Creative Inspire T3030 2.1 Speaker System ( 51MF0315AA002 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Creative is such a good computer speaker company, they deserve a lot of credit.

These are not my favorite speakers, though. The tweeter is good...Accoustic guitar or mandolin sounds as if someone is sitting right on my desk playing. The bass is pretty good, although sometimes a bit muffled on higher volume.

But the midrange seems off.Often the high range sounds good, the bass is fine, but the vocals in the mid-range get lost in it all.

The bass unit is medium sized, but it still takes up extra space. So I put it under my desk. BUT, the only volume control is attached by a cord to the bass unit. So I have to reach under the desk to turn it up or down. This is very inconvenient (in a "What were they thinking?" sort of way).

Overall, the system has trouble bringing the high end, bass and mid-range together in a coherent way.

Creative has what I feel is a much better product in the Gigaworks T20.The sound is spectacular, and the bass is built into the same unit as the tweeter and midrange.In particular, the bass shaft extends vertically up along the speaker and opens at the top. So there's no need for a separate third unit for bass. Sounds great in all ranges, has bass and volume controls on the speaker, looks good.

Given the choice betwen the T20 or this T3030 system, definitely go for the T20.

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Product Description:
MODEL- INST3030EF VENDOR- CREATIVE LABSFEATURES- Inspire T3030 Precision audio reproduction and captivating design in an affordable compact 2.1 PC speaker system. The Inspire T3030 combines audio performance and design into a compact affordable 2.1 speaker system. It's ideal for PC users who want to improve the sound of their games music and videos. Includes Two wall-mountable speakers with attached 6 foot cablesPorted wooden subwoofer with 5.25" driver Wired desktop controllerDual RCA-to-stereo adapter (video/game adapter) Stereo-to-stereo audio cable Power supply adapter Quick Start leaflet Warranty and technical support leaflet.* Two-way satellites Robust midrange performance and sparkling reproduction of high frequencyaudio.* Powerful subwoofer with flared port design Solid clean bass response!* Sculpted finish with stylish metal grill Looks great with the latest PC gear!* Wired desktop controller Puts volume bass control and and a headphone connector at yourfingertips.* Video game adapter Easy connection to video game systems like the PlayStation Xbox andGameCube. -- SPECIFICATIONs ------------------------------------POWER RATING - Total RMS : 29 Watts Total System: 60 watts Satellites: 6 watts RMS per speaker (measured @ 4ohms @ 10% THD @ 150Hz - 20kHz twochannels driven). Subwoofer : 17 watts RMS (measured @ 4 ohms @ 10%THD @ 45Hz - 150Hz one channeldriven).FREQUENCY RESPONSE - 40Hz to 20kHzREQUIREMENTS - PC/Notebook with a stereo audio sourceMP3 player or other audio playerVideo game system with stereo audio output

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Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There's good and bad about the Companion 5, and most of the bad is just the nature of technology today.

The good is that the sound coming from two speakers and an "Acoustimass module" (read, "subwoofer with circuitry") is remarkably close to the sound you would get from 5 speakers and a subwoofer.The Bose system really does know how to 'fake' an acoustic space, and the circuitry somehow manages to figure out how to split out sound ranges:voices sound clear and crisp and seem to come from out of thin air in the dead center of your screen, ancillary sounds move all around the room through the left and right channels, and low-end whump is modulated well so that low notes don't all sound exactly the same.I've read that the lower-end 'Companion' series lack this degree of sophistication, so keep that in mind if you're comparing models.

The bad is that when it comes to computer speaker systems, you really don't have a whole lot of choices.Not many high-end manufacturers (that I have come across) go to the trouble of making a sound system that's geared towards a computer:top-tier quality in multi-speaker systems is left to the home theater crowd.While I'd hoped to see easy-to-find entries from Definitive, Yamaha, or Infinity, the computer scene seemed entirely populated by Creative and Logitech.Oh, and by the way, Bose makes a few choices.

Still, what an excellent choice the Companion 5 has turned out to be!I set this up on a laptop with integrated sound.It's in a corner that has a window behind the desk, a wall to the right, a larger window, and then the left is a wide-open entryway and there's about 15 feet of open space behind the chair.You'd think that would automatically foul the acoustics but somehow the Companion 5 keeps things balanced in this unbalanced environment.It was amazing to have a second person enter the room and not impact the spatial feel of watching a movie in Dolby Digital.Even sitting behind the user, your ears will get clean separation of sound (though not all the positional feel of someone in the front seat).Windows 7 has the ability to tune the acoustics of a room using the speakers and a microphone, but it turns out this is not only unnecessary, it tends to make things worse:all it seemed to do was crank up the right channel and almost completely mute the left.

Which brings us to perhaps the most important thing to know about the Companion 5:like any computer accessory, you need to fiddle with it to get it to work the way you want it to.Bose's manual seems to carry you just as far as getting everything connected (and their support FAQs seem to avoid doing more than regurgitate pages of the manual at you), so here's what you'll want to do to really get the most out of this system.

Regardless of whether you have a sound card or onboard audio, don't bother trying to use "environmental effects" or "audio enhancements" in your software.The Bose speakers don't connect to your sound card at all:rather than a typical speaker audio plug, they connect to your computer solely via a USB cable.This means that Windows and Mac both see the speakers as an "audio device"--as if the Companion 5 was its own sound card.If you see features in the Device Manager (or Control Panel, or audio software) such as "Bass Management", "Room Enhancement", or "Surround Simulation", don't enable or configure them:the Companion 5 takes the incoming signal and does all this for you, and changing the settings in Windows only gets in the way--we discovered the mid and high ranges were wiped out when these features were on and everything sounded muffled and cheap.

In Windows Vista and Windows 7, all of your "audio devices" are visible via the Control Panel ("Hardware and Sound" --> "Audio Devices").Use this interface to specify the Bose Companion 5 as the default output device on your computer (right-click "Bose USB Audio" and choose "Set as Default Device").This doesn't mean any speaker or headphone jacks don't work any more:because the Companion 5 is a USB device, removing it will automatically cause Windows to fall back on the next audio device in line.Though I have to say you probably won't ever want to disconnect the Companion 5:the controller knob comes with line in and headphone jacks, which means you can still use a headset whenever you want and get the quality sound processing of the Bose Acoustimass technology.

Now for the final tweaks:whenever you have a software package you use for playback (such as Media Monkey, PowerDVD, etc.), you'll want to pick a favorite song, play it, and tweak the software's equalizer to get the sound the way you like it.This sounds tedious, but it's not that difficult:dragging sliders for a couple of minutes gives you a pretty good feel for what sounds good and what doesn't.And once you save those settings, the player sounds just right, every time.If you're a Windows user, I also recommend you take the time to configure Windows Media Player's equalizer, even if you don't use Windows Media Player or Windows Media Center:something tells me that browser-embedded audio and video will benefit from these tweaks thanks to the Windows Media Player's kudzu-like infestation of the OS.

Physically, the Companion 5 is nice:the speakers are a bit dense, but stylish looking:they sit on sturdy posts and have a small enough profile to make them easy to ignore.The Acoustimass module is pretty heavy, but also fairly compact:about a few inches bigger than the Logitech Z530's control unit.Best of all, the controller for the speakers is a very classy-looking little wheel, about the diameter of a soda can.Volume is smooth and responsive with a light spin of the outer edge of the unit, turning on and muting is as easy as tapping the center, and the controller has two jacks(headphone and line in) for connecting a headset.The only real complaints about the Companion 5's form are:

a) the bass dial for the subwoofer is on the back of the Acoustimass module, which means lowering the bass will involve crawling on the floor; and
b) there is no "Off" switch:the Companion 5 will power itself down after "several minutes of inactivity", but there isn't any simple way to save energy by, say, tapping the controller.

If you love spending a lot of time in front of your computer watching movies, listening to music, or gaming, the Companion 5 makes a crowning touch to the experience.The Acoustimass technology really does manage sound smartly without the need for multiple speakers tucked away around your desk, and the setup is fairly simple (I'll gladly answer questions & offer help in the Comments section here).The documentation and support could have been a lot better, but with a little bit of first-time adjustment, this system will reward your efforts with excellent sound and minimal crowding of your desk.

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Logitech x-230 2.1 2-Piece Dual Drive Speakers with Ported Subwoofer Review

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(More customer reviews)These little speakers rock! The sound is very clean and full, with a signal to noise ration >96dB.

The bass is very solid and deep for such a small driver, with a slightly noticeable peak in frequency response around 80Hz or so, depending on what you are listening to. I personally have to turn the volume of the sub to it's lowest level, or the bass overwhelms everything else. I think the greatest thing about these speakers is that even at a low overall volume level the sound is very full with plenty of deep bass (very similar to sound you get from a pair of large element headphones). A lot of speakers sound very thin at low volume levels as the bass rolls off, but not these, the little sub box just keeps thumping. One word of warning: The sub unit is NOT video shielded! Do not place it anywhere near your monitor, or you will ruin it, place it in the floor under your desk as recomended.

These speakers will bring the life back to your MP3 collection, and I won't even mention video games. Buy and enjoy!

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Product Description:
Package Contents: X-230 Speaker System (2 satellites, 1 subwoofer), color-coded audio cables, user manual, 2-year limited warranty. Crank up the audio on your PC with the Logitech X-230 Speaker System. It delivers clean, crisp, consistent sound from your games, music, and more. Two wall-mountable satellite speakers use Logitech's patented FDD2 technology to eliminate uneven sound response. The result is a clear, uniform sound field without the "hot spots" and inconsistency of other dual-driver satellites. Master volume and subwoofer level controls placed for quick, convenient access. Satellite speaker stands rotate for easy wall-mounting. Enhance your listening experience. Black finish. Signal-to-noise ratio - >96dB Speaker Dimensions(HxWxD) - 8 x 2.5 x 3 (Satellites); 9 x 6 x 9.25 (Subwoofer)

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Altec Lansing VS2421 2.1 Music and Gaming Stereo Speaker System with Microphone (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm an audiophile, I listen critically to every nuance of music and enjoy faithful reproduction of it.That said, I'm quite surprised that these speakers actually create a decent image in a nearfield setup.Voices are palpable and details are presented nicely.

I've certainly heard worse for 10 times the price, that's for sure.The sub is rich and full and easily overpowers the satellites.It's not overly boomy, maybe a little 'wooly' but nice.Just keep it turned down to a third or fourth on the sub's volume control.

I'm thinking with some break-in the sats may dig a little deeper and the whole system will integrate a little better.My only criticism at this point is there is a bit of a mid-bass dip... or a hole between the midrange and deep bass... And again, I'm hoping this fills in as the speakers move more freely after more use.

I'm very impressed with this little system at any volume. It gets plenty loud for my office and you can really rock out if you want to... And it sounds good at low volume too!I'd suggest a simple placement, with satellites left and right of the monitor and do whatever you have room to do with the sub.

This system comes with a volume control that includes main volume, treble control, and a microphone in one easy-to-use unit.The main volume knob is nice and big with a light so it's easy to find and adjust quickly if the phone rings.

I haven't tried the microphone yet but my system did not come with the microphone cable (nor did it come with any instructions).You'll need a male-to-male headphone-type cable to connect the main controller and mic to the PC.

Great system for the price, highly recommended.

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Product Description:
SPEAKERS, 3-PIECE MUSIC & GAMING W/

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Logitech X-240 2.1 Speakers (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Odd... well, one would think a product released later with a higher model number would be better. Apparently, that rule does not apply here. Sneaky marketing?

I also own the X-230 and I was very impressed with it, considering they're 2.1 speakers. The X-230 actually feels like surround sound. However, I can't say the same about the X-240's. The X-240 just sounds like what one would usually expect from 2.1 speakers.

The X-230 has two drivers in each speaker (total of four), whereas this new version, X-240, only contains one; that may be why it sounds more flat.

The X-240 sounds like I'm just listening from a regular jukebox. It doesn't sound terrible, but it just doesn't have that rich dynamic feel and sounds a bit muffled.

The X-230 bass is pretty overpowering even at the lowest setting; maybe because of those complaints, Logitech decided to make the X-240 rely more on treble and tried to go for clarity. Unfortunately, the result ended up sounding more flat. I guess Logitech tried to cut back costs by using only one driver for each speaker. Bad idea.

Speaking of cheap... honestly, the dock is very cheap. Basically, you slide it out -- and it doesn't even come out that far -- where you place one of the plastic "adapters" (included for the iPod, Zune, etc...).I tried to set it up, so I could place the iPod sync cable and place my iPod Classic, but that was a mess. The cable would not hold in place firmly at all; and without connecting to it, there wouldn't be anything secure to hold the mp3 player. The "dock" (if you can even call it that) is just unreliable and worthless for me. There's really no weight to the "dock", so it would easily knock over. It is basically a HUGE volume remote. The volume control is also on the side of the dock, and the dial, again, feels cheap. The speaker dial for the X-230 is located nicely on the speaker and the design/feel is so much better.

Bad ergonomics: The X-230 cradle (huge remote) is also hard wired together to the subwoofer, so that makes it very difficult setting it up on the desk.

Everything--ergonomics, design, sound--the previous model, X-230, wins against the X-240. I was looking forward for the added "dock" feature, but that is truly a gimmick. It was definitely an afterthought.

I own many Logitech products, and I've been impressed with most of them, but this one was disappointing. The sound difference is quite significant. If you have a choice between the two, I would definitely go for the X-230, even if it costs a little extra. No question.

If you absolutely can't stand bass, then the X-240 may be for you--but you will also be sacrificing a more dynamic surround sound because of less speaker drivers.

In the end, these are just "Okay" speakers.

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Product Description:
The stow-away MP3 cradle makes the Logitech X-240 speakers more than just a great speaker system for your computer. Connect your digital audio player with the included auxiliary cable, or use your own USB/power cable to sync, charge and play digital music from your iPod, Zune, PDA or mobile phone. Dynamic, real-time bass equalization maximizes bass response from the down-firing subwoofer while high-excursion drivers provide rich sound from the slim, stylish satellites.

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Logitech Z680 5.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have wanted to go digital for long time.My Logitech Z-5300 was an amazing set of speakers, however its lack of digital inputs/outputs isolated its potential to the home PC.Finally, the price of the Logitech Z-680 dropped to an affordable price.

I sold my Z-5300s to another student in my dorm, and purchased the Z-680 from Amazon.com.Amazingly, I received the set within 2 business days via UPS Ground.Needless to say, I am immensely satisfied with Amazon.com.

Thankfully, I had recently purchased a Philips DVP642 player as well, and after reading that the video coaxial RCA cable was the same as the digital audio coaxial, I was all set and ready to go.

So far, I have tested the DVDs Matrix: Revolutions and Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King.I was amazed by the quality of the sound.However, I agreed with the other reviewers that the bass was a bit boomy, especially in Matrix Revolutions.This can be easily remedied by lowering the level of the subwoofer.

When playing my DivX encoded AC3 movies, I saw that changing to Dolby Movie Mode 2 was almost the same as having true Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.It did an excellent job of separating the audio tracks among the voice, music, and sound effects.
Edit 9/25/04: Please read my latest update which explains the difference between Dolby Prologic Decoding and Dolby Digital 5.1.Knowledge is Power!

I have yet to hook my Z-680s to my home PC, but there was very little hiss while my set was hooked up to my DVD player.The hiss was certainly not loud enough to warrant annoyance or disturbance.

Update 9/06/04:

I hooked the system up to my PC via coaxial s/pdif.There is no hiss at all.However, when using the analog connections, there was a very noticeable hiss.I could even hear it 3-4 feet away, which became very irritating.

Trust me, if you buy the Z-680s, do yourself a favor and use the coaxial connection.You won't regret it.I have decided to leave the Z-680s as my personal home theatre system as opposed to hooking them up to my PC.

Last note: the Philips DVP642 is the perfect complement to the Logitech Z-680s.You cannot go wrong with them.Having the two items has been a blast.

Update 9/16/04:

Still loving the Z-680s. I have it hooked up to my suitemate's Xbox, TV, and the Philips DVP 642.Since the Xbox and TV both use analog inputs, I used the handy RCA to 1/8 converter included with the Z-680s.I also purchased a 1/8 splitter.I am considering purchasing the Xbox Advanced AV Pack to utilize the optical connection on the Z-680.

Warning: the subwoofer has become ridiculous...after breaking in the speakers for two weeks, normal levels of bass not only shake my whole 5th floor, but the 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th floors-no kidding!Surprisingly, the 4th and 6th floors received the most impact--those vibrations go a loooong way!Remember, if you buy this unit, keep the bass at 20%, unless you are watching Star Wars...then pump it up!

Update 9/25/04:

There have been claims that Logitech has been falsely advertising their product as having true Dolby Digital 5.1 when allegedly, they only had Dolby Prologic II decoding.

Now, there is a big difference between the two.The Dolby Prologic decoding technology has been around for a looooong time; I can remember it since 1991 when my family purchased our first home audio set.DolbyPrologic takes stereo channels and converts them into a surround sound environment--to good effect, but nonetheless hardly comparable to true Dolby Digital 5.1, a more recent technology which directs its sound with far greater accuracy to all six channels, frequency, clear separation of effects and dialog, and clarity than Dolby Prologic.

I too, became a concerned consumer after hearing these rumors on forums and consumer reviews on Newegg and here on Amazon.My product box did not dictate clearly whether it had one decoder or the other or both, so I decided to call a Logitech technician.Thankfully, the the Z-680s came equipped with the ability to decode both Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Prologic II.

So when you are playing a DVD you should see "Dolby Digital" appear on the LCD screen of the Digital SoundTouch Control Center.The Dolby Music/Movie Mode that you see when you are playing mp3s or watching a DivX movie is the Dolby Prologic II decoder at work and works very well to its credit.

In a side note, screw Dolby Digital and stick to DTS, the other digital surround sound option the Logitech Z-680 offers, when playing DVDs if the option is available.I have had a greater experience with DTS 5.1 decoding with the Z-680s in the 10 movies I have watched in comparison to Dolby Digital 5.1.DTS makes great use of the surround sound even in movies such as Zoolander [which otherwise makes very little directional use of the rear speakers].Even my five suitemates agree that DTS has a richer, fuller sound and because of the variety of DVDs we watch during the weekends, it is difficult to say that we are influenced by placebo.There IS a difference :-).

New Setup:

Analog Input - from T.V. & Playstation 2 with stereo splitter
Optical Digital Input - from Xbox
Coaxial Digital Input- from Philips DVP642 DVD Player

Update 10/05/04:

Here is a brief comparison between Dolby Pro-Logic II and Dolby Digital 5.1 using two selected movies:

Dolby Movie Mode with DivX encoded movie Man on Fire:
Voice/Dialogue - mostly center channel with slight residual sound from front left/right speakers.
Music/Score - Evenly divided among front and rear left/right speakers
Sound Effects - Non-directional, evenly distributed.During the gun fight scene when the girl is kidnapped, Pro-Logic II simulates a surround sound effect of gun-fire, making it multi-directional.

Dolby Digital 5.1 for Man on Fire DVD collector's edition:
Voice/Dialogue - Isolated to center channel
Music/Score - Directional music: fades from front to rear speakers or vice versa, varying from scene to scene.
Sound Effects - Directional.Isolated use of rear speakers from rear left to rear right when cars drive by.During the gun scene mentioned above, distinct sounds of bullets "whizzed by" from front right to rear left speakers.

Dolby Movie Mode with DivX encoded movie Star Wars Phantom Menace:
Voice/Dialogue - mostly center channel with slight residual sound from front left/right speakers.
Music/Score - Evenly divided among front and rear left/right speakers
Sound Effects - Non-directional, evenly distributed.Surround sound lightsaber effects can be overpowering as a "large hum" especially with the Z-680's powerful subwoofer.

Dolby Digital 5.1 for Star Wars Phantom Menace DVD:
Voice/Dialogue - Isolated to center channel except in large rooms, echoes can be heard in surround speakers.
Music/Score - Directional music: fades from front to rear speakers and vice versa varying in scenes.
Sound Effects - Directional.Spaceship travel from rear left to front right.Close-up light saber swings begin from rear left and travel to front left, front right, and ends with the rear right speaker.

Update 10-24-05:

OMG!I finally got AC3 to work-but I don't know how!Well, I was playing the Casshern DVD back-up encoded with XVID and AC3.I didn't expect the AC3 to work, so I set the audio effect to Movie Mode.However, I suddenly was hearing discrete audio from my surround sound channels.Bewildered, I went up and listened closely to the center channel, and then the front left channel.Hmmm, either I was having a really good Prologic decode or this was playing in Dolby Digital!I glanced at my control pod and I couldn't believe my eyes--it stated it was decoding in Dolby Digital!Wow!Now I am going to check on all of my AC3 encodes...this is too cool.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Z680 5.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Silver)

Product Description:
The Logitech Z-680 gives you THX-certified theater-quality digital sound. Both optical and coaxial inputs provide for simple connection to nearly any audio appliance, and with the digital SoundTouch control center and the wireless remote, you can sit back, stretch out, and let loose.
The bass pumps through the Z-680's 188-watt subwoofer. Four 62-watt satellites and a 69-watt center channel provide crystal-clear midrange and highs.
The Z-680 includes built-in Dolby Digital and DTS hardware decoding. Connect the Z-680 directly to a PC sound card, Xbox, PlayStation2, DVD player, satellite receiver, or other Dolby-ready source and get true surround sound. You can also get 5.1 surround sound from a stereo input through the advanced Dolby Pro Logic II system. You can also connect up to four audio sources simultaneously, while accessing each one at the touch of a button.

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Creative Inspire T3100 2.1 Speakers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm accustomed to computer speakers that produce sound as dull as dishwater, so the first time that I listened to the Inspire T3100 speaker system was an unexpected wakeup call. The sound is VERY lively, and the treble, in particular, is both strong and smooth -- guitar notes come alive (Clapton, Doobie Brothers), saxophone wails (Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" is especially nice), and I notice little details and backbeats in the music that I'd never picked out before.

I was concerned that the subwoofer on an inexpensive system like this might be too "boomy," but not at all -- the sound was very natural. There's a knob on the back to adjust subwoofer output, but I set it in the middle and felt no need to fiddle with it. If you like really big, thumping base, other system probably would provide more.

Volume is easily sufficient to fill a typical small office or spare bedroom. The subwoofer is a bit smaller than a shoebox standing on end. The satellite speakers have bases large enough so they won't tip over too easily. The right speaker has a power/volume rotary switch on one side that feels smooth and substantial, with a blue LED power light in the front and a headphone jack on the other side. The transformer is inside the sub, so there's no annoying power "brick." The components have a substantial look and feel, not flimsy.

My only comment regarding sound quality is that in music with a lot of base and treble, the vocals don't always burst forth with the same enthusiasm. This is more true of male vocalists -- the higher-pitched ladies (early Dionne Warwick, for example) come through just fine. But this can be easily fixed using the equalizer controls in ITunes -- the "enhance vocals" preset actually works very well. There are no tone controls on the speakers, but the electronic equalizer is probably a more effective and accurate device.

My reference speakers for these were a 10-year-old pair of Altec Lansing ACS40, which were not bad speakers at the time (and, of course, can still be found on E-Bay!). The Altecs still produce a smooth, pleasant sound -- but VERY dull and muted compared to the Creative system.

Frankly, I bought this new system not expecting much. Another set of old speakers had given up the ghost, and I wanted to get something that would be slightly better than the usual $10 replacement pair. But these are a LOT better than I expected (and I'm the kind of person who is more likely to be disappointed than impressed by the stuff I buy). So I can recommend these without reservation.

Oops, here comes "Take Five" again on the shuffle play -- gotta go. There's some drum work in the middle that's coming through really nicely - lively with just the right amount of reverb. Definitely not to be wasted on bad speakers.

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Product Description:
Experience high-fidelity audio with the Creative Inspire T3100. This two-way designed speaker system features a tweeter and mid-range driver that delivers HiFi quality sound onto your desktop. Listen in greater details from cymbals, triangles or acoustic guitar, all with better warmth and character thats designed to give you a live experience thats close to reality. Enhanced with the powered wood subwoofer at 17Watts RMS and youll begin to feel every fibre of your music.

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Sony SRS D21 - 2.1-channel PC multimedia speaker system - 20 Watt (total) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I actually bought this item from BestBuy, but I'm looking for a new speaker system right now (to upgrade from this) and I figured I'd write a review of this for any other people who need a cheap, 2.1 system.

Let me start out this way, for the price tag, these do much more than you think they would... The clarity of the playback is fairly impressive considering that it is only a 2.1 sound system, and most of that is due to the bass reflex encasement that the two main speakers are using. Also, because of that speaker build, these speakers can get VERY LOUD, surprisingly loud to be honest with you. I was actually able to fill a small auxilliary gym with these little guys, I just hooked up my ipod touch and cranked the music while I was shooting some hoops, and I was shocked to say the least at how well they can hold up at the higher volumes. Let me cut to the chase with this review though.

-Very loud for a 2.1 system, and an awesome buy if you're looking for a budget system or a 2.1 system.
-The subwoofer is small, and doesn't produce very much of anything, be prepared for good highs, average to below par mids, and nonexistent lows.
-Set up is incredibly easy, maybe 5 minutes times if your wires are extremely tangled, and that's not an exaggeration.
-Look fairly clean, and all in all, you get what you pay for, you really couldn't ask for more from a system at this price range.
-If you're just impulsively buying (like I sometimes do), DO NOT BUY THESE JUST BECAUSE THE PRICE IS LOW, you will more than likely come to regret the decision, as I did. I'm upgrading my system now to the Logitech 5500, and if you're looking for a more comprehensive and full system, do not consider these (that should go without saying as these are a 2.1 system...)

*keep in mind that this system will be better than most earbuds and headphones out there, and while it does have some bass capability, it will not compare to most other actual sound systems. **edit, with a decent sound card, this system actually is very crisp for playback quality (again, surprisingly for a 2.1 system). I haven't used many other 2.1 systems, but this one will hold it's own decently for accuracy of playback.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony SRS D21 - 2.1-channel PC multimedia speaker system - 20 Watt (total)

Product Description:
With its unique design, and exciting options, the SRS-D21 2.1 multimedia speaker system truly enhances your music or gaming experience. This system includes a 3-piece multimedia speaker system (2 satellites + 1 subwoofer), powerful bass-enhanced music or pc gaming sound, and 20 watts of total output power (2W x 2; 20W). Additionally, the SRS-D21 includes a headphone jack for private listening, making these speakers a great choice for home or office use. Get powerful 20-watt sound without disrupting your personal, home, or office space.

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Logitech Z340 2.1 Computer Speakers (3-Speaker, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For the price, it is difficult to beat this set of speakers. Sure, Logitech is an unlikely contestant in this arena, but it easily beats any others near this set's low price. Right off the bat, you will notice that there is a power button, volume control knob and headphone jack on the right speaker. Some speakers in this price range inconveniently put the volume control and power button on the subwoofer (which is supposed to be placed out of sight and reach) and most lack a headphone jack. Incidentally, plugging in headphones automatically mutes the speakers - nice.
That said, the sound quality, although better than similar-priced competitors, does have very significant shortcomings compared to speakers costing just a few dollars more. Most noticeably, the satellite speakers utilize a single cone each - thus the treble is slightly rolled off, giving a slightly "hollow" sound compared to systems which boast a seperate tweeter and midrange. Similarly, the bass unit, although impressive in its ability to pump out loud volumes, is also rolled off - the rating of 35Hz is too optimistic. My measurements show a more realistic rating of 50Hz, even after putting the subwoofer in a corner which should result in the most reinforcement of low frequencies. The subwoofer cabinet is made of wood, so what bass it does produce is tight and clean.
If you can afford it, doubling your budget can buy satellites with seperate mid-range and tweeter drivers that will give significantly better sound. But for the penny-pincher, look no further.

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Product Description:
The Logitech Z340 produces clear highs and distortion-free lows through a revolutionary 3-piece system design. The patented subwoofer delivers twice the bass energy of similar systems and the satellites provide a convenient headphone jack and volume control. An internal power supply eliminates bulky wall adaptors.

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LS21 2.1 Speakers - Pink Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These speakers are very cute being pink and all. They have plenty of extra cable so that you can run them quite a way from the computer itself. I liked the subs power but the satelites do seem to lack a bit. That is to say Ive had louder speakers but the quality that they put out is good and doesnt distort like some.
If your looking for speakers for your home entertainment system and want to use them for parties these probably are not for you, however if you need a good set of desktop speakers for gaming and or listening to music in your bedroom these are the right choice.Plus the pink color is perfect to help keep the guys off your computer.

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Product Description:
LogitechLS-21 2.1 Multimedia Speakers (Pink) - deliver great sound for all your music, games, and moviesall from a modern, space-saving design that looks great on your desk. High-excursion drivers and a down-firing subwoofer produce full, balanced audio and deep, rich bass. The wired control pod and headphone jack provide extra convenience.

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