Emergency Backup's Backup Speakers
Written: Dec 04 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: lightweight, front headphone jack
Cons: Constant crackling, garbled audio, general poor quality.
The Bottom Line: If you see the CA-5 listed as being bundled part of a complete PC system, try to get the manufacturer to upgrade them or leave them out.
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| alienbox's Full Review: Cyber Acoustics CA-5 2 Speakers |
The CA-5 is a simple and boxy pair of amplified speakers of the manner and variety we've seen bundled with computer systems for years.
One wire connects the two speakers. Another connects to your computer's sound card via mini RCA jack, and a third plugs into your power outlet. I would have liked the wires to be a little longer.
The front of the left unit contains a power button, a volume knob and a headphone jack, which I thought was the best feature on the CA-5. There's nothing worse than having to go under a dark desk to remove a speaker plug, and replace it with headphones.
How did they sound?
On the two computers I tested the CA-5 on, the speakers produced worse than AM-quality audio. CD and streamed music was tinny, garbled, and constantly staticy. I didn't test the CA-5 on any games, but I suspect it'd be the same.
I suspected there might be something wrong with them. Fiddling with the wires did no good, and when I opened the units to see if something was loose inside, the connections were all soldered properly.
The Cyber Acoustics website was helpful in identifying the product specs, however their link to the owners manual was broken as of 12/04.
Cyber Acoustic's web address is:
http://www.cyberacoustics.com
My benchmark for computer audio is an Altec-Lansing 3-piece surround system I purchased in 1997 which pumps out superior sound. It was well worth the extra cost ($75 at the time). Barring a natural disaster, I'll probably never have to purchase another set of speakers again.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
alienbox
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Location: Verona, NJ
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
One of the lightweights sleepin' in the basement.
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