Speaker Buying Guide

Speaker Buying Guide for Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Loudspeaker Dock System for iPod (Silver/Black)

2008-06-12T05:06:00.000-07:00

Zeppelin is an integrated iPod speaker system from Bowers & Wilkins, makers of the speakers used to monitor the recording of much of the music on your iPod. Bowers & Wilkins developed its iPod speaker dock with the same exacting standards as the speakers that are used in Abbey Road Studios or Skywalker Ranch.

Zeppelin is the embodiment of more than 40 years of experience and know-how in speaker design, all in a single package. Zeppelin uses the same technologies developed for dedicated high-end speakers, applying them for the first time to an iPod speaker system. In addition to great sound, you are awarded with a product design stemming from clever ergonomic thought and a beautiful 360-degree visual appeal.

Zeppelin allows you to have real hi-fi stereo sound wherever you need it--upstairs, downstairs, in your office, or a second home.

Heritage
At Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), the quest to develop the perfect speaker has lasted more than 40 years. The quest is to create a speaker that portrays a musical performance exactly as it was recorded, with zero coloration, as the artist intended it to be heard. Founder John Bowers instilled this passion in the company to pursue his dream of the ultimate speaker.

Design: Form Follows Function
The body of Zeppelin follows the form of its components, with two tweeters at each end, two mid-range drivers next, and a subwoofer/bass driver in the center.

B&W has complimented the iPod user interface by designing a docking port that allows you to grasp your iPod as if it were in your hand. Zeppelin also cleverly accommodates iPods of differing depth through a spring-loaded docking arm that flexes to accommodate each model without adapters or other manual adjustment.

Zeppelin is a direct descendent of B&W's legendary reference speaker range--the 800 Series, which is sought-after by world-leading recording studios from Skywalker Ranch to Abbey Road. In fact, B&W speakers have been used in Abbey Road since the early 1980s.

Technology

Not only is the shape of Zeppelin pleasing to the eye, but it also is based on sound acoustic principles: the less physical material there is around tweeters and mid-ranges, the better they sound. Zeppelin's rounded tapering ends aren't there just for show. By minimizing the baffle area around the drive units, the cabinet reduces diffraction effects, making for ultra-wide sound dispersion and a much smoother response. In other words, it sounds as good as it looks.

The twin mid-range drive units that supply the bulk of Zeppelin's amazing sound rely on glass fiber cones optimized using laser interferometry. Strategically placed resin-filled slots in the cones dramatically reduce the unwanted effects of standing waves, leaving the music sounding cleaner, clearer, and true to life.

Drive units are the "engine room" of any speaker, and Zeppelin's mid-range and tweeter are derived directly from those in B&W's award-winning M-1. Added to these is an internal subwoofer driver, centrally located in the deepest part of Zeppelin's sleek enclosure, where it handles deep bass with power and authority.

Powering these drive units are three high-quality amplifiers (one for left, one for right, and one for bass). Most iPod speakers make do without the third amplifier, but Zeppelin was conceived to offer the sort of sound you'd expect from a component stereo system rather than normal iPod speakers. It will deliver all the detail and atmosphere that standard iPod docking stations miss.

Simple Operation

Zeppelin is simple to set up and use: plug it in, place your iPod on the docking port, and hit the play button. The connections at the back let you play other sources through the Zeppelin or to channel images from your iPod to a television. And Zeppelin charges your iPod while it's docked.

Remote
Accompanying Zeppelin is a pebble-shaped remote, which allows you to change tracks and volume. The remote uses a CR2032 battery, which is included.

Compatibility
Zeppelin is compatible with all dockable iPods, including the iPod classic (3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G), iPod touch, iPod nano (1G, 2G, 3G), and iPod mini.

Several devices other than an iPod can play sound through Zeppelin; both analog and optical digital connectivity are supported by a common auxiliary socket on the back. Examples include a computer--either direct or wirelessly using Apple Airport Express; television; MP3 players (through the player's headphone connection); home theater devices; CD players--portable or static; and portable radios with headphone or digital outputs.

Video iPods, the iPod touch, iPhones, and the iPod classic can take advantage of Zeppelin's video output capability to connect to a television's composite video and S-Video.

Zeppelin's power supply operates on all mains voltages from 100V to 240V--if you take it to a different country, it will automatically sense the incoming voltages and adjust itself accordingly.

Zeppelin will not burn electricity unnecessarily; it will automatically go into standby mode after 5 minutes of non-use.

What's in the Box
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin, quick start guide, product manual, product brochure, 1-year warranty and registration documents, remote control with CR2032 battery, power cord, and rubber tilt pad.

Product Features and Technical Details

Product Features

An iPod dock/speaker system that also can be seamlessly integrated into your home stereo/theater system
Comprised of two 1-inch aluminum tweeters, two 3.5-inch fiber cone mid-range drivers, and one 5-inch bass driver
Uses Bowers & Wilkins' state-of-the-art technology to create flawless sound reproduction; charges iPod while docked
The spring-loaded dock flexes to accommodate all dockable iPod models; compatible with iPod classic (3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G), iPod touch, iPod nano (1G, 2G, 3G), and iPod mini
Various other devices can play sound through Zeppelin using the 3.5-mm mini-jack analog/optical digital input

Technical Details

Compatibility: iPod classic (3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G), iPod touch, iPod nano (1G, 2G, 3G), and iPod mini
Frequency range: -6dB at 47Hz and 22kHz
Drive units: 1x 5 inch (125 mm) bass; 2x 3.5 inch (90 mm) midrange; 2x 1 inch (25 mm) metal dome tweeter
Amplifier output power: 50W (bass); 2x 25W (midrange / tweeter)
Power input voltage: 100V - 240V ~ 50 / 60Hz
Rated power consumption: 20W
Standby power consumption: 3.7W
Inputs: 30-pin iPod connector; 3.5-mm mini jack; analogue / optical digital (TOSlink); USB 2.0 slave (software upgrades)
Outputs: S-video (mini DIN); Composite video (RCA Phono)
Height: 6.8 inches (173 mm) without tilt pad; 7.8 inches (198 mm) with tilt pad
Width: 25.2 inches (640 mm)
Depth: 8.2 inches (208 mm)
Net weight: 16.5 pounds (7.5 kg)
Warranty: 1 year
What's in the box: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin, quick start guide, product manual, product brochure, warranty and registration documents, remote control with CR2032 battery, power cord, rubber tilt pad

BUY --- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Loudspeaker
Dock System for iPod (Silver/Black)

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Home Theater Systems Buying Guide

2008-05-30T01:18:00.000-07:00

What is a Home Theater System?

A home theater system is a grouping of video and audio components designed to give you the ultimate movie and TV watching experience in your home. A home theater system consists of these components:

Television (TV)
The TV is the heart of every home entertainment system. If you're on a budget and already have a TV with good input and output capabilities, you don't have to buy a new one. If you're starting from scratch or want to upgrade your current TV, be sure to visit our Televisions Buying Guide for advice on which TV set will work best for you.

Control Center
This is the system hub, usually referred to as a "receiver", where you plug in all of your other home theater system components. In high-end home theaters a separate receiver and amplifier are often used to produce a more powerful, clear sound. In many of the HTIB packages the receiver and the amplifier have been combined into one unit. Sometimes the receiver/amplifier unit also has one of the main speakers built in as well.

Speakers
Speakers are what a home theater system is all about. Hear all of the subtle sounds in a movie - every creak in the floorboard or instrument in the orchestra - with multiple-speaker surround sound. Home theater systems generally consist of five to seven smaller speakers, called "satellites", and a larger speaker for the bass, called a "subwoofer". There are three major types of speaker components you'll encounter when shopping for satellite speakers: woofers (bass), mid-range speakers, and tweeters (treble). Many speakers are combinations of these three types and offer richer sound quality than speakers with only one type.

How to choose your perfect Home Theater System?

There are three major factors to consider when choosing a home theater system: your budget, what you'll be using it for, and the size and shape of the room you'll be putting it in.

What's your budget?
You can build a home theater system for less than you might expect. If your budget is tight, consider an entry-level HTIB for around $300. At this price, you can expect the sound quality to be better than that of your TV but don't expect an awe-inspiring entertainment experience. You can purchase a very good-quality HTIB for under $1,000, but for the very best in home theater you should build a component system yourself, which could cost between $1,000 and $5,000.

Keep in mind that if you're considering an HTIB, it probably won't let you add more components in the future. If you plan to add to your home theater system over time, you'll probably want to start with a separate component system. Also, be aware that because an HTIB system often includes a DVD and receiver in a single unit, repairs may be more costly. If the DVD player in your HTIB system breaks, the whole unit will need to be fixed or replaced.

What will be using your home theater system for?
There are two major reasons to own a home theater system: to create an ideal movie and TV watching experience, or to create a rich listening environment for music. There are different recommended speaker configurations for each type of system so while you're shopping for your home theater system consider what you'll be using it for most.

What size and shape is your room?
This factor is especially important, as two of the three available surround-sound configurations (6.1 & 7.1) require you to place speakers behind the viewing area. If your viewing room is small or your sofa sits against the wall, you'll need a 5.1 system.

The size of your room also determines the amount of power or watts your home theater system should have. The power rating determines how loudly the speakers can play. Look for a system of at least 50 watts per channel for a small room (under 1,500 cubic feet); 70-100 watts per channel for a medium-sized room (1,500 to 2,500 cubic feet); and at least 100 watts or more for a large room (over 2,500 cubic feet).

Keep track of your component inputs & outputs
Inputs and outputs are where you plug in the cables for your different components. They're usually on the back, but sometimes on the front, of your TV, DVD player, cable box, etc. The three major types of input/output ports are s-video, composite video (single coaxial cable), and component video (three coaxial cables).

As you shop for receivers, make sure they have enough inputs for your video game system, VCR or DVD player and anything else you'll want to connect.

TV & Movie Watcher

You may have heard of many of the surround-sound technologies available today, but the names can be confusing. To help you get a handle on what they mean, here is a description of the various speaker configurations and their corresponding technologies.

Stereo Configuration
Traditional television and radio broadcasts, and even some films, are encoded as two-channel stereo, which means they allow for sound to come from only the left and right channels. Because the sound is being compressed down to just these two channels, the listening experience is dulled. Surround sound seeks to restore as much of the original depth as possible to a recording.

Surround Sound Speaker Configuration
Currently, there are three types of surround sound speaker configurations: 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1. The first number (5, 6, or 7) refers to the number of audio channels available and, therefore, also to the number of speakers in the system. The second number (.1) refers to the single subwoofer.

With this in mind, it's easy to determine the type of configuration you might want.

5.1 Configuration
5.1 is the current standard and is recommended for all entry-level and most mid-level systems.
Pros: 5.1 allows you to have surround sound even if you don't have room to put speakers behind your chair or sofa.
Cons: 5.1 systems are difficult to upgrade to 6.1 or 7.1 systems if you want to add more speakers in the future.

6.1 Configuration
This is the same as the 5.1 configuration with an additional center speaker behind the chair or sofa.
Pros: 6.1 facilitates a more immersive surround sound experience than 5.1.
Cons: 6.1 is a little more expensive, most DVDs don't support it yet, and it requires a larger room than 5.1.

7.1 Configuration
7.1 is a misleading name because there is no encoding technology today that actually produces seven channels of sound. These high-end systems exist because the encoding technology specifications (Dolby and DTS) recommend two rear speakers for the ultimate in surround sound experience.
Pros: 7.1 is the cutting edge of surround sound technology and will produce the most authentically immersive listening experience.
Cons: You'll be paying a lot more for a configuration that isn't widely supported yet.

Surround Sound Formats
There are two main competing surround sound technologies: Dolby Digital and Digital Theater Systems (DTS). Each technology comes in different versions, depending on the number of audio channels. Here is a table that lists configurations for each technology and their benefits.

	Dolby	DTS
5.1	Dolby Digital Most widely used configuration Standard format for DVDs Standard for digital television broadcasting (high-definition TV or "HDTV"). Offers all of the sound quality needed for a great home theater.	DTS 5.1 Standard in movie theaters Arguably superior sound quality Note: Most receivers have both technologies so, if it's important to you, look for one with both Dolby Digital and DTS encoding.
6.1	Dolby Digital EX Consumer version of the movie theater THX experience Extends the 5.1 configuration with a sixth rear-center speaker.	DTS-ES True surround sound because it has a dedicated audio channel for the sixth speaker.
7.1	Dolby Pro Logic IIx Extracts up to 7.1 unique audio channels

THX
THX is not a competing technology. It is a set of rigid manufacturing and processing standards defined by the THX Corporation. THX certification is licensed exclusively to equipment meeting quality-assurance, power, frequency response, and distortion tolerance standards. THX certification is nice to have, but not absolutely necessary to create a great-sounding home theater.

Music Listener

If you're tired of listening to music in two-channel stereo and you're shopping for the best surround sound system, keep in mind that these technologies work differently from TV watching technologies and they require different speaker configurations. Here's a breakdown of what's available.

DVD-Audio
DVD Audio discs can be played on any standard DVD player.

Pros: Optical-disc format DVDs have approximately seven times the storage space of CDs. They can store more data, which makes the quality of their recordings richer. Even two-channel stereo DVD recordings are better sounding than the same recordings on CD. DVD-Audio also allows for additional content to be included on the disc, like lyrics sheets, still images, and full-motion video.
Cons: Availability of DVD Audio discs is limited. Also, typical DVD players rarely have the same music playback quality of a good hi fi stereo CD player. So, while the DVD Audio disc may sound better than a regular CD, the player may not be up to the challenge.

Super Audio CD (SACD)
This format requires a specific SACD-compatible player, either as a stand-alone SACD player or as a DVD-player with an SACD decoder.

Pros: SACD provides a cleaner signal path, higher frequency bandwidth and broader decibel range for incredible audio quality.
Cons: Availability of SACD discs is limited.

Hybrid Systems

If you're an audiophile who's having trouble deciding between a home theater system for music or movies, there are new technologies available for you called "hybrid matrix-surround".

Dolby ProLogic II
Released in 2002, Dolby ProLogic II is a replacement technology for Dolby ProLogic. ProLogic II is a 5.1 surround sound technology that provides enhanced music listening through a receiver meant for movie-watching. All Dolby ProLogic II receivers have a "Movie Mode" for movies, look for the ones with an additional "Music Mode" for listening to music.

Dolby ProLogic IIx
Dolby ProLogic IIx, an upgrade for Dolby ProLogic II, is the first technology to market that can produce 7.1 surround sound. In addition to ProLogic II's movie and music modes, ProLogic IIx provides a dedicated "Video Game Mode" for total game immersion 5.1 surround sound.

DTS Neo:6
DTS Neo:6 adds a sixth channel to a 5.1 encoded movie or CD, providing 6.1 surround sound. Similar to the 5.1 solution, DTS Neo:6 is arguably the superior technology but most DVDs are encoded in Dolby Digital. DTS Neo:6 is a nice extra, but not a necessary component of a good home theater system.

Better Together

BUY - Home Theater Systems

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Speaker buying guide for Acoustic Research AW822 900 Mhz Outdoor Wireless Speakers

2008-05-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Enjoy your favorite music all around your home with the Acoustic Research AW822. Its wireless technology and built-in amplifier give you the freedom to listen to your tunes in just about any room. You can even use this speaker outside on a deck or patio, thanks to its weather-resistant construction. A built-in handle makes it easy to carry along with you when you're doing chores or just having fun.

Simply connect the included wireless transmitter to a home stereo, MP3 player, or portable audio system, and power the speaker using the included AC adapter or eight "C" batteries. The transmitter sends the signal through walls, floors, and ceilings — letting you enjoy your music from up to 250 feet away.

A three-in-one power/volume/tuning button puts all of the essential controls in one convenient location. And a left/right/mono switch lets you use one AW822 in mono mode, or team it with another '822 for wireless stereo sound.

Details:

sold individually
built-in 7.5-watt amplifier
2" dome tweeter
5" woofer
acoustic suspension (sealed) design
900 MHz transmitter with adapters for stereo mini and RCA connections
transmission range up to 250 feet
three selectable transmission channels
speaker uses supplied AC adapter or 8 "C" batteries (not included)
transmitter uses supplied AC adapter
3-in-1 power/volume/tuning control on speaker
left/right/mono switch
automatic level control
frequency response 40-15,000 Hz
speaker: 7-1/2"W x 10-13/16"H x 7-1/2"D
transmitter: 4-3/4"W x 3-13/16"H x 3-1/16"D
warranty: 1 year

Features

Transmitter: The system comes with a Radio Frequency omnidirectional transmitter/charger that connects to an audio source via analog stereo preamp connection. It transmits a 900 MHz signal up to 250 feet to the wireless speaker, using one of three selectable transmission channels. A channel select switch on the transmitter allows the use of other 900MHz equipment in the same area as the speaker is being used to avoid interference.

Speaker: The self-powered, 7.5 watt speaker is a Two-way acoustic suspension design capable of outdoor use. The speaker features a 2" dome tweeter and 5" cone woofer which are powered by a self-contained 7.5 watt digital amplifier with a 40 to 15kHz frequency response. The speaker has a left/mono/right switch on the right side of the speaker so you can use the speaker as a stereo pair in one location matched with another AR AW822 (optional) or as separate mono speaker in your desired location. The speaker is powered by either the supplied AC power adapter or by 8 "C"-cell batteries (not included). The battery compartment is located on the bottom of the speaker and requires three phillips-head screws to be removed.

Note: If you are using rechargeable batteries, the batteries will charge when the speakers are powered with the AC power adapters. The AC adapters will charge rechargeable NiMH or NiCd batteries (not included).

Audio Signal Indicator Light: There is an audio signal indicator light on front of the transmitter that lights Blue to inform you that the transmitter is receiving an audio signal from your source component.

Integrated Power/Tuning Volume Control: The speaker has an integrated Power/Tuning/Volume knob near the bottom of the cabinet. Press the rotary knob in to turn the power for the speakers "On" and to start tuning the speakers. The "power/tuning indicator" on the bottom of the speaker will illuminate Red while the speaker is automatically tuning to the transmitter. The light will turn Blue once the speaker is properly tuned.

Auto Tune: The speaker will automatically retune if it loses the signal from the transmitter. However, you can also press the integrated control to retune the speaker at any time. While the speaker is tuning, the indicator light will turn Red and then once the speaker is tuned the light will turn back Blue.

Phase-Locked Loop: Phase-Locked Loop technology guarantees crystal clear audio from the speaker by locking onto the transmitter's signal for more precise, accurate tuning.

Turn Off: Push and hold the integrated control in for about 1.5 seconds to turn the speaker off. Confirm that the speaker is off by verifying the "power/tuning" indicator light is no longer illuminated.

Built-In Carry Handle: The speaker's built-in carry handle lets you move the speaker easily from place to place.

Connections

Transmitter: The 900Mz transmitter uses an attached 6' male mini-jack cable and comes supplied with a mini to stereo RCA adapter and a 3/4" headphone adapter. The unit also features a DC input for use with the supplied AC adapter.

Speaker: The wireless outdoor speaker features a DC input for use with the supplied AC adapter.

Specifications

Carrier Frequency: 900 MHz (3 selectable frequencies between 912.5 and 914.5 MHz)

Speaker Drivers: 2" dome tweeter, 5" woofer

Frequency Response: 40-15,000 Hz

Effective transmitting range: up to 250 feet

Amplifier Power Rating: 7.5 watts RMS

Transmitter Dimensions: W = 4.725", H = 3.776", D = 3.055"

Enclosure	Acoustic Suspension
Tweeter Type	Dome
Midrange Size	N/A
Woofer Size	5
Woofer Composition	Not given
Woofer Surround	Not given
Power Range (watts)	7.5
Sensitivity	Not G dB
Impedance (ohms)	0
Frequency Response	40-15k Hz
Connector Type	Wireless
Height (inches)	10-13/16
Width (inches)	7-1/2
Depth (inches)	7-1/2
Mounting Bracket Included	No
Parts Warranty	1 Year
Labor Warranty	1 Year

BUY -- Acoustic Research AW822 900 Mhz Outdoor Wireless Speakers

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Speaker buying guide for Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers

2008-05-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Introduction:
Have you been looking for a new speaker setup for your computer? Do you play a lot of computer games? How about watch DVDs on your computer or listen to music while you surf the Internet? If you answered yes to any of those questions, Logitech may have an answer for you; its new speaker system, the Z Cinema Surround Sound speaker system. This speaker system has everything that you would love, from a massive subwoofer to a remote control. Let's take a closer look at these speakers.

Closer Look:
The front of the cardboard packaging shows a picture of the entire setup (subwoofer, two speakers, and the remote control). The next side shows all the specifications of the Logitech Z Cinema Speaker system; everything from the cable size to the system requirements for the software included. When you turn the box again, you will come to a panel that shows you some of the neat features and highlights that Logitech wants to show off to the consumer. The final side of the package contains some information about the technology behind the Logitech Z Cinema Speaker system.

When you go to pull the Z Cinema system out of the packaging, you'll see that the subwoofer is wrapped in plastic and gets added support from two black, molded-plastic pieces. The one on the right is just there for support, but the one on the left is where the two speakers are located, along with all the accessories.

When you pull the subwoofer out of the plastic wrap, you'll see how beautiful it really is and how elegant Logitech wanted the Z Cinema speaker system to look. The front has a glossy black paint job with a silver border. The bass port on the side of the subwoofer is very large and is painted black to match the rest of the box. On the rear of the subwoofer is where you plug in your speakers, as well as the power cord. The heatsink on the back of the subwoofer is very large, so you know that this speaker must be working hard.

Now let's take a look at what was in the black plastic mold that was protecting the subwoofer during the shipping process. When you open it up, you find the two speakers, as well as the remote control, instruction manual, USB cable, and included software.

The speakers are very elegant looking and match the subwoofer very well, which helps make the Logitech Z Cinema speaker system more desirable to consumers. The remote control has a bunch of buttons on it that you will need to review before claiming to be a pro at using the remote. The speakers do not have buttons or knobs on them; they are controlled only by the remote and the included software. Plugging in the speakers is the same as with any other three-speaker setup.

Enough with merely looking at the speakers, let's get the software installed and listen to these things in action!

Specifications:

2 Satellite Speakers - 9.86" x 4.53" x 4.43" (HxWxD)
2x 1" Textile Dome Tweeter
2x 3" Ventilated Midwoofer
Subwoofer - 11.51" x 11.44" x 16.3" (HxWxD)
8" Long-Throw Subwoofer
180 Watts Total RMS power

Features:

Surround sound without rear speakers: Experience surround sound with only two satellite speakers and subwoofer. SRS® TruSurround HD™ puts you in the middle of a broad sweet spot, creating an immersive sound experience. Dialog enhancement in the center channel ensures clear and intelligible voice reproduction.
High-performance audio: Unique tri-amplification design and digital crossover EQ provide greater accuracy and a more natural, balanced response. Two-way satellite speakers deliver incredible frequency response, detail and clarity. An 8-inch long-throw subwoofer with flared bass port gives you powerful, distortion-free bass.
Pure digital fidelity: USB transports both audio and data for simple, hassle-free installation and true 24-bit digital quality audio.
Multiple input and output options: Includes a headphone jack for private listening and an input jack for connecting an MP3 player or other audio sources.
Powerful Media Center remote control: An advanced remote turns your PC into an entertainment center. Take full control of Windows® Media Center and easily manage digital media—including Internet radio and playlists—with your other media applications.
High-performance Audio
24-Bit USB Digital Audio
Pure Digital Fidelity
Hybrid Class D + Class AB Tri-Amplifier
Powerful Media Center Remote Control
Convenient Connectivity
2-year limited hardware warranty

Testing:

Testing a speaker system is not an exact science. The best way to do it is by comparing what you hear coming from one set to another set. This is what I will be doing, though I will be doing it in a few different ways. I will be testing how the speakers sound in different situations; listening to music, playing a first-person shooter, and watching a DVD movie. I will let you know what I think of the results of each category and then give each speaker system a rating on a 1-10 (10 being best) scale. Let's see how these speakers sound! These speakers will be compared to the Logitech x203 speaker system.

Testing Setup:

Processor: Core 2 Duo E6850 Processor
Motherboard: Asus Maximus Extreme
Video Card: VisionTek RADEON X1300
Memory: Corsair 2GB 2x 240 DIMM 133Mhz DDR3 RAM
Power Supply: OCZ GameXStream 850W Power Supply
Hard Drive: Seagate ST31000340AS Barracuda 1 TB SATA NCQ
Optical Drive: Sony VRDMC5 DVDirect DVD Recorder
O/S: Windows Vista 32-Bit Ultimate
Case:Thermaltake Armor Extreme Edition

Benchmarks:

Call of Duty 4 (Multiplayer Gaming)
Foobar 2000 V0.9.5.1 (Music)
"Lord of War" (DVD Movie)

Gaming:

Most people know that the better your speakers are when playing a computer game, the better chance you have of killing your enemies. The Logitech Z Cinema speakers system have the integrated surround sound in the speakers, which actually makes it feel as though you have been grabbed out of your computer chair and pulled into the game. These speakers give you a whole new feeling of what you are doing inside the game and give you almost life-like reflexes in the game! They give you a better sense of what is going on in the game while sounding great. The x203 speakers are good for playing games, but they lack the ability to produce the surround sound feeling the Z Cinema is capable of. The Z Cinema is also able to produce better sounding foot steps, which allows you to hear your enemy coming up on you before you see him, which is a great advantage in gaming.

Music:

I have been using Foobar 2000 to listen to my music for the longest time and it is pretty much the only software I use to listen to my digital audio. So I fired up Foobar and began playing a wide range of music, from country to rap to death metal. I was able to feel every bass note and hear every guitar stroke with the crispness of being at a concert. I have never heard such clean sounding music come out of a pair of computer speakers before. The bass notes are not distorted as they seem to get on other computer speaker setups, nor do the speakers crackle when I turned up the volume to the max. The x203 speakers subwoofer would sound distorted when I turned up the bass all the way and played certain songs with deep bass notes. The Z Cinema on those same songs with the bass turned to the max and the volume to the max would sound just as good as when I had the volume at 1/4 of the way up

DVD Movie:

One of my all time favorite movies is Lord of War starring Nicolas Cage. This movie has everything from drugs and guns to money and sex. The movie has some very sound intense scenes that have a lot of things going on, which always seemed to give my old speakers problems, such as too many explosions going off in the background, adding too much bass, while people are shooting and screaming adding a lot of highs, the x203 speakers would begin to distort and sound scratchy. However, with the Z Cinema speakers, I was unable to experience this problem, as the speakers were able to handle all of these scenes with the bass turned all of the way up, as well as with the volume turned up. All of the sounds were coming out sounding very clean and crisp. Not only that, but with the surround sound option enabled, it seemed like I was grabbed from my chair and dragged into the computer screen and into the movie. I could hear everything going on in clean crisp detail from all around me.

Conclusion:

The Logitech Z Cinema Surround Sound speaker system is one of greatness. Not only do they look great, but they are also able to live up the their looks by providing clean bass hits and crisp high notes. They sounded great in all the different aspects of computer sound; they are able to suck you right into a movie and bring you right in the thick of battle in games. All music sounds great on these speakers, whether it be country music with the subtle guitar strokes and clean vocals or some rap music with the deep bass hits. Being a bit on the pricey side for computer speakers, the Z Cinema system is completely worth every dime if you are looking for the best performing speaker system for your computer. While space is always at a premium on the desktop, making room for two speakers is much easier than making room for five. That alone is worth the price of admission. These speakers are able to generate surround sound by using just two speakers, which not only provides amazing sound quality, but is also a great way to save space. I will be using these speakers for quite some time; they work great and look great. What else is needed?

Pros:

Great sleek look
Remote Control
Software Included
Huge subwoofer
2-year limited hardware warranty

BUY Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers

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Speaker buying guide for Altec Lansing iM9 inMotion Mobile Speaker Dock for iPod (Black)

2008-05-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

The good:

Portable and durable
Can accommodate most iPods
Has an auxiliary line-in for other audio sources
Comes with a backpack

The bad:

No remote
Some design flaws, such as clunky to use buttons and no handle
Only so-so sound quality

The bottomline:

The Altec Lansing inMotion iM9's will find favour with those looking for a portable and durable set of speakers for their iPods. Just don't expect top shelf sound quality.

Design
The Altec Lansing inMotion iM9 certainly isn't as stylish as the iPod products it's supposed to be paired with. Looking more industrial than innovative, the iM9 joins an ever-growing list of iPod-compatible speakers, with this particular product's unique twist being its portability.

Measuring in at 280mm by 76mm by 188mm and weighing only 1.8kgs, the iM9 has been designed to be a hardy little unit that can be easily transported. The iM9 features rubberised edges and sealed button controls -- although it's by no means waterproof, as the open dock at the front attests to. The front of the unit is covered entirely by a black speaker grille, with the dock in the centre bordered by a silver metallic trim. The dock unit itself (which is made from shiny black plastic similar to a video iPod) ejects tape-deck style, with the iM9 coming with several dock connectors compatible with different versions of the iPod.

The unit's controls can be found along its top edge. There's a power button, eject (for the dock) and volume controls. The volume and eject buttons are actually beneath a rubber cover, which sometimes makes it difficult to tell whether you've pressed a button hard enough. We often experienced frustration when trying to raise and lower volume on the iM9.

The back of the unit is curved, with a retractable base at the bottom allowing the iM9 to stand on its edge. The back also features slightly raised rubber feet which gives the iM9 grip when laying flat, although we're not aware of many occasions where we'd want a speaker pointing straight upwards.

Features
The Altec Lansing inMotion iM9 is compatible with most versions of iPods, and comes with three adaptors to make sure they're all a tight fit. The iM9 also charges any iPod docked within it. For those with video iPods, the iM9 can also output images to a television thanks to a composite out port at the unit's rear.

It's not an Apple-exclusive player, however, as the iM9 also features an auxiliary input jack at the back for other MP3 players (although you'll need to supply your own 3.5mm stereo cable).

While the Altec Lansing inMotion iM9 is powered via an AC wall adaptor, the portable speaker also takes batteries. Four C size batteries, according to Altec Lansing, will power the iM9 for 24 hours worth of music.

Performance
The inMotion iM9's produce a fine sound, although it's not as nuanced as what you'd get from a dedicated home sound system. That said, the iM9 functions well enough for parties, impromptu gatherings or any other area where proper speakers and a sound system can't be found. Altec Lansing says its built-in MaxxBass technology makes for quality bass without a subwoofer. While the bass coming out of the iM9 is deep, it tends to become rather heavy and overpowering at high volumes. The iM9 also lacks any sort of equaliser functions -- there's no way to tweak sound levels with this unit. This is an odd step back for the company, as Altec Lansing's previous inMotion, the iM7, came with bass and treble controls. Bottom line is if you're a discerning music aficionado with an ear for quality, then you'd better look elsewhere. Portability and volume are this unit's main strengths. Speaking of volume, we encountered a strange quirk with the inMotion iM9. The portable speaker defaults to a pretty loud preset volume setting every time you turn it off and back on again. This gave us a few shocks as what we thought was a low volume when we turned off the unit jumped back to a loud setting when we turned it back on again.

We're confused as to why Altec Lansing omitted a remote control for the iM9. Remote controls are practically standard in portable speakers of this kind, making the lack of one with this unit a glaring point of difference. The design also left us scratching our heads -- this portable speaker doesn't actually feature a dedicated handle, meaning you have to lug it around by holding the bottom of the unit. There is a recessed area at the top which could pass for a handle, but it's hardly comfortable to use.

General

Dimensions (H x W x D)
280 x 76 x 188 mm

Weight
1800 g

Device type
Speakers

Connectivity
iPod dock, Line-in

User reviews

Mind blowing quality with plenty of powerful bass.

Pros: Neat Design.
Quality build. Feels tough and reliable.
Excellent bass and detail of acoustic instruments.
Cool tape deck mechanism offers protection of iPod.
AV out.
Good battery life.
Room-filling sound.

Cons: Awkward volume controls.
Reveals acoustic artefacts at low rip rates. 192kbps recommended.
Not quite as portable as folding designs.

BUY Altec Lansing iM9 inMotion Mobile Speaker Dock for iPod

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Speaker buying guide for Polk Audio SurroundBar 50 Surround System (Single Speaker) - Titanium

2008-05-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

Enjoy three-dimensional sound for your movies, TV shows, and video games with the Polk SurroundBar50. It uses the same patented technologies found in the original SurroundBar to deliver room-filling, wraparound audio without the need for rear speakers. Plus, it adds two additional drivers for even more enveloping sound from all your audio sources. This décor-friendly single-speaker solution works with any home theatre receiver. And its elegant design matches today's popular flat-panel TVs, especially those with screens 50" or larger.

You can wall-mount the SurroundBar50 right below your TV. Or use the supplied cradle to place this video-shielded speaker on your equipment stand or on top of a big-screen television. The included 15-foot speaker cable comes with colour-coded wires for all five channels to keep setup simple.

For full home theatre impact, pair the SurroundBar50 with a Polk powered subwoofer.

Details:

» video-shielded
» bass reflex (ported) design
» frequency response 80-20,000 Hz (±3dB)
» handles up to 20-150 watts
» sensitivity 90 dB
» 8-ohm impedance
» SDA™ Surround technology delivers 360º wraparound sound from just one speaker
» Dynamic Balance® drivers are laser-tested to help identify and eliminate resonance points for cleaner sound
» three 3/4" Dynamic Balance dome tweeters
» nine 3-1/2" Dynamic Balance woofers
» five sets of 5-way binding posts
» extruded aluminum cabinet virtually eliminates sound-muddying resonance
» anti-diffraction grille for open, spacious imaging
» bracket included for easy wall-mounting
» cradle included
» 15-foot, 10-connector, colour-coded speaker wire included
» optional UL-rated speaker cables recommended for in-wall runs
» 51"W x 4-1/2"H x 5-1/16"D
» warranty: 5 years

Features
Overview: The Polk SurroundBar50 is a great solution for surround sound in situations where you can't, or choose not to, run speaker wires for a multi speaker system. Located above or below your TV, five surround channels (front left, centre, front right, rear right, and rear left) are housed in this one speaker. Each channel can handle up to 150 watts RMS.

SDA Surround Technology: Polk's patented SDA Surround technology means there's no need to install rear speakers. SDA Surround creates a completely immersive experience, as if there were dozens of speakers all around you. This technology is based on fundamental research into the way our ears process sound and perceive the direction of sounds. It uses a patented combination of signal processing and acoustical geometry that complements the spacing between your ears to produce surround sound without the need for rear mounted speakers. Since the SurroundBar50 works directly with the hearing mechanism and requires no special room characteristics, it can deliver a room-filling surround experience in nearly any location in almost any type of room.

Woofers: The SurroundBar50 utilizes nine 3-1/2" Dynamic Balance composite woofers to provide clear, distortion-free midrange, even at high volume levels.

Tweeters: The SurroundBar50 utilizes three high-performance 3/4" Dynamic Balance Silk dome tweeters to deliver clear highs and lifelike imaging.

Enclosure: The SurroundBar50 features a stylishly curved extruded aluminum enclosure in either a black or silver finish to match today's flat-panel televisions. The shape of the heavy-duty non-resonant aluminum enclosure breaks up internal standing wave resonance to give you pure, lifelike sound.

Dual Front Ports: The SurroundBar50's enclosure utilizes dual front ports for superior clean, low distortion-free bass.

Anti-Diffraction Grille And Bezel: The SurroundBar50's anti-diffraction grille and bezel help create open, spacious imaging.

Cradle Mounts: The speaker can be placed above or below your TV using the supplied speaker cradle mounts. The SurroundBar50 comes supplied with two sets of cradle mounts. While on the cradle mounts, the speaker can be aimed up or down slightly toward the listening area. The smaller set of cradles lift the speaker approximately 1/2" above the surface on which it sits while the larger set of cradles lift the speaker up approximately 1-1/4".

Wall Mounting: The wall mounting system consists of two pieces; a wall mounting plate and a speaker mounting bracket. First, the metal plate is mounted to the wall, it's 20" long and has multiple holes so you'll be able to mount it to at least one stud (use two if possible). Mounting screws should be used with a wall anchor if in a stud. Next the Speaker mounting bracket is bolted to the SurroundBar50 using the supplied 10mm bolts. The speaker can be tilted up or down approximately 15° when mounted on the bracket. The bracket mounts the speaker approximately 11/16" away from the wall. The two 10mm" threaded inserts are 13" apart and can be used with different mounting brackets if you prefer.

Speaker Terminals: The SurroundBar50 has five high-quality 5-way binding post input terminals, one each for front left, centre, front right, rear right, and rear left channels. In addition to pin, spade, banana, and dual banana connectors, bare wire up to 11 gauge will fit. You will need to remove a plug inserted in the centre of each post if you wish to use banana plugs.

Colour Coded Wiring: The included 15-foot 10-conductor speaker wire is colour-coded to match the SurroundBar50 terminals and clearly marked for easy hookup.

Video Shielded: The SurroundBar50 is magnetically (video) shielded for safe placement near your TV or computer monitor without causing picture interference.

Technical Details

Finish: Titanium
Number of speakers: 1
Bi-wirable: No
Directionality: 5-point/multichannel surround
Enclosure materials: Extruded aluminum
Powered: No
Removeable speaker grilles: Yes
Speaker drivers: 10
Speaker enclosure type: Sealed (acoustic suspension)
Speaker terminals: Binding-post type
Speaker type: Single-point surround speaker
Transducer type: Cone
Audio inputs: 5 x stereo (left/right) speaker-level inputs
Audio outputs: 0
Phase-invert switch: No
Wall-mountable: Yes (using supplied bracket)
Weather-resistant: No
THX-certified: No
Crossover points: Information not available
Frequency response (+/- 3 dB): 100 to 20,000 Hz (-3 dB points)
Maximum recommended power (average): 125 watts per channel
Minimum recommended power: 20 watts per channel
Nominal speaker impedance: 8 ohms nominal
Sensitivity/efficiency (1 watt @ 1 meter): 89 dB
Tweeter (diameter): 3 x.75-inch tweeters
Video shielded: Yes
Woofers (diameter): 7 x 3.5-inch drivers
Speaker mounts included: Yes
Item width: 42.625 inches
Item height: 4.44 inches
Item depth: 5.125 inches
Item weight: 25 pounds
Shipping weight: 30 pounds
Warranty: 5 years parts and labor (to original purchaser)
In the box: SurroundBar speaker, 2-piece wall bracket, a center-channel base, mounting screws, 25-foot wire bundle, and a quick-start guide

BUY Polk Audio SurroundBar 50 Surround System (Single Speaker) - Titanium

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Speaker buying guide for JBL Duet Speakers

2008-05-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

Harman Multimedia's JBL Duet is a two satellite system (no subfoofer) targeted for the extreme value market; where name brands are sparse and quality speakers are almost non-existent. Thanks to the Duets, now virtually anyone can afford a set speakers that bear the Harman brand name. It’s a no frills package, with only a single volume knob located on the right satellite. For those who fear complexity, they’re as easy as speakers can humanly get to setup. They follow a simple three-step process: plug the left speaker into the right speaker, plug the input into the computer, plug the power into the wall and you’re good to go.

Specifications
Understandably, the JBL Duet's specs are slim: 12 watts total power (10% THD+M), 60 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response and a surprising 80 dB signal to noise ratio (SNR). I’ve dealt with a few potentially good speaker systems that were wrecked by persistent hissing problems caused by low SNRs. Even when held to the ear at high volume (with no sound playing) the Duets barely make a whisper.

The Sound
The JBL Duet tries their hardest to be a set of full-sized speakers. As expected, the JBL Duets simply can’t hit the lows that a set of speakers with a subwoofer can, nor do they reproduce sound with the same detail that a more expensive sets do. They’re by no means bad; they’re right on par with what I hoped for.

The Duet kicks out a good deal of detail but they sound slightly hallow (partly due to a lack of low end punch) but are pleasant to listen to, even after extended listening sessions. Unfortunately you can’t use your equalizer to compensate easily with the Duet, too much bass and they distort. They’re far from the loudest speakers available, so fans of early hearing loss might want to look elsewhere. They do maintain fairly good composure even at uncomfortable volumes.

The Duet presents a fairly nice soundscape that suits music quite well, The lack of significant lows might bother hardcore gamers, but I was quite content playing Halo on them. I even connected them to my iPod and used the two as a stereo in my game room to provide background music for some heated matches of Foosball. While it wasn’t the ideal solution, it served its purpose and was extremely fast to setup. I’d be tempted to take my iPod with the Duets on my next trip with me.

Accidental Drop Test!
Computer speakers are subject to an abnormal amount of abuse. I used to drop every review set I received to see how the construction held up after one of the satellites performed a swan dive onto a carpeted floor. I’ve been reluctant to perform the infamous drop test ever since the EV SonicXS' sustained minor damage. However, I found the JBL Duet are the perfect size for dropping. I had them positioned on-top of my JBL S310s, which stand on each side of my desk. On a trip behind my computer, I accidentally tugged one of the Duet's cables causing both of them to jump and violently meet my wood flooring. Oops. As if that wasn’t enough, I knocked off one of the satellites in another incident. Each time the Duets sustained no damage. They’re not indestructible like the Altec Lansing 2100s satellites, which I hear the US Army is investigating for use as a new breed of body armor. The Duet is definitely a sturdy build and capable of surviving a few good blows.

Final Thoughts
The MSRP of $59.95 seems steep but a quick price search found them for roughly $35 ($40+ after shipping). They’re right on target for the street price, though quality-wise, the Logitech Z-340s might be a better value. Laptop users who want to experience quality sound on the go without headphones might want to invest in the JBL Duet (assuming they have an outlet handy). The JBL Duet are small enough for laptop users to pack around and are exponentially better than the any of Apple's internal laptop speakers.

My personal recommendation would be to save your extra money for the Altec Lansing 2100s, which run currently for $60. The 2100s are my personal pick for the best bang for the buck. I do admit it’s a bit unfair of me to recommend these in light of speakers that cost nearly twice as much. You’re simply not going to find any speakers worth buying below the $30 mark. If you’re strapped for cash or just looking to give an extra computer a set of respectable speakers then look no further.

Features

* Drivers: Phoenix SE Tangential Strain Relief (TSR)
* Power Output: 6 Watts per speaker (1% THD)
* Power Consumption: 20 Watts maximum
* Dimensions (H x W x D): 9" x 6" x 6"
* Weight Per Speaker: 3.5 lb (1.6kg)
* Input Impedance: Less than 5K Ohms
* Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Less than 70dB
* Frequency Response: 60Hz-20kHz
* Input Sensitivity: 400mV for rated power
* Finish: Silver
* Self-powered satellite speakers
* Volume controls on satellites

Technical Specifications

* Manufacturer: Harman Multimedia
* Model Name: JBL Duet
* Available Colors: Silver, White and Aluminum
* Drivers: Phoenix TSR
* Power: 12 watts total (10% THD+N)
* Input Impedance: less than 5k ohms
* Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >80dB
* Frequency Response: 60Hz -- 20kHz
* Input Sensitivity: 400mV RMS for rated power
* Input Voltage: 120V AC US

Pros
# Pleasant to listen even after long sessions
# Super easy to set up
# Good price to performance ratio

Cons
# No powered sub
# Cables are hardwired to speakers

BUY-JBL Duet Speakers

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Speaker buying guide for Logitech X-540 5.1 Speaker System

2008-05-27T00:49:00.000-07:00

Introduction:

Going to the movies is one of America’s favorite pastimes. You can sit down and watch the big screen and feel immersed by the movie because of the surround sound. Can you get that same experience on your computer in the comfort of your own home? Let’s look into Logitech’s new X-540 5.1 surround speaker system to see if these speakers can put you into the movie, game, or studio.

Logitech is one of the most renowned computer peripheral manufacturers in the world. The company has an excellent track record for producing some of the highest quality peripherals available on the market. I know that almost all of my friends have Logitech speakers and their systems sound amazing. I’m anxious to see how well these sound.

Closer Look:

The box that was shipped to my house was fairly small, but it wasn’t very light. Once I pulled it out of the shipping box, I got a glimpse of what I was about to shake my house with.

On top of the box, there is a giant “X”, product logo, and a small picture of the system. The front and back of the box display the system and some key features. Some of these features include the system having a peak power of 140 watts! That’s excellent for a computer speaker system in my book.

The other sides of the box display the specifications and contents of the system within. Something I’ve always admired about Logitech is that they always put multiple languages on their packaging.

Upon opening the box, I was amazed at how neatly nested everything was. I could instantly tell that the subwoofer was on the right and the speakers were stored in the box on the left.

The first thing I want to look at is the subwoofer. The subwoofer was wrapped in a plastic bag with its cables wrapped individually as well.

Specifications:

* Total RMS power: 70watts RMS Satellites: 45 watts RMS (2 x 7.4W front, 15.4W center, 2 x 7.4W rear
o Subwoofer: 25 watts RMS
* Total peak power: 140 watts
* Frequency response: 40Hz - 20kHz
* Drivers:
o Satellites: (2) 2" drivers per satellite
o Subwoofer: 5.25" ported driver
* Speaker dimensions (H x W x D):
o Satellites: 8.4" x 3.2" x 5.0"
o Center channel: 7.8" x 4.75" x 3.75"
o Subwoofer: 11.25" x 6.5" x 9.75"

Testing:

Test System:

* Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Processor
* ASUS P5N32-SLi SE Deluxe Motherboard
* OCZ Gold 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 Memory
* eVGA 7950GT KO Video Card
* XG Vortec 600watt Power Supply
* Western Digital 250GB IDE Hard Drive
* Western Digital 160GB SATA 3.0GB/s Hard Drive
* Seagate 80GB IDE Hard Drive
* LG DVD-R DL Burner
* Windows XP Media Center 2005
* Audigy 2 Sound Card
* Enermax Uber Chakra ATX Full Tower Case

The only way that I wanted to test this sound system is to attempt to blow a speaker or get it to crackle or sound bad. I played multiple songs at full blast that played a lot of high notes, bass, and many sounds at once. The subwoofer always sounded very clean when it hit no matter what I threw at it. Since I’m in the basement, I played a few songs with a lot of bass while I was upstairs to see if I could hear it. I could hear it clear as day and it was loud! It was seriously deafening to sit in front of this system while it was turned up to the maximum. On my old set of Dell speakers, you could really tell how crappy they were when you turned the music up to their maximum because it was crackly and just didn’t sound right. I’ve never heard such crisp sounding computer speakers in my life, and that’s quite a claim. Even my buddies were awed at how good these sounded and just how loud you could get them.

Conclusion:

Don’t pass up this 5.1 speaker system from Logitech when you’re shopping for a new set of computer speakers or home entertainment speakers. The bass that is produced by the subwoofer is so clean hitting that all of the songs I played sounded a tad better than before. Having a master control unit to control the master volume, bass, and 5.1 or 2.1 setup is perfect. When my speakers are hooked up behind me and I’m not watching a movie or playing a game, I like to just use the 2.1 setup. At full blast, I honestly felt like I was sitting front row at a Carlos Santana concert listening to him play some of the meanest guitar solos ever known to man. My gaming got elevated to a whole new level because I actually jumped when I got shot from behind because I heard the sound behind me and it just made the game more realistic. I felt as if I was getting shot at when Tony Montana went on his rampage and shot up his house. These 5.1 surround sound speakers really do put you into the game, movie, and studio.

Pros:

* Crisp Sound
* Clean hitting bass
* Looks
* Master control unit

Cons:

* While headphones are in use the master control unit is deactivated

BUY -- Logitech X-540 5.1 Speaker System

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Home Audio Speaker Buying Guide

2008-05-27T00:39:00.000-07:00

The Basics: Home Audio Speakers

Seemingly overnight, your stereo system became obsolete. How did it happen? Simple--DVD technology took over the VHS home movie kingdom, and suddenly, stereo was "out" as surround sound became an easily attainable home theater option.

You could easily purchase all the speakers you would need to achieve what has become the minimum requirements for home theater: front left and right speakers, a center-channel speaker, a pair of surrounds, and a subwoofer. You can match up individual pieces to create yourown system. Just make sure the piecies: work well together; are timbre matched; and that you have enough cable to hook them up. Or, you can simply purchase a complete system, with all those concerns already taken care of.

At the same time, there is still a place for stereo speakers. A vast majority of music purchased today is stereo (two-channel) in nature, and robust stereo speakers will provide much better audio reproduction than the front left and right speakers of a home theater system. In addition, a pair of stereo towers can serve admirably in a multichannel home theater system. They might not be a perfect tonal match with the other speakers in the setup, but the difference will not be audible to most listeners.

If there's one technology that has remained fairly unchanged for many years, it would have to be speaker design. Basically, a magnetic voice coil moves a diaphragm to generate audible frequencies--that's all there is to a speaker. What has changed is the precision with which they're built, the choice of materials used and the shape of the cabinets that house them.

For years, subwoofers were reserved for car audio fanatics and a few audiophiles. With the recent explosion of home theaters, subwoofers are taking their rightful place...hidden on the floor in the corner of the room. The ".1" in 5.1 refers to the LFE (low-frequency effects or low-frequency extension) track that allows sound mixers to put an incredible amount of bass into a movie soundtrack--both musically and with sound effects. Most speakers don't have the frequency response to handle these extremely low frequencies, so a separate subwoofer, specifically designed to reproduce these sounds, makes sense.

The human ear has a hard time localizing low bass frequencies, particularly sounds that are less than 120Hz. The phenomena allows placement of subwoofers wherever they might sound and look best; fortunately, the corner of a room usually satisfies both criteria.

These days, most subwoofers are powered, or "active," meaning they come with a built-in amplifier that needs to be plugged in, so plan accordingly when figuring out where you'll place it. The size and power can range from a small 8-inch driver with a modest 50-watt amplifier to dual 15-inch speakers with over 1,000 watts of power. You can get as much bass as your home's foundation can handle.

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