The DAVIS50 isn’t invisible by any stretch of the imagination — the subwoofer sticks out like a sore thumb — but it does allow a lot of flexibility in placement, which might make it attractive to some buyers.

The ANPR1500H is a great stereo replacement for the in-built speakers of a flat-panel television as well as providing a stylish stand and A/V equipment rack. It won’t be able to emulate a proper surround sound system for movie playback, but it’ll do just fine for most users.

If you want an all-in-one home theatre that's simple to set up, the SC-BT105 is the pick of the bunch. It can handle your iPod's music, video or photo collection as well as playing standard- and high-definition content through the built-in Blu-ray drive. It may not be as well put together as a 'proper' enthusiast home theatre setup, but for most users it'll be more than adequate.

AAD’s M Series surround sound home theatre offers great sound quality for movies at an affordable price. The speakers are quite light and easy to set up, although their styling is more conservative than impressive.

Philips’ newest sound-bar works well as an unobtrusive addition to your home theatre, fitting in well with the most recent LCD and plasma panels. The addition of a subwoofer means it isn't as streamlined as other sound-bars, but it does provide a welcome boost to bass response.

LG’s HT903WA system will suit larger lounge rooms where unsightly cables aren’t wanted. You’ll need a fair few power outlets – you can’t escape the need for electricity just yet – and the system is somewhat large and ungainly, but it does provide decent quality sound.