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The Records

Extremes the data ranks itself — no hand-picked "best." Each board is a plain sort over one field, top eight, the value shown in its provenance colour. We rank what we have and label the basis: "heaviest on record," "highest SINAD we have a measurement for." The colour does the honesty.

🎚️ Complete ways into Atmos

Complete 5.x.4, 7.x.4, 9.x.4, and 11.x.4 systems: Atmos-capable AVR/pre-pro, Atmos source, same-brand bed/surround speaker line, height speakers, subwoofer, and any needed 3+ channel power amps. Shows low, mid-priced, and high-priced examples from priced catalog data.

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5.1.4

  1. low Sony / NHT Super Series $3,232

    5.1.4; AVR powers all speaker channels

    • Processor: Sony STR-AZ3000ES
    • Source: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)
    • Bed/surrounds: NHT Super Series
    • Heights: Aperion Audio Closeout Intimus 2-Way 6.5" In-Wall Speaker x 4
    • Sub: SVS SB-1000 Pro (20 Hz)
  2. mid Denon / SVS Ultra Evolution $14,447

    5.1.4; AVR powers all speaker channels

    • Processor: Denon AVR-X6800H
    • Source: Nvidia SHIELD TV (2019)
    • Bed/surrounds: SVS Ultra Evolution
    • Heights: Arendal Sound 1723 Surround S THX x 4
    • Sub: REL Acoustics HT/1510 Predator II (20 Hz)
  3. high JBL Synthesis / DALI KORE $341,750

    5.1.4; external amps are 3+ channel models

    • Processor: JBL Synthesis SDP-75
    • Source: Kaleidescape Strato V
    • Bed/surrounds: DALI KORE
    • Heights: Perlisten Audio S7i-LR x 4
    • Sub: Vandersteen SUB NINE (20 Hz)
    • Amp: 2 x McIntosh MC257 (14 ch)

7.1.4

  1. low Sony / NHT Super Series $3,902

    7.1.4; AVR powers all speaker channels

    • Processor: Sony STR-AZ5000ES
    • Source: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)
    • Bed/surrounds: NHT Super Series
    • Heights: Aperion Audio Closeout Intimus 2-Way 6.5" In-Wall Speaker x 4
    • Sub: SVS SB-1000 Pro (20 Hz)
  2. mid Denon / Vandersteen VSM $16,172

    7.1.4; AVR powers all speaker channels

    • Processor: Denon AVR-X6800H
    • Source: Nvidia SHIELD TV (2019)
    • Bed/surrounds: Vandersteen VSM
    • Heights: Arendal Sound 1723 Surround S THX x 4
    • Sub: REL Acoustics HT/1510 Predator II (20 Hz)
  3. high JBL Synthesis / DALI KORE $461,435

    7.1.4; external amps are 3+ channel models

    • Processor: JBL Synthesis SDP-75
    • Source: Kaleidescape Strato V
    • Bed/surrounds: DALI KORE
    • Heights: Perlisten Audio S7i-LR x 4
    • Sub: Vandersteen SUB NINE (20 Hz)
    • Amp: 3 x Bryston 9B Cubed (9B3) Multi-Channel (15 ch)

9.1.4

  1. low Sony / NHT Super Series $5,372

    9.1.4; AVR powers all speaker channels

    • Processor: Sony STR-AZ7000ES
    • Source: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)
    • Bed/surrounds: NHT Super Series
    • Heights: Aperion Audio Closeout Intimus 2-Way 6.5" In-Wall Speaker x 4
    • Sub: SVS SB-1000 Pro (20 Hz)
  2. mid Denon / SVS Ultra Evolution $19,747

    9.1.4; AVR powers all speaker channels

    • Processor: Denon AVR-A10H
    • Source: Nvidia SHIELD TV (2019)
    • Bed/surrounds: SVS Ultra Evolution
    • Heights: Arendal Sound 1723 Surround S THX x 4
    • Sub: REL Acoustics HT/1510 Predator II (20 Hz)
  3. high JBL Synthesis / DALI KORE $571,435

    9.1.4; external amps are 3+ channel models

    • Processor: JBL Synthesis SDP-75
    • Source: Kaleidescape Strato V
    • Bed/surrounds: DALI KORE
    • Heights: Perlisten Audio S7i-LR x 4
    • Sub: Vandersteen SUB NINE (20 Hz)
    • Amp: 3 x Bryston 9B Cubed (9B3) Multi-Channel (15 ch)

11.1.4

  1. low Emotiva / NHT Super Series $6,991

    11.1.4; external amps are 3+ channel models

    • Processor: Emotiva XMC-2+
    • Source: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)
    • Bed/surrounds: NHT Super Series
    • Heights: Aperion Audio Closeout Intimus 2-Way 6.5" In-Wall Speaker x 4
    • Sub: SVS SB-1000 Pro (20 Hz)
    • Amp: 3 x Monolith by Monoprice M5100X (15 ch)
  2. mid Denon / GR Research NX Series $23,165

    11.1.4; AVR powers all speaker channels

    • Processor: Denon AVR-A1H
    • Source: Nvidia SHIELD TV (2019)
    • Bed/surrounds: GR Research NX Series
    • Heights: Arendal Sound 1723 Surround S THX x 4
    • Sub: REL Acoustics HT/1510 Predator II (20 Hz)
  3. high JBL Synthesis / DALI KORE $684,750

    11.1.4; external amps are 3+ channel models

    • Processor: JBL Synthesis SDP-75
    • Source: Kaleidescape Strato V
    • Bed/surrounds: DALI KORE
    • Heights: Perlisten Audio S7i-LR x 4
    • Sub: Vandersteen SUB NINE (20 Hz)
    • Amp: 3 x McIntosh MC257 (21 ch)

💰 Most expensive

by list price on record

  1. 1 Børresen M8 Gold Signature $1,150,000
  2. 2 Magico M9 $750,000
  3. 3 TechDAS Air Force Zero $450,000
  4. 4 Magico M7 $375,000
  5. 5 Oswalds Mill Audio K3 $363,000
  6. 6 Wilson Benesch GMT One $302,000
  7. 7 darTZeel NHB-468 $260,700
  8. 8 AlsyVox Caravaggio XX $258,421

🪙 Cheapest

by list price on record

  1. 1 Roku Streaming Stick 4K $49
  2. 2 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) $59
  3. 3 HiFiBerry DAC2 Pro XLR $65
  4. 4 Acoustic Research XA Turntable † $68
  5. 5 Google TV Streamer (4K) $99
  6. 6 Ortofon 2M Red $99
  7. 7 Roku Ultra (2024) $99
  8. 8 Tablo 4th Gen 2-Tuner $100

🏋️ Heaviest

by manufacturer weight on record

  1. 1 MBL Radialstrahler System 101 X-Treme MKII 984 kg
  2. 2 YG Acoustics XV 3 826 kg
  3. 3 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 1.1 † 568 kg
  4. 4 YG Acoustics XV Studio 3 560 kg
  5. 5 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis Prime 545 kg
  6. 6 Goebel High End Divin Majestic 530 kg
  7. 7 Magico M9 454 kg
  8. 8 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 1.2 † 450 kg

🔊 Most powerful

by rated power per channel into 8Ω

  1. 1 McIntosh MC2.1KW 2000 W
  2. 2 Goldmund Telos 8800 1400 W
  3. 3 Constellation Audio Performance 2 Monoblock Amplifier 1200 W
  4. 4 McIntosh MC1.25KW 1200 W
  5. 5 Hegel H30A 1100 W
  6. 6 Accustic Arts MONO VI Signature 1050 W
  7. 7 Goldmund Telos 4800 1050 W
  8. 8 Bryston 28B-SST † 1000 W

🔢 Most amplified channels

by onboard amplifier channel count

  1. 1 Marantz AMP 10 16 ch
  2. 2 StormAudio PA 16 MK3 16 ch
  3. 3 Trinnov Audio Amplitude16 16 ch
  4. 4 Denon AVR-A1H 15 ch
  5. 5 Denon AVR-A10H 13 ch
  6. 6 Denon AVR-X8500H † 13 ch
  7. 7 Denon AVR-X8500HA † 13 ch
  8. 8 Sony STR-AZ7000ES 13 ch

📏 Highest measured SINAD

among products with an independent SINAD measurement

  1. 1 SMSL D400EX 123 dB
  2. 2 Topping D90 III Sabre 123 dB
  3. 3 Gustard X16 122 dB
  4. 4 SMSL SU-10 122 dB
  5. 5 SMSL DO300 121 dB
  6. 6 Topping E70 Velvet 121 dB
  7. 7 Gustard X26 Pro 119 dB
  8. 8 Mola Mola Tambaqui 117 dB

🔌 Most tubes

by counted tube complement

  1. 1 Atma-Sphere MA-3 108
  2. 2 Atma-Sphere MA-2 Mk 3.3 52
  3. 3 Atma-Sphere MA-1 Mk 3.3 38
  4. 4 Audio Research D-250 † 32
  5. 5 Atma-Sphere M-60 Mk 3.3 24
  6. 6 Audio Research D-150 † 22
  7. 7 Audio Research Reference 750 SEL 22
  8. 8 Audio Research D-79 † 19

⚡ Most output devices

by published output-device count

  1. 1 Atma-Sphere MA-3 84
  2. 2 Gryphon Audio Designs Apex Mono 64
  3. 3 Gryphon Audio Designs Apex Stereo 64
  4. 4 AVM Ovation MA 8.3 S 48
  5. 5 AVM Ovation SA 8.3 lite 48
  6. 6 AVM Ovation SA 8.3 S 48
  7. 7 Cello Performance † 44
  8. 8 Accuphase A-300 40

🗣️ Heaviest speaker

manufacturer weight on record, loudspeakers only

  1. 1 MBL Radialstrahler System 101 X-Treme MKII 984 kg
  2. 2 YG Acoustics XV 3 826 kg
  3. 3 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 1.1 † 568 kg
  4. 4 YG Acoustics XV Studio 3 560 kg
  5. 5 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis Prime 545 kg
  6. 6 Goebel High End Divin Majestic 530 kg
  7. 7 Magico M9 454 kg
  8. 8 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 1.2 † 450 kg

🔧 Heaviest amplifier

manufacturer weight on record, electronics only

  1. 1 Goldmund Telos 8800 265 kg
  2. 2 Gryphon Audio Designs Apex Mono 202 kg
  3. 3 Gryphon Audio Designs Apex Stereo 202 kg
  4. 4 Goldmund Telos 4800 195 kg
  5. 5 Kharma Enigma Veyron MP1000 175 kg
  6. 6 Pass Labs Xs 300 138.8 kg
  7. 7 Jadis JA200 130 kg
  8. 8 VTL S-400 Series II Reference Stereo Amplifier 113 kg

🔻 Deepest bass

by lowest published f3 (−3 dB point)

  1. 1 Bowers & Wilkins DB1D 10 Hz
  2. 2 Bowers & Wilkins DB2D 10 Hz
  3. 3 Bowers & Wilkins DB3D 10 Hz
  4. 4 Bowers & Wilkins DB4S 10 Hz
  5. 5 Rythmik Audio F18 10 Hz
  6. 6 KEF KC62 11 Hz
  7. 7 KEF KC92 11 Hz
  8. 8 Power Sound Audio S21 iPal-M 11 Hz

📢 Highest sensitivity

by rated sensitivity on record (raw, not normalized)

  1. 1 JBL Professional C222HP 112 dB
  2. 2 Danley Sound Labs BC218 110 dB
  3. 3 Avantgarde Acoustic Trio G3 109 dB
  4. 4 Procella Audio V21 106 dB
  5. 5 Danley Sound Labs SH96HO 105 dB
  6. 6 Danley Sound Labs TH118XL 105 dB
  7. 7 Living Voice Vox Olympian 105 dB
  8. 8 Living Voice Vox Palladian 105 dB

🎛️ Most drivers

by driver count on record (passive speakers; excl. subs)

  1. 1 McIntosh XRT2.1K 81
  2. 2 McIntosh XRT1.1K 70
  3. 3 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 1.2 † 39
  4. 4 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis Prime 39
  5. 5 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 1.1 † 33
  6. 6 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 201 † 24
  7. 7 Selah Audio Torre † 24
  8. 8 Genesis Advanced Technologies Genesis 350SE † 20

🕰️ Oldest still in production

earliest model year still listed as current

  1. 1 Brinkmann Balance 1985
  2. 2 AVID Hifi Acutus Classic 1999
  3. 3 AVID Hifi Volvere 2001
  4. 4 AVID Hifi Sequel 2002
  5. 5 Linn Akurate 242 2006
  6. 6 Seaton Sound SubMersive HP+ 2006
  7. 7 Troels Gravesen Poor Man's Strad 2006
  8. 8 AVID Hifi Acutus Reference 2007

† discontinued. A board appears only when at least one product carries its backing field — tube and output-device counts populate as that data lands. Colour = provenance: gold vendor fact, blue independent measurement, green agree.