Manhattan Personal Cinema 5.1 USB - Real world usage and conclusion
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No review would be complete if I didn't utilize the product as one would normally. So here's what I did:
- Listened to various MP3s (encoded at different bit rates).
- Played some FPS games such as Quake 4 and Unreal Tournament
First, I've got to say that the MP3s were incredibly clear. I can tell you that with most headphones, I cannot hear a discernible difference between MP3s encoded at 128bit versus 196bit. In these, I could easily tell a difference. This shows me just how crystal clear these things are.
During the FPS games, I was surprised at exactly how much more immersed I was able to become in the game. Yeah, I've used other 5.1 setups, but never one where I was actually able to put speakers behind me. In this case, it was as if I were completely immersed in the game itself. It was a very cool experience, especially from a pair of headphones. I can tell you that these things will get a lot of use, in that respect.
The only real complaint I had about these, at all, is that they basically take over for your regular sound card. I cannot just hit the power button on the Personal Cinema and have my speakers pick up. I need to actually unplug the USB cable in order to be able to use my speakers once again. This can be a problem if the only available USB port is on the back of your machine.
So let's take a look at the ups and downs of this product:
UPS:
- Small form-factor.
- EXCELLENT SOUND.
- Cool in-line volume adjustment.
- Get 5.1 audio, even on notebooks.
- USB Powered. No extra batteries needed.
- Adds a new dimension to gaming.
DOWNS:
- Requires complete unplug to access primary sound.
- Pricey ($99 at the time of this writing).
Based on the above, I give this product a rating of 9 out of 10, and Dev Hardware's coveted GOLD AWARD. If you want 5.1 sound these are great. If you want 5.1 sound in headphones, they are the ticket.
Id like to thank ThinkGeek for supplying us with the Manhattan Personal Cinema 5.1 USB for review. If you would like more information about this product, visit ThinkGeek at http://www.thinkgeek.com. | 
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