2021 Top Picks of the Year Speakers

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Speakers

Top Pick of the Year:

Polk Audio Reserve Surround System
(June/July) Read Review

A follow-up to Polk Audio's 2019 cost-no-object Legend series, the new Reserve series incorporates the same advanced drivers developed for those flagship speakers, along with some new technologies to optimize performance in a less swanky cabinet design. In his review of a full Reserve series Atmos system, S&V editor Al Griffin, who had previously reviewed the Legend series flagship towers, commented, "You could certainly spend more to get great sound in your home theater...but this Polk Audio Reserve series package proves you don't really have to." $3,195 (as tested), polkaudio.com

Finalists:

PSB PWM-1 On-Wall Surround System
(April/May) Read Review

On-wall speakers like the PSB PWM-1 can be an excellent option if you don't want to dedicate your living room to a home theater audio system, but also expect dynamic and enveloping sound that's a step above what you'd get from in-wall speakers. In his review of a full 5.1 PSB PWM-1 On-Wall system, Michael Trei deemed it, "An excellent choice if you want a great-sounding speaker system for movies and music that won't take over your room or your life." $6,193 (as tested). psbspeakers.com

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
(April/May) Read Review

Coming across as something of a desktop speaker system on steroids, IK Multimedia's powered monitor turned out to be a great desktop audio option, but also one that held up well for far-field listening when placed on speaker stands. "For anyone seeking a powered solution for the desktop, or for an intimate, small- room system, they earn my highest recommendation" commented reviewer Daniel Kumin. $700/pair, ikmultimedia.com

Sonus faber Lumina Surround System
(June/July) Read Review

Designed to appeal to a wider range of listeners (i.e., those with with real-world budgets) Sonus faber's Lumina Collection is the Italian company's most accessible speaker line yet. They may lack the curved all-wood cabinets of the brand's higher-end offerings, but nonetheless exude the company's characteristic high style, with real wood front baffles along with a leather cabinet wrap. As for the sound, reviewer TJN found the Lumina system to be "rewardingly neutral" on music, and "exceptionally dynamic, and well-balanced" on movies. $5,296, sonusfaber.com

PSB Speakers Synchrony T600
(August/September) Read Review

With Canadian speaker maker PSB's 50th anniversary on the horizon, the release of the company's new Synchrony T600 tower is cause for celebration. "With its clear, dynamic sound and deep- reaching bass, listeners with feet in both the stereo music and home theater camps will be well- served by this revamped version of the company's flagship," said TJN in his review. ($7,999/pair), psbspeakers.com

KLH Model Five
(October/November) Read Review

With its cool, fully authentic vintage looks and clean, uncolored sound—with solid bass!—KLH's Model Five loudspeaker, a re-imagined version of the reinvigorated brand's classic 1960s design, is a successful blending of the old and the new—new here meaning contemporary audio engineering practices. "An exceptional update to an iconic speaker design," enthused reviewer TJN. $2,000/ pair, klhaudio.com

Canton Chrono 70
(February/March)

After being missing from the North American hi-fi and home theater speaker market for over a decade, Germany's Canton is back with a full line of loudspeakers, including the mid-range Chrono 70 tower. The Chrono 70 "delivers powerful sound with ease and represents a great value at its $2K price," said MT in his review. $1,995/pair, canton.us

COMMENTS
pearl.jimenez's picture

Appreciate the recap! 2021 definitely had its struggles, but also some amazing advancements in streaming and audio. Roofing Calne

pearl.jimenez's picture

Great read, thanks for sharing! The rise of Dolby Atmos in both music and movies was definitely a highlight.Roof Repair Carterton

bonjovi24's picture

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Thank you for this detailed look back at 2021—such a fascinating year for home entertainment tech! Despite the supply chain hiccups, it’s impressive how much innovation still came through. I especially enjoyed seeing the growth in streaming and high-res music options. If you happen to need a tree surgeon while enjoying your upgraded home setup, feel free to visit our site!

bonjovi24's picture

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Thanks for the great summary of how 2021 shaped up in the A/V world! It’s clear that despite supply chain hiccups and ongoing disruptions, innovation didn’t stop—especially in streaming and high-res audio. I loved the expanded Dolby Atmos options and was especially impressed by the Beatles box sets and Peter Jackson’s *Get Back* series. If you’re also upgrading your media setup and happen to notice your roof could use an upgrade too, feel free to visit our site for expert roof repair services.

bonjovi24's picture

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Thank you for this retrospective on 2021! It’s great to see the improvements over 2020, even though we didn’t quite reach the full "return to normal" that many of us hoped for. The challenges with supply chain disruptions and the underrepresentation of certain categories in the Top Picks of the Year list are understandable, given the circumstances. Still, it’s exciting to hear about the rise of video streaming, Premium VOD releases, and music streaming advancements like Apple Music’s lossless high-res upgrades and Amazon Music’s Atmos expansion. These were definitely bright spots in an otherwise challenging year.

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vanhoofalexis's picture

Loved seeing how audio and video tech continued to evolve despite supply chain hurdles. Those Ultra HD Blu-rays and Atmos upgrades made home viewing truly cinematic. Need your roof sorted? You can find us online for trusted Roof Repairs Calne services, if the need arises.

yakimm's picture

Morgan attended Ben Franklin Elementary, Rose Hill Junior High, and Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington. He was an all-star athlete, excelling in both football Jeffrey Dean Morgan young and basketball. He even led his high school basketball team as captain. After high school, he continued playing at Skagit Valley College. However, a knee injury put an end to his basketball dreams. Not letting that stop him, Morgan turned to his creative side, picking up painting and writing. These interests eventually set the stage for his career in acting.

SNB's picture

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Crazy how much TV tech improved and prices dropped in just a year—those OLEDs are tempting! If you happen to need carpet cleaning services, feel free to visit our site!

bonjovi24's picture

Thank you for sharing this reflective look at 2021! It’s clear that despite the challenges, progress was still made, especially in the tech and A/V industries. The impact of supply chain issues and event disruptions certainly shaped the landscape, but it's great to hear that innovation and high-quality gear still managed to shine through. If you need any assistance in taking care of your space while enjoying your new gear, feel free to visit our site for carpet cleaning services!
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Thanks for the thoughtful reflection on 2021—it’s interesting to hear how the A/V industry managed to adapt despite ongoing challenges. Delays in gear and event disruptions were definitely felt, but it’s great that innovation didn’t stop. If you ever need a roof repair while you're upgrading your home tech setup, feel free to visit our site—we’d be happy to help.

pearl.jimenez's picture

It’s good to see physical media still holding strong, especially with those deluxe box sets. Asphalt & Bitumen Surfacing In Chinchilla

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Thanks for the great recap—amazing how the industry kept innovating despite the supply chain issues! Asphalt Surfacing Clifton

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Really enjoyed this roundup—great to see physical media still holding strong alongside streaming. If you happen to need a tree surgeon, feel free to visit our site!

bonjovi24's picture

Thank you for this honest reflection—it's great to hear that despite the setbacks and supply chain issues, the industry still managed to push forward and deliver quality gear. Here’s to continued resilience and innovation in the A/V world! And if you ever need a tree surgeon, feel free to visit our website—we’re here to help with expert care.
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bonjovi24's picture

Thank you for the detailed reflection on 2021 in the A/V world. It’s great to see that, despite the challenges, innovation and quality gear still found their way to market. Streaming’s dominance was certainly hard to miss, especially with the rise in Dolby Atmos content—definitely a game-changer. If you ever happen to need a new driveway to go with your upgraded home entertainment setup, feel free to visit our site!
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Some seriously impressive gear on that list—Trinnov’s Altitude16 definitely sounds like a game-changer for home audio. If you happen to need carpet cleaning services, feel free to visit our site!

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Thank you for this insightful recap of 2021. It’s fascinating to see how the A/V industry continued to adapt and innovate despite all the setbacks—from trade show disruptions to supply chain delays. Streaming definitely took center stage, both in video and music, and it’s exciting to witness how immersive formats like Dolby Atmos became more accessible. If you ever need a roof repair while you're upgrading your home entertainment setup, feel free to visit our site—we’re here to help.

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