Microsoft Digital System 80 Floorstanding Speakers

Microsoft Digital System 80 Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

USB Digital 3 piece powered subwoofer system 80 watts

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 11  
[Aug 02, 2002]
Bill Gay
AudioPhile

Weakness:

rough bass, sharp treble, tiny soundstage

I strongly recommend you NOT to buy it !!

Similar Products Used:

Cary, FocusAudio, Accuphase

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Nov 14, 1999]
Sylvia Gee
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

I can't believe the power and clarity of these speakers- and they look great also, especially for this price!

Weakness:

These are not suitable for wave files.

When I first saw these by Microsoft, I said they couldn't be much good. But, I WAS WRONG!! I agree totally with Kevin- I'm SO glad someone else has good enough sense to recognize the value of these speakers! These are wonderfully powerful and clear speakers and even are better than the HT system I currently have. And, I haven't even taken full advantage of their USB digital capability, yet, since I haven't installed WIN'98 on my PC yet. I've been bragging about these speakers to friends and strangers, alike and no one's taken notice! Maybe, it's better that the secret doesn't get out, because if I want to give these out as presents, they'll still be some available.

Similar Products Used:

ML750?, Sound Blaster 16?

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 12, 1999]
Chris Corr
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Value for $$
Tight Bass from Sub

Weakness:

Auto-shutoff cuts of the beginning of wav's in Windows. Can get annoying if the wav's are short to begin with.

These are the most incredible speakers I've ever heard for a computer. And with the $50 rebate from Microsoft, they only cost me about $55 ($44?! That's incredible!). As far as value goes, there is not a better deal out there right now.

The subwoofer delivers very tight, punchy bass. My friends here at college are all about that boomy bass where you can't possibly hear the actually tone the sub is trying to produce. The mid and high range is good, extremely good for computer speakers I've ever heard. In my dorm room, I used to only listen to music on my stereo, but now with these speakers, I play more music on my computer than on my stereo.

I was just researching on the internet to try to find another set to use as surround sound speakers with my SB Live!. Unfortunately, I don't think these are being produced anymore and Microsoft has no plans to produce any more audio products. That's a real shame because they really have a good thing going with these speakers. I guess Microsoft really couldn't get past the fact that no one believed that they could produce a good speaker system (everyone I've brought in to listen to these laughed when I said they were Microsoft and then left pleasantly surprised at the great sound they make).

Similar Products Used:

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! Value

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 31, 2001]
Anthony Stanford
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound is decent.

Weakness:

Design sucks.

Good for computer use. By that I mean games and occasional music listen. Distortion is minimal for abbreviated listening periods. Go to Bose for lengthy and listen enjoyment for the purist.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Sep 25, 2001]
Ty Lendzion
Audiophile

Strength:

great bass... loud as hell... for computers

Weakness:

auto shutoff is annoying

man theese are the shiznit... I've had mine for about 3 years now and they still sound as good as the day I bought them... you can crank these babies to full volume with no distortion..... and the loudness will surprise you for sure.... it's only ashame they don't make em anymore

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 27, 1999]
Kevin
an Audio Enthusiast

These speakers MSRP for $249 but got them for $42 with rebate! They sound great. The 44 watts subwoofer can really kick out some bass. The other 2 speakers are decent. The killer part is that these are real USB speakers that when connected to a PC, kills. These are not main home systems speakers. Nothing for $42 is!!! But they sound great as bedroom speakers or PC speakers.
There is NOTHING on the market under $150 that sounds better. Remember, they are powered so it's NOT for connecting to a receiver.


OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Dec 15, 1999]
Hevyg
Audiophile

Strength:

Size, sound, price, stereo imaging, bass reproduction

Weakness:

They're too good to justify a Klipsh Pro Media purchase!
Also, no headphone input

These M/M speakers are fantastic! When listening to music while I work at the computer, this little system delivers a perfectly balanced soundstage. One can independently adjust the subwoofer output, providing lovely bass reproduction at low volumes. Vocals are also beautifully reproduced.

I like to fly combat simulations, and these speakers push the experience into the sublime...a little extra subwoofer volume, and the afterburner vibrates the entire desk...same for the ground explosions and flak. The nuances of the flightsim sound effects are beautifully reproduced,too.

The only time they demonstrated their limitations was in a large room of Appx. 1000 sq.ft., with a Walkman providing the signal. I would imagine for dormfolk, this system is "the stuff." I acquired these gems for under $60. (after rebate). I am frustrated that I cannot find a rationalization for buying the Klipsch Promedia (I'm a big Klipsch fan). I gave them a 5 with a caveat: there ARE some M/M systems that DO sound better (Boston Acoustics Klipsch)...and a headphone jack would have been nice.

Similar Products Used:

n/a

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 11, 2001]
Kobe
Casual Listener

They don't make'em any more - cry babe!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 23, 2001]
iDoNtKnOe

Strength:

Great Bass, Great Everythin...

Weakness:

USB Cable and you could here your hard drive on your speakers....

These speakers are awesome...I have used them for 2 years and the subwoofer hasn't even blown yet! (and I play my music at very high volumes) The mid range is nice but if you use the usb speakers they could cause troble because my usb cable is not hooked on in the subwoofer all the way so when I play counter strike the bass is soo huge it makes my usb cable come out and I have to reboot :(...but its one of the best speakers ever made...but they don't make them anymore :(

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 21, 2001]
Michael C
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Just.... just AWESOME gaming experience. As far as 2 channel gaming goes..... it just is AWESOME.

Weakness:

No tweeters. hehe.

Hmmm where should i begin my babble...

Ok here goes, I bought this for $100. While not getting such deals like the folks below i did get it second day it came out. At first this setup sounded muddy to me because previous nakamichi speakers had pseudo tweeters. We are talking computer speaker stuff here. There is so much $50 - $100 computer speakers can do.. You know what i'm saying?
Ok that's that with the treble. Bass or shall we say "bass hump" is really pretty good for what's it design to do. Mainly to produce awesome gaming sounds and occasional MP3s. It's mids are damn good and surprisingly realistic for computer speakers. Voices come out clear and a bit forward. All this can be done with pure digital input via USB connection.

As you already know, i've had these speakers for close to 2 years. They took alot of abuse. They are built quite sturdy, by Philips non the less who also makes Marantz stuff...

In summary:

Pros:
Strong Bass
Sturdy construction
Low price
Great Midrange
Great for games
Great for Mp3s.

Cons:
Not a 4 channel or 5.1 channel setup
Software upgrade from Micros*ck?
Subwoofer unit gets quite warm
Gunshots from playing CounterSTrike sound so real neighbors call the police on you :-)

Over all Great set of speakers. I wanted to give 4 stars coz there will always be something better but after thinking about it really hard. I can't give it 4. It deserves 5. IMO

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi computer speakers.(discontinued)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 11  

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