Cyber Acoustics CA-3550 2.1 Computer Speaker System- Black

by Cyber Acoustics

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 12 x 9 inches ; 5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 13 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068P8R
• Item model number: CA-3550
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #36,537 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 24, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Cyber Acoustics' CA-3550 2.1-channel system is set to rock your computer world with its high power output, easy setup, and wallet-friendly price. Whether you're listening to background music while you work or putting the system front and center for your gaming, the CA-3550 will deliver your audio with clarity and slam.

The system consists of a pair of compact satellite speakers driven by 20 watts apiece (each with a 2.5-inch high-efficiency driver) and a powered, 26-watt subwoofer to round out the speakers' low end. A convenient desktop volume control lets you easily manage the system's playback level while you work or play.

The satellites feature cloth grille covers, and the subwoofer is housed in an acoustically balanced wood cabinet with a ported, bass-reflex enclosure for extra low-end heft. The system is PC and Mac compatible, with a single minijack .125-inch stereo analog audio input.

What's in the Box
Two satellite speakers, a subwoofer, requisite hookup cables, a 9-volt power adapter, and a user's manual.

Product Description

- Product Name: Platinum CA3550RB Flat Panel Design Speaker System - Marketing Information: Thunderous bass response! That is what you notice right off with this speaker system. It is a 3 piece (2.1) set utilizing an 8" woofer with a long throw voice-coil and tuned port to further enhance the response. Our new flat panel type satellites with 2.5" super radiators balance the performance for a full audio spectrum response. A built-in 68 watt low distortion amplifier powers these drivers to their optimum range. - Product Type: 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System Technical Information - Speakers Details: 1 x Subwoofer - Speakers Details: 2 x Speaker - System Power: 16W RMS per Satellite - System Power: 36W RMS Subwoofer - System Power: 68W RMS Total Continuous Power - Controls: On/Off Switch - Controls: Master Volume - Controls: Bass Volume - Shielding: Magnetically Shielded Satellite Interfaces/Ports - Interfaces/Ports: Headphone Jack - Interfaces/Ports: 3.5mm Stereo Jack Gold Plated Physical Characteristics - Dimensions: 7.0" Height x 3.5" Width x 2.5" Depth - Satellites - Dimensions: 11.5" Height x 8.0" Width x 7.5" Depth - Subwoofer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent sound, but not for music, August 22, 2002

By	D. Christensen (Leominster, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Cyber Acoustics CA-3550 2.1 Computer Speaker System- Black (Electronics)

OK, this was kind of an impulse buy. I've had a problem watching TV late at night because if I turn the TV up loud enough to understand voices, my wife can't sleep. I'd considered headphones (cordless), but ruled them out as I like to lie down to watch TV, and headphones would be uncomfortable. Then I thought about putting speakers in the headboard of my bed, on my side. That way, I could add volume on my side of the bed only. It worked, by the way. If you have a problem with a spouse who can't sleep while you are watching TV, try a set of small speakers on your side of the bed only.

Anyway, I'd go with Altec Lansing speakers for better sound (I already own them, and use them with my computer), but the only decent ones I could find at the CC I shopped in were much more than I wanted to spend. These Cyber Acoustic speakers were well within my price range, so I decided to give them a shot.

The cabling of these speakers is horrible. The actual speaker wires are extremely thin and flimsy. What's worse, is that the speakers are packaged from the factory with about 6" (six INCHES) of separation between the left and right speakers. I'm not exaggerating. I almost returned them as (at first) I thought this was a factory defect. After all, you couldn't even use the speakers if they could only be separated by such a short distance. Then I noticed that the clip (which holds the left and right speaker wires together) was adjustable. This isn't much help, however. After you move the clip, the wires still need to be TORN apart to increase the separation between the speakers. The wires are so flimsy that it would be VERY easy to damage your speaker wires doing this. Another problem with the speaker wires is that they are permanently fixed to the speakers. Why is this a problem? Well it's not a problem, unless you need to mount the speakers in a cabinet of some kind, and want to route the wires out of sight. See, there's no way to pass the wires THROUGH a cabinet from one speaker to the other, without having to put a whole speaker through the cabinet. In my case, the areas of my headboard between the left and right speaker are separated by a divider. I wanted to route the cables through the back of the headboard, but I couldn't. I had to settle for leaving the cables on the headboard with the speakers. This looks ugly, and the cables interfere with my storing other stuff in the headboard. (such as TV remote)

On sound quality . . . well, I bought these things to listen to TV with. We have Dish Network satellite service. I used RCA style cables to connect the Dish Network receiver to these speakers, using an adapter that came with the speakers. For TV use, the sound is OK. To get the subwoofer volume control (this is a separate control from main volume) set correctly, I hooked up a DVD player to these speakers and listened to one of my favorite music CDs. These speakers have lots of really low bass. That's not necessarily good. See, while it has lots of low bass, the mid-bass response is rather lacking. So with these speakers you either have not enough bass, or too much low bass, depending on how you adjust the subwoofer.

For the price, the sound isn't too bad. I wouldn't recommend these speakers if your primary use is to listen to music though. As I said before, to listen to TV, the sound is decent. I imagine these speakers would be good for computer gaming, also.

By the way, Cyber Acoustics claims these speakers are 60W. They could be, but CC seems to think that they are 40W. I like the power switch and ANALOG volume control on the right satellite speaker. These controls are handy, and work well.

If you need speakers for music use, I'd recommend something by Altec Lansing. But try to get an analog volume control, if possible. My Altec Lansing three piece computer speakers are simply awesome for music use (mp3 files and such). They sound MUCH better than my new Cyber Acoustics speakers. But I don't like the digital up/down volume buttons on my Altec Lansing speakers. -Dave

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't believe these reviews!, August 2, 2005

By	DS (Owings Mills, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cyber Acoustics CA-3550 2.1 Computer Speaker System- Black (Electronics)

I've been using these speakers for maybe a couple of years now. I am in the process of looking for speakers for my wife's computer, and I was surprised to see these still available. Everyone who has heard these speakers played off my laptop (currently a Sony Vaio) are floored! I can't believe the bad reviews! And when I tell people that they only cost $40 they just can't believe it!

I wouldn't classify myself as an audio snob, but I do have a multi-$k home system, and a Mark Levinson system in my car, so I know what great sound sounds like. These speakers are clear and crisp, have incredible bass, and have the power to be played rather loudly. I'm right now listening to Real Jazz on XM, and the sound is clean. The bass can be a little boomy, but it is separately adjustable, and hey, these are $40 speakers!!

For those who think these speakers have poor sound, I have to believe that this is due either to (a) a poor sound card, or (b) limited bandwidth for achieving high fidelity.

I have had absolutely no problems with these speakers. I've knocked them off the desk multiple times, and the wiring continues to hold up. In fact, I like these so much that not only am I going to buy another set for my wife, but I also bought a system for my office. Unfortunately, that was a cheaper set, and the sound isn't quite as outstanding, but still I have had no problem with their reliability.

If they were $400 I wouldn't rate them this highly, but for $40 they're 5 stars!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn't like it, May 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Cyber Acoustics CA-3550 2.1 Computer Speaker System- Black (Electronics)

I bought this and all the subwoofer would put out was a Thump sound for the bass-lines. No real tone, just a thump. I took it back for a logitech x220 and I am much happier.
This also has one other HUGE problem. When I opened the box there was a sticker on the subwoofer stating that there is no magnetic field protection around the unit. Don't set it near hard drives, disks, tapes, etc. That worried me and was the other reason I returned it.