Satellite magnetic shield Surround Speaker Systems

The Bottom Line: Aperion's Intimus 4B Harmony SA package looks the part, but didn't perform up to the company's usual high standards.

Specs: home theater speaker system, High-gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 84 dB, 100 Watt

The Bottom Line: Aperion's Intimus 4B Harmony SA package looks the part, but didn't perform up to the company's usual high standards.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Cherry, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 84 dB, 100 Watt

The Bottom Line: The Canton Movie 150 QX sounds terrific with movies and music, despite its plain-Jane style.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Black, 2-way Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 88 dB, 120 Watt

The Bottom Line: The little Canton Movie 120 MX delivers home theater punch beyond its fighting weight, but it's sapped by an underperforming subwoofer.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Black, 2-way Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 85 dB, 100 Watt

The Bottom Line: The little Canton Movie 120 MX delivers home theater punch beyond its fighting weight, but it's sapped by an underperforming subwoofer.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Silver, 2-way Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 85 dB, 100 Watt

The Bottom Line: The Energy Speakers RC-Micro 5.1 speaker system delivers superb sound quality from incredibly tiny speakers.

Specs: home theater speaker system, High-gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 240 Watt

The Bottom Line: Anchored by its minitower speakers, the Aperion Intimus 4T Hybrid SD is an exceptional surround speaker system that ably combines good looks and superior sound.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Medium cherry, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 150 Watt

The Bottom Line: If you like the swappable speaker grilles--and can find the system at a discount--the Boston Acoustics MCS 130 is a worthy surround speaker package.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 200 Watt

The Bottom Line: Infinity's TSS-800 satellite speakers produce a highly transparent sound, but the subwoofer's muddied bass is the system's Achilles' heel.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Charcoal, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 150 Watt

The Bottom Line: Infinity's TSS-800 satellite speakers produce a highly transparent sound, but the subwoofer's muddied bass is the system's Achilles' heel.

Specs: home theater speaker system, Platinum, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 150 Watt