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This article first appeared in the APRIL 2002 issue of Computer Games Magazine.
Hercules has entered the speaker market with their XPS line, budget speakers targeted at entertainment enthusiasts. The high end of the line is a 5.1 set that costs only $90, which you have to admit is a good deal. Or it would be a good deal, if they were good speakers. The 20-watt subwoofer predictably lacks punch, and the 8-watt satellites don't really handle the mid and high-range sounds that well. It doesn't help that the subwoofer basically has to sit on your desk and suck up precious space, as that's where the power switch, volume, and bass level controls are located.
The speakers work, and that's a start. For $90, it's amazing you can get a six-speaker set at all. But if you're going to spend this much on PC speakers, you're better off foregoing any sort of surround setup and investing in a better-sounding 2.1 system. The XPS 510s are probably about as good as a 5.1 system can get for $90, but that's not saying much.
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