Cambridge SoundWorks CSW PCWorks FourPointSurround
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Small Speakers, Big Sound & Value...
Pros
Great Sound, Easy Setup, Great Price
Cons
No Center Channel or Dolby Digital Connection
Recommended it?
Yes
These speakers retailed for $99 dollars when I first started looking at them, so when I caught a sale for $79 dollars I knew it was time to buy. I had read many favorable reviews, and since I had installed a new SoundBlaster Live! card, it was time to get some good speakers.
If you don't have a SoundBlaster Live! or comparable good sound card, spend your money upgrading it first. I don't care what kind of speakers you get, if the sound card isn't top quality, neither will be your sound. Additionally, the SoundBlaster Live! is built for speaker systems like the Cambridge SoundWorks, having channels for front and back (and the additional Dolby Digital Output).
Now that we've established the importance of a good sound card, on to the speakers:
Setup:
The Cambridge SoundWorks speaker system is a breeze to set up. Labels are included for each of the speaker wires, and the plugs are color-coded to the SoundBlaster Live! sound cards. Everything is clearly designed for a quick and easy installation, with the subwoofer being sort of the "center" for the set up. Two lines run from the "front" and "back" channel outputs from the sound card into the subwoofer, and the rest of the speakers all plug into the appropriately labelled outputs on the subwoofer (right front, right rear, etc.) Additionally, there is a volume control that can be run up to your desktop to control the overall volume of the system (in tandem with the software controls on your system). This is a great benefit when running games when you want to turn up the volume without quitting a game and adjusting the volume through software.
Size/Design:
These speakers are ideal for those of us without a lot of desktop space.
The subwoofer is small enough to put on the floor under a desk or on top, if you have the room. However, for its small size, it puts out a good amount of bass response. It has a volume control built into it, which allows you to set it according to your own tastes. Personally, I put the subwoofer in the back corner under my desk, with the volume at about the halfway point. I find that this gives me excellent sound when playing music files and the thundering bass I like when playing games like Thief II or Quake Arena. With the volume control readily available on my desktop, I can adjust the system volume to a comfortable level. (And I can quickly turn it down when loud sequences cause my wife or neighbors to complain...)
The satellite speakers are also small and well designed. They come with two types of stands - small, flat stands designed for placement on desktop or monitor, and tall, tubular tripod-style stands for higher placement. I've tried both setups, and I prefer the flat stands with two speakers near my monitor and two set farther back for the surround effect. By the way, as most newer sound systems for computers are designed, all of the speakers are magnetically shielded so they don't mess up your monitor. Also, Cambridge had enough sense to make the wires long enough to allow you to place the speakers where you need them.
Sound:
For such little speakers, the sound is HUGE! I've been able to put the speakers on my desktop, and I hardly notice them since they take up so little room. However, when I play MP3 files for music or crank up a game, the sound is excellent. The subwoofer provides great bass, and the satellite speakers have excellent response to the higher frequencies. Whether I play sound files, music CDs, or DVDs - the sound is clean and sharp, with superb definition and bass response. I never realized how good my system could sound until I installed these speakers!
Probably the best benefit in sound is realized when playing games like Thief II. There is a lot of "directional" sound in this game, and much of the game play relies on hearing enemies approach. Between the sound card and these speakers, I can clearly hear as an object "moves" around me or approaches from a particular direction. It adds a whole new element to my games and really helps bring them to life.
Summary:
For the budget-conscious consumer, the Cambridge SoundWorks FourPoint Surround System is a great investment. It provides excellent sound, whether playing music or games, and it's small enough to place around your desktop. The construction is solid, and setup is easy with the clearly labelled inputs/outputs. I highly recommend the SoundBlaster Live! family of sound cards to get the most out of these speakers.
If you don't have a SoundBlaster Live! or comparable good sound card, spend your money upgrading it first. I don't care what kind of speakers you get, if the sound card isn't top quality, neither will be your sound. Additionally, the SoundBlaster Live! is built for speaker systems like the Cambridge SoundWorks, having channels for front and back (and the additional Dolby Digital Output).
Now that we've established the importance of a good sound card, on to the speakers:
Setup:
The Cambridge SoundWorks speaker system is a breeze to set up. Labels are included for each of the speaker wires, and the plugs are color-coded to the SoundBlaster Live! sound cards. Everything is clearly designed for a quick and easy installation, with the subwoofer being sort of the "center" for the set up. Two lines run from the "front" and "back" channel outputs from the sound card into the subwoofer, and the rest of the speakers all plug into the appropriately labelled outputs on the subwoofer (right front, right rear, etc.) Additionally, there is a volume control that can be run up to your desktop to control the overall volume of the system (in tandem with the software controls on your system). This is a great benefit when running games when you want to turn up the volume without quitting a game and adjusting the volume through software.
Size/Design:
These speakers are ideal for those of us without a lot of desktop space.
The subwoofer is small enough to put on the floor under a desk or on top, if you have the room. However, for its small size, it puts out a good amount of bass response. It has a volume control built into it, which allows you to set it according to your own tastes. Personally, I put the subwoofer in the back corner under my desk, with the volume at about the halfway point. I find that this gives me excellent sound when playing music files and the thundering bass I like when playing games like Thief II or Quake Arena. With the volume control readily available on my desktop, I can adjust the system volume to a comfortable level. (And I can quickly turn it down when loud sequences cause my wife or neighbors to complain...)
The satellite speakers are also small and well designed. They come with two types of stands - small, flat stands designed for placement on desktop or monitor, and tall, tubular tripod-style stands for higher placement. I've tried both setups, and I prefer the flat stands with two speakers near my monitor and two set farther back for the surround effect. By the way, as most newer sound systems for computers are designed, all of the speakers are magnetically shielded so they don't mess up your monitor. Also, Cambridge had enough sense to make the wires long enough to allow you to place the speakers where you need them.
Sound:
For such little speakers, the sound is HUGE! I've been able to put the speakers on my desktop, and I hardly notice them since they take up so little room. However, when I play MP3 files for music or crank up a game, the sound is excellent. The subwoofer provides great bass, and the satellite speakers have excellent response to the higher frequencies. Whether I play sound files, music CDs, or DVDs - the sound is clean and sharp, with superb definition and bass response. I never realized how good my system could sound until I installed these speakers!
Probably the best benefit in sound is realized when playing games like Thief II. There is a lot of "directional" sound in this game, and much of the game play relies on hearing enemies approach. Between the sound card and these speakers, I can clearly hear as an object "moves" around me or approaches from a particular direction. It adds a whole new element to my games and really helps bring them to life.
Summary:
For the budget-conscious consumer, the Cambridge SoundWorks FourPoint Surround System is a great investment. It provides excellent sound, whether playing music or games, and it's small enough to place around your desktop. The construction is solid, and setup is easy with the clearly labelled inputs/outputs. I highly recommend the SoundBlaster Live! family of sound cards to get the most out of these speakers.
