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(More customer reviews)The first thing that anybody will notice when looking at this surround sound system is the price. At $2,000 retail, the M-Cube System is easily one of the most expensive set of speakers on the market. Of course, there is such a thing as You Get What You Pay For, and that's pretty much the case here, but still any money-conscious consumer will no doubt have some questions before making such a huge investment merely for the sake of thundering bass and crisp audio. Hopefully I can answer some of the big questions that would at least come to MY mind, but if there's any more feel free to leave them in the comments section and I'll do my best to answer them.
1. Does it sound good?
Yes, blissfully and gloriously so. Those 5 little speakers can whiz and buzz around you like a living thing, atmosphere sounds are so real that I've never felt more in-the-movie than after watching a few Blu Rays with this system. The little subwoofer packs a great variety of bass, including crisp thuds of kick drum as well as throaty bellows like on the Dark Knight/Inception soundtracks, and the satellites carry a good range of kick if they need to as well. Placement is important, but I tested the speakers in a variety of locations and they sounded phenomenal in every location. I have no idea how they did it, but these speakers are simply so well designed that it's really hard to screw them up. As long as you're watching something in surround sound, prepare to be amazed.
2. Okay, but wait: I thought 7.1 systems were the new rage? Isn't 5.1 already outdated?
Yes and no. You're right, 7.1 surround sound IS the new rage. There are now probably well over a hundred different Blu Rays that have 7.1 audio, including almost every Disney release. With that being said, however, a good 5.1 system is still better than an okay 7.1 system. I have several friends who have upgraded to 7.1 and their systems sound amazing, but I still think these M-Cubes sound better. There's just a really clear richness in tonal quality and pitch with the M-Cube that I've never heard before elsewhere. The problem with dated technology is that everything is changing and upgrading so fast now that no matter how quick you are to jump on something, the next new thing will be only a year or two away. I've already heard talk of 7.2 surround sound, so who knows, even 7.1 may be old news soon.
3. Who is "Mission"? I've never heard of that brand name. How do I know I can trust them?
You're not alone, I'd never heard of them before either. It turns out this is probably because the company is based in the UK. I still don't know what their reputation is like, though, and I didn't have any problems so I never called customer service. I only know that the look, feel, and sound of the system is very professional. It's an easy comparison to say that this system is very similar to BOSE products where big sound comes from little speakers. The heaviness and sturdiness of the speakers are also similar.
4. How difficult is set-up? Should I have a professional install everything?
Set-up in itself is not difficult, mostly a matter of connecting wires to the right spots, but I would still say that hiring a professional is a MUST. There's just too many wires that'll need to be fed through walls for someone who is not in the know to do. Also, professionals will most likely know the best spots to place the speakers so they offer the best possible surround sound. If you are already pretty familiar with this stuff, though, it should be a breeze.
5. I listen to a lot of music on my stereo systems, how does music sound with M-Cube?
Music is probably the biggest flaw when it comes to the M-Cube. The subwoofer works great for movie soundtracks and atmosphere, but when it comes to a constant thump-thump-thump of today's popular music, something about it just doesn't quite sound right. You can adjust the bass setting on the subwoofer itself and doing so can make it fit better for music, but then you'll want to switch it back for movies so, in the end, I wouldn't really suggest this system for someone who listens to CDs as much as they watch BDs.
6. Will I have to buy a receiver or is one included?
No receiver is included so you WILL have to buy one unless you already own one that supports 5.1 surround.
7. The speakers look so small, do you actually expect me to believe they sound great?
I know they're extremely small, but if you've ever heard a BOSE or similar small speakers before, you know just how possible it is to get theatre sound out of little objects. The M-Cube system is the same way, small convenient size, earth-shaking spectacle of amazing sound.
8. I'm nervous about ordering this online, can you post some pictures showing how it'll get sent to me?
Sure! Just look at the customer-added images I posted on the product page. And, if it's not clear from that, let me just say that the way the system is shipped there is no possible worry about it getting damaged in transit. Everything is well padded and secured. It's also really easy to store everything in and out of the box should you need to.
9. Would YOU buy it?
Good question. It should be noted that I received this system to test via the Amazon.com VINE program so I didn't actually have to pay for it. Now that I've experienced all the pleasure and wonder of its sound, would I actually pay over $1,000 for it if I had to? Well.. my answer is probably No, and here's why.
I'm both an audiophile and a penny pincher. I know those two sound like polar opposites, but it's true. I can hear a poor system a mile away and likewise I can moan in the wonders of a good one when I hear it. Unfortunately, though, the M-Cube system is simply out of my budget. Even if it WERE in my budget, however, I would have serious doubts about getting it because of the fact that it is only 5.1 (I would be tempted to wait for M-Cube to release a 7.1 set) and because it doesn't sound super amazing with music. I listen to a lot of music, so that's a big downer for me.
My overall opinion of audio quality of the system is easily 5/5 stars, I feel bad for giving it 4/5 overall, but I do have to consider some of its weaknesses as I've pointed out. I try to avoid rating products based on price because I know everyone values things differently and everyone has different levels of disposable money. Also, I DON'T think this system set is necessarily overpriced for it's quality. The biggest downers were really the fact that 5.1 is near retirement age and music is a big deal to me. Otherwise, this is easily one of the best surround sound systems on the market.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Mission M-Cube System Including 5 Satelites and Powered Subwoofer (Set, Midnight)
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