AudioSource LS200 Four-inch Full Range Indoor/Outdoor Speakers (Pair)

In a size and price range where we normally see two-way designs, the three-way LS200s are rare birds. An extra midrange driver doesn't always make for better sound, but, in this case, the third driver adds a degree of warmth and smoothness that we've never encountered in a speaker at this price. As a bonus, AudioSource has mirror-imaged the drivers, which allows a pair of LS200s to create the kind of pinpoint imaging we associate with far costlier models.

You'll hear these qualities as soon as you put on a favorite CD--especially if you're a fan of vocal music. (This is why the midrange is so important.) The LS200s are smooth and open and their sound is free of box coloration--that "hooded," overly resonant sound that some speakers have. The suaveness of these speakers extends to the highs and the bass, too. Although small woofers will never produce teeth-rattling bass, the ones in the LS200s have enough of a minipunch to let you boogie if the impulse strikes.

Our only complaint is a minor one and not a surprise in this price range: we would have preferred binding posts over the clip terminals that are on the back of the LS200s. But if you don't already use extra-heavy-duty speaker cable with your speakers, this may not be an issue.

We congratulate AudioSource for producing a great little speaker for a price that simply can't be beat. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Impressive sound
• Weatherproof
• Versatile mounting brackets

Cons:

• Junky, spring-loaded speaker terminals