The slightly larger 180 has been designed to be sited vertically or horizontally. Its versatility means it can be used as a centre channel in a multi-channel music or movie system as well as a main, side or rear speaker. And just 95mm deep, it's ideal for use with a Plasma screen or in places where space is at a premium. As with all Radius components, the 180 can be purchased individually for maximum flexibility when system building.

Whats a surround system without a centre? The centre speaker is responsible for dialogue in your movies and greatly improves vocal intelligibility. The 2000c is a perfect partner for the Q Acoustics 2000 series, giving you a perfect voice matched partner for the the bookshelf or floorstanding models.

The new ultra-compact (9cm cube) Radius 45 has been designed as an unobtrusive satellite speaker for multi-channel A/V systems. When combined with the compact Radius 360 subwoofer and front-channel satellites, the Radius 45 will complete an extremely discreet system that can be wall or stand mounted to blend with any environment.

The new age of bronze is upon us, with arrival of the new Bronze B series from Monitor Audio. Budget speakers have never sounded so good, with new levels of detail and realism from these bargain beauties.

If you want a good surround system, you've got to have good rears. For best effect, we always recommend a good quality dipole/bipole speaker. This compact offering from Monitor Audio offers excellent dispersion from its twin C-CAM tweeters, perfect for side or rear mounting.

The Epos ELS 3C centre channel utilises the same drive units as the ELS 3 and is therefore ideally matched for use in a home cinema application.

Featuring a 25mm metal dome tweeter with neodymium magnet, together with two 5 ½” woofers, this centre channel uses a new die cast aluminium chassis with a cone and surround similar to that being used in the M5 woofer. The Epos logo is embossed on the tweeter faceplate.

The new range of silver speakers are superb in stereo but also masters of the art of home theatre. Complete your surround setup with the addition of the Silver LCR. Designed to function as not only a centre but as left or right speakers as well. Voiced to perfectly match the rest of the silver series, you can mix and match with other speakers from the silver range or create an amazing theatre using five of these.

Epos approached the home theatre market with the design of its M8 centre channel speaker exactly as you would expect - with no compromise in sound quality.

Designed to complement the M series speakers, the centre channel is both elegant and functional. Available in a choice of dark cherry, light cherry or black, the front baffle of the M8 is also finished in real wood making this centre channel a stylish addition to any system.

When you think of a centre channel, you usually expect an object that is smaller and less substantial than its left & right brethren. The S-525 is here to destroy that expectation and it demands your complete attention.

If you want a good surround system, then you need a good quality effects speaker. The common held belief is that the surround channel can be cheap because theres not a lot going on back there. But because there isn't a lot of activity, you need a great speaker to capitalise on whats available. When you listen to a good rear like the RSfx, you'll find out what we mean. A perfect match for the Monitor Audio RS range and a damn good rear in ther own right. Also very pretty, available in a choice of real wood finishes.

The Roos are a dedicated rear-channel speaker with a Bi-Pole configuration. A single bass-mid unit on the front face is omnidirectional in its frequency range; while a pair of tweeters connected in phase on the 45 degree faces provide better dispersion of the treble. They are covered in acoustically-transparent Lycra fabric whose colour can be changed for different decor needs. A bracket on the rear provides easy attachment to a wall.

Its no point in desiging a high quality stereo speaker these days unless you also design the obligatory matching centre channel for Mindblowing Surround^TM. Good thing that the Danish chaps at Audiovector decided now is not the time to rock the boat and delivered an excellent centre speaker. Perfectly suited to the rest of the K series, its fine looks match its detailed sound, creating a seamless front sound stage and tracking dialogue beautifully.

Well, thats different. In a market where innovation means more pixels or a LED , Audiovector has done something fresh. An on-wall speaker that can switch from a diffuse surround mode to a direct stereo mode in a matter of minutes. Thats versatility for you, right there. It doesn't hurt that they sound good look attractive and wall mount easily.

The Confidence Center was developed to complete the high performance Dynaudio Confidence loudspeaker series with a dedicated Center Channel for use in multi-channel system set-ups. The Confidence Center is a 2-way design directly based on the Confidence C2 and C4 technology. The new Confidence Center features a unique plinth design, allowing perfect adjustment of the vertical tilt for optimum dispersion regardless of placement in any home theater. In conjunction with a switch in the crossover network, the plinth allows adjusted placement above or below screen, assuring the most sufficient vertical coverage angle.

"Briliant Home cinema performance, a mouth watering finish and superlative stereo all come together in ths peerless Monitor Audio Platinum-series system."

You'll already know the high regard we have for Monitor Audio's Platinum series - if not turn to our buyers guide on pg 83 to find reviews of the PL300 floorstanders and PL100 standmounts which form the front and rear channels in the PL300AV system tested here.
So,put the two designs together, and you ought to have something special. just how special, though, has come as something of a surpise to us. The PL300AV is a fabulous surround system - one of the best we've ever tried. it plays everything superbly, from live concert Blu Rays to madcap action movies, revealing every last gasp of subtle effects and powering through sofa-shaking dynamics with a deftly judged blend of sublime detail and thrilling drive. And of course its sensational in stereo. In fact, after several weeks of enjoying it's company we're no closer to exposing any major weaknesses.

So, we've PL300s out front and PL100s bringing up the rear - what about the rest? First, in comes a PLC350 centre channel. It's substantial, its drive-unit complement matching that fitted to the huge PL300s, which ensures the front soeakers integrate superbly. The optional floorstand, shown here, is a worthy investment at UK$300.

"BASS IN YOUR SPACE"
Rounding things off is the formidable PLW-15 active subwoofer, which uses a rigid 15inch long throw metal drive unit in a sealed, superlatively constructed 50kg enclosure finished to the same lavish standard as the other speakers. Fed by an incredibly fast 1000 watt Class D power amp, capable of reaching down to an ultra low 16Hz and blessed with extensive tweakability, it's every bit as articulate and potent as it ought to be.

What else do you need to know? First, remember that a system this capable needs space - but if you can afford the the package, that shouldn't be an issue. You'll also need good partnering kit - amps, a Blu-ray player and the like - because while the monitors aren't that demanding to drive or fussy about tonal matching, they're just so damn good that to listen to them using anything second rate would be a crime.