Genius SW-HF5.1 5000 - Using the 5.1 System
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Using the 5.1 System
Let's talk about the remote control. As an impressive effect, the master volume control adjusts automatically when you turn the volume up or down from your remote. Additionally, every time you put the system on standby, the master volume control slowly shifts to the lowest value to eliminate the unpleasant surprise that might arise the next time you turn it on. The remote control works fine, so you can relax...
(The remote control is thinner than a standard CD & DVD marker.)
Once everything was hooked up and placed in the best positions, I proceeded to testing. At first, I listened to some of my favorite music tracks. Once again, I was impressed with how effective these speakers really are. The subwoofer is way too powerful, so you should fine tune its volume so that it won't ruin your experience.
The sound quality is really exceptional. Despite the stated "40Hz~20kHz" frequency response rate, the system can go below 40 Hz in certain situations (30-35Hz is achievable). The system keeps up with higher frequencies too. The mid-range is solid, focused, and rich. As a result, the most detail is the middle range of frequencies.
The subwoofer kicks in at frequencies higher than 50 Hz, plus it is able to reach very high frequencies. It was designed specifically for movies rather than music tracks. As a matter of fact, unless you get aroused by thundering booms, your subwoofer won't help that much when listening to music. It does nothing but boom.
As far as movies are concerned, the subwoofer really helps. The same goes for all of the satellites because combined they can create that renowned "Dolby Surround" type of experience. Watching movies with 5.1 deepens your involvement in the movie because all of the action, dialog, and special effects happen around you.
The aforementioned attribute is especially important for gamers. They can immerse themselves in the virtual reality of games with the auditory effects around them. And since cutting edge 3D graphics are able to simulate the reality, combining them with sounds lets you engage almost all of your senses. Talk about the evolution of computing...
Now let's talk about the deficits of this audio system. Don't think that it's flawless. Keep in mind that it's a mid-end 5.1 home theater system, nothing cutting-edge, and nothing that promises exceptional professional quality. I experienced distortions on high frequencies, especially coming from the satellites. However, these are to be expected with non-bleeding-edge speakers.
Another important factor is that if it's not configured well (i.e fine-tuning the volume of the surround satellites, center main speaker, and subwoofer), you end up hearing some kind of "compression effect," which is quite distasteful. Moderation is everything. Balance shouldn't be neglected. More certainly isn't better in this case.
The overall sound quality is bright and rich (the mid-tones are truly exceptional), the subwoofer really booms without getting tired, and the satellites deliver the surround effects as promised.
Next: Taking Care of Your Audio System >>
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