Installation
VideoLogic included a manual covering everything required getting your
crossfire system up and running. The first pages are focusing on installing
the system, covering all the wire connections, followed by a little positioning
chapter explaining where and how you should proceed on positioning the satellites
for better performance. Nothing is missing; the manual includes exactly what
we would have expected.
Nothing to complex in the installation process.
VideoLogic included three 6-feet long wires, two are used for the front satellites
and the third for the subwoofer, 6-feet long should generally be enough for
most unless you plan extending the front satellites on walls or on specialized
stands. For the rear speakers you get two 20-feet long wires. As our test
was done in a 14x12 room, we didn’t have any problems in the scene.
Your next step will consist in relying the wires
with the speakers and the amplifier, as always don’t forget that the white
part of the wire is the (+) so it goes in the red plug. When you will have
everything connected plug in the power source and-turn the power switch behind
the amplifier on. The blue light on the front of the amplifier should light
up. When you have everything ready you will need to position the satellites
as the manual recommends it. It’s recommended to place them in a squared position
but if your desk or room won’t let you costumize it that way you might want
to take a look at the manual for other tips to get the full performance of
3D surround.
Audio Impressions
Our little test was performed on a Diamond MX400
sound card in a 14x12 room. We decided to run an MP3 file encoded at 160kpbs.
The MP3 of choice was the animal song performed by Savage Garden. The results
were simply outstanding. The output was reproduced very clearly and sharply
in a very natural way. The Subwoofer’s bass output was amazingly high, everything
felt so real that you could hear and feel every single drum beat. You actually
had this live feeling! As you were attending a concert hall.
We then decided to reach the maximum volume of
the amplifier and the sound card, the speakers were still outputting a clear
and crisp sound. The subwoofer was also reproducing amazing bass beats, enough
power to shake the windows of the house and close in blowing them off. The
audio quality of these little 3" Audax drivers is simply outstanding!
And trust us, turning the sirocco’s crossfire’s to the maximum volume capacity
is not a simple game. You better make sure your house is solid enough! Good
luck for people living in apartments
Negatives (-)
Not much negativity can be sorted out on the
sirocco crossfire system, but we did menage to find some simple aspects that
could be considered important for some customers. Our first recommendation
would be to include speaker grills on the satellites, if you have kids at
home this would definitely be a must. Our second recommendation would be to
include wall mount options for the satellite speakers, this could get handy
for most as some wouldn’t feel comfortable throwing another $50USD for two
optional stands for the rear speakers.
Summation
The Sirocco Crossfire is the most expensive 4.1
setup ever tested here at Target PC, not only it’s the most expensive but
it’s also the most powerful 4.1 solution on today’s market. The Sirocco Crossfire
is not just a simple PC speaker set-up; it’s serious hi-fi equipment. Selling
around at an estimated $350USD will unfortunately limit these speakers for
people with the money. Some minor improvements touching the exterior aspect
of the satellites could be done as adding mount wall support and adding protection
grills on the satellites, but absolutely nothing could be improved in the
audio output; it’s as rich as It can get. The Crossfire speakers are the richest
4.1 set on today’s market, and money is not a matter. We are delighted to
give this product a 9/10 and our very first Editor’s Choice Award for a speaker
set-up.
Oleg
Mitskaniouk
00/05/10
