Medium-density fiberboard Separate Speakers

The Bottom Line: In addition to delivering solid sonics, the Zvox Z-Base 550 sets itself apart from competing single-speaker units with the unique capability to double as a stand for your TV.

Specs: surround sound speaker, 28 in x 14.5 in x 3.4 in, Black, Active

The Bottom Line: M-Audio's Studiophile AV 20 is smaller and cheaper than its larger siblings, but the better form factor comes with sound quality compromises.

Specs: 3.9 in x 6.1 in x 7.8 in, 2-way Active, 10 KOhm, 10 Watt

The Bottom Line: The able Polk Audio PSW111 subwoofer delivers seamless bass despite its compact size.

Specs: subwoofer, 11 in x 13 in x 12.1 in, Black, Active, 150 Watt

The Bottom Line: M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 is a PC speaker for music lovers who care more about sound quality than compact size or rock bottom pricing.

Specs: 6 in x 7.2 in x 8.7 in, 2-way Active, 20 Watt

The Bottom Line: Cambridge's radical design in its Newton Series P300HD Powered Subwoofer delivers extraordinary performance.

Specs: subwoofer, 8.5 in x 17.5 in x 27.2 in, Active

The Bottom Line: Yamaha's pint-size YST-FSW100 subwoofer is the ideal partner for its Digital Sound Projector virtual surround speakers.

Specs: subwoofer, 15.7 in x 6.2 in x 14.8 in, Black, Active, 75 Watt

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: This robustly built subwoofer's performance is far from state of the art, but the price alone makes it worth considering.

Specs: subwoofer, floor-standing, 12.3 in x 16.5 in x 18.5 in, Active, 150 Watt

The Bottom Line: Polk's baby subwoofer belts out tight home-theater bass and sounds sweet with music, too.

Specs: subwoofer, 14 in x 16.1 in x 14.4 in, Black, Active, 50 Watt

The Bottom Line: This full-size center-channel speaker sounds good with both movies and music and blends well with Polk's other Monitor Series speakers.

Specs: center channel speaker, 18 in x 9.6 in x 7 in, Black, 2-way Passive, 8 Ohm, 89 dB