Xbox Spherex 51000 6-Piece 5.1 Surround Sound System

Other products by Spherex

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20 x 21 x 20 inches ; 61 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 60 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006PY3DY
• Item model number: 629303510001
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,026 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 23, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Developed in conjunction with the Game Audio Network Guild (GANG)--which sets the "reference standard" for video game audio--the Spherex Xbox 5.1 surround sound system delivers a sophisticated 360-degree home theater experience whether you're playing Halo 2, watching Lord of the Rings, or listening to the latest U2 release. The system features five independent audio inputs (three digital, one analog, and one USB 1.1 port), so it connects easily to your game console, DVD player, CD player, portable audio device, or computer. Sound is distributed through the five satellite speakers, each with a 3-1/2-inch woofer and 3/4-inch metal dome tweeter, and the dual-vented subwoofer with its 8-inch matrix cone woofer. The system's audio enhancements include Omnipolar technology, which rations sound (30 percent direct to 70 percent reflected) in a 360-degree dispersion pattern, so listeners can position their satellite speakers in a variety of configurations, along with MaxxBass augmentation, which extends the lower end of the frequency response to deliver deeper, more natural bass tones from both the subwoofer and the satellites themselves.

The system comes with a powerful 300-watt DDX amplifier (50 watts x 3, 25 watts x 2, and 100-watt subwoofer), which eliminates signal distortion by maintaining a digital signal flow to each speaker. And thanks to the Aureus digital signal processor, listeners can enjoy rich surround sound regardless of the format, with decoding for Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II. Additional features include an expansion slot for future compatibility and an infrared remote control with an IR receiver. The system also carries an impressive 10-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Five satellite speakers, subwoofer, 6-channel amplifier, remote control, IR receiver, digital fiber-optic cable, three 10-foot speaker cables, two 23-foot speaker cables, quick setup guide, user's manual.

Product Description
The sleek Xbox 5.1 Surround Sound System - the newest, most advanced 360-degree home theatre experience. The system's versatility handles all gaming, movies and music playback needs. With five independent audio inputs and 300 Watts of power, it's compatible with your gaming console, DVD player, CD player, Portable Media Player, computer, TV or other current and future formats. It also features SPHEREX OPTIMIZED surround sound through cutting-edge technology from a number of industry leaders – Mirage-exclusive OMNIPOLAR technology combined with Apogee's Direct Digital Amplification (DDX), MaxxBass from Waves and Texas Instruments Aureus Digital Signal Processor. Developed in conjunction with and approved by the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), it sets the reference standard for audio.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ASTOUNDING SOUND QUALITY AND VALUE, February 19, 2006

By	T. Lin "rlin83" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I actually do not own a XBOX. I want a SMALL surround sound system for my living room and I don't want too many bulky electronics. I decided to for for Spherex based on many raved reviews. The satellite speakers are based on the highly-regarded Omnipolar technology developed by Mirage system.

I was not disappointed

Out of the box there's MINIMAL adjustment needed - just hook up your TV's analog output and your DVD player's digital output to the subwoofer. There are 2 optical and one coaxial digital inputs and one analog input (total of 4 inputs). No need to buy bulky receiver / amplifier. After breaking-in the satellite speakers for a few hours (this is very important) and then put the subwoofer in the corner of my living room (where it should be placed), I fired up the system for critical listening.

My first impression is that this is a SUPERB, neutral sounding system. I also have a Rotel / Vandersteen surround system in my theater room (over 10 times the cost of the Spherex) and I have to say the Spherex system held on its own. Its sound stage is incredibly wide and deep, especially for my small living room. The treble is smooth, not fizzy. The subwoofer is full and tight-sounding, perfectly matching the satellites. I then hook up my home theater PC to it and play my classical MP3 collection ripped at 256 kbps via the Dolby Pro-logic II mode - again superb sounding.

For movies the Dolby Digital and DTS works superbly as well. The sound stage is again incredibtly wide and immersive. Try to watch the Lord of the Ring with Spherex and you will see what I mean.

Now the down-side. There's some mild static noise when no music is playing - it does not bother me at all, considering there's nothing in this price range (surround receiver + surround sound speakers) that can match the Spherex (I paid $380 shipped). Secondly, it doesn't look like audiophile product - then again it's only $380. Third, it doens't use regular speaker cables (it use RCA plug speaker cable - go figure.) I need more than 20 feet for my rear speakers so I have to go to Radioshack to buy longer cables.

Overall I am thrilled by the sound quality of the Spherex system.
Five Mirage Omnipolar speakers + a subwoofer + a receiver easly cost over $900. I have not compared it to the Logitech Z-5500 system which is probably Spherex's closed competition but it does not have the Omnipolar technology.

Bottom line - anyone looking for a small surround sound speaker system and don't want bulky electronics should check the Spherex out. YOU DON'T NEED A XBOX TO ENJOY THIS SYSTEM.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best "real" surround EVEEEEER !!!!!!!!!!, September 30, 2005

By	R. Grimarez "rebweiser" (San Bernardino, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this 2 days ago, the first one i got was defective ( the IR receiver keeps shutting off), i returned it to Bestbuy and got a different one. I didn't know that in order to hook the xbox up, you will need an "advance av pack". That's all you need to get, the optical cable is included in the package. I fired up the "Saving Private Ryan" dvd, i was amazed. It was like you're inside the movie. I have a Phillips Home Theater system which i thought was excellent. But after hearing the spherex sound, i immediately got rid of my Phillips. Next stop, the game, I popped in Halo 2, awesome experience. You could actually hear if someone is right behind you. DOOM 3, scared the crap out of me, i was like in hell. Hearing those tormented souls whispering in your ear. While emptying the load on my plasma rifle.

If you're thinking of getting this "bad boy", i got one friendly advice for you. "Stop thinkin', just get it".

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best value under $500, January 7, 2006

By	W. Kwok (Sunnyvale, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wanted a surround sound system not just for gaming but for watching DVDs in Dolby 5.1 and DTS. After reading extensive reviews from gaming and home theatre sites, the choice was clear.

The Spherex system fits nicely in my apartment without taking up a lot of room, yet offers a sound experience much larger than its size suggests. I am impressed not just by the bass but by the clarity of the mid and high frequencies. Equally impressive is the wide sweet spot.

Gaming experience on the Xbox is so much better with the Spherex - epecially Doom 3 (you feel you are truly there with the sound immersion like when the door closes or a monster materializes behind you). Same goes for action movies.

The same sweet spot technology in the Spherex is also found in the higher end Mirage line of speakers at a fraction of the cost.

What's the con about this product? There is only one analog input but this becomes a diminishing requirement with everything going digital nowadays.

One thing I dislike is that the unit may still consume 60W in standby mode. I manually power off the unit via the rocker switch behind the subwoofer to avoid the 60W consumption.

Finally, what other product offers a 10-year warranty nowadays?