VideoLogic Crossfire 4.1 audio setup
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Features
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The
product
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- SUBWOOFER
MDF
cabinet, containing magnetically shielded bass drive unit.
- SATELLITES
Mid-frequency (bass/mid) drive unit and separate high-frequency drive
unit (tweeter), both fully shielded.
- AMPLIFIER
Self Peak Instantaneous Temperature (°Ke) (SPiKe™) Protection Circuitry
for protection against overvoltage, undervoltage, overloads, including
shorts to the supplies, thermal runaway and instantaneous temperature
peaks.
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VideoLogic Systems is a division of Imagination
Technologies. They were always well known in producing a range of innovative
products in the areas of 2D/3D graphics. Their Key products include graphics
accelerators based on PowerVR technology. Their recent success with the PowerVR
graphics chip found in the new Sega Dreamcast gave VideoLogic an opportunity
to become one of today’s leading graphics acceleration companies in the world.
Over a year ago, VideoLogic saw an opportunity
to enter today’s tight PC audio arena. Their main strategy was simple and
quite different from other PC speaker companies; Introduce hi-fi quality speakers
for use on today’s computer systems. Of course today’s latest offerings of
PC speakers seem to be outstanding in both quality and performance, but none
of them could be compared with real high fidelity audio equipment (hi-fi).
VideoLogic’s first speaker release was
the sirocco speakers. A set coming with an Audax 6.5" cone (35Hz to 130Hz)
subwoofer, two Audax 4" cone (130Hz to 3.8KHz) satellites using an Audax 10mm
polymer dome (3.8KHz to 20KHz) and of course VideoLogic’s own powerful Amplifier
with 28000µF of smoothing capacitance.
Just by looking at these specifications and companies
involved we already see that this unit would not come cheap. As in the beginning
VideoLogic speakers were initially limited to Europe, this Sirocco set-up
was estimated to cost around $350~400USD. I must admit that a $400USD price
tag for two stereo speakers and a subwoofer is not cheap indeed, but this
equipment can’t even come close to these plastic things we are used to have
on our computer desks. We are talking real hi-fi here!
With its recent success in Europe, VideoLogic
extended its Sirocco speaker products to reach everyone’s need. The new Sirocco
Crossfire is a 4.1-surround system for the hard-core gamers out there. The
Sirocco Spirit is a high performance desktop mini-monitor set-up for the average
home user, the powerful Sirocco Pro is a powerful system for home musicians
and studios and finally the DigiTheatre and DigiTheatre DTS is an all-in-one
home cinema audio systems. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or a music producer,
VideoLogic has the right speakers to fit your needs.
Over a year ago, VideoLogic decided to extend
its market in North America, mainly for the second biggest country of the
continent; the United States. They had availability for only some specific
products at the time as the New Crossfire 4.1 solution. Last week, we received
the official VideoLogic Press release about them partnering with Voyetra Turtle
Beach to Sell Sirocco and DigiTheatre Speaker Systems in the United States.
What this means? Simply greater availability, and maybe even lower prices
in the near future.
The Sirocco Crossfire speaker’s is VideoLogic’s
first quadraphonic 4.1-surround set-up for the Personal Computer. As almost
all of today’s new sound cards come with front and rear out-puts, VideoLogic
saw an opportunity in manufacturing a surround system for the PC and enter
today’s 4.1 competition.
Today, we are taking a look at the Sirocco Crossfire speakers from VideoLogic.
