The box itself is very substantial and weighs in at 86lbs.  It is made from eD’s new EFS material and will kill small children if dropped on them from short heights.  Probably not a good use for the sub, but you have been warned.  I have added the Lego Batman box and XBox 360 controller to some of my shots so you can get the feel of just how big the 18″x20.5″x21″ box really is.  Included is a 12″ custom designed cone with a 2″ peak to peak excursion.  It’s powered by a 300 watt amp also custom designed by eD.  There are multiple hook up options so no matter how your theater or two channel setup is wired, you are covered.

I had this baby setup in my theater for several nights before being moved to it’s new home, and it does it’s job nicely.  Usually in the corner of my room is a dual 12″ unit from SVSound, but I was really surprised at the output of the A3-300 considering it was less than half the price and only one 12″ cone vs. two.  I couldn’t let well enough rest and just enjoy it, so I beat down my neighbor’s door and borrowed his calibrated mic, laptop, and and ran a room analysis.  Looks like the response in my room was very good down to 20hz as you can see in my pic below.  It would have been nice to have just a little bit more below 20hz, but for the $650 price tag you would be hard pressed to find anything that does what this thing will.  Also, the appearance is simple and has a very nice and even texture;  the grill is simple as well.  I liked the looks of the sub a lot and I think my pictures have captured what it may look like in a home setting.

The new home for this sub has a room half the size of mine, and I have heard nothing but good things from the final owner.  I think I’d go for two in my 600ish Sq.Ft. room, but perhaps I am spoiled.  Ok, yeah, I am.  But that’s why eD makes things like the dual 15″ A7-700.  Well, all in all, the A3-300 is certainly a good product for the price.  No one would be unhappy with it other than a wife or girlfriend who thinks subs are little 10″x10″x10″ cubes your cat can pee on.  Anyway, eD often has sales and discounts on multiple subs, and this is a killer product at full price.  If this is in your target budget, then the A3-300 should be at the top of your list!  Later all!

Link:  Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

If you like sensory overload, then be sure to find a good theater, because this movie will be taxing every bit of the audio system!!  You might want to sit at the back, too.  That way the subwoofage won’t be making you sick and the high pitched transforming sounds don’t peirce your eardrums.  My ears felt a little overused by the end.  Ok, end of rant…

You may wonder if it’s a regular 360, and it is!  It comes with RE5, codes for downloading Super Street Fighter II and a special RE5 theme, and cables up the wazoo.  Cables include HDMI, Red/White/Yellow AV combined with Component Video, a special Audio jack for Stereo or Optical output, and an Ethernet cable.  There was a red controller in the box of course, a black/grey headset, a 120GB Hard drive, and the power supply is always handy.  Again, it works like every other 360, only redder!  And, since it’s the newest 65nm based Jasper board, it should be less red in the ring of death category.   And with no further ado, the gallery…

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/digital-converter-box-comparison-shootout

Never heard of a digital set top box?  Never heard of those $40 off coupons?  Well, if you are on my web site, the chances are pretty slim; but just in case, here is a link to the web site that will get you your two coupons and all the info you need:  https://www.dtv2009.gov/

eD makes some of the best car and HT subs around.  I actually picked up one of their new A3-300 subs for a friend of mine while there, and I’ll be posting a mini review in a couple of days.  I am soooooo looking forward to seeing what this new beast can do!  Ok, they don’t just do subwoofers, they also have a lot of other Home Theater speakers, and I know I have got to get a pair of their towers for my new MegaCab!

Check out Elemental Designs website at:  www.edesignaudio.com

First, it’s just the right weight.  It doesn’t seem heavy with the two AA batteries needed and it’s not a lightweight, either.  Second, it’s 800 DPI.  Yeah, I know, that’s low compared to the laser mice, but I have found that any higher DPI than that and I have to use software to calibrate the speed down anyway. The 800 DPI resolution is just right for accuracy and speed for first person shooters or strategy games on my PC.  Just for reference, some professional gamer dudes might want more, but I’d like to think I am a decent shot and this does the trick.  Third, I like the shape, as it works well for both hands and the Mousidextrous crowd will appreciate it.  Fourth, it doesn’t have a ridiculous number of extra buttons.  There is a left/right click on the wheel, then just one extra “window” button which I always assign to be manual reload.  Too many buttons mean my fingers get confused.  If I want more buttons I have a keyboard or an Xbox 360 controller.  Fifth and finally, I like the colors!  I have just Red and Blue, but they also made a Silver.  Oddly enough the blue mouse comes with a nice little USB stick for the receiver while the red mouse has a large corded USB dongle. These mice have PS2 adaptors if you prefer using that port instead.  Did I mention they make a silver version?  I have got to get one of those!!

The Cordless Click Optical Mouse can be 100% plug and play, but for mapping the buttons otherwise, you’ll need the Setpoint software from Logitech.  They have drivers for Win98 through Vista and 64bit versions, as well.  I am sure Windows 7 support will be added in due time.  I have been using this particular design for about 2 years and battery changes are infrequent.  The Setpoint software warns me when I need to need change them, too.  All in all, you can pick up one of these for a good price if you shop around, and you WON’T be sorry.   Ok, I should qualify that statement.  You might be sorry if you like 30 buttons on your mice, if you like mice balls, or if your mouse needs a fricken’ laser beam.   Final advice:  Just buy one; it’s still cheap enough that you really won’t be sorry.

Ok, so I have a big old TV, a big box to set it on, and some subs in the box; so what’s a guy gonna do with that?  Why, dig the old XBox out of the closet, hook up some DDR dance pads, add some speakers, and I have a full Dance Party waiting to happen!  Ok, it’s not real dancing, but it’s good exercise for us computer guys and I actually like that game.  Mock me all you like, but once you are hooked, it’s like crack.   I am really hoping the subs sound decent and I have yet to acquire speakers for the setup.  I still have quite a bit of work to do.  As you can see from my attached pics, I only have parts and a base framework so far.  The next few weekends are going to be filled with working on my house and not my MegaCab, unfortunately.    Oh well, real work first then play time later.   Sometimes it seems like my hobbies are work, as well.  It’s worth it in the end!   Let me know what you think…

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]]> http://www.htgamers.com/index.php/2009/04/megacab-teaser/feed/ 25 http://www.htgamers.com/index.php/2009/03/periodic-table-of-controllers/ http://www.htgamers.com/index.php/2009/03/periodic-table-of-controllers/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:59:39 +0000 admin http://www.htgamers.com/?p=90 Not only is this one of the coolest Periodic Tables ever, but Pixel Fantasy has a ton of other great artwork on Flickr.  Retro games, movies, cars, flowers, people, he’s got it all! http://www.flickr.com/photos/techthis