We like large screens especially for our PCs, so we thought we’d take a quick look at this Samsung 32 inch LED monitor. The S32D850T currently sells for US$700 on Amazon and you sure get a whole lot of screen for your money.
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We like USB/HDD docking stations, very handy to have when you’ve got spare HDDs or SSDs lying around. And here’s a cool one from Sabrent.
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It can handle 3.5, 2.5 inch HDDs and SSDs in its dual bays with a USB 3.0 connection to the PC. The really funky feature on the Sabrent EC-HDD2 is the Standalone Duplicator, which as its name suggests allows you to clone a hard drive without being connected to a PC. Simply drop in a couple of HDDs (one being blank ideally!) and hit the copy button and let the docking station do its thing! Just to round off its features are the facts that the EC-HDD2 is hot-swappable and plug and play. What could be easier?
With the gaming fraternity squarely in its cross-hairs, the Polk Audio N1 Sound bar offers ‘The Single-Speaker Secret to Great Gaming Audio’. A wild claim may be? Not according to the reviews that are floating around for this piece of kit.
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The N1 will connect up to the gaming console of your choice with its 6 foot (2 metre) digital optical cable and will blast forth the audio from your gaming sessions. Microsoft has collaborated on the Polk N1 and it consequently has a couple of modes specifically for Halo and Forza Motorsport.
Our concern with the N1 is that by providing an output for a sub-woofer that this implies the bass is a bit lacking in the unit. This is mentioned in some of the reviews but of course at least the sub-woofer output allows you to beef up the sound if required.
Polk Audio N1 Sound Bar features and specifications
• Collaboration of game designers and audio engineers.
• Connects directly to your console
• Dolby® Digital and Polk’s patented SDA® Surround Sound Technology
• Customized, optimized audio built in
Polk Audio N1 Sound Bar reviews
Amazon
PC Mag – 4 out of 5
Crutchfield – 4.8 out of 5
Pros – Simple setup, design, multiple inputs
Cons – not for audiophiles
The reviews are very positive claiming the Polk Audio N1 works well across the spectrum of audio. So whether you’re into gaming, movies or music, the Polk Audio N1 could well be your audio solution.
We’ve been looking at Bose gear a lot recently, so rather than halt the trend we’re going to continue with a quick peek at the CineMate Series II 2.1 sound system today. This compact 2.1 home theatre system sports Articulated Array speakers and is specifically aimed at users looking to hook up a sound system to their TV. There’s a simple setup, with a four button easy to use remote control.
Bose CineMate Series II specifications
* 2.1 channel configuration
* 2 speakers and sub-woofer, all wired
* Integrated Amplifier
* 1 x Optical audio input (SPDIF)
* 1 x audio line-in
The key with the Bose CineMate Series II is it’s ability to fool the user into believing that they have full surround sound produced by just two speakers. Bose reckon they do this, and describe the process with a couple of boffins in the video below.
Bose CineMate Series II video
Bose CineMate Series II reviews
Amazon
CNet – 3.5 out of 5
Epinions – 3 out of 5
BestBuy – 4.4 out of 5
Pros – Ease of use and setup, sound quality
Cons – Lack of treble/bass controls
Whilst the 3.7 score for the Bose CineMate Series II doesn’t exactly light up the home theatre sound system world, the reviews are not massively negative. So if you’re looking for a sound system for a spare room or may be just have a small lounge the CineMate Series II may be what you’re after.
We confess, we like soundbars, nice shiny soundbars. Of course they may not pump out the greatest quality sound in the world but if you’re looking for a compact alternative to multiple speakers and trailing cables then a soundbar is what you are after. And today we are looking at the CineMate 1 soundbar from quality speaker manufacturer Bose. Unfortunately with that ‘quality’ tag comes a high price and US$1,499 is not cheap by anyone’s standard. But let’s first look at the numbers and then the reviews before closing our wallet on the CineMate.
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Bose CineMate 1 features and specifications
* Wall-mounted option for soundbar
* ADAPTiQ audio calibration system – funky system that sets up the CineMate to suit your room
* PhaseGuide sound radiators work with TrueSpace technology to ensure the sound gets to where it’s supposed to be!
* SmartSource input selection system to ensure the best quality sound source is selected
* Wireless Acoustimass module – no nasty cables!
* The remote control is programmable to enable use with other gear
* Soundbar – 4.9 x 36.8 x 2.4 inches ; 7.8 pounds
* Acoustimass module – 11.1 x 14.7 x 7.6 inches ; 13.8 pounds
Bose Cinematic Video Review from B&H
Bose Cinematic 1 SR reviews
Amazon
BestBuy – 4.4. out of 5
Crutchfield – 5 out of 5
Pros – Design, wireless subwoofer, easy calibration
Cons – Cost, no HDMI inputs
Despite the glowing customer reviews, we’re going to give the Bose CineMate 1 SR speaker system a thumbs down. There are too many negatives that just grate for our liking, no HDMI, no iPod dock and there are a number of ‘satisfied’ customers who readily admit that for movies and games they’d rather have a 5.1 system. Whilst we realise that a soundbar is never meant to fully replace a surround sound system in terms of audio experience, asking someone to pay $1500 for an inferior product is a touch cheeky if you ask us.
If you disagree and/or have the Bose Cinemate 1 SR then please comment on your experience below
The slim line T Series speakers from KEF make their T305 Home Theatre System worth checking out. As well as being space-saving the 35mm thin speakers look stylish too and despite their small size they deliver on power. And in general the reviews say that the sound quality, which of course is what it’s all about, of the KEF T305 matches the stylish slimline looks. Interested? Then read on ….
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KEF T305 Home Theatre Specifications
T301 speaker
• (2) 4[1/2]-inch woofers
• 1-inch tweeter
• Included wall mount plate and desktop stand
• Horizontal T301c center speaker also available
• 23.6 x 5.5 x 1.4 in; 3.3 lb.
T2 subwoofer
• 10-inch driver powered by 250-watt Class D amp
• Line-level input only
• 15 x 14.6 x 7 in; 28.6 lb.
KEF T305 Home Theatre Reviews
Amazon
Home Theater – 5 out of 5
Pros – styling match for panel displays, excellent sound, strong subwoofer
Cons – Price
Whilst we struggled to find a lot of reviews for the KEF T305 Home Theatre System, the ones we did all gave it 5 out of 5. The only fly in the ointment was the cost but we feel in the speaker system market you do pay what you get for. Want better sound quality? You pay more money, as simple as that. So needless to say the KEF T305 Home Theatre Sound System package gets a big thumbs up from Our Picks.
Today we’re taking a quick look at the stylish Bose SoundDock Series II iPhone/iPod speaker system. This music system certainly looks the part with the usual high standard Bose design and apparently it packs a punch too. The only downside that we can find is that a may be a bit too pricey for some people’s taste. However the SoundDock Series II certainly gets top marks on sound quality which of course is what it’s all about with a speaker system.
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Bose SoundDock Series II Features
* Award-winning performance plus versatile features
* Ideal for use in kitchen, bedroom, living room—practically anywhere in your home
* Remote controls basic iPod® functions including playlist navigation
* Auxiliary input for use with other sound sources, like MP3 or DVD/CD player
* Compatible with most iPhone® and most iPod models
* Remote control (extra) handles power, volume, track seek and iPod playlist navigation from almost anywhere in the room
* Auxiliary input lets you play other audio sources, such as a portable DVD player, CD or other MP3 player
Bose SoundDock Series II Reviews
Amazon
CNet – 4 out of 5
iLounge – B recommendation
iPhone Speaker Reviews – 9 out of 10
Pros – Sound quality, Ease of use, Design
Cons – Cost
Despite it’s price tag, the quality and style of the Bose SoundDock Series II forces us to give it a big Our Picks thumbs up.
Here’s a quick video from a Target store taking by a customer of the Bose SoundDock Series II demo.
