Verbatim Trio
Sat, 09/22/2007 - 16:45 — Richard Biely
Only three months ago, if you would say that you have at home Verbatim speakers, most probably nobody would believe you. But everything changes, times are rough, concurrence is strong and Verbatim now offers portable USB speakers. In this overview we will test each of three newly released portable models - USB Speaker System, Portable USB Speaker System and 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System.
Verbatim, packaging, facture
Verbatim
Since its foundation in 1969, Verbatim Company has focused on evolution in data storage technology and nowadays Verbatim is worldwide recognized mostly for its data storage production - floppy discs, magneto-optical storage, and CD and DVD formats. Range of their products is bigger though, Verbatim Company production cover up memory cards, USB devices, toners, MP3 players, new HD DVD and BR players, and probably less known mice, headsets and today reviewed speakers. Verbatim can be rightly considered as the market leader for optical media in Europe.
Packaging
Speakers are cased in typical Verbatim blue and white boxes, with a transparent foil on a front side of a box, making speakers visible for potential customer. Inside the box, speakers, together with accessories and user manual written in 10 languages (including Czech language, if necessary for somebody), are separately protected with transparent plastic case.
Facture:
How it was already mentioned in the beginning, speakers are designed as portable devices. USB Speaker System could be considered as an exception though, with its size it suits more to category - home speakers. Dimensions of Portable USB Speaker System and 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System are comparable with proportions of average cell phone. USB Speaker System satellites size is approximately twice as big. Portable USB Speaker System and 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System are apparently nearly identical, difference makes only presence of subwoofer in model 2.1 Multi Media (and there's no diode signalizing when switched on, in model 2.1 Multi Media).
Regarding design aspect, new Verbatim speakers are elegant products, USB Speaker System in particular. Satellites are slightly rounded in upper and inferior part, and gently steepen on the side. Speakers are made of two main parts: black posterior shelter and white anterior shelter.
There is a transparent board, placed in the front of anterior shelter, giving a hint of deepness to an overall look. There is nothing captivating, but impression is nice. Design of other speakers is not that precious. Satellites are small, not rounded, not squared (see pictures) and also made of two plastic pieces - black posterior shelter and white anterior shelter, this time without transparent board. 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System subwoofer is made in identical way, with the same look and colour choice.
There is triangular shaped leg, to bear satellite. Here I'd like to mention, that Portable USB Speaker System and 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System satellites are just too small and so is triangular shaped leg supposed to support stability of speakers. It would have no sense to count how many times speakers did overturn on the side during test. Not very smart solution, considering the fact that speakers are designed to be portable devices and to function with portable devices, and for obvious reasons, probably nobody will use them at home. So if you want to arrange your notebook-speakers system in more steady way, the only thing you can do is to sit satellites on the side, in the way that wires do not restrict you.
In 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System model, there are three buttons along the top of subwoofer, volume up and down, and in the middle, mute button is placed. You cannot expect any enhancement in terms of bass and treble; hardware setting is not possible without right sound blaster software. In USB Speaker System, three buttons are placed alongside the right satellite and in Portable USB Speaker System there are not any buttons to regulate the volume, therefore use of software is necessary. There is blue diode signalizing, if devices are switched on or off.
Each model is provided with metal speakers (1,25 inches), with total output power 1 W (RMS). In 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System model, subwoofer is provided with one speaker (2 inches) with output power 1 W (RMS). Interesting fact is that USB speakers do not need sound blaster to function, as there is individual sound chip integrated in their construction. In following table, there is an overview of all parameters. Manufacturer does not specify frequency range, signal to noise ratio is not mentioned either.
Verbatim, packaging, facture
Verbatim
Since its foundation in 1969, Verbatim Company has focused on evolution in data storage technology and nowadays Verbatim is worldwide recognized mostly for its data storage production - floppy discs, magneto-optical storage, and CD and DVD formats. Range of their products is bigger though, Verbatim Company production cover up memory cards, USB devices, toners, MP3 players, new HD DVD and BR players, and probably less known mice, headsets and today reviewed speakers. Verbatim can be rightly considered as the market leader for optical media in Europe.
Packaging
Speakers are cased in typical Verbatim blue and white boxes, with a transparent foil on a front side of a box, making speakers visible for potential customer. Inside the box, speakers, together with accessories and user manual written in 10 languages (including Czech language, if necessary for somebody), are separately protected with transparent plastic case.
How it was already mentioned in the beginning, speakers are designed as portable devices. USB Speaker System could be considered as an exception though, with its size it suits more to category - home speakers. Dimensions of Portable USB Speaker System and 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System are comparable with proportions of average cell phone. USB Speaker System satellites size is approximately twice as big. Portable USB Speaker System and 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System are apparently nearly identical, difference makes only presence of subwoofer in model 2.1 Multi Media (and there's no diode signalizing when switched on, in model 2.1 Multi Media).
Regarding design aspect, new Verbatim speakers are elegant products, USB Speaker System in particular. Satellites are slightly rounded in upper and inferior part, and gently steepen on the side. Speakers are made of two main parts: black posterior shelter and white anterior shelter.
There is a transparent board, placed in the front of anterior shelter, giving a hint of deepness to an overall look. There is nothing captivating, but impression is nice. Design of other speakers is not that precious. Satellites are small, not rounded, not squared (see pictures) and also made of two plastic pieces - black posterior shelter and white anterior shelter, this time without transparent board. 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System subwoofer is made in identical way, with the same look and colour choice.
There is triangular shaped leg, to bear satellite. Here I'd like to mention, that Portable USB Speaker System and 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System satellites are just too small and so is triangular shaped leg supposed to support stability of speakers. It would have no sense to count how many times speakers did overturn on the side during test. Not very smart solution, considering the fact that speakers are designed to be portable devices and to function with portable devices, and for obvious reasons, probably nobody will use them at home. So if you want to arrange your notebook-speakers system in more steady way, the only thing you can do is to sit satellites on the side, in the way that wires do not restrict you.
In 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System model, there are three buttons along the top of subwoofer, volume up and down, and in the middle, mute button is placed. You cannot expect any enhancement in terms of bass and treble; hardware setting is not possible without right sound blaster software. In USB Speaker System, three buttons are placed alongside the right satellite and in Portable USB Speaker System there are not any buttons to regulate the volume, therefore use of software is necessary. There is blue diode signalizing, if devices are switched on or off.
Each model is provided with metal speakers (1,25 inches), with total output power 1 W (RMS). In 2.1 Multi Media Speaker System model, subwoofer is provided with one speaker (2 inches) with output power 1 W (RMS). Interesting fact is that USB speakers do not need sound blaster to function, as there is individual sound chip integrated in their construction. In following table, there is an overview of all parameters. Manufacturer does not specify frequency range, signal to noise ratio is not mentioned either.
