Definitive Technology's Mythos on-wall speakers are designed for users seeking audiophile performance coupled with cutting edge design. The Mythos 3 center channel is 25.4 inches wide and costs $549. The Mythos 2 front left/right stand 25.25 inches high and are priced at $549 each. The Mythos Gem surrounds are quite compact at 10.25 inches high and reasonable at $279 each. The low end is covered by the SuperCube III subwoofer, which measures an equal 10.25 inches in width, depth and height ($699). Both the Mythos 2 and 3 feature a D'Appolito array, a technology created by Joseph D'Appolito in which two midrange/bass speakers are aligned on each side of the tweeter. This is comprised of two four-and-a-half-inch midrange drivers, a single one-inch pure aluminum dome tweeter and two four-and-a-half-inch bass radiators. The Gems feature a pair of three-and-a-half-inch long throw midrange/bass drivers and the same one-inch aluminum tweeter found in the Mythos 2 and 3. The SuperCube III features a single seven-and-a-half-inch long throw driver and dual seven-and-a-half-inch bass radiators, all driven by a 650 watt internal amp.

Mythos speakers are available in either silver or black and are finished with aircraft-grade aluminum, a classy touch clearly intended to mate with modern flat panel designs. The Mythos line allows you the flexibility to mix and match, due to the fact that all of the speakers in the line are voice-matched and share the same driver technology. The Mythos 2's include beautiful glass stands for table mounting and all of the speakers in the Mythos line come packaged with wall mounts. If you're looking for this type of styling and sound quality, but don't want to spend over $1,500 for your front 3 speakers, Definitive Technology also offers the Mythos 6 (front left/right) and 7 (center channel), which feature smaller midrange drivers and bass radiators (three-and-a-half-inch) and cost $399 each. If you're the type who prefers to keep your front and center speakers set to "small," you might consider going this route and saving close to $500.

The Mythos speakers are surprisingly neutral, especially given their price point. Music, both cd and multi-channel, was exceptional. The Gems, despite their diminutive size, really pop and blend seamlessly with the front speakers. If you spend an equal amount of time on movies and music, these won't disappoint. However, if you're into vinyl and two-channel listening in general, you might miss the range of a couple of floorstanders. Despite numerous tweaks, powering the speakers with both a mid-level receiver and a high-end pre/pro, I was unable to get decent bass when using the Mythos 2's on their own. That said, the Mythos line was designed to be used with a sub, so I don't consider this a negative.

High Points
• The Mythos speakers provide flexible mounting options and are designed to provide exceptional sound quality, regardless of placement.
• The design is cutting edge and matches up well with modern flat panel televisions.
• They've been engineered to be equally adept at handling music and movies.
• Tons of flexibility in terms of mixing and matching speakers within the Mythos line. If budget and space are concerns, you'd certainly be well served by using the inexpensive Mythos Gems as both your front and rear speakers.

Low Points
• The SuperCube III subwoofer tends to bottom-out when pushed and is designed for small to mid-sized rooms.
• While excellent "all around" speakers in terms of sound quality, they don't necessarily stand out in any one particular area.

Conclusion
With their Mythos line, Definitive Technology is pushing some boundaries; particularly in the areas of design, value and overall construction. If you have a large room and/or enjoy action films with a lot of low end punch, you might consider upgrading to the SuperCube I or II, which offer more power and larger bass radiators. These speakers definitely benefit from being driven by higher end components. I listened to them with both a mid-level receiver and a high-end pre/pro and the difference in sound quality was palpable. Bottom line: If you're spending in the neighborhood of $3,000 for a set of speakers of this quality and you want to hear what they're capable of, make sure you're not using your mom's old Kenwood to drive them.