Top Picks

Multiroom/Wireless Speakers

Denon HEOS Multiroom Audio System
(January 2015) Denon’s take on a Sonos-style multiroom digital audio system offers excellent sound quality and an engaging app interface—good enough, in fact, to warrant the ire of Sonos and a patent lawsuit. $2,150 as reviewed, usa.denon.com/us/heos

Sonos Play 1 Wireless Speaker System
(April) The diminutive and attractive Play 1 lowered the entry point for a Sonos system to under 200 bucks. Beyond its obviously limited bass output, it’s the best sounding of the Sonos powered speakers and superbly suited to playing in a stereo pair. $199, sonos.com

Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 18, 17, and 19 Speakers
(February/March 2015) Bang & Olufsen embraced the WISA high-resolution wireless audio solution and flawlessly executed it in its BeoVision Avant Ultra HDTV and these three speaker models, including a new flagship tower, a wall-mount/bookshelf speaker, and a subwoofer. BeoLab 18, $6,590 pr; BeoLab 17, $3,590 pr; BeoLab 19, $3,395; bang-olufsen.com

Bluesound Multiroom Audio System
(June) Drawing on the resources of PSB’s speaker designer Paul Barton and sister brand NAD, Lenbrook dropped this excellent-sounding high-end entry into the growing app-based multiroom audio genre. $3,396 as reviewed, bluesound.com

Soundcast Melody Bluetooth Speaker
(July/August) Soundcast’s Melody offers a unique combination of weather resistance, rugged build quality, and a 360-degree radiation pattern in a great-sounding portable speaker. $399, gosoundcast.com