Posted on Wednesday, August 22 2007 @ 12:26 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Logitech has unveiled a new 5.1 speaker system for gamers, the Logitech G51. This setup offers 360-degree surround sound and features Logitech's dual Matrix technology which can create a 5.1 surround-sound experience from a common two-channel stereo source.
Nearly all digital music, and legacy games, are only primed for stereo – or two-channel – sound. Using Logitech’s proprietary Matrix surround sound technology, the G51 speakers split the audio signal into six channels of sound, without degrading the audio quality. That means, even if their game doesn’t provide six-channel audio, people can enjoy it anyway. As a result, gamers can gain the competitive advantages of surround sound – first-person-shooter gamers, for example, can now hear enemies creep up behind them. If they’re being shot at, they’ll know what direction the bullets are coming from.
Two Matrix modes – gaming and music – turn stereo sound into 5.1 surround sound. Gaming Matrix mode boosts the rear speakers and subwoofer to provide a more intense gaming experience. And with the ported, down-firing subwoofer, explosions sound more explosive. Music Matrix mode enhances stereo music, delivering a more natural surround-sound experience through all five satellite speakers.
With 155 watts of total RMS (root mean square) power, the G51 speaker system is optimized to deliver high-performance audio experiences. The G51 speakers feature Frequency Directed Dual Driver (FDD2) technology, which produces a uniform soundfield by housing two drivers in each satellite. FDD2 overcomes high-frequency overlap that leads to uneven sound – a major barrier to dual driver speakers in the past. The result is uniform, intense sound from any place in the room. And with laser-tuned audio drivers, the speakers provide clear audio with less distortion.
Responding to Logitech research, which showed the popularity of headphones and headsets with gamers, Logitech has equipped the G51 speakers with an improved control pod that includes both headphone and microphone jacks. The control pod provides precision dual mute controls, which allows gamers to easily mute the game audio, or mute only the microphone – or both. Independent volume controls and convenient LEDs make controlling the subwoofer, center channel and satellite speakers simple. And with the control pod’s silicone feet, gamers never have to worry about it shifting during intense gameplay.
Logitech's G51 speaker system will be available in October for $199.99.
