In these uncertain economic times, one thing is certain: home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles alike still want to partake in their favorite hobby, but in many instances are unwilling to pay the premiums once associated with the gear they loved. So what is a budget-conscious enthusiast to do? Turn to the Internet. The Internet has proven to be fertile ground for enthusiasts in recent years. Once the playground for budget-only gear, the Internet has also become the saving grace of many high-end brands, including THIEL and MartinLogan. That's great for those brands that are a bit late to the party, but Aperion Audio has been utilizing the Internet since their inception and, if the Intimus 6T Tower Speaker reviewed here is any indication, business for the online upstart is good.

The Intimus 6T is a full-range, floor-standing loudspeaker featuring a single one-inch silk dome tweeter mated to two six-and-a-half-inch woven fiberglass bass/midrange drivers in a two-way configuration. The Intimus 6T is available in two finishes, gloss piano black and cherry. It retails direct, complete with a 30-day in-home audition period, for $695 each or $1,390 per pair. Shipping is free and the Intimus 6T comes with a 10-year warranty, complete with lifetime technical support.

The Intimus 6T has a reported frequency response of 36-20,000 Hz into a six-ohm load with a 91 dB sensitivity rating meaning it can be driven with ease by just about anything out there today. The Intimus 6T is front-ported, meaning placement in smaller rooms is going to be a bit easier than with most rear-ported speakers, and you'll save a bit on speaker cables, for this is a non bi-wire speaker. The fit and finish of the Intimus 6T is first-rate, especially in its piano-black wrapper, and at 70 pounds, the 6T is no unmarked van special.

High Points
• The Intimus 6T can play very loud very easily, yet doesn't really distort or fall apart the way most budget speakers do at the extremes, making it well-suited for home theaters and large orchestral music playback.
• The silk dome tweeter is very composed and rather airy, given its composition, especially considering most manufacturers have switched to using aluminum or other metals.
• The midrange performance is to die for, a definite best in class if I'm honest. The Intimus 6T is not overly warm or bloated in any way; it's very pleasing and highly enjoyable.
• While Aperion does recommend a subwoofer (they sell many), if you want true full-range performance out of the Intimus 6T, I'd argue to hold off for a bit before spending more money. While a sub will help the Intimus 6T plunge into uncharted depths, its bass response is quite robust and deep without a sub, so you may not need one unless your room is very large.
• The Intimus 6Ts aurally disappear like a pair of diminutive mini-monitors and leave behind a spacious yet well-defined soundstage in their wake.
• The Intimus 6T is one of the best-looking speakers I've seen in its price range and, while it's hardly small, the finish goes a long way in curbing the WAF.

Low Points
• While the piano-black finish of the Intimus 6T is first-rate and my finish of choice, it is difficult to keep free of dust and unsightly fingerprints.
• I prefer the look of the Intimus 6Ts sans its speaker grille. However, those of you with children are warned, for all of the 6T's drivers are within reach of even the smallest of toddlers.
• The binding posts on the Intimus 6T are adequate, but their placement makes connecting larger-gauge wire a bit difficult.

Conclusion
While $1,400 a pair loudspeakers are by no means cheap these days, the Intimus 6Ts are a relative bargain, considering you'll have to spend more than double their asking price to achieve even an incremental increase in performance. The Intimus 6T is Aperion's flagship speaker and if it proves to be too big or to costly for you, the company has numerous options that are more compact and budget-friendly, while incorporating the same drivers and technology, ensuring you'll be getting the same quality sound in a smaller package. If you have the room and the budget and are in the market for a solid home theater and audiophile speaker, take a good look at the Intimus 6T.