As you enter Skyrim, the ambiance is developed with beautiful fidelity all around you with Logitech’s Z906 Surround Sound Speaker System. Logitech has created audiophile heaven for PC enthusiasts who are serious about their sound fidelity through speaker quality. Surround Sound was created to essentially bring the audio experience to life for enthusiasts for movies, and music/game technologies. Developers have flocked to the two main stables of audio compression technology: Dolby Digital and DTS, soon moving into the territory of uncompressed 96KHz/24 and 196/24Hz. For this generation, and most of the next generation, Dolby Digital and DTS are here to stay in the compressed audio realm as disks pick up more storage capacity. Regardless, consumer-quality ranges in the majority using compressed studio grade sound. The Logitech Z906 Surround Sound Speaker System delivers amazing bass frequencies with the THX logo certification (not easy to get) and a surround sound system that is simply beautiful when set up correctly.

The design and features of Logitech’s Z906 Surround Sound Speaker System are straightforward. The speakers themselves come simply packaged in a bi-sectional manner in the big box. Marveling at the design and construction quality, Logitech went far to ensure the components were of high build. The subwoofer is a ported side-firing 165W beast which has a great glosse matte finish around the speakers. Opening the bigger box reveals the 5 satellite 67W speakers.  The Ohm of these speakers is 4 Ohms with the included unbridged amplifier, which outputs more wattage. More wattage does not mean necessarily better sound quality but does increase the sound level. For PC users and even TV users, 67 watts is a very nice number for an enthusiast level of sound, despite the speakers not being 400W/channel which is a ridiculously big amount that comes close to cinema speaker baffle walls. For the audiophile home enthusiast, the impedance rating and power output are nothing to complain about.

Design and stability is one thing, but what is the most important rating aspect hinges on one thing: functionality with a dependable throughput. What will perhaps have most users of these enthusiast speaker systems confused is the way to get the most out of these Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS supported speakers. We will clarify it in terms of two categories that falls into most people’s user vantage: movies and most importantly video games. Video games themselves for the consoles come packed with the Dolby Digital / DTS audio in terms of DVD discs (being just Dolby Digital as the most popular) or Dolby True HD which is the Blu-Ray’s equivalent of uncompressed audio to output 196/24Hz audio.

These speakers focus solely on the compressed market of sound, so this is for what they will be reviewed.  Logitech’s Z906 Surround Sound Speaker System comes with the control panel which features the use of input, and the “stereo” sound effects. This is where people may be confused. Stereo sound effects are a type of DSP (digital signal processing) on these units. 3D Surround matrixes the center channel onto the rear channels to extract 5.1 from stereo. 4.1 mimics the stereo left and right onto the surround channels, and 2.1 only has the stereo speakers with the subwoofer enabled. The stereo DSP effects only activate if the user is using optical without Dolby Digital encoding or analog 5.1 (which is still the analog channels minus Dolby Digital encoding). One must enable ‘Dolby Digital Live’ with an optical connection as that is the only way to encode the analog 5.1 sound into the digital signals from video games and movies such as Blu-Ray files where the AC-3 sound is across 6 channels.

When Dolby Digital Live (DDL) is enabled to take the advantage of the speakers through the optical connection S/PDIF connection, it is important to note stereo is packed as 5.1 AC-3 with empty channels. A 2.0 stereo source is still 2.0 stereo with DDL as no sounds from the rear and center speakers work unless upmixed with Dolby Pro Logic. If Dolby Digital Live is used, any stereo source is not automatically switching to the 3D Surround DSP effect on the receiver, but this is not Logitech’s fault – it is just the way the technologies are designed. PC Users must ensure they also turn on Dolby Pro Logic but must be careful to take note that the ‘3D Surround’ is not Dolby Pro Logic technology but proprietary Logitech technology. 3D Surround from our tests sounds generally louder than the Pro Logic counterpart if using stereo sources, so sound satisfaction is up to the user. For a lot of our preferences, the editors preferred 3D Surround over Dolby Pro Logic. It is important to note that video games on the PC do not come packaged with the Dolby Digital track (they are not movies and require a Sound API) as they are packaged with Linear Pulse Code Module (LPCM) similar to Dolby True HD technology and the LPCM signal can be passed through optical with DDL 5.1 (taking the LPCM 5.1 into Digital 5.1), so a sound card is next to useless for most games anyways if using analog connections or HDMI (yes we said it but this receiver does not support HDMI).

The Logitech Z906 was benchmarked for audible noise which peaks at about an ambient level of 88dB on average / second on our test with a frequency of about 40Hz. It is noticeable at higher volumes with zero sound through the speakers but is not a deal breaker by any means. In PC games, we used the analog 5.1 and also stereo processing in Windows with 3D Sound considering there is no DD track in PC Games save very few. BioShock Infinite only has a stereo output and not even analog 5.1 mix, so on PC users they have no other options than to use their DAC on their PC hardware and use the DSP on the Logitech Z906 receiver. The 3D Surround does a terrific job of the upmixing, and frankly we prefer it way more than the Dolby Pro Logic. If DD Live is used, Dolby Pro Logic does no upmixing even from the stereo video game sound mix. For movies, if they have a DD track it will always take precedence over Dolby Pro Logic (which will do nothing) unless the source is stereo.

The Logitech Z906 Surround Sound Speaker System works wonders for audiophiles and PC Enthusiasts who want to immerse themselves in crystal clear sound and have the ambiance of their favorite PC game surround them in all directions with game audio technologies. For gamers it is time to live the world of Skyrim or for film lovers the time to turn up that favorite film – because with these speakers everything really is in the room with you.

Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 orders one of the most uniquely created gadgets in the technology sector, combining a level of customizability with a lot of shocking dependability that leaves some in a level of reflection. Many creators of mouse products have different factors that converge on Dots Per Inch (dpi), macros, and functionality of button design, where Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 infuses a level of each of these into its own design while adding a very stable and gratifying experience to anyone that has had problems with former products depending on type. The Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 reveals itself as a true competitor in the wireless range market for anyone ready to have one of the best mice available.

The Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 emits a radiance of metallic glory contused in a level of military grade material that leaves nothing left to be desired for a mouse with strength, durability, and handling. The sleek layout of the mouse surface, combined with an iconic wing-shaped design with a white cyborg head logo in the left thumb rest serves as homage to a mouse that is designed not with just style but also class of design. One of the things which truly concern many people in terms of a mouse revolves around the issue of cheap parts. Usually, expensive mouse products make use of a balance factor or trade-off notion in some parts of their soft-touch finish structure: should the surface be impeccable, the cable is at fault as a notion of many RMAs. For wireless products in particular, this IR frequency lacks range and consistency with the interface signal to PCs. All the parts of the Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 are truly exceptional, and the IR grade of the receiver on the wireless mouse remains to be seen in the performance of the mouse itself. Given the translucent design we have articulated by opening the mouse around the plated rest parts, it is apparent that the IR is not cheap by any means, indicating not just a small circle but a larger and firm placement of a receiver in the mouse integration itself. Providing customization options with hex wheels and weight alterations is definitely one of those things even a World Championship Gamer finds admirable, customizing the weights of the mouse using the hex wheel and retaining nut combinations. Providing a level of military-inspired customization and design, the Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 gives PC enthusiasts an avenue to unleash their movement creativity in the form of a mouse.

The performance of the Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 rivals some of the best products out there in the technology field. The zero latency was tested on the mouse with a device that calculates the driver signal input in the driver to the actual translation of the driver on the Operating System (in this case Windows 7 Ultimate). At 5600 DPI, the Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 is accurate in terms of aiming and truly exhibits a fast response time of .54 seconds. Mouse sensitivity can also be adjusted with the ST Programming software for the “Precision Aim” mode, effectively slowing down movements for each person and especially hardcore gaming enthusiast. The addition three Cyborg modes give the instant-switch capability of changing over to customized and refined settings, giving users a level of quick-access commands.

The Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 is a mouse which simply does the simplicity of what a mouse is supposed to do: move around the pointer. In addition to this, the Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 accentuates a level of precision, along with a lightweight metal-chassis sleek and stylish visual which gives meaning to control. The Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 is a mouse for any hardcore hardware/gaming enthusiast ready for one of the best products for its price.

The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router defines a new genre of maximum performance wireless capabilities ever seen in a Wireless-N Router all with the idiosyncrasies of class and elegance combined with ease and portability. The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router provides a stability that has been tested and delivers the most accurate performance rates of any router we have seen from manufacturers such as Belkin, D-Link, and more. With the capability of dual band technology, enthusiasts are able to double their network bandwidth with simultaneous dual-band N 2.4 and 5GHz spectrum, making sure to prevent interference from wireless phones, devices, and other connections utilizing the IEEE 802.11 wireless air interface standards of 2.4GHz. The LinkSys E4200 delivers on a lot of bandwidth ends brilliantly through Dual-Band, Wi-Fi Security, and furthermore UPnP USB capability with refinement.

The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router holds a level of plug and play capability that is simply astonishing in its setup and presentation. The sleekly designed black-shaded router with a silver lining shows the golden opportunities that wait in the dual-band module of IEEE 801.11n standardization sets. Along with the box, an Ethernet cable and a sleek blue CD packaging with customized software shows the very user-interface presentations that Cisco and LinkSys are known to provide. The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router is connected, and the setup screen detects the router without any hassles, providing a streamlined interface of installation and hassle-free connection most LinkSys users are familiar with. Immediately, from the inception of the connection, the LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router reveals a level of connectivity that articulates on its maximum performance not just in connectivity but in user-friendly connection and style.

The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router has a lot of incredible features and the ones to focus on include the Wi-Fi security and setup, Dual-Band Performance, and lastly the UPnP Media Server. To begin with, Wi-Fi Security comes in SPI firewall protection, or state packet inspection firewall. This is one of the highest-classes of firewalls available aside from the Microsoft firewall server routers with 10 encryption layers. This stateful firewall can carry massive parameters such as IP addresses, packet types and integrity checks, along with ports involved in query connections and the very packet numbers in a connection; all of these build up the state of the connection.  The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router performs security to a great extent, and this carries through to the setup of the Wi-Fi, making it concise and moreover easy to understand the settings of both a 2.4GHz access point versus the other protocol types.

Dual-Band has always seen a history of intermittent performance, subject to the lack of standardization between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz ranges. While some routers exist on the 3.6GHz spectrum, most utilize 2.4GHz, including the optimum premiere offering. Not to say some are worst than others, there is a type of interference which indeed takes place as one can see from devices that detect the Wi-Fi interference RF spectrum patterns. The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router served up an efficiency of 95% even, calculated through wireless tests done not subject to cell phones or devices, but pure receivers that take the raw signal and utilize it rather than trying to test phones or PC’s. With this device, we were able to gauge that out of 450 Mbps Wi-Fi, the LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router pulled an extraordinary ~422-427 Mbps capacity. This immediately validated the performance through a series of 4 more tests in real-world capability through our Fibre lines. The router performs these tasks of Wi-Fi transmission to an unbelievable level, which is something anyone paying the full $180 MSRP will be satisfied with. On top of all of this, the UPnP server is an additional delight, giving home network users the ability to link their media across various sources and share them with a built-in space or an external USB drive. The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router delivers dependability and surprise through its features, which becomes new and exciting for router technologies.

The LinkSys E4200 Wireless-N Router meets a level of standard and functionality that is rare to get for such a great package price of $180 MSRP, especially in this day and age. It offers that security for anyone seeking it, music and media for those wanting it, and finally workflow and dependability for everyone that needs it and always wants it.

The Razer Lachesis is adorned with a brushed surface, followed with a hard-line border surface for a smooth and sharp finish that is easy to hold for even those of ambidextrous proficiency. The central palm surface of the Razer Lachesis contains the sleek Razer logo, clear on first look. The wheel itself has comfortable ridges, maintaining a standard which is comfortable to the movement of the fingers against the wheel motion. The structure of the Razer Lachesis is truly admirable to a concept venue due to the overall feel of its architecture and curve appeal.

The technical strengths of the Razer Lachesis are definitely one of those found in the best mice today, which this most certainly entails. The provided Razer Lachesis software comes in an extremely easy to understand format, not overcomplicating the enormous amount of features included with the mouse. Assign buttons, adjust performance, manage profiles, macros, lighting and maintenance all add to the customization factor of a utility that the populace takes for granted.  Performance focuses on polling rates, the rate at which the mouse frequently responds to the movement of per pixels on the monitor. The Razer Lachesis comes with a genius multi-color LED system, which is something we feel all mice should have. The lighting and performance tab allows for up to 16 million RGB color code combinations, to virtually allow for any color in any possible pixel of any picture that you have. If you are looking for #8378C8, just simply enter this code into the software, and watch as the mouse changes.  The only issue we have with the mouse is the idea that it would have been better to make a multi-color system where the LED’s cycle throughout the colors, thereby giving the necessary freedom to not just be limited to 1 color throughout. Synapse makes all of this possible with the inherent 60KB Razer onboard memory. This onboard memory leads way to the Hyperesponse buttons, giving way to features for virtually all the surface buttons of the mouse in a convenient way.

The Razer Lachesis offers so much for a price of $79.99MSRP, and it is truly a mouse worthy of  the crimson touch of the iconic snake imprinted on its name.

The Logitech G35 Headset manages to transcend a line between surround sound audio, and audio that surrounds you at every side. Combining LF, C, RF, LB, RB, LSB, RSB, and a Subwoofer all in one clearly revealing that the Logitech’s G35 Headset is made for the elite gamers and audiophiles of the time. With incredible integration, an incredible design with high quality parts, and further aspects in voice changing features that are a real treat, the Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset is a must buy for anyone looking to get the best from their PC sound.

The Logitech G35 Headset comes in an attractive black color base design with a red etching that just exudes a level of sophistication and elegance that can be clearly seen from the box itself. When opening the box, the headset ways at a medium size and creates a level of formidability to anyone opening the box. At first, the Logitech G35 Headset seems intimidating indeed, but that is more than a good thing. The Logitech G35 Headset provides a view to be seen and gives a slight view into the effort put into the headset.

Using the Logitech G35 headset was easy, and the level of compatibility with HD Audio Intel drivers and system hubs make the Logitech G35 convenient out of the box. The sound quality of the Logitech G35 vibrates through the different multi-speaker interface with each headset. No calibration is necessary and most applications that are capable of supporting these many channels, along with using certain technology such as Dolby and DTS can utilize all channels effectively as much as a receiver can. The amount of incredible ease and constancy with accurately portraying all sound corners make it a terrific headset for more reasons than one.

The software comes with various other features that make for a plethora of additions. The voice changer technology is decently integrated and the software allows people to check if surround sound is enabled through the switch. For the most part, the simplicity of the Logitech G35 Headset is inspiring and rebellious in nature for something more complex and gives a sense of security to the wearer.

The Logitech G35 Headset uncovers a level of complexity that is marked by a simplicity long to be seen by anyone that purchases a product. The sound quality is simply amazing across multiple supported applications and the Logitech G35 Headset accentuates a performance that completely leaves other surround sound headsets in the dark.

A keyboard is something that often gets overlooked. Day by day, people continue to use their PCs for hardcore reasons or soft-core ones, while completely ignoring the true need: a comfortable and finally revolutionary keyboard that provides great support. The Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000 abates the serious acerbic strokes caused by low-end keyboards that are far from few. By providing a sleek ergonomic design, intuitive controls, and increased productivity, the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000 exemplifies a perfect value for every dollar spent on a keyboard. This keyboard is the one to get if seeking a new keyboard in the vast wilderness of the technological ocean.

The ergonomic design is simply exquisite taste on part of Microsoft. The Comfort Curve keyboard fits to the layout of the frame very easily, and accents the overall black tone of the side layer. The most apparent design influence comes from the Windows Aero, a dynamic Windows Vista 3D display system for OS windows. The translucent border has excellent elegance that complements the actual keys of the keyboard. There is an interesting six degree curve, which shows that the smallest effect has a huge consequence; It is conducive of perfect hand balance while making sure the wrists do not experience hyperextension thanks to the “soft touch” wrist pad.

Actual wireless functions run off a 2.4GHz wireless transceiver that picks up frequency for a 30-foot wireless range, which is incredibly nice to have for a keyboard, and mostly an additional feature as most only feature around 15-foot radius space. The battery life indicator implemented on the keyboard itself is helpful, and instinctive that displays two colors: Green indicates good to go, and Red indicates new source of power (2 AA Batteries) are needed.

Productivity is rampant with the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000. The keyboard comes implemented with simple yet easy One-Touch buttons in order to access anything. Copy/Paste functions, or “My Favorites” Keys to program a key to your most used files, folders, or a website. Simply push and hold a key to assign it and you are being productive under 2 seconds. All of these exclude the hotkeys alone which also aid to make productivity fast and efficient.

There is very little else to say about the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000. The product speaks for itself from the sleek red cover it came with, to the amazing design, and the very easy and customizable experience in the use of this device. Searching for a new keyboard? Search no further. This is definitely one that is worth the money spent.

Microsoft’s Explorer Mouse is simply the best mouse you can get right now on the market. It is stunning, vibrant, and innovative through the core features that Microsoft implements in their new line of Hardware Anywhere products. The Explorer Mouse  gives you flexibility, by way of its proprietary BlueTrack sensor.

The Explorer Mouse is one of two products released  from Microsoft using an internally developed sensor technology called BlueTrack. The accuracy is beyond that of a laser mice with the wide-area projection of optical mice, BlueTrack gives you the ability to use the Explorer Mouse on the reflective and rough-textured surfaces that would give other kinds of mice trouble. The Explorer Mouse comes with the typical standard features that are pellucid of the higher-end spectrum.  The mouse works on a wireless 2.4GHz connection, and comes packaged with a USB receiver that snaps into the bottom of the mouse itself for travel. The installation of the mouse itself is very easy, despite the actual complexity of the mouse and works extremely well.

The only issues with the mouse are the typical and perspicuous scroll wheel itself. The scrollwheel is incredibly apt, but unfortunately it does not base the wheel scrolls in terms of increments and as a result poses a slight problem to perfection.

All other things aside, one of the best features of this mouse is thankfully the sleek design. We can applaud the contemporary style that makes the mouse not only amazing to use, but also very efficient at displaying the amount of flexibility it contains with an ergonomic design. The chrome highlights are enticing and the mouse itself serves to offer extremely comfortable use.

The Microsoft Explorer Mouse is undeniably one of the best mouse on the market, despite some other mice that come paired with a dpi toggle. In reality, the dpi toggle is just a plus but that is not what makes a mouse a product. What makes a great product is the amount of confidence you have in that it performs as well as the happy people on the box will have you believe. The Microsoft Explorer Mouse is simply a great investment.

IStarUSA is known to make great technology: from power supplies, to internal divisions and in this case, the latest Xage-n99-us hard drive docking station. Coming with the works of RoHS compliancy, the latest storage division supports up to 2.5” and 3.5” SATA hard drives up to 1TB, offering for a versatility that we just don’t see too often in terms of storage devices and the way the efficiency of items are brought up.

Specifications & Features:

SATA to USB 2.0/ FireWire 800/ Ethernet even eSATA interfaces

80mm Cooling Fan with Speed Controller

One Year Warranty

Size: 80mm

Speed: 0~1,800 rpm

Noise Level: 23.8 dB(A)

Air Flow: 31.15 CFM

The docking station comes with the USB cable, sexy HDD rubber covers and a power cable with the main mount. As a fully PC, Mac and Linux compatible device, the iStarUSA docking station supports makes sure that it doesn’t come off as cheap, with a blue activity light for a smitten indicator.

The iStarUSA HDD Docking Station boasts 480Mbps of data transfer rates for both 3.5” and 2.5” SATA hard drives in a very sleek design and reels in at about $20-$30 for something to aid in the aggravation of trying to figure out what HDD has what. In a land of external hard drive solutions, iStarUSA manages to make the trend towards a cheaper significance, allowing for ordinary consumers to save time, space, and most importantly money by hotswap.

iStarUSA claims a lot for a device that looks elegant but simple. After testing the device with our fastest RPM Western Digital SATA drive, the iStar USA performed admirably, exceeding expectations for something a bit peculiar, even for us. While total efficiency remained at 85%, the device itself was well worth the cash after all, a great news to those with hard drives as backups or picture storage.

As for noise level, surprisingly the unit itself does not make much noise (21.8 dB) using an oscillator, and the hard drive is the only thing that makes noise while accessing internal RAM. Not bad at all.

Rejoice. iStarUSA’s xAge-N99-US USB 2.0 Hard Drive Docking Station is here.

]]> http://whatifgaming.com/istarusa-hard-drive-docking-station-review-plug-n-go/feed 0 http://whatifgaming.com/sound-blaster-x-fi-titanium-review http://whatifgaming.com/sound-blaster-x-fi-titanium-review#comments Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:30:57 +0000 Usman Ihtsham http://whatifgaming.com/?p=1054

Out of the depths, a beast emerges from Creative Labs new line of product in the Sound Blaster FATAL1TY Professional series: the Blaster X-Fi Titanium. Throughout gaming and applications, one thing everyone always tries to make sure is if the sound card is what they’re looking for. Sadly, it’s hard to come on to a sound card that has everything, is well rounded, and just overall fits the needs for the price you pay. Heralded as the only choice for gamers, the X-Fi Titanium delivers exceptional quality, accelerated audio for unbelievable performance, and a mesmerizing amount of versatility for gamers and enthusiasts alike.

The outside of the box is a sheer red. Probably because red is most definitely the form of extreme urgency, power, and usually sheer rage. Along with a picture of Jonathan Wendel to the front, the side of the case has direct word from Wendel on how there’s nothing faster and better than the X-Fi. The box is pretty simple, but elegant and sophisticated at the same time. Something that really has an effect on first site.

The beastly black overlay of the X-Fi Titanium really packs the word of “hardcore” all in the ears. The inside of the box also includes the drivers, special offers, and game discounts on the bottom of the card. Turning to the card itself, we can see all the I/O connector goods that make it what it is: the microphone line in, 5 speakers and headphones line in, optical in for player devices and optical out in case you want to hurl some of the absolute power to an A/V receiver. The metallic encasing that holds the primary chip connector and the great use of high quality parts make you appreciate the thought that went into everything for this $150 sound card.

The following are the specs as listed by Creative: