Posted Fri Jan 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM PST by Internet Brands
Editor's Note: This gift guide includes contributions by Steven Cohen and Michael S. Palmer
The perfect Super Bowl party requires a delicate balance of many ingredients -- an endless supply of crunchy munchies; several gallons of your favorite nacho cheese, lager, and/or ale; comfy seating for friends and family; and, of course, the biggest screens with the most bombastic sound. A great display paired with immersive sound is key because they turn a mere game into an EVENT. The football will be that much more visceral with every hard tackle and crowd roar. The halftime show will transform your space into a concert. And the cleverest ads of the year will play like a trip to the cinema.
And the best part about Super Bowl Season? It coincides with the transition between gear model years. Meaning, the 2017-models have been announced, and are coming down the pipe, so manufacturers and stores need to push out 2016 tech to make room. That means sales and great prices.
With that in mind, we assembled a list of awesome A/V Gear sure to upgrade your living rooms, family rooms, basements, and home theatre setups at a variety of different budget levels. Keeping in line with the epic nature of the Super Bowl, our smallest displays are 65-inchers and every sound system will include the overhead immersion and precision of Dolby Atmos & DTS:X (seriously, if you haven't watched football without crowd noises coming from ABOVE, you're missing out -- it's like being IN the stadium), but you can always size down if you prefer.
Please note: prices are subject to change, and do not include taxes.
In our entry-level section, we explore two sub-$2,000 configurations.
65” VIZIO E-Series Ultra HD Home Theater Display ($849.99) - Flat-screen, full array local dimming with 12 Active Zones, SmartCast, no 3D support.
Epson Home Cinema 2045 1080p 3D Home Theater Projector ($699) - Full HD 1080p, 3LCD 3-chip technology, 2200 lumens, up to 35,000:1 contrast ratio, includes 3D support. Full review here!
5.1.2 Onkyo HT-S7800 All-In-One Home Theater System ($899.99) - Includes 5 surround speakers and 1 subwoofer (with 2 Dolby Atmos-Enabled height speakers), and a 5.1.2 AV receiver with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Full review here!
In our first of two sub-$6,000 sections, let's take a look at a scenario where you spend more on your display and opt for an affordable, but excellent Dolby Atmos system.
75" VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display ($3,599.99) - Flat-screen, full array local dimming with 128 zones, HDR10 & Dolby Vision, Ultra Color Spectrum, SmartCast, no 3D support.
65" LG B6 OLED Ultra HD TV ($2,997) - Flat-screen, perfect black OLED panel, HDR10 & Dolby Vision, Cinematic Color, no 3D support. Easily the most affordable, best-looking flatscreen display made in 2016.
65" LG C6 OLED Ultra HD TV ($2,997) - Curved-screen, perfect black OLED panel, HDR10 & Dolby Vision, Cinematic Color, includes 3D support.
Epson Home Cinema 5040UB 1080p 3D Home Theater Projector with 4K Enhancement ($2,999) - Full HD 1080p with 4K Enhancement Technology (accepts 4K input and uses pixel shifting), 3LCD 3-chip technology, 2500 lumens, up to 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, DCI color gamut in Digital Cinema Mode, HDR, includes 3D support.
5.1.4 Samsung HW-K950/ZA Dolby Atmos Soundbar ($1,297.99) - Uses 15 built-in speakers, including 4 upward-firing speakers, along with 2 rear wireless speakers and a wireless subwoofer.
In our second sub-$6,000 section, these configurations see the football fan opt for an affordable-but-high-performance display while investing in a more robust surround experience.
70" VIZIO M-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display ($1,899.99) - Flat-screen, full array local dimming with 64 zones, HDR10 & Dolby Vision, SmartCast, no 3D support.
65" VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display ($1,799.99 -- on sale!) - Flat-screen, full array local dimming with 128 zones, HDR10 & Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos bit-streaming, SmartCast, no 3D support. Full review here!
65" Sony XBR65X930D 4K Ultra HD 3D Smart TV ($1,798) - Flat-screen, edge-lit with local dimming, HDR10, TRILUMINOS Color, includes 3D support.
5.1.4 Pioneer ELITE System ($3,936) - Includes (1) SC-LX701 Pioneer ELITE AV Receiver ($1599 each), (1) SP-EC73 Andrew Jones Center Channel Speaker ($399 each), (4) SP-EBS73 Dolby Atmos-enabled Andrew Jones Bookshelf Speakers ($749/pair), and (1) Klipsch R-12SW 12-Inch Front-Firing 400W Max Subwoofer ($439.99 each)
In our final section, where budget is no option, we've listed incredibly large TVs, outstanding projectors, powerful AV Receivers, and several amazing speaker systems.
78" Samsung UN78KS9800 Curved Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($9,997.99) - Curved-screen, full-array local dimming, HDR10, Quantum Dot Color, no 3D support.
75" Sony XBR75Z9D 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($8,998) - Flat-screen, full-array with local dimming, HDR10, TRILUMINOS Color, includes 3D support.
Sony VPLVW365ES Native 4K HDR 3D SXRD Home Theater Projector ($9,998) - Full 4K (4096 x 2160), SXRD panel technology, 1500 Lumens, HDR, TRILUMINOS Color, includes 3D support.
Sony VPLVW675ES Native 4K HDR 3D SXRD Home Theater Projector ($13,075) - Full 4K (4096 x 2160), SXRD panel technology, 1800 Lumens, 350,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, HDR, TRILUMINOS Color, includes 3D support.
Denon AVR-X6300H 11.2 Channel AVR ($2,199) - 11.2 channel A/V Receiver with 140W per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz~20 kHz, 0.08% THD), built-in HEOS technology, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
Pioneer ELITE SC-LX901 11.2 Channel AVR ($2,999) - 11.2 channel A/V Receiver with 140 W/ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD 0.08 %, 2ch Driven FTC), FireConnect technology (via future firmware), Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
Yamaha RX-A3060 9.2 Channel AVR ($1,999.95) - 9.2 channel AV receiver (11.2-ch expandability with 2-ch amplifier) with 150 W (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven, 0.06% THD), MusicCast technology, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
7.2.4 SVS Prime System in Black Ash ($4,147.91) - Includes (2) SVS Prime Towers ($499 each), (1) SVS Prime Center ($349.99 each), (4) SVS Prime Bookshelf Speakers ($499.99/pair), (4) SVS Prime Elevation Speakers ($399.98/pair), and (2) SVS-SB-1000 12" Subwoofers ($499.99 each).
7.2.4 Klipsch Reference Premiere System ($5,588) - Includes (2) RP-280FA floorstanding speakers ($799 each), (1) RP-450CA Center Channel ($599), (2) RP-140SA Dolby Atmos speakers ($499/pair), (4) RP-260F floorstanding speakers ($399 each), and (2) R-112SW Subwoofers ($648 each). Or go in-ceiling with the Klipsch CDT-5800-C II ($398.98 each) switching to the RP-280F towers ($479 each).
7.0.4 Definitive Technology BP9000 Series System ($6,291) - Includes (2) BP9060 Tower Speakers ($999.95 each), (1) CS9040 Center Channel ($499 each), (4) BP9020 Tower Speakers ($649 each) and (4) A90 Height Speaker Modules ($499/pair). Note: Definitive Technology speakers have integrated subwoofers so you don't need a separate, powered sub.
7.2.4 KEF R Series ($14,499.92) - Includes (2) R700 floorstanding speakers ($3,599.99/pair), (4) R300 bookshelf speakers ($1,799.99/pair), (1) R600c Center Channel ($1,499.99 each), (2) R400b subwoofers ($1,699.99 each), and (4) R50 Dolby Atmos speakers ($1,199.99/pair).
In addition to size, scope, and surround sound, consider building redundancies into your Super Bowl Party system (a lesson I learned the hard way several Bowls ago). If satellite/cable are not an option, a streaming media player with the FOX Sports GO app is also a great way to catch the game. Likewise, your internet, cable, or satellite service could go down at any time, so it's a smart idea to add an HDTV antenna and a backup power supply.
Further, it's important to remember many projectors, as well as VIZIO Ultra HD Home Theater Displays, do NOT include an internal OTA HDTV tuner. Meaning, you can't just add an antenna to the mix, but instead need an external tuner. The great news is that there are a TON of options for this, including no-feature budget external tuners, to full DVR-equipped boxes.
Winegard FlatWave FL-5000 Indoor HDTV Antenna ($26.40) - 35 Mile Long Range, extra long coaxial cable (15') included.
Winegard FlatWave Amped FL5500A Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna ($57.61) - 50 Mile Long Range, embedded ultra low noise amplifier with Clear Circuit Technology, energy saving USB power supply with LED power indicator.
ViewTV AT-263 ATSC Digital TV Converter Box and HDMI Cable ($35.99) - Watch OTA HDTV with separate antenna, USB Multimedia Player: Plays Divx, AVI, MKV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264/AVC, VOB, MOV, FLV, and VC-1, USB recording
ViewTV AT-163 ATSC Digital TV Converter Box and Media Player ($29.99) - Watch OTA HDTV with separate antenna, USB Multimedia Player: Plays Divx, AVI, MKV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264/AVC, VOB, MOV, FLV, and VC-1, USB recording
Mediasonic Homeworx HW180STB HDTV Digital Converter Box with Recording and Media Player ($29.99) - Watch OTA HDTV with separate antenna, USB Multimedia Player Function, built-in recording function.
Tablo 2-Tuner DVR for Over-The-Air HDTV with Wi-Fi ($193.99) - Watch, Record, Pause, and Stream Free Broadcast [OTA] HDTV Channels with separate antenna, two Tuners allow you to record and watch two different programs on up to (6) devices in your home.
Tablo 4-Tuner DVR for Over-The-Air HDTV with Wi-Fi ($279.99) - Watch, Record, Pause, and Stream Free Broadcast [OTA] HDTV Channels with separate antenna, four Tuners allow you to record and watch four different programs on up to (6) devices in your home.
TiVo Roamio OTA 1 TB DVR ($399.99) - Compatible only with HDTV Antennas, no monthly TiVo service fee required, record four shows at once and up to 150 hours of HD programming; pause, rewind and record free HD programming.
AirTV Player + AirTV Adapter ($129.99) - 4K Ultra HD streaming, can also play free local OTA (over-the-air) channels through AirTV adapter and OTA antenna (sold separately).
Roku Premiere ($69) - 4K Ultra HD streaming, 802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi.
Roku Premiere+ ($96.45) - 4K Ultra HD streaming, HDR, 802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi, enhanced remote with included headphones for private listening.
Roku Ultra ($128.89) - 4K Ultra HD streaming, HDR, USB input, Optical Digital Out, enhanced point anywhere remote with voice search, premium headphones for private listening, and gaming buttons. Full review here!
Belkin BE112230-08 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector ($20.23) - 12-outlet surge protector with 8-foot cord, 3940 joule energy rating, Continuous duty electrical rating: 15A/125V/1875W.
Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector with 8-Foot Power Cord ($32.49) - 8 rotating and 4 stationary surge-protected outlets, 1-in, 2-out RJ11 telephone/fax surge protection and coaxial protection, 4320 joule energy rating, 8' cord.
Tripp Lite Isobar 10 Outlet HT10DBS A/V Surge Protector ($80.17) - 10 Outlet Audio/Video Surge Protector, Tel/Modem/Coax/Network, 8ft Cord.
APC Back-UPS 550VA UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector ($69.99) - 550VA / 330W Battery Backup UPS Power Supply, 4 Outlets provide Battery Backup and Surge Protection; 4 Outlets offer Power Surge Protection Only.
APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power Conditioner with Battery Backup ($222.49) - Surge & Spike Protection, Telephone & Coaxial Surge Protection, 8 outlets: 6 UPS, 2 surge, 894 Joules, 1500VA outlet capacity.
Panamax MX5102 Home Theater Power Management with Battery Backup ($497.18) - 10 Outlets; 4 Switched, 2 Battery Backup, 2 Switched High Current, 2 Always On, 600VA UPS 2 Outlets.
So, there you have it. Those are our top home theater gear suggestions for the big game. We hope this guide helps out in your Super Bowl shopping endeavors. For now, though, what do you think about our choices? Do you have any other gear suggestions for the game? Let us know in the forums! And be sure to check out High-Def Digest for more Super Bowl deals!
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