Better than any subwoofer system in this price range

In this review (actually why so many still write recession?) I do not want to repeat what many have already written, but contribute their own issues that I noticed especially when reading the other reviews.

Some points first: A 2.0 system is not using a 2.1 system (ie Subwoofer + satellites) compare; it's like apples and oranges. Why?
- If Subwoofer systems the lower price range of the subwoofer takes over a part of the lower middle so to 300Hz Ideally a subwoofer take only the sub-audiblen frequencies exceeding 50 Hz, never more..
- The systems (yes, especially the Soundstyx) are misaligned, that means the frequency transition is not running linearly, there is an over / under stress in the area where the satellite to replace the subwoofer.
- The subwoofer is usually more distant than the satellite. The high pitched sound is faster than low frequencies, so that there is in the worst case to a phase problem and frequency ranges are overemphasized or extinguished.
- By resonances of furniture, it is almost impossible to find an optimum, if the subwoofer is not decoupled consuming (preferably free-floating) is positioned. Otherwise, the bass will never be neutral, too loud swing the furniture, too quiet they are drowned out by the satellite.
- The cheap processing and amplifier (especially when Soundstyx) ensure that the soft membrane offend in volume and results in quieter volume to a Mulmen. Have no system experienced less than 1,000 euros, in which it was different.

Who is more interested in power rather than the perceived positioning of instruments, goes better with a 2.1 system, for the PA area, the MM-1 is not designed.
However, if you value on music and audiophile sound quality in stereo sets, when it comes to non-deep bass, but on neutral reproduction, should grasp more closely MM-1.

Me the way no wonder why so many prefer the Bose system or generally 2.1 systems. For MP3 music, the failure areas by the masking effects described above is replaced, as it were, the disadvantages of compressed music described a positive effect contrary, fall through the blurring compression artifacts less.
In contrast, I also no wonder that listeners engage with demand for compressed CD-quality music (WAV, FLAC) more likely to stereo speakers.

Background:
After my Soundstyx 2 have mercilessly let me down both sonically and materially, including poor service from Harman / Kardon, I have eaten this manufacturer. You have not only sound disappointed (high amplifier noise, several times more than in the MM-1, locating problems as described above), and the material decomposed itself independently without my help after a few months. Suddenly I did not pass the halves of the acrylic chassis in hand, which should at a price around 200 euros.
Some time later, I took advantage of an all-in-one with JBL speakers, which is why I once had to waste a thought on PC boxes. This was later replaced by a desktop system with an external monitor.
My monitor speakers rich just for system sounds, therefore had to be an alternative, preferably with USB. Then browsing at Amazon I came to the MM-1 and first stopped me short of breath: 500 Euro for PC speakers? - And so I began to research and came across various, conflicting opinions. Test results, I think anything anyway, as manufacturers often buy the magazines to why me the reviews were more interested here.

Are they worth the money?
Clearly yes: Four separate amplifiers, USB D / A converter installed, secondary line input, very sturdy workmanship and the interior design, about which one can only read (Nautilus tweeter). Alone, these points do not justify the price for me, however, compared to 2.1 systems, as these serve as mentioned another sound spectrum.
Conventional studio monitor speakers deliver certainly sound more volume. But you also have the disadvantage that they do not have USB and also have separate power supplies, thus consuming to build and should be wired.
The engineering feat at the MM-1 is therefore primarily is to make little speakers sound much and me there is no other speaker in a similar size range come across in the last 30 years, it may be better. There were back from Aiwa and Sony and again good speakers in the 90s that do not cost a lot less in some cases.

Bass - yes or no?
Yes, but other than with a subwoofer. If you were to turn off at a 2.1-times the subwoofer system, you would certainly sobered what's coming yet for radicals from the table horns. In the MM-1 also deep bass come over, but discreet and not overemphasized. For listening to music on the frontal speakers absolutely sufficient for the room sound in rooms over 15 m² insufficient. Here one should the JBL Radial envisage that delivers more pressure, but by design a very narrow stereo.

Natural sound or gap at about 8 KHz?
Each company has its own character, which is somewhat contradictory to neutrality. Neutral theory would mean that two speakers sound with a linear frequency range also exactly the same. They do not, because the cut-off frequencies of the various departments and the crossover work differently and thus yet each speaker (like wine) has its own character. Here decide the personal preferences, loves a Bose sound bath (one imagines the graphics of an equalizer and the overemphasis of the bass and treble before), of an area without overemphasizing others just the natural reproduction, especially. This can the MM-1 fantastic, lying on the tone not far from the DM and Nautilus series away.

Adding:
Three months free membership with "Society of Sound", the user receives at registration. If you install the download manager, you can free download / rock in 24-bit FLAC audio down more than 20 albums with Jazz, Classic and partly Pop. If we calculate that a studio mastering album at Highres audio costs about 20 euros, you get back already almost the entire purchase price in the form of audiophile music. An added value that I have taken note of surprise. One reads vereinzelnd that one should invite only three titles a month down, this appears to have been changed, because I could load all available albums and an HD video in one go.

Everything has its weaknesses:
Certainly, the MM-1 is not all-encompassing perfectly which product is? The following points are noticed:
- Despite the latest firmware shutdown works in parallel with the computer does not always work, especially not in standby mode.
- Some audio applications "pumps" the volume, only loud, then it is slightly quieter. However does not happen while listening to music, but only in the first half-second. But need not be a problem of the MM-1 is, with me.
- The converter understands only 16-bit word length at max. 48 KHz. 24 Bit 96 KHz would be appropriate for the music offered, so you can play them only quantized to 16 bits and has presented the thoughtful part of the high resolution. For most users, but not a problem as CD-quality 16-bit 44.1 KHz (DVD at 48 KHz).
- The USB cable is, as well as the cable connecting the speakers, only about 1m long or short. The distance between the speakers is inordnung, compared to the size they should be anyway not provide further apart than one meter, but is the computer left of it, can not do without USB extension.
- Remote control. I do not know in which test I have read what of aluminum (the speakers had ever taken itself in action?), Anyway, is the remote control of plastic. The battery cover is round and made of soft plastic, it is the remote control that creaks somewhat incidentally. Might be nice at this price, but the B & W have certainly only shopped.
- Made in China: What would these speakers well costs if they came from England? Or get the manufacturer accordingly more margin? This can certainly only guess, but we have to accept that all future luxury comes from China, was in the 80's or otherwise.

My Conclusion:
Luxury has its price now times. Listen for a 2.0 system for music and with high expectations a successful product that may equal. Neutral speakers of this size and with similar characteristics I have not found in comparable quality.