I was impressed by how clear, responsive, and hiss free the speakers are at a regular and very low listening volumes. They tend to become twingy at higher volumes, about 2/3 max volume, but this is easily compenstated for by using the computers equilizer. The very low frequencies are not present but for 99% of music and movies I watch it doesn't matter. The sound is far suppier than my $300 Aiwa stereo which I bought a couple years ago which is several times larger in size. Great deal with the $50 rebate and well built.