AVB Sonix System S-2000 Flat Panel Speakers

SONIX SYSTEM FLAT PANEL SPEAKERS S-2000

Manufactured by: AVB

MSRP: $79.99

Date: 11-14-99

**Specs:

1. Subwoofer**

5.25" High Quality Driver

Output: 20W RMS

Frequency Response: 50-200hz

Crossover frequency: 200 hz

Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 17cm (w x h x d)

2. Satellites

Output: 2 x 6W RMS

Nominal Impedance: 4ohms

Frequency Response: 200-20000 hz

Maximum Thickness of the panel: 12mm

Dimensions: 25 x 12cm Max for panel. Base Footprint is within 9 x 9cm and holds the panel 2cm higher than surface.

Cable Length: 6ft

3. Cable Remote Control with holder

Function: Volume, Bass, On/off

Cable length: 8ft

4 . Other

_RMS Sensitivity to Pink Noise

(Average 100Hz - 20KHz)_: 82.3dB

Tone Minimum: Coloration

Price: $79.99

I am an audiophile. I am as much as an audiophile as a my pocketbook and ears allow, that is. In other words, I have a desire to own good sound equipment but don't necessarily understand every dB, hz, RMS, etc. I also have a limited budget and need to spend within bounds. My ears recognize the difference between good and bad sound quality and I want the best I can afford.

My computer system is my primary communication, entertainment and educational device. I spend more time on it than I do watching TV or listening to the radio. It only makes sense that my computer be "wired for sound". I am the proud (and happy owner) of a Creative Labs Live! Value sound card, Xitel Force-Feedback Headphones and a custom built chair with the "guts" of an Aura Interactor Cushion built into it for added bass.

The speakers adorning my computer desks and entertaining my ears over the years have included many brands and types. I settled on using a pair of Optimus multimedia speakers powered by a NEC computer Amp for the front channel, added a Logitech Subwoofer and ran my stereo system for the rear channel. It kept me happy for quite a while although I tried to introduce new speakers into the setup time and time again.

I tried marketed 4 point speakers, replacing the stereo system with computer speakers and a few months back- a pair of flat panel speakers. Each went back to the place of purchase within a day. They just didn't have the clarity of the setup I had become accustomed to.

A few weeks back my friends at AVB contacted me to tell me to keep an eye out for a set of their new Sonix Flat Panel Speakers they were sending The Control Center. I reserved judgment but my past experience with flat panels was very disappointing. The sound from the previous set I tried was distorted and comparable to a set of $10 computer show speakers (but they cost 10 times that!).

The Sonix speakers showed up at my door on a Friday night and I didn't get a chance to hook them up to mid-day Sunday. They have been rocking my system ever since! Setup was simple and straight-forward. A single sheet setup guide is included. Its all that is necessary for setup. There is some minor assembly of the speaker stands but no tools are needed- slide the 2 stand pieces together and clip them to the speakers and your ready to run the wires.

Wiring of the speakers is about as simple as you can get. The subwoofer holds most of the connections and electronics. The power transformer is contained in the "sub"; allowing you to easily plug it into a wall outlet or power strip without having to worry about the "brick" blocking other power outlets. The back of the "sub" has RCA input and output plugs and an on/off switch. Also extending from the "sub" is a controller. Now the controller is not the kind The Control Center features, but a volume, bass and on/off controller. This means you can tuck away the "sub" in an out-of-the-way place and still control the sound easily. The controller comes with a holder that can be secured with double-stick tape. I placed it under the desktop so its out of the way but within reach.

The Sonix's come with all of the necessary cables. The primary cable as a 1/4" stereo plug on one end and 2 male RCA plugs on the other. This cable plugs into your soundcard's line-out port and the RCA plug end into the labeled "sub" input ports. The speakers then plug into the "out" RCA ports. All of the plugs and ports are color coded to make it easy. Once your setup assure the power switch on the back of the "sub" is on and fire up your system.

The speakers are not of the same technology as other flat-panel speakers. The Sonix Speakers use SLAB technology. This technology creates the sound by rippling the panel from 3 axis's. Typical flap panel speakers create sound by rippling a single axis creating a typical "wave". More axis input gives a more complex output ripple on the panel. The end result is a low distortion, complex vibration that moves the air around it creating sound. The sound is very full and gives the illusion of "coming out of the air" opposed to sound directed from the speakers.

The speakers handle higher output quite well. It takes full bass, rough music and high volume (very high!) to create any distortion from the speakers. Part of the success for bass production lies in the 20w subwoofer box. The sub is a heavy ported box that doesn't take up too much space. Their is no way to adjust the bass levels between the speakers and the subwoofer but it is split at the 200 hz frequency by the built in cross-overs.

The only gripe I have about these speakers is there does not appear to be any easy way to mount them on the wall with the hardware included. The literature refers to allowing a 1cm gap when using the wall mounting brackets. The speakers did not ship with any information on obtaining the brackets or using the included stands for wall mounting. The speakers do swivel on the brackets and it would appear the stands could be rotated allowing you to mount them to the wall but there are no screw holes to allow this.

Overall-

The Sonix S-2000 Flat Panel Speakers and Subwoofer are quite a nice addition to my computer setup. For gaming or music the sound is crisp, clear and full. Unlike other flat panel speakers the AVB panels deliver a full range of sound without distortion at all but extreme volumes. The cabled controller makes using the speakers convenient; not having to position the speakers and sub just so you can reach the controls. The subwoofer pounds out the bass without knocking things off the wall. Now if I could just get the speakers onto the walls.