Definitive's newest StudioMonitor loudspeakers are designed to bring big sound in a small package.  It's the first new bookshelf speaker from the company in nearly a decade and Definitive has added a few new tricks to the lineup. All three models - the SM 45, 55 and 65 - offer up the company's Balanced Double Surround System bass/midrange drivers and Pure Aluminum dome tweeters to ensure crystal clear highs.  The 55 and 65 add top-mounted bass radiators for some extra low frequency response.

There isn't always enough space in a room to place speakers and in-wall installation is overkill for a room that's your secondary or tertiary viewing option.  That doesn't mean you have to suffer with less than optimal audio though - soundbars are constantly improving and shrinking to minimize the visual impact. The new Mythos sound bars from Definitive offer a slick look and features that should help get that audio as good as it can be.  Both the XTR-SSA5 and the SSA3 use XTDD technology in their 3.5 inch drivers, which Definitive says give them the sort of punch that's normally missing in shallow drivers.

Lexicon's upcoming MP-20 preamp processor is their first big release in a while, but it's an impressive one to be sure.  It includes twelve channels, four subwoofer outputs and handles not only audio, but video as well. All those extra channels aren't just for the spec sheet - Lexicon has the normal seven in mind with five extra for height above the rear, front and center channels. The fronts also double as width channels, so they'd go up and to the left of the left channel and up and to the right of the right channel.

Runco is known for their high-quality projectors - a factor that tends to reflect in the cost.  The LS-1 is a bit different though.  That's not to say it's not a quality projector, but at $3,995 it's affordable to those that normally wouldn't be able to swing a Runco. The newest in the LightStyle series, the LS-1 offers a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and uses technologies like SuperOnyx, Constant Contrast and ViVix digital video processing to achieve deep black levels.  It utilizes the ISF calibration suite which allows the projector to be customized for the room.

Five years ago, Genesis came on the market with their 7-series loudspeakers which impressed reviewers and customers alike.  After that long on the market, CEO Gary Leonard Koh thought it was about time for an update.  "Since we launched the 7-series in 2005, I thought that it was time to update it with new materials and incorporating what we've learned in the past 5 years," he says. The new 7.2 series offers the same ring-ribbon tweeter found in the company's flagship 1.2 loudspeaker.

Pioneer went all out with its new SC-57 and SC-55 receivers.  They boast networking features, image enhancement, iOS control and more, but the most interesting improvement is a brand new Class D3 amplifier. Pioneer's new D3 technology offers greater power efficiency which goes hand in hand with improved heat management.  You'll also get an improved signal path - a third shorter than the 2010 model - and a total harmonic distortion of 0.003 percent.

Gear comes at a wide range of prices, perhaps more with receivers than any other piece of home theater component.  You can pick up something bare-bones for as little as $200 or go for a top-of-the line receiver that costs into the multiple thousands of dollars. NAD has traditionally skewed towards the latter, offering high-end receivers to be purchased by those that favor quality over a low cost, but T 748 was designed to cater to both.  It's not a cheapo receiver that you'll find at Walmart, but at $900 it's the least expensive receiver available from the company.