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By Tikkler (tikkler@onepc.net) - November 14, 2000
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MidiLand can be considered to be one of the pioneers in manufacturing computer audio products. From its earliest beginnings during the 1990's, to their continuing innovation in the year 2000, MidiLand has always been there to develop some of the most-respected computer audio products in the industry--their new S4 MidiLand 4060M speaker system (which will be mentioned as the 4060M here forth) aims to continue that tradition.
Built upon the popular S4 MidiLand 4060 speaker system, the 4060M is a 2 satellite and 1 subwoofer (or 2.1 channel) multimedia speaker system. Both speaker systems utilize the same 2.5" satellite speakers for the mid-high tones; both include the same 6.5" subwoofer for the lowest of basses; and both include MidiLand's exclusive separate control module featuring controls for volume, tone and balance, but the main difference between the two lies in their-well, for a lack of better words to describe it-color.
The 4060M is made using MidiLand's patented Platallic material for enhanced durability and is, as MidiLand claims, the first computer multimedia speaker system to feature a metallic finish.
Today, we take a look at the new 4060M from MidiLand and tell you just what these speakers are made of.
Here are the specifications pulled directly off of MidiLand's website:
Features 4-piece, 60 Watts speaker system 2-Channel System 3D RSS Full-featured Control Module Convenient Mounting Options MP3 Optimized Excellent Performance Platallic material for duability and crisp tones Major sound card and audio system compatibility 100% Magnetic shieldingRMS Power Total 60W Satellite 15W + 15W Subwoofer 30WFrequency Response 180Hz - 20kHz+/-3dB Satellites 20Hz - 180Hz+/3dB SubwooferInput Sensitivity N/AP.M.P.O. N/A |
Drivers 2.5" Full range satellite speakers 6.5" Subwoofer Power Supply External AdapterS/N Ratio 55dBFunction Controls S4 logo on front of subwoofer serves as Power on/off button. Separate control module includes volume, treble, bass, balance, mute, and 3D function controls, headphone jackDimensions (WxHxD) 3.30" x 3.90" x 4.20" Satellites 8.7" x 13.40" x 12.2" Subwoofer 5.8" x 1.70" x 3.10" Control Module
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The total RMS power of 60W is very impressive and should mean that this speaker will be able to output some powerful sound. The 6.5" subwoofer is very large, even for a speaker system in the 4060M's price class and should provide a boost in power when it comes to the low tones. One feature that is not mentioned in the specifications that's worth mentioning is that the 4060M has support for MidiLand's 3D RSS (Real Surround Sound) technology, which, theoretically, enhances audio so that it sounds like it's coming from all around the listener. It'll be interesting to see how effective this feature is when time comes to testing these speakers.
First Impressions
The 4060M comes with a host of cables and accessories to accompany the small 2.5" satellite speakers and the huge 6.5" subwoofer. Included with the package is the CM-4 control module: a detachable control module that can be placed anywhere you desire, a thin manual that clearly explains the features and installation process of the speaker system, the necessary cables needed for installation, rubber feet for placing under the subwoofer, self-adhesive Velcro strips for mounting the control module under a desk and a HUGE AC to DC adapter (luckily, the huge "box" portion of the AC to DC adapter was separate from the actual plug, which means that this AC to DC adapter will only take up one plug on your powerbar, but will take up some room on the floor or desk).
The satellite speakers and the subwoofer both have a stylish metallic surface that's bound to impress those who walk into the room. The subwoofer is quite large and quite heavy, important characteristics for a quality subwoofer. On the back are jacks for the cables to run to the two satellite speakers, from the sound card, from the AC to DC adapter and to the CM-4 control module. A large, stylish button that glows with the S4 logo when turned on provides the power switch for the entire speaker system. The satellites have a very unique feature in that they can be placed either right side up, or up side down for different listening angles (15 and 25 degrees, respectively).
The included CM-4 control module is extremely useful in that on it are controls for volume, balance and tone (both treble and bass) and also buttons for mute and to enable/disable the 3D RSS feature of this speaker system. There's also a headphone jack so one can plug in headphones if they wish to prevent themselves from being mauled by the next-door neighbors for having the sound too loud. This headphone jack is a nice touch that I've noticed many manufacturers leave out with their speaker systems simply because there's no room to put it on the satellite speakers and would be too far away if placed on the subwoofer-MidiLand solved this problem by putting it on their control module. By connecting the module directly to the subwoofer using the included 10' 15-pin cable, one can place the control module virtually anywhere-on top of your desk using the included rubber feet, under your desk by using the included self-adhesive Velcro strips or even in a 5 ½" bay at the front of your computer using the included 2' 15-pin flat ribbon cable and the included case back plate. The CM-4 is by far the most versatile accessory for any speaker system that I've seen to this date.
Installation
The installation of the entire system was, overall, pretty smooth as MidiLand included most of the needed accessories needed to put together the system, with only a few minor annoyances that can cause the inexperienced some headaches. For example, even though the jacks at the back of the subwoofer to the satellite were color-coded, the included 10' cables to connect from those jacks to the satellites weren't. The included 4' audio cable for connecting the entire speaker system to the sound card is sufficient for most people, but could be too short for some-and it's not color-coded, another small annoyance.
The biggest annoyance, however, would be in the included case back plate and the 15-pin ribbon cable. MidiLand included the necessary screws for attaching one end of the 15-pin ribbon cable to the included back plate, but these screws were too small for the holes that were on the end of the cable! This creates a major annoyance in that the included back plate, in essence, becomes wasted.
Powering Up...
The sound quality that these speakers are capable of outputting is simply astounding. Highs and lows were both pronounced very clearly and the entire system provided a strong sense of powerful audio, even at the lowest and highest of volume levels. The main strength of the 4060M lies in its powerful bass--the 6 ½" subwoofer really outputs the most powerful, heart-pounding bass possible.
I was also surprised about MidiLand's 3D RSS technology that's supported in the 4060M. Using a combination of reverb and echo settings to basically extend the mid-level tones so that it creates an illusion to your ears that the sound is coming from behind you, 3D RSS truly works! My only complaint about this technology is that sometimes it will enhance certain sounds too much and can make them become "mucked up" or too harsh for one's ears.
At $99 USD, the S4 MidiLand 4060M can be considered to be a fairly expensive 2.1 channel speaker system, but if you're a true audio enthusiast and want the best sound possible, this speaker system is for you. The sound produced by the 2 x 2.5" satellite speakers and the huge 6.5" bass is simply incredible. Although mid-high sounds were incredible on their own, the 6.5" subwoofer produced some powerful low notes. Overall sound quality was simply superb, even slightly surpassing my previous favourite, the Edge-418 flat panel speaker system from Labtec.
Most users will be satisfied with the 4060M because of its sound output quality, but MidiLand went two steps further by integrating their patented 3D RSS technology and including their exclusive CM-4 detached control module. I was quite impressed about how the 3D RSS technology performed as it truly enhanced the sound so that it sounded like it was coming from around me, but my favourite of the two bonuses would have to be the CM-4 control module. With controls for volume, tone (both bass and treble), balance and buttons for enabling/disabling mute and the 3D RSS feature, the CM-4 can be placed anywhere you please-on top of your desk, under a desk or even slid inside a free 5 ½" bay at the front of your case!
With the combination of quality sound output, support for their 3D RSS technology, the control module and only some minor installation annoyances, MidiLand truly has a winning 2.1 channel speaker system in their 4060M that is worth far more than its suggested retail price.
Pros
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