2. Tried And True

All the satellites use a new 3" (75 mm) full-range speaker that's nicely integrated into the front panel. The speakers use a metallic-looking synthetic membrane with a small paper coil cap and a large neoprene half-roll suspension. They're bass-reflex loaded, with the port opening under the enclosure. The enclosures are lined with polyester wool; they're well built, without unnecessary trim, and inspire confidence. The satellites come with a stand you can use or not as you see fit - the stands may or may not be useful depending on where you install the satellites - and they can be hung on a wall with a simple round-head screw, so you have a choice. Screws and shields are even supplied.

The subwoofer has an 8" (20 cm) woofer in the front panel, carefully placed behind a robust metal grille. Obviously it has a large half-roll suspension to provide the long throw needed to reproduce sub-bass frequencies. The enclosure is also bass-reflex, but with two ports, one opening onto each side of the enclosure. Creative uses flared ports and makes some rather miraculous claims for them, which the sales sites have enthusiastically picked up. Let's just say that this port shape reduces turbulence a little and so reduces the port's operating noise - a good thing, but not really new.

The subwoofer uses traditional technology, despite a few refinements.