Hardware Review of:
MicroWorks Computer Speakers
From Cambridge SoundWorks 

Three-piece speaker systems marked the first serious attempt to improve computer sound, and I tried one of the early Altec-Lansing speaker systems. It was better than many other systems, but hardly a serious music system. I really didn’t enjoy listening to music CDs through the speakers. 

Two years ago, I heard some speakers from Cambridge SoundWorks called MicroWorks that were impressive in the context of computer speakers. Cambridge SoundWorks is primarily a home stereo and home theater speaker company, so has a good understanding of what constitutes good sound. Most of their business is via direct mail, or mail order. 

The graphic shows what the MicroWorks speakers look like, but doesn’t provide much scale. The large module contains a common bass speaker that serves both channels, and measures 8½ by 9 by 16 inches. It contains the amplifiers for all the speakers, along with the crossover that splits the frequency range into bass and treble, sending the latter to the two 4 by 4 by 3½ inch satellites. The amplifiers are quite powerful for computer speakers; 13 watts RMS for each satellite, and 42 watts RMS for the bass module. (RMS power ratings are the most rigorous, and are seldom used for computer speakers, which use highly inflated, virtually fictitious power ratings.) A 6½ inch speaker handles the bass; I’m not sure how big the drives in the satellites are, but they couldn’t be more than 3 inches in diameter. The satellites are very compact, but surprisingly heavy. Effective magnetic shielding lets you can place them next to your monitor without distorting the picture. The compact satellites take up very little room, important on my cluttered desktop. You could probably hang them on the sides of the monitor, although no bracket is provided for that purpose. 

Installation is easy. Plug the connecting cable into the output jack of your soundcard (in the rear of your computer, labeled out, or line out. A small box in the middle of the output cable has a rotary volume control which you can place within easy reach. The other end of the cable plugs into the bass module, which can be place in a relatively unobtrusive location since bass is nondirectional. I wouldn’t advise placing it too far from the satellites, however; mine is under my desk, which provides additional bass reinforcement. Connect the satellites to the bass module via provided wires, adjust the bass level via a knob on the bass module, and finally, connect the power cord from the bass module to the wall A/C socket, and you are ready to play music (or games, or whatever). 

The sizeable bass module, the hefty satellites, and the generous amplifiers combine to produce a sound that is surprisingly full-bodied. Bass is quite punchy and full, while the middle frequencies are smooth and undistorted. The high frequencies are somewhat rolled off, but are OK. Most computer speakers wimp out at high volumes, but not the MicroWorks. 

I played several CDs to test the speakers. The first was titled Mist Covered Mountains, on the Excelsior label. The Celtic harp and instrumental ensemble recording was clear and detailed. To test bass capabilities, I challenged the MicroWorks with Virgin Records’ soundtrack from Glory!, which has prodigious bass information. Although the MicroWorks suggested the bass on this challenging CD, it probably left off the lower two octaves. But this CD has some very deep bass. The EMI CD of the Eroica Trio (three stunningly beautiful ladies) playing Antonin DvoÍák’s "Dumky" Piano Trio produced excellent string and piano sound. Telarc’s recording of Samuel Barber’s Prayers of Kierkegaard showed that MicroWorks handles vocal and choral passages with clarity, balance, and power without strain. 

Shortly after acquiring the MicroWorks, I set up a separate stereo system in my office. Consisting of a low-price Pioneer receiver (an eBay trophy), a NAD CD player, and some inexpensive Infinity speakers. This is just a convenience system, not a real hifi. Still, it provided an interesting comparison to the MicroWorks. I tried a favorite CD called From The Incas…To The World, Andean Symphony Volume 1, which contains mostly South American music played on authentic South American Indian instruments. It is produced right here in San Antonio by Inka Records. I defy anyone to listen to the second track, Ramis, without wanting to get up and dance along. Right away, I realized that the MicroWorks’ high-end roll-off was more pronounced than I had estimated. The Infinitys’ dome tweeters revealed a lot more of the guitar and pan flute overtones than the MicroWorks. But the latter had deeper bass, even though the Pioneer provides 80 watts per channel, and the Infinity speakers each have a 6½ inch woofer. Still, I felt that overall, the NAD/Pioneer/Infinity system provided more accurate sound. Maybe I’ll try a subwoofer with that system someday. 

Cambridge SoundWorks suggests the MicroWorks speakers can also be used in separate audio systems, or with TVs. Just plug a walkman CD player or a TV audio output into the input, and you will have a pretty fair sound system. Actually, you could plug both sources in; there are two input jacks, although there is no way to switch between them. If two sources play at the same time, they are blended together. 

Cambridge SoundWorks is available online at <http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com>, or via telephone at 1-877-YES-HIFI. MicroWorks is available in black or computer beige. Let me wind up the article with some good news: the price of the MicroWorks speakers has been dropped from $250 to $150.