Boston Acoustics A40 Views

General Goods

Picked up a pair of Boston Acoustics A 40 {f} today at a thrift store. They were in very good condition, so I bought them for $14.99. Not sure what I'll do with them, but I couldn't just leave them. Not sure of the year, seems they made them for some time. They do have a 'F' {A40f} on the back, anyone know or have an opinion for these guys?

With this in mind, let me register a few impressions of what sounds to me like the top rank of bottom-priced speakers. As mentioned earlier in this column (July 11) Boston Acoustics' A40, with its remarkable sweetness and clarity is an unbeatable value at $75, comparable only to the Acoustic Research AR-18's ($90), which - though not as pristine in the highs - appear to have slightly fuller bass. The larger dimensions of the Genesis 1 ($109) give it even greater bass capability, going well below 60 Hz, while the upper range retains exemplary clarity and definition. Quite similar in character is the EPI 100 ($125) with its clear, airy treble combined with a feeling of sonic fullness. For $129, the Koss ''Dyna-Mite'' packs lots of clear sound into a very little box, measuring a mere 5 by 5 by 12 inches, but for a comparable price the larger Acoustic Research AR28 offers heftier bass, as does the particularly finesounding Boston Acoustics A70 ($135).