INTRODUCTION

   I first started paying extra attention to speaker systems back in 1998 when i received the DVD-ROM/MPEG Decoder card bundle by Creative labs called the Encore DXR2 which back then was pretty much the best and perhaps only way for someone to watch DVD's with the highest possible A/V quality. Of course it goes without saying that i matched the Encore DXR2 bundle with the only mid-end 5.1 Dolby surround compatible speaker set i could find for just under $400 (i think it was manufactured by TEAC). Since then however although I’ve used and tested several 5.1/7.1 Dolby/DTS surround sets from various manufacturers like SONY, Yamaha, Tannoy, Klipsch, Crystal Audio and Logitech i have to admit that not many 2/2.1 speaker sets have made it into my house and/or my lab (the only ones i can recall reached my lab just over a year ago and were manufactured by Scythe and Sandberg). Today we are going to take a look at a dual speaker set manufactured by Audyssey, a company which may not be well-known by most of you but according to several professionals around the world they are considered to be amongst the best at what they do right next to legendary manufacturers like BOSE.

   We are a Los Angeles-based company that designs and develops innovative audio technologies and products for music fanatics and movie buffs like you. Our roots are in R&D and we solve audio problems so what you hear is an accurate reproduction of the recorded music, movie or live performance you are listening to – how it was meant to be heard. Our digital technologies solve some basic audio problems, such as spikes in volume or poor sound quality at low volumes. We also delve into more complex audio problems, such as the way room acoustics are impacted by furniture, walls and windows, and how to compensate for small speakers when limited by the laws of physics.

   The Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers are not something you see every day especially since the designing team behind them seems to have taken a stroll down memory lane and ended up at least 30-40 years in the past. Of course that's not necessarily a bad thing and i do happen to enjoy the retro look of these speakers and the high build quality is also something taken from the past, however taste does vary so i really can't speak for everyone. Leaving out appearances Audyssey also packs their patented EQ and BassXT technologies with their media speakers which help cancel distortion, produce sharp sound and boost bass levels (thanks to the 4 bass radiators) without however sacrificing sound quality in the process. So at least on paper the Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers look like they can easily stand their ground against the competition (even against good 2.1 sets) and it's up to us to see if that's really the case.