Speakers: sound investment.

Good speakers are a sound investment in every sense of the word. They generally last a long time and are less likely to become outmoded than other equipment in a home-theater setup. You can add to a sound system piece by piece, so a speaker you buy today could be part of a system you'll enjoy years later.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Each type of speaker is designed to carry a specific range of frequencies--from lowest bass to highest treble--that makes it suitable for certain roles. The size and shape are often suited to a particular task. Center-channel models tend to be short and wide so they can sit atop a TV, while rear satellites are small, light, and easy to wail-mount. This report has Ratings of 61 models in six categories.

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Bookshelf speakers. These typically carry the full range of sound, from bass to treble, making them highly versatile. Two bookshelf speakers can serve as the sole speakers in a stereo system. In a surround-sound setup, bookshelf speakers can play almost any role. Two can serve as the front or rear pair, or one can be used as an economical alternative to a center-channel speaker if it's magnetically shielded so it won't interfere with the TV picture--and if it's small enough. Their name notwithstanding, some bookshelf speakers are too tall for a 12-inch shelf, although others are quite compact.

Floor-standing speakers. These full-range speakers serve as the front pair. Most are about 3 to 4 feet tall and fit best in large rooms. The big cabinets of floor-standing speakers have the potential for delivering better bass than smaller bookshelf speakers, but small speakers have become quite good at handling bass.

Center-channel speaker. Because this is placed on top of a TV or just below it, a dedicated center-channel speaker must be magnetically shielded so it won't disrupt the TV picture. This type of speaker handles mostly dialog, so it doesn't have to carry as wide a range of frequencies as the front speakers.