Original article was published on the web site www.ferra.ru
November 2010
Vladislav Kononov

120 W of power, 6-inch woofer, big cases and multichannel Bi-Amp amplifier – al this is a new STREAM Mega stereophonic system. Let us listen to it, what it is capable in practice.

Mega is the logical completion of STREAM product line and in addition to other duties; it is the biggest variant, because STREAM and Light versions are just noticeable more compact. We say about the completion, so long as it is just impossible to advance further within the framework of the class being discussed. Maybe, in the course of time, we will see new STREAMs, but that they will not be bigger than Mega is practically guaranteed.

Exterior

The first thought, which occurs during placement of speakers on an ordinary computer table, they are too big for it. No, of course, acoustic system looks very impressively and presentably, but it looks absurdly on a table. Therefore, we initially recommend using special posts for its installation or at least something similar, for example, cabinets or spandrel niches in furniture.

By the way, the system is placed very firmly on any surface. In the first place, the big weight counts. In the second place, special rubber legs are envisaged for this purpose. Well, this will be good for the furniture as well, because its surface is not scratched and not sagged down. Cases are made of MDF of high quality. Outer surfaces of the material are decorated with black or cherry vinyl film. There are overlayers on the side panels imitating natural wood. It must be noted, that the imitation is quite successful.

A relevant small panel is available on one of them to control speakers. There you can see three metallized soft-touch knobs, LED indicator and headphones jack. The purpose of the knobs is the most standard – volume, low and high frequencies.

By default the front panels are covered with black fabric nets. If you remove them, you will see loudspeakers. A high-frequency head is a dome emitter with a fabric diffuser. Such a variant is one of the best, especially in the multimedia field, where a developer’s budget is limited. The woofer, same as a low-frequency loudspeaker, has the cellulose painted diffuser and a cap concave inwards. A suspension is quite soft but motions are large, therefore we have the right to anticipate for qualitative bass.

A phase inverter makes the acoustic scene. Pipes are taken out to the rear panel of the case, that is why speakers should not be placed close to walls or other objects. Minimum space is required for them to operate properly. It is apparent that the phase inverter port ends have small expansion. It will promote minimization of origin of jet noises.

A special cable with interesting four pin connectors is used for commutation of two speakers. In appearance they are very serious, they resemble professional connectors or even military variants. Take only the fact that they are not just inserted, but become screwed up with the help of a round ring!

The signal is provided to one of two inputs. Well, now there are two of them, so it is possible to use different audio sources without switching over wires. Naturally, that the inputs are connected between each other, therefore during operation with one of sources, the second must be turned off. For example, if you listen to music from a computer then DVD player must not playback.

Design

From the design point of view speakers have some interesting features. It must be noted that cases are made very nice, and there is even vibration cushioning material inside – synthetic cotton wool. Both loudspeakers have magnetic shielding; therefore, owners of sensitive equipment should not worry.

Electronic part is made in the best traditions. There is a preliminary input filter with operational amplifiers on one of boards. With its help there is a frequency division for the subsequent amplification by bi-amp circuit. It is done in order that every channel does not operate with “superfluous” frequencies, in consequence of which nonlinear distortions decrease. By the way, the amplifier is assembled with the use of two powerful microcircuits LM4766. They easily provide 30 W for four channels with ultralow distortions. Finally, a real toroidal transformer is used to provide power for all of this. As everyone is well aware, a toroidal transformer is a destiny for advanced and qualitative equipment only, which must be provided with the energy reserve; so it is very pleasant to see it in multimedia speakers. Such step has already said about something.

Impressions of listening and testing

Well, let us turn it on. We rotate the volume control to the maximum. That’s good, as the background noise is minimum. It will not irritate, even if the system is placed close to a listener. We start a record player and playback favorite tracks. It is quite properly. Power of speakers makes it possible to sound even big rooms by volume. That is if your friends will want to organize noisy home disco, then there will be no problems at all. Neighbors will be “happy” too! But it is not the main thing. We are interested in more particular characteristics, than power.

Let us look at the amplitude-frequency characteristic first of all. It is obvious that the system starts playing from 50 Hz. The unevenness along the whole range is at a level ±5 dB (when all knobs are in the middle position). It is a norm for multimedia speaker systems; however, there are some more interesting things. In fact, such a figure is got only due to small turbulence at high frequencies, but a human ear is practically not able to distinguish this unevenness. But middle frequencies have unevenness about ±2.5 dB and that more important considerably (!). And this is Fi-Hi result indeed. In addition, you should remember that the amplitude-frequency characteristic could be adjusted with the timbre control at any time. In this case it serves also as a volume control.

According to our subjective opinion, the sounding of the system is deserving. Though there is small treble cut at high frequencies, but no shortage arises at all. Vice versa, high frequencies are very clear, ringing and transparent. There are no extraneous overtones. Middle frequencies are reproduced with good tonal balance according to multimedia measurements. Bass is characterized by light rigidity and quite good power. Of course, the speaker system is not able to play as a full-fledged subwoofer, but in comparison with Light version, for example, the progress is available. And it is not surprisingly at all, because the size of a loudspeaker has been increased practically for 40%.

What styles are preferable the system being discussed for? It is quite universal, however STREAM Mega is the best for electronic compositions, pop music and light rock. The sound saturated with many instruments, heavy vocal or even back-vocal sounding is also reproduced at proper level – maybe, there is only not enough the resolution. Though it is one of main problems of any multimedia speaker system and for a stereo pair at the price of RUB 4100 such demand, perhaps, will be an outright cavil.

Conclusion

We can say that we liked the tested speaker system. The product turned out inexpensive, but quite interesting. Speakers have “pedigree” (read as stylish, deserving) appearance and impressive dimensions. Its electronic part is not only built on the bi-amp circuit, at that it is assembled on microcircuits of high quality with a corresponding power supply. As a result, the sound is characterized by high volume, even middle frequencies and good bass.