The Speakers : Comparison: Five 5.1 and 6.1 Speakers

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The Speakers

By Philippe Ramelet, published on January 8, 2003
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: comparison

Contents

3. The Speakers

Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 550 5.1

MegaWorks 550 5.1 is the next generation of MegaWorks' 510D, one of the earliest high-end multimedia systems to have reached new heights in pricing, and whose high quality was indisputable. The 550 5.1 has undergone some modifications in comparison with the 510D, which are inherent in its THX certification. These new speakers and the Audigy 2 sound cards benefit from such certification.

They basically cover three important criteria:

Sound quality. This is judged on the basis of bandwidth, frequency balance, homogeneity of front and rear satellite speakers, sound positioning qualities, and the system's abilities to meet the output levels claimed for it. Ergonomics of the interface. This also includes ease of installation and use. Quality of the construction..

THX certification implies that both front satellite speakers as well as the central speaker are normally identical and bipolar. The sound emitted normally ought to be directed at the listener and should be prevented from reverberating around the floor and ceiling of the room. Finally, the bandwidth ought not drop below 80 Hz, which requires that a THX system have a woofer.