$500 Sound for $50
Written: Aug 23 '00 (Updated Aug 23 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Awesome Sound For the Money!
Cons: On/Off and Bass Buttons Not Easily Accessible
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| RichBoston's Full Review: Cambridge Soundworks C1MWBWEE 2 Speakers |
Why can’t PCs come with speakers like these as standard equipment? I guess to get the bottom line cost down they give you “functional” speakers and if you want to upgrade you can do so at your additional expense.
I bought a new HP Pavilion last week that even includes a CD burner and it still came with only cheap non powered Polk Audio Stereo Speakers. I guess these are OK if you don’t listen to music and all that comes through your speakers is “you’ve got mail.” I guarantee you though, that if you try these you WILL listen to music because the addition of these to your existing PC gives you a new stereo.
(If you really want a laugh, check out the 50 cent speakers that eMachines includes with their PCs!)
Normally priced at $49.99 they are frequently on sale for $10 less than that – as is currently the case at Cambridge Soundworks retail stores as I write this.
What you get are 2 small unobtrusive 3” satellite speakers and a powered subwoofer that hides on the floor. Strange as it may seem, your brain cannot determine the origin of the bass sound so you can place the subwoofer in a hidden, out of sight location on the floor. The impression is that all the rich deep tones and clear highs are coming from those little satellite speakers.
You can buy the set in either PC beige or black.
I don’t know how far Cambridge Soundworks extends its network of retail stores. They may only be in the Boston area but they have an incredible array of sound and video equipment and the most knowledgeable and helpful sales staff I’ve found. If something is labeled Cambridge Soundworks I know I don’t have to question the quality as I know it’s the best. I have similar feelings about Sony.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have access to a Cambridge Soundworks retail store, the same merchandise is available through their partner – www.Hifi.com. They also have very helpful people who will help you through your purchase on the phone. Their real value comes when you get home and have trouble setting up the equipment as they will talk you through it. Many other stores such as Staples also carry these speakers.
Back to the speakers – if you trust nothing else that I ever write, trust me on this – these are the best things going for the money! Especially if you’re used to listening to the cheapo speakers that come with your PC, you’ll be amazed by the sound of these. If you want to listen to your CDs while you work, use your PC as a second stereo, play video games or mp3s, you have to try the PC Works by Cambridge Soundworks.
You can place the satellites wherever they sound best to your ear. I have them on the desk so I can reposition them as I change seating positions. You can also attach them to the side of your monitor or place them on a shelf. There is a finger volume dial which I let float on my desk so I can reach it from anywhere.
The subwoofer, for all intents and purposes, will always remain “on” as the on/off switch is on the back, on the floor, facing away from you. The bass level knob is in the same location so if there is any criticism of this set it’s the accessibility of the on/off and bass level switches.
There is no better value for your money than these speakers. If you want to make a $50 upgrade to your PC that will sound like 10 times that then check these out!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
RichBoston
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Member: Rich
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 92
Trusted by: 134 members
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I live for the latest gizmos and doo-dads!
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