Ultra Cool Gadgets

The fact is, analog audio equipment is sensitive to a different type of noise than video, just as video is sensitive to a different type of noise than digital, and so on. In the past, manufacturers have used filters to combat the problem of noise introduced via power sources. Unfortunately, the filters were not optimized to attenuate at the different frequencies that are unique to digital, analog audio, and video realms. Products that managed to deliver truly cleaner AC power were thousands of dollars in price, out of reach for most people. Enter Head Monster Noel Lee. An uncompromising audiophile, Lee joined forces with Richard Marsh, the world’s foremost expert on AC power, to develop affordable solutions to AC power problems. The result? Monster Clean Power.
Monster PowerCenters also offer the most comprehensive home theater system protection available, featuring higher joule ratings for faster acting, full capacity surge protection. Monster’s Multiple SurgeGuard and Tri-Mode Circuitry instantly detects any voltage surge or spike and immediately suppresses it before it can reach your components. And, for your total peace of mind, the latest generation of Monster Home Theatre Reference PowerCenters come with higher Connected Equipment Guarantees (CEGs).

Technical Details:
- Monster Clean Power Stage 2 v.2.1 circuitry filter dramatically reduces electronic noise.
- T2 automatic disconnect/reconnect protection circuitry.
- Tri-Mode power protection circuitry with audible alarm and auto disconnect.
- 5750 joule rating provides a high level of surge absorption.
- 10 surge-protected, color-coded AC outlets. level of surge absorption.

Customer feedback:

1. I bought this as extra protection for my Samsung 56 inch DLP and audio system. Compared to using a normal surge protector, the Monster HTS 2600 indeed provided a clearer picture, cleaning up the snow and artifacts. I haven’t really tested out the audio yet. It’s good for peace of mind, as I want to protect my expensive investment.

2. The HTS 2600 MKII is a good product for the price($184 @ Amazon). I am not convinced that the “filtering” of clean current is that important in an area that has a modern power grid. However, the two major advantages that make it worth while are: (1) Provides excellent power surge protection for my $6K HTS investment; (2) Provides plenty of power outlets, coaxial cable outlets to organize the spiderweb of cables for HDTV, X-Box, DVD, VCR, AV Reciever, Sat/DVR with room to spare. Original HTS was DOA, but didn’t realize it within 30-days since I was awaiting for other components. Amazon still exchanged it .. Thanks a million!

Product Features
- Six piece surround sound package that includes 2 front and 2 surround speakers, 1 center-channel speaker, and 1 subwoofer
- Satellite and center-channel speakers utilize 3.25-inch polymer-composite cone drivers for distortion-free midrange
- Features 0.5-inch silk and polymer-composite dome tweeter in each satellite speakers and 0.75-inch silk and polymer-composite dome tweeter in center-channel speaker
- Subwoofer utilizes an eight-inch long-throw dynamic-balance poly-composite driver for longer driver excursion and better linearity
- Satellite and center-channel speakers can accommodate 6.1 or 7.1 channel systems
Tweeter complement (front/surround): 1 x 0.5-inch (13-millimeter) silk/polymer composite dome
Driver complement (front/surround): 1 x 3.5-inch (89-millimeter) polymer composite cone
Tweeter complement (center): 1 x 0.75-inch (19-millimeter) silk/polymer composite dome
Driver complement (center): 2 x 3.5-inch (89-millimeter) polymer composite cones
Subwoofer complement: 1 x 8-inch (203-millimeter) front-firing dynamic balance woofer
Overall frequency response: 40 to 24000 Hz
Frequency response (-3 dB limit): 45 to 20000 Hz

Customer feedback:

1. The Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 channel home theater speaker system is phenomenal and an outstanding value. I had originally been looking for a home theater in a box system to mate to a newly acquired 37″ LG LCD HDTV. The search was partly precipitated by the demise of the older generation DVD player we owned coupled to a failing 10 year old Onkyo surround-sound system. As I poked around on-line reviews and shopped Circuit City and Best Buy it became clear I could get more value and flexibility buying a receiver, an upscalable DVD player (improved picture with regular DVDs on HDTV) and a new speaker system than with home theater in a box.

2. Yesterday I finished installing the speakers… largely using the rich amount of educational information available on the polk audio website that helped me with speaker placement and hook-up. Note: I did NOT use the sub jack on the sub woofer.
The sound is phenominal… especially considering I paid $245. There is no doubt, that if told that these speakers only were sold for their MSRP of $599… that I would still buy them. These speakers meet so many of my requirements:
(1) Great Sound
(2) Attractive
(3) Blend into the environment (i.e., they are small)
(4) Great price
(5) Quality Name
The sound image created by the front 3 is amazing and the rears are perfect.

Product Features:

- 100 Watts/Channel at 8 ohms (FTC)
- Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6, THX Select 2 and THX Surround EX Decoder.
- HDMI video up-conversion with DCDi technology
- HDMI V1.3 repeater (3 in/1 out, 1080p compatible)
- RS232 Port for Audyssey MultEQ XT Interface Control

Onkyo is an organization consisting of people unsurpassed in the love of sound. Onkyo won’t settle for second best. It strives to complete what ithas started. That’s the Onkyo spirit. For the past half-century Onkyo components have been recognized as uncommonly musical among those who are truly fanatical about their music.

Customer feedback:

1. The reason to get this receiver over the 605 is the step up to 3 hdmi inputs and THX certification. The power consumption of this unit is more efficient then the 805 and 605. This unit was built after those 2 other models. This isn’t the lonely middle child, it shines on its own.
There is also a slew of issues this receiver does not exhibit that the 805 has problems with (check AVS forums for details). HDMI video looks great, 7.1 sound great! Price is great!

2. In short, this is a very capable receiver, but getting it set up is just awful. Once you –finally– reach the audio “audessy” setup with the microphone, it is painless. Audessy works quite well. They have solved the typical setup problems, but allowed a host of others to crop up.
Fan noise is excessive, the fan seems to have 2 speeds: on and off. It also seems to make a ringing sound as its frequency often reinforces the sound of the (normally quiet) fan in my 60″ Sony LCD projector above it. This is the best bang for the buck, sounds fabulous, but — really — needs a better manual.

The Sirocco Wireless Home Audio Bridge uses your computer’s existing wireless network to receive any and all audio formats streamed from your PC. It is an ideal wireless speaker solution to deliver your music to your speakers or home theater system. With both digital optical and analog outputs for 6 channels, Sirocco can easily connect to most audio systems and supports 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound output.Anything that your PC can play, Sirocco can receive through the airwaves. Playlists from any music player or from any store, in any format. PCM, WAV, WDM, AAC and all protection schemes are legally and securely streamed from your PC to your home audio system.Setup of the Sirocco is straight forward. Connect the unit to a PC using the included RJ-45 cable. Do not connect to the unit through a router. Run the included software on the CD, have the program detect your wireless router and save the settings. Now you can disconnect the RJ-45 cable and connect the Sirocco to your home audio or computer speakers. The Sirocco will receive audio signals from your computer through your wireless network. The Sirocco supports both optical digital and analog connections to connect to a home stereo. There is also the ability to connect speakers directly to the Sirocco. Standard front, center and surround speakers can be connected. PC based surround speaker packages work well.

Technical Details
- Uses your computer’s existing wireless network to receive any and all audio formats streamed from your PC
- An ideal wireless speaker solution to deliver your music to your speakers or home theater system
- Easily connects to most audio systems and supports 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound output
- Can receive through the airwaves anything that your PC can play

Customer feedback:

1. I received this today after returning a couple of wireless media products my wife had bought me. All I wanted to be able to do was play music from WMP on my laptop through my home stereo system without running wires everywhere or a physical connection everywhere I wanted to use it. This product does exactly what i was hoping it would do. It uses my home wireless network to transmit a signal to my stereo regardless of where I am in my house (or my back yard, deck, basement, etc.). Now I can control volume on WMP or Sirocco’s panel, eliminating the need to run back inside when my outdoor speakers are too loud, and I can control the music from anywhere. I definitely recommend this product.

2. I originally got an Apple Airfoil on the recommendation of the retail store sales guy. BIG mistake. It only plays iTUNES source, and I had problems setting it up, and in the locations I have the WLAN AP and the Airfoil, I could not find a way to prevent frequent drop-outs.
I returned the Airfoil, and took the risk to online order a Sirocco based on the spec sheet. Well, I am absolutely thrilled! It is exactly what I wanted — a wireless sound card. Took less than 5 minutes to install, no dropouts, supports WEP and WPA, and plays any audio stream your computer sound card plays. And the software suite is suprisingly stable and feature-rich for such a new product.
As an unexpected bonus, the sound quality is also exceptional. This is a well-engineered product. Don’t think twice if you want a wireless sound card.