Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System<base href="http://www.atruereview.com/" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/template_css.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/style10.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/slimbox/slimbox.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/rokmoomenu.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <style type="text/css"> td.left div.moduletable, td.right div.moduletable, td.left div.moduletable-hilite1, td.right div.moduletable-hilite1, td.left div.moduletable-hilite2, td.right div.moduletable-hilite2, td.left div.moduletable-hilite3, td.right div.moduletable-hilite3, td.left div.moduletable-hilite4, td.right div.moduletable-hilite4, td.left div.moduletable-hilite5, td.right div.moduletable-hilite5, td.left div.moduletable-hilite6, td.right div.moduletable-hilite6, td.left div.moduletable-hilite7, td.right div.moduletable-hilite7, td.left div.moduletable-hilite8, td.right div.moduletable-hilite8 { width: 175px; 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Though it is mainly designed with the home theater environment in mind, the FULLstageHD can work as the audio solution in other situations as well. For example, it can work very well as a computer speaker system. In fact, for the context of this review, I will mainly be focusing on the use of the FULLstageHD with the computer.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m14.jpg"><img src="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m14th.jpg" alt="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" title="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" width="250" height="120" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Setting up the FULLstageHD around a computer desktop is pretty simple affair. For optimal sound, the MAINstageHD should be placed directly in front of where you would normally sit. In most cases, that would mean above (or below) the monitor. Around a CRT monitor, the magnetically shielded MAINstageHD (using the included AngleEase feet) can easily be placed on top of the monitor. Around an LCD monitor though, setup takes a little more thought. Naturally, if there is a hutch or shelf above the monitor, then that would be a good place the MAINstageHD. If not, then some kind of speaker support (such as a pole stand or a wall mounted arm) will be needed to hold the MAINstageHD above the monitor.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m09.jpg"><img src="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m09th.jpg" alt="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" title="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" width="250" height="100" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>As with any other subwoofer, the optimal place to put the SUBstage100 is on the ground close to a wall. For the strongest bass, the subwoofer should be placed in a corner of a room. With that said, the SUBstage100 still needs to be placed within cables length of the MAINstageHD.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/s06.jpg"><img src="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/s06th.jpg" alt="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" title="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" width="250" height="112" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>With both units situated, the SUBstage100 should be then connected to the MAINstageHD using the audio cable that came with the SUBstage100. The MAINstageHD should then be connected to the computer's sound card (preferably using a digital connection).</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m12.jpg"><img src="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m12th.jpg" alt="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" title="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" width="250" height="97" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>By default, the SUBstage100 comes with the phase and crossover set to match the MAINstageHD. If for some reason the subwoofer does not sound like its matching the rest of the system, then a little time should be spent to carefully calibrate the settings on the SUBstage100. For the sub's volume level, I suggest turning it up all the way and then using the MAINstageHD's remote to control the bass levels.</p> <p><strong>Control and Performance:</strong></p> <p> Soundmatters' FULLstageHD is primarily meant to be controlled from the MAINstageHD's remote control. The remote is able to toggle through the input sources, adjust volume, adjust the bass levels, mute sound, toggle on and off the virtual surround sound effect, and enable or disable a dialog enhancement DSP. Volume adjustments and source input toggling can alternatively be done from the MAINstageHD unit as well.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m10.jpg"><img src="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m10th.jpg" alt="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" title="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" width="250" height="105" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>To test the FULLstageHD, I hooked the unit up to my computer’s soundcard (<a href="http://www.atruereview.com/HDA_X_Plosion/index.php">HDA X-Plosion</a>), via a Toslink optical connection. All of the sounds testing were done through this computer connection.</p> <p> Soundmatters FULLstageHD's performance is nothing short of amazing. Overall sound is warm and balanced with clear mids and highs and responsive yet unmercifully deep bass (thanks to the presence of a dedicated subwoofer). Impressively, the bass can be made even stronger by enabling the +3dB EQ on the SUBstage100. In most situations though, I found the bass with the +3dB EQ enabled to actually be too strong. Those of you who crave bass will no doubt love it.</p> <p>Soundmatters' FULLstageHD overall can reach unmercifully high volume levels. Line noise from the two digital inputs was practically nonexistent. The two analog inputs exhibited very low amount of line noise (though it is a noticeable improvement from the original MAINstage). </p> <p>The FULLstageHD handled music playback of all genre very well. Hip-hop, rock, and even classical music sounded superb. With its home theatre motif, it was no surprise that movies sounded superb as well. The presence of the dedicated subwoofer especially made action sequences that much more heart-pounding and immersive.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m11.jpg"><img src="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/m11th.jpg" alt="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" title="Soundmatters FULLstageHD Audio System" width="250" height="115" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></p> <p>The dialog enhancement feature proved to be quite effective in amplifying dialog volumes. However, at the same time it amplifies a lot of mid tones. In essence, it sounds like it increases the "center" channel's volume. There are no LED indications on the MAINstageHD to signify whether the dialog enhancement is active or not though there are separate buttons to enable or disable it.</p> <p>Enabling the virtual surround sound option made the background sounds louder and more disperse. This made the overall sound image wider as if certain sounds were coming from the far left or right of the MAINstageHD. However, I never really felt any sound was next or behind me. A red LED on the MAINstageHD lights up when the virtual surround sound is enabled.</p> <p>Gaming audio also sounds superb with the FULLstageHD. Game play of all kinds (from sports to action, FPS to RTS) really benefited from the system's clear acoustics and thundering bass. As with movie audio, enabling the virtual surround made gaming ambient sounds more disperse though the surround image was never really convincing.</p> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10"> <tr> <td><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/fullstageHD.php"></a> <a href="soundmatters_audio_system/fullstageHD.php">Previous (Description)</a></td> <td><div align="right"><a href="atruereview/soundmatters_audio_system/fullstageHD3.php"></a> <a href="soundmatters_audio_system/fullstageHD3.php">Next (Real Surround & Conclusion)</a></div></td> </tr> </p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer"> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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