speaker Tests (P. 22/25)

"Parrot Boombox"

Published on: 3/2007

On test: Parrot BOOMbox

Parrot + product = product with Bluetooth. That’s the raison d’etre of Parrot, pure and simple. Best known for its variety of Bluetooth headsets and hands free kits, the company has increasingly found ways to branch out into other areas such as photo viewers and speakers – all with Bluetooth, naturally. These forays have borne mixed results so far, but that hasn’t stopped Parrot from trying again with its BOOMBOX – capitalised presumably for extra BOOM! The design is reminiscent of the Apple iPod Hi-Fi which we reviewed almost a year ago, though in reality there’s a good deal that separates them. → More

"Sony SRS-DZ10 speakers"

Published on: 3/2007

On test: Sony SRS-DZ10

Sony’s latest 2.1 speaker set, the SRS-DZ10 certainly ticks all the boxes when it comes to style. → More

"Sony SRS-DZ10 speakers"

Published on: 3/2007

On test: Sony SRS-DZ10

Sony has a good reputation in the audio market and its typical attention to aesthetics is particularly evident in the new SRS-DZ10. → More

"Head to head: Pseudo surround systems"

Published on: 3/2007

On test: Jamo S 260 HCS21, Yamaha HiFi YSP-900

There can be little or no argument on the merits of surround sound, indeed the experience of home cinema without it is about as authentic as a Giorgio Armani shirt from the back streets of Thailand. The problem is that not all of us have front rooms that closely resemble cinemas, and space constraints can begin to become an issue, what with those five speakers and sub-woofer to position. Even if you do have the space, the sight of trailing wires all over the place isn't particularly desirable, nor particularly practical. Fortunately, there is a way round the problem, pseudo surround. These setups promise to deliver an authentic 5.1 experience from two or less speakers, giving you all the meat with none of the bones. We picked two contrasting pseudo surround offerings, both costing £500, and put them to the test. → More

"ThinkOutside BoomTube H20 speakers"

Published on: 3/2007

On test: Think Outside Boomtube H2O1

In a market swimming with 2.1 speakers it's difficult to find a product that stands out from the crowd. → More

"Sony SRS-DZ10 2.1 speaker system"

Published on: 3/2007

On test: Sony SRS-DZ10

Sony has always been synonymous with both quality and innovation in the audio market, its latest set of 2.1 speakers certainly scores highly on the design front. → More

"Head to head: Pseudo surround systems"

Published on: 3/2007

On test: Jamo S 260 HCS21, Yamaha HiFi YSP-900

There can be little or no argument on the merits of surround sound, indeed the experience of home cinema without it is about as authentic as a Giorgio Armani shirt from the back streets of Thailand. The problem is that not all of us have front rooms that closely resemble cinemas, and space constraints can begin to become an issue, what with those five speakers and sub-woofer to position. Even if you do have the space, the sight of trailing wires all over the place isn't particularly desirable, nor particularly practical. Fortunately, there is a way round the problem, pseudo surround. These setups promise to deliver an authentic 5.1 experience from two or less speakers, giving you all the meat with none of the bones. → More

"LaCie FireWire Speakers"

Issue: 4/2007

On test: LaCie FireWire Speakers

Designed by Neil Poulton, LaCie's FireWire speakers look as though they might have been inspired by a trip o a cruise liner, so closely do they resemble ships' funnels. Then again, they could have just as easily taken their design cues from the Teletubbies' Moo Moo. → More

"iHome iH19"

Issue: 4/2007

On test: SDI Technologies iHome iH19

Looking like its design was inspired either by a chemical warfare mask or a character from the movie Short Circuit, the iHome iH19 is a portable iPod speaker system that aims to make it as easy as possible to take your portable media player to the beach. → More

"Classy Jamos go with the flow"

Issue: 3/2007

On test: Jamo C803

All hi-fi likes to be pampered: speakers more so than the rest. Getting them in just the right place, and on the right stands isn't enough. Most capable speakers still complain if the rest of your kit isn't spot on, or if your tastes include sub-standard recordings. Not these Jamos, though. → More

"Yamaha NX-U10"

Issue: 3/2007

On test: Yamaha HiFi NX-U10

Yamaha's NX-U10 is a USB-powered stereo speaker that is designed to be used with your Mac, iPod or mobile phone, and is small enough to be carted around in a laptop bag without adding too much extra weight. → More

"Sony SRS-DZ10 2.1 Speakers"

Published on: 2/2007

On test: Sony SRS-DZ10

Though it’s perfectly possible to have surround sound for your PC, in reality most people find it far too much of an inconvenience. Unlike home cinemas, desktop PCs generally live wherever there’s space for them and arranging the various speakers and hiding the wires is a chore too far. As a result many people prefer 2.1 systems that benefit from being small, affordable and easy to setup and many companies produce a range systems of varying quality. Sony is just one of these companies, and it has sent us a set of its new 2.1 speakers, the SRS-DZ10s, that come in at a not inconsiderable £85. → More

"Logitech X-540"

Issue: 3/2007

On test: Logitech X-540

Logitech's X-540 speaker set sits just above the X-530, which won our Budget Buy award in our April 2006 speaker test. → More

"Ferguson HIll FH007"

Issue: 2/2007

On test: Ferguson Hill FH007

The name's Hill, Ferguson Hill. Its new FH007 system clearly has a licence to thrill, but you may need a lair the size of a Bond villain to enjoy this five-part package. → More

"Excitable Elacs back in black"

Issue: 2/2007

On test: Elac BS 204.2

If speakers could be judged simply by the quality of their specification, build and finish, these lovely looking Elac 204.2s would have nothing to worry about. After all, the 'silver shadow' finish our review pair came in is lustrous, smooth, tactile and classy - they're constructed to a high standard, too. → More

"Group test: High-power PC speakers"

Published on: 1/2007

On test: Mini Speakers K8000, Logitech Z-10, Altec-Lansing FX 4021, Creative Labs I-Trigue L3800

Crude bleeps and blinking sounds are today a very distant memory in the gaming world. Indeed, the modern gamer considers audio just as important as breathtaking graphics and atmospheric quality gameplay. What with most current PCs effectively doubling as multimedia jukeboxes it's more important than ever to invest in a decent set of speakers. → More

"Yamaha NX-U10 speakers"

Published on: 1/2007

On test: Yamaha HiFi NX-U10

The portable speaker market has become a saturated place, which has led to many manufacturers trying to differentiate their products in a number of ways. The Yamaha NX-U10's niche is the first USB-powered speaker to offer 20W of sound as opposed to the standard 0.5W. → More

"Nimzy Vibro Max speakers"

Published on: 1/2007

On test: Thakral Ltd. Nimzy Vibro Max

Last summer Nimzy wowed the audio world with the release of the popular Vibro Blaster, an innovative portable speaker that uses something called electro acoustic technology to vibrate a surface to produce sound. Its successor is the Vibro Max and offers an increased 20W RMS power output and improved functionality as well as a handy remote control. → More

"Yamaha YSP-900 speaker system"

Published on: 1/2007

On test: Yamaha HiFi YSP-900

Yamaha’s YSP is part of a series of digital sound projectors designed to offer an all-in-one surround sound solution. → More

"Cool kit doesn't sound so hot"

Issue: 1/2007

On test: Panasonic SC-HT545W

These budget home cinema-in-a-box style systems are curious breeds. On the one hand you get plenty of machine for your money, but if it looks and sounds cheap-as-chips, well, what's the point? → More

"Powertraveller SoundTraveller K3000"

Issue: 2/2007

On test: Powertraveller K3000 SoundTraveller

We've reviewed a few mini speakers that to an iPod through its dock connector. They've all been pretty pointless. → More

"Quad ESL 2905"

Issue: 1/2007

On test: Quad ESL 2905

There are speakers; there are electrostatic speakers; and then there are Quad electrostatic speakers. → More

"Pioneer's sub sounds rounded"

Issue: 1/2007

On test: Pioneer S-W 250 S

We reviewed this Pioneer sub back in October 2004, and a lot has happened since. → More

"Ocean of bass sinks the Atlantic"

Issue: 1/2007

On test: Atlantic Technology 10 CSB

Ah, subwoofers: the goal of getting that much-desired extra bass performance in a form that sounds great, integrates well with your other speakers, and doesn't draw the words 'big ugly box' from the lips of your nearest and dearest often proves hard to attain. → More

"Honesty the best sonic policy"

Issue: 1/2007

On test: ATC SCM 19

ATC is one of the most consistent hi-fi brands we know. Its pricier products offer great dynamics, bass extension and loudness capability, but the essential character is always one of honesty. And the SCM19s don't break with that tradition. → More