Home Theater Systems Buying Guide

Dear Santa: World Wide Stereo's Holiday Wishlist
We made our list - AND we checked it twice.
Before our guys mailed their holiday wishlists to the big guy up in the North Pole, we made a copy to share with our readers — and boy, it does not disappoint. This list represents THE ultimate gifts they hope to see under the tree this year, and we thought it’d bring last-minute inspiration as you wrap up your holiday shopping. Thankfully, there's still time for last-minute shopping if you stop by a showroom — we can help you choose the perfect gift!
So Santa, if you’re listening, here’s what our guys hope to unwrap this year...
Jump to: 1. Chris' Pick: McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amp 2. Austin's Pick: Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3 Speakers 3. Ryan's Pick: Focal ES 165 KX2 K2 Power 6-1/2" 2-Way Speaker System 4. Dave's Pick: McIntosh MA9000 Integrated Amp 5. Shawn's Pick: Focal Kanta No 3. Speakers 6. Adam's Pick: Bose S1 Pro Bluetooth PA System 7. Mark's Picks: NAD C368 Hybrid Digital Amp with Dynaudio Contour 20 Speakers 8. Mark's Other Picks: JBL L100 Speakers and McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amp 9. Joe's Picks: KLH Albany Speakers and Denon HEOS Amp 10. Cailyn's Pick: Bose SoundSport Headphones 11. Frank's Picks: Sonos One Speakers and Sonos Amp 12. Chad's Pick: 92" Screen Innovations Solo Pro Drop Down Screen 13. Jamie's Picks: JBL Charge 4 and Sony 55" A8F TV 14. Mario's Pick: Integra DRX-5.2 9.2-Channel AV Receiver

1. Chris' Pick: A McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amp
I’ve been itching to own a piece of McIntosh for years, and my Bowers & Wilkins floorstanding speakers at home would sound even better with this powering them. The McIntosh MA5300 integrated amp has it all: strong power output, great looks, and superb sound quality!"
$5,500 | Shop Now

2. Austin's Pick: A pair of Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3 Diamond Series Floorstanding Speakers
They’re God’s gift to man. Seriously."
$12,500 each | Shop Now

3. Ryan's Pick: Focal ES 165 KX2 K2 Power 6-1/2” 2-Way Component Speaker System
I'd love to upgrade the tinny speakers in my 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, so my gift pick is this Focal speaker system. The soundstage is phenomenal."
$1,299.99 | Shop Now

4. Dave's Pick: A McIntosh MA9000 Integrated Amplifier
If money is no object and the elves are capable, I’ll take a McIntosh MA9000 integrated amp. I can put it in my home theater system without disrupting my whole system. I’ll set it up in the bypass mode so my remote will continue working the volume, but now my Klipsch RF-7’s will get 300 watts of McIntosh power and sound. Plus, I'll be able to plug in all of my digital sources, and the tremendous DAC inside will make all of my music sound better. AND the phono section will make my inexpensive turntable sound like it’s five times the price."
Call for pricing | Shop Now

5. Shawn's Pick: A Pair of Focal Kanta No.3 Floorstanding Speakers
These are some of the sharpest looking and best sounding speakers I have ever experienced, hands down. With Focal’s Beryllium tweeter, these speakers reveal details you’ve never heard before in your favorite songs."
Call for pricing | Shop Now

6. Adam's Pick: A Bose S1 Pro Multi-Position Bluetooth PA System with Battery
All I want for Christmas is a Bose S1 Pro. Being a musician, having a versatile piece like this is just awesome. I can plug in my guitar and microphone, and connect my iPad via Bluetooth or wire and play along with the music. AND it’s battery powered. Yep, I can see myself sitting by my bonfire with this piece and playing all night…"
$599 | Shop Now

7. Mark's Picks: An NAD C368 Hybrid Digital DAC Amp with a Pair of Dynaudio Contour 20 Speakers
A match made in heaven. The NAD C368 is virtually noise-free, has plenty of power to drive these speakers and has every input you need for your digital and analog components. Add the Bluesound card, and you get the best music streaming on the market built right in. These Dynaudio speakers are just amazing, and really show off how great the NAD integrated amp sounds. This system is small enough to not overtake a room, but big enough to fill it with amazing sound."
$899 | Shop NAD Electronics C368 Hybrid Digital DAC Amp

8. Mark's Other Picks: A Pair of JBL L100 Speakers with a McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amp
Between the classic design of the original L100’s (yes, THE L100’s from the iconic Maxell ad in the 80's) and the audio upgrades from JBL’s sound engineers, this is one of the most fun speakers out there. Super loud, powerful air moving sound that’s balanced and realistic. The McIntosh MA5300 amp drives these speakers with ease, and gives them that extra low end punch only available from a heavy “old school” amplifier design. But don’t let the “old school” fool you — the MA5300 has all of the modern digital inputs and even includes a phono input for the vinyl lover."
$2,000 each | Shop JBL L100 Classic Speakers
$5,500 | Shop McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amp

9. Joe's Picks: A Pair of KLH Albany Speakers with a Denon HEOS Amp
This little system delivers stellar performance in a small footprint. Plus, easy access to streaming services. Perfect for my home office."
$378.99 | Shop KLH Albany Bookshelf Speakers
$499 | Shop Denon HEOS Amp

10. Cailyn's Pick: A Pair of Bose SoundSport In-Ear Wireless Headphones
Nothing’s worse than fiddling around with headphone wires at the gym. These truly wireless earbuds deliver a full range of motion for a better workout."
$119 | Shop now

11. Frank's Picks: A Pair of Sonos One Speakers and Sonos Amp
With a couple of Amps and Sonos speakers, you get the perfect, simple whole house audio solution. I already have a few Sonos speakers, but I’ve had my eye on the Ones with built-in voice control. Plus, there’s an older speaker system in our basement that could use a nice wireless Sonos upgrade..."
$179 | Shop Sonos One Speaker
$599 | Shop Sonos Amp

12. Chad's Pick: A 92" Screen Innovations Solo Pro Drop Down Screen
Santa, if you’re listening: all I want is a 92” Screen Innovations Solo Pro Drop Down Battery Powered Tab Tensioned Screen with an all-black chassis. No wires to run, and batteries last for several years before they need to be charged. I mean, it’s simply BAD@SS!"
Call for pricing | Learn about Home Theater Design & Installation Services

13. Jamie's Picks: A JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker and a Sony 55" A8F TV
I choose two, because I was nice this season. First, I want a JBL Charge 4. Whether I’m on the beach, skiing, or hanging out in the backyard, I’ll always have some music (other than my phone speakers!). And then I'll take a Sony 55” A8F OLED TV. It delivers a great picture, and just in time for the Eagles to repeat (fingers crossed!)."
$139.95 | Shop JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
$2,298 | Shop Sony XBR-55A8F 55" BRAVIA OLED 4K TV

14. Mario's Pick: An Integra DRX-5.2 9.2-Channel AV Receiver
This 9-channel receiver makes it possible to do a 5.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker system. With 145 watts per channel, this bad boy’s powerful enough for our open-space layout. Plus, I can watch the big game on the TV and listen to music at the same time. Since the DRX-5.2 is Sonos compatible, I can also sync it with my Sonos Connect and play music via the Sonos app."
$1,700 | Shop now
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