If you haven't gotten into 5.1 audio because you're waiting for a simple and inexpensive approach to the multi-speaker dilemma, then you should take a listen to Rock Solid's Solutions 100 system. The Solutions system consists of four S100 2-way speakers used for the front mains and rear surrounds. Each speaker houses a mid-range driver and tweeter. The C-100 center channel speaker, with two mid range drivers and one tweeter, is small and compact for easy placement on top of most TV's including large screens or CRTs. The S100 speakers are available in white or black with matching grill covers and replacement covers in burgundy and dark blue. Since the S100 and C100 are not rated below 95 Hz, you must have the 70 watt PB100 Active Subwoofer to handle the low end. The S100 stands come in ...

Introduction Cello Stradivari Legends are a $7000, 3-way dynamic loudspeaker system inspired by the cabinet style made famous by the legendary AR3 loudspeakers of the mid 1960's. Cello, the brainchild of Mr. Mark Levinson since 1984, builds rounded corner, exotic wood finished loudspeakers that utilize a highly efficient crossover with a compliment of three Dyn Audio drivers (a 1 inch tweeter, a 3 inch dome mid range and a 12 inch woofer). The cabinet is dampened by the internal use of a thin, green composite also used by NASA space shuttles, thus knocking on the cabinet is a futile exercise in that it lacks any significant resonance. Legends are 26.5 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 12 inches deep, thus they need the help of a Cello/Lovan six prong, lead shot filled ($700) speaker stand to fit into a standard audio or theater system. Cello showrooms will make custom angled Legends that can either sit ...

Introduction There was a time not long ago that $800 got you an O.K. sounding pair of speakers, maybe. Never mind five excellent sounding speakers and a subwoofer, this was never even an option. Until now. Brought to you by the people at Energy, the Take 5 Home Theater Speaker System is a compact, beautifully engineered, great-sounding speaker system that can literally fit into a small suitcase. With their correct timbre and tonal balance, treble detail and integration, and impossible-for-their-size dynamics; the Take 5 with the ES-8 subwoofer redefines what you can expect from a speaker system at this price point. Listening and Viewing Tests When I first laid eyes on the Take 5 system, I found them visually striking, but based on my previous experience with micro sized speakers, I braced myself for a squawky, screechy, earbleed-inducing presentation. What followed really surprised me. No squawk, no screech no hemorrhaging. What struck me first was ...

Introduction When considering a satellite and subwoofer combo for your home theater, Miller and Kreisel should be at the forefront of your list of quality manufacturers to consider. Now in its 25th year of manufacturing home and professional electronics, the innovative M&K has largely been responsible for the now mandatory stand-alone subwoofer craze in home theater applications. Their ongoing commitment to the sub and satellite approach to home theater has lead to the production of the S-85 satellites ($695), S-85Ccenter channel ($395) and MX105 subwoofer ($995) featured in this review. The satellites and center speaker share 5 1/4 inch drivers along with a 1 inch soft-dome tweeter and have a frequency range of 85 Hz - 20KHz + - 2dB. The MX105 sub operates from 22 Hz -125 Hz + - 3 dB and sports dual push pull 12 inch drivers moved into action by a 125 watt internal amplifier. The satellites and center channel angled ...

Introduction Not so long ago, owning a palatable home theater loudspeaker system was cost-prohibitive and somewhat room-dependent. Aura Sound has broken down these barriers by developing the LSCP-2 Line Source Cinema Package at a very affordable $799.99. Aura Systems, makers of the Aura Sound cinema speaker systems, has yielded 20 patents over the years in the pursuit of economical but excellent loudspeaker performance. The LSCP-2 is no exception. Four identical two-way bass reflex, LSB-527M, bookshelf speakers utilize 5.25-inch high-definition polypropylene woofers and the patented Line Source monopole tweeter to fill out the mains and surrounds. These speakers are magnetically shielded, allowing close proximity to TVs, and include a proprietary low-frequency alignment design, resulting in a low, tight bottom end from a small enclosure. For controlled dispersion and increased handling for maximum bass output, the LSC-537M center channel speaker doubles up on the 5.25-inch ...