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Antec Sonata




Author:Edward Ho
Supplied by:Antec
ESP: $100


Introduction:

Many of the available PC enclosures in the market today are geared towards the enthusiast. Windows, lighting, temperature gauges, and blowholes are all the rage and can now be found as standard features when shopping for cases. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to go through many of these enclosures - some had the ability to hold up to 8 fans for extreme cooling. However, in recent times, I've grown wary of my house guests walking into my house asking where I've hidden a jet engine. Of course, one can't help hear anything but the PC when using fans such as the infamous Delta or Tornado - I've actually even grown accustomed to leaving the TV on in order to cover up the annoying whir of my PC.

It would seem that manufacturers, in the pursuit of PC enthusiasts, have forgotten about those that value quiet over extreme performance. Sure you could purchase a performance enclosure and add in extras such as Dynamat or a rheobus fan controller, but wouldn't be easier to just get an enclosure that was quiet from the very start? This is where the fine folks at Antec came in and introduced the LifeStyle Series where quiet was touted the key feature. Of course, just because people want a quiet case it doesn't mean they shouldn't expect style and functionality. The LifeStyle Series offers a mix of practical design, good cooling, and quiet to appeal to all the masses.

Today, we'll be taking a look at the LifeStyle Series case called the Sonata. From Antec's claims, the Sonata has been found to have generated as little as 20.4 dBA of sound. Does the Sonata really live up to these claims? We'll have the answer for you soon enough. First, let's take a gander at the list of features that Antec has provided at their web site:



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Copyright© 2003 by Edward Ho