Listen up: Stereo equipment with serious stage presence

This season’s headliners include top-performing speakers and one sensational turntable

ACE OF BASE Sonos engineered its jack-of-all-trades Playbase bar to deliver full-theatre sound during action movies and concert-hall clarity when streaming hits. Slot it underneath your television – it supports up to 35 kilograms. $900, AT GREAT METROPOLITAN SOUND, 1146 CASTLEFIELD AVE GREATMET.COM

STANDING OVATION Bowers & Wilkins’ CM9 S2 incorporates custom tweeter tech to minimize distortion and ensure precise sound. Choose from gloss black, satin white or rosenut casings, each with a playful yellow top cone. $4000 FOR TWO, AT BAY BLOOR RADIO, 55 BLOOR ST W BAYBLOORRADIO.COM

FRESH SPIN The audio gurus at Kuzma remixed the typical turntable design by forgoing a flat plate in favour of vibration-reducing brass rods. A translucent acrylic cover turns the unit into a distinctive sonic sculpture when not in use. $2500, AT PLANET OF SOUND, 1020 QUEEN ST W PLANETOFSOUNDONLINE.COM

SCI-FIDELITY Resembling a futuristic space station, Bang & Olufsen’s high-gloss aluminum Beolab 5 speaker delivers out-of-this-world sound thanks to Acoustic Lens Technology that spreads audio out across 180 degrees. $37,000 FOR TWO, AT BANG & OLUFSEN, 100 DAVENPORT RD, STE #100 BEOTORONTO.COM

SINGING IN THE RAIN With a waterproof shell and 10-hour battery life, the Wonderboom by Ultimate Ears is ready to travel from beach day to barbecue. Pair the 9.5-centimetre-wide speaker with a second unit when it comes time to turn up the volume. $130, AT INDIGO, 55 BLOOR ST W CHAPTERS.INDIGO.CA