M-Audio Sonica Theater Dokumentacja

Sonica Theater7.1 Surround Sound Portable Audio CardReviewer’s Guide

REVIEWER’S GUIDE5About Sonica TheaterBusiness users, movie and music enthusiasts can super-charge their portable computers with eight channels oftop-q

REVIEWER’S GUIDE6Source: M-AudioThe FAQ About Sonica TheaterWe admit it, there is no other product like Sonica Theater. No other vendor manu-factures

REVIEWER’S GUIDE7How Does it Generate High-Quality Audio?Glad you asked, and we’re sure your readers will want to know, too. Here are thethree key fac

REVIEWER’S GUIDE8Beats Extigy, Pro HiFi-Link At A Lower PriceFor less than Creative’s Extigy sound card, the M-Audio Sonica Theater offersmore audio c

REVIEWER’S GUIDE9Competitive MatrixSonica Theater vs. Extigy, Pro HiFi-LinkM-AudioSonica TheaterCreative LabsExtigyXitelPro Hi-Fi Link ASIO Support24-

REVIEWER’S GUIDE10Product Info BoxSonica Theater Product SummaryIn BriefSonica Theater is the ultimate portable con-sumer audio card for PC or Mac. A

REVIEWER’S GUIDE11Testing Sonica TheaterThere’s only one way to check out the features of thisaudio card, and that’s to install it, load a DVD orsome

REVIEWER’S GUIDE12The Test BedThe best test of a sound card is to listen to it—just the way a gamer, or music orDVD enthusiast would use it. You’ll ne

REVIEWER’S GUIDE13• If using a set of multimedia speakers, we suggest a “higher end” set ratherthan an inexpensive set with poor sound quality. Klips

REVIEWER’S GUIDE14Sonica Theater, rear view. USB 1.1 port for connection to computer is at far left.For home theater use, unit can remain connected to

REVIEWER’S GUIDEii 2003 M–Audio Inc.45 East Saint Joseph StreetArcadia, CA 91006–2861Telephone: 626.445.2842Toll Free: 800.969.6434Fax: 626.445.7564M

REVIEWER’S GUIDE15example, the Center/Subwoofer output is actually the output for both the Center andSubwoofer channels.) Most multimedia speakers use

REVIEWER’S GUIDE16format is actually encoded into other channels and subsequently broken out by adecoder.Speaker Configurations2.0 Left, right“2.1” Le

REVIEWER’S GUIDE17Q“Where do the extra speakers go?”AThe extra speakers go directly behind the listener(s) as shown in thefollowing illustration. Spe

REVIEWER’S GUIDE18The Sonica Theater can also output 7.1 discrete channels. This is great for today’snew surround formats, such as Windows Media Audio

REVIEWER’S GUIDE19Speaker Setup(Mac). Indicatesnumber of installedspeakers, theirsizes, distancesfrom listener,crossover fre-quency, and more.Specifyi

REVIEWER’S GUIDE20Surround Sound(Macintosh). Con-trols all surroundfunctions, includingTruSurround XT,Circle Surround II,Dialog Enhance-ment, and TruB

REVIEWER’S GUIDE21Listening TestsWith the Sonica Theater, the proof is in the listening. If you are comparing with an-other external sound card or a c

REVIEWER’S GUIDE22Unfortunately, some laptops and desktops are equipped with out-of-spec USB ports that may provide inadequate power to con-nected dev

REVIEWER’S GUIDE23round XT on stereo speakers. On the Macintosh, this can be performedusing Apple’s DVD Player.3. Test the Sonica Theater’s ability t

REVIEWER’S GUIDE242. Launch the WinDVD 4 Dolby Digital EX version. The WinDVD in-staller is included on Sonica Theater’s Applications CD.3. Audition

REVIEWER’S GUIDEiiiContentsA Note To Product Reviewers ivKey Editorial Contacts vToday’s Audio Cards: Pro Sound, Low Prices 1Surround Sound from a No

REVIEWER’S GUIDE254. Launch any two-channel DVD player application and audition a DVD fea-turing good surround-sound mixing. (See Appendix C:Suggeste

REVIEWER’S GUIDE26provides a better surround experience. Try the “Recommended for CSII”tracks listed in the Appendix.7. Switch to the Control Panel’s

REVIEWER’S GUIDE27Appendix A:Product SpecificationsThe following series of charts lists all technical specifications for the M-AudioSonica Theater hig

REVIEWER’S GUIDE28Product Specifications (cont’d.)Audio PerformanceLine Outs Dynamic Range 101 dB (typical, -60 dB input, A-weighted) Signal-to-Nois

REVIEWER’S GUIDE29Appendix B:7.1 Surround Sound ReceiversThough 7.1 technology is new to PC audio, it is already well-established in thehome theater m

REVIEWER’S GUIDE30Appendix C:Suggested DVD ViewingThe following chart identifies scenes that are great for auditioning surround sound.The DVD chapters

REVIEWER’S GUIDE31Suggested DVD ViewingDVD Title Scene Chapter Comments Support* ChannelsThe Matrix Lobby 29Good bass & surrounds.Little direction

REVIEWER’S GUIDE32Appendix D:Suggested CD ListeningThese recordings are great for auditioning sound quality and stereo-to-surroundconversion. Items ch

REVIEWER’S GUIDE33Appendix E: Web ResourcesDolby Laboratories and Digital Theater Systems (DTS) are excellent sources oftechnical information regardin

REVIEWER’S GUIDE34Appendix F:Company BackgrounderM-Audio, Inc (formerly Midiman Inc.) was founded in 1988 with the goal of of-fering complete audio so

REVIEWER’S GUIDEivA Note To Product ReviewersWe’re pleased that you have chosen to review M-Audio’s Sonica Theaterportable 7.1 surround sound card. It

REVIEWER’S GUIDE35Appendix G: Press ReleaseM-AUDIO LAUNCHES SONICA THEATER USB 7.1 SURROUND SOUND CARDEasy-to-use audio upgrade for desktops and lapto

REVIEWER’S GUIDE36a great way to experience high-quality Windows Media Audio 9 Professional contentat lower data rates than other formats. Whether pla

REVIEWER’S GUIDEvKey Editorial ContactsAs you conduct your review, we encourage you to call with questions. Thoughwe’ve worked hard to ensure that you

POWERWARE 51251Today’s Audio Cards:Pro Sound, Low PricesTwo-channel stereo just doesn’t cut it any more as usersdemand high-quality surround sound for

REVIEWER’S GUIDE2Surround Sound from a Note-book? Why?How do you get top-quality surround sound from a desktop PC or Macintosh? Easy.You install a top

REVIEWER’S GUIDE3Top 7 Cool UsesPlug in a Sonica Theater, and you’ve got instant 7.1 surround sound. But what canyou do with it? Here are some ideas y

REVIEWER’S GUIDE4Space-Age Signal Processing. Sonica Theater is nothing if not versatile. Here aresome other uses to try:• Play Dolby Digital EX DVDs