Creative Technology MegaWorks 510D 5.1 Speakers

OK, here's one of the best cost-saving secrets of the year.

The Creative Labs 510D, a 5.1 (5 satellites, 1 subwoofer) surround sound system self-powered by its own built in amplifiers, makes a wonderful mini system for a small to medium sized room or apartment. The secret of this system, which you will only find out if you do *very* careful research, is that:

(1) When this EXACT system is sold by Cambridge Soundworks with a DVD player & surround decoder, as the MegaTheater 505, it sells for $699.99

(2) When this EXACT system is sold by Cambridge Soundworks as a computer speaker system, as the Megaworks 505, it sells for $399.99

(3) When this EXACT system is sold by Creative Labs, as the 510D, you can buy it mail order for $226!

Need a computer surround sound system? Need a self-powered surround speaker system to add to a DVD player, a TV, a VCR or even a game console such as a Playstation2 or XBox? This system works absolutely perfectly - after all, Cambridge Soundworks / Creative Labs (Creative bought Cambridge last year) sells the system to work under both conditions, just with different names and price tags. So don't be afraid to use it in a variety of situations.

I purchased this system to build a small secondary sound system for my home, adding on to an already built stereo system. After much thought on the subject and MUCH research, I realized the previously mentioned truths and bought it. With the addition of an aftermarket surround processor, such as the Midiland 4000 or the Klipsch DD-5.1, this is a surround system which can be integrated into ANY computer, stereo, DVD, VCR, TV - just about anything.

So, how does it sound and work?

The installation is very easy - the subwoofer contains all the electronics, so it acts as the central hub. Signal from your audio source gets into the sub via 1/8 inch stereo phone plugs, so from a computer a direct connection is easy (it even comes with a 3-headed cable to connect the two). For other stereo sources adapters are easily available at a good electronics store (like Radio Shack). The speakers hook up to the sub via cables, one side of which has RCA plugs, the other bare ends. The included cables are 3m and 5m lengths - if longer are necessary you can either extend the existing ones by adding more wire on the bare ends or go to the friendly electronics store (Radio Shack again) and get premade wires with RCA plugs on. Radio Shack has them in 25ft and 50ft lengths.

Each of the satellites (about 4.5 inches square) comes with its own desk / table stand, with the center speaker having an angle adjustable stand. These stands add about 1.5 inches to the height of each speaker. You can also hang the speakers using a single screw in the keyhole slot on the back of the speaker - screws and anchors are included. The included wired system volume control, contained in its own little pod, can attach to any of the side satellite stands, or with the included velcro, anywhere you want. Just plug everything in, set the system and woofer volumes, and off you go.

The sound is comfortably room filling (for a 14 x 14ft room!). For additional bass response situate the woofer in a corner, altering the distance to the walls to tune the sound for the best effect. For a computer this system will just floor you - the power output, and relative sound quality, for a computer system is just simply overkill. Reasonably quick and tight bottom end, a good balanced sound with incredible volume potential for the speaker size (in close quarters). Games sound awesome! A must have for computer users! Just remember, no processing is done by the system - you need either a surround sound card or an additional external processor to decode the surround signals.

For a full room the system does very, very well. The sound is similar to the Bose Acoutimass - indeed, the principals are the same, if only the Bose system would grow a bit in size and output to the Creative / Cambridge system.

From an audiophile's perspective music has a slight suckout in the lower midrange with somewhat 'hot' and forward highs. The top end can be toned down with the 'Treble' rolloff switch on the back of the sub, with a upper midrange side effect of darkening the sound and reducing the soundstage. But, all things considering, better sound than the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 (which are way too forward in the upper midrange and even hotter on the top end). A great showing by a small systen, and fantastic for an amplified system costing $226!

Now, personally, I am not happy with the Bose sound but knew that going into this system. So I used a small pair of Celestion bookshelf speakers in place of the front left / right speakers (since the system uses all stereo standard components this was easy to do. The front satellites are really Cambridge MC50 Newton minis, which you can buy seperately). The built in amps of the system compress a bit and turn sibilant at very high volumes, but in a room this volume is quite a bit above comfortable listening volumes ('rocking out the house' need not apply here). But very high volumes are entirely in the realm of this system!

Much to recommend, a great buy (from Creative, that is), great finish quality on the pieces...a thumbs up!!