Setup, Design & Observations
As this is a 2.1 speaker system, you will need to spend a little time making space and positioning the speakers in the most desirable position for a stereo setup. This will mean that you will have to connect each of the left and right satellite speakers to the subwoofer, position them correct on the left and right side of your screen while the subwoofer will need to find a home (either left or right) also. For optimal connectivity to your PC system it is worth connecting via USB, enabling access to the customisation options and software controls. The desktop remote acts as a power on/off switch and volume dial in one, and also features headphone/microphone ports for your gaming headset, these are only active when connected via USB.
There are other connections available include a stereo RCA input, as well as an AUX-in. The AUX-in is a straight up stereo input via 3.5mm jack, to which, if you want to be creative, can also take audio from your PS4 or Xbox ONE game pad. The main use for this would however be connecting your mobile device to the speaker systems for a convenient, powerful music playback, though it is a shame that the Kratos S5 does not feature Bluetooth connectivity.
The LED lighting can help give an awesome ambiance to your desktop, and the advanced customisation can help set a mood without being distracting, or can compliment the most vivid rainbow RGB setup. If for some reason you aren't using the USB connection, you can select a preset LED effect using the rear LED button, or turn them off should you wish to.
Multimedia
Considering the total power output of the Kratos S5 is just 60W (120W peak), the volume that can blast out of these speakers is rather impressive, however it is unlikely you will want to do so for extended periods of time. The satellites deliver sharp, nuanced highs and mids, while the Subwoofer handles the lower mids and bass. We are a little disappointed that the subwoofer bottoms out at just 55Hz, while the competing Z625 system is capable of 20Hz frequency response. At maximum volume there was no distortion from the satellites, however there was some distortion noticed from the subwoofer. During our music playback tests, we found that if the bass volume was set too high with the rear dial (50%+), we discovered that the subwoofer would reverberate and create a sloppy bouncy/boing sound. This was particularly noticed in Sabrepulse's 'We were young'. As this is a track we are rather familiar with, we are accustomed to the bass drop coming in very warm and tight, while the Kratos S5 subwoofer literally articulated the bass as 'BOING BOIING BOOIIIINNNGGGG'. This was curbed by turning the bass level down significantly to which it then sounded well balanced and enjoyable, providing warmth and richness to the overall audio.
Gamers will get an awesome experience from the Kratos S5 as the crisp sounds from the satellites help provide directionality and awareness as to what is happening around them due to the faintest details coming through rather competently, while the subwoofer packs a meaty kick to the deeper sounds.
As this is a 2.1 speaker system, you will need to spend a little time making space and positioning the speakers in the most desirable position for a stereo setup. This will mean that you will have to connect each of the left and right satellite speakers to the subwoofer, position them correct on the left and right side of your screen while the subwoofer will need to find a home (either left or right) also. For optimal connectivity to your PC system it is worth connecting via USB, enabling access to the customisation options and software controls. The desktop remote acts as a power on/off switch and volume dial in one, and also features headphone/microphone ports for your gaming headset, these are only active when connected via USB.
There are other connections available include a stereo RCA input, as well as an AUX-in. The AUX-in is a straight up stereo input via 3.5mm jack, to which, if you want to be creative, can also take audio from your PS4 or Xbox ONE game pad. The main use for this would however be connecting your mobile device to the speaker systems for a convenient, powerful music playback, though it is a shame that the Kratos S5 does not feature Bluetooth connectivity.
The LED lighting can help give an awesome ambiance to your desktop, and the advanced customisation can help set a mood without being distracting, or can compliment the most vivid rainbow RGB setup. If for some reason you aren't using the USB connection, you can select a preset LED effect using the rear LED button, or turn them off should you wish to.
Multimedia
Considering the total power output of the Kratos S5 is just 60W (120W peak), the volume that can blast out of these speakers is rather impressive, however it is unlikely you will want to do so for extended periods of time. The satellites deliver sharp, nuanced highs and mids, while the Subwoofer handles the lower mids and bass. We are a little disappointed that the subwoofer bottoms out at just 55Hz, while the competing Z625 system is capable of 20Hz frequency response. At maximum volume there was no distortion from the satellites, however there was some distortion noticed from the subwoofer. During our music playback tests, we found that if the bass volume was set too high with the rear dial (50%+), we discovered that the subwoofer would reverberate and create a sloppy bouncy/boing sound. This was particularly noticed in Sabrepulse's 'We were young'. As this is a track we are rather familiar with, we are accustomed to the bass drop coming in very warm and tight, while the Kratos S5 subwoofer literally articulated the bass as 'BOING BOIING BOOIIIINNNGGGG'. This was curbed by turning the bass level down significantly to which it then sounded well balanced and enjoyable, providing warmth and richness to the overall audio.
Gamers will get an awesome experience from the Kratos S5 as the crisp sounds from the satellites help provide directionality and awareness as to what is happening around them due to the faintest details coming through rather competently, while the subwoofer packs a meaty kick to the deeper sounds.
