Labs

Surround speakers don't come much more affordable than this set, but its design does not betray its low price. A solitary volume knob sits at the end of the wired remote, with the subwoofer level adjusted on the back of the sub itself. There's no headphone output and the input plugs are on a captive cable that sprouts from the wired remote.

Considering its price, the fact that the A500 doesn't sound awful counts in its favour. First impressions were excellent, with a fair amount of volume on tap and a reasonably balanced sound. However, closer scrutiny revealed a slightly harsh, messy tone with a lack of detail, particularly in comparison with the other surround sets. This didn't flatter music and DVDs, though games' soundtracks fared better.

If you just want to make a lively racket, the A500 is great value. However, it's worth spending a little more on Logitech's considerably superior X-540.