speaker Tests (P. 21/25)

"See red, hear slick movie sound"

Issue: 8/2007

On test: Audio Pro Allroom Sat

This Audio Pro package is, at first glance, a tidy attempt to combine compact, appealing and colourful looks with the sonic performance you'd expect from speakers that look like they've been vigorously interrogated with the ugly stick. → More

"Solid sound that lacks passion"

Issue: 8/2007

On test: Tangent Audio Clarity 4

It seems that the gloss-black piano finish is everywhere these days: on shiny new Samsung TVs, LG high-def disc players, and on these, the Tangent Clarity 4 speakers. We're sure it must be popular, but can't help but wonder if it's just a fad, like roller blades or PopTarts. → More

"Simple looks, super sound"

Issue: 8/2007

On test: Arcaydis AK3

Been up to much since July 2003? In Worcestershire, Arcaydis has been conducting business as usual - its little AK3 floorstander received five stars then, so it's high time we had a second listen. → More

"Sony RHT-G800"

Published on: 7/2007

On test: Sony RHT-G800

Surround sound is one of the greatest inventions in home entertainment -- nothing involves you in the on-screen action more than an immersive soundtrack rumbling out from all around you. The problem is, if you have limited space, or simply don't want to run speaker cables all over your living room, surround sound really isn't an option. Enter all-in-one speaker systems, designed to produce a virtual surround effect from a smaller number of speakers. These systems range from very good to utterly useless, but offer a decent solution for those not prepared to turn their front room into a gigantic ball of wire. Sony has taken an interesting approach to the problem by building its virtual surround-sound speakers into a TV stand, the RHT-G800, which is available online for around £600. Can it succeed where others have failed? → More

"Listen up: budget 5.1 speaker roundup"

Published on: 7/2007

On test: Logitech X-540, Altec-Lansing VS3251, Creative Labs Inspire P5800

Being the technophile that I am, time and time again my friends have asked me which set of speakers they should look into. Most of them have 2.1 speaker systems that came with their computers, so almost anything is an upgrade. However, a lot of the time my friends are looking for something more impressive, like 5.1 surround sound for gaming and movie-watching. Since they aren't audiophiles, they aren't usually looking to spend over $100 on speakers; they just want speakers that work. That said—and before we get too deep into this article—I have to warn you that this roundup was intended for the non-audiophile readers who might be on a budget and are looking for a set of 5.1 speakers that aren't going to burn a hole in their pockets. → More

"Bose Companion 5"

Issue: 12/2007

On test: Bose Companion 5

The Bose Companion 5 is a set of speakers designed specifically to be connected to a Mac or PC. There are only two inputs - a 3.5mm jack for analogue audio and USB - there's no way to connect it it to the standard coaxial or optical sockets you find on most modern equipment. → More

"Budget speakers ooze class"

Issue: 7/2007

On test: Cambridge Audio S30

This isn't the fist time Cambridge Audio has made speakers: some 30 years ago its R50 and R70 speakers were well-respected designs. However, those were nothing like the new speakers: the S30s are small, standing just 32cm tall and 16cm wide. Much smaller and it would have been hard to fit the 10cm woven composite mid/bass unit and 25cm soft-dome tweeter into the front baffle. → More

"Tall dock falls short"

Issue: 7/2007

On test: Voix MPX speaker system with BX2 sub

iPod speaker systems are ten a penny these days; so any new entrant to the market has to be a fantastic performer, very keenly priced, or both. so at nearly £400, this Voix sub/sat system needs to be special - which sadly isn't the word that springs to mind. → More

"Aurosals fail to excite us"

Issue: 7/2007

On test: Arousal A1

If there's a place for puns, it's surely not in a brand-name. All that saves the The Beatles from being 'the band with the rubbish name' is their incomparable levels of genius. We reckon similarly spectacular levels of performance will be necessary from the A1s, if the name 'Arousal' isn't going to be an embarrassing misnomer. → More

"Novel home cinema in a rack"

Issue: 7/2007

On test: Evesham Sound Stage X1

Is it a TV rack? Is it a speaker system? Golly gosh, it's both! That's right, the Evesham Sound Stage X1 is a TV stand with no less than eight speakers and a subwoofer built-in. → More

"Gear4 HouseParty Blu"

Published on: 6/2007

On test: Gear4 HouseParty Blu

iPod speaker systems are all the rage. But what about the people who don't just use an iPod? Mobile phones are fast becoming as capacious as some MP3 players, so why not cater to their users too? Gear4 has struck the nail on the head with a sexy-looking 30W speaker setup that includes an iPod dock and stereo Bluetooth. → More

"Parrot Boombox speakers"

Published on: 6/2007

On test: Parrot BOOMbox

We’ve seen a mixed bag of Bluetooth products from Parrot recently, often suffering from inconsistent wireless connections or the resulting price hike from having Bluetooth at their hub. The Boombox is a sequel to last year’s Parrot Sound System Bluetooth Speaker system and works in a similar way in terms of connecting to an audio source. → More

"XtremeMac Luna iPod alarm clock and speaker system"

Published on: 6/2007

On test: XtremeMac Luna

The XtremeMac Luna iPod alarm clock and speaker system combines an advanced alarm clock with an iPod speaker system. If you're tired of waking up to a buzzer, Chris Moyles' inane blather or John Humphries dishing out a grilling on the Today Programme, you can connect your iPod to the docking port on top of the Luna and wake up to your own iPod tunes. → More

"Parrot Boombox speakers"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Parrot BOOMbox

We’ve seen a mixed bag of Bluetooth products from Parrot recently, often suffering from inconsistent wireless connections or the resulting price hike from having Bluetooth at their hub. The Boombox is a sequel to last year’s Parrot Sound System Bluetooth Speaker system and works in a similar way in terms of connecting to an audio source. → More

"Gear 4 HouseParty III"

Issue: 8/2007

On test: Gear4 HouseParty 3

What the world needs now is ... not another iPod speaker system. Yet that doesn't stop manufacturers from churning them out with alarming alacrity. Thus we have the third version of Gear 4's HouseParty system. → More

"Quicken your musical pulse"

Issue: 5/2007

On test: Monopulse 32S

Monopulse is a company dedicated to an idea. While some speaker manufacturers concentrate on creating a certain kind of frequency response, Monopulse concentrates on timing. → More

"Dynaudio loses some focus"

Issue: 5/2007

On test: Dynaudio Focus 140

These standmounters represent a fairly common speaker solution: the attempt to create compact, friendly boxes that don't sacrifice too much in terms of scale and low-frequency weight. → More

"Parrot Boombox Hi-Fi speaker system"

Published on: 4/2007

On test: Parrot BOOMbox

With so many mobile phones now focusing on music playback having an speaker set that can only connect to your iPod isn't going to cut it. You want a wirefree option don't you? Parrot, it seems, hears you loud and clear. → More

"Creative GigaWorks T20 2.0 Speakers"

Published on: 4/2007

On test: Creative Labs Gigaworks T20

Although 2.1 speakers seem to be the standard for desktop PC audio solutions, but that doesn't mean that this is the best option. It is possible to get great sound out of a 2.1 set, but often you end up with a distinct lack of cohesion due to a poor quality cross over and overbearing subwoofer. This is why, given the choice, a really good set of 2.0 speakers will always provide a better all round sound stage. These GigaWorks T20s from Creative represent the very best that the company has to offer offer since the GigaWorks brand is saved for only the best or, as Creative might put it, the "discerning listener". → More

"Group test: Mobile phone speaker docks"

Published on: 4/2007

On test: Nokia MD-3, Nokia MD-4, Sony Ericsson MPS-70, Parrot BOOMbox

Music mobiles have come an awful long way in recent times and there now exist a number of dedicated speaker docks to amplify your tunes and take the usability to the next level. We annoyed our neighbours by putting a selection of the latest and most popular mobile speakers to the test with a cross section of musical stylings: some classical music (Handel), heavy metal (AC/DC), dance (Gnarls Barkley) and some old Nina Simone classics. → More

"Anycom Speaker System"

Issue: 60/2007

On test: Anycom Bluetooth Speaker System

The MP3 may have revolutionised music for the portable player, but it will poses problems for users who want to listen to their multi-gigabyte collections at home. Rigging up a convoluted system of wires involving PC, hi-fi and speakers is one solution. Going completely wireless is another. → More

"JBL Spot"

Issue: 5/2007

On test: JBL Spot

The JBL Spot is the first skinnable speaker system. The subwoofer and small satellites come in black, but are packaged with an extra set of white shells, so you can match the styling to your iPod or MacBook. → More

"Laid-back Logitechs let down by lack of control"

Issue: 4/2007

On test: Logitech Z-10

These PC speakers are impressively turned-out for the money, with a smart black finish and an eye-catching touchscreen interface, which even shows track information when connected a computer. → More

"Young, slightly gifted and black"

Issue: 4/2007

On test: Mike Thomas T2 LS1

Within three years of founding their eponymous company, Michael and Thomas Kragelund's first products hit the Danish market. Now, just six years after conception, their products are available worldwide form their www.mike-thomas.com website. → More

"Who are you calling a Fatboy?"

Issue: 4/2007

On test: TL Audio Fatman Fatboy

You are what you eat, apparently. Heaven knows what's on the canteen menu at Fatman, but its iTube valve iPod dock is a firm favourite of ours - and now the Fatboy loudspeakers have squeezed their way into out listening rooms. → More