02 March 2008
Written by
gayuh (
)
Published on March 2nd, 2008 @ 11:53:10, using 649 words, 117 views
Sennheiser PX 100 (image courtesy of sennheiser.com)
Most of us have had a headphone before. It might be a cheap one with very limited (and disappointing) sound quality, or a good and expensive one. Usually we have to pay more if we want better-sounding headphone. But, unfortunately, price and quality doesn’t always get along well.
Sound quality is not the only factor in choosing a good headphone, albeit a very important one. We should also consider its built quality, appearance, and also how comfortable is it in a long period of usage. Comfortness not only in wearing the device, but also to our hearing that is a very sensitive and fragile sense.
Sennheiser PX 100 is a dynamic headphone with supra-aural type of design (where the earpads sit on top of the ears). This headphone comes with innovative folding design, allowing the user to fold it just like an eye glass, therefore makes it a convenient traveller’s companion. A nice exclusive-looking carrying case is provided with the unit.
The headband is made of steel with metal joints, and equipped with split padding for adjusting the headband for comfortable use. The earpads can be folded up to 90o when folding the unit, so it will not break the joints.
The cord is 1.4m long with standard 3.5mm stereo jack plug. According to the specification, the cord is Kevlar-reinforced. This offers higher durability for the cable. As the cable is the most fragile part in a headphone, this extra protection is a strong positive point.
With frequency response of 15 Hz – 27,000 Hz, sound pressure level (SPL) of 114 dB and total harmonics distortion (THD) of 0.1%, it is very interesting to see how far this headphone can live up to its high-standard specification.
Listening test was opened with Ray Charles’s 2004 duets album Genius Loves Company. Listening to every track, the overall sound was smooth and light. Treble was soft and clear, no uncomfortable sharpness at all. Mid-range was open and present throughout the range. Vocals were wet and warm, and instrument sounds were almost natural. Bass was solid and punchy, not too heavy nor too thin.
While the overall sound was notably excellent, it seems that sound balance is a bit shifted to mid-range frequencies. Raising higher frequency from the audio source will produce output with more treble.
Changing musical style, the second test was Mike Oldfield’s 2002 album Tr3s Lunas, an album with heavily synthesized instruments. While accoustical sound in the Ray Charles’s record was reproduced smooth and naturally, the synthesized sound in Mike Oldfield’s was reproduced with an unearthly impression. Mid-range frequency dominated the music, with treble and bass instruments can be heard clearly in some occasions. This kind of music is suitable when listened to using headphones. And it sounded really excellent with this headphone.
Headphones are also good for listening to movies (especially action movies) and games (especially first person shooter or racing games). So, Transformers would be a good movie test. And Need for Speed: Underground was picked up for game test.
Clash of giant robots in Transformers sounded metallic and real. Jet fighter (Starscream) and helicopter (Blackout) came out very dramatic alongside bomb explosions and gunshots. And car engine sounds in Need for Speed were almost real, with sounds of car collision makes high-speed racing felt very much alive and heart-stopping.
Another good point for this headphone is maximum volume never caused the sound to shatter much, but do not forget that listening to loud volume will damage your ear.
Listening to favourite music, watching good movies, or playing games with a good headphone like this will absolutely please you. And carrying the unit with you to workplace, or when travelling, does not have to be complicated or risky. You just have to fold it and put it into the case. Then you can experience the high quality of sound wherever you go.
19 February 2008
Written by
gayuh (
)
Published on February 19th, 2008 @ 07:54:43, using 1295 words, 45 views
Altec Lansing VS2420 (image courtesy of alteclansing.com)
The majority of home computers are set up as a multimedia computer, allowing them to do their work, connect to internet, play games, listen to favourite music, or even watching movies or TV. Standard computer specification today has surpassed the requirement for such activities to be performed on a home computer, and high performance home computers are becoming more and more affordable.
A multimedia computer needs a speaker system to output its sounds. With the advent of active speaker system, the quality of sound is determined not only by the sound adapter, but also the speaker (and its built-in amplifier). A good sound adapter can’t do its magic with a poor speaker system. Although some people will be satisfied enough having any functioning speaker on their computer, everyone will be pleased if they can have their favourite music, movies or games sounds better. And that means a good speaker system should without a doubt be included in their shopping list.
Altec Lansing is a respected name in audio market with their products of multimedia speakers for computers and music players. They offer wide range of speaker lineup, from entry level to full-blown home theater system. With Altec Lansing, entry level doesn’t mean low quality, and anyone will be able to hear the difference immediately. Although its pricing is not aggressive, but it is very competitive considering the level of quality you can expect from any of its offerings.
The standard speaker system for general user is a stereo system, or 2.0. It has two units, one for each channel of a stereo sound. A 2.1 system with additional subwoofer unit will provide a much better low bass experience, and that solution has grown in popularity among computer users. But for average user, a 2.0 system is still considered enough.
Altec Lansing VS2420 is a 2.0 multimedia speaker system. It may not be an immediately affordable entry level system, but this would not be expensive at all, regarding the quality it offers.
Its size is in average of common desktop speaker, with dimensions of 3.5” or 88mm (W), 4.1” or 105mm (D), and 9.5” or 242mm (H). It comes in solid wood with black finish, and is shielded satellites, meaning you can put the units close enough to your monitor without any magnetic effects on the display. The front side is covered with see-through material, so you can see the drivers in a nicely decorated appearance. When you put the satellites on the desk, it stands a little tilted to its back.
Controls are on the front of right unit. Available controls are power (accompanied with a light indicator in red), tone and volume. The control knobs are placed very closely together and turning volume or tone up or down may be a bit awkward. The knobs turning were easy but it also felt solid and steady.
A secondary input jack is available on the back of right unit, so two different audio sources can be connected at the same time. This is very useful feature if you have, for instance, a desktop and a laptop, or a PC and a portable music player (iPod or CD player). Both audio sources can share the same satellites for their sounds at the same time. However, no mixing control available. So the sounds from both audio sources will be heard simultaneously, and which one sounds louder will depend on the sound level of the audio source. A headphone jack is also available, allowing you to listen in private.
Each satellite is equipped with one 2.5” full range driver and one 2.5” passive radiator. The specification states that the speakers has more than 70 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), with 10% total harmonics distortion (THD) on a frequency response of 85 Hz – 20 kHz. SNR of 70 dB should be adequate for general music, but classical music requires higher SNR. But then again, if you’re really into classical music, you may very well consider a good dedicated sound system.
The system is specified to deliver a power of 8 Watts RMS, with peak power of 16 Watts. Sound pressure level (SPL) is 93 dB.
The sales package contains the satellites (equipped with a power cord and a stereo audio cable), and documentations (manuals, warranty, etc.). No additional audio cable provided for connectied second audio source through the auxialary input, you will need to purchase it separately. The unit I reviewed has a label stating it was made in China.
I used the on-board C-Media AC97 sound adapter to drive the satellites. Such an on-board sound adapter probably is not a good solution for today’s multimedia standard. But it can help demonstrate how well the speaker sounds with a basic audio source. The better the audio source, the better the speaker should sound (if the speaker is really that good). So, with an on-board sound adapter, at least you can safely assure the sound can’t get any worse.
The first thing to do with testing an audio system, in my opinion, should be listening to a jazz record. So I picked up The Very Best of Diana Krall. This CD contains studio tracks and a couple of live recordings. As with any good accoustic jazz records with vocals, it enables us to hear how well an audio system would produce a sound. Yet in this case, we can’t forget the fact that we are testing a computer-based audio system, and not even a high end configuration of such system. Obviously we can’t expect to hear the sound reproduction to be as accurate as a $5,000 audiophile system.
With every track on the CD, the speaker delivered rich treble, lively mid-range and punchy bass. Vocal was a bit wet and present, but not dominating. Piano and saxophones sounded dynamic and nowhere near harsh. Higher frequencies could be heard clearly and some cymbal sounds were crisp. Lower frequencies, while not so powerful, was very impressive for a speaker system of this size. Drums and accoustic bass stood out with slight solid punch in the lowest frequency.
Another favourite music of mine is rock. I put in Dream Theater’s Train of Thought. This time the speaker delivered explosive sound of the metal-themed CD. Electric guitar sounded thick and vocal sounded strong in the mid-range. Bass was heavy and solid with powerful drum sounds. High frequencies were present, but not much. With electric instruments and amplification in rock music, natural sounds are very rarely heard. And the speaker can reproduce such music in an adequate proporsion, without too much emphasizing on certain frequency range to make the sound dull.
Turning the volume knob (and the volume control in Windows) all the way to the maximum produced a little too aggressive treble, and bass became shattered. The tone control can be lowered to minimize the unpleasant effect, but the recommended maximum overall volume is likely about 80%.
Movie & gaming sounds were very nice. Gun shots, bomb explosions, helicopter rotor, racing car engines, enemy footsteps and sea waves all reproduced in a dramatic and intense tone. When the 3D engine in the sound adapter was enabled and some 3D effects activated, the surround sound widened accordingly with some degree of presence. The good 3D engine of the sound adapter might help the surround effect reproduced better. But in no way this 2.0 system is intended for a surround speaker. You should get a 5.1 system for that instead.
Altec Lansing VS2420 (image courtesy of alteclansing.com)
Altec Lansing VS2420 is definitely an excellent choice for budget-limited segment. It offers unrivalled sound quality in its class with an affordable price. If you can’t afford, or don’t want, high powered or multi-point surround speaker systems, and you want simply a good small stereo speaker, then I highly recommend Altec Lansing VS2420.
07 February 2008
Written by
gayuh (
)
Published on February 7th, 2008 @ 21:12:02, using 187 words, 49 views
SpeedStream SS5100 ADSL modem
SpeedStream SS5100 is an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subsriber Line) modem. Along its main features are web-based management, NAT, firewall and port forwarding.
Setting up ADSL connection was quick and easy, as long as connection information is ready. Testing functions are available in the web-based management interface for diagnosing any problem with connection.
With nicely curved design, the modem is equipped with light indicators for power, ethernet, ADSL line, and activity. It uses UTP cable to connect with PC. There is only one UTP port, so unless you only have one computer or willing to switching cables manually between your computers, you will need to purchase a hub/switch to get additional UTP lines. Documentation CD, power adaptor, RJ-14 and RJ-45 cables is provided in the sales package. However, a phone line splitter/filter was not included, unfortunately.
Stability of the connection is excellent. I left the modem online almost 24/7, and I haven’t experienced any problem from it. Connection speed, dependent on the line quality and the ISP, was fairly good.
Overall, this is a very good ADSL modem for home or small business.
05 February 2008
Written by
gayuh (
)
Published on February 5th, 2008 @ 18:15:55, using 328 words, 56 views
RapidShare provides file hosting services. You can upload your files, get a direct-download link, and you can share the link to whoever want. They provide free service (with limitations), and paid service.
I begun to subscribe to their paid service in 2006, when they still use the .de domain. My experience with them has always been great. Signing up is quick and easy, and you get your login information instantly. You can then begin to upload your files to your folders, with no space limitations (except the 100 MB per file limit), and your files will never be deleted (as long as your account remains valid, that is). When it comes to downloading, you can download almost as many as you like as fast as your connection can handle, use download managers (for parallel download and resuming), and even directly download from a link without having to visit any RapidShare pages. You can also remote upload files, providing a link to other server, and RapidShare will download that file and store it under your account. Nice!
If you prefer to use the free service, it is very good still. You can upload, but your files will be deleted after 30-days of inactivity (no downloads), and the most annoying limitation is the download limit. RapidShare keeps track of how many you have download, and you will have to wait for some time after your download limit has been met. Also, you cannot download more than one file or using more than one connection (using download manager) simultaneously.
One thing that needs to be noted carefully is that the vast majority of the files on RapidShare is illegal materials (music, movies, ebooks, etc). That is probably why RapidShare never provide a search feature, so you will have to know the exact download link of the files you want to download. And for that purpose, there are rapidshare directory / blogs, where people posts their uploaded files so other people know where to look.
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