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Setting it all up

Installation of the system is a snap. The new stands take a little getting used to, but electrical connections are basically the same as with any other speaker set. The front satellites have 10foot long wires, while rear satellites have 20 foot length wires – more than adequate for nearly any multimedia setup. The wires are attached permanently to the satellites, so audiophiles will not have the luxury of replacing the stock wires with hire gauge wiring.

Flat Facts

An interesting side effect of PFT technology is that the satellites tend to have a very distinct and sharp sound. Because the polymer membranes move so much faster then even a small conventional tweeter, the high-end frequencies tend to be very crisp and detailed. This side effect has a negative though: the satellites cannot handle the frequency range that a regular satellite can handle, so the crossover cutoff point is at the 200Hz mark. Any frequencies below 200Hz are handled by the subwoofer. Because sounds above 80Hz can be localized, Monsoon recommends you set the subwoofer somewhere in between the left and right speakers (a generally recommended position, since even 80Hz and below frequencies are mildly localizable, in spite of popular belief).

The other side effect of PFT is that sound is highly directional. Sound only radiates directly to the front and to the rear of the satellites. In fact, if you flip a satellite speaker so that it is parallel with your listening position, the volume of sound decreases to the point you will be convinced the speakers are off. We’re so used to being able to hear sound from the side of a speaker, this effect is really something you have to experience to believe :) Because sound does not radiate much to either side of the satellites, there are fewer reflections off of adjacent objects or walls, and sound appears to be highly directional. The real world effect of this directionality is that the listening sweet spot is a lot tighter, and 3d games will have an incredibly accurate 3d field, while music will appear to be muddled when a listener is outside of the optimal listening position.

Quality that Counts

With 60Watts powering each of the 4 satellites, and another 100Watts dedicated to the subwoofer, I was surprised to find the total output volume of the speakers to be rather low. The speakers are rated to hit 108dB (Max SPL at 0.5m), and they can be pushed to amazingly high volumes, but what is surprising is that the volume knob has to be put quite high in order to reach those volumes. On the flip side, the speakers do not distort when you have the volume past the ¾ mark. In fact, those of you used to setting the volume knob at the usual ¼-1/3 position will be pleased to find that this volume knob actually represents the full spectrum of what the speakers can handle in terms of volume.

I have always liked the sound of Monsoon’s speakers, and this set is no exception. Paired with our Santa Cruz, this set took down the roof with its incredible highs and lively bass. The two passive radiators on the subwoofer, according to Monsoon, are supposed to allow higher bass output without distortion. Throughout our testing, we found the bass to be stable and coherent; even at the highest volume settings. This is some of the best sounding bass I have heard from a computer subwoofer. The versatility of the subwoofer allowed the set to deliver subtle bass notes for realistic instrument reproduction, or pump out outrageous levels of synthetic bass that accompanies hip-hop and dance tracks.

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