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Monsoon MM-2000 Flat Panel Computer Speakers (5-Speaker)

Monsoon MM-2000 Flat Panel Computer Speakers (5-Speaker)

List Price: $299.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Looks awesome, really drop dead sexy.
Review: I got the Monsoon MM1000 system with my Micron system when it first came out in '98 and was very happy with it. It was great for a college setup because the speakers had such a low profile. Well, I have since upgraded to the new MM2000 system and it's even better. The detached control module is a real pleasure to use although they coulda made the LED a bit more artistic (it does switch to orange when you press mute). The jet black mesh with somewhat sparklyish grey borders and the reflective silver internal parts on the flat panel speakers is sure to draw attention from friends. The subwoofer looks great too ' but the best part about the speakers are the sounds. This system is top notch as far as desktop speakers go. And it plays a wide range of music well, from jazz to Tchaikosky to Nirvana. It might not have the jackhammer thumbing ability that the Klipch ProMedia's do; but it makes up for that with midtone and hightone clarity that Monsoon's flatpanel speakers are famous for.

Prior to buying the system I couldn't find too much info on how the wire configuration went, so here is my explanation. All 4 flatpanel speakers plug into the sub via spring loadblack/red soldered wire ends. Then the control module is connected via a mini DIN plug (looks like the keyboard cable end). Then there are two mini RCA plugs that go from the control module to the sound card. One for rear speakers and one for the front. There is a headphone jack on the control module, but no place for a secondary input (such as a portable cd player) as the MM1000 had, but that's no biggie.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not worth the money
Review: I got the Monsoon MM1000 system with my Micron system when it first came out in �98 and was very happy with it. It was great for a college setup because the speakers had such a low profile. Well, I have since upgraded to the new MM2000 system and it's even better. The detached control module is a real pleasure to use although they coulda made the LED a bit more artistic (it does switch to orange when you press mute). The jet black mesh with somewhat sparklyish grey borders and the reflective silver internal parts on the flat panel speakers is sure to draw attention from friends. The subwoofer looks great too � but the best part about the speakers are the sounds. This system is top notch as far as desktop speakers go. And it plays a wide range of music well, from jazz to Tchaikosky to Nirvana. It might not have the jackhammer thumbing ability that the Klipch ProMedia�s do; but it makes up for that with midtone and hightone clarity that Monsoon�s flatpanel speakers are famous for.

Prior to buying the system I couldn�t find too much info on how the wire configuration went, so here is my explanation. All 4 flatpanel speakers plug into the sub via spring loadblack/red soldered wire ends. Then the control module is connected via a mini DIN plug (looks like the keyboard cable end). Then there are two mini RCA plugs that go from the control module to the sound card. One for rear speakers and one for the front. There is a headphone jack on the control module, but no place for a secondary input (such as a portable cd player) as the MM1000 had, but that�s no biggie.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Great while it works
Review: I had heard great things about the Monsoon MM 2000 speakers, and ordered a set to take with me to college. The subwoofer was DOA, so I had to ship the whole thing back and wait. Not cool, but oh well. The new set arrived and worked beautifully for just long enough for the warranty to expire. Then the subwoofer quietly, but permanently, died. It gets power, it hums and heats up; not a trace of bass. I should have taken it as a bad sign when the first subwoofer died, but to have a second expire for no good reason? You don't want a disposable speaker system at this price, and just try getting ahold of Monsoon for tech support (such as it is).

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not worth the money
Review: I have this set, and after 15 months, the subwoofer started blowing internal fuses when the unit was turned on (the speakers were never turned up even close to maximum, and were usually played quietly). Since they were (barely) out of warranty, I went ahead and opened up the subwoofer. I was disappointed in the quality of the circuitry - far too much hot glue strung about, a mishmash of resistors and capacitors bent this way and that (in order to make them fit in their crowded spaces). Not surprisingly, the subwoofer unit is made in China, while the nicely made satellite units are made in Canada.

I also have 2 sets of Cambridge Soundworks speakers (Soundworks and Microworks) as well as 2 sets of Klipsch Promedia speakers, both the 2.1 and the 4.1 units. All 3 makes perform well, with the Klipsch easily being the best sounding. As is well known, the Monsoons are very directional, and tend to be thin and harsh at times, although they are very detailed. The Klipsch have great detail as well, but the sound is better balanced and rich. The Monsoons win the style part of the competition, which is a big reason I bought my set.

If the prices were equivalent, it might be a tough choice. But the Monsoons are significantly more [costly] than the Klipsch now ..., and the Cambridge models are cheaper still ...With that in mind, I cannot recommend the Monsoons. They are tops in style, but the sound remains harsh to my ears, and the directional qualities are a negative for general listening. The poor build quality of the set I received makes me even more disappointed in them. I have replaced them with the Klipsch 4.1.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "Somebody Stop Me From Raving!"
Review: I'm 42 and have been into stereo equipment since 16: I'm AMAZED that you can get this sound for way, Way, WAY less than $1000. With good soundcard (mine's a Soundblaster Live) I get solid, open imaging; near electrostatic detail and great bass. The build quality is excellent. The satalites have perminantly attached lamp cord which is stripped and soldered to go into spring loaded clips on the Amplifier/Subwoofer - I'd rather see banana clips and terminals there but at this price you Really can't argue. If you like detailed, full bodied sound at a great price do yourself a favor and check these out. And oh yeah: they play plenty loud - you could these as regular stereo speakers if you don't listen at house party levels.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simply Sonic Bliss
Review: These speakers are amazing! They produce high frequency sounds that cannot be matched by other speakers in this price class. The satellites do not produce mid-bass, so the mid to lower frequencies are handled by the subwoofer, and it does a fantastic job. Speaker placement is somewhat important with this set because the flat panels are highly directional, and the highs are very capable of over powering the subwoofer if you place the satellites too close to you. However, positioning just takes a little bit of time, then you are ready to experience sonic bliss.

The sound stage is so accurately reproduced with these speakers. While listening to some classical music, I could get a very clear sense of where each instrument was located in the orchestra. I have never heard such excellent musical reproduction in speakers of this price class. Trance, rock, hip-hop, also sound great with these speakers. If you're in the market to get a really nice set of speakers, these are highly recommended.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Drowning in Sound MM-2000
Review: These speakers are very well designed with solid build quality and great looks. The sound is excellent. I've tried a variety of music types (jazz, hip hop, classical, flamenco, drum & bass, techno, reggae) and I am very satisfied. They have more than enough power. A control unit provides volume, fader, bass and mute at arm's reach. Easy to set-up (using Turtle Beach Santa Cruz card). Plenty of speaker cable provided.

I recently returned a VideoLogic Digitheatre DTS system. For 1/3 the price, these Monsoon's are a no brainer. The only downside is that flat panels are very directional. They're is definitely a "sweet spot" and sound diminishes when out of the zone. So if your looking to fill the house with sound, buy a traditional speaker, but for your work area or a small(er) room these speakers are very, very good.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WOW!!
Review: These speakers blew my mind, without blowing the speakers! I connected these speakers in a matter of minutes. I turned the volume to about 1/4 the way and the clarity was unbeliveable! I raised the volume and the sound got louder but it had that same clarity. The sub is probably the bes computer sub you can get! I would rate this 10 stars but it only goes up to 5.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WOW!!
Review: These speakers blew my mind, without blowing the speakers! I connected these speakers in a matter of minutes. I turned the volume to about 1/4 the way and the clarity was unbeliveable! I raised the volume and the sound got louder but it had that same clarity. The sub is probably the bes computer sub you can get! I would rate this 10 stars but it only goes up to 5.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: O MY GOD!!!!!
Review: WOW! It is everything it claims to be...and then some. This system is amazing! Speedy hook-up, excellent sound, only one problem, which is my fault, my Sony Vaio needs a soundcard upgrade in order to experience all four channels plus the subwoofer, but oh well, I'll take care of that. Even without all 4 speakers working it is still amazing!


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