I tried the arx in my HT when I was demoing speakers, but the ascend 340's murdered them in SQ, I tried the entire 5.1 with a3 in surround duty and in front and the a5 in the front both with the same center {I think they only offered one but I wanted to try both towers}... I really wanted to like the a5's since it was before my bookshelf/subwoofer epiphany and I didn't like the idea of the 340s being on a {base}, but the proof was in the puddin, my ears preferred the ascend, and every one that heard them agreed.. They were a close 3rd though, second being diamond 10.4 with 10cm center {I demoed all of the diamond 10 centers, big surprise the most expensive sounded best...