Our Favorite AV Brands for Incredible Sound and Picture—Indoors and Out

Last month, we covered why a strong network foundation matters for your home's technology. Now, let's talk about the brands that deliver the best audio-video experiences. 

The gap between good and great AV equipment lives in the details. You hear every word of dialogue during movie nights, even when characters whisper. Music fills your outdoor space without that tinny distortion that makes you wince. Picture quality stays vibrant even when afternoon sun floods your living room.

We've installed systems in hundreds of homes across Greater Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore. Some brands consistently deliver. Others leave homeowners frustrated and calling for service calls within months.

After years of testing equipment in real conditions—from Moorestown family rooms to Beach Haven outdoor entertainment areas—these three brands consistently earn our recommendation. 

SEE ALSO: Game Days on the Deck: The Best Patio Entertainment for Sports Fans 

1. Sony Delivers Stunning Visuals That Work Everywhere

Sony built its reputation on exceptional picture quality, and that reputation is held across the TV and projector lineup. Their OLED and LED displays produce the kind of deep blacks and colors that make your family room feel like a private cinema.

But here's what sets Sony apart: their displays perform in any lighting condition you throw at them.

Bright family rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows? Sony's processing maintains color accuracy and contrast when other brands wash out. For example, the Sony BRAVIA 9 is a mini LED display that handles direct sunlight better than any other model. The alternative? Faded, hard-to-see visuals, which is all too common for day games. 

Clear picture quality isn’t limited to Sony’s TVs. We install Sony projector systems in dedicated theaters where the image quality matches what you'd see at a premium cinema. The brand's color science means skin tones look natural, not ‘off’ and orange-tinged like you see on other screens. Landscapes appear vibrant without looking oversaturated. Action sequences deliver the impact directors intended without motion blur or stuttering.

Sony's smart TV platform integrates with whole-home automation systems, so you control everything from one interface. 

2. Sonos Creates Effortless Audio Throughout Your Property

Whole-home audio reaches its potential when you can connect indoor and outdoor spaces without thinking about it. Sonos wireless speakers eliminates extensive wiring while delivering audiophile-quality sound in every room.

The real magic happens with indoor-outdoor integration. Start your morning playlist in the kitchen, continue it on the deck during breakfast, then extend it to pool speakers for an afternoon swim. Sonos handles these transitions without interruption or quality loss.

Sonos’ weatherproof, wall-mounted outdoor speakers survive Delaware Valley winters and humid summers while maintaining the same rich sound as indoor units. We've installed Sonos systems in sprawling Jersey Shore homes where audio flows from great rooms to outdoor kitchens to pool areas without missing a beat.

3. Coastal Source Delivers Rugged Outdoor Performance

If you’re looking for outdoor speakers to nestle under bushes and extend further into your yard, let us introduce you to Coastal Source. 

Coastal Source’s outdoor lighting and audio products withstand salt air, temperature extremes, and constant moisture that would destroy standard electronics. For homeowners with outdoor kitchens, pool areas, or beachfront properties, this durability makes the difference between systems that work and systems that become expensive disappointments. 

Coastal Source outdoor speakers produce full-range audio that competes with high-end indoor systems. Its product line includes 3-way ‘tower’ style speakers, ranging from 17 inches to 43 inches tall, plus a partial-burial subwoofer, and low-profile, omni-directional speakers. 

Coastal Source’s speakers integrate with Sonos whole-home audio systems, creating unified control over indoor and outdoor zones. Its lighting products offer programmable scenes that adjust throughout the evening—bright task lighting during dinner prep, then subtle accent lighting for late-night conversations under the stars.

Ready for Whole-Home AV Control?

Whitaker Technologies serves residential, commercial, and house of worship markets throughout Greater Philadelphia and the New Jersey Shore. 

 

Contact us at (609) 932-4368 or fill out our online contact form to discuss how Sony, Sonos, and Coastal Source can upgrade your entertainment year after year.