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Mark Muschett puts MidiLand's S4-7100 5.1 ready system to the test |
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Introduction
In this review we will look at the multifaceted S4-7100. The system comes with 5 identical satellites using 2.5-inch drivers, a subwoofer using a 6.5 inch driver, a very large power supply, the necessary speaker wires and cables and the unique S4 box. The total system is driven by 100 Watts. This is a system that based on it's specifications appears to be a worthy contender for the attention of your ears and dollars in the now crowded 4 channel speaker market. At least as important, if not more so, the S4-7100 has specification that appear to position it as an excellent option for people wanting to take full advantage of MidiLand's own ADS-2000 Dolby Digital decoder as well as the new 5.1 analog output soundcards that are on, or starting to hit the market. Examples include the existing Best Data Theatrix and Skywell Magic Sound Live as well as the upcoming Turtle Beach Santa Cruz / VideoLogic SonicFury, and a new line-up from ABIT. That’s likely not where it stops as there are other yet to be announced products that will take advantage of new chips from Fortemedia, Phillips, Cirrus Logic and others. Having said that, we all know how little impressive paper specifications will do for your ears. In the review we set out to test the MidiLand S4-7100 in all configurations with a number of sound cards to see how those specs translate to real world performance and how it stacks up against the competition in its range. So let’s get to the review. So on to detailed overview and installation
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S4
MidiLand 7100
MidiLand is a name familiar to many PC audio users thanks to the critically
acclaimed S2 speaker series, and in particular the S2-4100. Many may also be unaware that
MidiLand services the entire multimedia audio market range with their product line. The
range starts from entry to mid-level in the OEM focused MLi product line and originally
with the S2 series under the MidiLand name carried on from mid to high end. In fact, for
quite some time the S2-4100, which originally listed for $600, was considered by many to
be the ultimate PC speaker system! For a number of reasons MidiLand decided to phase
out the S2 line focus attention on their new S4 product line which was designed in-house.
The first products introduced under the S4 moniker are the S4-4060 and the S4-7100. Both
are mid-range products that target the PC audio market sweet spot of good performance at a
good price. The 2.1 S4-4060 has a list price of $100 and the multi-functioned (2 channel,
4 channel, five channel and 6 channel input) S4-7100 comes in with a list price of only
$200. MidiLand has also introduced the MK-01 speaker wall mount kit, the ADS-2000 Dolby
Digital decoder and the S4-8200, a higher end 5.1 speaker system that is matched, out of
the box, with the ADS-2000 decoder. According to MidiLand, the S4-8200 has no suggested
list price but can be found for a street price that hovers around $300. 
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