THE BIG PICTURE

With so many products among our reviews that merit Top Picks status, I'd like to share with you my personal favorites from 2011. Of course, all of our Top Picks are worthy of your serious consideration, but these are the ones I'd buy if I was shopping for home-theater products in the entry-level, midrange, and high-end price ranges.

FLAT PANELS

Entry Level

Panasonic TC-P50ST30
List Price: $1,300

A great plasma at a great price, often offered for hundreds off list, with online streaming and 3D capabilities. The TC-P50S30 ($1,000, reviewed here) is essentially identical without 3D for $300 less.

Read full review here.

Midrange

Panasonic TC-P55VT30
List Price: $2,800

Panasonic's top-of-the-line 3D plasma with online streaming, but price for reviewed screen size puts it in the Top Picks midrange. Excellent all-around performance.

Read full review here.

High End

Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD
List Price: $6,000

Finally, a flat panel to compete with the late, lamented Pioneer Kuro. Gorgeous in every way (except off-axis, like all LCDs).

Read full review here.

PROJECTORS

Entry Level

N/A

We haven't yet found an entry-level projector that warrants Top Picks status, but we'll keep looking.

Midrange

JVC DLA-X3
List Price: $4,500

This 3D projector exhibits superb blacks without using a dynamic iris, which I prefer to avoid. Soon to be replaced by next generation.

Read full review here.

High End

JVC DLA-X7
List Price: $8,000

Like the DLA-X3, this one has no dynamic iris, yet it achieves superb blacks with an even greater native contrast ratio and THX 3D certification. Soon to be replaced by next generation.

Read full review here.

FLOORSTANDING SPEAKER SYSTEMS

Entry Level

Aperion Verus Grand
List Price: $3,095

A tough choice between this and the GoldenEar TritonCinema Two system ($3,495, reviewed here), both of which sound splendid. The GoldenEar system has no standalone subwoofer, which I prefer so it can be placed separately for optimum low-frequency performance.

Read full review here.

Midrange

MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL
List Price: $5,290

I love the sound of MartinLogan electrostatic speakers, as long as there is enough room to place them properly. If I didn't have enough room, I'd choose the KEF Q900 system ($4,000, reviewed here).

Read full review here.

High End

Revel Ultima2
List Price: $45,993

These are the best speakers I've ever heard, bar none.

Read full review here.

COMPACT SPEAKER PACKAGES

Entry Level

Pioneer SP-BS41-LR
List Price: $528

These speakers offer an astounding price/performance ratio, though they are a bit bulky. The reviewed system is the SP-PK21BS 5.1 package with the larger SP-BS41-LR speakers in the front L/R positions; standard package with smaller SP-BS21-LRs is $400. Either way, I'm blown away by how much performance you get for so little money.

Read full review here.

Midrange

Boston Acoustics A 25
List Price: $1,200

As reviewer Mark Fleischmann puts it, "Altogether, this is one of the most well-rounded sets of affordably priced speakers I've ever heard. For this price, you can't go wrong." Especially impressive is the subwoofer, which performs far better than others in its price class.

Read full review here.

High End

Klipsch Reference RB-61 II
List Price: $3,350

Horn tweeters aren't everyone's cup of tea, but Klipsch has tamed them effectively; plus, with a center speaker, you're always "in the beam," so directionality isn't a problem, and their high efficiency lets you drive them with less power.

Read full review here.

A/V RECEIVERS

Entry Level

Pioneer VSX-1021
List Price: $550

This is a close call with the Onkyo TX-NR609 ($599, reviewed here), which uses Audyssey 2EQ to auto-calibrate for three listening positions; Pioneer's proprietary MCACC system auto-calibrates for only one, but it EQs the subwoofer, which 2EQ does not. Also, the Pioneer's AirPlay feature is compelling.

Read full review here.

Midrange

Marantz SR7005
List Price: $1,600

Marantz makes superb A/V electronics that easily compete with far more expensive models, and this AVR is no exception.

Read full review here.

High End

Arcam AVR600
List Price: $4,995

This model is a bit dated by now, with no 3D passthrough, but it sounds amazing with class-G amps that deliver pseudo class-A performance. As reviewer Mark Fleischmann concluded, "The Arcam AVR600 is one of the best receivers I've heard from any brand."

Read full review here.

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

Entry Level

Panasonic DMP-BDT210
List Price: $200

This player is actually at the bottom of the Top Picks midrange, but we have found no true entry-level Blu-ray players yet. An excellent 3D player with online streaming.

Read full review here.

Midrange

Oppo BDP-93
List Price: $499

This one is at the high end of the Top Picks midrange, but it's definitely the player to have if you can't afford the Oppo BDP-95 or don't need its audiophile-grade analog output. 3D, online streaming, and second-to-none customer support.

Read full review here.

High End

Oppo BDP-95
List Price: $999

If you're a true audiophile with high-end electronics, you can't beat the BDP-95; otherwise, get the BDP-93 and save $500.

Read full review here.

PREAMP/PROCESSORS

Entry Level

Marantz AV7005
List Price: $1,600

How does Marantz make such great electronics for such low prices? Get the matching MM7055 multichannel power amp and step up to a stellar separates system that doesn't break the bank.

Read full review here.

Midrange

Integra DHC-80.3
List Price: $2,600

Just under the wire for 2011, the new DHC-80.3 from Integra boasts a boatload of features, including 4K upscaling. Plus, it sounds great! If I got this pre/pro, I'd probably get the matching DTA-70.1 9-channel power amp ($1,600).

Read full review here.

High End

Denon AVP-A1HDCI
List Price: $7,500

This monster has been around for a while, but Denon has updated its firmware with 3D passthrough, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Audyssey DSX, and Dolby Pro Logic IIz; mates beautifully with the POA-A1HDCI multichannel power amp.

Read full review here.

POWER AMPLIFIERS

Entry Level

Marantz MM7055
List Price: $1,200

Perfect mate for the AV7005 pre/pro; separates performance for AVR price.

Read full review here.

Midrange

Cary Audio Model 7.125
List Price: $4,000

Seven channels of audiophile-grade amplification for $4,000 is actually quite a bargain, especially with the Model 7.125's punchy, tight, well-controlled sound and enhanced dialog clarity.

Read full review here.

High End

Denon POA-A1HDCI
List Price: $7,500

If you've got the scratch, pairing this behemoth with the AVP-A1HDCI gets you something really special.

Read full review here.

MEDIA STREAMERS & SERVERS

Streamer

Roku 2 XS
List Price: $99

I chose this over the Apple TV because it provides access to a wider variety of content, including TWiT, the Internet TV station that carries my Home Theater Geeks podcast as well as many other fine tech shows.

Read full review here.

Server

Kaleidescape 1U Server & M500 Player
List Price: $16,470

Super expensive, but superb in every way. I would add a Disc Vault to make Blu-ray playback easier from the server; M700 holds 320 discs for an extra $6,000. Hey, it's only money!

Read full review here.