(Rear of control pod, click to enlarge)

On the rear of the control pod are the cables that go to your subwoofer and computer as well as an RCA Input and a switch labeled "2/4 6". The RCA input allows you to plug a device such as your TV, DVD player, etc. into the speakers to listen in the clarity of 5.1 surround. The "2/4 6" switch is a notable feature of the system. It allows you to run the speakers on not only a 6 channel sound card, but for those who don't have a 6 channel card you can also run the speakers off your 2 channel or 4 channel card in a simulated surround mode! This mode will also allow you to plug your CD player or MP3 player into the system for simulated surround as well. This allows anyone to add 5.1 surround to any audio device without an expensive sound card upgrade either.

(Another shot of the entire set, click to enlarge)

When looking at the satellites, all 5 are shielded so that you can use them near video monitors without any interference. The center satellite lays horizontal as opposed to standing tall like the other 4. It has an "L" shaped base which allows you to have it sit over the edge of a monitor or shelf without falling off, and it can also pivot up and down. Along with that, all 5 satellites have a distinctive style that will look good beside an LCD monitor or anywhere in your home.

Installation:
The first step of installation is to place each speaker where it will be sitting. Every speaker is labeled on the back either Front Right, Front Left, Rear Right, Rear Left and Center. This makes placement very easy and eliminates the confusion of which speaker goes where. Once all your speakers are placed you will need to route each wire back to the subwoofer where they all plug in. The only problem I had with this was I found the rear speaker wires to be incredibly short. In my situation I was unable to put the rear speakers behind me without having the wires go from the subwoofer under my desk directly across the middle of the room to the speakers. Not only does this make my room look like a web of wires but it is very easy for someone to trip on the wire and pull the speaker off the shelf onto the floor. I suppose if you were in a small office or have an L shaped desk where the rear speakers can be placed closer to you then this won't be much of a problem, but with my computer being in a bedroom I found the wires to be too short.

(Rear of sub, click to enlarge)

Once the speakers were in place and the wires run to the subwoofer I was surprised at how idiot proof the plugs are! Not only are they colour coded but each plug has little tabs of plastic which are different on each plug and go into cutouts in the raised plastic surrounding the plug on the subwoofer. (see picture below)
Once all the speakers are plugged in the rest of installation is simple and quick. The three coloured stereo connectors go into the same coloured hole on your sound card and the 2 prong connector goes into a wall or power bar outlet. One tip, if you are using the system in "simulated" mode and are connecting to a 2 channel source you want to plug the green male connector from the pod into the output of whatever the source device is.  The other 2 plugs remain capped, to avoid short circuits from the unused plugs.

(Connections close up, notice the way the cables hook in, click to enlarge)

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