Bookshelf and surround - CNET reviews

Editors' Top Home audio
updated May 15, 2006

Back before the advent of home theater, smaller speakers were known as bookshelf models because they were small enough to sit on a shelf. Don't let the name fool you, though, because these speakers can serve in just about any capacity. You can use them as standard stereo speakers, as front speakers in a smaller home-theater setup, and yes, as surround speakers in larger home theaters. If you're composing a system from scratch, be sure to check out our other speaker lists for matching brands. -- David Katzmaier, senior editor

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Bookshelf and surround

Home audio	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Mirage Omnisat (black) Released: 10/01/2002	8.3 Excellent	Email me when product is available	These unique speakers can blend visually and sonically into a room while maintaining great sound quality, but they aren't cheap. Specs: satellite speaker , 6.2 in x 8 in x 8 in , Black , 2-way Passive , 8 Ohm, 89 dB

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 (black ash) Released: 09/01/2004	7.7 Very good	Email me when product is available	Wharfedale's pricey Diamond 9.1 bookshelf satellite sets a high standard for build and sound quality. Specs: bookshelf , 7.6 in x 10.9 in x 11.7 in , Black ash , 2-way Passive , 6 Ohm, 86 dB

Infinity Beta 20 (black) Released: 03/30/2004	7.3 Very good	Email me when product is available	This oversize bookshelf speaker has the muscle to fill fairly large home theaters with sound. Specs: 8.9 in x 13 in x 13.8 in , Black , 2-way , 8 Ohm, 90 dB

Polk Monitor 30 (black) Released: 07/15/2004	7.3 Very good	$99-$265 from 2 stores	Polk's revamped Monitor Series speakers still sound swell after all these years. Specs: 7 in x 8.4 in x 11 in , Black , 2-way , 8 Ohm, 89 dB

Klipsch Synergy SLX Released: 04/25/2005	7.0 Very good	Email me when product is available	Klipsch's new trim speaker can provide the basis of a good-sounding--and good-looking--stereo or surround-sound system. Specs: wall-mountable , 5.5 in x 4.8 in x 25 in , Silver , 2-way Passive , 8 Ohm, 95 dB, 100 Watt

Infinity Primus 150 Released: 07/15/2003	7.0 Very good	Email me when product is available	Up front or at the rear in a surround position, this little speaker serves up sweet sounds. Specs: 7.4 in x 10.5 in x 12.7 in , Black , 2-way Passive , 8 Ohm, 88 dB