Da-Intro: If you spend as much time as I do playing games, then like me you love your toys. From force feedback joysticks to 200-watt surround sound speaker systems, it's all about the ultimate experience. Well fasten your seatbelts, I found a new toy called Battle Chair, and this, my friends, is one toy a serious gamer should have. Picture yourself sitting in the captain's chair of a starship, feeling the blasts of lasers hitting you or the pounding of weapons fire while you are immersed in your favorite game. Listening to MP3's was a real joy as well. The chair I tested features an 8inch woofer, 2-5 ¼" 3-way speakers, Eastern Surround Sound amplifier (optional), and a high back ergonomic chair with adjustable T-arms. Several options that I would have liked include: back, lumbar & headrest cushioning and action trays. Da Setup: The unit came in a rather large box, with a small parts bag and easy to follow step by step instructions. I timed myself and I had the chair ready for action within 20 minutes. Plugging the speakers and sub woofer into the amp was like attaching a brain plug to the back of some cyborg's head. The amp itself plugs into the sound card of your computer. If you choose one without the amp, the speaker wire is color-coded and plugs easily into a regular stereo amplifier. Da Sound and Game Experience: I have my Eastern Surround amplifier hooked into my rear speaker output on my soundcard, and my regular speakers connected to the front speaker output. The amplifier controls feature: volume, bass, treble, rear volume (fader), 3 different surround modes, game, concert and theatre. Typically a lot of speaker systems try to blow you out of your seat with pure power —not so with the Battle Chair. The speakers are set in the headrest and they are so close to your ears that a lower volume level combined with a sub-woofer below your ass really makes for a unique gaming experience. I found myself feeling the games as well as hearing the games; this really enhances ones gaming experience. The chair envelops you in the action, and is as close as you can get to a VR experience without the VR gear. I tested the unit on Half-life, Soldier of Fortune, my MP3 collection, Risk 2 and Freespace 2. It was like experiencing each game for the first time. Much to my wife's chagrin, I find I'm spending more time playing games than I did before. Da Comfort: Probably one of the most important aspects is comfort and I was disappointed that the cushions and the action trays didn't come with the unit. In spite of this I do find the chair offers a surprising level of comfort without cushions. I really do spend 9 – 10 hours a day in the chair and my butt's comfort zone is really important, no numb bum chairs for me. For those of you who have a tender tush and like to squeeze the Charmin then I suggest you get the optional cushions or jury rig some cushioning. Da Conclusion: I definitely recommend the Battle Chair, it takes the gaming experience to the next level by adding a whole new sense to the gaming experience "body-feeling." I'm not talking about the warm fuzzy you get when you see a puppy, but the thumping of bullets as they rebound off your body while your armor is failing. I would have given this chair a Player's Choice Award but for the lack of cushioning and action trays. My rating is a 4 out of 5 Joysticks. System Tested on: P3 500 Sound Blaster Live 128 Megs of ram Voodoo 3 18 gig hdd 21 inch Acer Monitor Battle Chair Specs 2 - 5 ¼" 3-way Speakers · 5 ¼" Polycarbon Woofer · 1" Mylar Dome Tweeter · ½" Piezo Super Tweeter 8 oz. Magnet Structure 30 watts RMS Power Handling 4 ohm Impedance 47 Hz-20kHz Frequency Response @90dB 13/16" High Temp Aluminum Voice Coil 93dB SPL Output @ 1W/1M 8" Woofer 100 Watt RMS Dual-Voice Coil 20oz, 6ohm Chair High-Tech Ergonomic Design Swivel Tilt Mechanism Vertical & Horizontal Adjustable T-Arms (included with BattleChair ProSeries) Seat, Back, Lumbar & HeadRest Cushioning (included with BattleChair ProSeries) Action Trays(optional accessory) 2 Universal Joints allow for in/out forearm length adjustments, rotation in 3 planes for maximum comfort and ability to drop tray down and out of the way Size: Tray diameter approximately 9" Action tray is made of resilient plastic with integrated 5.5" long Palmer Rest and comes with soft arm cap Legs 27" Five Leg Base Dual Wheel Carpet Casters Pneumatic Gas Lift w/ 4" Stroke Eastern 4 Channel Amplifier Digital Surround Circuitry Output Power R.M.S. 28 Watt Input Sensitivity…200mV Power Reqirements.. AC 120/V/60Hz Controls: Main Volume Bass Treble Rear Volume Headphone & Mic ByPass Connections Input: Stereo RCA connectors RCA-Stereo Mini Plug included Connections Input: Stereo RCA connectors RCA-Stereo Mini Plug included