Courtesy of Axiom Audio Axiom Audio's Algonquin weatherproof outdoor speakers can be ordered only online, and the Web site lets you customize them.

Canadian speaker manufacturer Axiom Audio has become well-known by music and home theater buffs for its excellent-sounding products, personal service, and very high performance for the price.

Because Axiom eschews dealers and sells directly to the consumer, the Internet has spurred tremendous growth for the company. The Web not only has provided Axiom with an easy way to market its speakers, it has made it easy for enthusiastic customers to spread the word on the excellent performance and value they offer.

This growth has allowed Axiom to introduce some groundbreaking products, such as a digitally controlled subwoofer that produces thunderous bass, as well as allowing customers to customize their speakers' look from many different finishes with an online configurator unique in the industry.

If you are having trouble finding a good-sounding speaker that pleases your wife or matches her furniture, the Axiom custom shop is likely to be your salvation.

Axiom's new Algonquin outdoor speaker, selling for $330 per pair, is one of the latest examples of the company's efforts to expand into new markets.

Outdoor speakers usually involve sonic compromises and are typically viewed as background music reproducers, not tools for serious listening. The Algonquin may break out of that mold, as Axiom created it without compromise in mind, wanting to bring high-end sound outdoors. It is based on Axiom's award-winning M3 bookshelf speaker and is said to sound the same, but is waterproof and resistant to rain, sleet and snow. I have not heard the M3 so cannot vouch for it sounding identical, but I am familiar with the M2 and M22 speakers, so have a basis for comparison.

The Algonquin is named after Algonquin Provincial Park, a sprawling, beautiful park located near Axiom's Dwight, Ontario, headquarters. The speakers are sold in pairs and are available in four finishes. Wall and ceiling mounts are available. They weigh 4.9 pounds each and are an unobtrusive 13.5-by-8.5-by-8.25 inches. The finish is extremely smooth and obviously waterproof, and the port in the back is screened to keep insects out.

I tried the Algonquins indoors and out and found them to perform as promised. Inside mounted on speaker stands, they sound smooth, full, rich and detailed. Musical instruments were clearly distinct and the ebb and flow of the music drew me into the sound the way only a good speaker can.

I did sense some cabinet resonances that made the performance less than perfect, but it was not objectionable. I never experienced this when listening to the M2 and M22 speakers, which have much more rigid cabinets. Perhaps it is the comparison to the M2 and M22 that made this apparent.

Taking the Algonquins outside and using them as intended was even better. Small speakers can sound kind of thin when played in large, open areas, but when I cranked the Algonquins up, the bass came up nicely with the volume, producing a full, satisfying sound belying their size, even without a subwoofer.

As with any speaker, placement is important and you should try the speakers in an area before screwing in the brackets and committing to mounting them there. If you need some help placing them, a call to Axiom's toll-free line will get you some friendly, expert advice from the people who know the product best.

It struck me that I would find it hard to put such a great sounding, nicely finished speaker outside and expose it to the elements. Unlike many outdoor speakers, which have a kind of industrial look and feel to them, this one looks and feels a lot like a real hi-fi speaker.

The Algonquin's $330 price includes all taxes and shipping charges, and a 30-day trial ensures your satisfaction. If you aren't happy, the company will take them back and give a refund. I've been recommending their home theater systems for years and have heard nothing but praise from people who've purchased them, so I am confident you will find them to be keepers.

Learn more about the Algonquins and other Axiom products at www.axiomaudio.com.