Where is GoldenEar among your Top Picks for speakers? This omission casts doubt on your choices in general.
2016 Top Picks Of the Year Value

Value
Emotiva Airmotiv 5CH Speaker System
(January 2017) Emotiva’s return to the passive loudspeaker category resulted in a stupendously neutral and great-sounding system that stunned contributing technical editor Dan Kumin with its astounding value. $1,177, emotiva.com
RSL Speakers Speedwoofer 10S Subwoofer
(July/August) This ported 10-incher from high-value purveyor RSL delivered bass that was surprisingly clean and punchy, and at $399, you can afford to buy two. $399, rslspeakers.com
Vizio M65-D0 LCD UHD Display
(December) Cord-cutters beware: There’s no off-air tuner on board, hence the word “display” instead of “TV.” But no matter—Vizio once again proved itself a master of affordable excellence. Priced at $1,299 when we reviewed it in late fall, it was selling for $1,149 during the holidays. $1,299, vizio.com
Optoma HD142X 3D DLP Projector
(December) We tried out a few under-$1,000 1080p projectors during 2016, but at just $579, this Optoma delivered a notably good value. $579, optomausa.com
VApex PRO Fixed Projection Scree
(December) In our measurements and subjective viewing, this solidly constructed 1.1-gain screen compared favorably with a Stewart Filmscreen model costing eight times its price. ’Nuff said. $219 as reviewed (92-inch diagonal, 16:9), visualapex.com
Monolith 7 Power Amplifier
(June) A stupidly powerful, 7 x 200-watts-per channel, 93-pound, Class A/B beast built in the very best audiophile tradition and sold at a price that constitutes an absolute steal. $1,499, monoprice.com
Yamaha YAS-106 Soundbar
(December) A largely neutral, honest soundbar that’s well featured and delivers incredibly good value for its price; add your own subwoofer to its supplied output to kick it up another notch. $199, usa.yamaha.com
AudioQuest DragonFly Red & Black Headphone Amp/DACs
(December) AudioQuest’s latest Dragon-
Flys are both a revelation and a bargain. Dragonfly Red, $199; DragonFly Black, $99; audioquest.com
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