Velodyne CT Series Classic Home Theater Speaker System.

Manufacturer: Velodyne Acoustics, 1070 Commercial Street, Suite #101, San Jose, CA 95112; 408/436-7270;

Price: Full package w/CT-80 subwoofer, $978, w/CT-120 subwoofer, $1,198; five-satellite speaker package, $599; (satellite pair, $239; center channel, $179); CT-80 subwoofer, $379; CT-120 subwoofer, $599

Source: Manufacturer loan

Reviewer: Howard Ferstler

In my above review of Atlantic Technology's T70 home-theater package, my initial comments basically involve my inclination to be cheap and how happy I nearly always was when I found low-priced gear, particularly speakers, that delivered a lot of bang for the buck. In that review, I conclude that although the T-70 array is not something that would knock the socks off some of the high-end competition (including still more upscale packages by Atlantic Technology), it was a terrific bunch of speakers for what it cost. Well, after fooling with this new Velodyne subwoofer/satellite package, I will have to say that "here we go again," although in this case we have an even cheaper alternative (although admittedly not by much) as one option, with a somewhat more expensive, but also somewhat more bass-potent version as a second.

In addition, while the two Velodyne sub/sat combinations involve the CT-80 and CT-120 subwoofers, those wanting to save a bit of money, while at the same time opting to be a cut above the very bottom, could choose the $499 CT-100 sub to go with the five satellites. Or, if they wanted a bit more large-room potency they could opt for the biggest of the subs in this Velodyne series, the $799 CT-150. Yes, there are actually four subwoofer options that can work comfortably within this nifty little sub/sat arrangement.

I should note here that I reviewed the 15-inch CT-150 in Issue 79, and found it to be a potent performer, particularly for home theater, but also with all but the most powerful, bottom-two-thirds-octave, pipe-organ or synthesizer music. With that sub instead of the two I am reviewing here, the CT package would list for $1,399.