Klipsch HD Theater 500

Experts say the 5.1-channel Klipsch HD Theater 500 is a terrific sounding speaker -- particularly with movies -- with the ability to create a more accurate surround-sound field than many of its competitors. The secret to that is a horn-loaded tweeter that "beams" high frequencies directly to the seating position without interacting with room acoustics as much as conventional designs. While some are not quite as enamored, most critics say music performance is pretty good. But the strength of the HD Theater 500 really comes through in movies with a sound field that's so convincing some might duck for cover when the action in a Hollywood blockbuster gets amped up.

Though the Klipsch HD Theater 500 is more than powerful enough to fill a small or moderate-sized room with sound, most say that these home-theater speakers are not quite up to the challenge of a larger space. Some praise the value, but others feel that these home-theater speakers are a little pricey. If you need to fill a big room with sound, the Onkyo SKS-HT540 (*Est. $295) could be worth a look. Though notably cheaper -- and notably larger -- the Onkyo system is also notably more powerful -- enough so to keep a good-sized party hopping all night.

The 5.1-channel Klipsch HD Theater 500 has been extensively reviewed. The best report is in Home Theater magazine, which backs its detailed hands-on report with a technical report from the test bench. CNET's report isn't quite as detailed, but is also testing based. The reports at Wired, EngadgetHD.com and DigitalTrends.com are also testing based, but briefer still.