BOTTOM LINE

I sometimes wonder what kind of system I'd have if I were a "normal" person - i.e., if tomorrow I got kicked out of the consumer electronics industry, got married, had my wife's mother and 10-year-old daughter move in, and therefore had to convert my audio/video lab back into a living room. The Hurricane Evo would definitely be on my short list. At $3,745 for a set of five, it's far from cheap, but I know of few systems that deliver such a satisfying blend of sound quality and visual appeal. I'd skip the HighForce 2, though - it's good, but I can find a comparable sub for half its $1,549 price.

Key Features

$5,294 / waterfallaudiousa.com
Hurricane Evo ($749 each): 0.8-in silk dome tweeter; 4-in bass/midrange driver; 7.25 x 3 x 10.8 in; 4.5 lb.
HighForce 2 subwoofer ($1,549): 9-in woofer; 250-watt (peak) amplifier; 10 x 17 x 16 in; 49 lb.