Q Acoustics is a British brand with a unique speaker solution for film fans who want home cinema sound, without, necessarily, the home cinema.

Its Q-AV system delivers 5.1 surround from speakers that blend almost invisibly into the room. Jack Bauer might call this 'hiding in plain view', and I think it's very clever.

Understated design

The front three satellites are cunningly disguised as the TV's own speaker system and are held on an ingenious metal frame that can be adjusted to precisely the width of any 32 to 50in TV. They use flat BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) drive units so that you can adjust the depth too.

With the three speakers mounted in place, you simply stretch over the elastic fabric grill to hide the framework and complete the illusion. There's a magnetic badge included to attach to the front, although this does tend to give the game away.

If you don't want the rears, Q Acoustics will supply a 3.1 package, which simply includes the front three plus a subwoofer. The Q-AV sub packs a 120W amplifier and 8in bass driver inside a narrow cabinet that has been designed to minimise floorspace by hugging the wall. To that end, it comes supplied with a wall bracket.

The unusual low-profile design and white paint job (black is also available) makes the sub effectively look a bit like a heater or air con unit, adding to the overall invisibility of this system.

Compact and versatile

Finally, the Q-AV rears, which use the same flat-driver technology as the fronts, are supplied as wall-mountable surround speakers.

They also have a prop for standing on the floor and a curved back, which allows them to fit flush with either the skirting board or coving depending on whether you are installing them high or low. I found that the dispersive nature of the BMR drivers mean that positioning is rather less fussy than with regular rear speakers.

In a show of faith, Q Acoustics even promote the concept that the Q-AV rears can be used as a stereo pair for a hi-fi. This is a bit of a leap. They are not exactly full-range, but the sound quality is remarkably proficient on the end of a decent sound system.

If space is an issue - perhaps in a bedroom - they certainly provide a practical solution.