ANTEC Sonata Case Review

[TAZTG]

ANTEC Sonata Case Review
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2078S.jpg

Manufacturer: ANTEC (http://www.antec-inc.com/)
Distributor: ANTEC (http://www.antec-inc.com/)
Flyer: http://www.antec-inc.com/pdf/flyers/SONATA_EC.pdf
Cost: PriceWatch (http://www.pricewatch.com/)


Introduction & Features & Specifications:
Sonata is a Piano Black Super Mini Tower, its advertised as an Award Winning Quiet Case. The Sonata uses a 120mm rear mount fan to obtain this quietness. The Sonata is part of ANTEC’s Life Style Series of cases. The Sonata is very stylish and would be an ideal case for LAN Parties. This is one great looking and well made case so lets move along and get to the Features and Specifications.

Features:
· 3.0 GHz Compatible
· TruePower 380Watt ATX12V power supply with single fan design for enhanced quietness
· Front mounted USB & IEEE1394 (FireWire) ports
· Washable Air Filter
· Front Audio ports
· 9 Drive Bays:
- 3 x 5.25" external drive bays
- 2 x 3.5" external drive bays
- 4 x 3.5" internal drive bays in individual trays with rubber grommets to absorb hard drive vibrations
· Cooling: Up to 2 120mm Fans
- 1 rear (standard) 25mm thick
- 1 front (optional) 25mm thick
· Motherboards up to Standard ATX
· Made with 0.8mm SECC Steel

Specifications:
Case Dimensions 16.75"(H) x 18.25"(D) x 8.13"(W)
Drive Bays
- Front Accessible
- Internal
93x5.25", 2x3.5" 4x3.5"
Expansion Slots 7
Cooling System Up to 2x120mm Fans1 rear (standard)1 front (optional)
Main Board Size 12"(W)x9.6"(L)
Power Supply 380Watt TruePowerSingle fan designATX 12V for AMD™ & Intel® systems
Weight 20.8/25 lbs (net/gross)
Motherboards Standard ATX
Special Features Internal drive trays with rubber grommets
Individual drive trays
Front USB/FireWire Ports
Package Includes 1 Tower Case
1 380 Watt single fan TruePower
1 Power cord
1 set of screws and motherboard standoffs
1 Installation manual

Now that we know the Who, What, & Where’s lets get to the Why someone should go out & purchase this case.

[TAZTG]

Here is the Sonata in the box.
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2067.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2068.jpg

Lets see how well its Packed. You can see that Styrofoam is used on the Top & Bottom and the Case is wrapped in plastic. The Styrofoam is nice and snug and holds the case securely in the box.
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2069.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2070.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2071.jpg

[TAZTG]

The Piano Black is very shiny on the Sides, Top, and Bottom and also the Front edges.
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2078.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2077.jpg

Here is a nice view of the Front with the door open. Notice the stylish Chrome Front Ports with Blue LEDS very nice touch.
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2074.jpg

Here’s the rear of the Sonata with its 120mm exhaust fan. (Note: The Right Side Panel is riveted and non removable)
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2075.jpg

[TAZTG]

Lets take this baby apart and check out the inside. You can see that it was well packed, except for the PS Cable and Manual. It would have been nice to tape the PS Cable down.
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2081.jpg

This is a closer look at the ANTEC 380W TruePower. (Note the sexy black Molex Connectors)
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2080.jpg

Here are the accessories as mentioned above.
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2082.jpg

These are your 4 x 3.5" internal drive bays. Notice how they slide out for easy installation and removal of your HD’s. (Note the 120mm intake fan mount location and the rubber grommets to quiet those HD Vibrations)
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2083.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2086.jpg

These next two pictures point out some very nice touches that ANTEC has included in the Sonata. Notice that the 2 external front drive bays slide out for easy access. Here is the removable, washable Air Filter that slides out of the bottom of the case. (2084-2088)
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2084.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~mskrissy/Sonata/Dcp_2088.jpg

Conclusion: ANTEC has produced a very stylish and downright sexy looking case. The Sonata is well made and would make an attractive addition to anyone’s desk.
Con’s: The fact that the right side panel is non-removable.
Pro’s: Removable Drive Cages, Included 380W TruePower, Price, Looks & Size.

This concludes the Sonata Case review. I will be doing some modding in the near future and will follow up with some PICS and notes of how the installation of my components went.

Thanks and Hope everyone enjoyed my little review. TAZTG

[XP1800]

Nicely done Taz:)

Question though...is there any room to place a front fan? Even a small TMD fan, something to cool off the hard drives.

[TAZTG]

No there is no room to mount one on the front. The Optional 120mm Intake Fan is located so the air would be drawn across the HD's. Thanks..:)

[Chuck232]

I was also quite pleased with the case, other than the front fan placement and a few other gripes.

[blare is god]

Nice review. The pictures were great and pointed all of the important parts. How quiet do you find the case to be?

[TAZTG]

That hasn't been determined. I have to do some modding first then install my gear. I will post a follow up review. :)

[Isezumi]

Hey Taz,

Do you know whether or not Antec has any other cases that use that style of internal bay mechanism...preferably one that is plain jane biege and not so shiney.

[Tekime]

Nice work TAZTG. I would also be interested to see how component installation went. Some cases can be a real pain to set up, or leave little room to get around inside.

I like dual 120mm's though. And the black Molex headers, very slick :cool:

[TAZTG]

Originally posted by Isezumi
Hey Taz,

Do you know whether or not Antec has any other cases that use that style of internal bay mechanism...preferably one that is plain jane biege and not so shiney.

I just took a quick tour of NewEgg and didn't see any with that style. ANTEC might have one, you could take a quick tour of their site. :)

[Isezumi]

Originally posted by TAZTG
I just took a quick tour of NewEgg and didn't see any with that style. ANTEC might have one, you could take a quick tour of their site. :)
gotcha ;)

ill dig further, thanks for the prelim.

[Dan@354-Pines]

I have to do some modding first then install my gear

Can I ask what goodies you have in store for this case?

Also, what do you think of the actual construction materials, in terms of the quality of metal used?

Thx.

[speedyaxon]

does the motherboard tray slide out somehow? That looks like a great case! GL!:p

[TAZTG]

Negative on the Mobo Tray. I am not sure ANTEC makes a case that the MOBO Tray will slide out.:)

[Dan@354-Pines]

Anyone t this case yet and identified any 'functional mods' for it to further improve performance? Or are people only looking to do cosmetic mods. I have a chance to get one this week for £20 off so am going to grab one, but my main concern is keeping the low noise at this point. :D

[TAZTG]

Originally posted by Dan@354-Pines
Anyone t this case yet and identified any 'functional mods' for it to further improve performance? Or are people only looking to do cosmetic mods. I have a chance to get one this week for £20 off so am going to grab one, but my main concern is keeping the low noise at this point. :D

Its a Very quite Case... I can't hear it at all. There are plenty of Mods you could do to the case. Top Blow Hole (Nice quiet 92mm), most are cosmetic for looks but I am sure you could add this and that to improve air flow or whatever..:)

[Dan@354-Pines]

Thanks TAZTG

I may well do that, I'm looking to get this case (initially at least) for my server which is currently an Cheiftec (Antec style). I may mod that case and get some experience there, then maybe try on this nice baby afterwards. May even put a blow hole in with no fan to begin with, just a grill to allow heat out 'passivley' I'm not too hot on the modding or experience side, but after last re-building my server, I kicked myself at all the things I could have done first before putting it all back together :(

Need to start re-reading all the 'modding' guides again :D


btw, everytime I see you post, it makes me wanna play Unreal Tournament :D

[TAZTG]

Originally posted by Dan@354-Pines
Thanks TAZTG


btw, everytime I see you post, it makes me wanna play Unreal Tournament :D

LETS ROCK!! I play daily, Low Grav Instagib 135/35 CTF Add me to buddy list and look for me eventually you will find me.

;)

[Valden]

woohoo, this post is listed on newegg for reviews of the Sonata! :)

[Learux]

Well that new-egg post it si a real nice compliment!!! Good job and yes I love my sonata.

Learux

[Ackmed]

This part of the specs cracks me up;

3.0 GHz Compatible

Too bad it wont work with the new 3.2 P4 out :(

[AntecRep]

Actually it will. AFAIK Intel hasn't spec'd in a new test for the slightly higher CPU's. Then again I haven't actually checked Intel's site in awhile.

AntecRep

[number1sixerfan]

Originally posted by Ackmed
Too bad it wont work with the new 3.2 P4 out :(

Are you talking about the case?

[Valden]

Originally posted by Ackmed
Too bad it wont work with the new 3.2 P4 out :(

Methinks that is sarcasm I am hearing :p

[number1sixerfan]

Originally posted by Valden
Methinks that is sarcasm I am hearing :p

Me too, but if it's not we got an even bigger problem on our hands.:D

[Ackmed]

Yeah.. I was being sarcastic. Just found it funny that a case is spec'd to run a certain CPU speed.

[number1sixerfan]

Originally posted by Ackmed
Yeah.. I was being sarcastic. Just found it funny that a case is spec'd to run a certain CPU speed.

Thank God, you had me worried for a minute there.:D