• Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones Review
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Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones Review

With the rich quality sounds computers are capable of these days, many of us are upgrading our sound cards and speakers to allow superb surround sound opportunities when watching movies or simply having quality stereo sound to listen to our music. Even software developers are getting on board by including high quality or even surround sound options in our games and other multimedia capable products. Having the speakers blaring with our quality sound is not always feasible. But why give up your quality sound? And why give up your surround sound gaming and movie watching? Enter Medusa. Today we take a look at two Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones.

Company:

Medusa-USA, www.medusa-usa.com

Price:

$95 - $125 US at Medusa-USA.

Ratings

Price:
Install/Setup:
Usability:
Support:
Average Rating:

Pros:

• Amazing sound quality
• Headsets are soft and very comfortable to wear for extended periods
• Built in microphone has good quality output

Cons:

• Volume Controller on the USB headset was a little touchy
• Bass in the USB headset was a little weak

Getting Started

Before we get started on the headsets, I first want to give you a little background into Medusa. Medusa-USA is owned and operated as a subsidiary of UK-based After Hours Computers. After Hours Computers was formed in February 1999 as a direct result of feedback from colleagues. The Managing Director, Rachael Mason-Phipps, was at the time working as an IT System Manager for a large Government Organization and heard many stories of people being ripped off by the ‘big boys’ and paying way over the odds for their Computer Systems and Parts. She has always believed that “Computers are for the masses and not just the privileged” and so decided to do something about it. After Hours Computers was born and as the name suggests it was run primarily “After Hours”. Having sold over some 2000+ Medusa products in the UK, and after numerous requests from US based customers, Medusa-USA was launched in August 2004 to cater solely for the USA market.

Both headsets Medusa sent to us are packaged with great care. Both come in velvet lined boxes with a red ribbon greeting you when you open the black interior box. Most companies these days don't take much pride in their packaging, so immediately I felt assured that the products would be of similar quality. The headsets themselves are sturdy, ear pads are soft, and the headpiece was strong but with nice padding for long periods of use.

We hooked up the SL-8790 headset to our M-Audio Revolution 7.1 channel capable sound card. The software immediately allowed us to pick the correct sound configuration for the headset after connecting the front, center/sub, rear, and microphone connectors from the sound card to the control box and powering up the control box. The SL-8794 USB version obviously hooked up via a USB port. We then installed the latest drivers from Medusa to control the USB Headset's settings.

As far as how both headsets are designed, there are three speakers and a subwoofer built into each padded, swiveling ear pad, thus enabling reproduction of the full sound spectrum. Both headsets have built in volume controls on the cable. The SL-8790 controller allows you to adjust the sound to suit your individual preferences. Separate controls for rear, front and centre allow you to precisely balance the volume. The amplifier box will allow connection to any 5.1 sound source with integrated decoder and also controls the master volume. These volume controls on the cable as well as the amplifier box are very solid and functioned without issues. The SL-8794 headset has a volume +/- control and a Mic mute button. On the side is an On/Off switch that we had trouble getting to work consistently.

SL-8790 Pictures

Click on picture to enlarge image

SL-8794 USB Version Pictures

Click on picture to enlarge image

Usability

Sound quality as we have mentioned in past speaker reviews is really in the eyes (ears...) of the beholder. Different people have different tastes. To test out both headsets I played Battlefield 2 with high quality sounds settings, watched the movie Saints and Soldiers using WinDVD 5 with 7.1 surround sound capable settings, as well as listened to a variety of music including various 80's rock, Country and Bluegrass, as well as various tracks from Les Miserables Complete Symphonic recording. We also added 2 sound test tracks from M-Audio that gives good surround simulation. With all types of listening both headsets give superb sound quality and clarity. The key differences between the two headsets were in the bass. The SL-8794 USB headset bass was a little weak. It was there, but was not as clear or as powerful as with the SL-8790 headset. With the subwoofer volume turned all the way up on the SL-8790, the headphones began to vibrate or rattle a little. This was unbelievable for a headset. At the right volume explosions and other low sounds were as good as a true subwoofer would provide.

The SL-8794 USB headset is convenient to use. If you have a laptop or computer without audio connectors for true multi channel output, the USB version is perfect for you. It can also be a great option for a LAN party. The SL-8790 and it's true 5.1 channel surround sound output is exceptional, but the controller box and necessary cabling isn't fun when moving around or packing up for a LAN.

Connecting the Medusa 5.1 Surround Headset to a 6 Channel Audio Source

Connecting the Medusa 5.1 Surround Headset to a PC’s sound card

Specifications and Features

Adding It All Up

For a company that's only been in the US market for about a year, I am impressed with their quality products. These headsets are . . . well . . . sublime. The soft velvet earpads and rich, full, clear sound is unbeatable. Using these when playing Battlefield 2 brings the sounds and action into the room all around you. Making you really feel like you are in the action. Listening to a symphony makes you feel like you are sitting in the middle hearing all the crisp brilliant high notes or the deep pounding bass notes of both the instruments and the singers. Electric guitars and bass are equally clear and strong. And though the USB version of the Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Surround Sound headset is not as true in sound as the other, the portability and use with laptops still gives you tremendous sound quality while retaining the comfort this headset provides.

Because of the excellent quality and usability at a decent price, we are awarding Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Surround Sound Headsets the UpgradAdvisor.com Recommended Upgrade seal of approval!!!

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