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Dick Smith - Dick Smith Brand 8 Way Surge Protector $15, RAR Sound Stand with Internal Subwoofer $39 Free Shipping

1710

A blast from the past!

RAR 2.1 soundbase here

These are OK boards - I have had one for years and it still works (having said that I never tested its surge capabilities).

The response time is claimed to be <1 nanosecond with a suppression of 2000 joules - which means it provides reasonable protection for AV and PC.

If you like to have 6 outlets instead they are also available for the same price

As for the sound base, it has all the connections that you can ask for, optical, HDMI, coaxial for digital (only via optical conversion, my mistake) and analog, and comes with a RCA to 3.5mm cable for those using 3.5mm and has bluetooth. (though only RCA cables are included in the box, no HDMI, high impedence coaxial or optical cables included). However that's about all I can say. It arrived yesterday and the subwoofer doofs as you would expect from a cheap set of speakers but it might improve the output of some cheaper TVs simply due to the fact that it is front facing. It also doesn't look bad and feels decently built.

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  • +1

    Thanks op. Having been looking for a Surge Protector comes with antenna LAN port for long time.Missed the officeworks deal but this deal looks better.

    • +3

      Looks like it's only cat3 (phone cable) rather than cat5 (ethernet)

  • +7

    I can personally vouch for the SoundBase. Great, solid little units with pretty decent sound for the money. I've helped friends without a lot of cash solve their 'flimsy' TV sound with these but with the added bonus of Bluetooth and an FM Tuner some are even using them as their complete home entertainment system! 2-3 years on and they're still going strong. I've even used a few of these in an office situation underneath VideoConference units to help project the sound forward instead of relying on side-firing TV speakers which can play havoc with VCs by adding unwanted reverb and room sound feedback.

    • Does the TV volume controller control the volume on the SoundBase? As in, CEC connection happening.

      • +1

        Yes, pretty sure it has CEC over HDMI.

    • Thanks @SteveAndBelle - bought on your recommendation
      No pressure lol!
      Do you typically put the tv on top as shown in the picture?

      • +1

        Ha :) Nice one. For $39 you really can't go wrong, even if it only turns out being 'satisfactory'.

        If your TV stand fits on top then go for it but I think this is exactly why they're the price they are… most modern TVs have legs on each end, not in the middle as they used to be. Doesn't effect sound quality or anything but may make placement difficult.

        • All of my TV's have plastic bases in the middle :)

  • +3

    I guess they don't do the Lifetime guarantee with $100,000 Connected Equipment Warranty for their surge protectors anymore.

    • +6

      Honestly, I wouldn't have expected that warranty to be worth the paper it's written on.

  • +5

    Hopefully they won't cancel half of the orders like with last week's radio fiasco.

    • +1

      What happened there? I was disappointed I missed out on that deal.

  • Thanks

  • Can anyone please tell me how much watt the subwoofer consumes? Thinking of using it in the camper on an inverter :)

  • +2

    Never thought I'd see these come along again!
    Got 1, for nostalgic sake, and because Ozbargainers said they were good. I already had 4….

    • +1

      If I am not mistaken they didn't get this low during the closing down sale?

  • +7

    I have one of those surge boards. found it in a DSE dumpster 9 years ago. still using it. i like the big power button

    • +2

      I love how you know exactly how many years ago you got it

      • +11

        one of the benefits of having kids…..

        • +1

          I thought you found them in cabbage patches?

        • Great idea! Save money on a Tag watch and have kids instead ;)

          J/k

        • What, having to be dumpster diving?

  • -3

    Anyone know if Kogan has it. I got a $10 voucher to use

  • Thanks bought 3 of the surge protector and can finally stop using so many 4 outlet adapters for my computer and home theatre.

  • Excellent price. The 6 outlets version is $85.00 + Postage $11.20 here …
    http://buyabargains.quicksales.com.au/ad/untitled/973318
    … I wish someone who truly paid that would try explaining here.

  • Thanks OP, got two.

  • +5

    Almost thought the surge protector power board had an internal subwoofer.

  • Remember getting all the RAR crap in when I was working at DSE. RAR stood for Real Audio Research…

    • +2

      Real Asian Rebadged?

  • +12

    The power boards are built decent i pulled one apart every thing is fairly solid the protection is nothing amazing but much better then any other board for around this price.

    • +1

      Cheers for the review!

  • Does anyone know the power board cord length? I cannot find it from the prod. description.

    • The cord length is 190cm

  • +1

    Hey thanks OP seems Kogan is getting rid of old Dick Smith branded stock now.
    Grabbed a couple

  • +1

    Giving the soundbase a go :) cheers op (and those giving reviews)

  • +2

    I have two of the DS surge protectors, not the best quality two outlets no longer hold the power plug in firmly enough and the power keeps cutting out, I'm guessing the plastic internals must have broken. Also the indicator and power lights no longer light up on one of them.

    I got a couple of the Cyberpower ones from this deal and quality is much better.

  • So tempted to get the power boards
    I have bought 4 in the past, exchanged 2, 1 died after dick closed down so i couldnt exchange that one and then another 2 that i exchanged died again. Only have 1 working which i think was the original one.
    Still tempted though..esp at $15 but dont think its worth the hastle.

    • What broke on them?

    • these shut down once they have copped a critical surge

      • So they are not the breaker type but the fused type? That's shitty

        • Both but it would depend on what stuff up. If its a full surge it will trip and blow and you cant use it again. If its a small fault you can reset it say you overload it with more 2400w it will show a fault.

        • +5

          not the breaker type but the fused type?

          A common misconception, it has nothing to do with fuses or circuit breakers. Neither fuses nor circuit breakers can stop a big surge, it would just arc across the opened fuse/opened contacts.

          When you get a surge through the power lines, the MOV clamps the surge at about 400V and gives the surge "somewhere else" to go, other than through your connected electronics. In doing so, the MOV dissipates an enormous amount of power, and fails if the surge has more energy than the MOV's dissipation rating. MOVs are designed to fail as a permanent short circuit, so if they fail then the powerboard will become useless, as the circuit breaker/fuse will see the short and "pop" every time you try to reset it/replace it.

        • +1

          @Russ: thanks for the explanation, for those like me that didn't know what a MOV was you can read about it here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varistor

          Out of curiosity do you (or is it ever worth) repairing boards like this with a new MOV?

        • +1

          @Jackson:
          I recommend not repairing them. You can't tell if the circuit breaker has been damaged, and there are usually three MOVs in a power board, so you won't be able to tell if the other two MOVs have been damaged either.

          If you replace all four components (and also the filtering components if your board has them), it's more expensive than buying a new powerboard through OzBargain.

        • @Russ: so after reading that I got to thinking, if people are complaining about these boards failing would that mean that some of the MOVs in these's are cheaper or lower rated than other boards? (I thought this because it mentions in the article that some (cheaper) lower rated components may fail after repeated non catastrophic events- or something like that) And if so I guess that's something to think about if you have had a few of these go on you to just buy a better one?

        • +1

          @Jackson:
          You are correct, a higher-rated MOV would be better. The problem is that the general public don't understand MOV ratings, so they can't judge the "quality" of surge-busting power boards, and aren't willing to pay a price premium for the higher-quality ones. So most manufacturers don't make them.

          That said, there will always be failures, even with the best-quality parts. A lightning strike has a ridiculous amount of energy, it can't really be properly protected against by something "tacked on" like a power board. I have designed equipment for mobile phone base stations, and they get hit by lightning all the time. Every part of the tower, and every piece of equipment connected to the tower, is designed for lightning strikes. For your home to have the same level of protection, you would have lightning protection on the power pole, at your fuse box, at every power point, and built into every appliance. And you wouldn't use MOVs, they fail after about 100 small surges.

          For proper protection, you need gas discharge tubes backed with avalanche diodes, and good design for the circuit board and the enclosure. It's not difficult, but MOVs cost about ten cents each when you buy 100,000 of them, so manufacturers stick with MOVs.

  • +1

    Hope she's not too loud in the bedroom. Thanks, just purchased sound bar.

  • Noob question: How do you connect the RAR to the TV? Do you need a HDMI output port on the TV for the connection?

    • +2

      The soundbase has pretty much every known connection except digital coaxial (HDMI, optical, analogue coaxial, 3.5mm via RCA adapter and bluetooth) so as long as your TV has an audio out option you can connect to it however you want.

  • Is the RAR basically just a low end sound bar?
    I didn't think they get this cheap. Might get one for the TV when I don't want to run the big amp and HT speakers.

    • Bought the soundbar. Should be good :)

  • Could anyone please let me know if I will be able to control the volume of the soundbase with tv remote control or I have to use two separate ones? Wife hates using two remote controls. That's why I got rid of a sound system I had before.

    • +2

      Wouldn't it be have been easier to just get a Logitech Harmony remote instead of selling the sound system? Even the low-end ones allow you to assign the volume control to the sound system while controlling the TV, and turn on/off the TV and sound system with a single button.

    • +2

      I typically put the volume on speaker at 70% of max and then use Tv remote to change the sound of the tv output.

  • +2

    You've no idea how confused I was when I read '8-way surge protector with internal subwoofer'…

  • How long is the cable on the surge protectors? If it is the standard 1.5m, can I buy an extension cord and plug in the protector to increase the length ?

    • Yes, why wouldn't you be able to?

      • I only skimmed through it online but apparently the surge protecting capabilities of the power board can be detrimentally affected?

    • How long is the cable on the surge protectors?

      About 1.8m, if it hasn't changed.

      If it is the standard 1.5m, can I buy an extension cord and plug in the protector ?

      Not if you go by the book. Is there anyone who does?

  • I still use 2 of these, which I bought 5 years ago.
    I like it because it lets me run the microwave and kettle at the same time without cutting the power, unlike all my other boards.

  • Thank you. got 2 ordered. :)

  • I wonder what Bluetooth standard this soundbar uses? Given the price one assumes the BT audio quality isn't the greatest?

  • Sold out.

    • +2

      Still available? From what I see

      • Thanks bought one now that it's showing in stock again.

  • +1

    Just picked up RAR Sound Stand via eBay using code C5AUS - so got it for $38.35 (was $40.36) - that's 65c in my pocket suckers :)

  • Thanks just bought two…

  • Lovelovelove these boards. Bought 2 in a deal few years back, ended up shipping me 4, well-made, lifetime warranty, highly recommend for this price.

  • +1

    Received surge protectors, good deal.
    Unfortunately in typical Dick Smith Kogan-era style, there was nothing protecting the protectors IE just a plastic bag no box or padding. Very shabby seeing as they came Aust Post.

    • +2

      the sounstand didnt even have a bag, just the original box with label stuck on

    • Was lucky. Mine came in a box.

  • Really tempted to pull the trigger on that soundbar

  • thanks bought the board with the $10 kogan voucher

  • +1

    I received my powerboard today.

  • +1

    Got mine today.

  • They are still around?
    Thought Dick is dead long ago

  • Do any popular universal remote codes work with these to control volume/source with tv remotes or fetch, foxtel remotes etc?

  • +3

    Received the soundbar last week.
    Can vouch for the sound quality and build for the price; top notch!

    Quick Review:
    + BT works well and pairs automatically with my phone.
    + FM radio is functional.
    + Build quality is solid. It's a big solid block.
    + Energy efficient - soundbar only uses 18w of power and will automatically go to sleep after 15 minutes when the TV is turned off.
    + Bass is balanced and not overbearing.

    Negs
    - Remote control is a bit cheap and runs off CR2025 batteries.
    - Kogan ship by slapping the consignment sticker on the box(no fault of the product)

    Highly Recommended. Will buy another few as presents.

  • Great deal. Just bought both!
    Thanks OP!

    • +1

      I bought them on Ebay with 5% code and additional 1.3% from cashrewards hehe

      • That is thrifty. I'm not yet that thrifty.

  • Just wondering if anyone else has had problems with AUX output? No sound coming out.. 😕

  • I just set up and used the sound base last night for a movie.
    I'd say it was pretty bloody good for the price. Very happy.
    Thanks Dick and thanks Fiximol.

  • Picked up 4 surge protectors at Jaycar last week at $2.53 each.
    https://www.jaycar.com.au/mains-surge-protectors/p/MS4017
    Hard to find though, I cleaned out the Mornington store. They're 10 amp, so just plug in a cheap Bunnings power board.

    • Joules rating?

      • Watts are units of Power, whereas Joules are units of Energy. Power is Energy in accordance to time: P = E/t . So One Watt of Power is equal to one Joule per second. P=E/t 1 Watt = 1 Joule/ 1 second.

        If you want to know the relationship between amps and watts, see Mr Google.

        • so 2400 Joules then? how come this DSE one is 10A too but only 2000 Joules?

          eh can't find the jaycar ones around anyway

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