The appearance of the new generation of iPod Nanos is subject to a wide spectrum of responses. Some are irked by the fact that it resembles cheaply-made MP3 player models, especially those in wilder colours such as orange or pink; others are immediately taken by the sleek shape of the player and what they see as a very well-finished shell. I belonged to the latter category; the first time I caught eyes of the iPod Nano 4th Generation, I was utterly sold. In fact, my original plans to try to save up for a 32GB iPod Touch were completely shelved after I beheld this gorgeous gizmo. What captivated me was the Now Playing Screen; while the Classic range of iPods features the usual titles on one side and the album art on the other, this range of Nanos has the album art take up virtually the entire screen, allowing for it to be displayed in its full glory. The crisp graphics certainly made the Now Playing Screen even juicier; it makes all the effort of setting album art for your songs absolutely worth it.

One cannot deny, of course, that the capability of the new iPod Nanos to detect its orientation is also a very fascinating and attractive feature. It allows one to watch videos in a fuller resolution, it makes it more convenient to watch videos or use the Cover Flow option since you can hold the Nano either way, and it’s cool to play games by tilting your iPod around. Not that the iPod Touch and iPhone don’t have these options, but the portability of the Nano is, of course, a plus. It is a pity that one can’t download applications onto the Nano, but I guess that is the trade-off for keeping the trademark click-wheel. In my opinion, however, it is not an entirely unreasonable trade-off; the fact is, many hardcore iPod fans (such as me) love the click-wheel to bits and cannot fathom not having it on their iPods. The fourth generation of iPod Nanos is hence perfect because while it maintains the use of the click-wheel, it manages to incorporate the full album art display of the iPod Touch and iPhone and still maintain its portability as a Nano as well.

The only real qualms I had about the new iPod Nano was the fact that when I dropped it on tarmac once, part of it was scratched off because of the jagged surface of the ground. The chipped-off bits were tiny but still suggested that the shell was somewhat less resistant to damage than one would expect from a chrome exterior. What this really means, however, is that you should take better care of your iPod Nano, keep it away from roads, and to buy a plastic cover if you are an utter klutz and need some iPod armour anyway.

I also had slight problems with the fact that it is rather hard to find good accessories for the new iPod Nano. I did find a handful of silicon cases and skins, but I am yet to find any leather holders or stick-on skins. Perhaps this will change with time, but if you must have these accessories you might want to hold your purchase until these frills actually get a more widespread release.

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Media gadgets powerhouse Logitech does not seem content to manufacturing mice which work on the standard 2D surface. With the addition of their new top-of-the-line MX Air to their mousing arsenal, Logitech has opened an entire niche in the mouse industry. The unique selling point of the Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse is that, well, it works as well in air as compared to being used on a table surface.

The Logitech MX Air is a gyroscopic mouse. This means that, other than being used in the standard way, the MX Air can be lifted off the surface and be used to control the cursor on the screen like a laser pointer. This is most certainly targeted at home theatre entertainment users. The MX Air has a sleek and futuristic design, which looks nothing like conventional mice. It has a touch-scroll which has replaced the conventional scroll-wheel, extra multimedia buttons and is fully wireless.

I had some misgivings regarding the touch-scroll strip which replaced the scroll-wheel. It makes use of a technology called inertia scrolling. Sliding your index finger along the strip will allow you to scroll documents, achieving the same effect as rolling back on a scroll-wheel. However, as you flick your finger faster on the touch-scroll strip, it accelerates your scrolling speed exponentially. This causes some inconvenient scrolling of web browsers and documents sometimes, although I would admit, it is a very classy feature.

The four extra mouse buttons are self-explanatory – Back, Select, Play/Pause and Volume. These are basic entertainment and multimedia mouse functions, perfect for that Home Theatre PC (HTPC) to watch Blu-Ray movies or stream online video content. The Logitech MX Air is fully wireless; all that is required is for you to stick a USB receptor into your computer. The signal strength is strong - I had no problems operating it even at distances of up to 7-10 metres. The MX Air is equipped with a rechargeable battery and comes with a very stylish charging stand.

The mouse makes use of mechanical gyroscopes in the air, meaning that even if you tilt the mouse sideways and move it up, the mouse will still register a horizontal cursor movement. This is definitely a very considerate feature and will reduce the disorientation while in midair. The myriad of functions and controls that the MX Air possesses can only be fully explored once you have the mouse and start to experiment on it yourself. For example, holding down the Volume button in midair and then traversing the mouse sideways will adjust the volume. This is a power-packed addition to Logitech’s growing family of versatile mice.

One important fact to bear in mind before deciding to buy this is that, while the whole concept of gyroscopic mice is very attractive and very appealing, the MX Air will take some getting used to. A user of standard mice will find it disorientating once you lack that sense of security that the solid table gives you. Apart from this, this mouse also commands a very exorbitant price tag of approximately US$120-140.

If money is of no object to you in securing an attractive and functional mouse for that HTPC, the Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse will be the perfect choice for you. This Wii variant of the mice fraternity is a very handy device which would complement a HTPC very well.

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As a result of my gaming habits, the mice that I usually prefer with my desktop are usually Razer-made. Be it the older Krait or the newer Lachesis, Razer gaming mice have grown on me. However, recently I purchased a Logitech G5 Laser Mouse from eBay and I have found myself using this more than my current Razer Lachesis. An extremely versatile mid-range gaming mouse, it would definitely appeal to the casual user as well.

The Logitech G5 has an impressive 2,000dpi (dots per inches) sensitivity. That statistic does not seem too impressive beside Razer’s representatives – Copperhead and Lachesis, which have up to 4,000dpi. One thing to note is, however, 2,000 is more than enough even for gaming enthusiasts and certainly overkill for the casual user. Gamers can get the most out of their gameplay with this sensitivity, especially for the first-person shooters (FPS) crowd who require more control over their crosshairs. Clicking small spots on the monitor is now made much easier as you have finer control over the cursor, thus making this one very accurate device.

I mentioned that the Logitech G5 Laser Mouse is extremely versatile, and one aspect where this is evident is the SetPoint software that is bundled along with the mouse. SetPoint allows ‘dpi switching’, which means that you can set the dpi at which the mouse operates at, be it 100 or 2,000dpi. This is definitely good news to casual users, who will most likely run it only at 1,000 to 1,500dpi for daily usage. This dpi setting can be altered on-the-fly, with a simple click of the middle buttons below the scroll wheel. Furthermore, it allows you to save profile settings, meaning that you can assign new functions to every single one of the six buttons and save these changes. The first thumb button could be assigned to open Mozilla Firefox, for example, while the second could be used to open iTunes.

Another feature that I really liked was the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) mouse feet. Mouse feet are smooth pads at the bottom of the mouse surface which is in contact with the mouse pad (or table surface). The polytetrafluoroethylene mouse feet are ultra-smooth and this basically means that the mouse literally glides across your mousing surface. Coupled with a decent mouse pad, the G5 would be a very comfortable mouse to use. I am using this with the Razer Destructor gaming mat and I can safely say that I have never used a mouse that is smoother than the G5.

This last feature is undoubtedly my favourite – the Logitech G5 Laser Mouse allows users to use small weights to customize the total mouse weight. Often, I’ve come across mice which are either too cumbersome or too light to be used comfortably. The G5 comes with weights that can be slotted into the underside of the mouse to make it a little heftier for the user to have more control over the device. This, coupled with the polytetrafluoroethylene feet, strikes a good balance between sensitivity and control for the mouse and is definitely the G5’s winning point.

I would be elated if Logitech had added two more side buttons to the G5. The two thin mouse buttons might be useful for the casual user, but it is hardly enough for the gamers. I would prefer more buttons to bind commands to and hopefully the successor versions of the G5 would implement this. Apart from this, the Logitech G5 Laser Mouse is an excellent mouse and I have been a happy user for the past two weeks.

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‘Beyerdynamic’ is a name known and respected by true audiophiles around the world. Beyerdynamic audio products are famous for the quality and design, as well as durability. Beyerdynamic stands as among the top few brands like Sennheiser, Audio-Technica and Grado for high-end audio equipment. One of the more affordable pair of headphones from Beyerdynamic is the DT231.

When accessing a pair of ‘cans’ (the insider term for headphones), most important aspects to consider include quality of sound, comfort during use, portability, durability d cost. In my opinion, the DT231 has very good value for money and, overall in the above-mentioned aspects, fare very well for a mid-range pair of headphones.

The DT231 looks very lightweight. The cups of the headphone are compact and look nothing like the more bulky Grado designs. Whilst some hardcore listeners may not like this ’softer’ feel but instead prefer the trusty weight of heavier cans, the compact size makes it a very portable set of headphones. This means that it can be easily brought around in a bag, or even around the neck, making it the perfect companion for your iPod. Comfort-wise, this set does not pose any serious problems. The headband does not constrict the top of the skull and the cups fit snugly around the ears. As with any other headphones, the ears get warm after long hours of listening but I thought the material of the ear muffs could be selected specifically to trap less heat. There were occasional periods when I felt that the headphones was pressing slightly too tight on the top of my ears, resulting in a very slight ache after long hours of use.

When I plugged this into my computer using a Creative Audigy 2 Value sound card, I was quite taken aback. The retail price of the DT231 is slightly less than US$100, but after using it for a day, I was convinced that the DT231 was a steal from Beyerdynamic. This price range is considered low to medium-class for premium brands like Beyerdyanmic, however from the quality of sound from the DT231, it sounds more like a medium to high-end set of headphones. For me, bass is one big factor in sound quality and the DT231’s bass is solid and reverberating - just the way I like it. Music is clear and crisp, both high and low pitches are a joy to hear, even at loud volumes. Another feature that I really liked is the excellent noise cancellation. Basically the DT231 is closed, meaning that once you put it on, it isolates your ears from the environment. This makes for excellent outdoor use as it cancels out background noise and enhances the clarity of the sound.

For a pair of headphones under US$100, this pair of headphones has one of the best sound quality in the market. More expensive headphones from Grado and Audio-Technica may not be able to best the DT231’s melodious quality. Beyerdynamic DT231 Headphones should be your choice if you want to pay the minimum for superb quality. I have never looked back since I purchased my set.

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While in the past Nokia used to dominate the handphone market with it’s dynamic range of mobile phones, that has all changed in recent years with Sony Ericsson learning how to adapt to consumers’ needs. It now has an even more dynamic range of phones for consumers to choose from: from their Cybershot series, to the Walkman series to the latest R series which all have FM radio receivers built in so that you need not plug in headphones to listen to your favourite local radio station. Among all the Walkman phones, one phone really stands out in my opinion, the Sony Ericsson W910i.

For starters, it’s a slider phone which is relatively slim and light and comes in multiple colours (black, white, red, bronze) all of which look great in their own right. Sliding open the phone will reveal the flat keypad hidden underneath, the standard 12 button keypad has all it’s keys tightly packed together, but each individual key is just large enough so that your fingers won’t hurt while trying to use it. However, this keypad will take some getting used to, oftentimes you’re not quite sure if you’ve hit a button or not due to the fact that there isn’t much tactile feedback from the keypad. On the bright side, this does make the keypad really, really silent, allowing you to type long messages without getting irritated by the keypad.

The layout of the buttons is slightly different from older Sony Ericsson phones though, it now resembles the layout of a Nokia phone, ie. a selection button on each side and a “pick up” and “hang up” button right below them. The default “back” arrow button is gone, but it’s relatively easy to get used to the new way of navigating around the phone as it feels pretty natural. The D-pad feels really solid and is a breeze to use to navigate through menus as well as your media.

Speaking of media, the phone has a great media browser that allows you to easily access and browse through your pictures, songs and videos. Everything is neatly organised and everything is easily accessible, allowing you to enjoy your media collection. The Walkman function of the phone is probably the highlight of the media browser, considering how it’s a Walkman phone after all. You’re able to view songs by artist, album or track and can create playlists as well. Not to mention album art will be displayed (albeit in a very small box in the top left hand corner) if it’s available. My only gripe is that the Walkman function won’t differentiate between songs and other sound files, for example even recordings are included in your tracks. It can get quite irritating at times to have your play mode on “shuffle” and suddenly have a recording start playing.

The phone has several other small but useful features as well, for example a motion sensor which will help the phone automatically flip landscape images to fill the screen when the phone is held sideways or flip the media browser menu. Also, while a song is playing, you can hold down the Walkman button and shake the phone left or right to change tracks. It’s more of a gimmick than anything else, but it’s a cool gimmick nonetheless. Another useful feature which is seldom advertised is that there’s a light sensor built into the phone somewhere as well. When you’re in darker conditions, the screen will dim and the keypad lights will brighten up and vice versa. I never knew about this function until I realised the screen kept changing brightness, and I must say it is a really useful feature as it really does help quite a bit.

All in all, Sony Ericsson W910i is a great addition to the Walkman series, with all the features you could want in a standard phone, and with everything in a slim and beautiful package, it’s an ideal phone for most people out there looking for an affordable phone to purchase.

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The current market is not short of attractive and stylish-looking keyboards. Brands like Razer, Everglide and Aevoe Moshi have their own good-looking keyboards equipped with various functions. However, Logitech’s latest multimedia keyboard is the undisputed pinnacle of multimedia technology crafted into a functional yet stunningly elegant keyboard - Logitech diNovo Edge Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard.

First impressions matter a lot to me and judging by first impressions alone, the diNovo Edge trumps all competition. Crafted from a single slab of Plexiglass and then mounted on a sleek aluminum frame, it has truly breathtaking design. It sports a very attractive glossy black finish on the keyboard main pane and also a sleek aluminum palm support. Beware though; the glossy panel attracts more fingerprint smudges than you ever thought possible. The Edge is only 11mm thick but is sturdy, considering how delicate it looks. Also, instead of the conventional number pad on the right, Logitech replaced it with a circular ‘TouchDisc’. It functions basically in a similar fashion to laptop touchpads, with the striking difference being that it is circular. Although this may seem strange, the TouchDisc is rather friendly to use, not for just moving your cursor, but also to scroll documents.

This keyboard has an edge (pun intended) over rival keyboards as it is one of the rare rechargeable wireless keyboards. The diNovo Edge is a Bluetooth-operated keyboard, with a range of a good 30 metres. Installation is a breeze - just plug in the USB Bluetooth receiver into your PC and you can start typing. The rechargeable stand of the Edge is also crafted to be an ornament. During charging, it holds up the Edge vertically a la an exhibition display. A solid 2 hours of charging can allow the Edge to function for more than a month on moderate usage.

Each of the keys has up to 10 million keystrokes and the each individual is equipped with Logitech’s PerfectStroke technology. Typing on the Edge requires getting used to though, due to the ultra slim profile, the keys do not travel by much when depressed. It was also disorientating initially to be typing on such a low ascent. This is not that much of a hindrance compared to the TouchDisc and other touchpad functions. The sensitivity of the TouchDisc and touch-sensitive volume control is diametrically opposite to that of the Razer Lycosa’s. While there were many complaints about the Lycosa’s touch panel being hypersensitive, I anticipate the equal amount of complaints about the diNovo Edge’s touch panel being too insensitive. One would assume that the TouchDisc would do away with the need for a mouse, however, the TouchDisc was overwhelmingly cumbersome to use. Just to move the cursor from one end of the screen to the other required 3 full brushes across the diameter of the TouchDisc. The concept of this touch panel on the diNovo Edge is indeed creative and innovative, but it is a downright annoyance to use.

The other significant reason why the diNovo Edge is not as popular in real life than in concept is the extravagant cost. With a US$200 price tag (or thereabouts), it is a greatly prohibitive price for the average user. Furthermore, for such a price, I would have expected Logitech to further refine their touch-sensitive interface. Also, I felt that the inclusion of backlight illumination for the keys would have boosted its reputation as an all-rounded multimedia keyboard exponentially. For regular typists, you would do better off with a lower-end Logitech keyboard. For gamers, a keyboard from the Razer family would be much more practical; besides, I would not want to subconsciously pound away at my delicate Edge keys during intense gameplay.

For the fashion savvy, who wish to use this in the study as well as the living room, US$200 would be a reasonable price for a flashy and decently functional keyboard. Just remember, do yourself a favour and buy yourself a Logitech Bluetooth mouse along with the Logitech diNovo Edge Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard.

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Plantronics is a California-based electronics hardware company that is renowned for its electronic communication headsets, known for their dexterity and portability. You might not have heard of Plantronics, but the famous words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” said by Neil Armstrong were transmitted through a Plantronics headset. Plantronics equipped the first astronaut to land on the moon with their advanced lightweight headset. As such, it would not be unreasonable to expect quality sound and performance from its Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset.

When I first got the Plantronics Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset, I had high hopes for it, since Plantronics is a global market leader in audio peripheral. The looks itself certainly did not disappoint. The Gamecom 1 has a sleek metallic and matte finishing, with large ear cups surrounded by generous rubber padding. It is equipped with a very basic volume control that allows adjusting of volume and a simplistic bass control. Although nothing as refined as a Razer or Logitech product, this headset is still pleasing to the eye. Also, wearing the headset is rather comfortable, with an adjustable double head strap.

The most immediate feature about the Gamecom 1 you will realize after donning one is how remarkably lightweight it is. After using the Razer Barracuda for some time, this headset felt almost weightless. It fits snugly and provides satisfactory noise-reducing capabilities from the background. Due to it being so lightweight, it is very comfortable to wear. Sometimes, during gaming, I do not even recall that I am actually wearing a headset. The headset features a microphone that is fully extended. I actually prefer this over shorter versions of microphones found in other headsets, as I do want that reassuring feel that the mic is directly in front of my mouth so I would not have to yell unnecessarily.

For a headset that costs only about US$20, the Gamecom 1 produces a surprisingly good quality of sound. Under normal usage conditions, sounds are clear and crisp and I was pleasantly surprised to note that there was not much discernible difference in quality with expensive headsets like the Barracuda (a good US$100 more). However, unlike the multiple drivers present in the Barracuda, the Gamecom 1 sounds distorted and scratchy at high levels of volume. Furthermore, the bass sounds weak and lacks the resounding quality that a good bass should possess. The microphone, though, transmits clearly and audible, much thanks to the noise-cancellation feature as well. Do note though, that the microphone has known compatibility issues with games like Battlefield 2. Installation is a breeze; it’s simply plug-and-play via one USB port. The Gamecom 1 however, is not compatible with most sound cards as it is considered a plug-and-play headset.

For a price of S$20, this counts as one of the best in the market of budget gaming/music headsets. Sound quality is sufficient for light gaming and music that is not bass-intensive. However, this headset is not high on versatility and should be used solely for light gaming/music purposes. Do not bother trying to watch an action movie with the Plantronics Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset.

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It is a known fact that Razer has dominated the market for gaming mice, and they look poised to roll out yet another high-precision gaming mouse. However, they have attempted to cross over into another field of computer gaming hardware with the release of the Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headphones. This is a specialized headset for gaming and intended for use specifically with the Barracuda AC-1 Sound Card (but can be used separately).

Looks-wise, Razer products have never disappointed me. The recurring Razer theme is giving the products a mean and fearsome look, throwing in some slick and stylish finishing. The Barracuda is no exception. The headset is entirely black, down to cables and control, with the distinctive Razer snake trademark in blue LED on the outside of the muffs. The cables have a special Razer HD-DAI (High Definition-Dedicated Audio Interface) to fit only into the Barracuda sound card. Fortunately, Razer also equipped the headset with an adapter to function with other sound cards. The Barracuda sports a small microphone which is detachable when not in use.

The soft padded ear cups make wearing the Razer Barracuda a comfort. Even after long hours of wear while playing Warcraft III, there was totally no discomfort. The head strap is self-adjusting and fits snugly to the frame of your head. The Barracuda comes with an in-line remote control for adjusting volume. This volume control is similar to that found on speaker systems - you can control output from the front, rear, side, centre and bass. This opens up much freedom for users to explore and customize to fully enjoy the audio aspect of watching movies or gaming.

In the performance field, the Barracuda’s sound quality is something Razer can be proud of. Though not known for products in the audio department, Razer has sculpted the Barracuda to be a fine gaming headset. When used during movies or games, the Barracuda produces clear and crisp sounds. The surround sound quality is evidently present and considerably realistic, especially during games. There is no distortion of sound even when the volume is tuned up significantly. One aspect that fell short was the bass. The bass makes a rather significant presence during usage, however, it lacks that oompf factor. Of course I was not expecting similar bass quality from a 5.1 speaker system, but the bass range was lower than I expected. Furthermore, playing dance and techno music at higher volumes, the bass did not have that resounding adrenaline-inducing effect and it sounded quite hollow. Good enough for gaming, but the Barracuda’s bass will not provide a satisfactory listening experience when bass-intensive music is chosen. The detachable microphone does an excellent job of transmitting dialogue clearly, thanks to Razer’s noise-cancellation technology. You will not need to be forced to yell into the mic at close range for this set of gear.

One thing to note is that, although the head strap is self-adjusting, you are not able to adjust it manually. The Barracuda resembles slip-on loafers in this respect. This means that some users will definitely face problems; those with a smaller head circumference will find it loose and unable to tighten to headset, while those with a bigger head width will find the headset too tight, pressing too hard on the ears. As usual, the downside of the Barracuda HP-1, like all other Razer products, is that hefty price tag. Retailing for approximately US$120, this is not something the casual gamer can afford. Furthermore, at US$120, one can actually get a set of above-average speaker systems from Creative or even Altec Lansing. The speaker sets may not guarantee better sound quality, but it will definitely product much better bass and eliminates the discomfort of having to wear a headset. If you are looking for a high-end headset for music, movies or gaming, and if you do not have any financial limitations, the Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headset would be a valuable asset.

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Swanky, flamboyant and overwhelmingly powerful; these are but a few superlatives that can be used in close association. The Alienware Area-51 Gaming Desktop series is unparalleled in the gaming industry with its monstrous quad-core processor units, multiple graphics processing cards and 4GB of computer memory. With this machine, eliminate all problems encountered during games or other graphic intensity activities - the performance of this machine is guaranteed to leave you awed.

Performance-wise, the raw specifications of the Alienware Area-51 ALX SLI are unbeatable. The quad-core processing system utilized by the computer is not just normal quad-core Intel Core2Quad setup but is Core2Extreme running at 3.3GHz. This processor provides highly-threaded processor performance suitable for multimedia applications. With this killer processor, problems of stalling, lagging and slow loading become extinct. This is ideal not only for gaming, but also users who require simultaneous running of various programs. Furthermore, this processing unit is, by default, overclocked to run at higher speeds. This overclocking is done at the factory by Alienware technicians and is certified stable; this will also not affect warranty status of the machine.

The most prominent and breath-taking feature, however, is the triple SLI graphics card setup. SLI setup basically means linking up multiple graphics processor units together in a CPU to get a multiple-fold performance boost in the graphics and video department. Right now, high-end gaming computers from other manufacturers like Asus or Dell only make use of a dual-SLI setup. This dual-SLI setup is already considered a very high end configuration and can easily support any video intensive programs on the market. Now imagine, THREE video cards working simultaneously. This is a total of 2.3GB of dedicated video memory. My single GeForce 8800GT has only 512MB of video memory and it is supposed to be considered of a higher-end in the graphics card market. Of course, the performance of the SLI setup depends on what kind of cards are being utilized in the setup but again Alienware is generous in dishing out the best products for its customers. The default cards that come along are GeForce 8800 Ultras, which are already top-notch graphics processing units by themselves.

Like the Area-51 m15x Gaming Laptop, this computer system is fully customizable as well. From the casing on the exterior, to the internal parts of the CPU, each and every part can be adjusted to suit the user’s liking. However, beware - each and every upgrade will be charged appropriately and expectedly, no Alienware components come cheap. Some components, I feel are overcharged, for example the graphics cards. You are actually paying for the installation and brand name of Alienware. This machine is vastly superior to the m15x as SLI is impossible to achieve in the confined spaces of a laptop. This should be the automatic gamer’s choice as it has absolutely everything needed in a computer.

This machine comes with some astounding technical specifications. There is not one complaint regarding function and workings of the computer. However affordability is one big question mark here. With prices starting from US$4,299, it is a huge investment to make, even for hardcore gamers. This already excludes half or more of the market, since there are so many gamers who have limited or no income. This may possibly be the dream gaming machine for most, but like a Ferrari, most will never touch one, let alone own one. Alienware Area-51 ALX Gaming Desktop is one awesome gaming appliance, but insanely impractical.

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One thing I appreciate about the quality of products of homegrown brands is that it usually does not let me down. I have used several Creative products over the years - keyboards, mice and even MP3 players. My most recent aquisition is no exception, and I have been very pleased with the audio quality of the Creative Inspire M5300 5.1 speaker set.

As with other Creative products, this product is competitively-priced. Juxtaposed with other equivalent 5.1 surround sound speaker systems, the Inspire M5300 is a good buy. This is especially so after hearing the sounds that it produces. It is retailing now at S$150, which is approximately US$90. This is one cost-effective set of home theatre entertainment system!

Coinciding with the launch of its Audigy sound cards, the Inspire 5.1 was touted as one of the wallet-friendly home entertainment systems available on the market. Even when used with a computer for both gaming and entertainment purposes, this is considered a quality but affordable speaker set, especially when used with a compatible sound card. This stylish speaker set is ideal for use in a medium-sized room for computer usage. The 5 speakers can be distributed to provide even surround sound. According to Creative, best performance can be obtained when used in conjunction with an Audigy sound card.

Installation is a breeze. All the speakers, firstly, have to be cabled to the subwoofer. Next the subwoofer has to be jacked to the on-board sound card for a computer. The jacks are colour-coded so there need not be any worries about plugging the wrong jack into the slots. Using the sound card software on the computer (even non-Creative sound cards), performance of the speakers can be tweaked to the user’s preference to maximize audio enjoyment. This set even comes with a wired remote control with a power switch. The master volume and balance of the speakers can be adjusted from the remote, which can be placed in a convenient location, saving the need of having to search out the satellite speaker or subwoofer to adjust volume.

Quality-wise, the Creative Inspire M5300 delivers a decent but not brilliant performance. The subwoofer actually lacks the depth in sound; it does not have that powerful resonating feel. Turning up the bass helps, but tweak it too high and risk the sound quality becoming ‘echo-ish’. The subwoofer of the JBL Invader 4.1 system actually performs better than this one. With regards to the satellite speakers, they perform up to standard, providing clear and resounding tones. However, turning up the volume more than 75% will cause significant distortion to sound quality, but this is forgivable in my opinion. Usually, users would not need to tune the volume up that high.

Looks-wise, the Creative Inspire M5300 is a stylish set of speakers. In contrast with JBL’s smooth curves and shiny shades, Creative opts for a sinister all-black finish and boxy angles for the speakers. The colour theme would be matching with most computers. The subwoofer also has a wooden enclosure. This was a pleasant surprise, as not only it looks good aesthetically, but wood also improves the sound quality.

Music playback on this system would pose no problems; in fact, it would be rather enjoyable. However, this system might be just a tad lacking for DVD movies playback, especially in the subwoofer department. Watching action flicks are not as enjoyable - the “boom’s” are spectacular on this subwoofer. Also, I did not like the fact that Creative did not bother to include the useful speaker stands in the package, but are instead available separately for sale.

Despite certain minor letdowns in the overall performance of the Creative Inspire M5300, it is still an above-average speaker system for the price range. The audio-fussy would be more satisfied with higher end ranges like the Megaworks, but for the ordinary computer home users like me and you, the Creative Inspire 5.1 M5300 would be great value for money.

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