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Audio speakers tend to appear in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials.  Manufacturers obviously believe users are no longer satisfied to take their pick from rectangular, wooden boxes that are wall, desk or floor mounted.  Style now appears to have thrust its way to the forefront with this consumer item.  The trend is even more noticeable when the speakers have been designed for inclusion as part of a computer system or home entertainment centre.  I have seen speaker systems shaped like a ball, a bar of Toblerone or, in the case of Saitek Audio’s A-200 2.1 speaker system, a curved triangular design.

Aimed mainly at those who want a portable speaker system (approximately 500g in weight) to help boost and enhance the audio output from their notebook / laptop, the A-200 comes with its own travel pouch.  You also get a screen cleaning cloth.  While some might be tempted to use this cloth on their LCD screen, it is actually to keep the high-gloss, reflective finish of the speaker unit clear of any unsightly fingerprints.

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This triangular speaker system, almost ovoid in shape, has two speaker grills, fronting two Mission 3W tweeters, at either end of its longest side.  Mounted above these grills are a power light indicator and small volume control buttons.  The A-200 will remember its volume level from one session to the next.

Doubling as the unit’s on/off switch and EAVS (Expanded Air Volume System) 3W woofer is an ovoid shaped chamber that rises out of the body of the unit.  This chamber is intended to increase the air volume inside the speaker so boosting the bass level and providing a clearer and sharper sound.  The chamber is released, to rise unassisted, by pressing down on its centre and can be closed by the same method.  I found the unit was more responsive to being closed and often had to press several times before it would begin its journey upwards.

Powered by either four AAA batteries, which are estimated to give up to 20 hours of play with normal use (I’ve yet to work out what form abnormal use would take), or the supplied AC adaptor.  The LED indicator on top of the speaker system provides feedback information as to the battery status.  It will glow green when the batteries are fully powered, amber when a quarter full or red when empty.  In the case of the latter situation, the speaker system will lose its ability to remember its last volume setting.

The speaker unit connects to its audio source via a supplied 100cm lead with 3.5mm jack plug at each end.  The source could be a notebook or one of the many portable media players that are currently available.  The A-200 can handle MP3, CD, DVD, MPEG4 and Sony PSP output without any problems.  It will certainly help boost most portable audio systems while adding little to the overall weight consideration although some could be put off by the product’s £79.99 price point.

http://www.saitekaudio.com/en/a200.asp