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Small systems can still deliver the sonic goods $1,000 to $2,499

Compared with entry-level HTiB packages, speaker systems in this range tend to have larger drivers capable of delivering louder, more cinematic playback levels. Of greater significance, they usually have more robust subwoofers, which help create the emotional impact that makes home theater so enthralling.

Nearly every speaker manufacturer offers a system in this competitive price range. These tend to be "baby brothers" to the companies' flagship systems, receiving trickle-down design features from their siblings, and delivering sound that belies their price tags. Small satellite speakers dominate the category and offer a variety of placement options: on a bookshelf, on stands, or mounted on the wall alongside that new flat-panel TV.

For a bookshelf-size system that doesn't skimp on performance, check out the Super Audio line from NHT (nhthifi.com). With the SB3 speaker front and rear, an SC2 center speaker, and a 12-inch, 250-watt SW12 subwoofer ($2,350), all in high-gloss black, you might never go out to the movies again.

The System 1200 is new to the Atlantic Technology (atlantictechnology.com) lineup. Consisting of five Model 1200 LR two-way satellites and a 125-watt, 10-inch 212 SB subwoofer, it will surround you in sound for $1,200 with maple-finish side panels, or $1,320 with plasma-chic gloss black or matte silver side panels. (You can replace the panels if you change your décor.

) The Klipsch Cinema 10 system ($1,545), reviewed in December 2003.

Known for its horn-loaded tweeters, Klipsch (www.klipsch.com) stayed true to its roots when creating the space-friendly Cinema 10 system (click to read the December 2003 review). With four RSX-5 satellites, an RCX-4 center speaker, and a 10-inch, 200-watt RW-10 subwoofer, the system sells for $1,545.

You might not expect real wood finishes at these prices, but the RTi6 system from Polk Audio (polkaudio.com) offers just that. With a pair of RTi6 speakers in the front, a CSi3 center speaker, a pair of RTi4 surrounds, and a 100-watt, 8-inch PSW303 subwoofer, it lists for $1,380. But with the front L/R and surround speakers finished in cherry or black oak veneer, it looks like it should cost twice that.

Proving that nice-sounding things can come in small packages, the wedge-shaped cabinet of the Bravo satellite (reviewed in our January 2002 issue) from Boston Acoustics (bostonacoustics.com) allows you to mount it in tight places where other speakers can only dream of going. At only $1,400 for four Bravos, a matching Bravo Center, and a 10-inch, 100-watt PV500 sub, you might think you're dreaming. The Mirage Omnisat 6 system ($1,700), reviewed in May 2003. Both the look and design of the Mirage (miragespeakers.com) Omnisat 6 system are unconventional (click to read the May 2003 review). Mirage believes that using 70% reflected sound and 30% direct sound delivers the kind of diffuse effect necessary for convincing sound reproduction. To achieve this, the drivers in the Omnisat speakers point up at a 30° angle. You can get five Omnisats and a 10-inch, 150-watt LF-150 sub for $1,700.

B&W (www.bwspeakers.com) probably doesn't even come to mind when you think of this price range, but its third-generation 600 Series 3 speakers share technology gleaned from the cost-no-object Nautilus model at a fraction of the price. A system consisting of two DM602 S3 front L/R speakers, an LCR60 S3 center speaker, two DM601 S3 surrounds, and a 10-inch, 150-watt ASW600 subwoofer runs $1,900 and comes in black ash or light oak. (Click to read the April 2003 review.)

When it comes to appeasing the wife, smaller is definitely better, and you won't find much smaller speakers than the direct/reflecting, jewel-cube arrays from Bose (bose.com). The $1,299 Acoustimass 15 Series II system includes five tiny cubes and a redesigned Acoustimass powered bass module.

You can even find systems with traditional, floor-standing front speakers at these prices. The sleek Euro styling and silver finish of the Jamo (jamo.com) A355PDD system, with its A 355 towers, A 3CEN.5 center, A 325 surrounds, and 9-inch, 100-watt A 3SUB.5 subwoofer will make your plasma TV look even cooler. And at $1,199, it'll leave some guilders in your pocket.

JBL (jbl.com) offers three laminate finishes - black ash, beech, and cherry - to complement its Northridge E Series. You can net four E80 towers for the front and rear L/R positions, an EC35 center, and a 12-inch, 250-watt E250P sub for $1,944.

Another tower option is the LE200 Series from Canton (cantonusa.com). With LE 207 tower speakers for the front L/R, the LE 205 CM center speaker, LE 202 surrounds, and a 9-inch, 120-watt ASD 220 SC subwoofer, you'll have a system that promises to sound as good as it looks for $2,146.