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Sierra Sound iN Studio 5.0
It appears that when a set of powered, bookshelf speakers—approximately 10 by 7 by 7.75 inches, with 5-inch woofers and 20mm silk-dome tweeters—is dropped at our doorstep, I’m the guy to review them. How else can you explain last year’s review of Audioengine USA’s Audioengine 5 speakers and this evaluation of the boy-do-they-look-similar-at-first-glance Sierra Sound iN Studio 5.0 speakers?
And as it turns out, I’m glad I had the chance to test the iN Studio 5.0, it’s hardly identical to the 5. Although both sets of bookshelf speakers are designed for a mid-sized room environment rather than the desktop, they differ in the inputs they offer (most importantly, the existence of a dock connector on the iN Studio 5s) and the character of their sound.
But because these two systems use such similar designs—and because we’ve received questions from readers asking for a detailed comparison—I’m going to forego our usual review style in favor of one that addresses such questions more directly. For starters, here’s what the iN Studio 5.0 has in common with the Audioengine 5:
On the other hand, despite their visual and functional similarities, the iN Studio 5.0 system has quite a few differences from the Audioengine 5:
Much as I like the Audioengine 5 speakers, I missed the convenience of a built-in dock, even though I could use one of my own docks with Apple’s iPod cable strung between the Audioengine’s USB port and the dock’s dock-connector port to power the iPod. A built-in dock is a definite plus here.
Unfortunately, the current iN Studio 5 does not support video output with the new iPod classic and 3G iPod nano, thanks to changes Apple made in the video circuitry of these iPods. Sierra Sound will be incorporating the necessary component in an updated version of the iN Studio 5s, which the company says will be released before the holidays.
And, of course, the other difference is...
Tone and sound quality While I appreciate the many extras offered by the iN Studio speakers, when I compared the two systems directly, I preferred the sound of the Audioengine 5. As similar as the two sets of speakers appear in design, the Audioengine 5 reaches a little deeper to produce a bass that’s richer to my ears. With the iN Studio speakers I hear more lower-mids that, with certain tones (a high-pitched bass drum, for example), I found distracting in A/B listening tests.
That said, I also put the Audioengines aside, set up the iN Studios about 10 feet away and six feet apart, and just lived with them for awhile, listening in my usual, non-critical way. Playing a variety of music from my iPod and from my iTunes library via an AirPort Express, I found the sound to be enjoyable. The lower-mids didn’t leap out at me, lows weren’t conspicuously absent, and, like the Audioengine 5s, the top end was crisp and well-defined.
The Lowdown
As should be pretty clear, for critical listening the Audioengine 5 speakers rock my boat a little harder than the iN Studio 5. But outside the confines of my A/B listening tests, I found the iN Studio speakers to be musical and plenty loud. I also appreciate the many configuration and control options offered by Sierra Sound’s speakers. And, like Audioengine, Sierra Sound is happy to give you 30 days to audition the speakers. If you don’t care for them, you’re welcome to return the speakers for a refund.
Sierra Sound iN Studio 5.0
Pros
- S-Video output
- Many input options, including built-in iPod dock
- Loud without distortion
- Remote control
- Power outlet on back convenient for connecting AirPort Express
For those who prefer to combine exercise with their chores, this pedal-powered lawn mower could be the ultimate solution.
The ride-on vehicle combines a tricycle with a cylinder grass cutting blades mounted to the front to produce a greener and healthier alternative to traditional mowers.
Called the Grazor, it has five gears to make it easier for the user to pedal up and down steep slopes and will come with a £3,000 ($4,640) price tag.
The Grazor pedal-powered lawn mower is a concept vehicle designed to make cutting the lawn both greener and healthier. The vehicle, shown above, is based on a tricycle with mower blades attached to the front
Made from carbon fibre, the concept lawn mower has large off-road vehicles designed to grip the slippy grass and handles to help users steer.
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Pedalling not only drives the front wheels to propel the vehicle forward but it also rotates a cylinder of blades in front of bike.
WORLD'S FASTEST LAWNMOWER
Cutting the grass could become an extreme sport after a high-powered lawnmower entered the record books after being driven at 116mph (187km/h).
The Honda HF2620 Lawn Tractor was fitted with a 1,000cc superbike engine to transform it into the 'Mean Mower'.
Top Gear writer Piers Ward was behind the wheel when it broke the record in March 2014.
He said: ‘The biggest problem was wind resistance.
'It's a mower and was designed to do 12mph (19kph) max, so there's no aero - it just keeps trying to take your head off all the time.'
However, for anyone hoping the Mean Mower might help them shave time off their household chores, Honda said the mower was only able to cut the grass at a somewhat sedate 15mph.
However, this might not be for anyone who likes their lawnmower to collect the cuttings at the same time – at the moment it does not come with any kind of grass box, meaning the user will have to turn to the traditional rake.
The Grazor was dreamt up by London-based designed agency Seymourpowell.
Dick Powell, director at Seymourpowell, said: 'I think it would appeal to those who genuinely enjoy exercise, a nice lawn and who care for the environment.
'Drive from the pedals is transferred via a chain to a five-speed gearbox.
Instudio Wireless Speakers Manual Lawn Service
'From there, again via a chain, it goes to a small differential of the kind found on rickshaws.
'To the user, it is all very simple.
'It would be an expensive product which, in itself, would limit its market in much the same way as a super high-end bicycle has a limited market.'
Mr Powell said the company had designed the pedal-powered lawn mower in the hope that a manufacturer or garden firms would want to put it into production.
For moving the Grazor on areas where there is no grass or when the user does not with it to cut, the cylinder assembly containing the blades can be raised up and locked in position.
The wheels of the Grazor, as can be seen above, are designed to provide grip on slippery grass while the steering handles by the seat also have brakes. A series of chains drive the wheels and the rotating blades
The Grazor is made from carbon fibre and has handles on either side of the seat to allow the user to steer. A handle in the centre allows them to raise and adjust the height of the mower blades while still seated
The blades can be moved to the left or right, and side of the bike to allow the user to cut right to the edge of their garden.
Mr Powell said: 'The user selects the most appropriate gear and on arrival at the lawn, decides whether to cut to the left or right edge and then lowers the assembly and starts pedalling, changing gear whenever necessary to optimise the cutting speed.
'It would just need basic maintenance, not unlike a bicycle. The bottom blade will need adjusting occasionally and the cylinder blades might require changing if they become damaged.'
The blades at the front can be adjusted to sit either on the left or right to allow the mower to reach right to the edge of a lawn. However it does not have a grass box for collecting the cuttings left behind by the mower