The Maxx home MiniWoofer is a very compact 7x7x7 inch cube, weighing less than 7 pounds, with a 57 watt (peak power) built-in amplfier. The MiniWoofer has two input options, a dedicated subwoofer line input and a set of stereo line inputs. Level controls for matching audio levels with main system speakers are provided. The MiniWoofer does not use traditional bass-boost techniques, instead a patented system based on psychoacoustics can deliver a perceived low frequency response below 40HZ.
Setup of the Maxx miniWoofer
Setting up the Maxx MiniWoofer is very easy. If you have a television or compact audio system with a subwoofer pre-out, just hook it up directly to the MiniWoofer's subwoofer input. However, if you don't have a subwoofer output, you can use an RCA Y-adapter to split the audio from a L/R output of a CD, Cassette, or DVD player, with the one set of L/R connections going to the audio inputs of your stereo receiver or TV and the other set going to the MiniWoofer. Controls on the back of the MiniWoofer allow the volume and intensity of the bass output to be adjusted to one's taste.
Test Number One
First, I combined the MiniWoofer with a Sony CDP-261 CD player, TE-KC500S Audio Cassette Deck, and Yamaha CR-220 stereo receiver using Radio Shack Minimus-7's as main speakers. The Minimus 7's provide very good mid-range and high frequency response, but lack good bass response. The addition of the MiniWoofer provided the right touch of bass that the system previously lacked.
During a portion of the test, I shut off the Minimus-7's in order to hear just the MiniWoofer. I was pleased to find that only the bass portion of the music (bass guitar and bass drums), was present. There was no leakage of higher frequency material, such as vocals and other instruments, even though MiniWoofer was receiving the full bandwidth of the audio signal. This meant both the crossover and lowpass filter were working as they were supposed to. The CD tracks used in this portion of the test included "Sunrise" and "Those Sweet Words" by Norah Jones, and "Magic Man" by Heart.
The only tricky part was matching the level of the MiniWoofer to that the CR220/Minimus 7's, since the MiniWoofer were connected to the line outputs of the CD player and Audio Cassette Deck. Changing the volume of the CR220 meant recalibrating the output levels of the miniwoofer.
Test Number Two
I also connected the MiniWoofer to the dedicated subwoofer output of an
Olevia LT30HV 30-inch LCD TV that also has a built-in amp with side mounted speakers. Although the speakers of the Olevia actually provide good response (for TV speaker systems), adding the MiniWoofer really enhanced the bass response from TV shows and analog DVD and VCR sources. In addition, since the MiniWoofer was connected via the Olevia's dedicated subwoofer output, it was easier to match the volume and intensity level of the MiniWoofer to that of the TV, since changing the sound level of the main speakers also changed the level of the subwoofer (once the initial TV/MiniWoofer levels were matched).
Positives/Negatives - And The Bottom Line
The Maxx home MiniWoofer is very compact, which is perfect for small rooms or use with compact audio setups. Initial setup and operation is easy. In addition, the MiniWoofer uses an auto-power system that operates only when low frequency input signals are detected. In addition, the sound quality is very good, especially when considering the light weight and small size of the miniWoofer.
However, because of its modest amplifier and driver size, the MiniWoofer would not be the best choice for large home theater system. Adjustment of volume and intensity can be tricky when used with stereo input option. Although the MiniWoofer provides good bass, the bass is not quite as tight as that on higher-end subs.
However, despite these modest negatives, the MAXX Home MiniWoofer is a great addition to a compact audio system or television (with audio outputs). With the MiniWoofer, you can experience a much fuller sound from your CDs, Cassettes, DVDs, and television programs. Although the MiniWoofer is not as powerful as those one might need for a large home theater system, for those seeking better bass with their built-in television audio systems or compact audio systems, this product is definitely worth the listen and consideration.
