Customer Reviews

Creative Labs Cambridge SoundWorks FPS1000 PCWorks 5-Piece Computer Speakers

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

These speakers work more than fine for music, CDs, MP3s, and some videos. Still, if you want to buy speakers for watching movies from a DVD, you will need Creative FPS2000 which is a package of 5.1 channel decoder (Dolby Digital, AC3, 5.1) and as it is obvious 1 main speaker, 4 satellites and 1 subwoofer. Much more powerful. Even better: the Creative's digital speakers (i think DTT2500) for pure digital sound! It is really disappointing to discover later that you can't enjoy the DVD's features in sound because of the FPS1000 speakers!

These speakers are the best you can get for the money. The CSW 5.1 channel digital are better, but unless you have a DVD player and really want great digital audio, go with these. Ive tried Boston Acoustic Digital speakers and some other high priced name brand speakers and they can't even compare. Get the Creative Labs Live (Live Value, Live MP3+, or Live X-Gamer-then do yourself a favor and download LiveWare 3.0 from Creative Labs) sound card to really make 'em rock. This makes the fourth set of speakers I've had for my computer and I will not be giving these up. The only thing I didn't like is there is not a jack for headphones.(But who the heck wants headphones when you got all that power just waiting to be released).

These speakers matched with Soundblaster Live make your computer come to life. Easy setup and installation. If I had to use just one word "WOW". Kudos to Amazon.com for excellent delivery. I ordered them on 22 Dec and they arrived on the 24th!

This is easily the most impressive sounding system I have heard for the price. The Henry Kloss magic has been weaved, and with four 3 inch square sattelite speakers and a tiny sub-woofer, he has eeked out sounds that many of us would be surprised to hear from an expensive HiFi. Bass is tight and well controlled, it does distort at higher volumes, but these are levels you're unlikely to be using in most situations. The tiny cubes are little gems offering crystal clear highs and a surprisingly rich midtone rendition, I would however have them facing 45 degrees or so AWAY from your listening position as this helps refine the treble characteristics a little. The in-line volume control makes it possible to situate it anywhere you like, and having a single control for the 5 speakers is a welcomed option. The sub sports 4 RCA connectors, and a front and rear line in from the volume control. There's also an on/off switch which I'd have preferred to see on the front rather than the back, and also a "set and forget" knob for bass level. The supplied stands are a little feeble, but certainly up to the job, and while I've heard complaints that they're too short, this tends to offer a better angle for listening generally rather than having them firing into the back of your head. With a twin amp set-up feeding sub and sattelites seperately, each tuned to the characteristics of the target speaker, the audio is rich and full across most of the range, only falling short in the sub 60hz field, but you'll need trained ears to have it bother you. If I'd paid $150 for this quality of sound, I'd consider I had a bargain, but at this price there really is nothing around to touch it. It may not rattle your fillings loose, but it will certainly impress even the most demanding of listeners. Well done Soundworks!

The radio interference really is quite bad. Granted, I live in downtown Atlanta, and you can probably pick up FM on your fillings, but even without connecting it to a sound source, I could hear radio. After monkeying with various configurations, I discovered that looping the sub's input twice around the speaker (with a single twist) reduced the static to an acceptable level. What worked even better was just crumpling up the input cable and holding it in my fist; but I got hungry and had to let go.

The performance of this product is INCREDIBLE

I would just like to say that these speakers kick. I purchased the surround sound after i had an awesome experience with the 3 piece version. (sub, 2 satalites) In stead of using these speakers with my computer, i just plugged them into my boombox's head-phone jack. Since the speakers have their own power supply, they don't lack when you turn it up!. they are infinitely better than the tinny-speakers that came with the mini-system. the bass is outstanding, and the satelites are so small, you can put them anywhere! I truely think that these are the BEST ALL AROUND SPEAKERS FOR THE PRICE! Just go to a cambridge soundworks-they are almost always on display! THESE SPEAKERS ARE WORTH THE $$$! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FOR ANY ENTHUSIAST!

Good things do come in small packages. The satellite speakers may be small, but dont be fooled by that, they are LOUD. The subwoofer adds that perfect bass that you need to go along with any sounds you want. This speaker set coupled with the Soundblaster Live! is just incredible. You can definitely hear the difference. And its true what Creative says: "Sounds so real - it's live!"

Simply the best there is. I cannot emphasize on how much I recommend these speakers. You will find the sound system in line with even the high priced speakers... and sometimes even exceeding their quality as well.

This is a very good low-budget speaker system, but there are a few drawbacks associated with the product. For the vast majority of users, PC games and audio CDs sound very good, and the four speakers do of course allow for stereo effects. The subwoofer is small enough to fit under your desk, the two front speakers are small enough to fit comfortably alongside your monitor, and the system is easy to hook up.

I used these speakers for three years, and very early on I began having plug connectivity problems. If I plugged all of my plugs in tightly, I would at best get sound from two speakers. I had to play around with the plugs and find a magic spot, loose enough for each plug to stay put without falling out, in order to get all four speakers working at once. Any time I bumped the subwoofer, I usually had to go through the process again. Also on the negative side, you have a lot of wires. I seemed to always be tripping over the lines going to my rear speakers or just plain knocking the speakers over onto the floor (without any negative consequences, however).

The main drawback about this speaker system, though, is its lack of abundant insulation on the wires-that is necessarily one of the sacrifices that accounts for the affordable price. I often used to pick up CB radio chatter from truckers passing by my apartment, and sometimes it could be quite loud; if you're not expecting it, it can really make you jump. I basically turned these speakers off whenever I was not using them to avoid the external chatter. If you live in an area where truckers pass by in large numbers, you may want to consider paying a little more to get a better insulated system.

Despite the problems I have mentioned, I do like these speakers a great deal; for the PC user on a budget, these are more than worthy of your consideration. You would be hard pressed to find another system offering such a quality stereo sound for a lower price.