Gainward Hollywood@Home SoundXplosion Pack Review - What's in the Box?

The SoundXplosion and Music2Go come either individually and as a set. The set includes the Sound Xplosion 5.1 surround sound headphones, the Music2Go unit, remote control with battery, a Music2Go Quick Start manual, a copy of InterVideo's WinDVD software*, the Music2Go driver disk, an S/PDIF 3.5mm adapter, a 15cm USB connector cable, and a 2M USB connector cable. Although Windows XP will auto detect the addition of a USB sound card (including all of its capabilities) via the use of generic drivers, the drivers in the included driver disk will also install the USB 3D Sound Configuration utility, which introduces a number of configuration options not available otherwise.

Note that although we received a copy of WinDVD without the unit, the actual manual never mentions it as an included item. Also, note that the remote control is pretty much only usable with WinDVD. Luckily, the volume buttons on the unit work regardless of the program being used.   

Features and Specifications

Here is a list of features and specifications listed on Gainward's site:

Music2Go

• The 7.1-channel includes center, subwoofer, front left, front right, rear left, rear right and back surround , same as Dolby Digital EX standard from Dolby Lab and compatible with the DTS-ES standard from DTS Lab.
• Dolby ® digital audio streaming via S/PDIF out 
• 8 channel DAC with 16-bit resolution
• 48 / 44.1 KHz sampling rate
• Full function Remote Controller
• Easy-to-Use Graphic User Interface audio console and speaker configuration software
• Hardware controls for volume up/down
• Complete Audio I/O connections
• Full functional software utility providing master control with ease-to-use graphics user interface
• Power On LED
  USB 2.0 system interface with USB remote wake up support

SoundXPlosion

Target Applications

• PC gaming audio
• DVD movie soundtrack playback

Features

• Connects to DVD/CD player and PC
• Supports 2, 4, and 5.1 surround sound
• Color coded mini-pin jacks for front, rear, and centre + subwoofer
• Vibration Feedback
• High-quality adjustable head band.
• Air Cushion ear-pads for wearing comfort
• 2 meter cable for freedom of movement

Technical Specifications

• Subwoofer: 40mm Ø, 2 pieces with 100mW @ 4 OHMS 
• Front/Rear: 30mm Ø, 2 pieces with 30mW @ 32 OHMS
• Centre: 30mm Ø, 4 pieces with 30mW @ 64 OHMS

Frequency Response:

• Subwoofer: 50-400Hz
• Front/Rear: 250Hz-17KHz
• Center: 180Hz-14KHz

Next: A Closer Look at the Music2Go >>
 

More Sound Cards Articles
More By Gnorb

Comments On: Gainward Hollywood@Home SoundXplosion Pack Review

· Here are a couple of points I sadly neglected to put into the article (which I will...    · What's Gainward going to say when they see you deconstructed their pretty little...    · I put them back together all nice and purdy. :))    · You say this one is the best sounding one among 5.1 headsets, but only mention...    · Hi,will this sound card work with a USB 1.0 interface coz my compaq 2100 has only...   >>> Post your comment now!

Recommended by Dev Hardware