The $ensible Choice List: Speakers and Subwoofers.

Speakers are where it's at when it comes to audio, recordings are where it's at when it comes to music, and we just hope the rest of the stuff pretty much stays out of the way, which it pretty well does. Amplifiers sound largely the same. CD players sound largely the same. Wires are wires, differing mainly in obscenity of price. But different speakers sound different; in fact, very different!

Listed below are a number of speaker models, both full-range (or, in the case of a few, "allegedly full-range") and subwoofers, listed in ascending order of price. Price (per pair, except for subwoofers) is given in parentheses, then there is an indication of when the speaker was reviewed, and by whom, followed by a brief discussion of the speaker's performance.

Although some of these speakers have appeared in the "staff picks" lists printed in previous issues, final choices were made by the editor, and I am the one who will shoulder the blame for any glaring sins of omission:

PSB Alpha A/V ($249) Reviewed by TM in Issue 75. These speakers give new meaning to the old adage, "good things come in small packages."

Dana Audio Model 1 ($250) We have not yet auditioned the current version, but earlier versions were so good that we can still recommend this as a safe bet in this price range.

Sound Dynamics RTS3 ($280) Reviewed in Issue 72 by SGB. An over-achieving little box with performance belying its price.

Mission 771 ($400) Reviewed by GK in Issue 77. Designed for wall or shelf placement. Not much bass, but excellent midrange and treble make this speaker a solid contender in this price range.