MM 226
$179.99
Boston Acoustics
www.bostona.com
CPUs: 2

Specs: Inputs: RCA line input, 1/8-inch mini stereo jack; Outputs: 1/8-inch mini stereo jack; Frequency response: 35Hz to 20,000Hz; Subwoofer power: 50 watts RMS; Satellite power: 25 watts RMS

Boston Acoustics touts that its MM 226 speakers include BassTrac audio processing, which helps avoid distortion in bass signals that can occur at low frequencies and high volumes. We came away impressed with the bass from these 2.1 speakers, but our listening experience with other aspects was less positive.

At 11.5 inches tall and 3.25 inches wide, the satellites have similar dimensions to Harman Kardon’s SoundSticksII. Each speaker features a 2-inch driver and half-inch tweeter. The satellites provided good spatial stereo effects but lacked the ability to cover all the midrange sounds in games, music, and movies. For instance, in the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter,” the peaks of the primary instruments were clear, but the background symbol crashes, strumming guitar, and vocals were muddy.

On the plus side, the MM 226’s 6.5-inch subwoofer delivered crisp booms when playing videogames and music. For example, in the World in Conflict benchmark, we could clearly differentiate between the blast of the atomic explosion and the smaller booms as the explosion reverberated outward. Boston Acoustics rates the subwoofer at 50 watts RMS/100 watts dynamic, but based on our testing, we would have guessed the subwoofer had bigger numbers. The speakers come with a wired control pod that includes a 1/8-inch mini stereo input and output jack. We like that Boston Acoustic locates the on/off button on the control pod, rather than on the satellites.

With pleasant bass, the MM 226 offers the punch to make games and movies sound realistic, but you may find speakers that do a better job with midrange sounds for a similar price.

by Nathan Lake