David Vaughn

<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/rome.jpg" WIDTH=200 BORDER=0 ALIGN=RIGHT>The story begins 50 years before the dawn of Christianity, when Rome was the wealthiest city in the world and the epicenter of a sprawling empire. Founded on principles of shared power and personal competition, the Republic was created to prevent any one man from seizing absolute control. But as the ruling class became wealthier, that foundation began to crumble and old values went by the wayside. Along came modern politics with infighting, corruption, and the drawing of party lines.

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Exemplary value
Clean, punchy bass
Optional wireless transmitter works like a charm
Minus
Doesn’t go quite as deep as the big boys

THE VERDICT
When I heard I was going to review a budget $399 subwoofer, I dreaded the month I’d miss my reference subs. I couldn’t have been more wrong!

There are two things that I really love in life. The first is the entrepreneurial spirit that grows within someone and inspires them to take a chance with an idea, create a company, and do their best to make it succeed. The second is great bass. As longtime readers know, I’m a bass-oholic—and if my wife would let me, I’d have four (or more) subwoofers in my media room, because there’s no such thing as too much bass!

<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/fatboy.jpg" WIDTH=200 BORDER=0 ALIGN=RIGHT>Minutes before his wedding, Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) leaves his pregnant fianc&#233;, Libby (Thandie Newton), at the altar. Five years later, he realizes he made the biggest mistake of his life and wants her back. Unfortunately, Libby has moved on and is dating Whit (Hank Azaria), a super-successful financial manager with a great personality and even better abs. Dennis, on the other hand, is overweight and employed as a security guard at a London mall. In order to prove his worth to Libby, Dennis decides to enter the same London Marathon that Whit has been training for&#151;the big difference is that Dennis has only three weeks to prepare for the grueling 26-mile race.

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Foundation-shaking bass
Outstanding Build Quality
Servo-control is the real-deal
Minus
Very Heavy
Large footprint can make room placement challenging

THE VERDICT
Rythmik’s direct servo technology isn’t a marketing slogan—it provides the most precise bass these ears have ever heard.