The Rich List: deluxe home entertainment products for cashed-up audiophiles

According to learned audiophiles, a home entertainment system is only as good as its cheapest component. In other words, you need to spend big! With this in mind, we've compiled a list of extravagant audiovisual products from some of the most respected brands in the world (a few of whom you may never have even heard of).

If money is no obstacle, these are the products to own. (If money is an obstacle, at least you can look at the pretty pictures.)
Paradigm Rock Monitor 80-SM
Price: US$249

These outdoor speakers resemble garden rocks and are sure to impress if you have some friends over.
BeoLab 11 Subwoofer
Price: $2500 (per sub)

Not your typical subwoofer, the BeoLab 11's tulip-shaped housing is one you'll want to put on display rather than stashed under the TV. The bisected champagne flute design is impressive enough for exhibiting on your wall, so B&O has given it that very ability. Vibration has been minimised on the 7kg, 30cm high sub, allowing for wall-mounting via a wall bracket. We've seen the BeoLab 11 in action and it definitely delivers on its vibration-free promise, despite being powerfully loud.

If you want a sound system that delivers visually and aurally, the BeoLab 11 is a good bet. However, the eye candy comes at a price: these little beauties will set you back over $2500 per sub.
Monitor Audio PL100
Price: $4000

The PL100 speakers are bolted on to the specially designed, lightweight stands that don't impede the sound produced in any way.
Definitive Technology Mythos ST System
Price: US$5595

This 5.1-channel home theatre system has built-in subwoofers and offers premium sound at a fairly affordable price.
Bose Lifestyle 48 DVD home entertainment system
Price: $6499

If you're after a home theatre system that offers premium performance with a price to match, Bose is a solid option for you.
Pioneer SCLX90 Full HD Receiver
Price: $10,999

The SCLX90 is Pioneer's flagship receiver that boasts 10.2-channel compatibility and 1400W power output.
BeoVision 7-55
Price: $30,000

Almost B&O’s most expensive line of televisions (the number one spot goes to BeoVision 4 that tops the range at nearly $150,000), the 7 series has come out with a 55in screen that’ll hit your wallet for over $30,000.

To make this deal a little more appetising, the TV comes with the Beo 5 remote control with basic programming, an integrated Blu-ray player and a set of BeoLab 7 speakers (which alone go for nearly $6000). The funkiest feature, though, is the motorised floor stand. From any part of a room, users can use their Beo 5 remote to call their TV over to face them. No more getting up and moving to where the TV is facing – just kick back and let the TV get off its lazy butt instead.
Revel Salon2 speakers
Price: US$35,000

World-renowned brand Revel's Studio2 speakers from the Ultima range have three 8-inch woofers, a 6.5-inch mid-woofer, 4-inch midrange and 1-inch tweeter each.
800 Series Diamond
Price: $37,000

The ‘diamond’ in the 800 Series Diamond name actually has a purpose. According to Bowers & Wilkins, diamond is the perfect material for the tweeters in the company's speakers. Its combination of lightness and incredible stiffness also makes it solid tweeter material, capable of producing high frequencies way beyond the range of human hearing.

Used by audio engineers including at the famous Abbey Road Studios, the 800 Series Diamond is one of the flagship speakers of Bowers & Wilkins.
Mark Levinson No. 53 Monoaural Power Amplifier
Price: US$50,000

Mark Levinson is known as one of the premier makers of power amplifiers in the world. Their No. 53 is a step into digital sound, unlike their previous products.
Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus speaker
Price: $120,000

The flagship product for Bower & Wilkins, the Nautilus speakers are the closest thing to a perfect speaker, according to the company. For $120,000, it had better be perfect.

The 4-way active loudspeaker system comes in midnight blue, black or silver and Bowers & Wilkins says that it will "shape the direction of the audio industry well into the new millennium."
Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 4
Price: $150,000

Bundled with a BeoSystem 3 module, BeoLab 10 centre loudspeaker and Beo5 remote, the BeoVision 4 is a massive 103 inch plasma television that automatically lifts itself from its sleep position.
Focal Grand Utopia EM speaker
Price: US$180,000

No that is not a typo, this pair of speakers weight 260kg each, stand at two metres tall and have a one inch beryllium tweeter inside it.