Not burdened with wires: TOP-5 computer acoustics with Bluetooth support

Sven continues to actively develop a line of inexpensive, but very interesting speaker systems for buyers. One of the latest swallows in this company is the MS-305 model.

Like all Sven acoustics of recent years from MS-305, buyers are attracted by the combination of an affordable price with good sound quality, excellent functionality and attention to detail. Trifonika connects to any audio source with a line-out - to a computer, TV, tablet, while it can play files from a flash drive and memory cards, works as a radio receiver and supports wireless communication via Bluetooth. As for the subtle details, the batteries are already inserted in the remote control. A trifle, but nice.

From a design standpoint, the system looks great. Satellites are made in small wooden cases with unusual plastic lining in front. Due to the graceful bend that divides the lining into 2 halves, one gets the feeling that we have two-way acoustics in front of us. In fact, the satellites use one full-range speaker with a power of 10 watts. And on top it's just a decorative plug, not a full-fledged tweeter.

However, this does not affect the sound quality in any way. The satellites sound fairly even in the lower frequency range, play the middle range well and have a slightly raised top, which makes the sound more open. The subwoofer plays without any extraneous “humps”, and the lower frequency at 40 Hz inspires respect. Another nice little thing is the presence of a separate subwoofer volume control. If there is too little bass (or vice versa a lot), the balance of the system can be easily adjusted to suit your own needs. According to subjective feelings, this approach works more correctly than a conventional equalizer, which simply piles on low frequencies. True, it is located right behind the subwoofer and it is inconvenient to constantly reach for it.

Despite the date of foundation in 1993, F&D is not particularly known in our area. The seriousness of this oversight becomes apparent as soon as you look at F&D's catalog of acoustics - in fact, each model of the company has a truly unique and memorable design. And if you don't know that this is entry-level acoustics, it could easily be put on a par with Harman Kardon SoundSticks Wireless and other unusual hi-fi.

The F&D A-180X kit is no exception. The front panels of the satellites and subwoofer have an original corrugated surface with an unusual geometric pattern. It looks stylish and futuristic at the same time, but without the traditional for inexpensive acoustics kinks in the style of "I'm a designer with my mother."

Additional whists to this kit are added by a wide functional set, including a built-in FM receiver, a USB output for connecting a flash drive (that is, the system can play the role of a player) and a Bluetooth receiver that clearly picks up a signal at a distance of about 10 meters. The rest of the system boasts a standard for this class power of 42 watts and good sound quality. The latter can only be faulted in terms of voicing the upper frequencies, according to subjective sensations, they sometimes lack clarity and emphasis. But in terms of bass, the system takes the bar at 35 Hz.

Thanks to the combination of a convenient remote control, a low frequency range of 35 Hz and the original design of the F&D A-180X has gained popularity as an inexpensive speaker for ordinary home theater.

Sven MS-2051 is a convenient home 2.1 system with wired and wireless connections that can equally well play the role of a music center or a home theater.

Let's start with the positive. We have repeatedly praised Sven for attention to detail. Like it or not, you'll have to praise this time too. Firstly, at a price of just over $50, the speakers are made of MDF, although ordinary plastic is much more typical for this price category. The build quality is good: there is no play of parts, the material does not creak, the seams at the joints are small.

Secondly, the system works as a universal music center that can catch FM radio, play music from a flash drive, and also supports simultaneous connection of several signal sources via Bluetooth and a regular wire. The usability here is really on the level and it’s only possible to find fault with the display, which instead of the names of the tracks from the flash drive displays only serial numbers. With a large library of dozens of albums, this is not very convenient. On the other hand, this overlay slightly compensates for useful little things like wall mounts or the possibility of complete tonal balancing (there are both treble and bass controls), which is not so often seen in acoustics of this price range.

Acoustics is equipped with a built-in subwoofer amplifier with a power reserve of 55 watts. Of these, 30 watts falls on the sub itself, and the remaining 25 are scattered between a pair of two-way speakers. Interestingly, both subwoofers and satellites reproduce quite clean and clear sound even at maximum volume. Although even more expensive speakers wheeze when working at the limit. It is possible that Sven engineers simply left a small margin of power.

Most inexpensive 2.1 systems outwardly copy the usual music centers, as they have essentially replaced them. Here you have 2 small square speakers, and here is another one that is the same, but larger. And all the more unusual against this background is the Prisma Encore kit from Edifier, which in terms of design is rather inspired by spaceships from science fiction films. Just look at this subwoofer - it will definitely be the first thing people look at when they enter a room. Yes, and satellites in the form of pyramids are not far away.

In all other respects, the E3360BT adheres to minimalism. Of the connectivity options minijack and Bluetooth. By the way, Bluetooth catches perfectly and we did not notice any problems with signal transmission. At the same time, the system does not have a built-in card reader, a slot for a flash drive or an FM radio, like many other 2.1 sets

Minimalism has also touched the acoustics control system, which consists of a pair of touch buttons on the end of the subwoofer. Usually a subwoofer is placed under the table and any buttons on it are just annoying, but in the case of the E3360BT, hardly anyone wants to hide such a curiosity under the table. In any case, all buttons are duplicated on the wireless control panel. Naturally, the remote also looks like a tiny starship.

Aside from looks, the most interesting aspect of this system is its sound. Usually in 2.1 acoustics, manufacturers focus on low frequencies to give more power to special effects. The Edifier E3360BT sound seems more balanced - low frequencies sound powerful, but do not stick out of the sound canvas. And the two-way satellites quite clearly and accentuate the upper and middle frequencies. Thanks to this desire for balance, the E3360BT adequately voices not only games and movies, but also copes with music. True, sometimes you have to turn to the help of an equalizer and twist the sound a little to your own taste.

The Logitech G560 is a rather unusual 2.1 wireless speaker set aimed primarily at gamers. At the first acquaintance with this acoustics, nothing unusual catches the eye. Attention is attracted only by a rather large and strict rectangular subwoofer. Later, the subwoofer is hidden under the table and it turns out that the real stars of the show are small satellites with RGB lighting. Moreover, the backlight is unusual, but for 16 million colors.

It works like this: speakers read color information from the four main areas of the monitor and copy them. If you put the speakers closer to the wall, they seem to become a continuation of the monitor, highlighting each of its facets with the same color. Theoretically, it looks damn impressive. Especially if the picture is static. But in practice it does not always work out beautifully.

If the colors on the monitor change too quickly, as often happens in games, the satellites do not always keep up with the dynamics. There is a slight delay that blurs the immersive effect. Logitech Gaming Software is designed to solve this problem, in which you can select a backlight profile with the desired dynamics for a specific game. At the time of the presentation of games that support this technology, there were not so many, but the list is gradually expanding and now you can find many hits like Battlefield 5, DOTA 2 and GTA V there.

In terms of sound, the G560 deserves a solid five. With support for DTS:X Ultra surround sound, you can perfectly hear where the voices, footsteps or growls of enemies come from. Well, a large-caliber subwoofer (system power 120 W) sounds shots and magic volleys so powerfully and realistically that it seems that you really got inside the game world.

Finally, we note that although this is not the most common set, you will have to overpay for this uniqueness - a class 2.1 system with similar characteristics and sound quality, but without backlighting, can be found one and a half to two times cheaper.