8-21-00
Last month we gave
away a set of IM-700 speakers from Monsoon. At the
same time I also managed to convince the folks at Monsoon
to send us a unit for review. I'll admit that when I
looked at Monsoon's IM-700 speakers I had my doubts.
They are so flat it is hard to imagine getting a full
sound out of them. What kind of sound can you expect
from these speakers? Read on...
Installation/Setup: There is not a lot to say
here, they are computer speakers after all and it doesn't
take a rocket scientist to set them up! The 6 page manual
covers the process nicely and provides tips on positioning
the speakers for optimal sound. One of our gripes with
a great many peripherals is their bulky bricks that
tie up 2 or more power outlets. The Monsoon subwoofer
avoids taking more than its fair share by connecting
to your power strip with a standard sized plug. Unlike
their low end MH-500 speakers, the iM-700's subwoofer
also has a power switch for the energy conscious. To
connect the speakers to your computer, Monsoon provides
a cable that is longer than anyone could possibly need
or want. One end connects to your computer's audio out
and the other to the subwoofer. In the middle is a "puck"
which you use to control the volume or quickly mute
the sound entirely. I have used the latter on more than
one occasion when the phone rang or someone came to
the door.
Performance: Monsoon's slogan is "drenched
in sound" which in my mind doesn't do these speakers
justice. "Immersed" springs to mind as an
appropriate description. I listened to several CD's
and MP3 files to put these speakers through their paces.
Some selections called for cranking up the volume and
bass whereas others were better suited for lower settings.
In all cases the speakers provided an excellent listening
experience. At times it was almost eerie not being able
to identify the physical source of the sound. In some
cases I would have sworn the sound was coming directly
from my PowerBook screen. With the volume cranked up,
the speakers did a decent job of filling my small living
room. The bass response should please everyone except
your neighbors in the downstairs apartment! Out of scientific
curiosity I hooked up the iM-700's to our house stereo
and was dismayed to discover they bested our full sized
floor speakers. Granted, they are not high end, but
the experience was depressing...
I would be remiss if I didn't say that I had to send
back the first set of speakers we received as the right
speaker would drop out intermittently. I eventually
traced the issue to a loose audio input connection in
the subwoofer. The replacement unit has worked flawlessly
over a week of testing, even after putting all of the
connections through a torture test of repeated wiggling,
plugging and unplugging.
Conclusions: There are times when style comes
only at the sacrifice of performance. Apple's recently
deceased mouse springs to mind as a prime example of
this. Fortunately, Monsoon has managed to combine form
and function into a product that pleases both the eyes
and ears. My only complaint is the $20 premium for the
translucent plastics. If you want to save a few bucks,
get the MM-700's which feature the same specs in a black
& grey color scheme.
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