Pioneer S-MM751RU

In an industry that seems increasingly focused on speaker docks for iPhones and wireless streaming, quality 2.1 speaker systems for PCs are becoming more and more of a rarity. That makes the affordable, $129 (direct) Pioneer S-MM751RU 2.1 computer speaker system a nice surprise. While neither the easiest on the eyes nor flawless in terms of performance, the S-MM751RU packs powerful audio performance, with adjustable bass response and a wired remote that includes mutltiple inputs for SD Cards and USB devices. You'd be hard-pressed to find a common, modern audio device that can't connect directly with the system, and even though it suffers from some deep bass distortion at high volumes, the overall volume, bass level, and device or computer volumes can all be adjusted to counteract this shortcoming. Far from a masterpiece, the S-MM751RU is nonetheless a capable system when used reasonably, making it a great value in the shrinking, affordable 2.1 PC speaker field.

Design
The S-MM751RU isn't going to win any beauty contests. The angular 7.1 by 3.9 by 3.1-inch (HWD) speakers are probably meant to look edgy or futuristic, but the overall effect is pure Radio Shack. Who cares? The system's two 10 Watt, 2.5-inch satellite drivers and 20 Watt, down-firing 4-inch subwoofer driver pack a powerful punch. The wired remote, which is circular with a rubberized non-slip bottom, connects to the back panel of the 8.3 by 10.6 by 6.3-inch sub, as do both speakers, which have half-hardwired cables?meaning, if a cable goes bad, you'll need to take the system in for repair rather than just swap out the cable, which is obviously not ideal.

The remote is also a connection hub?it features an SD slot and playback controls for listening to music on an inserted SD card. There's also a USB port for more audio playback, a headphone jack, and the primary 3.5mm audio input. A second input is located in the more traditional area, on the back panel of the subwoofer. The top of the remote is a Volume dial that, when turned even halfway reads as if it were upside down, which is an odd design choice, but hardly confusing.

Performance
At moderate levels, the S-MM751RU sounds excellent. It's easy to dial bass levels in to the exact right spot, and the balance between computer (or portable device) volume and the system's volume is also pretty simple to negotiate. The S-MM751RU?can get pretty loud and sound solid, but at a certain point, if the computer or mobile device is at maximum volume and the system volume is also high, you're likely to encounter some modest distortion. Pump up the bass volume on the sub, and you'll get some blatant distortion, especially on tracks with deep bass.

Nonetheless, when used at reasonable levels, the overall frequency response offers rich lows (when properly adjusted) and strong clarity in the highs. Bill Callahan's baritone has a nice depth to it, with plenty of crispness to its edge, on tracks from his latest album, Apocalypse. John Adams' modern classic piece, "The Chairman Dances," sounds pleasantly resonant on the lower register strings, with articulate mids and highs that never veer towards harshness despite plenty of presence and brightness. At moderate levels, The Knife's "Silent Shout" sounds exciting, pulsing with a deep electronic bass drum beat that is delivered cleanly by the system?but raise the volume to max, and things get ugly and fuzzy pretty quickly.

Compared to the similarly-priced Editors' Choice Harman Kardon SoundSticks III ($169.95, 4.5 stars), the Pioneer seems considerably less sexy. Visually, it can't compete with the SoundSticks' transperant, alluring design, and sonically, the two are comparable at first, but the SoundSticks can handle high volumes without distortion and the Pioneer system eventually crumbles. If you're looking to save a little money, however, the S-MM751RU is a solid option that can be adjusted to alleviate distortion issues?try lowering the bass level when pumping the volume. And not all music causes the distortion to kick in.

Basically, the Pioneer S-MM751RU is a solid product that offers quality audio for the price range, and the wired remote's extra connectivity adds to the system's value. More of a workhorse than a gem, it's certainly worth the budget-conscious music lover's attention. Of course, if your budget is a bit more flexible, Antec Soundscience Rockus 3D 2.1 PC Speaker System ($199.99, 4.5 stars), an Editors' Choice system, offers performance and power far beyond its still-modest price, while the Cambridge Soundworks MicroWorks II ($249.99, 4 stars) is a high performance, no-frills system with a very powerful subwoofer. If all of this is out of your range, consider the Energy Power EM-2.1 ($99.99, 3.5 stars)?more affordable than everything on this page, and small enough to have the sub sit on your desktop, but by no means a powerful audio system.

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