electronicsme - Electronics / Accessories made easy

Print this page

Acoustic Research AR805TC: Review

Posted to Accessories 2010-02-22

The next time you need an affordable shield against power surges, consider the 8-outlet Acoustic Research AR805TC surge suppressor. This 3-pound device is versatile enough to protect everything from telephone lines and Ethernet networks, to coaxial lines and ordinary power cables. For less than $50, you can save yourself the headache of replacing electronics that may cost thousands more. And because it is manufactured by Acoustic Research, which has over 50 years of trusted experience with electronics, you can rest assured that all your devices will be protected.

Unlike the majority of inexpensive surge protectors, the AR805TC shields telephone and Ethernet cables in addition to power cables. This model features 8 outlets with rotating safety caps, which gives consumers plenty of protected power room for all their electrical devices. It has an 8-foot long power cord, which is great if you have limited power outlets in your home or office. And since it includes a 6-foot RG59 cable, 6-foot Ethernet cable, and 6-foot telephone cable, you have everything you need to get started.

Rating:

3.6 out of 5

Quality

This consumer-level power suppressor is manufactured with high-quality materials, including gold-plated input/output ports, in order to guarantee faultless operations. Acoustic Research is so confident in this product that they back it with an impressive $500,000 connected equipment guarantee, which means any equipment (valued up to $500,000) that is connected to this suppressor is guaranteed to be replaced if the protector fails. This model offers 3000 joules protection, which is an excellent shield for just about any consumer and their devices.

Value

Although the AR805TC is not the most inexpensive surge suppressor you can buy, it is a good value when it comes to the number and types of devices it supports, as well as the amount of protection it provides. If you are looking for a surge suppressor that also features a built-in UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), then you will have to look elsewhere. As far as value goes, this model ranks a little above average; nevertheless, the price is just right.

Summary

If you are looking for a high-quality, multi-functional surge suppressor that is manufactured by a trusted electronics company, then you should consider the Acoustic Research AR805TC. Not only does it support coaxial, telephone, and Ethernet connections, but it also provides up to 8 outlets of protection for your powered devices. And because it protects up to against 3000 joules and provides $500,000 damage warranty, quality assurance is very impressive. Although there are similarly-priced models that include built-in UPS functions, this suppressor should still be considered.

Pros

Trusted electronics brand- in production since 1952
Superior protection- suppresses surges up to 3000 joules
Excellent warranty- insures damage on failure up to $500,000
Versatile- protects 8 outlets, including coaxial, Ethernet, telephone, and power

Cons

Limited- similarly-priced models feature built-in UPS…this one fails to do the same