Monoprice goes 'hi-fi' with 5.1 speakers for $249

Monoprice is known for offering solid cables and accessories at great prices, and last year the company entered the home theater market with its incredibly affordable ($84) 5.1 speaker system, the 8247, which actually sounded pretty good. Now Monoprice is looking to follow up on its success by getting into the "hi-fi" market -- or at least Monoprice's version of hi-fi.

The upcoming Monoprice 9774 is described as a hi-fi 5.1 speaker system with a decidedly budget price, of $248.71, to be exact. The new speakers look similar to last year's model, but with a more attractive, glossy finish and new aluminum dome tweeters. There's also a beefed-up 200-watt subwoofer, which features a 8-inch woofer.

While $249 is still undeniably cheap for a surround-sound speaker system, the price does move the system to closer competition with more traditional speakers systems, most notably the outstanding Energy Take Classic 5.1 ($400). The Monoprice 9774 will also have to deliver better sonics and improved aesthetics to prove that it's appreciably better than the $84 Monoprice 8247, which remains an excellent entry-level value.

The Monoprice 9774 is coming in November and will be available at Monoprice.com, as well as through Monoprice's Amazon storefront