Faced with the naval cannon fire of Master and Commander, the Definitive Tech system rose to the challenge and left no doubt as to its power.

While the BP7002 system is relatively sleek, it could overpower a small room. Fortunately, my 15 x 24-foot home theater proved to be an ideal match. And even though the system sports 26 drivers in all, I used a modest 90-watt-per-channel receiver to power the whole shebang.

MOVIE PERFORMANCE The trio of built-in subs, with their powerful Class D amplifiers, created a deep ocean of bass across the front. Did someone say, "18-pound cannonball across the bow"? Adjusting the volume so dialogue was reproduced at a "normal" speaking level raised the effects levels to the point where light fixtures rattled and a direct cannonball hit nearly knocked the wind out of me. Good thing my room has a concrete floor (beneath thin carpeting) and concrete walls (behind wood paneling).

The bowels of the HMS Surprise sway and bob as the movie opens. The surround effects completely enveloped me with the creaking and groaning of the wooden timbers, the gurgling and rumbling of the sea, and the various clangs as objects sliding around strike each other and the ship. This virtual tour ends with the loud clanging of the ship's bell. The sound of metal striking metal was as immediate as if the bell was in my room.

Even with the video off, the Definitive Tech system left no doubt about the nature of the action and environment. Being prone to seasickness, I actually felt a bit queasy. It's a rare speaker system that pulls off this kind of illusion so convincingly. The sound was so completely enveloping that I felt like I was in a large movie theater rather than in a small home theater where sound can seem confined to the speakers.

When the officer of the watch sights the enemy and the drummer beats to quarters, it almost ejected me from my seat. As the crew makes preparations for the fight, the sound of cutlery in the galley as it's swept into storage seemed as real as upstairs in my kitchen. Silverware didn't clang or click - it clattered.

The first 18-pounders crashing into the Surprise 's deck was a testament to the power of the BP7002 system. As the wood splintered and flew and the cannonade broadsides dramatically raised the volume, the speakers reproduced the carnage without a hint of strain.