AudioSource AS6S Main / Stereo Speaker

During the summer of 2008, we added an addition on to our house.  This included a family room and a master bedroom, which I planned to put in-wall speakers.  I did some on-line research on various speakers.  We already had a 5.1 AV receiver, and I dreamed of having 7.1 some day in the future.  We planed on putting 4 pair of speakers in the bedroom for 5.1 surround sound audio, and 6 pair in the family room for 7.1 surround sound audio.  So I was in the market for 10 pair of speakers.  I also purchase 2 center channel speakers, but that's another review topic.

There are plenty of well-known, high quality speakers on the market.  But they also cost more than $100/pair, and I only had a budget of $500 for the speakers set aside.  Therefore, I was looking for the best quality, low cost speaker available.  I read some good reviews on others sites about the Audiosource speakers.  I decided upon the AS6S.  These are Audiosource brand, but you may also find them listed as Phoenix Gold or now Rodin..  I purchased mine through Outdoor Speaker Depot (http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/). 

I initially purchase 1 pair to make sure they truly were as good as the reviews stated, since these were among the lowest priced speakers you could find.  I also bought a pair of BIC 6" speakers and tested both side by side.  The Audio Source Speakers did sound pretty good, especially for the price.  The other brand did not offer the same sound quality.  So I purchased the other 8 pair of speakers. 

The installation was easy.  The hardest part was running the speaker wires and cutting the holes in the wall.  Since it was a new addition, I decided where they would be located, and ran the wires before the drywall was put up.  The speakers have the spring-loaded terminals.  I would have preferred binding posts for an in-wall installation.  The speakers have 6 pivoting clamps.  Once the speaker is in the wall, you back the screw off a few turns, and then tighten it.  An electric screwdriver is a big help in this installation, since the clamp may have a long way to go.  One word of advice, make sure you leave at least an inch from the edge of your cutout to the nearest stud.  The clamp swings out and needs a lip or flange of drywall to grab on to.

Once installed and hooked up to our Marantz 7.1 AV receiver, we were very pleased with the results.  The speakers have a 43Hz to 24KHz response, and 90dB of sensitivity.  They are rated for 25 to 100 watts.  We just watched the movie "The Incredibles", and the sound was stunning.  We do not yet have a blueray player.  So we haven't heard the full capability of 7.1 surround.  But so far, we are extremely happy.

The quality of these speakers is very good, especially given the low cost.  If you are a hard-core audiophile, these speakers may not satisfy your needs.  However, if you are looking for a modest home theater surround sound system, I would recommend that you consider these.  I'm sure you would be happy with the results.