My rave review for JBL's Creature
My dad's birthday was a couple of days ago, and I decided to buy him some speakers for his computer, because any kid of audio sucks on an internal speaker. So I surprised him and dragged him into an Applestore so he could have his choice in speakers. We eventually decided on the Creatures, and we drove home with a set of silver ones.
I set the things up for him, and I noticed how well the hardware was designed. A child could set these things up, even without instructions. All the wiring was color- and shape- coded, so mis-plugging the satellites was impossible.
After they were all plugged in, I played a couple of CD's on the Mac. I was blown away. The base was rich and full, giving audio a very satisfying thump. Classical music is played with wonderful cripness in the treble range, and spoken word is just right, nicely reinforced with base. Although this system probably isn't for people blasting metallica, it provides the sound of a much bigger system.
Now for the aesthetics. The system, while extremely alien, looks good even in tame surroundings. On the underside of each satellite, there is a small green LED, giving the system the look of a fleet of UFOs. The solid-state volume controls, located on the right satellite, were nice because they adjusted with minimal effort. Bass and Treble balance is available through the main unit (the subwoofer), in independant knobs.
I would HIGHLY reccomend this system (I posted this thread for a reason, you know!), and at $129, they fit any budget.
Small system, small price, BIG sound.
-Placebo
I set the things up for him, and I noticed how well the hardware was designed. A child could set these things up, even without instructions. All the wiring was color- and shape- coded, so mis-plugging the satellites was impossible.
After they were all plugged in, I played a couple of CD's on the Mac. I was blown away. The base was rich and full, giving audio a very satisfying thump. Classical music is played with wonderful cripness in the treble range, and spoken word is just right, nicely reinforced with base. Although this system probably isn't for people blasting metallica, it provides the sound of a much bigger system.
Now for the aesthetics. The system, while extremely alien, looks good even in tame surroundings. On the underside of each satellite, there is a small green LED, giving the system the look of a fleet of UFOs. The solid-state volume controls, located on the right satellite, were nice because they adjusted with minimal effort. Bass and Treble balance is available through the main unit (the subwoofer), in independant knobs.
I would HIGHLY reccomend this system (I posted this thread for a reason, you know!), and at $129, they fit any budget.
Small system, small price, BIG sound.
-Placebo
Comments
Originally posted by Placebo
I would HIGHLY reccomend this system (I posted this thread for a reason, you know!), and at $129, they fit any budget.
i think they just recently (within the past few months) dropped the price down to $129... i think they were around $179 before, and that was just too pricey.
out of curiosity, are they usb speakers, or do they connect to the standard audio-out jack on the computer? plus, can you adjust the sound and balance via the sound system preference, or is it all controlled by the knobs and buttons on the speakers themselves?
apple store
But with the upcoming G5 and it's 5.1 support wouldn't this be the better option?
.........apple store again
I'm wondering what sound system to get for my "G5-to arrive".
Originally posted by reactor
[B]They do have touch-sensitive buttons, as described here.
yeah, i've seen the product photography for them, but i want to know if it is possible to use software to control them. why? because depending on where you place them for maximum effect, the knobs on the satellites or subwoofer may be quite difficult to access. i mean, i do NOT want to be hunched down underneath my desk reaching for the woofer every time i want to adjust the bass.
Definitely do a search on pricegrabber.com, you can do much better than $129.
They do sound great for there size and function.
Now I guess they should have banned me rather than just shut off posting priviledges, because kickaha and Amorph definitely aren't going to like being called to task when they thought they had it all ignored *cough* *cough* I mean under control. Just a couple o' tools.
Don't worry, as soon as my work resetting my posts is done I'll disappear forever.
I was surprised at the dearth of results looking for speakers online. I work at Sears now and they had nothing. I want $129 or less 2.1 speakers with a regular audio plug for my PBG4 12" and my amp at home in the summer time. Has to be powerful with good frequency range. Looks, I don't care, but the Creatures are kind of cool. Remote, I don't care. I have a Keyspan remote and wireless mouse, my PB is my stereo.
Originally posted by Aquatic
Man you are talking me into them! Keep talking...
I was surprised at the dearth of results looking for speakers online. I work at Sears now and they had nothing. I want $129 or less 2.1 speakers with a regular audio plug for my PBG4 12" and my amp at home in the summer time. Has to be powerful with good frequency range. Looks, I don't care, but the Creatures are kind of cool. Remote, I don't care. I have a Keyspan remote and wireless mouse, my PB is my stereo.
Dude -
Get these Altec Lansing speakers at Apple store. Much cheaper than Creature ($100 US total), and sound is much more powerfull. I have two Apples - creature on backup and these on main computer. Much better!!!!!!!!!
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...Dr4/1.3.0.5.10
Apple Store Creature
Only $99.99 and they blow away the Creatures or the Soundsticks.
Refurbished Promedia 2.1
The only thing that I dont like, and I dont know if this is normal for all speakers, is that unless you turn off the power, they hum a bit. Power hum. Is it because of bad shielding?
Hercules XPS210
I'm leaning toward the JBL Creatures because sound is nice, but looks are important too. Why else is everyone oogling the G5 case?
The Logitechs have gotten awesome reviews, but they just look cheap. I don't think anyone has created the perfect speaker.
Two more speakers for only 29 dollars more.
The silver ones (94 bucks, no tax, no shipping at Amazon) look really sharp with my PB 12". Sound is good quality throughout volume range.