In a size and price range where we normally see two-way designs, the three-way LS100s are rare birds. An extra midrange driver doesn't always make for better sound, but, in this case, the third driver adds a degree of warmth and smoothness that we've never encountered in a speaker at this price. As a bonus, AudioSource has mirror-imaged the drivers, which allows a pair of LS100s to create the kind of pinpoint imaging we associate with far costlier models.

You'll hear these qualities as soon as you put on a favorite CD--especially if you're a fan of vocal music. (This is why the midrange is so important.) The LS100s are smooth and open and their sound is free of box coloration--that "hooded," overly resonant sound that some speakers have. The suaveness of these speakers extends to the highs and the bass, too. Although small woofers will never produce teeth-rattling bass, the ones in the LS100s have enough of a minipunch to let you boogie if the impulse strikes.

Our only complaint is a minor one and not a surprise in this price range: we would have preferred binding posts over the clip terminals that are on the back of the LS100s. But if you don't already use extra-heavy-duty speaker cable with your speakers, this may not be an issue.

We congratulate AudioSource for producing a great little speaker for a price that simply can't be beat. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Impressive sound
• Weatherproof
• Versatile mounting brackets

Cons:

• Junky, spring-loaded speaker terminals

What's in the Box
AudioSource L1200 speakers (2), mounting brackets, and a user's manual.

Product Description
The AudioSource LS loudspeaker is designed to accurately reproduce high fidelity music, including today's demanding digital signals. The discrete compact Indoor/Outdoor format is ideal for many applications where larger "box style " speakers would be impractical. The weather tight cabinets allow you to extend your listening area to include patios, decks, poolsides and other outdoor environments. The LS 100 speakers may be used independently where space is a consideration. They may also be used to enhance and enrich subwoofer and Home Theater systems, for which they are especially suited. The LS 100 speakers are weather tight. The grilles, cabinets, drivers, brackets and associated hardware are specially made to withstand a harsh outdoor environment.

The speakers are efficient(I've mounted 2 pairs on my large screened porch and my amplifier is a relatively low powered unit).Sound is decent but not like you'd expect from more expensive bookshelf speakers in your den or living room. Expect the base to be weakest aspect of these speakers. The speakers can be powered to pretty high sound levels before noticable distortion.

Considering the price I've not seen anything else that can touch these speakers at this price point.


Great little speakers!   June 8, 2001
 35 out of 37 found this review helpful

I was truly surprised at the quality of sound that these little indoor/outdoor speakers deliver.... There is nothing cheap about these except for the price. They have good bass for their size, and the midrange and highs were very open and crystal clear. I have had much more expensive speakers that dont sound this good. If you have the need for a speaker like this, do yourself a favor and try a set of these out:)


Very good value   November 27, 2002
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting much for spending so little. However, I am very pleased with the sound. My original intent was to provide "background music" on our new screened in porch, however, after hooking them up, I find myself cranking up the volume to enjoy the music as if in my den.
Deducted one star only because the mounting bracket seems a bit flimsy.


Disappointed   June 17, 2004
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

These speakers work ok, and handle lots of power, but the sound reproduction is not very good. They are supposed to be three-way speakers, but the higher notes like cymbals aren't there, and compared to my $50 Jensens in the basement, these speakers sound like a very cheap boombox.
I realize that these are very low-price speakers, but I bought them because the rave reviews made me think I was going to get something as good as my relatively cheap Jensens.
Usually with a 2-way or a 3-way speaker, you can put your ear in front of the tweeter and hear all the highs, but I'm not sure the tweeters are even functional.
That said, the cases are reasonable quality and it comes with nice mounting brackets and I will keep them. But they were not the bargain I was hoping for.