The Boston Acoustics A40 is a small two-way bookshelf speaker (it could reasonably be described as a “minispeaker”) that delivers exceptional performance at a very low price. The crossover between its 6-1/2-inch acoustic-suspension woofer and 3/4-inch dome tweeter is at 3,500 Hz, with 6-dB-per-octave slopes. Rated impedance is 8 ohms, and there are no balance or level adjustments.

The A40 is housed in a walnut-grain, vinyl-veneer cabinet with a black cloth grille on a molded plastic frame that snaps in place. The speaker’s insulated spring-loaded connectors are recessed into the rear of the cabinet.