Column Mount Notebook-Monitor Dual Arm w/SmartFit System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My wife wanted a larger monitor than the 17" laptop screen she was using. I found this at a decent price, bought it and a 24" monitor and now she is very pleased with the two screens for multitasking. She also like how it holds the laptop off the desk so she has room for a normal PC keyboard. When I get my laptop, I'll get one of these too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Column Mount Notebook-Monitor Dual Arm w/SmartFit System

Column Mount Notebook-Monitor Dual Arm w/SmartFit System

Get 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Column Mount Notebook-Monitor Dual Arm w/SmartFit System

Read More...

Boston Acoustics SL 60 - Car speaker - 2-way - component Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)BA's are awesome! I had some Alpine type R 6.5's, and these blow them out of the water. I was skeptical at first when I pulled out the Type Rs because the magnet on the back was massive compared to the BAs. But these are punchy and the tweeters are crisp and clean. I mounted them in my kick panels and the have an awesome off axis response. I run them off an old MTX Thunder 4202. I would highly recommend the sl60. If you can't afford the high end these are the way to go!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Boston Acoustics SL 60 - Car speaker - 2-way - component


Type-S1; 1" Kortec dome tweeter with diffuser AMD
1.5" wooder voice coil w/TwinStage heatsink
Compact and powerful neodymium magnetics
DIN sized chassis featuring VariMount adapters
Multi-pole crossovers (networks are separable and dockable)
RMS Output: 80 Watts
Frequency Response: 45 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-) 3dB
Sensitivity with 2.83v input @ 1m = 90dB SPL
Impedance 4 Ohms

Click here for more information about Boston Acoustics SL 60 - Car speaker - 2-way - component

Read More...

Chief KTP445B - Stand for quad flat panel - steel - black - mounting interface: 100 x 100 mm, 75 x 75 mm - table-top Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The stand is heavy duty and sturdy. If I was rating it on durability alone I would give it 5 stars. The 4 star rating is for the difficulty in adjusting all of the monitors to be inline with one another. There are no built in micro adjustments and the mounting brackets all move independantly of each other. Don't get me wrong, this is great for flexibility but after spending an hour trying to line up the monitors you find yourself wishing that there was an easier way. Bottom line though is that once the monitors are set, it's a done deal. If you were going to be sliding the monitors around on a regular basis you might want to look at something else.
The cable management system is decent. The only problem is that it's only big enough for standard monitor cables. I had to purchase longer aftermarket cables that were much thicker than the Dell cables and by the time you add in 4 power cords with all of the accessory cabling, the coverings on the main posts are straining and want to pop off.
I also like how the monitors blend into each other and you don't even see the stand. Bottom line is that I would buy it again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Chief KTP445B - Stand for quad flat panel - steel - black - mounting interface: 100 x 100 mm, 75 x 75 mm - table-top

KTP445B Color: Black A desktop solution for mounting four widescreen small flat panels! Chief's KTP Widescreen Quad Monitor Table Stand is designed to provide a rock solid, free standing solution for graphic designers, broadcasters and other users who commonly work with multiple small flat panel TVs, LCDs or monitors. Features -Compatible with monitors up to 30'' wide -Centrispivot/tilt mechanism provides smooth range of motion for hassle free, fingertip positioning of each monitor -Sturdy construction -Built-in cable management -Available in silver or black Specifications -VESA: 75mm x 75mm and 100mm x 100mm -Tilt: +/-15 ; Roll: +/-90 ; Yaw: +/-15-Maximum Width (per monitor): 30'' -Maximum Height (per monitor): 18'' -Weight Capacity (per monitor): 20 lbs -Dimensions (w/o monitors): 27.33'' W x 28.5'' H x 14.5'' D Chief warrants its products (excluding electric, gas cylinder, and one-way bearing mechanisms) to be free of defects in material and workmanship for 10 years. PLEASE NOTE: This item cannot be shipped to Puerto Rico See All Chief Mounts Monitor Mounts Instructional Video - InfoComm 2006 Need professional installation? Use the Flat Panel Mount Installation Card (for up to 30screens) or the Large Flat Panel Mount Installation Card (for over 30screens)! Give us a call with any questions! About Chief Manufacturing For over a quarter of a century, Chief has been an industry leader in manufacturing total support solutions for presentation systems. Chief's commitment to responding to growing industry needs is evident through a full line of mounts, lifts, and accessories for projectors and flat panels utilizing plasma and LCD technologies. Chief is known for producing the original Roll, Pitch, and Yaw adjustments in 1978 to make projector mount installation and registration quick and easy. Today, Chief continues to provide innovative mount features, including the first-ever seismic-rated LCD and plasma wall mounts. For the highest quality in AV mounting, no

Get 41% OFF

Click here for more information about Chief KTP445B - Stand for quad flat panel - steel - black - mounting interface: 100 x 100 mm, 75 x 75 mm - table-top

Read More...

Cambridge Audio DacMagic Digital-to-Analog Converter with USB, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Being a budget stereophile, I was looking forward to improving the sound of my Zone-2 setup, consisting of a pair Mordaunt Short 902i bookshelf speakers on BTech BT-77 stands. These speakers are connected to an Onkyo TX-SR604 a/v receiver Onkyo TX-SR604 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver (Black) and Pioneer DV-610 universal DVD player Pioneer Dv610av-s Silver Multi Region Code Free Hdmi 1080p Upconverting DVD Player with SACD and DVD-Audio Playback.
Background:
I have a very good collection of CDs that are mostly made in the European Union (E.U.). To make the best of my CD collection, I was initially planning on getting a budget CD player under USD500. I had rounded up on two budget CD players - Cambridge Audio 550C & Emotiva ERC-1. I had heard the Emotiva ERC-1 at a friends place and it was too good for the money - USD400. The slot loading mechanism of the Emotiva ERC-1 was a deal breaker for me. I have had bad experiences in the past with slot loading CD players. I especially hate the way they attract dust on the slot opening and they eventually leave soft scratches on the CDs. I w'd have surely bought the Emotiva ERC-1 if only it had a tray loading mechanism. It is otherwise a superbly capable CD player with functions such as a 12V trigger and a whole lot of other great features. Anyone who does not mind slot loading CD player sh'd surely give it a listen.
That left me with just the Cambridge Audio 550C CD player. I was at a point in my hobby where I was planning to get into Hard Drive / Server based music, sometime later this year. I was planning to rip all my CDs into FLAC or WAV and store them in a HTPC with an optical out or may be in a Network Media Player with an optical out. So I decided against the idea of adding a CD player and instead started researching budget DACs. I wanted to get started by just connecting the Pioneer DV-610 universal DVD player, I had at hand, to a DAC for improved CD playback and then later move on to a Network Media player such as LaCie Lacinema Classic HD 1TB 1TB LaCinema Classic HD Multimedia High Definition Media Player. I had rounded up on two very popular budget DACs - Musical Fidelity (MF) V-DAC priced @ USD300 and Cambridge Audio (CA) DacMagic priced @ USD400 Cambridge Audio DacMagic Digital-to-Analog Converter with USB, Black.
DacMagic vs V-DAC:
I ordered the MF V-DAC from Amazon & I managed to borrow a CA DacMagic from a friend for comparison. I used a Monster ILSR-1M Fiber Optic Audio Cable Monster ILSR-1M Toslink Fiber Optic Audio Cable (1 meter) & a pair of Monster 400i Stereo Audio Interconnects Monster MC 400I-1M Ultra-High Performance RCA Stereo Cables (1 meter) with both the DACs.
I felt that the V-DAC has the Magic & the DacMagic has the value. It's surely not the other way around. DacMagic offers a lot more bells & whistles for just USD100 more. It has multiple digital inputs, incoming signal strength indicator, sound filter adjustments etc. V-DAC is designed to be hidden behind the rack, while DacMagic is designed to be seen. Both are British DACs and they cost a lil' more in the US than in the UK. Both DACs immediately showed a difference in my system. There was more separation in both voice & instruments. The soundstage improved & the sound was more fleshed out, more like adding meat to bones. More realism than I have ever heard in my system before. The better the quality of recording in the CD, the better the realism. I'am rediscovering my music collection all over again. It's only after extended listening that U actually realize & appreciate the benefits of having an external DAC.
I preferred the midrange smoothness of the V-DAC & I preferred the dynamic range of the DacMagic. I liked V-DAC more with songs that were high on vocals & I liked DacMagic more with both instrumental & bass heavy music. I listen to all kinds of music & I felt that I could live with either DAC. Over extended listening, I found V-DAC a lil' more soft on the ears. Over all, I preferred the smooth midrange of the V-DAC over the dynamic sound of the DacMagic. It kind of grows on U over time. V-DAC has surely taken my system to the next level. Anyone considering to buy either of these DACs sh'd surely give them both a listen / demo. U'r surely going to prefer the presentation of one DAC over the other. Both DACs are not perfect and could have offered a lil' more for the money.
MF V-DAC c'd have improved on the following:
1) The AC-DC wall wart adaptor (rated @ 12V DC, 0.5A) is very ugly looking when U plug it in U'r home theatre power strip. The least MF c'd have offered is a well designed universal power supply unit (PSU) for the money, something in the lines of NuForce Icon 42W PSU NuForce Icon 42W PSU. I'm glad MF at least offers a PSU upgrade for its V-Series components: the MF V-PSU Musical Fidelity - V-PSU - Upgrade Power Supply.
2) MF c'd have offered a universal wall wart / PSU that works on 110V - 220V. This w'd have really complimented the highly portable MF V-DAC.
3) V-DAC c'd have offered at least one more digital input just like the DacMagic. This w'd have helped people to get more from other sources as well.
4) Build quality of the V-DAC is not really as bad as some people have stated. It's just plain & functional. It w'd have been great if it was also available in silver color just like the DacMagic.
DacMagic c'd have improved on the following:
1) The AC-AC wall wart adaptor (rated @ 12V AC, 1.5A) is worse than the one that comes with the V-DAC. This power supply really puts DacMagic to shame. CA sh'd at least give its customers a choice of buying a better PSU, depending on their needs. C'mon U can still offer this choice to customers who are not happy with their existing power supply.
2) An on/off switch on the DacMagic is good, a 12V trigger w'd have been even better. This w'd have helped to automatically turn on & off the DacMagic along with other components that have an inbuilt timer & a 12V trigger on it. Most a/v receivers these days come with a timer & a 12V trigger.
Conclusion:
Is spending USD300-400 on a DAC really worth it? Answer is yes and no. A DAC is purely for anyone wanting to improve server / PC based music or someone who does not want to waste space on their rack by adding a CD player. Others who want to improve CD playback c'd also consider investing in a good CD player for more robust playback functions such as shuffle play which most DVD / Bluray players are not great at.
I'm currently using the MF V-DAC with the MF V-PSU & I c'd not be happier with the improved performance. I also replaced the Monster ILSR Fiber Optic Cable with the WireWorld Supernova 6 Glass Optic Cable & the Monster 400i Stereo Interconnects with the Anti-Cables Anti-ICs with Eichmann Copper Bullet plugs to compliment the setup (see pix). I'm really surprised at the improvement each upgrade has made to my budget system. The MF V-PSU takes the already superb performance of the V-DAC to the next level. I cannot imagine ever using the V-DAC again without the V-PSU.
Just my $0.02.
Brgds.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cambridge Audio DacMagic Digital-to-Analog Converter with USB, Black

Enjoy digital music like never before...Adapted Time Filtering (ATF) asynchronous upsampling technology might sound complicated but the benefits are instantly audible. Essentially it converts 16-24 bit audio to 24 bit/192kHz so you hear so much more from compressed material. Meanwhile a 32 bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) eradicates jitter which is especially effective with hard disk playback from PCs or Macintosh computers. Whether your digital music collection is stored on a PC or you use a network music client - SqueezeboxTM, SoundBridgeTM, SonosTM etc - the difference in audible quality is incredible! Games just explode into lifeGaming isn't just about the moving image. By connecting your games console - PlayStations(PS2 and PS3TM), XboxTM and Xbox 360sTM to your hi-fi via DacMagic, dramatically improved soundtracks and special effects are immediately apparent. DacMagic is an audiophile tour de force!DacMagic sports a range of components you'd never dream could be crammed into such a compact case. These include a 32-bit Texas Instruments Digital Signal Processor (DSP), dual Differential Virtual Earth balanced filter topology and twin Wolfson WM8740 high quality DACs in dual differential mode for excellent stereo imaging. Other features include a choice of digital filters - linear phase/minimum phase/steep filter - and an incoming sampling rate indicator which shows the original source quality. You can experiment with different filters for each source connected but DacMagic always remembers the last one assigned to that source. It's flexible and easy to set-upUp to two digital sources - network music devices, games consoles, CD/DVD players etc. can be connected concurrently using S/PDIF or Toslink inputs. Additionally, you can connect DacMagic directly to your PC using a USB connection (no drivers needed) and dramatically improve the quality of your digital music.

Click here for more information about Cambridge Audio DacMagic Digital-to-Analog Converter with USB, Black

Read More...

Polk Audio CSI A6 Center Channel Speaker (Single, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have Polk Audio speakers from the good old days, when they were very good if not exceptional. I needed a more prominent center channel, but I did not want to replace the other "parts" of the home theater arrangement. After contacting Polk tech support, they recommended the CSI A6 as complementary to the existing array. It is a good fit and provides clear dialog and the tone and range blend well. (the system is driven by a Denon 5308)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Polk Audio CSI A6 Center Channel Speaker (Single, Black)

Center channel speakers easily carry the 50% or more of center channel info delivered in multi-channel sources for home theatre systems. The Polk Audio CSI A6 Center Channel Speaker has an aimable cabinet to give you placement flexibility and finer sound-tailoring for your high performance home theater system. The CSi A6 features the latest generation of Dynamic Balance polymer composite drivers for smooth wide-range response with low distortion as well as a 1-inch silk/polymer dome tweeter to deliver better sound detail. The dual rear PowerPort bass venting vastly reduces chuffing or port noise. It provides deeper, more powerful, lower distortion bass than other conventional ported or sealed designs can offer. All-MDF construction creates an acoustically inert cabinet. Acoustically inert stamped driver baskets and floating anti-diffraction grilles minimize grille diffraction for spacious, 3-dimenional sound imaging. Neodymium magnet, low-viscosity ferro-fluid cooling and a heat sink on the back of the magnet to create better power handling and reliability. You are assured classic Polk performance in a design that speaks to today's high-end home décor. True performance art.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Polk Audio CSI A6 Center Channel Speaker (Single, Black)

Read More...

Grado Prestige Series SR225i Headphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a grad student with no money and inexplicably picky tastes in audio equipment. Having acquired a high-end digital stage piano, I've spent the last few months piecing together a suitable setup for home use; in my case, 'suitable' means near-reference grade, but at a cost not exceeding what I can pilfer from Sallie Mae's purse.
Despite the fact that I play and listen mostly at night, I viewed headphones in proportion to their size: reluctantly, I splurged on a $30 pair of Sony oil-barrels.
But after a few weeks of headaches and ringing ears, I headed down to a boutiquey little sound emporium in Boston, having committed myself to spending $100, once and for all, on some SR80s.
Given the opportunity, though, I sat down in a studio and worked my way through the entire three-figure-price spectrum of headphones.
Grado yielded the most promising batch of candidates, but I was surprised at the variance among them: the product specs you read online for Grado really fails to emphasize this. The SR80s were everything I had expected, but then, the SR125s were identifiably more adept at rendering distinct voices within a choir.
Then, foolishly, I clamped on a pair of 225s: bass pours into your head with effortless clarity, background instruments that I never even heard on my old ear-traps were not only present, but warmly textured, etc. When I got them home, $175 later, I decided to baptize them by fire with a mix of Beck and Ben Folds Live, which I find stubbornly muggy at high bass and volume.
The 225s have revealed a completely unknown layer of instrumentation in some of my favorite Beck tracks -- I don't just mean there's a new cello back there: I mean there's a flute, a panpipe, a tapdancer, and a fat booger hanging out of the cellist's nose. As for the live recordings of Ben Folds, not only did the bottom-end piano hold up amidst the hum of the crowd, but you can actually hear people talking to each other in the audience in a couple of tracks that were recorded, it's now evident, in a small theater.
And as for my own piano, I can say that playing through headphones is no longer less desirable than through a set of very commendable Infinity speakers -- especially when I have the phones plugged into my amp instead of the piano itself.
I don't care how broke you are: if you listen attentively to your music -- and you have a quality home amp or receiver to drive these headphones to their potential -- you will not look back,
You might, however, benefit from calling around town... the internet isn't always the best deal for these sorts of products.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Grado Prestige Series SR225i Headphones

The SR225i has an increased airflow by 50% which is achieved through an improved rear metal screen and closer matched drivers. The result is an enlarged soundstage achieved from closer driver tolerances, while the improved rear screen frees the headphone from colorations.

Click here for more information about Grado Prestige Series SR225i Headphones

Read More...

Toshiba 40E200U 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got it at a great price under $500. The picture quality is as good as units costing a lot more. It doesn't have 120hz refresh rate or LED backlight at this price point but I don't play a lot of video games; therefore, high refresh rate isn't a must and the advantanges of LED is not that significant enough (100,000 hrs. LED life-span vs. 15,000 hrs. for fluorescent light source) to justify higher cost. It is well-built and looks stylish. Full 1080p HD resolution - awesome!
My only beef with this model is that it does not have audio output for use with headphones - only the digital output, which is totally useless. Still, for what I paid and considering the picture quality, it's not a deal breaker.
Highly recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba 40E200U 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss)

Enjoy a stunning picture bursting with color and clarity with the 40-inch Toshiba 40E200U LCD HDTV (40-inch diagonal screen size), featuring a 1080p Full HD resolution that provides twice the pixel resolution of 720p HD models. It provides a number of convenient home entertainment options and key picture quality features, including DynaLight dynamic backlight control for deeper black levels and four HDMI digital inputs for simple high quality connection to cable/satellite boxes, DVD players and more. Plus, the HDMI ports feature fast InstaPort switching for quick changes from one source to another.
With the Gaming Mode function, you'll experience reduced game control delay and improved reaction time--perfect for PC gaming--and the Photo Frame capability with Auto Slide Show enables you to display slideshows of your favorite images when not watching TV programming.
Boasting a slimming tapered bezel and attractive front panel gradation, the new Horizon design creates a more modern, elegant appearance that also adds a subtle luminance to the logo to further its stylish appeal. Other features include MP3 playback via the integrated USB port, a PC input, and a removable stand.

Key Features
1080p HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels)
60Hz screen refresh rate
CineSpeed LCD panel with a fast response speed necessary for cleaner high-action home theater images. A wide viewing angle ensures that you'll have the best seat in the house.
DynaLight Backlight Control utilizes advanced image processing to monitor the brightness of each video frame, and adjust the backlight intensity accordingly. This precision creates seamless transitions with deep blacks for increased detail and depth analysis.
Photo Frame capability allows this HDTV to act as both a TV and a digital photo frame. You can showcase your favorite memories as a clear, crisp slide show on the high-resolution television screen--all controlled with just the TV remote.
Gaming Mode takes the gaming experience to a new level by reducing game control delay, thus giving the player improved reaction time and a more realistic playing experience. This is great when used with popular gaming consoles, or with PC games using the TVs PC Input.
Built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital tuning allows for tuning of standard cable channels as well as off-air digital broadcasts, in addition to digital "cable-in-the-clear" broadcasts.
Native Mode restores the size of the picture by the 3-5 percent that is generally lost during the normal over-scanning that occurs on traditional sets.
Cinema Mode 24 fps (3:2 Pulldown): This HDTV performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal, too--a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. To adapt 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video, frames in the original movie must be duplicated; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this duplication by removing the redundant information to display a frame-accurate picture.
Color Temperature Control enables you to adjust white balance to achieve the best television picture possible in any viewing environment, or simply adjust the picture to suit your personal tastes. The "Warm" setting delivers a redder image that is ideal for display in a dimly lit room, while "Medium" and "Cool" provide a progressively bluer image for the best picture as room light levels are increased.
Three TheaterWide modes are ideal for displaying HDTV signals as well as enhanced for widescreen television DVDs.

TheaterWide 1: Letterboxed image is digitally expanded 33 percent horizontally and vertically. Useful for reproducing Academy Standard (1.85:1) formatted software.
TheaterWide 2: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 42 percent vertically. Particularly of use when viewing narrow letterboxed images originally filmed in Panavision or CinemaScope.
TheaterWide 3: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 24 percent vertically. Can be utilized when displaying letterboxed images that incorporate narrow bands at the top and bottom of the picture.


MP3 audio and JPEG image playback via USB port on the side.
REGZA-LINK (HDMI-CEC) allows peripheral AV devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by the remote control.
InstaPort fast HDMI switching between A/V components: Typically, when you switch HDMI inputs, there can be a five or six second delay. With InstaPort, as soon as you select an HDMI source, it will connect in a fraction of the time.
Bottom-mounted invisible speakers integrated into stylish Horizon bezel design (20 Watts total power; 10W + 10W).
Channel Browser allows you to easily scan through the last 32 channels you have viewed, with screen images for the last five channels displayed, by channel, by favorites, and by input, at the touch of a button.
Channel Labeling allows you to put station call letters on the screen along with the station numbers, so you always know what channel you're watching
Input labeling enables you to name the individual inputs to denote usage, such as "DVD Player" (instead of having them display as just "HDMI 1" and "HDMI 2").
Removable stand for wall mounting (200mm x 200mm VESA mounting pattern)
Tri-lingual onscreen menu (English, French, Spanish)
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor

Toshiba 2010 REGZA HDTV Comparison
Learn More
Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

Get 18% OFF

Click here for more information about Toshiba 40E200U 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss)

Read More...

Quad Monitor Stand Supports LCD Monitor 15IN To 24IN Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am using this stand for 4x 24-inch Samsung SyncMaster 245BW monitors. The stand is very stable and built nice and solid. I found it was easier to setup by laying the monitors flat on my desk then attach them to the monitor stand brackets and have someone help you stand it up into place on your desk. It probably took about an hour of tweaking to get it to my liking since I have them curved and tilted a bit. I have very minimal gaps between the monitors which is expected when you are curving and tilting the monitors.Here is some useful info for those of you who have a Samsung SyncMaster 245BW or a monitor with an odd sized mounting bracket and are looking for an affordable adapter:From what I have been told the standard mounting size for most monitors is either 75mmx75mm or 100mmx100mm. My Samsung SnynMaster 245BW has a 100mmx200mm mounting bracket. Once I received my stand I found this out so I went searching on google. These adapters were about $20.00 - $50.00 per bracket!! I found a "200X200mm Bracket Universal Adapter" at MonoPrice.com for $3.73 each and I bought some just expecting to have to modify it a bit to fit my 100mmx200mm but it perfectly worked without modifying it.
On each monitor I used 4 metric sized screws and some standard washers to attach the "MonoPrice: 200X200mm Bracket Universal Adapter" plate and 4 standard screws, washers, and nuts to attach the adapter to the monitor stand mounting bracket. The metric screws were about $2.00 each at Lowes!! If I were to do this again I would have ordered at least the metric screws online before hand.
Hope this helps some of you out there save a bit of $$$ and frustration.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Quad Monitor Stand Supports LCD Monitor 15IN To 24IN

Planar Systems MON STAND FOR-15-24IN LCD MON 997-5602-00 TV & Display Stands

Get 7% OFF

Click here for more information about Quad Monitor Stand Supports LCD Monitor 15IN To 24IN

Read More...

Lx Dual Side By Side Arm Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this a couple of weeks ago to mount 2 of the 24" SAMSUNG LCDs that I purchased. It works great, it easily accomodates side by side 24" monitors.
The only issue I had is that if your monitor's VESA mounts are in a recessed location like mine were (look at the back of the monitor, look for the 4 holes used to mount the screen), you will have to separately purchase a spacer for about $5. This information is not included in the instructions or product description, I had to email the customer service to find out what to do. This was annoying given the premium price of the product, but it now works flawlessly.
One other minor quibble is that the cable management provided includes those annoying zip ties. Kind of shabby for a high-end mount like this. I bought some velcro cable ties for $5 or so about a week later that do an infinitely better job.
I actually use this side by side mount and a separate mount for a 3rd monitor (the Ergotron dual stacking arm -- not using the 4th arm at the moment). The monitors are in the corner of the room, and have a clean look like they're floating in space when you walk in the room. Very sleek.
In summary, great product, but you may need to purchase a couple other accessories for a few bucks to get the most out of it. Would definitely buy again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lx Dual Side By Side Arm

LX DUAL SIDE-BY-SIDE ARM

Get 29% OFF

Click here for more information about Lx Dual Side By Side Arm

Read More...

Apple Ibook G4 1ghz LEOPARD 10.5 OFFICE 2004 512mb 30gb DVD/CDRW WIFI includes carrying case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have an iMac in my office and I like it very much. So, when it came time for buying a home computer, I got the same iMac, but got the version with the larger screen and more memory at the advice of my wife. Well, we've blown two hard drives on the home iMac (covered under warranty, except for the lost files) and I'm rather annoyed. Nevertheless, I really like it as a computer. Alas, my wife likes it too and she's constantly working on eBay things. Too much so, in my opinion. I've been constantly on her for working at the computer all the time and blocking my usage. As a solution, she gave me an iBook G4 for Christmas (1907).
I really like this little iBook. It's been completely trouble free, and in that respect is better than either of my iMacs. It's fast and my enjoyment of working on it greatly increased after I purchased a Mighty Mouse to go with it. I'm a college professor and I give about 12 classroom lectures per week. I also give visiting lectures (about 2 per month) all over Southern California. I store my PowerPoint presentations in the computer and it works out very well. I simply walk into a classroom or hall, plug in the equipment and I'm ready to go. Everything works real well, as long as I'm the one setting it up. When others have set it up, I've had a couple problems which they then blame on Apple equipment. There's an "Apple Phobia" that's widely prevelant. That's nonsense. It's their own ineptitude that's the problem. This is a real nifty computer and works splendidly for my purposes.
Gary Peterson

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple Ibook G4 1ghz LEOPARD 10.5 OFFICE 2004 512mb 30gb DVD/CDRW WIFI includes carrying case

Calling all you Apple enthusiasts! This Apple iBook G4 notebook is looking for a good home. Pre-installed components include an Apple G4 1ghz processor, 512 MB of RAM, a 30 GB hard drive, Airport Extreme WIFI. The Apple iBook notebook has Mac OS X 10.5 pre-installed and a cdrom drive ready to access media. Watch vivid images on its 12.1-inch TFT LCD and listen to integrated audio with its built-in speakers. Connect to the Internet with via its integrated ethernet and 56K modem. If you've always wanted an Apple notebook but couldn't afford one, this Apple iBook is for you!

Click here for more information about Apple Ibook G4 1ghz LEOPARD 10.5 OFFICE 2004 512mb 30gb DVD/CDRW WIFI includes carrying case

Read More...

Apple MacBook Pro MB134LL/A 15.4-inch Laptop (2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In March 2008, I decided it was time to upgrade from a G4-based laptop to one of the new Intel models. I deliberated back and forth whether the lower priced MacBook would be sufficient or whether to pay the premium for the "Pro" model. Ultimately, I decided upon the MacBook Pro for these reasons.
Construction quality
The aluminum case of the MacBook Pro reminds me of a product made by the Swiss. The build quality is outstanding for a mass-produced device. It feels very substantial, and all the pieces fit together nearly seamlessly. The MacBook's case, however, is made from a high-grade plastic rather than metal. It's nice ... but I found the front edge of the MacBook's case a bit sharp on my wrists as I typed.
Ports
Compared with the MacBook, the MacBook Pro provides an additional USB port plus Firewire 800. The latter is desirable for people who work with video and external drives that have Firewire 800 connectors. The ExpressCard slot is useful for future expansion and services such as wireless broadband (EVDO).
Keyboard
Keyboard experiences are subjective; but I find the keyboard on the MacBook Pro the most comfortable of any laptop I've ever used. It feels solid and responsive. Plus, its backlighting is helpful when typing in dark environments.
Dedicated video
Unlike the MacBook that shares system memory for video (integrated graphics), the MacBook Pro has a dedicated video processor. This is beneficial for driving large external displays and running graphics-intensive applications.
Is the MacBook Pro worth the $700 price differential over a MacBook? That depends on whether you are a general home computer user (i.e., e-mail, web browsing, iTunes, word processing) or someone who uses their laptop for more advanced purposes. My user profile is more in the second category. Also, since I intend to keep this computer for three years, I figure that the premium breaks down to about $233 each year. This seems reasonable to me for something I use every day.
In view of the additional quality and benefits that the MacBook Pro offers, I think its higher price brings with it commensurate value. It's hard to imagine even finicky laptop users being disappointed with the MacBook Pro.
P.S. -- There are two 15-inch MacBook Pro models. I bought the 2.4 gHz "entry level" model. It is the better value. I do not feel the 2.5 gHz MacBook Pro is worth the extra $500.
Also, people who care to add system memory (beyond the stock 2 gigabytes supplied by Apple) ought to purchase it from a third-party vendor and install it themselves. It is a simple process.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple MacBook Pro MB134LL/A 15.4-inch Laptop (2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive)

Stylishly and intelligently designed for mobile professionals, Apple's MacBook Pro now includes Apple's Multi-Touch technology (which debuted with the MacBook Air), allowing you to pinch, swipe, or rotate to enlarge text, advance through photos, or adjust an image. And it gets a serious speed bump from Intel's latest 2.5 GHz 45-nanometer Penryn series Core 2 Duo processor (with 6 MB L2 cache), which also helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. This model (MB134LL/A ) also has a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display measuring 15.4 inches and a state-of-the art NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT video card with 512 MB of GDDR3 video RAM.
Meticulously designed and encased in sleek and sturdy aluminum, the MacBook Pro measures just 1 inch thin and weighs 5.4 pounds. Your hands have room to spread out on the full-size keyboard with crisp, responsive keys, and the MacBook Pro has a built-in ambient light sensor that adjusts the keyboard and display brightness so it\'s easy to work in low-light settings. Other standard Apple "extras" includes a built-in iSight video camera and Apple's magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter, which safely disconnects when under strain.
It's pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife '08 suite of applications--including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes--and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (which can be upgraded to 4 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), FireWire 400 and 800 ports, DVI video output, and an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking.
Apple Innovations The MacBook Pro is the culmination of years of refining hardware and software design to an integrated art, and Apple's Multi-Touch technology is just the latest innovation to be added to it. The advanced trackpad now allows you to flip through photos, enlarge text, and adjust an image using just your fingers. It also comes with a MagSafe power adapter connector, which offers a magnetic connection instead of a physical one. So, if you happen to trip over a power cord, you won't send MacBook Pro flying off a table or desk--the cord simply disconnects, without damage to either the cord or the system.
The MacBook Pro has battery life that rivals most notebooks in its class. If you'd like to make that battery last even longer, Mac OS X has a few tricks up its sleeve. Go to System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and change battery optimization from Normal to Better Battery Life. Or tell MacBook Pro to reduce its screen brightness and give yourself a little more time untethered.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Penryn series Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor, which has a 2.50 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a super-sized 6 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With a whopping 6 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.
Hard Drive and Memory The 250 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of PC5300 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) have an industry-leading 667 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.
Wireless Connectivity The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.
Display and Graphics The 15.4-inch widescreen TFT display offers a native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels and an antiglare widescreen display that's perfect for color-minded professionals. The display is backlit by light emitting diodes (LEDs), which gives it a lighter weight and more power efficiency than the cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) which most notebooks employ. It's also better for the environment, thanks to its new mercury-free display.
Video and graphics are powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card, which is boosted by 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM. GDDR3 (Graphics Double Data Rate, version 3) is a graphics card-specific memory technology that's better able to deliver fluid frame rates for even the most advanced games and applications. The GeForce 8600M GT brings a new level of realism to the MacBook Pro with its 16-lane PCI Express architecture, 16x full screen anti-aliasing, 128-bit High Dynamic Range rendering, and a texture fill rate of up to 8.2 billion per second.
Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight Artfully placed in the display bezel is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.
Other Features
Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, ExpressCard/34 slot
DVI output port; VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter
8x slot-loading SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD±R; 4x DVD±R DL (double layer); 4x DVD±RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
Backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors for automatic adjustment of keyboard illumination and screen brightness
Internal omnidirectional microphone and built-in speakers
Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)
Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
60-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 6 hours of battery life
Kensington cable lock slot
Measures 14.1 x 9.6 x 1 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.4 pounds (including battery)

Preloaded with Leopard and iLife '08 The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including:
Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
Major enhancements to Mail and iChat
Leopard's new desktop includes the redesigned 3-D Dock with Stacks, a new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click. Leopard automatically places web, e-mail and other downloads in a Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network.
Time Machine lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file.
The MacBook also comes with the iLife '08 suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who's got an e-mail address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on the web in one click with iWeb.
Included Software Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools); iLife '08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand); Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive; iWork '08 (30-day trial)
Certified Frustration-Free Packaging Amazon.com has certified this product is Frustration Free. A Frustration-Free Package is easy-to-open and comes without hard plastic "clamshell" casings, plastic bindings, and wire ties. It's designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your product just as well as traditional packaging during shipping. Products with Frustration-Free Packaging can frequently be shipped in their own boxes, without the need for an additional shipping box. Learn more about Frustration-Free Packaging.
What's in the Box MacBook Pro, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord, lithium-polymer battery, DVI to VGA adapter, display cleaning cloth, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

Click here for more information about Apple MacBook Pro MB134LL/A 15.4-inch Laptop (2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive)

Read More...

AppleCare Protection Plan (For Portable Apple Computers 15 Inches and Above) OLD VERSION Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been a Mac owner since 1992 and am still a completely satisfied customer. Apple is AWESOME when it comes to Apple Care usage. Back in 2001 I sent in my G4 Powerbook for a logic board fix due to the old "pixel flicker" problem, and not only got it back in 3 days, but also got a new top case (where you rest your hands/trackpad) and they replaced my missing feet for free and without request! (The feet cost about $50 a set, and the top case is roughly $250.)
In 2006 I sent in the same G4 Powerbook for another logical board fix (5 years of heat abuse bent the logic board) I again received quick service and replacement feet.
I've also used Apple Care to get new chargers for my laptops. (Mine tend to short out after a few years as I use my laptops 10+ hours a day, 7 days a week, and take them EVERYWHERE with me). I've also gotten brand new replacement iPods with my Apple Care if they've had any drive problems (e.g. from dropping them).
The customer service people are friendly (for call center/customer service people), they have very quick shipping and the procedure as a whole is pretty effortless as far as tech support goes.
Apple Care is ABSOLUTELY worth the money. If there are ANY bugs in your computer, Apple will fix them at no additional cost, with speedy service. If you buy a Mac, you MUST buy Apple Care. It can be a life saver!
(Tips: 1) If you buy any 3rd party hardware for your computer, always take it OUT before taking it to a Mac Genius or sending it to Apple. They do not support 3rd party hardware. 2) ALWAYS back up your computer before you take it/send it in to avoid their backup fee.)

Click Here to see more reviews about: AppleCare Protection Plan (For Portable Apple Computers 15 Inches and Above) OLD VERSION

Every Mac comes with 90 days of telephone support and one year of service coverage at an Apple-authorized repair center. The AppleCare Protection Plan for portable Apple computers 15 inches and above (MA515LL/A) extends the complimentary coverage to three years of world-class support. The plan includes expert telephone assistance, global repair coverage, web-based resources, and TechTool Deluxe from Micromat--all for one economical price.
This comprehensive AppleCare Protection Plan covers your 15 inch and larger MacBook/MacBook Pro, as well as an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM purchased for your portable Apple computer. You can also register one Apple display for coverage, provided the Mac and display are purchased together.



One Number to Call for Help Get direct telephone access to Apple's own technical support group, the people who know your system best. Because Apple creates the computer, the operating system, and many built-in applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. Just one phone call can help resolve most issues with your Mac because AppleCare representatives can help troubleshoot Apple hardware, the Mac operating system, and many Apple consumer applications, including iLife, iWork, Jam Packs, iChat AV, Mail, Safari, iCal, iSync, AppleWorks, and QuickTime.

Convenient Repair Options The AppleCare Protection Plan ensures that Apple-certified technicians will perform repairs using genuine Apple parts. With this plan, parts and labor will be covered for three years from the date of purchase of your Apple computer, two years beyond the one-year limited warranty. This plan includes global repair coverage, which can be very important if you travel abroad.

Coverage Information The AppleCare Protection Plan is subject to terms and conditions, which are provided on the AppleCare Protection Plan website.

To qualify for the AppleCare Protection Plan, your product must be within its one-year Apple hardware warranty.
A separate AppleCare Protection Plan must be purchased for each Apple system to be covered.
Mac mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro/MacBook Air/MacBook customers may also enroll one Apple display for coverage, provided that the Mac and the display are purchased together.
Global repair coverage is included.
This AppleCare Protection Plan covers an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM are included in the coverage of the computer with which they are used.

Frequently Asked Questions Can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime?
You can purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime within the one-year limited warranty period. Your eligibility for coverage under the AppleCare Protection Plan starts from your hardware purchase date. Apple strongly recommends that you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan when you purchase your Apple product to maximize the additional benefits provided under the plan. What service options does the AppleCare Protection Plan offer? Apple may provide service through one or more of the following options: carry-in service (to Apple retail stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers), direct mail-in service, onsite service (for desktop computers), or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) parts (so you can service your own product). What does "global repair coverage" mean? If you take your Apple hardware with you when you travel and happen to need repair service, the AppleCare Protection Plan offers global repair coverage. You can either go to an Apple retail store or contact Apple for information on how to obtain service. Service will be limited to the options available in the country where service is requested. Service options, parts availability, and response time vary according to country. Please see the AppleCare Protection Plan Terms and Conditions for complete details. When I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan, do I need to register it? If you purchase your AppleCare Protection Plan and your covered product separately or elsewhere, you will need to register your AppleCare Protection Plan. Your AppleCare Protection Plan coverage starts from your hardware purchase date. Registering your AppleCare Protection Plan at a later date does not extend your coverage.

Get 13% OFF

Click here for more information about AppleCare Protection Plan (For Portable Apple Computers 15 Inches and Above) OLD VERSION

Read More...

Samsung P2770H 27-Inch Widescreen Touch of Color LCD Monitor - Rose Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just thought I'd throw in my two cents about this monitor. This is an excellent choice for the price. I bought mine from Costco (I wonder if Amazon will block my post for this... well we will find out.)
PROS:
-Super sharp display (everything I'd expect from Samsung) at 1920 x 1080 resolution.
-Fast response time at 2ms
-Bright, clear display (as one user stated... too bright at factory settings)
-Colors are amazing and black is black (again, expected nothing less from Samsung)
-Turns on and adjusts to appropriate video signal very quickly (I upgraded from a 21" ViewSonic and this was an issue)
-Supplied adapters support DVI to DVI and VGA to DVI, the monitor does not come with an HDMI to HDMI cable but it does have an HDMI input.
-Beautiful display, looks really sharp on my desk, and nice and thin.
CONS:
-Others have mentioned difficulties with the touch controls for on/off and menu features. Yes, at first they are difficult to master, but you wont spend much time with the menu once you've got your brightness and contrast set, and as long as you touch the power spot where the graphic is instead of where you think the light is, you won't have an issue here either.
-No height adjustment. There is tilt and swivel adjustment, though.
-No ability to mount on a wall. The standard 10x10 wall mount is absent on this monitor.
-Others have mentioned no speakers, it's only a monitor, folks. Besides, I have never been impressed with internal speaker quality on a PC monitor.
-Others have mentioned no remote. True, but again, it's only a display, no TV tuner, no speakers. If you hook it up to say a Blue Ray DVD player via HDMI, they have thoughtfully included both a digital fiber optic and analog stereo mini out so you could route sound to an external source.
-Overall, I'm super impressed with this monitor. It is a vast improvement over the ViewSonic 21" 1400x1050 monitor it replaced. For $300, plus a $16 hazardous waste disposal fee, plus tax, it's a bargain for a monitor of this quality. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung P2770H 27-Inch Widescreen Touch of Color LCD Monitor - Rose Black

Presenting the 27" P2770H Touch of Color widescreen LCD monitor. A truly stunning monitor to behold, it features a rose black gradation. The crystal-like clear acrylic stand gives the illusion of a floating monitor, and the thin profile defines elegance. 70,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio gives you tremendous detail, while 2 ms (G to G) response time gives you razor-sharp motion video. And the P2770H does it in 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution. The Samsung Touch of Color widescreen LCD monitors.

Click here for more information about Samsung P2770H 27-Inch Widescreen Touch of Color LCD Monitor - Rose Black

Read More...

Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 Active Multimedia Speakers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Oooh my Goodness are these speakers are spectacular. Once upon a time I wrote the longest review on Amazon ever comparing the Bose Companion 5's with Klipsch THX and a set of Logitechs - all 2.1 speaker sets. The Bose Companion 5's won out for their bright clarity, surround effect, rich bass etc. They pleased me immensely... for about a year. What I started noticing, across every set that I have since then tried, was that I just got tired of listening. Silence prevailed. Music that doesn't sound amazing can only be tolerated for so long, especially if you're not nuts about the song and I found that I could only take it in small bursts. I have now listened to probably 20 different ipod docks and self powered speaker solutions, have taken home 10, (and returned 7) and truly there is no sound quite as clear and perfect as these speakers.
I wanted to step it up from those first three units I tried and brought home three of what I thought would be the next top of the line contenders: AudioEngine's A5bookshelf speakers, Focal's 2.1 system with subwoofer, and the B&W MM-1s. I had them all connected for a week at the same time to my iMac via USB and stereo mini plug. Song by song, hour by hour I listened, and felt the music sitting, standing, dancing, working out. Sometimes I changed between the speakers several times within one song, back and forth, listening, feeling the following: Jazz like Diana Krall and Ray Charles, Rap like Fabolous and Missy Elliot, Oldies like Four Seasons and Elvis, R&B like Chris Brown and Christina Aguilera, tribal, dub, lounge like Thievery Corporation, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, soundtracks, musicals, classical, rock, Spanish Guitar like Ottmar Liebert, Spa music, a tiny tiny hint of country or Ozzy Osborn and even Disney soundtracks. I covered the spectrum I'd say. Nothing came close to the sound of the B&Ws.
Here's what I found:
The AudioEngine A5's are powerful. They deliver hard hitting bass and seem to be very clear - until you hear something better. Their application is more for a party if you ask me. Zero tolerance for low volumes and very boomy sounding compared to the rest... but I'd keep them if I had a different application- like maybe a pool party. The Focal's - a $600 speaker system on the Apple site (much less on amazon) were also powerful and had a really really clean amazing sound... until you play the MM-1s and it sounds like someone is holding their hand up to the mouth of the artist as they try to push their voice through the other sounds. That and I realized I had other systems to do what this does.
Adjectives for the MM-1s: Brilliant, clear, perfection, balanced, desirable, delicious, pleasurable, shocking, powerful, harmonious...
I simply cannot get enough of these speakers.
A few fun facts:
- If you live in an apartment they have the added bonus of not disturbing your neighbors at loud volumes because there is no subwoofer yet the bass still cranks. You can listen louder and longer.
- I thought I had rediscovered music a year ago but this is not the case. Every other system to date, while it may have been able to go a little louder, or handle deeper bass, or give me that up-in-the-club-feeling, simply cannot give the detail, clarity of sound, spaciousness and all out deliciousness to listen to as these speakers do.

- I wanted to clear even more clutter from my desk and floor and lose the subwoofer from the Bose. This setup allows you to have 2 s m a l l, elegant, sexy speakers on your desk without any other clutter or unnecessary wires.
- They're tuned specifically for up close listening and do sound best as such, but quality is not lost when filling the room with sound or standing 20 feet away
- The remote is a nice bonus and the volume control interacts with your full system volume so you're not constantly adjusting speaker volume against computer volume- there is just one.
- This system has a built in DAC to make your sound soar
- Love that the remote is wireless! Why are wired remotes even made anymore.
- They do not distort at full volume- unless you have a poorly recorded piece of music
Bowers and Wilkins.
It's important to remember who these people are (something I didn't know when I bought the MM-1s) B&W are one of THE definitive heavy hitters. $2000 bookshelf speakers, $15,000 (and up) for floor standing speakers. Most of what we listen to is recorded on B&W equipment and so forth. This company knows sound and they deliver it masterfully - their goal being to deliver exactly what the artist intended without any adjustments.
They decimate the competition.
If you looooove rap and hip-hop, R&B and pop as I do you will *think* you want the other set that pumps more deep bass and maybe goes a little louder. You will convince yourself that you need a subwoofer. Trust me you do not. It will win out for your two minute eargasm but it will not win out in the long run. You'll just wind up turning it down and then off because it will start to sound like white noise. These MM-1s are about falling in love with music, and smiling often. Did you hear that! Whoa! What was that sound! WOW! They go plenty loud, and don't distort. These speakers are suitable across every single genre of music I have heard to date.
There is one things these speakers cannot do on *some songs,* and that is heavy hard hitting Deep Subwoofer Bass. But I kid you not I am listening to some of the deepest bass right now on them and it's just melting over my ears. It's really only on side by side comparisons you'll notice it.Subwoofer bass is just a different animal... it forces itself to resonate in your chest- which I love. But remember these speakers application - right in front of you sitting down. You want this sounding good across super low volumes as well as high and very few speakers can do that. Plus many of us have other systems for different applications. I've got a SoundDock in my bedroom because at low volumes it's amazing to wake up to. In my living room I've got my surround system with subwoofer and such for bigger parties and movies when I'm 15 feet away.
I'll close with a little trick: I happen to have a Bose Sounddock 10 (the really large one), hooked up to an AirPort express in my hallway. Guess what that thing shines at giving? Heavy hard hitting bass. So if you really want that boomy undercurrent, play it at the same time as another bass driven item you have in your house and that 808 boom will round out perfectly with the MM-1s when you just have to get up and dance.
That said these speakers are not lacking in any way. They're the size of two Starbucks cups and the sound that comes out of them, minute by minute, song after song, day after day is without a doubt MIND BENDING. I thought I had a low tolerance to my music and the truth is my ears just can't stand mediocre sound anymore. I even purchased a year subscription on Pandora One because I have rediscovered music and want to take it all in all over again. I walk into the room and every time my eyes widen at the sound that pours out of these mythic pieces of art. Such is my faith in this company I am selling the Bose and getting the Zeppelin for the hallway so that I can have true hi-fi everywhere. I've heard it's a bit 'bassier' than the MM-1s which is what I want anyhow. Give these things a chance... really listen to your music you will see what a breathtaking delight these things are. As always if you have any questions you can email me and I'll answer what I can. My name is Tari and you can reach me at buy@epica.com

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 Active Multimedia Speakers

MM-1s aren't like most other computer speakers. They're true hi-fi speakers, shrunk to fit on your desktop. So they don't just look great - they sound amazing, transforming your computer into a superb hi-fi stereo sound system. But then you'd expect nothing less from the makers of the award-winning Zeppelin iPod speaker, not to mention some of the most advanced studio speakers in the world. The Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 Speakers bring true hi-fi quality sound to your desktop, giving your Mac the audio enhancement it deserves. The MM-1 have two drivers, one dedicated to bass and midrange frequencies and another for the treble, so they deliver accurate sound just like full-size speakers. The MM-1 tweeters incorporate a tube-loaded design, which dampens resonance and produces purer high frequency sounds. By adjusting the sound balance depending on the signal, these speakers keep bass effects powerful and music sounding rich and detailed, no matter how loud you play it. You can stream audio directly from your Mac via USB, with your MM-1 speakers acting like an external sound card, to give you the best possible audio quality. MM-1 speakers are true hi-fi speakers, shrunk to fit on your desktop. They don't just look great, they sound great too, transforming your computer into a superb stereo sound system. The beautifully designed infrared remote controls the basic functions of the MM-1 and iTunes, so you can play and pause, and skip tracks forward or back from almost anywhere in the room. Features:Improved audio quality High quality headphone output using studio grade DACs Enhanced sound for headphone output Full remote control for iTunes Cloth grill and aluminum top plate to complement your computer Aux line-in for use with iPod or iPhone 3.5mm stereo jack or USB connection to your computer Pebble-shape Full remote control for MM-1 and iTunesSpecification

Click here for more information about Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 Active Multimedia Speakers

Read More...