Creative Labs GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System with BasXPort Technology

by Creative Labs

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 6.1 x 12.9 inches ; 8.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00113V748
• Item model number: 51MF1585AA001
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer

"If you're obsessive about music and movies, these compact speakers deliver audio that rivals most entry-level 5.1 setups." -- Computer Shopper

"With powerful bass and crisp audio, Creative's Gigaworks T40 redefines what small speaker systems are capable of." -- Computer Shopper

Professionally designed full-range speaker system for acoustic audio performance and bass

Redefine your audio listening experience with the Creative GigaWorks T40. This new class of performance desktop speakers features a three-driver design for audiophile-like audio that injects new life to your desktop music-listening experience. Like the GigaWorks T20 the Creative GigaWorks T40 features the same hallmark of quality the GigaWorks series of speakers is well-known for--guaranteeing you a rich and defined performance. The GigaWorks T40 features Midrange-Tweeter-Midrange (MTM) driver configuration that improves the overall audio balance with deeper and richer bass effects, giving you music that sounds fuller, warmer in tone and closer to the original audio.

With quality components, such as the dual woven glass fiber cone driver, the cloth dome tweeters, BasXPort technology and the convenient control and entertainment extension, the GigaWorks T40 truly delivers its promise of acoustic audio quality with a style that complements any setup.

	Desktop power redefined Trendy and elegant, this 2.0 designer speaker system is slim and compact even to put on your desktop! With its distinctive industrial aura design, this is one classy speaker system you won't want to hide under your table.
	Listen to the detail The new Midrange-Tweeter-Midrange (MTM) audiophile design delivers smoother performance for your enjoyment. Create the audiophile experience at your desktop today.
	Dual woven glass fiber cone Experience natural and accurate lower frequency response with all your music.
	Cloth dome tweeter Enjoy clear, accurate highs. The cloth design provides better resistance to humidity and temperature changes.
	BasXPort The BasXPort is acoustically engineered to enhance the lower range by efficiently channelling sound waves from the inner chamber to the soundstage.
	Convenient access Get the bass, treble and volume you want with the easily manoeuvred controls.
	Hear it on the big screen Connect the speaker system to your TV or gaming console and enjoy solid audio entertainment.

Product Description

Redefine your audio listening experience with the Creative GigaWorks T40. This new class of performance desktop speakers features a three-driver design for audiophile-like audio that injects new life to your desktop music-listening experience. Like the GigaWorks T20 the Creative GigaWorks T40 features the same hallmark of quality the GigaWorks series of speakers is well-known for - guaranteeing you a rich and defined performance. The GigaWorks T40 features Midrange-Tweeter-Midrange (MTM) driver configuration that improves the overall audio balance with deeper and richer bass effects, giving you music that sounds fuller, warmer in tone and closer to the original audio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Looking, Wonderful speakers, March 12, 2008

By 

Leon M. Bodevin "Do right and fear no man" (Lemoore, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Labs GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System with BasXPort Technology (Personal Computers)

I'll admit that I was drawn to these speakers by their striking appearance. They are very attractive speakers and also seem very well built, as if Creative had spared no expense on the casing and yellow woven drivers. So that said, how good are these speakers? First off, when watching movies or television on my laptop, these are fantastic. They sound like surround sound and are very clear and very loud. I don't know how Creative got such great results from such a meager power rating (28 watts) but they did. These would be great for a living room if you wanted to attach them to a television. For music, you get similar clarity and volume. The bass is also very impressive and my friends did not believe me that there was not a subwoofer in there somewhere. That said, I noticed something that annoyed me when listening to music: the music sounded hollow somehow. It's a small complaint to an otherwise great set of speakers, but it is still annoying. For audiophiles, this will probably be an important issue so I would recommend my previous speakers (Philips MMS321 2.0, $65 on Amazon) as a better alternative. They are not quite as loud but the sound quality is comparable. The Philips also have more watts (40) and are considerably less expensive.

Update after several weeks of use: I've noticed that after a month or so of breaking these speakers in that they have improved dramatically. I no longer have any legitimate complaints about them whatsoever. When I listen to music on them now, the music sounds natural, very clear and vibrant. My friend has a set of Logitech 2.1 speakers that I was listening to the other day, and while his system has far more wattage and a separate subwoofer, the creatives are infinitely better. The sound on the logitechs sounded very artificial compared to the sound of these speakers.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Creative's GigaWorks T40 2.0 Speakers - An Awesome Update to the T20s, May 21, 2008

By 

Mark "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)   

This review is from: Creative Labs GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System with BasXPort Technology (Personal Computers)

My curiosity got the better of me with these and I had to try them out. With the Creative GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Speaker System they are really forcing consumers into some tough decisions, and that's a good thing. The bottom line is that this update makes the T40s the best speakers in a 2.0 Bookshelf body type. Just like Creative's GigaWorks T20 2.0, these speakers are very efficient, getting clear and impressive sound out of a set that has moderate power ratings. They are also well designed and pleasing to the eye, with slightly taller bodies in the same sleek style of the T20s.

Pros
+ Expanded design adds clarity and range with an added mid-woofer pair
+ Nice looks in a sleek form factor
+ High quality ports and cables allow for nice connection options
+ Extra cable
+ Nice adapter for RCA inputs (TV, receiver, etc.)
+ Decent low-end range and base with fantastic mid-range and high end sound
+ Nice more sturdy housing with good controls
+ Great sound output for limited power consumption and in a small 2.0 footprint

Cons:
- Bass XPorts on top will collect dust
- Cost is higher than the smaller T20s or Klipsch Promedias
- Price puts this set closer to 2.1 sets and some low end 5.1 sets

The main improvement over the T20s is an added mid-range set, so that the configuration has midrange, tweeter, midrange in addition to the BasXport proprietary sub-woofer equivalent. The extra mid-woofer pair add an additional dimension of sound that improves clarity and richness. While the T20s were a toss up with the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System, the T40s are almost a slam dunk over them. The only thing that could be better here is the price, with this set hovering in the $120 to $130 range and the promedias and T20s regularly selling in the $70 to $90 price range.

The listed power output of the Creative Gigaworks T40s is pretty comparable to that of the T20s, which are listed at 28 watts and active speaker amplification. But that is only proof that power ratings are very misleading. Others will compare low end speakers against these and cite higher outputs, but are they citing RMS power? Probably not. Bottom line, these may not fill a big room but they can scare the heck out of you with the amount of power they fit in these very efficient speakers.

The cone drivers and tweeters are excellent, and the Bass Xport delivers nice thump. The bass is clearly not subwoofer equivalent, but very nice for a 2.0 set. The sound is rich and clear and can be adjusted via the front knobs. Separate bass and treble knobs allow control but should not be over-used. The standard settings provide perfect sound output for most applications with little to no distortion.

These speakers also look great. Each speaker is about 12 inches tall, versus the 9 inch height of the T20s. The width is almost unchanged, and easily allows you to fit them easily around any workstation.

The bass ports on top require you to clean out the holes to avoid dust build-up. If you need real low-end depth, a subwoofer that comes in a 2.1 set is probably the minimum that will satisfy you. Likewise, if you are a gamer or an audio sound fiend, you really should be looking at 5.1 sets.


Conclusion

For users looking for good quality in a small form factor, this set is a worthy upgrade to the T20s. This is a set of speakers that really need to be heard to be appreciated. Unfortunately, not too many retail outlets have them for a preview. I haven't seen them anywhere yet, so you may just have to trust in Amazon's return policy. Seriously though, you should really test these out.

Beyond the sound quality, price comparisons with other units should be considered. For many people, the additional range and clarity of this set will be well worth the additional cost.

Enjoy!

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perhaps the best 2.0 now available..., May 27, 2008

By 

Eduardo Nietzsche (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Labs GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System with BasXPort Technology (Personal Computers)

...that is, if you don't want an actual studio monitor by a company like M-Audio, which will take up a good bit more desktop real estate and can cost a good chunk more for their mid and high level models. For the size and the price however, these T40s are a very competent pair of speakers.

My good friend of mine got a pair of these for his new Dell laptop, and I've spent the past several days listening to them while housesitting for him. The 3 most common problems that most computer speakers have is overpowering, bloated bass; recessed or non-existent midrange; and screechy, exaggerated treble. These T40s have not totally remedied all 3, but have come closer than most 2.0 speaker systems I have heard. If you are not expecting to shake the walls with them and listen to relatively simple music (MP3s which are already a compromised music medium) on a casual basis, they are excellent. I listened to a range of stuff on them: Beethoven piano concertos, Norah Jones, Iggy Pop, The White Stripes, Bach symphonies, Miles Davis, Madeleine Peyroux ... all sounded quite acceptable! Still no comparison to a regular music system of course, but nothing to groan or grimace over.

And again, it goes without saying but needs to be said anyways in case there are some complete noobs surfing these reviews: these speakers completely wipe the floor with their Bose counterparts!