Price Paid:  $99.00 from online somewhere(for

Summary:
Just recently had a thunderstorm here. I am using a panamax for my AV gear and a Belkin for my pc. I was at the pc when the power started fluctuating and it must've turned the pc on and off about 5 times before I managed to reach under the desk to unplug it. I glanced out of the room at my HT to see if everything was ok, and the panamax had a red light on(as opposed to 2 green ones which mean everything is ok). My tv and amp were all turned off (disconnected) by the panamax and remained off during the surge unlike the pc connected to the belkin. I'm not an expert but I can't imagine how 5 quick surges of electricity could affect an amp, so apart from being a nice line conditioner which othes have mentioned, I feel VERY safe hooking anything up to this surge protector or at least safer than using a belkin.

Strengths:
Fits and looks perfect next to most av gear. Big improvement in picture quality, haven't heard much audio improvement but that could be due to my lack of any digital sources to listen through.

Weaknesses:
I'd like it to be deeper. I have a very deep H/K amp and this unit is hard to get to because I have to fit my hands under the amp and I don't want to put anything above the amp because it blocks the heat from dissipating.

Similar Products Used:
Belkin, Furmans & Rack Riders(amazing improvement after hooking these up to bass and guitar amps, power conditioning is an important asset, and it is obvious after hearing the difference in the studio

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Audio Ark

Summary:
Very good products,i would trust Panamax any time to protect my valuables,there are some new players in this field but they can't beat PANAMAX's reputation,in fact i even recomended Panamax to my friends or anyone that wants the best.

Strengths:
I have the MAX500 model.A very good unit,never had any problems,the front cover could have been a little more solidly attached,feels alittle weak.Complements my home theatre very well and looks like a piece of equipement,in fact is the same width like my centre channel PSB.

Weaknesses:
Other than the front plate ,everything else is rock solid,even thou is been moved around never ever broke.

Similar Products Used:
I also have two more Panamax PowerMax DBS+3.I use one to run my high speed cable for my DELL,and the other for telephones,vhs rewinder etc.

Price Paid:  $132.00 from www.panamax-sales.com

Summary:
I originally chose this model to go in my son's room because it is the least expensive rack mountable unit from Panamax. When I received it, I noticed it had connections for DSS cable and the telephone, which the Max 1000+ does not. Since then, we have switched over to DirecTV and these outlets have come in handy.

One of the pieces of equipment connected to this unit is an old Compaq computer my in-laws gave to my son. We couldn't believe the improvement in the picture on the monitor! It looked like a new machine.

Since then, we have added a Sony Wega TV, VCR, and RCA DSS receiver. The picture quality is excellent but, since these have not been connnected to any other power source, I don't have anything to compare it to.

The 500 DBS doesn't have the voltage indicator lites or trigger for remote shut-off that the more expensive units do. I like the indicator lites, but you have to upgrade to the more expensive Max 1500 to get them and the DSS cable and telephone connections. I don't use the trigger on the other units anyway, so that is not an issue.

For the money, I would rather have the 500 DBS with the DSS cable and phone connections than the more expensive 1000+ that does not.

Strengths:
Includes connections for DSS cable and telephone.

Weaknesses:
No voltage level indicator lites.

Similar Products Used:
Max 1000+, Max1500

Price Paid:  $150.00 from onecall.com

Summary:
I have to say I was cynical when paying $150 for what basically is a power strip. However, I figured if I don't hear a significant improvement out of my system, I can always return it. Well, the first thing I found out was the outlet that I had been using had a ground fault. So I plugged the Panamax unit to a different outlet and connected all my equipment to it. A BIG DIFFERENCE. The bass is more pronounced than it was, the treble more rounded, and most of all, I can hear the rears much clearer when playing a movie. On the negative side, the unit enclosures seem to be made of the same material of my cheapo Panasonic vcr. For the price, it should be built a lot more rugged.

Strengths:
does what it claims to do

Weaknesses:
price, construction could be better

Similar Products Used:
generic power strip

Price Paid:  $168.00 from onecall.com

Summary:
Good for a mid-range AV set up.

Strengths:
Works as advertised. Very slim.

Weaknesses:
None really. Do not see much inprovement with video. Audio sounds a little cleaner.

Similar Products Used:
Cheaper $30.00 suppressors.