Creative Technology Inspire T3000 2.1 Speakers
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Similar in Computer Speakers
- Max. Power Output: 29 Watt (RMS)
- Number of Speakers: 2 Speakers + Subwoofer
- Connection Type: Cable
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Blow up the outside world!
Pros
Easy setup, superior sound quality, good price.
Cons
Wired volume and bass control.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Buy these speakers because they are versatile, inexpensive, and produce superior sound. They aren't just for your PC either!
2005 has been our year of different technology buys. Over the past 12 months Jenny and I have purchased new printers, cameras, computers, and MP3 players. Unfortunately, my wife's replacement PC didn't include new speakers. She'd bought an excellent pair of Bose speakers earlier in the year, deciding instead to use them to power our Karaoke deck. It wasn't surprising then that a set of PC speakers found its way onto her Christmas list this year.
Armed with her updated list, I did some shopping on the Internet before settling on the Creative Inspire T3000 Multimedia Speaker System. I had no previous experience with any of Creative's products, although I'd come across the name in the past when looking for PC sound cards and more recently MP3 players. From what I'd read, Creative's sound cards, and line of digital media players were well received. I'd also encountered some positive reviews of the T3000 on Amazon.com. I also liked the fact that the system could be used on more than PC's so I went ahead and placed an order well in advance of Christmas.
In the Box
The Creative Inspire T3000 ships in a single, heavy box and consists of two black satellite speakers, one large subwoofer component, a wired volume and bass control unit, power supply adapter, a dual RCA-to-stereo adapter, (probably better known as a video game adapter), a single stereo-to-stereo audio cable, two metal speaker stands, and a quick start guide.
Although the T3000 system is designed to work with more than PC's, you'll need an additional audio/video cable (not included in the box) if you intend to use the system on a TV or with a video game system. For those who aren't in the know, the particular cable required comes in varying lengths, and is constructed with red, white (and sometimes yellow) "male" plugs on both ends. The cable is available in the electronics section of most department stores, or probably came with your TV.
On Christmas day, Jenny decided she'd rather use the T3000 with our Karaoke deck than on her PC, so it was a good thing I already had an audio/video cable.
Setup and Operation
Setup took about five minutes. The satellite speakers, the power adapter, and the wired volume and bass control plug directly into the subwoofer, which forms the base of the entire system. From there, the T3000 connects to whatever multimedia device you desire with the appropriate cable. Plug-in locations are clearly labeled on the back of the subwoofer, and the instruction diagram included with the system is self-explanatory.
Each speaker rests on a modern chrome stand that screws easily into the back and raises the unit about two inches. Speakers connect to the subwoofer by a single two meter cable. Each can be mounted on a wall; however no mounting hardware is included. The volume and bass control connects to the subwoofer via a one meter cable and consists of a small black panel with two thumbwheels, one that powers the unit on and controls volume, and another that controls bass. A clearly marked headphone jack is situated on the bottom of the panel.
The RCA-to-stereo adapter is a black, single pronged plug on one end, with red and white female receptacles on the other. You'll use this only if you decide to connect the T3000 to either a TV or video game system. Otherwise, for PC, stereo, and MP3 player connections you'll use the stereo-to-stereo cable included in the box.
Performance
The Creative Inspire T3000 Multimedia Speaker System literally rocks the house! After hooking the system up to our TV, Jenny fired up the Karaoke deck and tried out a few tunes. Output was terrific. I conducted very amateur "sound checks" by standing at different points both inside and outside our house and found the volume to be substantial, and well balanced. Clarity was excellent. I could hear every word Jenny sang, to include "string noises" on the background music. Bass output was equally impressive. I manipulated the thumbwheel back and forth, amused with the amount of vibration I could feel in our home's wooden floors.
After several rounds of Karaoke, (luckily I didn't perform), we shut the deck off so that I could check the system against regular TV, and conventional stereo. Again, the unit delivered superior sound. Both cable TV and DVD movie sound was rich and powerful. Next, I used the stereo-to-stereo cable to connect my MP3 player to the T3000. In a few moments, the house was literally "moving" to Soundgarden's Blow up the Outside World. Thoroughly convinced of the T3000's merit, but unsure of Jenny's full appreciation of Seattle Grunge, I quickly reattached the unit back to the TV, and pronounced the Creative Inspire T3000 "fit for consumption".
Specifications
For the tech-savvy:
Dimensions:
Satellite Speaker: 9.5cm x 7.7cm x 16.8 cm
Subwoofer: 18cm x 17.3 cm x 26 cm
Wired remote: 8.2cm x 4cm x 2.1cm
Satellite Speaker: Six watts RMS per channel
Subwoofer: 17 watts RMS
Signal-to-noise ratio: 80db
Frequency Response: 40Hz to 20kHz
Final Thoughts
Although I intended to buy the T3000 system for Jenny's PC, I'm more than happy to have them connected to our TV. These speakers are small, easy to setup and deliver superior sound, all for a very good price. I've found no faults with the sound quality, overall construction, packaging, or enclosed literature. If I were to make any improvements, it would be to include either a wireless volume and bass control, or at least one with a longer cord. Regardless, the T3000 is the best speaker system I've purchased in years.
Armed with her updated list, I did some shopping on the Internet before settling on the Creative Inspire T3000 Multimedia Speaker System. I had no previous experience with any of Creative's products, although I'd come across the name in the past when looking for PC sound cards and more recently MP3 players. From what I'd read, Creative's sound cards, and line of digital media players were well received. I'd also encountered some positive reviews of the T3000 on Amazon.com. I also liked the fact that the system could be used on more than PC's so I went ahead and placed an order well in advance of Christmas.
In the Box
The Creative Inspire T3000 ships in a single, heavy box and consists of two black satellite speakers, one large subwoofer component, a wired volume and bass control unit, power supply adapter, a dual RCA-to-stereo adapter, (probably better known as a video game adapter), a single stereo-to-stereo audio cable, two metal speaker stands, and a quick start guide.
Although the T3000 system is designed to work with more than PC's, you'll need an additional audio/video cable (not included in the box) if you intend to use the system on a TV or with a video game system. For those who aren't in the know, the particular cable required comes in varying lengths, and is constructed with red, white (and sometimes yellow) "male" plugs on both ends. The cable is available in the electronics section of most department stores, or probably came with your TV.
On Christmas day, Jenny decided she'd rather use the T3000 with our Karaoke deck than on her PC, so it was a good thing I already had an audio/video cable.
Setup and Operation
Setup took about five minutes. The satellite speakers, the power adapter, and the wired volume and bass control plug directly into the subwoofer, which forms the base of the entire system. From there, the T3000 connects to whatever multimedia device you desire with the appropriate cable. Plug-in locations are clearly labeled on the back of the subwoofer, and the instruction diagram included with the system is self-explanatory.
Each speaker rests on a modern chrome stand that screws easily into the back and raises the unit about two inches. Speakers connect to the subwoofer by a single two meter cable. Each can be mounted on a wall; however no mounting hardware is included. The volume and bass control connects to the subwoofer via a one meter cable and consists of a small black panel with two thumbwheels, one that powers the unit on and controls volume, and another that controls bass. A clearly marked headphone jack is situated on the bottom of the panel.
The RCA-to-stereo adapter is a black, single pronged plug on one end, with red and white female receptacles on the other. You'll use this only if you decide to connect the T3000 to either a TV or video game system. Otherwise, for PC, stereo, and MP3 player connections you'll use the stereo-to-stereo cable included in the box.
Performance
The Creative Inspire T3000 Multimedia Speaker System literally rocks the house! After hooking the system up to our TV, Jenny fired up the Karaoke deck and tried out a few tunes. Output was terrific. I conducted very amateur "sound checks" by standing at different points both inside and outside our house and found the volume to be substantial, and well balanced. Clarity was excellent. I could hear every word Jenny sang, to include "string noises" on the background music. Bass output was equally impressive. I manipulated the thumbwheel back and forth, amused with the amount of vibration I could feel in our home's wooden floors.
After several rounds of Karaoke, (luckily I didn't perform), we shut the deck off so that I could check the system against regular TV, and conventional stereo. Again, the unit delivered superior sound. Both cable TV and DVD movie sound was rich and powerful. Next, I used the stereo-to-stereo cable to connect my MP3 player to the T3000. In a few moments, the house was literally "moving" to Soundgarden's Blow up the Outside World. Thoroughly convinced of the T3000's merit, but unsure of Jenny's full appreciation of Seattle Grunge, I quickly reattached the unit back to the TV, and pronounced the Creative Inspire T3000 "fit for consumption".
Specifications
For the tech-savvy:
Dimensions:
Satellite Speaker: 9.5cm x 7.7cm x 16.8 cm
Subwoofer: 18cm x 17.3 cm x 26 cm
Wired remote: 8.2cm x 4cm x 2.1cm
Satellite Speaker: Six watts RMS per channel
Subwoofer: 17 watts RMS
Signal-to-noise ratio: 80db
Frequency Response: 40Hz to 20kHz
Final Thoughts
Although I intended to buy the T3000 system for Jenny's PC, I'm more than happy to have them connected to our TV. These speakers are small, easy to setup and deliver superior sound, all for a very good price. I've found no faults with the sound quality, overall construction, packaging, or enclosed literature. If I were to make any improvements, it would be to include either a wireless volume and bass control, or at least one with a longer cord. Regardless, the T3000 is the best speaker system I've purchased in years.
