MicroWorks system Manufactuerd by Cambridge SoundWorks Retail Price $190   Frequency Response: 40Hz - 20kHz Satellite Power: 12W+12W Subwoofer Power: 45W

This speaker system has been in the market for quite some time. It’s quite a mature product now and you must definitely have heard a good deal about these speakers by now. Though it debuted at about $250, the speakers now retail for around $190, making it an ideal grab for the budget-minded. But budget isn’t all: sound matters, as we’ve repeatedly observed. But first, let’s describe the speakers. The 45W RMS subwoofer is 17 ½ inches tall, making it the tallest in this roundup and approximately the same height as a standard mini-tower ATX casing. So it’s quite noticeable once you place it on your desk. All the master controls are also located behind the subwoofer: volume control, bass control and balance. There is an in-line volume control device for you to change volume settings if the subwoofer is placed out of reach. This remote control is quite small and can easily be kept on your desk. When compared to the mammoth subwoofer, the 4x4x3 ½ inch satellites (12W RMS) look tiny, even though they’re slightly larger than some we’ve already seen. These speakers are available in two colors: black and white. 

As for the important stuff: while the Boston Acoustics MediaTheater lacked mid-range, the MicroWorks system suffers from a surfeit of it. It also lacked treble to a certain extent, resulting in a slight deterioration of sharpness in dialogue. 
 

What’s more, when we were testing digital audio on this, most of us agreed that classical & new age music that relied heavily on the balance of strong mid-ranges frequencies were reproduced very well. As for pop and rock music, this may not be your ideal choice, since the lack of sharp treble sound has a negative effect. For gaming, however, we all found this a good performer. It sounds quite OK with EAX, and the A3D-filled Half-Life is another title that brings out the best in these speakers. The $190 price tag makes the MicroWorks system look particularly attractive. But before you jump, just wait till you see what’s next...