While it’s entirely possible to have surround sound for your PC, the reality is that most people find it far too impractical. Unlike home theaters, desktop PCs generally live where there is room for them, and arranging the various speakers and hiding the cables is a chore.
As a result, many people prefer 2.1 systems, which benefit from being small, affordable, and easy to set up, and many companies produce a range of systems of varying quality. Sony is just one of those companies and has sent us a set of their new 2.1 speakers, the SRS-DZ10s, which are available for a not inconsiderable £85.
At first glance, the SRS-DZ10 look quite unusual; The tubular subwoofer in particular is a unique component. However, as a set they are undeniably stylish with a supremely elegant brushed aluminum finish and satellites that are elegant in their simplicity. The sub’s unusual design is designed so that you can place it horizontally or vertically on your desk, but why you’d want to do that rather than keep it under a desk is beyond me.
From a technical point of view, the set delivers a total of 37 W, with the two satellites delivering 6 W each and the sub delivering 25 W. The set is also magnetically shielded to prevent noise interference and damage to your monitor if you’re still using a CRT.
The satellites measure 63 x 143 x 63mm, while the Sub, with its rather bulky shape, measures 374 x 149 x 183mm. The set also comes with a control center for adjusting volume and bass levels – this device has two input sockets, so you can connect an MP3 player along with a PC or notebook. Finally, there’s a headphone jack on the front of the control center for easy access.
Consisting of two small drivers, the satellites have the typical Sony look and feel of quality products. If you want speakers with a bit of style and panache then the SRS-DZ10s are certainly worth considering, and while the sub is an acquired taste it’s at least: a) hideable and b) eye-catching.
While 2.1 channel speaker sets offer many benefits, there are challenges to overcome. Because you’re separating the high and low range with two different sets of speakers, getting a balanced sound is often a problem. one that the SRS-DZ10 often fails to solve.
That’s not to say they’re poor quality speakers, they aren’t, but they’re not quite as versatile as one would like. For music they are certainly very crisp, especially in the upper range, but at times percussion can sound quite grating and even get annoying at times.
Of course, sharpness and clarity aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but balance is always important and that high-end clarity isn’t matched by a strong mid-range. Turning up the bass does mitigate the problem somewhat, but never balances the sound enough, as the bass is quite harsh at high settings and the midrange tends to be anonymous.
The lack of mids is particularly noticeable when watching films and videos, the voices sound rather distant. The speakers didn’t get along too well with action scenes either, although the high-pitched tone again spoils the overall impression.
The lack of midrange performance is also noticeable when listening to music at low volumes, where once again the percussion dominates to the detriment of everyone else.
Predictably, this problem carries over into games where shots sound very tinny and unconvincing. While these speakers are certainly primarily intended for music, it’s still important to be versatile, especially if you’re paying a moderately sized sum for a 2.1 set.
Luckily there are some positives as the set creates a nice spatial effect that fills spaces well. This makes them a good choice for casual music listening in the living room when connected to a notebook or even an MP3 player. This at least partially makes up for the shortcomings in the balance, and it’s certainly much less noticeable when the sound is given more time to mix.
But even with that caveat, the SRS-DZ10s are in a difficult position considering what you can get for the same price – or even less. For £50 you get the excellent Logitech Z3s, which are still excellent value for money, and their replacements, the Z4s, are also available for around the same price.
Alternatively, for around the same price, you can pick up the Acoustic Energy Aego M speakers that Benny tested late last year, which featured musical fidelity. As an added bonus, they also offer an option for a third center speaker to create a 3.1 channel setup ideal for watching movies on your PC.
“‘Verdict”‘
Though stylish and eye-catching, the SRS-DZ10s don’t deliver a compelling overall performance. The music playback is mixed with rather weak mids and exaggeratedly powerful highs. They are also not really suitable for films and games. They’ll do a reasonable job for the style-over-substance consumer, but there are plenty of alternatives that offer superior quality and better value for money.