Monday 15 February 2010

Fractal Design Define D2 Computer Case

Fractal Design Define R2 Computer Case, this is not your run of the mill computer case it has been tinkered with and is for those who like to see their computer but not hear it.





Perfect for those who make music on their PC, or if you just dont want the sound of fans blowing and churning at full whack.
The panels of the case have been treated with a bitumen type material to help mass load the panels and help stop the sound. Even the front panel door is insulated.

All the drive bays feature rubber style grommets to help with noise and vibration from DVD/CD Drives, Hard Disks, etc.

It has plenty of space for hard disk drives, so you could use it as a NAS type storage box or your own mini server, etc.

The build quality is high, the panels are tough and not flimsy, it has been designed with optimal cooling in mind, with 2x fans at the front, rear fan, 2x fans at the top, 1 side and 1 at the bottom.

Removable dust filters to help keep the dust out of your system.

The unit supports the PSU at the bottom, unlike most other cases which places them at the top, there is also an intake hole at the bottom so the PSU fan can suck air in. It also has a removable dust filter, which will help keep your PSU from clogging up with dust, etc.

It comes pre fitted with nice silver feet (HiFi Seperates Style), with rubber base's on them.

Its available in 3x Colours Black Pearl, Titanium Grey, and Silver Arrow, all are very sleek and stylish.
You wont be dissapointed with this unit.



The only gripe I had with the unit was that I wish it maybe had another one or two 5.25" drive bays, so you could have a DVDRW, DVDROM, Blu-Ray Drive, etc. It only has room for two. or you can use the one drive bay as a 3.25" drive for a Floppy Disk Drive, or a Media Card Reader.
It does allow you to access 2x USB items, 1x eSATA, and Audio Input/Output, via the top front of the case.



Some of the bitumen panels were coming off, I dont know if this was just on my case as it had been transported in very cold weather so that probably affected it. I stuck it back on by heating the part up with an hairdryer and then re-applying it. No big deal.

When you build your system up and turn the unit on, you should notice an immediate difference to your old computer system case, as it is alot quieter.

The D2 doesnt come with a PSU, but they do manufacture PSU's which are also ultra quiet.

We give the Define D2 Computer Case a 7/10, its a great stylish case, with features to match, just a shame it doesnt have an extra 5.25" drive bay spare.

Official Features and Specifications

Stunning front panel design

Patent pending ModuVent™ design, allowing the user to either have optimal silence or optimal airflow

Pre-fitted with dense, noise absorbing bitumen

8x White painted HDD-trays, with silicone mounting

A total of 7 fan slots (2x120mm in front, 2x 120/140mm in top, 1x120mm in back, 1x 120/140mm in side panel, 1x 120/140mm in bottom)

2x 120mm Fractal Design 120mm Silent Series 15dB fans included

Fan controller for 3 fans included

Easily removable front fan filters with clip-on holders for 120mm fans

Supports graphic card lengths up to circa 290mm and CPU coolers with height of maximum circa 165mm

Supports PSUs with a depth of maximum circa 170mm, when using bottom 120/140mm fan location. When not using the bottom 120/140mm fan location, the case supports also longer PSUs, typically 200-220mm.

Cooling system

Fan controller for 3 fans included

1 rear Fractal Design 120mm Silent Series 15dB fan (included)

1 front Fractal Design 120mm Silent Series 15dB fan (included)

1 front 120mm fan (optional)

1 bottom 120mm/140mm fan (optional)

1 side panel 120mm/140mm fan (optional)

2 top 120mm/140mm fan (optional)

Specifications
  • 8x 3,5 inch HDD trays, compatible with SSD!
  • 2x 5,25 inch bays, with 1x 5,25>3,5 inch converter included
  • On top of front panel: 2x USB 2.0, 1x eSATA and Audio I/O
  • No PSU included (removable filter below PSU)
  • M/B compatibility: Mini ITX, Micro ATX and ATX
  • 7x expansion slots with sleek white painted brackets
  • Supports graphic card lengths up to circa 290mm and CPU coolers with height of maximum circa 165mm
  • Supports PSUs with a depth of maximum circa 170mm, when using bottom 120/140mm fan location. When not using the bottom 120/140mm fan location, the case supports also longer PSUs, typically 200-220mm.
  • Case size (WxHxD): 207.40x440x521.2mm
  • Net weight: 12.50kg

Additional information

EAN/GTIN-13: 7350041080299
Product code: FD-CA-DEF-R2-BL
Also available for System Integrators

Manufacturers Website; http://www.fractal-design.com/

Thursday 4 February 2010

Arctic Sound E361 Earphones

Arctic Cooling have now turned their highly skilled hands to some other area's such as Audio, with their Arctic Sound range of Earphones. They have a wide range catering from the cheap and cheerful Arctic Sound E101's all the way up to great quality sounding E361's.

The E361 earphones are the type which sits in your ear canal and directs the sound right where you need it, they come with 3 sets of silicone caps (Small, Medium, and Large) to cater for all ear types and sizes.

The bass is just right when you find the sweet spot of positioning the earphone in your ear canal, with nice crisp high frequencies. You have to move and position them in your ear and get them to sit just right, this can be a little tricky (with my ears anyway). Once you got them sat in the correct position they sound great.

These are a very good pair of earphones if this is the type you like? (sits in your ear canal), Personally I prefer headphones, as I can never get earphones to sit correctly for long periods of time.
I wouldnt recommend using earphones or any type of headphones at high volumes for long periods, as this can damage your hearing.

The E361 Earphones comes with a neat little case to protect them in, gold plated connectors for high quality transfer, plus a long 2 year warranty.

We give these earphones a Big thumbs up !, A perfect companion for your MP3 Player, CD Player, Mobile Phone/PDA, etc.



Below is the official information from the manufacturer;

Sound of Quality


Its unique aluminium chassis and large drivers deliver deep bass and precise highs right into your ear canals. The ultra-soft silicone caps in multiple sizes block most outside noise, giving you comfort fit and undisturbed audio experience.
Main features

Large driver coil leads to ultimate bass performance

The precisely milled aluminium chassis transmits a perfect balance of high and low frequencies

3 sets of silicone caps (S, M, L) minimize ambient noise and enrich bass response

Ultra-soft material fits gently in your ears providing hours of wearing comfort

Gold-plated stereo plug for uncompromised signal transmission

Highend earphone ARCTIC SOUND E361
This outstanding earphone delivers high sound quality in every aspect. Deep and powerful bass is one of key features of the E300 series. Each model is equipped with large driver coils (Ø10mm / 9mm) which reproduce dynamic and super deep bass without any distortions.

Quality of the chassis is also critical for authentic sound quality. The E361 aluminium chassis is precisely engineered and sealed for top class sound isolation. It guarantees full and accurate sound transmission into your ear canal without internal sound leakage.

Comfort fit, sound isolation and enhanced bass by soft silicone caps

To achieve top-notch listening experience, E361 is packaged with 3 sets of ultra-soft silicone caps in small, medium and large sizes. Wearing comfort can be personalized by choosing the most suitable cap size that fits best for your ears, so that they stay comfortable even after prolonged use.

The “seal” in the ears blocks ambient noise efficiently so that you hear only the sound from the earphones and nothing more. Even when you are on a plane, with the ARCTIC SOUND earphones, you will hear your favorite music instead of the ambient noise. Such high-level sound isolation also enhances bass response and improves the overall sound quality.

Protect your valuable earphones with the ARCTIC In-Ear Case

E361 earphone comes with an ARCTIC In-Ear Case. This compact carrying case is perfect for storing and protecting the earphones.

Multi-functional and multi-compatible earphones

The E361 also features a microphone version. This delicate microphone is ideal for phone calls and online communications such as Skype and MSN voice call.

A 3.5mm TRRS plug is equipped for transferring both microphone and earphone signals, which is ideal for mobile phones. For devices such as PCs, which support only the standard 3.5 stereo plug, it is necessary to use the adapter provided to use both the earphones as well as the microphone.

ARCTIC SOUND classifications

Sound different. Feel different. Each ARCTIC SOUND product is precisely engineered by Swiss and German audio experts. There are 3 product categories in this series: (1) Earphones (2) Headphones / Headsets (3) Speakers. Multiple categories are available in each class, offering diversified music and audio experience according to your personal preferences.
Microphone and colour options are also available for selected ARCTIC SOUND models. There will be a simple code after the numbering system as indication.
ARCTIC SOUND E-Series

Classification (Earphones)

Gaming

High-End E300

Mid-Range E200

Standard E100

A complete ARCTIC SOUND model name will be similar to this:

Available models: MSRP

ARCTIC SOUND E361-W 34,95€ / US$ 51.45
ARCTIC SOUND E361-WM 41,45€ / US$ 60.95
ARCTIC SOUND E361-B 34,95€ / US$ 51.45
ARCTIC SOUND E361-BM 41,45€ / US$ 60.95

Specifications

Frequency response - 18 Hz -26k Hz
Impedance - 32 Ohm
Sensitivity - 105 dB/mW
Output power - 15 mW
Cable - 1.3 m with 3.5mm stereo plug
Weight - 5g
Warranty - 2 year

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=81_83&mID=512