These speakers do almost everything right, and their only errors are ones of subtraction. To my ears they give you about 95 percent of what you would get from a $2200 pair of Performa M22's for a little more than one-quarter of the price. I'll add that the M22's are the main speakers in my daughter's system, driven by a Cary SLA-70 Mk. II, SLP-74P, with sources from a Pioneer DV-47Ai universal player, Rotel 1084 HD tuner, and her iPod via an Apple docking station (there are no plans for a Krell, either). If you were wondering about pairing the power-hog M22's with the 30 wpc Cary, it works very nicely in my daughter's small room. While there isn't the ability to rattle the windows and peel the paint, sane volume levels with good dynamic reserve are easily within the system's capabilities.

But back to the speakers we're talking about, the 632-LR's. The 632-LR's were purchased as part of a system for a friend, and before I installed that system, both systems were at my house for about a month, so I had the chance for some interesting listening. In my friend's system, the 632-LR's are driven by a Rotel 1060 integrated amp (60 wpc), and sourced from a Cary CD-300 CD player and a Luxman T-117 tuner.

To spice things up a bit, I also swapped the speakers between the two systems. The bottom line is that both speakers were emminently listenable in both systems, but not without some differences. As expected, neither speaker produced the bottom octave-and-a-half of bass. The bass floors were similar, but the M22's had the edge in tautness and pitch definition--only slightly, though. The 632-LR's had just a tiny smidgen of mid-bass warmth, just enough to enhance their palpability, but still within the range of what most of us would consider normal. The mids were of almost indistinguishable high quality for both, although not in the league with a Quad 988.

Treble in the M22's had ever more slightly air and breathing room and sparkle, but neither had sizzle, splash, grain or hardness. Transients were fast without a hint of edginess.

Typical of most minimonitors, imaging was excellent, with good size, depth and specificity.

All in all, I'd recommend the 632-LR's highly, as I would the M22's. Yes, the M22's will give you more and subtract less, and if they're in your budget I highly recommend them. But if you want something within sonic spitting distance of the M22's, at a significantly lower price, then I strongly recommend you audition the 632-LR's. I feel you'll be happily surprised.

I am not an audiophile, but I have really noticed the difference since adding these speakers to my system. I am particularly happy with the imaging. Most of my listening is music in standard stereo mode.

I have also enjoyed the improved performance while listening to surround material as part of my home theater set up. (So much so, I recently upgraded my center channel with the Intimus 533-VAC Center Channel Speaker)

I have been very happy with the customer service as well. After placing my first order on the web site, I got a call from a customer service rep. They wanted to make sure I knew that the speakers were a bit larger than most "bookshelf" speakers.

The sound out of these speakers is superb. The finish is second to none. The price is excellent. I read a lot of + independent reviews prior to buying these speakers. They were all right. With a 30 day money back guarantee, how can you go wrong??

I was up in the air.... I chose the bookshelf speakers and couldn't be happier! The sound fills the room, movies and dialog are exceptionally clear. I adore my Aperion Audio experience.

I use these as my rear speakers, where they are totally under utilized. I wish I would have known about these before I installed in-wall speakers for my front channel speakers. I'm really trying to figure out how to squeeze another set of these in between my TV and in-walls. The only down side would be that they're a little deeper than most bookshelf speakers. But, most bookshelf speakers don't sound this good, so... pick your poison. If you've got the room, they're a great buy.

Excellent sound reproduction for this size speaker. Lots of bang for the buck. Very pleased with the bass and high end response.

I traded in my 532's for the 632's (thanks!) and couldn't be happier. The sound is large and clear, without taking up much room. These speakers are a fantastic value.

I was looking for audiophile quality speakers that were affordable, and these more than fit that description. The sound is great (especially after tuning/calibrating everthing - definitely do this or hire someone to do this if you don't know how) and the look/build quality are unbelievable.

Very pleasing to be able to get this type of sound quality at this price.

I am very impressed with these 632's as the front channels of my system. I have these paired up with the 422 rear channels and a 533 center channel. I did go a little overkill on the 12 inch sub which rattles every window in my house. Everything is run thru a Marantz SR8001 receiver. I listened to multiple speakers before purchacing Aperion, including the Polk LSi9, infinity, JBL and Boston. These are much better sounding than any other speaker I have listened to. They pack quite a punch. Great midranges. I highly recommend.

These are by far the best speakers I have ever owned. I can't wait to buy another set for the bedroom. With the Aperion return policy you can't go wrong if you try these speakers out in your home. Break in period for my set was about 75 hours. Great for movies and even better for music ranging from speed metal to solo cello. I will buy again and again from this company.

I purchaced these speakers for the front speakers in a 7.1 system. I have been very pleased. I am using a Denon 4306 system and these sound great once I tuned the set up. Great value and quality. The finish is incredible and they not only sound great but they look great too.

I use these as the front and rear speakers in a 5.1 system. Onkyo SR805 receiver; Aperion 634-VAC center; SVS PB12-Plus subwoofer. Excellent sound, excellent finish. Four out of five stars because: (1) The product description boasts "beautiful clean bass," "unbelievable bass performance," and "astonishing bass," but without a subwoofer, the speakers sound naked. (2) Aperion states vaguely that the "speakers are made in Asia." More specifically, the speakers are manufactured in China. (3) One of the binding posts does not screw smoothly (perhaps some debris in the threads), making it difficult to make a secure connection. I know ISO9000 is an empty certification, but it seems like the QA could be a little better (even if it's at the expense of the cute velvet bags that have limited use). That said, you will not find a better speaker at twice the price. If you are debating whether to buy these speakers, do so.

Great punchy speakers which deliver crisp, clear sound for movies. Great when paired with the S-12 subwoofer for a true home theater experience. I've got a very large room and these babies fill it very, very well. Movies come alive and the clarity of the dialogue, gunshots, explosions, and other sound effects is amazing.

Re-discovered the joy of listening music with this speaker. Spent many hours listening my music collection after installing the speakers. I recommend the speakers highly.

I use a pair of these speakers as the rear surrounds in a 5.1 setup along with the 634-VAC as center and 633-T as mains. They complement the other speakers perfectly.

I also had the opportunity to use these as the front main speakers while I waited for my towers to arrive. I was impressed by the sound quality coming from them, even after replacing them with the 633-T's. They hold their own even when compared to tower speakers.

A fantastic set of speakers for the price. I use these speakers as the front speakers for a 5.1 system with an Onkyo THX receiver connected to a Windows MCE computer. The sound is awesome: full, clear, crisp on all ends & really fills the room (when my wife is away & I can crank up the volume). I bought the cherry wood versions of the speakers, which compliment my living room furniture just right. So not only do they sound great, but they're stylish as well.

I asked my wife how much money she thought the 632's cost and she ventured $4,000.00. When I told her $299.00 each her jaw dropped.

- Steve Hoffman Music Forum - Audio Hardware, July 15, 2006

Read Full Review

We took our first look at Aperion a few years ago when the online direct-sales company offered just one satellite speaker and three subwoofers. Aperion's ever-expanding line now features a bunch of new models, all boasting upgraded technology and improved sound quality. The 632-LR bookshelf speaker is the largest "satellite" ever offered by Aperion: it's 15 inches tall, 7.75 wide, and 12.75 deep, and it weighs in at 26 pounds. The company sells the 632-LR direct on its Web site for $299.

- Steve Guttenberg - CNET.com, March 2006

Read Full Review

We’ve been big fans of several direct-to-consumer loudspeaker manufacturers - but only after they proved to us that their products held up against comparable models by more mainstream manufacturers. Last year Aperion Audio joined our recommended list by producing a good bang-for-the-buck product with the Intimus 5.1 system(comprised of four 532-LRs a 532-C and S-8 powered subwoofer). This year we wanted to hear what their newer, larger products had to offer in terms of quality and performance. 

- Clint DeBoer - Audioholics.com, January 2006

Read Full Review

“If you’re shopping in this price range—or even if your budget is two or three times higher—I highly recommend checking them out.”

I could happily live with the Aperion system over the long haul. And the opportunity Aperion provides for auditioning their speakers in your own space and at your own pace is icing on the cake. If you're shopping in this price range—or even if your budget is two or three times higher—I highly recommend checking them out.

-Thomas J. Norton, Ultimate AV, December 2005

Read Full Review

We are too new to hand out Editor’s Choice awards, but if we were, these would win hands down. I have heard a lot of inexpensive speakers over the last 25 years, but these are the best I’ve run across. I can’t recommend them highly enough if you are a beginning audiophile or want a second system somewhere. If you don’t like them, you can get your money back, there isn’t a better value than this!

-Jeff Dorgay - Tone Audio, October 2005 

Read Full Review

“One of the nicest aspects of these speakers is that they are not terribly fussy about setup. The 6” woofer had better bass than you might expect and free of a midbass boost. I got the best balance between bass and imaging about two feet from the wall on 24” high stands. The high end response, matter of fact the overall response of this speaker, is very friendly. Not rolled off, but not harsh, the only errors I really found the 632s made were ones of omission. You can only expect so much detail and resolution from a small, budget speaker and these speakers are considerably better than any other speaker I have heard in this price range. The highest compliment I can pay them is that everyone who took my informal poll failed and guessed that the 632’s cost between 1,000 and 1,500 dollars.”

-Jeff Dorgay, Audiophile Audition, September 2005

Read Full Review

"...we were doubly impressed by the Aperion Intimus 6-Series 5.1 speakers. The systems scored in our home-theater auditions and sounded amazing with music. Sound quality of this level will cost you, but given Aperion's risk-free money-back guarantee and solid warranty, we found it worth every penny. "

-Steve Guttenberg, CNET.com, February 2006.

Read Full Review

“The Aperion 632-LR’s sound was clear, uncongested, and lively, and the S-10 subwoofer worked admirably to provide nice, deep bass and fill out the sonic picture painted by the main speakers.”

-Eric Hetherington, goodsound.com, May 2006

Read Full Review

Overall, I am extremely impressed and quite satisfied as an audiophile with the 634-VAC center channel. The frequency response is quite good from top to bottom. The Voice Right circuitry doesn't appear to detract much from the presentation of music or movies, at least that I've noticed. The 634 is a very musical as a center channel to boot. When playing a wide selection of tunes from Jazz to the Blues to heavy Industrial, it performed quite well.

- Scott Faller - Enjoythemusic.com, March 2007

Read Full Review