The Bottom Line
Pros
- The M5400-PM is very easy to setup and use.
- The abundant AC connections provided all home theater components.
- Provides voltage regulation, input voltage monitoring, and both outgoing voltage and amperage.
- Circuit isolation removes unwanted electrical line noise and interference.
- Convenient front panel indicator displays and connections, including a USB charging connection.
Cons
- No wattage information displayed.
- No wireless remote control for front panel functions, such as display dimming.
- No battery backup function.
- Pricey, but not out of line with similar products. Some consumers may balk at the $699 MSRP.
Description
- Clean Power Level 4+ feature improves picture and sound by eliminating noise, pops, and hum across the entire AC bandwidth.
- Voltage Regulation provides 120 volt power (+ or - 5 volts) to your components.
- AVM (Auto Voltage Monitor) protects from over/under input voltage by disconnecting power and reconnecting when safe.
- Five 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.
- USB Charger connection included on front panel for mp3 players, cell phones, iPods, and other small electronics.
- Gaming LAN Port on front panel provides easy access for game controllers.
- A Volt Sensing Trigger (3-24 volts) is provided - allows comonpents to activate or deactivate the outlets on the M5400-PM.
- The M5400-PM protects against blown fuses and potentially damaging speaker thump by powering outlets on and off in sequence.
- Total number of AC outlets: 11. 5 are always on, 4 standard switched outlets, 2 additional switched high current outlets.
Guide Review - Panamax M5400-PM Home Theater Power Management System - Short Review
The M5400-PM allows connection of up to eleven components into one centralized device, with only one power cord actually connected to the wall outlet. This eliminates the use, of one or more, power surge protectors. I really liked the AVM (Automatic Voltage Monitor) feature, which includes front panel meters that continuously display both incoming and outgoing voltage. The outgoing voltage readout can also be used to display outgoing amperage via front panel toggle button.
In addition, the M5400PM also provides Voltage Regulation. In other words, in addition to centralizing power connections, monitoring line voltage, and cleaning up some of the noise and interference encountered when using multiple home theater components, the M5400PM maintains a 120 volt (+ or - 5 volts) output to your components, regardless of the incoming voltage.
Another feature that was very useful was that the M5400-PM provides isolation between components, providing interference protection. Where before I would hear intermittent audible switching and other noises and hum through the loudspeakers, the M5400-PM eliminated such issues.
One feature that I thought was really nice touch is the front panel USB charging port. This was great for charging an iPod.
In addition to power isolation, monitoring, and voltage regulation, the M5400-PM also helps improve signals going through RF cables. In my case, I did notice an improvement in the noise level from analog cable when routed through the M5400-PM, resulting in a slightly cleaner image on my television.
For a close-up look at the features and connectivity of the Panamax M5400-PM, also check out my Photo Gallery and Full Product Review.
