Video Projector

Marantz VP-11S1 ($20,000 with standard lens)


The Marantz VP-11S1 was the first 1080p DLP projector we reviewed, and it's still the best. In fact, to this point it might be the best digital projector we've yet seen, period. This projector is admittedly expensive, but it not only has no significant weaknesses, it simply excels in every aspect of performance. The colors are gorgeous and accurate, the processing is superb, and the blacks are among the very best we've seen or measured. But perhaps most important in this nascent age of native 1080p sources- Blu-ray and HD DVD- the VP-11S1 offers the most striking, superb resolution, depth and dimension we've seen. Overall, simply the best we saw this year, and perhaps in any year! Read Full Review

Honorable Mention:

Sony VPL-VW50 "Pearl" ($5,000)
What does it tell you that our top projector of the year costs $20K and the runner-up just 1/4 that?! Sony's Pearl is a three-chip 1080p SXRD projector with a dynamic iris and a ton of other meaningful features that's almost priced like a bargain model. It's outclassed only by the very best (and most expensive) 1080p DLP projectors and then only by small margin in absolute sharpness and pop. The Pearl offers category leading black levels and contrast, the smooth dimensionality of a three-chip design, and does so at a fraction of the price of its competitors. The point of diminishing returns in front projection starts with the Pearl at $5K and shoots upward at a steep angle. Read Full Review

Flat Panel

Pioneer Elite PRO-FHD1 ($8,000)


This was the easiest choice we had to make here. 2006 will be remembered as the year that 1080p came to the plasma TV, and the PRO-FHD1 delivered all that resolution and more. Not only was the PRO-FHD1 as sharp and detailed as you'd expect a 1080p set to be, it was smooth and natural with gorgeous colors, and reminded us of nothing so much as a large direct-view CRT in most ways. This spectacular plasma had us reaching for adjectives that have previously been earned by only the best front projection sets, and really marks a new era in which the flat panel TV is more than just a sexy form factor. The PRO-FHD1 has delivered the flat panel as a serious high performance display for discerning enthusiasts. And that's something to celebrate! Read Full Review

Honorable Mention:Olevia 747i LCD ($3999)


This was one tough call, as there were two other very worthy candidates: the JVC LT-46FN97 LCD and the Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR2 LCD. All three displays received very positive reviews. All three had their own strengths and weaknesses. The JVC and Sony did beat out the Olevia in some important respects, most notably black level performance. But TJN (who reviewed all three displays) ultimately concluded that this was due largely to the fact that both the JVC and Sony have adjustable backlighting for their LCD panels, while the Olevia does not. But after all was said and done, TJN notes that it was the Olevia that most often gave him that "wow" feeling, due primarily to its exceptional (and exceptionally natural) combination of resolution, color, and three-dimensionality.
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Rear Projection TV

Sony KDS-R60XBR2 ($3,799)

Even as he viewed it fresh out of the box, Randy Tomlinson dubbed Sony's SXRD rear projection set impressive, and found it hard to fault. But even so, proper setup produced dramatic improvements. RT discovered that "Sony's unique video enhancement circuits. . .(when used properly) make most any picture look cleaner, sharper, and more stunning, yet with very little penalty in the way of visible edge enhancement or other ugly artifacts." He also declared that the KDS-R60XBR2 "sets industry standards in dark scenes for low noise, lack of posterization, and absolute black level" for a one-piece television.

He concluded that "if you see one of these 60" XBR2s at a dealer's showroom or a friend's house and it doesn't knock your socks off, something is definitely set up wrong, because it sure can!" Read Full Review

Honorable Mention: JVC HD-61FN97 ($3,299)


While RT loved the Sony XBR2 SXRD set, he also found that his JVC could give it a run, in many respects, for less money. On some material, the two sets (properly calibrated) looked virtually identical. More dynamic HD over-the-air broadcasts (like football games), had more punch on the XBR2, with more contrast and more subjective (though not measurable) resolution.

But the JVC delivered its own set of strengths. Post calibration, the color was remarkable and "the picture became absolutely beautiful and totally involving."

As RT concluded, "Stunning picture on this JVC? You bet, once it's adjusted properly, though not necessarily right out-of-the-box. Think some fancy flat panel will beat this set on movies? Think again." Read Full Review

Speaker System

Triad Platinum ($29,850)


Steven Stone was blown away by the awesome performance of this high-end speaker package. Its immense dynamic range, ability to provide a thrilling home theater experience in a large listening space, and sheer impact left him reaching for superlatives. The Platinum subwoofers that filled out the system were also the best he has heard in his test studio. TJN, who has also heard these speakers in a custom installers showroom (though with a third Platinum LCRs in front instead of the Platinum Center), a room acoustically designed by one of the top audio experts in the business, was equally impressed, particularly by how well they handled music in what was, by design, a dedicated home theater room. Read Full Review

Honorable Mention: Revel Performa F52 ($14,494)

At half the price of the Triads, the Revels came very close to grabbing the loudspeaker award. Revel makes even higher-end speakers (the Ultima series is currently undergoing a major redesign), but if an admittedly expensive speaker package can be said to offer great value, this is it. Combine the superbly engineered F52 floor stander with the three-way C52 center and M22 stand-mounts for the rear (dedicated Performa surrounds are also available), add a now classic B-15a subwoofer or two, and you'll never wonder what you're missing. Read Full Review

AV Receiver

Denon AVR-5805 ($6,000)


Ten 170W amplifier channels. Enough features to keep your nose in the manual until 2008. And a front panel filled with logos announcing what's inside. The Denon AVR-5805 does it all. You can even use those 10 channels of amplification for two independent 5.1-channel setups in different rooms, or to bi-amp the front three speakers in a single 7.1-channel setup. There's not much that this king-sized receiver won't do.

Except sound bad. Whether you choose to the sophisticated, on-board equalization (from Audyssey) or not, the sound is relentlessly sweet, clean, and detailed. Tom Norton tried the receiver on both high-end and budget speakers, and the sound never disappointed him. It's stiff competition for separates that cost considerably more, with features than most of them haven't even thought of yet.

If simplicity is your thing, look elsewhere. But if you want it all, the Denon can provide it. Our only complaints are the stiff learning curve for some of the features and the massive, 92 lb. weight. Decide where you want to locate this beauty before you set it up. Once in place, it's not going anywhere for a very long time! Read Full Review

Honorable Mention: Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi ($1500)


Seven channels of 140Wpc. Four HDMI inputs. On board MCACC equalization—not as sophisticated as the Audyssey system in the Denon, but still effective. Selectable Faroudja video processing. And much more. Amazing what $1500 will get you in an AV receiver these days.

But, as Fred Manteghian concluded, "At the end of the day, audio is where the VSX-84TXSi excels. It easily conveys nuance and its tonality is honest and very natural sounding – no caveats or cryptic reviewer code here. This naturalness of timbre follows the Pioneer around, no matter what the source. Sure, I've heard separates sound as good or better, but not as often as you think and not for $1,500." Read Full Review