The Bottom Line
Pros
- The MX5102 is very easy to setup and use.
- The abundant connections provided can Centralize Power, Coaxial RF, and Ethernet/Lan Connections.
- Provides Input Voltage Monitoring via AVM (Automatic Voltage Monitor) and Digital Voltmeter Display.
- Circuit isolation removes unwanted electrical line noise and interference.
- Battery Backup functions allows safe shutdown of two components if AC power is interrupted.
Cons
- No Wattage or Amp Information Displayed.
- No wireless remote control for front panel functions.
- Does not provide voltage regulated output.
- Only two outlets are associated with the Battery Backup function.
- Pricey, but not out of line with similar products. Some consumers may balk at the $649.95 MSRP.
Description
- Clean Power Level 3 feature improves picture and sound by eliminating noise, pops, and hum across the entire AC bandwidth.
- Four Isolated AC Outlet Banks. Isolating outlet banks from one another prevents noise contamination between components.
- Two High Current Outlets for equipment with high power demands, such as amplifiers and powered subwoofers.
- AVM (Auto Voltage Monitor) protects against over/under voltage by disconnecting power and reconnects when safe power returns.
- Digital Volt Meter monitors the voltage supplying home theater components.
- The MX5102 protects against blown fuses and potentially damaging speaker thump by powering outlets on and off in sequence.
- Total number AC outlets: 10. 4 switched outlets, 2 battery backup, 2 additional switched high current outlets, 2 always on.
- Battery Backup (2 outlets for 3 minutes) allows safe shut down time for processor and hard-drive based components.
- LAN and Line-line Phone connections and protection circuits.
- 12 Volt Trigger and IR Control connections provided for control of additional devices.
Guide Review - Panamax MX5102 Power Management System with Battery Backup - Product Review
As with those products, the MX5102 organizes the AC connections of several components into a centralized device, enabling only have one power cord that actually needs to be connected to a wall outlet, instead of multiple power surge protectors. In addition, there is an AVM (Automatic Voltage Monitor) feature, which includes a front panel meter that continuously displays the actual voltage that is coming from the wall outlet. In my case, my wall voltage output ranged from a low of 117 volts to a high of 120 volts.
Another useful feature that the MX5102 provides isolation between components, enabling interference protection. This helped to eliminate intermittent audible switching and other noises and hum through the loudspeakers.
In addition, a great feature is the Battery Backup System. This system provides enough time, if the power goes out, to shut off up to two components safely. This is especially practical for components that storeable user preferences, such Blu-ray Disc players, Cable/Satellite Boxes, and DVRs. However, only two of the available outlets are associated with the Battery Backup feature.
One thing to point out is that although the MX5102 is great way to centralize power connections, monitor power line voltage, and clean up some of the noise and interference encountered when using multiple home theater components, it does not actually provide voltage regulation.
In other words, the voltage that comes in is what goes to your components. The MX5102 does not up-step or down-step the voltage level to maintain a constant 120 volt flow to your components, it is limited to providing warnings and surge protection when the voltage spikes or dips suddenly.
However, despite a couple of misgivings, the Panamax MX5102 can be a great addition to your home theater setup.
For a closer look at the Panamax MX5102, also check out my Panamax MX5102 Photo Gallery.
Additional components used this in this review:
Home Theater Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR705.
DVD player: Oppo Digital DV-980H.
Blu-ray Disc Players: OPPO Digital BDP-83 and Sony BDP-S350
Loudspeaker System: 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s.
Subwoofer: Klipsch Synergy Sub10 .
TV/Monitor: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor.
TV Programming Signal Sources: Cox Analog Cable Service (straight RF feed - no cable box - through the MX5102 and out to an RCA VR725HF VCR to the S-video inputs of the Westinghouse monitor), Samsung DTB-H260F External HDTV Tuner (RF-in form Antenna/HDMI-out to Westinghouse monitor)
Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used.
