14 DAY TRIAL // Antec just expanded its line of Sonata silent computer enclosures with the addition of a new chassis known as the Solo II which was specially designed in order to house mid-tower enthusiast desktops.
The outside panels of the case are a combination of aluminum and SECC steel, while the insides sport an all-black finish in order to add a touch of style and a sharp appearance, no matter where the enclosure its being placed.
Before complaining about how the case isn't built entirely out of aluminum, one should know that the use of SECC steel for the side panels isn't motivated only by production costs, but also has a more practical role.
According to Antec, this approach enables the side panels to absorb the noise generated by the system, providing users with added sound dampening.
This is only one of the measures taken by Antec to reduce noise, other such features including silicone grommets for the installation of 2.5 and 3.5-inch storage drives and a 120mm rear exhaust TrueQuiet fan.
As far as expandability options are concerned, the Solo II comes equipped with three 3.5-inch drive bays (that can also hold 2.5-inch drives), one 2.5-inch drive mount, two 5.25-inch external bays and can accommodate graphics cards measuring up to 381mm in length.
Other features include a removable PSU support beam, an enlarged CPU cutout, easy to access air filters, as well as a pair of front mounted USB 3,0 ports.
"We're targeting enthusiasts and performance users, but Solo II can definitely include gamers as well," said Tak Niwa, Director of Business Unit for Cases at Antec.
"Solo II is a great case for gamers because it has plenty of space and features for a powerful GPU setup, but with its looks and quiet design, many mainstream users can enjoy it just as much," concluded the company's rep.
Antec's Solo II is already available for purchase from a wide series of online or brick and mortar retailers and its recommended selling price is set at $129.95.
