Features of the Abit iDome Speaker System Full Digital Processing
Full digital processing is rather unique when it comes to speakers destined to be used mainly on a computer. Abit used a digital amp with 24bit/192KHz sampling rate support. With the vast majority of mainboards now coming with onboard audio that includes S/P DIF out you are very likely already set up from the hardware side to be able to utilize the iDome speakers digitally. If you happen to be using a mainboard or sound card that doesn't have S/P DIF out, Abit didn't leave you out in the cold. The iDome speakers have full analog connectivity as well. The benefits of using a digital amp include:
- Less power loss
- Digital Processing without data loss
- No signal distortion
- Full digital control process
- Little resistance between power supply and speakers
- Smaller design
Abit iDome Pure Digital Amp & Sound Reproduction
One of the coolest features of the Abit iDome speaker system is the digital amp. Utilizing a uGuru processing chip you are able to tune the sound you get out of the speakers as easily as turning a know on the front of the speakers. When you turn the knob you are adjusting the amp settings like an EQ would do, without all of the work. The different modes are:
- Normal
- Game
- Movie
- Rock
- Jazz
By utilizing an onboard DAC that is the same as a DVD audio device, Abit assures best quality by matching the audio quality of the native format so loss of data or sound quality happens, what that means is more accurate sound reproduction. iDome is able to work with a 32KHz to 192 KHz frequency rate.
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Front Panel Controls for Digital AMP and EQ |
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Connectivity & Rear Controls
We talked a bit about the full digital connectivity of the iDome system as well as a bit about the analog connections as well. One of the really cool points of the iDome is multiple S/P DIF connections on both the satellite speakers and the sub woofer. The satellites have both an S/P DIF in and out as does the sub. This makes it very easy to connect the included S/P DIF cables. On the rear of the iDome desktop speakers, you have the option of selecting digital input or analog by flipping a little switch. You can also see in the image below that you can turn the LED light that illuminates the clear iDome plaque on the front, bottom of the right side speaker with the controls. I will say the glowing red looks cool in the dark, however, I wonder why Abit didn't make the second speaker have the same ability. It looks a bit odd on the desk to have one speaker glowing red and the other sitting in darkness.
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Desktop speakers Rear Panel Inputs & Controls |
Speakers
The pair of desktop speakers consist of a separate tweeter and driver. The driver is 4" Neodymium unit with a phase plug extension for better performance and clarity. The sub is a 6.5" super Bass driver that uses a unique Over Bass-Reflex enclosure. A duct within the MDF enclosure enhances the bass sound. The sub cabinet is also lined with a sound absorbing material so you don't hear the noise inside the cabinet. Rather than using cheap particle board, Abit used MDF (medium density fiber) to absorb vibrations and provide fast response. The desktop speakers and the sub each have their own power supply built-in. It is also important to note at this point that the iDome is available as a 2.1 kit and as separates. You can buy just the desktop speakers and then add the sub at a later date. The desktop speakers carry an MSRP of $160 and the sub has an MSRP of $110. If you buy the iDome system as a complete 2.1 set, you will pay $250. That said, you don't have to use Abit's iDome desktop and sub speakers as a set. Any other manufacturers subs and satellites with analog or S/P DIF will work with them as well.
The satellite speakers have a 25W RMS power rating and measure in at 186 x 135 x 250 mm (D x W x H) and operate on 100~240V. The sub measures in at 320 x 200 x 350 mm (D x W x H) with a 50W power rating and also operates on 100~240V. The entire iDome line is RoHs compliant.
Abit iDome 2.1 System in Use
Unpacking and Connecting the Speakers
The packaging Abit used for the iDome speakers is nice to look at. Glossy and with lots of details on the products. Even if you purchase the idome as a 2.1 system, you will get separate boxes for the satellites and the sub. The speakers were well packaged in styrofoam and no damage was noted on my review set. Once I had both the sub and satellites unpacked, I went about connecting the speakers to my test machine.
I chose to use the iDome in digital mode with my Abit AWD9-Max mainboards onboard audio riser card's S/P DIf digital output. Abit included a S/P DIF cable with both the satellites and the sub. With both the satellites and the sub each having a digital input and a digital out, connecting them was as simple as daisy chaining the S/P DIF cables. I went from my mainboard to the satellites then from the satellite out to the sub. Once I enabled the S/P DIF out on the board they worked with no fuss, the first time out. After the speakers are connected, there is an additional S/P DIF output left vacant on the sub. That lead me to wonder if there was the possibility of purchasing an extra set of satellites and setting up a 5.1 system using the iDome. I asked Abit and at the time this was published, I had no firm answer to the question. I will update this as I have more information.
Gaming with the iDome
Personally I think the main purpose of a PC is for computer gaming. There are few things that can take a good game and damage the immersion you get while playing worse than a poorly performing set of speakers. I was impressed with how well the iDome 2.1 system functioned for gaming. Positional audio quality was good, not the best, but good nonetheless. I could tell if enemies were to my right or left from the sounds they made. High pitched sounds were sharp and clear, such as glass breakage and mid range sounds like voices were crisp and realistic. Low end sounds like explosions and gun shots were of decent quality. Low end sounds are the source of my first gripe with the iDome system. The bass output was a bit weak to my ears and needed more oomph to really let you feel the explosions as you play. Take for instance the sub on my reference 5.1 Klipsch Pro Media Ultra speaker system. When an explosion goes off, you not only hear it, you feel it. The sub for the iDome just couldn't muster that sort of deep bass and immersion in game suffered for me because of it. I was also surprised to see that even when connected as a 2.1 set, the sub and the satellite speakers volume controls still function separately. I would have much preferred the volume to be adjustable as a system. As it is if I want to increase or decrease the volume during a game, I have to reach under my desk to do so on the sub.
Movie Watching with the iDome
I decided to fire up one of my favorite movies to test the movie watching portion of the iDome system. A quick flick of the knob to the movie setting and away I went with my test flick, Underworld Evolution. Again I found the bass to be lacking for real immersion in the movie like I can get with a speaker system with really powerful and deep bass. I was glad to see that the voices weren't drowned out by bass or other sounds in the movie, which is an issue with some speaker systems. Other than weak bass performance, I really enjoyed the movie on the Abit iDome system.
Music on the iDome
I'm not much for the Jazz or orchestral tracks many reviewers prefer for testing music playback on speakers, my tastes lean more towards rock and alt rock. So I chose the first CD from Stone Temple Pilots from back in the day to test the music performance on the iDome system. STP's tracks are not particularly bass heavy, so I didn't have as strong an issue on my music tracks with the iDomes weak bass reproduction. Overall voice tone and quality was good and during the playback I fiddled with the SFX Mode control on the satellite to see if the different modes sounded better. Abit did a good job with the Rock setting, it was very nice for this type of music. You can also separately adjust the bass ad treble to your liking as well.
Final Thoughts on the Abit iDome System
I found the iDome system to be more than acceptable in my use of it. Sure I would have liked more bass, but if you have different tastes in movies and music you might find the bass reproduction to be perfectly acceptable. Setup was very easy and straight forward and Abit included all the cables you could possible need. The instruction manual was easy to follow and well enough written to be understandable. All in all, the iDome 2.1 speaker system is a good performer. Aside from my issues with the bass output, the only other thing I could quibble about would be the price. At $250 you have lots of options for speakers, and many of them would be 5.1 systems which for gaming and movie watching typically blow away any 2.1 speaker set. Some might also find the larger size of the satellites to be an issue if desk space is at a premium. At the end of the day, the iDome system sounds good but isn't quite perfect.
Verdict
Undeniably good sounding, if a bit weak in the bass department. Fairly high cost of the speakers might send some into sticker shock, but overall the iDome is a good sounding fully digital speaker set.
More Information
You can find more details about the Abit iDome system at the Abit site.
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