Do Not Purchase These Speakers Unless...
Written: Nov 26 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive price, typical speaker
Cons: Bass and treble leave a lot to be desired, typical speaker
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| hwz1's Full Review: Cambridge Soundworks C1MWBWEE 2 Speakers |
Thinking of speakers for your computer? Planning on buying a new system and looking at what is available in the speaker universe? I would not suggest the Cambridge Soundworks CSW PCWorks speakers for most people. I will explain.
First of all, a little about the product. The speakers are the typical size that you find when looking at speakers for a computer system. You have the two small speakers (3 x 3 x 3 in size) and the larger woofer (9 x 6 x 6). In addition, you have a three channel amplifier that is built into the system. Nothing special here. You also have the normal cords with which to hook up the speakers to your system.
The suggested setup is as follows: The two smaller speakers should go on each side of the monitor and the subwoofer should be above the monitor. Ok, simple enough, but what I find kind of funny is that you cannot possibly put the speakers anywhere else since the cords only stretch so far. At any rate, this is how most people will configure their speakers anyway.
One of the smaller speakers has the volume, bass, treble and power buttons. The nice controls are the same you see with just about any speaker system and do not stand in any manner.
So, the the answer everyone really wants is what about the sound? Is the sound good or are we getting what we paid for? Well, I hate to tell you this, but you basically get what you pay for. The sound is not bad, but when compared to some of the more complex (and expensive) speakers there is a noticeable difference in sound. In all fairness, there is also a noticeable difference in sound when comparing the CSW PCWorks speakers to the typical stock speakers that come with a computer.
My main complaint is that the treble and the bass do not seem to always work. I am one who likes the bass turned to about 3/4's of maximum capacity. You know that you have it there when you get it to 3/4's of the way to max. No, the bass is not thumping like the idiot in the shaking car beside you, but yes it is noticeable. The CSW PCWorks speakers do not always seem to let me get to this level. Annoying and frustrating when you want to play a CD of any type. The treble is better than the bass, but it also is never as noticeable.
All in all, the sound is adequate. I have played a number of CD's and find that those that involve the least need for treble/bass (Jazz, classical, etc.) are the ones that sound the best. Do not get me wrong; they do not sound like you are in a theater, but they sound fairly good.
On the other side of the coin is the cost. For $50 you get a speaker that is significantly better than what you would get with the computer. I have not been exposed to other $50 speakers so I do not know how these stack up against similarly priced models.
In summary, the main problem seems to be with the bass and treble functions. I would suggest that this is not a problem if you always have both of them set normally. However, I think that Cambridge is a well enough known company- and also one that has a good name- that they would not have produced a product that does not perform flawlessly.
Therefore, I cannot suggest the CSW PCWorks speakers to anyone. Yes, the price is tempting, but for what you get you know that you should have paid a few extra dollars. Yes, you do get what you pay for. Therefore, I would only purchase these speakers if you are running on a very tight budget.
Recommended:
No
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hwz1
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 845
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Just got a big promotion that will move my new wife and I to Atlanta.
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