MUSIC PERFORMANCE On stereo music the Aperions impressed me with a relaxed, open sound marked by ample depth, an attractive and wide spatial fullness, and excellent detail. A variety of voices sounded natural and present, indicating solid performance and low coloration through the critical midrange. A slight emphasis in the upper-midrange/low treble made some vocals — like Tracy Chapman’s chest-tone-rich voice on “Crossroads” — sound a shade more cutting than on some more expensive and more neutral speakers I’ve tested.

Stringed instruments, such as in those Beethoven quartets, were a pleasure when played in surround using Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music processing, with strongly textured string and wood timbres highlighted just a touch by the same small emphasis in the upper mids/low treble. In my all-channels high-volume trials, the Aperion suite sounded great even when driven very hard — it was the clear multichannel-volume leader of our three — but the sound grew slightly harsh when the system was pushed to full throttle.

The 532-LRs and the S-10 subwoofer made a solid blend right from the start. The sound was warmer — a little richer in the upper bass — than from my everyday setup, possibly the result of running the sub’s nondefeatable crossover “in series” with my preamp/processor’s. Nudging the preamp’s crossover down to 60 Hz from 80 Hz tightened up the bass, but some receivers (especially entry-level ones) will lack this option. Don’t get me wrong, though — the Aperion sub was solid, extended, and musical, and offered more oomph than the other two.

MOVIE PERFORMANCE Aperion’s 533-VAC “vertical array” center with its stacked midrange and tweeter (see lower photo, facing page) aims to keep voices (particularly male ones, like that of alleged actor Brad Pitt) more natural and balanced when heard from an off-center seating position. This proved to be the case for both TV announcers and movie dialogue, with the 533-VAC yielding a tight — though not perfect — tonal match for the front left/right speakers, and staying impressively consistent even when I listened from far off to one side.

In the surround position, Aperion’s smaller 422-LRs’ open, slightly forward treble made effects like the flocks of arrows in Troy’s Chapter 22 thrillingly lifelike (not that I’ve ever actually been shot with an arrow), though this also tended to point up the surround locations a bit. The S-10 sub produced plenty of bottom for the big-battle effects, proving quite capable of filling my 2,500-cubic-foot studio at near-cinema levels. Though audibly strong through the upper bass, it never sounded boomy or muddy and was solid right into (if not through!) the bottommost range of recorded bass.

BOTTOM LINE Aperion’s Intimus 532 system, with its well-balanced and engaging sound, should please even demanding listeners, especially if stereo music figures large in your listening. And it delivers great value thanks to its excellent center speaker, powerful sub, and fine finish and build quality.

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