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Posted by
Thomas
McGuire on October 29, 2002
Manufacturer: Creative Product:
Creative
MegaWorks 510D 5.1 Sound System
Look
for MegaWorks
510D prices.
The MegaWorks 510D
features a rather almighty subwoofer, offering 150 Watts RMS
of power & weighs in at about 20 pounds. Far from being
just a powerful Subwoofer it offers several distinctive
features that separate it from other multimedia systems. The
most distinctive feature being that it uses an non-ported
(Or acoustic suspension enclosure to be more accurate)
down-firing one. The main benefits of this are that it
eliminates port noise altogether (obviously) & provides
a better transient response as compared to ported systems.
Conversely using a ported design would improve bass
efficiency for much lower frequencies. While you can argue
over the benefit of ported versus non-ported designs it’s
worth considering that the upcoming successor to the 510D
– the THX 550 will be using a ported design.
On the rear of the
subwoofer there’s both a Bass level knob & Treble
switch. The bass knob performs exactly what you might
imagine, adjusting the strength level of the subwoofer
output whereas the Treble switch offers a Flat or Reduce
mode, with Flat being the default setting which
doesn’t affect the treble range while the Reduce option
provides a reduction above 10 kHz.
The Subwoofer
enclosure also houses the amplifier & all connections
much like most other decoder-less multimedia 5.1 systems
around. Beyond the analog & digital inputs available
covered earlier, the system features a BASH (Bridged
Amplified Switching Hybrid) digital
hybrid amplifier, just like the Klipsch Promedia 5.1, &
the digital input supports signals up to 24-bit/96kHz –
just what the SoundBlaster Audigy supports outputting. The
SNR for the system is rated at 95dB for the Digital Input,
whereas the analog inputs comes in at a slightly lower 93dB
(Thanks 3D SoundSurge).
If you’re
interested in specific details on how the BASH amplifier
works you’d be well advised to check out the Indigo
website which covers such details. On a basic level its
all about power efficiency without adversely affecting sound
quality.
Performance wise the
subwoofer boasts a frequency response of 32 - 150Hz &
uses a 8 inch down-firing driver, providing the system with
deep, clean powerful bass output with no noticeable
distortion occurring. The system also uses a Crossover
frequency of 150Hz.
The 510D uses
Cambridge SoundWorks Newton Series MC50 satellites, 5 in
total. In comparison with the Inspire 5300’s satellites
these are much larger & lack the distinctive over-sized
grille in front of the driver. 5 thumbscrew attached stands
are available to use with the satellites, though these
aren’t required for use. Each satellite features a 3.5
inch driver behind the grille, features a neodymium magnet
& uses asymmetrically curved cabinets which are intended
to eliminate standing waves which can create dead spots.
Quality wise the
satellites are great, with a response frequency of 150 -
18Hz & 70
Watts
RMS per satellite, in particular it
offers nicely detailed midrange & great bass response.
The treble tended to lack in prominence, though this may not
really be an issue to many of you & certainly was still
far better than previous systems I’ve used. Unlike other
systems I’ve tried these also were quite tolerant to
increases in the volume level & I was able to raise the
volume well over 50% without playback quality being
adversely affected or other noticeable distortions being
introduced.
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