Looking like something from a Star Wars spectacular, the Philips MMS430 has looks enough to set it way apart from its contemporaries. The good news is, its good looks are backed up by a fair amount of performance for gamers and casual users.

                                             It's two X-wing fighters flanking the mother ship.

The MMS430 has an RMS (Root Mean Square) Rating of 50watts, meaning it can pump out a constant average of 50 watts of power over time. However, it prominently displays a “100w” rating representing the PMPO, or Peak Music Power Output. Both ratings have their adherents, although it is generally accepted that RMS is a much truer measurement due to PMPO’s tendency to be over-stated.

                                             The two satellites in formation.

The MMS430 pumps out clean, clear and deep bass, perfect for those gaming sessions with multiple explosions, screeching tires, and gunfire. In other words, it is perfect for intense action. But like in most games, the action has to die down sometime as you solve a puzzle, or converse with an NPC, or camp out to snipe someone. During those moments, the Philips MMS430 feels like it’s missing a little bit of meat around the middle, with sounds and music coming out somewhat tinny and unsubstantial. This is made worse by the fact that this set does not have any treble adjustment, only bass and volume.

But what bass! When the action starts up again with a quick shot out of your Steyr Aug, you realize what the bass adjustment is for – to keep your neighbors sane and you from being kicked out by your folks. Of course, this is relative to its competitors in the same consumer bracket, primary being the Logitech X230, which is more prevalent in our market.

                                             MMS430 subwoofer excels in looks and thump.

General listening on this 2.1 set is above average, with the aforementioned excellent bass paired with nice clean highs. We detected no distortion in our (admittedly short) testing phase, although for the purpose this set is usually put to (gaming and general listening), it is more than adequate.

The octagonal subwoofer undoubtedly helps in the bass department. The unit looks like a sawed off bazooka, which is as apt a description as I can think of. The two satellites on the other hand look like two spacecraft in formation. This package definitely isn’t aimed at the classical crowd. Since the treble controls are non-existent, it is best to crank up the volume a bit so that the two factors are equalized to your listening – not that this level of sound is comfortable over a long period of listening.

                                             All this is found at the rear of the bazooka.

Connectivity is par for the course, with a 3.5mm input for plugging in a computer, an MP3 player, a cd player, or whatever device with a 3.5mm out, which includes almost anything. The only main control found in the back of the sub is the bass, which is a relief due to the fact that the sub is usually tucked out of sight somewhere out of reach. Controls are found on the right hand satellite, with power and volume, plus a cool blue “power-on” light.

                                             Controls are easy to reach.

With its high-tech design and emphasis on low frequency sounds, the MMS430, while obviously aiming for one set of consumers, did not ignore their oaths to quality, as everything in the package has a hefty feel to it, most conspicuously the power brick. The open-faced design will undoubtedly complement the younger set’s taste, while the quality and above-average sound will attract everyone else.  This product is perfect for something like Star Wars – good production values, somewhat cheesy overall design / story, but in the end epic in its execution.
 

More pictures after the break.

                                              Box shot.

                                              Satellite detail.