At an invitation-only event in New York City, Boston Acoustics unveiled (literally, complete with white sheets) the full line of high-value step-up loudspeakers in their new Vista series.

Definitely upscale in terms of design and performance, the Vista line has been several years in development, with four of the models available now or by the end of the summer.

The VS 336 three-way, triple 6 ½-inch floor standing loudspeaker ($1,699.99 Minimum Advertised Price) is the biggest of the lot, while the VS 325C three-way dual 5-1/4" center channel ($899.99 MAP) is a fine complement for the front end of a home theater.

The VS 240 two-way 4 ¼-inch bookshelf speakers ($399.99) are the most affordable entry point, and all of the above play well with the VPS 210 10" Class-D 500-watt subwoofer ($1,699.99).

Due in November are the low-profile VS 224 two-way dual 4-1/2" left/center/right, ideal for use with a flat panel display, and a larger bookshelf, the two-way 6 ½-inch VS260, each $699.99. The Vistas feature a black lacquer polyethylene finish, extremely durable in addition to its sexy, deep shine, either with cherry gloss end caps or simple black-on-black.

There are also "premium" Bird's Eye Maple and Ebony end panel finishes as well as the limited edition Arctic White with silver end caps and grilles and Red models. The cabinet is a uniquely shaped, molded MDF, seriously curvy with no parallels, to reduce internal standing waves, and internally braced to minimize resonance.

We were given a closer look at and a listen to the VS 240. Its one-inch Super Wide Bandwidth (SWB) tweeter is anchored in the center to maintain big, wide imaging, in a cotton-dampened enclosure and with a vented voice coil. The 4 ½-inch woofer is made of a rigid yet sensitive Organic Composite Cone Material (OCCM).

They may be small but a pair did a fabulous job of filling a good-sized room. Over a sequence of female and male vocal tracks, we could appreciate the center imaging in this two-channel setup, some outstanding bass response and low-end characteristics, even before the subwoofer was engaged.

Once active, the VPS 210 kicked with rich, true low frequencies. It boasts a ten-inch active front bass driver with a three-inch voice coil, plus a ten-inch passive radiator in the rear. And despite being clocked at an amazing 1790-watt peak output, the sub is Energy Star-compliant.

PRICE:
VS 336: $1,699.99 – Floorstanding Speaker
VS 325C: $899.99 – Center Channel
VS 240 $399.99 - Bookshelf
VPS 210: $1,699.99 - Subwoofer
VS 224: $699.99 - LCR
VS 260: $699.99 - Bookshelf

CONTACT: 978.538.5000, BostonAcoustics.com