Features

Runners-up (in alphabetical order)
Almarro M0A loudspeaker ($1200/pair; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.28 No.9, September 2005 review)
Amphion Helium² loudspeaker ($1150–$1350/pair; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.28 No.1, January 2005 review)
Apple Airport Express WiFi hub-D/A processor
Arcam Solo CD receiver ($1599; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.28 No.7, July 2005 review)
EAR 834P phono preamplifier ($1195, economy model; $1495, deluxe model; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.28 No.1, January 2005 review)
Epos M5 loudspeaker ($650/pair; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.28 No.4, April 2005 review)
Infinity Primus 360 loudspeaker ($658/pair; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.28 No.6, June 2005 review)
Magnepan MMG loudspeaker ($550/pair; reviewed by John Marks, Vol.27 No.11, November 2004 review)
Musical Fidelity X-DAC^V3 D/A processor ($999; reviewed by Sam Tellig & John Atkinson, Vol.27 No.12 & Vol.28 No.5, December 2004 & May 2005 review)
Musical Fidelity X-10V3 line stage ($399; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.27 No.12, December 2004)
Music Hall Maven receiver ($1500; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.28 No.3, March 2005)
Rega Planar 5 turntable
Totem Rainmaker loudspeaker ($950/pair; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.27 No.11, November 2004 review)

Always a fun and exciting contest offering many possibilities for sonic satisfaction, our "2005 Budget Product" was chosen from a larger number of nominees than in any other category. In the end, however, it was clear that there would be only one winner.

The elegant, unimposing, drop-dead-gorgeous B&W DM603 S3 is a 2½-way, vented-box, floorstanding speaker that demonstrated impressive engineering at a very affordable price. While it did all the usual audiophile things right—it exhibited no notable deviation from neutrality, excelled at transient articulation, offered exemplary detail resolution, and so on—the DM603 S3's greatest accomplishment was getting Bob Reina to kick back and enjoy some music. And not only did it offer attractive sound for audiophiles and music-lovers alike—its sexy, unobtrusive enclosures even appealed to BJR's wife. "The DM603 S3 is a bargain at $1000/pair," said BJR. "It should disappoint no one." It certainly disappoints no one around here.