Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Soundbar System
Polk takes on the typical soundbar-plus-sub competition in the new MagniFi Max SR with two weapons. First, there’s the included pair of wireless rear surround speakers that ensure a room-filling 5.1-channel experience. But the “big” news is the inclusion of Polk’s Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) tech-
nology, the same secret sauce that makes the tiny MagniFi Mini compact soundbar stand out with a giant soundstage.
Near, the Maine-based company known for its indestructible outdoor speakers, has introduced a weatherproof subwoofer designed to be installed in or on the ground.
I tried to contain my excitement when Apple announced HomePod, declaring it “a breakthrough wireless speaker for the home that delivers amazing audio quality.” And to think that it will use “spatial awareness to sense its location in a room and automatically adjust the audio.” Fantastic! With that kind of technology, I might be forced to end my longstanding (but tenuous) relationship with Windows once and for all, trade in my Samsung Galaxy for an iPhone, and embrace Apple Music.
It’s not new but Steinway Lyngdorf’s S-15 remains stunning in its aesthetic and technical design. Visually, this tiny treasure has little in common with your garden-variety box speaker—nor should it, considering its pedigree. For starters, it’s 10 inches tall, 8 inches wide, and only 3 inches thick—or about a half-inch wider and an inch thicker than the 1997 Webster’s New World College Dictionary collecting dust on a shelf in my office.
MarkAudio-Sota Cesti MB Speaker
The entry-level model in a new line of finely crafted speakers, the Cesti MB combines Italian style with British engineering in a speaker designed and built in China. The company prides itself on constructing its speakers from scratch using custom drivers and crossovers and super sturdy cabinets made of laminated dual-core panels.
You can make all the excuses you want, but there’s really no good reason these days for not enjoying some form of A/V entertainment outdoors, whether you’re listening to music or watching a video in your backyard, at the park, or on the beach. Allow us to inspire you with a dozen products guaranteed to enrich your outdoor experience…or adventure.