3DsoundSurge heeft voor ons eens naar de MidiLand MLi490 speakerset gekeken. Dit setje bestaat uit vier 10W (RMS) satellietspeakers en een 30W subwoofer. Wat prijs betreft is de MLi490 een concurrent van Creative's FPS1800. De geluidskwaliteit van de MLi490 is in de midrange beter dan bij de hoge en lage tonen; de subwoofer valt dan ook wat tegen gezien het vermogen. Toch is het geluid bij zowel games als muziek voldoende van kwaliteit.
The minor knock on the system is the inconvenient placement of the volume, subwoofer and power controls on the subwoofer. The lack of a working center channel input is unfortunate as it would have lead to some extra flexibility but it still offers the flexibility of a working direct subwoofer input if you need one. Compared to what other 4 channel systems in the price range will offer the one notable flaw is the rear channel bass management issue that becomes apparent in some game genres.
However, as I have noted, with the right sound cards that issue can be completely eliminated. The above average midrange and subwoofer quality (MDF and not plastic) for this price point makes the MLi-490 a system worthy of serious consideration at the $100 suggested retail price, but not into the $150 range where there is some stiffer competition. As it stands, despite it’s flaws at $100 or less the system has enough to offer that we feel it’s worthy of the 3DsoundSurge Surge of Approval and our Bronze Medal of Excellence!