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Customer Reviews for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Model: M5400-PM
SKU: 8484669
UPC: 050616008150
Learn more about Magnolia Premium Installation With a digital voltmeter and display, 5 isolated and filtered banks and automatic reset, this power conditioner ensures that your home theater system and other electronic components remain protected from voltage fluctuation.
Average Customer Rating:
4.4
out of 5
(9 Reviews) 9
Rating Snapshot 9 reviews
5 stars
6
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
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1
1 star
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89% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
8 out of
9)
Customer Reviews for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Review 1 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Top of the line power conditioner
Customer Rating
5.0
What's great about it: Power cleanliness and reliability
What's not so great: N/A
I have never owned a power conditioner before, but after doing a lot of research and asking some friends who are electronics engineers, I decided that a power conditioner was some of the cheapest insurance I could get. I borrowed a special meter to measure the power on my old system, and the transients were crazy. In plain words, the power was dirty and the voltage varied much more than I ever thought it did. Perhaps that is why my old TV was having problems after 19 years. The same meter was used to measure the output of my new power conditioner, and it is quite a difference. The power sine wave is much smoother, and is remarkably constant. I know many people won't have access to this type of measurement equipment, nor do they have the technical knowledge to know about this. Bottom line is that I now understand how important this is to extend the life of sensitive electronics. I bought another one for my computer system.
This is the reason I bought the 5400.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Technical Review
Customer Rating
2.0
What's great about it: Surge protection worth the value of the M5300-PM
What's not so great: Cheaply designed voltage regulator
The only added feature to the M5400-PM that M5300-PM doesn’t have is voltage regulation. I would hardly call the regulator in this unit a voltage regulator. It is merely a transformer with four taps on it. When the sensor detects the voltage below 114 volts, it will switch over to one of the two higher voltages. Since it is a scalar voltage ratio, the output voltage will be between 115V – 124V. The same is true if your wall voltage goes 125V – 136V, it will switch to the tap which will lower by a ratio. This is the CHEAPEST voltage regulator in terms of design and cost. Given that, it is the most energy efficient which doesn’t mean a lot since it consumes 0.3 Amps with no load (that’s 36 Watts).
I looked at the FFT of the power going into the M5400-PM and coming out the unit and there is no visible difference. The measured THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) using a RSA3408B (Spectrum Analyzer) did go from 2.1% to 1.4%, but that is the same filter in the M5300-PM.
I also looked at the voltage on an oscilloscope and compared the signal before it enters the unit and on the output. Comparing the two reveals all the fluctuations on the line before and after remain the same. Meaning the unit will not condition your power to give your expensive equipment pretty clean sinusoidal voltages.
The so called voltage regulator in the M5400-PM in my opinion isn’t worth the inflated price tag. Get your monies worth and go with the M5300-PM if you need that many outlets.
And yes I have all the overpriced name brand home theater equipment that I desire to protect with what should be overly designed power management system.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+3points
4out of 5found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
The best $700 I've ever spent!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: jloz18
from Boston, MA
on 12/08/2010
What's great about it: High end surge protection, worth every penny!
What's not so great: absolutely nothing
I recently purchased this Panamax power center to protect my home theater system. I have a Pioneer Elite plasma tv and a Pioneer Elite receiver with some B&W speakers, a PS3, XBOX360 and a DVR. As you can imagine, I've spent a lot of money on a home theater system and I wanted to make sure that it is fully protected. This power center was the one i had my eye on. I run every component through the power center. It has 5 isolated banks to eliminate noise and contamination to other outlets. One of the most important reasons I chose this power center is the AVM (automatic voltage monitoring). This feature is essential to me personally because where I live I do experience a lot of power outages and surges, so making sure that I have a surge protector that can detect unsafe voltages is critical. The final reason I chose this power center is for the filtration. The M5400 features one of Panamax's highest level of power cleaning and filtering, level 4+, which improves picture quality and sound, and I was pleasantly surprised when i saw the difference myself!
I buy high end audio/video equipment and usually buy the protection plans. For instance, i purchased the protection plan for my TV, receiver, and speakers to make sure everything lasts, orh at least guarantee a brand new item in the event something can't be fixed. So I bought a high end power center for my equipment. But i do believe that buying a high end power center is one of the best things you can do to ensure long lasting equipment even if you didn't spend a massive amount of money on your components.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
4out of 7found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Overall It Does What It Advertises
Customer Rating
4.0
What's great about it: filters out noise and cleans up picture
What's not so great: freakin' expensive!!!
i bought this to go along with my PN58C8000 Samsung 3D plasma TV and purchased it because I heard that this TV although looks great buzzes sometimes. But the BB sales guy said the buzzing is generally from the dirty power being passed through to my speakers and a proper surge protector would filter that noise out. Well after purchasing this surge, I have noticed that the buzzing has decreased significantly (I can still hear it sometimes but it is very less audible) But the reason why I love this Panamax is because it has also improved the picture quality significantly. I can't tell you how watching 2D on this TV can really make it still pop out to create a pseudo 3D effect. I love the design of it, it looks heavy duty and compliments the entire home theater.
On another note, this thing is really expensive! I can see a novice home theater purchaser would be overwhelmed when being told that they should purchase a $700 surge protector after they are already dropping $2K+ on a TV on top of that. Especially when you see other surge protectors that claim to do the same thing for about half the price. But honestly, if you have the $$$ to drop on a $2K+ TV, this is a worthy investment. But it doesn't take away the pain of having to fork $700 over lol!
On another note, this thing is really expensive! I can see a novice home theater purchaser would be overwhelmed when being told that they should purchase a $700 surge protector after they are already dropping $2K+ on a TV on top of that. Especially when you see other surge protectors that claim to do the same thing for about half the price. But honestly, if you have the $$$ to drop on a $2K+ TV, this is a worthy investment. But it doesn't take away the pain of having to fork $700 over lol!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
4out of 5found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
The Panamax M5400-PM is a must have
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: MrWallace
from Huntington Beach
on 08/04/2010
What's great about it: I got it used on craigslist for $200
What's not so great: For this much $$$ it should have a battery backup
At $700, their M5400-PM is the system that more of us can afford to drive. The M5400 doesn't include some of the M7500's higher end features, like the very cool, retro analog needled meters, but it does supply all of the power management basics required by a medium sized home theater.To begin, I'm a sucker for those glowing blue lights on the front, especially the silver encircled voltmeter and ammeter. Beyond giving voltage in and out readings, they make great night lights. But if they are too bright for your room, you can cycle through four levels with the button on the left.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
5out of 9found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Best thing you can do for your home theater
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: brand450
on 11/05/2009
What's great about it: I love all key features of this product
What's not so great: None
This is easily a key add on for any serious home theater. I like that the front LED's can dim so it's not too distracting when the lights are off. Also, it has 5 separate filters so that all of the things I have plugged in do not give off a lot of noise to the other components. That noise most people experience is like a snowy/grainy picture or popping sounds out of the speakers. Also, 2 outlets are dedicated for high current which is designed for an amp + sub but doesn't limit the capabilities of it. Basically your 1500 watt sub can deliver 1500 watts :) highly recommended
I would recommend this to a friend!
+6points
7out of 8found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Highly recommend
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: BMWguy
from Glendale, CA
on 05/11/2008
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What's great about it: Black Finish and number of outlets
Bought this for my first plasma HDTV. I have a total of 7 audio/video devices connected to it including a universal power supply unit.
The gauge lights are adjustable so it shouldn't really bother the viewer at night.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Nice and Secure Protector
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Miggg
from Pleasanton, CA
on 02/12/2008
What's great about it: Number of outlet, indicator, silence.
What's not so great: Price is little high, and its size takes quite a space.
Bought it because of the new lcd tv 52", and having home theater system plus the deskopt hooked up to one place. In total I have hooked to the power conditioner the tv, receiver, media player, dvd player, cable set top box, pc, phone, and another small power surge protector . The nice feature is the multiple bank and its light indicator. It is a good investment if you have a big and profesional audio/video and media center. Also it is not noisy which is good.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for Panamax 11-Outlet Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
M5400 line conditioner
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: jamwall42
from New Jeresy
on 01/13/2008
What's great about it: amazing picture and sound difference
Gauges voltages accurately. There is a noticable difference in the audio. Less interference, less static. Virtually elimates all nosie in the video. The picture especially in formats of 1080p has a crystal, lifelike image. Best product on the market for the money.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+9points
10out of 11found this review helpful.
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