Sound Blasters

Now that videogames have evolved from bleeps and beeps to motion picture-style soundtracks, you�ll need dedicated speakers for your console or computer for any sort of audio oomph. If a PS2 or Xbox sits atop your TV (or your PC has a Dolby Digital 5.1 card), you�ll get surround sound.

SPLURGE
Klipsch ProMedia DD-5.1
Crank up the volume and still get kickin� sound with Klipsch�s 200-watt subwoofer and five 60-watt speakers. The control tower lets you tweak each speaker�s amplification to suit your game; manage all of them and program sound settings (say, Reverb or Theater) with a digital decoder that�s reminiscent of Knight Rider�s speedometer. The tower also has an auxiliary jack for headphones and for MP3 and CD players.

$568, www.klipsch.com.

BEST BUY
Kinyo Game Zone 5.1 Surround Sound
The plain black casing is strictly low-key, but Game Zone�s 20-watt subwoofer and five 3-watt speakers are totally hi-fi. The 5.1 comes with a remote, as well as RCA jacks for connecting to a TV, DVD, or VCR. It lacks the decoder box and optical input of the Klipsch, but it delivers a lot of bass for the buck.

$89, www.kinyo.com.

OVERRATED
Altec Lansing XA3021
Yes, the lightweight, R2-D2-esque 20-watt subwoofer and two 10-watt speakers are extremely portable. And, yes, the remote — with its fancy volume wheel and equalizer buttons — gives you full control. Does the system live up to expectations? Heck no! It handled sneaker squeaks and overexcited commentary in our hoops game, but it tripped over the soundtrack�s bass lines.

$100, www.alteclansing.com.

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