Speedlink SL-8209-SBK Vivo 2.1 Subwoofer System Review

With technology constantly increasing, it is clear that sooner or later, people will start wanting better sound devices for their iPods, their TVs and games consoles. Here is Speedlink's answer to this. A 2.1 surround sound speaker system with a sub woofer. All sounds exciting doesn't it? Well, without further due, let's review this black sub woofer system.

The system comes nicely packed and is extremely easy to set up. Plug the sub woofer into the mains, see the blue circle glow (which is extremely nice!) and plug the two speakers into the sub woofer and your there! All ready for beautiful music or sound to come out.

As someone who has never had a sub woofer before, I was very keen to see the level of base it performs at and wow it has bass! Especially after going into Comet (an electrical retail store) and trying out other sub woofers more than double the price of Speedlink's, the bass is still more impressive.

The sound quality from the two side speakers is also very good and syncs very well with the sub woofer (you wouldn't be able to tell the sound was coming from different speakers, even if they were spaced apart). They are also nice looking and are mountable from behind if you choose to hang the side speakers on a wall.

Back onto the sub woofer again, it is not too big which means it can be stored easily (Dimensions at 29.8 cm x 19 cm x 32.5 cm). With the blue glow from the volume control, these speakers look a lot more expensive than they actually are. 

What I found most fascinating as a first time buyer of a sub woofer system was the fact the sub woofer system isn't like a normal speaker but blows and sucks air in and out of the whole to the top right of the volume control. Sounds weird doesn't it? But, it's true. Putting your hand close to hole and you will feel a real suction and blow of air, almost like a vacuum cleaner!

Now, onto the negatives. The cable from the sub woofer to the socked is not long at all, being around half a meter to a meter. This means you have to locate the speaker system close to a socket or have the inconvenience like me to use an extension lead.

The next negative comes with the volume. Yes, there are two volume controls on the sub woofer: one to the overall volume and one to just the sub woofer's bass. However, my concern is when the volume is at it's highest intensity, the little speakers to either side and even the sub woofer can't deal with it. This causes the sound to have many vibrations and a distorted sound to it which is never good. Even though Speedlink claims the output to be 33W, towards maximum sound, it doesn't perform distorted free like Speedlink claim.

Speedlink offer the sub woofer system in
although it is generally more expensive

Yet, the price brings back all the glory this sub woofer system gained at the beginning of this review. I have showed many people a picture of this sub woofer system and asked how much they thought it was in British Sterling Pounds (sorry to all Americans and people with other currencies out there!):

• £50
• £75
• £40
• £45

You can get these speakers for as low as £20. It's incredible. £20 for something that I could honestly pay £100 for. The sound quality : price ratio is through the roof. You get more than your money's worth. For this reason, I rate these speakers 9.5/10. To really become 10/10, Speedlink need to improve the sound as the volume increases. However, for £20, I would reccomend anyone to buy this sub woofer speaker system if you want true great sound quality for such a low price.

Will Green as well as blogging with Joe Black on Review Cosmos runs his own website on Blogging and Twitter tips - Ask Will Online.