speaker Tests (P. 12/24)

"SpeedLink Progressive 2.1"

Computing Made Easy
Issue: 119

On test: SpeedLink Progressive 2.1

The Progressive 2.1 from SpeedLink is, unsurprisingly, a 2.1 speaker setup. The package offers a meaty yet smooth-looking subwoofer and a couple of stylish satellite speakers. The subwoofer is the centrepiece and includes a speaker with a super-strong grill in the top, a small blue LCD screen and a set of inputs and outputs. → More

"Ferguson Hill FH007 and FH008 Speakers"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: Ferguson Hill FH007 with FH008

There are a few basic rules that all journalists understand and adhere to - most of the time. One is that whenever Microsoft releases a piece of software, several years are then spent fixing all the problems with it. Another is that when something's so stylish it wouldn't look out of place in a central London penthouse apartment, it's bound to be expensive - and rubbish to boot. That was certainly my first impression upon pulling the delicately made Ferguson Hill FH007 mini-speakers out of their rather large boxes. Here's a product that just screams "style over substance": a stereo speaker consisting of two fruit-bowl clear acrylic horns, two football-shaped clear acrylic mid-bass speakers and a big, beefy sub-woofer in shiny iPod homage white livery. → More

"Griffin Amplifi speakers"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: Griffin Technology Amplifi iPod Speaker System

As iPods have got smaller, their accessories seem to have got bigger. The Griffin Amplifi is a prime example. It's an iPod dock and charger which is a touch pricey at £100, but users get a lot of bulk for their money. → More

"PMC Free FS1 active loudspeaker"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: PMC Free FS1

Free is a new brand created by SMC (Steve Moore Consultancy) which is a specialist in custom-install or multi-room AV. Their systems are usually totally integrated into the fabric of a house and thus cost a lot of money but offer a lot of convenience. With the idea of creating a speaker that offered the same degree of convenience and lack of cabling but in a product that didn't require cables to be chased into walls, they came up with the concept of the Free speaker, so called because it can be run almost wirelessly when combined with Sonos or Apple music distribution systems. I say almost, this is an active design with onboard amplification and therefore it requires mains power to run and you'll need mains sockets in convenient places to keep the power cables out of the way. → More

"HouseParty 24/7 iPod alarm clock"

Published on: 11/2007

On test: Gear4 HouseParty 24/7

Gear4’s new HouseParty 24/7 2:1 stereo system for iPods looks a little like a cassette deck. The product integrates an AM/FM radio (which offers excellent reception, although we'd love DAB), and has a 3.5mm line-in port. It also packs that all important snooze button, to give you an extra five to 20 minutes kip. → More