I imagine they didn’t get the official licensing from the BBC or Top Gear, but there’s no denying that the GOgroove BoomBUDDY speaker looks a lot like the Stig. Well, if the Stig got crossed with a cartoon octopus or something. And it’s on sale for 44% off the regular price too.

The GOgroove BoomBUDDY is a high-fidelity 2.1 stereo speaker system featuring a fairly large (for its relative compact size) 4-inch subwoofer. Since it has a standard 3.5mm aux-in audio port, it’ll work with just about any audio source that have. Plug in your iPhone, iPod, Android, tablet, laptop, desktop, portable gaming console or whatever else. They’ve even included the 3.5mm stereo audio cable for good measure.

As far as tech specs go, you get a SonusMAX enhanced 2.1 channel speaker system for full-range audio, pumping out 10W RMS and 20W peak. While this speaker is portable, there is no internal battery, so you will need to make use of the included AC adapter.

Some say he prefers Carly Rae Jepsen over Skrillex, and that he refuses to eat any octopus sushi. All we know is he’s called the GOgroove BoomBUDDY and he’s on sale for $44.99, which is a savings of $35 off the list price of $79.99.

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A short while ago, we took a look at the Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim Speaker System. It’s a speaker system that can easily be used with your computer, iPod, or any number of other audio sources. Today, we shift our attention to a slightly more affordable option.

The A321P PC Speakers come from V7 by Ingram Micro, the same company that sells the V7 Premium Toploader Laptop Case. That laptop bag is actually a Targus product, but there does not appear to be any Targus branding on this 2.1 multimedia performance speaker system.

Following in the more budget-minded approach of V7, the A321P speaker system does not come in a branded box with any fancy printing or labeling. The retail version might be slightly different from the review unit I received, but I’m assuming that it is much the same. If this it is the case, then the box is just plain white with foam inserts holding the individual pieces in place.

If you’re expecting a plethora of accessories, you will not get what you expect. Inside the box, you get the three speakers and the corresponding cables, but that’s about it. There’s no user manual, but you don’t need one. The connection is about as straightforward as it gets.

Flipping around to the back of the subwoofer, you’ll find the two RCA jacks for output to the two satellite stereo speakers. There’s also a jack for the 3.5mm audio cable (input), a bass control dial, and a power switch.

To control the volume, there is a rather large dial on the front of the subwoofer. It’s a matter of personal preference whether you like having the volume control on the subwoofer or on a wired remote like the Hercules system. I personally like this better, because it means I can use whatever 3.5mm stereo input cable I’d like.

To help with some of that audio production, the subwoofer is ported on the right side. You’ll want to keep this in mind when you think about the speaker placement, since the port should have easy access to the open air. I personally found the provided RCA cables for the satellites to be a little on the short side, but you can overcome this with some cables of your own.

In terms of specifications, the satellites are 9W each and the subwoofer is 12W. The spec sheet says that this results in an overall RMS of 30W (that math doesn’t add up, does it?), so you have a decent amount of output for a relatively compact system.

Build quality is acceptable, using black wood construction and silver accents. I would have liked to see better protection for the speaker cones, however, as they are completely exposed. This may be an issue for the sub especially, since you may kick it accidentally with your foot, assuming the sub is placed underneath your desk on the floor.

For sound quality, I think that the V7 A321P PC Speakers are exactly that: PC speakers. They’re not terrible when you are watching YouTube videos and listening to some soft music, but I experienced a lot of distortion at higher volumes, particularly with anything that had heavier bass notes.

With largely vocal tracks, like Alicia Keys, I wasn’t too disappointed. However, hitting the bass with Kanye West resulted in quite a bit of distortion. I’d suggest keeping the volume a little lower and sticking to lighter playlists if you’re going to use this for music. It’s an upgrade from most speakers built into laptops, but it’s not as good as some other 2.1 offerings.

The V7 A321P PC Speakers carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $45.99, which isn’t terrible for something that has a subwoofer. However, I’d argue that you can achieve better performance at this price point from alternative systems.

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

UPDATE 01/05/10: I just received an email letting me know that the unit I reviewed was just a sample. The retail version will have full box art and an instruction manual. Sorry for any confusion.

UPDATE 01/07/10: And here is a sample of the box art. It’s a slightly different model, but the box art should be very similar.

The post REVIEW – V7 A321P 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

One of the main reasons why someone may choose to abandon their desktop computer in favor of a notebook-only experience is the added portability that a laptop can offer. You can take your notebook PC with you everywhere you go, effectively freeing from you from any single location. Naturally, this advantage comes with its disadvantages as well.

While most laptops do come equipped with built-in speakers, these speakers oftentimes leave much to be desired. Just like their desktop counterparts, they can greatly benefit from an upgrade. If you don’t need the surround sound experience of a 5.1 speaker system, you may be perfectly satisfied with a unit like the Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim. This is a slight variation on the original XPS 2.1 40, offering for a thinner and more streamlined design.

2.1 Speakers for the Home and Office

There’s no need to install any drivers of any sort to use this speaker system with your computer, because it makes use of a standard 3.5mm stereo connection. You can just plug it into the headphone jack on your laptop and you’re pretty much good to go. There is no shortage of power, since the speaker system needs its own supply from the wall.

In terms of specs, you get a 16W RMS subwoofer to go with a pair of 8W RMS satellite stereo speakers. Combined, they offer a total peak power of 64 watts and each satellite features dual drivers for improved performance. Other highlights include magnetic shielding, an integrated power supply, a black lacquered finish, and a 1.8-meter cable to connect to your audio source.

Naturally, you could just as easily use the Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim with any variety of other devices. It can prove to be a decent speaker system for your iPod, Zune, or even your home theater should you so choose. Inside the box, you get the three speakers, a wired remote control, an audio connection cable, a warranty certificate, and a paper manual.

Simplified Connection Options

If you’ve been overwhelmed by other stereo systems, then you can have a sigh of relief here. Everything is in the back of the subwoofer unit and it couldn’t be simpler. The cable for the wired remote is already there. Next to it is the jack for the power supply, above that is the power switch, and above that are the two jacks for the satellites. That’s it. No mess, no worries.

This simplicity can be appreciated by some, but it can also be a sticking point for others. I would have preferred if the cable for the wired remote wasn’t pre-installed. This aids in packing, for starters, but it would also mean that it’d be a lot easier to use our own cables instead.

If you already have a cable that has 3.5mm stereo on one end and dual RCA on the other end, this is much more convenient for hooking up to a game system or television.

In-Line Remote for Volume and More

Speaking of the wired remote, this is definitely a valued feature. There is a simple knob on the top for adjusting the volume, but you’ll also find jacks on either side for added functionality. One of these gives you quick access to a line-in for an alternative audio source, and the other is a headphone jack if you want to keep to yourself.

The remote is relatively simple in its design, which is a plus in my books. As mentioned, it would be nice if the remote (and its cable) were removable, however. There is a second knob on the front of the subwoofer for adjusting the bass.

Audio Performance

Ultimately, this is what matters, right? The Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim offers a simple yet stylish design, but none of that matters if it sounds like garbage. Thankfully, Hercules has largely been able to impress on this front.

The downward-firing subwoofer offers plenty of thump when you play your favorite club hits or hip hop tracks. It’s good to see that the subwoofer itself is slightly off the ground and I like that the air port is in the front rather than on the back. Most people will place the subwoofer close to a wall, so you want to make sure that it has enough room to breathe. You can really feel the air pumping out of this thing.

The satellite speakers are pretty weak when you turn the subwoofer down all the way. They’re adequate, I suppose, but the sound performance is obviously seriously lacking without the bump of the sub. I did find that certain tracks started to distort when either the volume or bass (or both) were cranked up just a notch.

Conclusion

With a retail price of only $59.99, the Hercules XPS 2.1 40 Slim is certainly a substantial upgrade over something the Speakal iPig. Ironically, the latter costs about $40 more. I guess “cute” comes at a premium.

The overall design of this 2.1 speaker system is good, since you can easily place the satellites on your desk and your subwoofer underneath, but it is not without its faults either. The sound can distort at times, especially at higher volumes, and the inability to remove the wired remote can be a pain. All in all, you get a pretty good value and more than adequate performance, especially given the lower price point.

Overall Rating: 8.0/10

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