Introduction

Whether we like it or not, space is not becoming a premium, it has become one. Naturally then, we are seeing more devices/systems catering to a market share with more dollars than space. And with such limitations becoming the norm, exploiting the limited amount of space on offer in the average office has become the motif operandi of many companies looking to be current and fresh in the public eye.

The debate over whether or not this trend will result in an actual increase in overall sound quality is alive and well, as it should be. Naturally the audio die hards will be shuddering with timely distain when discussion turns to the notion of putting surround sound in 'another all-in-one' solution.

But there must be some fence sitting to be done in all of this, surely. Why can't there be a middle ground between the old stock ideology and a constantly changing industry? - Wherein technology and daily life cuddle up together like the best of friends.

Not everyone has the space, time, cash, nor want for a dedicated theatre in their home. And yet, the purists claim it to be the only way to audio bliss. So, what do ASUS have to offer to this scenario? - What they have just built is the worlds most compact surround system of its kind, housed inside a single enclosure.

This is the Cine5; we break it down today on the test bench.