Review: M-Audio Studiophile AV20
M-Audio technology’s new multimedia speakers – M-Audio Studiophile AV 20 system that provides an excellent audio upgrade for your computer, with internal amplification plus dedicated high- and low-frequency drivers for providing detail sound. The M-Audio’s Studiophile AV 20 is a smaller speaker which takes up less desk space than M-Audio’s Studiophile AV 40 speakers and it is the cheapest M-Audio desktop speakers available.
The Studiophile AV 20 comprises of a 2″ composite woofer, 1″ ferrofluid-cooled Mylar dome tweeter and an internal Class D amplifier, which includes custom cabinets with rock solid medium-density fiberboard construction that delivers a more accurate bass response. With a strip of black vinyl accentuating the tweeter and woofer, which are covered with black mesh metal grilles.The Studiophile AV 20 features the “OptImage III Technology” which improves high-frequency response while minimizing phasing issues that can plague other portable monitors as well as guaranteeing precise stereo imaging and accurate response.
Review: Boston Acoustics Horizon MCS130
Boston Acoustics Horizon MCS130 is distinctively styled 5.1 surround speaker system, which comes in six other finish glacier (light blue), rosebud (pink), pearl gray, chocolate (brown), chili pepper (red), and caramel (tan) apart form orthodox black (onyx) or silver (mist). The Boston Acoustics Horizon MCS130 is 200 watt home theater equipped with three LCR satellite speakers and 10-inch powered subwoofer. The LCR speakers are newly designed dual 3.5-inch drivers and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter along with relatively compact size.
Features:
* 5.1 Surround Sound
* Left, center, and right speakers feature dual 3.5″ drivers and 1″ soft dome tweeters
* Rear surround speakers feature 3.5″ drivers and 1″ soft dome tweeters
* 10″ 200-Watt powered subwoofer
* All speakers feature MagnaGuard magnetic shielding
* Wall Mountable
* Matte black finish
Boston Acoustics Horizon MCS130 Specifications:
General:
Product Type: Home theater speaker system
Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Details: Satellite speaker : 5 in x 4.1 in x 13.8 in / 5.1 lbs, Surround sound speaker : 5.5 in x 4 in x 8.4 in / 3.1 lbs, Subwoofer : 16.5 in x 16.5 in x 13.7 in / 31.3 lbs
Speaker System:
System Components: Subwoofer, 5 speakers
Speaker Type: Active subwoofer, passive satellites
Response Bandwidth: 40 – 20000 Hz
Recommended Amplifier Power: 10 – 150 Watt
Connectivity Technology: Wired
Detachable Grilles: Yes
Additional Features: Satellite magnetic shield
Speaker System Details:
Speakers Included: 3 x Satellite speaker – 2-way – 110 – 20000 Hz – 8 Ohm – Wired, 2 x Surround sound speaker – 2-way – 120 – 20000 Hz – 8 Ohm – Wired, 1 x Subwoofer – 200 Watt – 40 – 150 Hz – Wired
Driver Details: Subwoofer : 1 x Subwoofer driver – 10″
Power:
Power Device: Power supply – Internal
New Rx 11 Review
In the field of top-shelf stereo receivers, Yamaha’s new RX-Z11 sets a high bar for feature-rich high definition amplifiers which is also the first receiver on the market to use THX Loudness Plus a back-end audio feature designed to let you play movies at low volumes without sacrificing any surround sound details.
Some specifications are:-
XM-HD
HD Radio
Dolby True HD
Neural surround.
Network connectivity for getting your Windows Media Player on.
RX-Z11 is Designed for iPod, XM Ready.It’s got support for HDMI 1.3a, and it can upscale video all the way to 1080p, or drop the rest down to 480.All other are just table stakes for modern HD-capable receivers, and the RX-Z11 is a high roller.
During using it when you pump the volume, the RX-Z11 can handle just about any speaker configuration you want to throw at it.
The rig supports up to 11 total speakers:
Six surround
Center channel
Two presence speakers in both the front and rear.
Little .2 designation.
It means you can pump your bass across dual stereo subwoofers. Best yet, the manual has clear diagrams on how to set up everything from a full 11.2 party mover to a puzzling-given-the-price-tag 2.1 bare bones setup.RX-Z11 provides more channels than a basic cable package. Plenty of HDMI inputs (five) for all your gear. Pumps out rich sound with detailed separation at low, medium, and traumatic brain injury inducing volumes. Attractive backlit remote with LCD screen. Easy auto calibration.
Logitech’s 2.1 PC Speakers
The Z4 is a popular 2.1 system, with all the ammo that a present day system needs has been introduced by Logitech.It has uber cool black oval tubes with engraved silver circles, and square mini monsters with huge round faces that bob their head when turned on.These subwoofers also feature the amplification.The exterior has a black and metallic gray color scheme, with a perfect cubic subwoofer and two flat rectangular panels for the satellites.The satellites perch on two metallic gray stands, and they are adjustable along a vertical axis.
The sub is front-firing and has a perforated grille on the front to protect the 6-inch driver. The sets have three 1.5 inch drivers vertically placed, with the outer two working opposite in phase to each other. Max power is 40 watts RMS.The sound is very good, especially the most important part is bass. The bass is round and heavy, though not stretching down to very low frequencies. Tightness is average to decent electronic music sounds killer on the system.
the Total RMS power is 40 watts RMS,Frequency response is 35Hz to 20kHz and Signal-to-noise ratio is greater than 92 dB.the market price is Rs.7,595.
JBL Creature II
JBL’s Creature II three piece speaker system produces high-quality stereo sound for movies, MP3’s, movies and gaming experiences.Featuring cutting-edge sci-fi design and superior sound performance, JBL Creature II is a unique “plug and play” solution, compatible with all Macs and PCs – both desktops and portables – as well as MP3 players and Walkmans. JBL Creature II offers consumers cool design and exceptional sound, proving that excellence does not have to come in an expensive package.
The JBL CREATURE speaker system includes a touch volume control.The CREATURE II audio system utilizes a straight forward interconnect technology.The powerful subwoofer provides clean low bass.
The mini-stereo jack connection allows enjoyment of high quality audio from a variety of devices such as digital music players, computers, stereos and portable listening devices.
Mobius MKII Introduced Loudspeaker System
The Mobius MKII Introduced Loudspeaker System.The Mobius MKII stands approximately 38″ tall. The loudspeaker uses four drivers in its 8″ bipolar array that sits atop the speaker to produce 360 degrees of sound. The orb houses two 1″ silk dome tweeters and a pair of 6″ midbass drivers with neodymium motors mounted back to back.The orb accommodates two 1? silk dome tweeters and a pair of 6? midbass drivers with neodymium motors positioned back to back.
The front firing custom made subwoofer will be 10″-12″ in size is ported through the tail section of the enclosure providing a frequency response down to 20Hz. First order crossovers are used and on the top end, the Mobius MKII will play up to 20kHz.
It will be released in spring next year with the price range between $10,000 to $15,000.
Audioengine 2 Speakers Review
It’s the era of the iPod and compressed music; of small speakers that look better than they sound, and of course the gradual diminishing of pure audio applications. While audiophiles have isolated themselves from the consumer market and created a niche of highly expensive but great products, the unassuming casual buyer is more than happy purchasing some flashy device that ’sort of’ reproduces sound.
There are very few products that bridge the gap between consumer and hi-fi audio, but this brand-new Audioengine claims to do just that. How far it can achieve great sound at a ‘cheap’ price is left to be seen, but reviews from around the world have been favorable and I was keen to see what they can do. The brand is from USA, just launched in India for Rs. 9999 per pair.
The speakers come nicely packed in a compact box with dimensions of 10.5 x 15 x 7 inches. The first thing I noticed is the number of cables provided; possibly every connection is covered, with EP wires, RCA wires and of course a single speaker cable to connect the right to left.
They carry the same sleek lines, attention to detail, and quality finish as their older brother, just in a smaller box.
Highlight features are:
- 2 audio inputs (RCA and mini-jack)
- Built-in power amps (left speaker)
- Kevlar woofers for super low end
- Silk tweeters for smooth highs
Norge Millennium Bookshelf Speakers Review
The Famous brand Norge, the Indian manufacturer that’s active in the mid-end audio systems space has introduced a Millennium Bookshelf Speakers which are a part of the brand’s newest lineup.
Feature-wise this is a regular two-way bookshelf employing a neodymium dual magnet 6.5 inch cone woofer and a 1 inch silk dome tweeter. I assume these are the ferro fluid cooled models. The drivers can create 100 watts of RMS power each, which is expected of a 4 ohm bookshelf.
One of the more laidback and basic designs, this maple color, vinyl finished, MDF-based unit comes across as all too undemanding. The finish is smooth, though lacking luster in the literal sense. The speaker drivers are jet-black and strongly contrast with the light color of the cabinet.
The back panel of the cabinet is bare except for two speaker connectors and a bass reflex port measuring barely two inches in diameter.
The speakers are amazingly tall, which may cause a space crunch in small rooms. Weight is normal, neither too heavy nor light. The footprint is not too broad, however. The aesthetics are simple and to-the-point,something that should go down well with people who care more about good sound than good looks.The rated frequency response is from 30 Hz to 30 KHz. All the way down to 30 Hz is commendable.
Logitech Offers New Wireless Music System and Squeezebox
Logitech today rolled out a new wireless music system for delivering digital music from a PC to any stereo system or powered multimedia speakers.It releases 2 streaming music systems – Wireless DJ and Squeezebox.
The Logitech Wireless DJ Music System makes use of wireless Logitech technology to stream any PC audio format. A transmitter plugs into a USB port on the PC and the music receiver/dock is connected to a stereo system using standard RCA connectors, or to powered multimedia speakers using the 3.5 mm headphone jack output. Once the setup is complete, the Wireless DJ Music System sends music streams directly to the receiver, at a range of up to 50 meters (150 feet). An included remote control with blue backlit liquid-crystal display and mechanical scroll wheel lets one browse through an entire digital music collection, select a song, playlist or Internet radio station of choice.
Logitech Wireless DJ streams PC music to the stereo and controls the computer’s playlists from anywhere in the house thanks to a large clear LCD screen and an intuitive scroll-wheel interface. So you can store your music in one place and play it in another.
Logitech’s Squeezebox’s screen displays track listings and allows browsing by genre, artist, playlist and more. It gives access to thousands of Internet radios, even with the PC switched off.
The Squeezebox is priced at Rs. 19,995 and the Wireless DJ Music System is priced at $249.99 and will be available in September.
KEF IQ9 Floor Standing Speakers
Breathtaking is the only word to describe it. Hearing the iQ9 in action takes you to a different place – the illusion of presence is phenomenal. This awesome full size bass reflex
floor stander partners the latest 160mm Uni-Q mid/HF array with a brace of potent new generation LF drivers featuring ultra-low distortion motors and natural fiber-loaded paper cones. Impeccable vocals, delicious midrange and incredible bass extension – and with KEF’s massive internal bracing, none of the LF distortions that usually affect tall speakers. For orchestral, big band or compositionally intricate works, we’re talking devastating accuracy and emotional
power. And when complemented by the iQ6c and either iQ3 or iQ7 rear channel speakers, iQ9 is a formidably competent full bandwidth front speaker for large room, high-end home theatre.
The speakers come in a black cabinet, which has a oblong curved continuous shape. The material has a nice woodgrain finish, and the cabinet displays a very mild shine due to the polished wood feel.
The speakers are bi-wirable, which means you can connect the high frequency driver and the low frequency driver separately to your amp. They contain good quality connector binding posts at the lower back end, encased in transparent plastic.
The configuration of the speaker is three-way bass-reflex, meaning three driver segments for three sections of frequency.
Technical Details
- Three-way bass reflex design; rich dark apple wood finish
- Drive units: 2 x 6-1/2 inch LF, 6-1/2 inch Uni-Q, 3/4 inch aluminum dome HF
- Frequency response: 38Hz – 40kHz
- Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 91dB
- Dimensions : 37 x 8.7 x 12.9 inches