With a versatile and stylish design, users can choose a modern horizontal layout for a wall-mount setup or TV-sized stand, or detach to create two separate freestanding vertical speakers for a classic tabletop style.

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Specialized "vertical" portals -- those that trade only in certain commodities or components -- also stand a chance of carving a niche for themselves among broad-based "horizontal" portals such as Global Sources, says Sweeney.

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