andrevm's Full Review: MidiLand S4 7100 5 Speakers
MidiLand has been given the stand time and time again as the standard product used for sound testing. I read in many articles that testers in sound labs across the U.S. were using a MidiLand set of speakers (S2 4100) each time they needed a top-notch product for comparison.
Well, so many good words had a rather weird effect on me. I didn't buy the S2 4100 because of the price ($300), and the fact that it only has two speakers and a sub. Instead, I got their fairly new model: the S4 7100. Indeed, I was a little naive to buy speakers over the Internet without listening to them, but my instincts were right: these speakers rule! The system has 5 satellites (10-watt each) and a powerful 50-watt subwoofer. I played everything I have to test them: from CDs, MP3s, DVDs, games, even FM radio. While playing "Never an Absolution" from the Titanic Soundtrack, I was able to shutter at least a third of my 100-foot (~33 meters) long dorm -- and it's made of concrete! Even my know-it-all sound friends felt I got a great system.
Note that I have an awesome sound card as well (Sound Blaster Live!), and connecting the rear and front speakers to separate outputs on this card helps a lot. In fact, there's so much wiring to do, you'll question whether you really wanted a surround sound system. Trust me, you do! :O)
Before going on, I'd like to share a story with you:
I purchased this sound system in January, a few days after it came out, and was very happy with the unit. One day in May, out of nowhere, the whole system started to make bzzzzzz noises and I heard a cracked sound whenever I turned the unit off. Turns out that MidiLand recalled all their speakers* made in January and February due to bad quality parts. I knew about this, but had decided not to send the unit back since my unit was fine. The window of opportunity to send the product to MidiLand without paying for shipping had ended, so I got in contact with the customer service people at MidiLand and set up to make the exchange in person. The reason being that I was driving through Los Angeles and didn't want to pay for shipping for such a heavy unit. I'm still a poor college student!
The idea was simple: with the RMA number on hand and maps from Yahoo!, I was driving from college 229 miles away (north of LA), make the exchange in Pomona, and continue home to San Diego. I left San Luis Obispo at 2pm and had until 5:30 to reach their headquarters. That's a lot of time on my watch, since I usually drive at 75-85 mph. Well... turns out there also was a holiday on Monday! Traffic was clogged up the whole way, and reaching Pomona became a distant dream. Twenty miles from the place (at 5:25), I called the person I had spoken with earlier, described I'd be a little late, and hoped to reach there in time.
WOW! I got to MidiLand at 6:35 and the whole place was closed! No one in sight, except for a lone light on the second floor and a huge Mercedes Benz; which, I guessed was the owner's or top manager's. Upon reaching the door, I found it locked. What a day! All the traffic, over 50 miles of extra driving, and I get to the place late by two hours! I decided to click on the bell -- just in case, you know -- maybe there's someone in there.
You won't believe the expression on my face when the door opened with a 7-8 year old stretching to hold the handle! I was greeted by the owner's two children (both under 10), and was let in. The owner himself walked up, quickly introduced himself, and I, a little dazed by the experience, tried to explain why I was there, "I had talked with M. about exchanging this system..." He immediately point to my right, and right there on a dolly, was my new system. Now talk about service! This guy was waiting just for me to go home. Try that at Sony! Ha!
He walked over to my car with the dolly, moved the box into my trunk, and picked up the old one -- which was in two bags, since I had no boxes in my dorm. So much attention made me embarrassed to have the system in those bags. I never expected to find someone there after closing time. After leaving, I couldn't help but smile. This is a brand I'll respect for a long time.
Here are a few specs of this great system:
- 5.1-channel surround sound system
- 7-piece 100 watts speaker system
- Dolby digital (AC-3) and Dolby Pro Logic ready
- Sound Blaster Live compatibility
- Support DVD with built-in decoder
- Built-in bracket for wall mount capability
- Computer white color only
- 2.5" full range high power speaker (the satellites)
- 10W (rms) output power (each)
- Frequency response: 100Hz-20kHz
- 2 Front pieces
- 2 Surround pieces
- 1 Centerpiece
- 6.5" subwoofer
- 50W (rms) output power
- Frequency response: 20Hz-300Hz
- Real wood cabinet enclosure (very heavy)
If you are looking for a surround sound system that's priced competitively and has great sound (very good indeed), MidiLand has great speakers (and they accept digital sound input, unlike Bose). I recommend you ignore the epinion that says this brand sucks. Obviously, they don't know what they are talking about. ZDnet gave 9/10 for two MidiLand products: the S2 4100, and the 4030. I give five stars for excellent sound and extraordinary customer support!!! :O)
PS: You can find this system for around $162.95 at BUY.com -the best and cheapest place I found.
* Only the S4 7100 was recalled. Also, all MidiLand products pack a 3-year warranty.
** This opinion is not new. It was originally posted on 6/3/00. I just moved it so it is in the right category. It had 9 HRs before. And the system still works great!
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