Digital Trends

Gateway KAS-303 Home Theater

July 16th, 2004 | by Jeff Fila

Features and Design (continued)

Taking advantage of the 600 watts of digital power is the 6.1 channel speaker system designed by HSU Research. Based on the company's innovative Ventriloquist VT-12 setup, it includes a patent-pending Ventriloquist center channel, five micro satellites, and a 10-inch 150 watt powered subwoofer. HSU Research's Ventriloquist technology aims to address an issue inherent with micro speakers that leave a hole in the 80-250 Hz range which makes male vocals, guitars and pianos sound distant and thin. HSU Research's center channel features two 4-inch by 6-inch woofers that handle the deeper notes for the satellites, resulting in small speakers that don't sound so small. The two front speakers are actually wired through the center channel speaker, allowing it to handle that 80-250 Hz gap for them.

The Ventriloquist center speaker handles the lows for the front speakers.

In addition to the sound quality offered by the Ventriloquist center speaker, the setup includes a rear center channel that allows six-channel sound from five-channel sources by matrixing the back rear channels.

The five satellites feature 2 1/2-inch drivers and compliment the center channel well.

Bass is delivered by the 150 watt SW-303 10-inch down-firing long-throw subwoofer. It features an auto-on switch, a user variable 40-180 Hz active low-pass 24 dB/Oct crossover, phase switch, gold plated binding posts and RCA jack, spiked feet, and a three-inch diameter flared port.

Each of the speakers is constructed of black laminate MDF and feature rounded corners, gold plated binding posts and removable grilles.

Also included with the KAS-303 is a macro programmable universal remote (batteries included), user's guides and quick setup poster, and all of the required cables and wires (minus an S-video cable for on-screen setup).