Audio Video News

Like it or not, the holiday shopping season is upon us. Actually, it got a soft start before Halloween when overly anxious retailers started putting Christmas decorations on display.

Whether you hit the stores 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day or wait a few hours (or days, if not weeks…), we've revisited our Top Pick selections over the past year and come up with a tidy 10 for your consideration. We've even noted Amazon prices (as of Nov. 25, 2015).

Happy Thanksgiving. Oh, and don’t forget to cruise the Black Friday Deals Store Amazon launched on November 2..

D-Link DAP-1520 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Range Extender, $70

The Verdict: The DAP-1520 provides a simple and inexpensive way to improve spotty Wi-Fi coverage and set the stage for improved streaming.

Available on Amazon.com for $40.

Read our review here.

AudioQuest DragonFly v1.2 Amp/DAC, $149

The Verdict: AudioQuest has updated its giant-killer DragonFly with more crowd-pleasing voicing and a lower price, making this one of the best values in its category.

Read our review here.

Acemile Theatre Box Bluetooth Speaker, $299

The Verdict: The little Theatre Box will surprise you with its bold, big sound.

Available on Amazon.com for $240.

Read our review here.

Dayton Audio B652-AIR Home Theater Speaker System, $299

The Verdict: If you want a home theater system and you want it now, these speakers will suit a draconian budget. Let a thousand starter systems bloom.

You can assemble this system—five B652-AIR bookshelf speakers plus the Sub-1000 subwoofer—on Amazon.com for $268.

Read our review here.

Denon HEOS Wireless Multiroom Speakers, $300 and up

The Verdict: It’s not the first wireless multiroom sound system, but it certainly ranks among the best, and offers a choice between the HEOS 3 ($300), HEOS 5 ($400), and HEOS 7 ($600) speakers.

The HEOS 5 is $258 and the HEOS 7 is $365 on Amazon.com

Read our review here.

BenQ treVolo Electrostatic Bluetooth Speaker, $300

The Verdict: The treVolo is a lush-sounding Bluetooth speaker that should please audiophiles with reasonable expectations.

Available on Amazon.com for $279.

Read our review here.

Ultimate Ears UE900s Earphone, $399

The Verdict: The Ultimate Ears UE900s look, feel, and sound right and they’re big on transparency, without shortchanging body and soul.

Available on Amazon.com for $300 (limited stock).

Read our review here.

Koss Pro4S Headphone, $399

The Verdict: The Koss Pro4s doesn’t sound like your daddy’s Koss, not by a long shot. It’s the best new Koss in ages, big on comfort and timbrally rich.

Available on Amazon.com for $138.

Read our review here.

Denon AVR-X1200W AV Receiver, $599

The Verdict: Triple wireless connectivity and excellent room correction may lure more listeners to this top-performing budget receiver than its 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities.

Available on Amazon.com for $429 (limited stock).

Read our review here.

Sony STR-DN1060 AV Receiver, $600

The Verdict: If you can do without Dolby Atmos in this seven-channel AVR, Sony’s well-thought-out wireless functionality and sweet, golden sound are an unbeatable combination.

Available on Amazon.com for $448 (limited stock).

Read our review here.

See page 2 for gift items recommended by S&V bloggers.