi with no fuss. I was streaming Pandora within a few minutes of setup. I also have ~500 CD's worth of music on a tablet that easily connected by bluetooth. The passive HDMI pass through is very handy. My wife hates dealing with peripheral equipment. She just wants to push one power button on one remote and have normal TV working with just the TV speakers. I didn't have to do any special setup at all. It worked that way straight out of the box with everything going through HDMI.

Sound quality: Excellent. I don't have anything to compare it to because I've been without a stereo for so many years but this drives my new 5.1 set of all Klipsch speakers with zero distortion, at least to my ear. I gave it a test drive with music ranging from Enya to Primus. Handled everything beautifully. Then I watched the latest Star Wars, Tron in 3D, and Dark Knight. Tron showcased the stereo the best IMHO. I've had 5.1 systems before but this is my first system that uses LFE. I was very impressed! My 10" Klipsch powered subwoofer kicked in perfectly for all those chest thumping and bone rattling effects and stayed out of the way for the music and dialogue where my 6.5" front mains did the appropriate amount of heavy lifting.
4720023
I wasn't expecting much - but this little thing won me over.  The sound is remarkably clear and dynamic.  Obviously there must be some sonic compromises in a device that is barely bigger than a glasses case with two drivers the size of quarters - but the sins are of omission.  Bass is suggested, rather than visceral, and your head can't be more than a couple of feet away if you want stereo imaging.  Maximum audio volume is also appropriate to near field (1-3 feet) rather than filling a room.  Yet, to be honest, we've used this to provide casual background tunes in hotel rooms while traveling.  Never in the last year has this thing embarrassed itself.  It doesn't buzz or distort or otherwise behave like something that is so very very cheap.

The unit is built for portability:  self contained, carrying sock included.  Lots of extras are included for the price too:  Cables for hookup to iPod/portable/PC and a non-charging passive iPod stand.  It can be powered by an included wall-wart or via 4 AAAs.  Amazing value for the price.  Ours lives in front of the computer and is alternately plugged into the iPod or the PC.  It does just fine on both and is certainly recommended.
4029993
If this were a $450 set of bookshelf speakers I would be complimentary of the soundstage imaging.  At $80, it's astounding.  I've never heard a better set of bluetooth audio speakers at anywhere near this price.

The crossover point might be a bit high, as I can definitely locate the sub.  But it's a nit, and I'm sure Kinivo knew what they were doing, as the satellite speakers aren't very heavy and probably don't have the magnets or excursion capability to go too low.

In any case, I have nothing at all bad to say about this system.  It sounds amazing, Bluetooth paired with my Lenovo laptop with no issues, and the price/sound quality value is amazing.  Buy with confidence.
337405
This unit may not be for everyone, or those expecting the absolute best in high fidelity and the deepest base.  After all, you get what you pay for.  However, dollar for dollar this unit beats most "sound bars" around the same price hands down.  For me it was perfect for my family room setup and exceeded my expectations.  I consider myself an audiophile.  I already have a separate dedicated home theater room with 110" screen, projector and 4,000 watts of power.  I already own McIntosh, Sunfire, Martin Logan, Ayon, fancy expensive cables, power cleaners, etc. etc.  This unit will obviously not accomplish what my other setup will, but is also does not cost $1000's of dollars.  This ZVOX unit is very substantial, delivers clear crisp audio, more than adequate base for casual movie watching  and music listening, and a surprising amount of base and volume as well.  If you need more base you can add a separate subwoofer.  If you want to connect wirelessly you can hard a wireless module for $30.  However, as-is I am thrilled with this unit and do not hesitate to recommend it to everyone who wants substantial improvement over the stock cruddy sound that comes from present day flat panels.  This one is a keeper!
1561340
I recently listened to, and tested, several top 2.1 brands: Bose, Logitech, Klipsch, JBL, etc., listening to all the sytems, side-by-side. Certainly, all listening is subjective and reflects the individual's preferences. I have been an "audiophile" for over 25 years and a musician for 50 years.
What surprised me was the incredibly accurate sound reproduction with a a depth and realism that makes you feel as though you were at a live perfomance. The fact that this system was just $99 absolutley blows me away! I have spent incredible amounts of money on some very high end speakers and equipment for my main stereo systems over the years and this speaker system is as close to perfect as I have ever heard.
The design and size of the speakers is wonderful. They sit next to my monitor without using valuable space. The sub-woofer is equally "small" but with terrific bass response. With a remote that independantly adjusts speaker volume and sub-woofer it gives me total control. Do yourself a favor - listen to this one before you make a decision!
1161705
This Infinity Classia subwoofer was a real steal! At about one-third the list price, it was too good a deal to ignore, and I'm glad now that I didn't. I have a large home theater room and needed another subwoofer to mate with my Velodyne digital sub. Tight, controlled bass is a must in my sound system (which I use mostly for music but also for the occasional movie). While I prefer a sealed box subwoofer, I decided to take a chance on the Infinity PSW310 after reading the reviews (both professional and user) because I felt it would be a good fit with my Martin Logan electrostatic speakers. I have tried other subs in a dual subwoofer setup and have never been satisfied. When I integrated the Infinity Classia into my system and finished running the Audyssey MultEQ setup on my preamp/processor, I was amazed, and ultimately very satisfied, with both the depth and tightness of the bass I was now experiencing. This sub is also very quick and never seems to lag behind the Martin Logans or the Velodyne. For both musical enjoyment and visceral impact during movies, I have never had a better subwoofer to mate with my high-end Velodyne. It doesn't go as deep or powerful, but for the money I highly recommend it. In a smaller room, I have no doubt the Infinity Classia PSW310 would do great all on its own to give the listener tight, fairly deep, and responsive bass in all applications.
1853656
Excellent quality for the price! Can't be beat!
440044
A super value.  I have a tubed based system with Magneplanar 3.7 speakers.  This thing stands right up to the scrutiny.  Incredible value for the buck.  I bought it to stream Spotify and the soon to be released upscale Spotify.  I actually streamed CDs to it from my PC and it performed incredibly well.

Update:  I have been playing music through this device including CD playback from my PC.  I have been using Stax ear-speakers in addition to my Magneplanar 3.7 speakers.  It is clear this device has burned in as the sound has matured nicely.  I really felt compelled to amend my review to enthusiastically endorse this unit.  The highs are liquid and clean, the bass is solid and extended now and the midrange is just what I would define as imminently musical.  Frankly, I am amazed.  It is a helleva bargain!
261296
The soundstage and clarity is quite breathtaking -- instrument and voice separation is perfect and expansive, and yet the total sum is a cohesive unit of musical sound; the best I've heard at this price, perhaps even competing with the much more expensive Paradigm S6 towers I heard a while back (though with a fair amount less bass quantity in a 2.0 setup). I enjoy the sound signature of these speakers more than any B&W speakers I've heard, even the $10,000+ speakers. Of course that's extremely subjective, but these speakers definitely suit me very well. Your tastes may certainly vary, but the DALI's are worth a listen. Comparable in sound signature to the Sennheiser HD650 headphones with a good DAC and tube amp, but with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the treble and wider sound stage. The treble is beautifully defined and is never fatiguing, even in near-field listening. The mids are fluid and crunch when needed for rock, liquid smooth when needed for other music. The bass is tight, accurate, and punchy down to the rated 53 Hz. I have these speakers paired with an SVS SB-1000 subwoofer for extra bottom end to the 20+ Hz range. They blend very well with that sub at a crossover of about 90 Hz. I had the speakers for a few weeks before the sub, however, and the sound was just so impressive. For information's sake: PC --> Little Dot DAC_1 (USB) --> Yamaha A-S301 --> DALI ZENSOR 1/SVS SB-1000.
3398903
It should be a crime to get this $700+ receiver for the price we got it.  It's brand spanking new (full HDMI 1.3 support) and provides ample power for all speakers.  You can really push this system with heavy duty speakers (for example, a 400-watt max Klipsch center speaker).  Setting up the calibration over the TV is initially difficult; you must use the small LCD screen on the receiver to make the setup screen show up on the TV (and the instructions aren't too clear on how to do it).  However, that is the only small snag on this great receiver.  The included mic for auto calibration (manual calibration also included) makes it easy to perfect the sound in your home theater room.  These types of receivers (HDMI 1.3) aren't in the stores yet, and you can be sure the price will be much higher than $400.  Speaking of HDMI, the inclusion of two HDMIs with passover is very helpful with all the components that use HDMI nowadays.  Do yourself a favor and stop shopping for any other receiver; this is the only one you need
3307765
For the past few months I have been looking for the ultimate audiophile budget bookshelf speaker system. So far I have tested the Fluance SX6'S, Micca MB42X's, Dayton Audio B652's and these B652-AIR's. Here are my thoughts on the AIR's and overall conclusion from my comparisons.

The Dayton Audio B652-AIR's are an excellent speaker for just under $70. They are definitely an improvement over the original B652's-which were renowned for their amazing value. I'm always on the hunt for audiophile sound on a budget and the AIR's ALMOST fit the bill and here's why.

Although they do sound amazing for the price, they are not perfect. I found them to be a lacking a bit in the mids. The 6 1/2" woofer produces some amazing lows for a non-ported speaker and the Air Motion Tweeter (AMT) produces wonderfully crisp highs. Where they fall short is in the midrange. Mids are there, but just fall flat. Perhaps a better way of saying it is that they are overpowered by the highs and lows. If I used an EQ to pull the high end out I could definitely hear the mids better, but this produced a much flatter that was overall unpleasing.

For my system I am using a Macbook Pro running iTunes 11:4. That is connected to the Behringer UCA202 DAC via USB. The DAC is connected to an older, but still good, Aiwa AV receiver that is rated at 120WPC but only produces about 30. The EQ and DSP was turned off on my receiver and I used iTunes to adjust the sound for optimal sound reproduction.

The B652-AIR's are one of, if not the, best speakers I've heard for around $65. The main reason I can't give them five stars is that for just a little more there are far superior options out there. At only around $15 more I would definitely choose the MIcca MB42X's. They have better mids and produce a better soundstage. My ultimate choice for budget audiophile bookshelf speakers would be the Fluance SX6's, at $100 refurbished they are an amazing speaker!
1763185
If you set out to search for the best possible speaker for the least amount of money, you will most likely be seeing a lot of this model. The ability to bi-amp is a nice feature, especially at this price point.
I purchased these as my first set of floor-standing speakers, and they sound so rich that the lossy part of my music collection is highly discernible from the rest. Luckily for me, it is because my high end audio sources sound exponentially better.
When your playing Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio sources, the fidelity difference over the digital standard reminds me of the first time I listened to a CD. Live music performances are especially enjoyable.
You will need an equally capable sub woofer, but that is a given and doesn't detract from these speakers.
I would recommend these to everyone, but if your concerned at all by sound quality, these really need a decent receiver with the latest formats and a good sub. Worth every penny.
3796174
I have been a car audio/stereo nut for years.  It's all about the tunes, and definitely about the quality.  Audiophile quality usually comes at a price now a days.  You can spend some serious cash for products that will handle way more, and knock your socks off, however, for the average consumer, the price for this loaded Rockford Fosgate P2-2X10 enclosure delivers above and beyond what you would pay for the same equivelant in the competition realm of subwoofers and amps!

These subs are wired internally from the factory down to a 1-Ohm load and handle 600W RMS/1200W Peak (300W RMS per speaker).  I have them paired to an Alpine MRX-M110 1100W Monoblock amp.......these things BREAK YOUR TEETH!
I have owned many subwoofers over the years.  I have had some old-school Rockford's in the past, that performed well...but nothing really show stopping.  I have owned Kicker, Audiobahn, Infinity, Alpine, Cerwin-Vega, MTX to name a few, and I must say, for 10" DVC Subwoofers, these are HANDS DOWN the hardest hitting for the price you pay!

I only have the amp set at barely 1/4 gain, and the bass boost is non-exsisting...OFF!  These subs push so hard and accurate that at a stop light, the care is dipping below idle to about 500RPM with each bass hit!!!!!  The accuracy is beyond amazing! They pick up every range and reproduce the waves with 100% precision.  If I were to push them all the way (the Apline MRX-M110 at 1-Ohm stable load produces 800W RMS), I would have to install a cap or upgrade the factory alternator otherwise my Lincoln MKZ would be stalling at every street light!! :)

Tuned these subs to tracks from Skrillex, Crystal Method, Korn, Metallica to name a few, and I have never heard deeper punchier bass from Korn and Metallica in my life!!! Skrillex and Crystal Method were the perfect test subject for the accuracy of the drivers in reproducing extreme bass lines all across the Hz spectrum.  These things responded with ease as if they were actually looking for more.  These subs crave the power! The more you push them, the better all around accuracy/SPL/Tone you receive.

The box is constructed quite well!  Thick dense black aviator carpet surrounds the entire enclosure, the subs are double-secured in the box with the standard basket mounting screws and then with the aluminum trim piece around the sub locked in with torx heads.

The port pushes plenty of air.  The only down side is because of the mesh-aluminum grill over the vent port, when these suckers throw, you get air-flow noise that might be a bit undesireable.  However, it would only apply if you want to showboat, and by all means go for it!  Simply removing the grill or cutting out the mesh bracket easily solves this problem.  However, in the cabin of the sedan, this noise is not heard whatsoever.

Look no further if you are looking for a quick setup to add deep pounding bass to your ride in quick installation time, this is the box to get!  I have plenty of other boxes and subs in manual installed configurations, but this box is built extremely well!  Quite box with no air leakage, solid construction and all internal wiring has been done with Rockford terminals and speaker wire.

The best buy for the money!  You will not be disappointed!  And they will take a beating for many years!