we've got a 100 watt per channel Fisher stereo rack system and are looking at putting the stereo components in with a TV in some sort of entertainment stand, and would like to replace the big honking speakers with something we could mount up in the corners of our ceiling (like those cute little ones that Bose sells) We do have 2 surround speakers in the rear of the room. We want to get the speakers off the floor, but don't want to sacrifice too much sound quality. Any ideas?

It sounds like you are leaning strongly toward the Bose speakers. From the standpoint of size they are certainly convenient. They come with a bass module that will need to be placed on the floor to perform properly but can be hidden behind a cabinet or piece of furniture. You indicate you are going to use the new speakers with your existing rear speakers. You may run into an efficiency problem, that is to say one set of speakers may be louder than the other with the same input. You don't say if the Fisher receiver you are using is actually a surround model. On most pieces of electronics that are made for surround applications you have the ability to adjust the volume level of the rear, front, center and subwoofer independently. Therefore, if there is an efficiency difference between the new speakers and your current rear channel speakers you will be able to compensate for it with the receiver. Ideally, all of the speakers in a surround system should be from the same manufacturer, with the exception of maybe the subwoofer. This way all of the speakers share similar performance and acoustic characteristics. Please understand that this is not a hard and fast rule. Bose does offer several surround systems consisting of fronts, rears, center and sub, which I'm sure you have seen. Regarding speaker selection, that is very subjective. Many people like the sonic character of the Bose systems, however I have never been a big fan of them. In the end though, you're buying this for YOUR enjoyment so get something that you are happy with. Listen to different speakers. Take some music with you that you are familiar with and that you think will be demanding of the speaker's performance. Hearing memory is very short so in going from store to store at the end of the day they will all have sounded good. In using the same music at least you have a reference from which to make your choice.

The only reason I mentioned Bose, is I'm familiar with the brand name. What we're mostly looking for is "smaller" but don't want to sacrifice too much sound quality. We're amateurs when it comes to this, and it's just for our living room, but our stereo has a nice sound, now and we want new speakers to sound nice, too.
Yes we do have surround sound. I had tried checking out fisher on the web, but can't come up with a website, do they still make stereos under their own name?

Annie: I will tell you something: right this minute there are a pair of the most amazing small speakers you will ever hear on e bay (Item # 1387154713) . They were manufactured by EPI in Newburyport Mass. They are listed as a model 50 "The Mite". These speakers will absolutely blow your mind. If you did not know what you were listening to you would swear they were MUCH larger than they are. They appear to be in fine shape and the seller only wants $150.00 for the pair. Look into them. I am pretty sure Fisher is not in business any more. Someone may be making product under that name but it is not something I would seek out.
Best, Bob

[This message was edited by sae501 on 10-09-02 at 09:23 AM.]