2021 Top Picks of the Year

Looking back on 2021, I can honestly state that it represented an improvement over 2020, though it didn't end up being the full-scale return-to-normal everybody was looking for. A/V consumer and trade shows such as CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis were gutted. Supply chain logjams delayed the arrival of new gear, particularly in core categories like speakers and A/V receivers, both of which ended up underrepresented in our 2021 Top Picks of the Year list compared with previous years. But even with all the challenges, the wheels of industry continued to grind, with much fantastic gear coming in for us to test and recommend.

What else happened in 2021? It was yet another peak year for video streaming, and for Premium VOD releases that let viewers stream the same movies showing in theaters at home in glorious 4K/HDR with Dolby Atmos sound. Relative newcomers like Disney+ racked up millions of new subscribers based on shows like Peter Jackson's The Beatles: Get Back series, along with legacy content such as the Star Wars franchise and Marvel Cinematic Universe. Music streaming also made big waves, with Apple Music adding both lossless high-res upgrades and Dolby Atmos mixes to its extensive library, and Amazon Music Unlimited expanding on the Atmos front by making its offerings available for listening with third-party hardware. High-res music stalwarts like Tidal and Qobuz, meanwhile, continued to flourish and to add features.

Even as streaming continued its unstoppable forward march, physical discs sales remained vibrant, though numbers were down by as much as 20 percent compared with 2020, the year movie theaters shuttered and everyone was watching from home. Still, we saw plenty of great new and catalogue titles released on Ultra HD Blu-ray, along with many excellent box sets, including lavish ones from George Harrison (All Things Must Pass) and The Beatles (Let it Be). We also witnessed the arrival of new Ultra HD disc players, a category that had been dithering, from French startup Reavon in 2021. We of course were quick to review these, and to award them TPoY in the Source Component category.

Same as in 2020, TV sales boomed in 2021, with viewers continuing the trend of choosing larger screen sizes. TV prices also hit new lows for both high-end and high-value sets. For one example, LG's "Gallery" 65G1PUA OLED Ultra HDTV, our 2021 TV TPoY, sells for $3,000—$500 less than the company's 65GXPUA OLED that took that prize in 2020. On the high-value front, the TCL 6-Series 65R635 Roku Ultra HDTV we reviewed in early 2021 now sells for $1,000, while the 70-inch Vizio M70Q7-J03 LCD Ultra HDTV that TV expert Thomas J. Norton also gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to can be found for as low as $750! Many new high-end TVs, such as the LG, Sony, and Samsung models we tested in 2021 also now feature multiple HDMI 2.1 inputs, which let you experience high frame-rate games when using the new Xbox and PlayStation consoles—if you can find one of those!

The audio scene in 2021 saw the arrival of plenty of affordable soundbars, including some with Dolby Atmos capability, virtual or otherwise. There were also many new and interesting compact high- performance subwoofers, along with an expanded range of sophisticated wireless speaker options. We were happy to get some quality time testing out Trinnov Audio's Altitude16 surround sound processor in 2021. How happy? The Altitude16 earned our overall Top Pick of the Year award based on its innovative, highly customizable feature set, and on reviewer David Vaughn's glowing write-up.

While a sophisticated $18,000 surround sound processor is something that attracts our interest here at S&V, we're also always looking out for high-value gear. For 2021, we're proud to present an expanded list of products that earned a Top Value badge, including our Top Value of the Year: Monolith by Monoprice's Encore T6 surround speaker system. At around $1,400 for a speaker package that offers this level of quality and performance, you really can't go wrong.

While the list that follows represents Sound & Vision's Top Picks for 2021, it also includes products reviewed in our December 2021/ January 2022 and February/ March 2022 print issues. Prices are subject to change from the MSRP listed when the review was originally printed, so check online to see the latest deals.

COMMENTS
fikol73915's picture

If you're an Apple user, the HomePod mini is a great choice. It has Siri built-in and delivers great sound quality. No matter what your needs are, these top picks are sure to provide you with the best fnf sound quality and features. Happy listening!

Sfroster's picture

The Rice Purity Test can also prompt self-reflection and introspection. By answering the questions honestly, individuals may gain insight into their own values, boundaries, and personal growth over time. what is your rice purity score

auroramorrison000's picture

I have used 99papers.com several times for different essays and have always been pleased with the results. I was able to get a great discount using the 99 papers discount code, which made it even more affordable. The essays I received were all of high quality and well researched. I highly recommend 99papers.com to anyone who needs help with their writing assignments.

fikol73915's picture

With over 600 Pokemon available for fusion, players have endless possibilities to create their own unique creatures. The Pokemon infinite fusion also features a ranking system that shows the most popular fusions among players.

Sakina Zojwala's picture
flowersgermany's picture

Very nice recap. If you're looking for flowers to send in Germany, we've also compiled our list of the best companies in that area, feel free to check it out - Flower delivery Germany
Thanks!

ginny266's picture

This forum is amazing and there is a lot of useful content here. Companies can use this content to further improve the quality of disposable nitrile gloves although they have not received any complaints about them yet. However, there is still room for improvement mapquest driving directions

spottedsubtlety's picture

The summary is great and has a lot of useful content. and you can join mini crossword

pollyssumner's picture

Toto online kasíno casinohex.sk/online-kasina/mobilne/ je skvelou voľbou pre všetkých hráčov, ktorí preferujú mobilné hranie. Jeho moderný a priateľský dizajn poskytuje pohodlné a intuitívne prostredie, v ktorom môžete hrať svoje obľúbené kasínové hry kdekoľvek a kedykoľvek. S bohatou ponukou hier od popredných poskytovateľov ako Microgaming, NetEnt a Playtech, si tu určite nájdete niečo pre seba. Okrem toho, kasíno tiež ponúka atraktívne bonusy a promoakcie, ktoré vám umožnia zvýšiť svoje šance na výhru. Nech už ste začiatočník alebo skúsený hráč, toto mobilné kasíno vám poskytne zábavný a bezpečný herný zážitok.

bellid's picture

Great list. Keep the content coming Clearing Land

sloperun3az's picture

This is a fun game, and if you play it with some pals, you're going to have a great time. One of my very good pals who is currently employed at play snake is the one who introduced me to this game, and I've had the opportunity to collaborate with him on quite a few occasions when playing it. It is really incredible!

bellid's picture

Great work on this one. Just revisiting the page for some updates. Gravity Walls

bellid's picture

Btw, Please check Lawn Care Solutions if you are looking for one!

bellid's picture

Btw, Please check Lawn Care Solutions if you are looking for one!

Seyren's picture

Great content. The yearly top pick content is a ritual for me!
Paving Driveway

bellid's picture

Totally agree! Top picks yearly content are the best!
Timber Walls

Roser2366's picture
Seyren's picture

Cool post. Top tier like Timber Retaining Wall

bellid's picture

Amazing picks Excavator Canberra

winsy109's picture

Completely on board! The yearly top picks content is extraordinary, it's something I eagerly await! Click For More

ugne's picture

great content custom printed boxes

ugne's picture

great content custom packaging boxes

mrshansen's picture

Agree to this.. all worth it!

Kim@sydney food truck

ugne's picture

great content custom printed boxes

yoyokhan's picture

Good artcile, but it would be better if in future you can share more about this subject. Keep posting. garage door repair near me

kraftboxes's picture
Printedboxes's picture
X