More Enjoyable Audio for Game - CORSAIR SP2500 2.1 channel speaker

Most Gamers use game console or computer to play many games.
For PC game users, 3D games’ video and audio effects are very important.
First of all, for better visual effects, the users need good VGA and large LCD monitor.
For the audio, I suggest hi-end audio chips and Gaming speakers for better audio.

If you use computer long time every day, I think LCD, Keyboard and Speaker are worth to invest.
Many people use their monitor, keyboard and speaker for 5~10 years.
Investing better quality peripherals can let you feel more comfortable and longer life.
These peripherals contact your sense directly. Better equipment can avoid your uncomfortable feeling.

USA CORSAIR recently launched several audio devices. You can find the headset and speaker product line in their website.
This review is Gaming Audio Series. The model is SP2500 High-power 2.1 PC Speaker System.
You can clear understand it focus on gaming market. It should be a good option for gamers.

SP2500 is official 2 years warranty.
The box dimension is 57(Length) X 49(Width) X 40(Height) cm
As the box is bigger, the space and protection are quite good.


SP2500 is 2.1 channel PC speaker system. The pic below is Subwoofer.
8 inches 120W. It bridged dual 60 Watt class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP for 120 Watts of power.
Fourth-order closed bandpass design with durable rubber surround.
The dimensions are 46 x 25.8 x 29.7 cm. It’s quite big size which we consider to computer speaker.
The manual has notice that user should allow 25cm clearance from Subwoofer to object.


SP2500 is one Subwoofer and 2 satellites.
It also has 1.8” LCD wired desk controller. Users can adjust the volume easily.


Accessories
Multi-lingual installation guide and other information


Cables
Start from Left, Power Cord/3.5mm, Stereo Cable/RCA, Audio Cable /ATX4, Satellites Speaker wire


1.8" TFT controller and satellites base


The desktop controller has 2 jacks.
One is 3.5mm auxiliary inputs and the other is mini USB.
Lower-Right is a 3.5mm headset output.


2-Way Satellite Speakers
The dimensions are 10.8 x 12 x 15.9 cm. The actual weight is 924g. The case is made from good quality plastic.
Front bottom with block up part, the sound can surround the room more widely.


The satellite speaker has round cushion in 4 bottom corners.

Close look to satellite speaker front
Central blue circle is 3” and official spec is 40W.
Upper left circle is 1” and official spec is 16W..
56 watts per satellite, so the continuous power is 112W .
Total output of the speaker system includes subwoofer is 232W RMS which is bridged 6 Class-D amplifiers.


Subwoofer backside IO design
Upper Left “Remote” is for desktop controller.
Upper Right red/white ATX4 jack is for satellite speakers.
ATX4 is a really good design that can avoid oxidation after long time use.
Lower Left green AUX1 jack is for audio card 3.5mm connector.
Lower Right red/white RCA jack is for high end stereo devices to connect.


Power Input
They list the certificate and caution list.


System Configuration
CPU: Intel Core i7-990X Extreme
MB: GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER
DRAM: CORSAIR VENGEANCE CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9
VGA: msi N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II
HD: Intel 320 SERIES 160GB
POWER: be quiet! STRAIGHT POWER GOLDEN 550W
Cooler: Mega Shadow Deluxe Edition
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


I separate 2 parts to test the audio quality.
One is using MB built-in audio chip. Currently, the most top built-in audio is GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER.
Furthermore, G1.SNIPER and SP2500 are positioning for Gaming market.
This combo can make audio quality be better.


G1.SNIPER changes their audio and network chips comparing to past high end boards.
It also supports multi-VGA technology. The users can have more expandibility.


GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER built-in Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi audio processor, model is 20K2.


Built-in 128MB Memory cache for 20K2. This design is for Creative high-end audio card only before.
Yellow and Green Caps are special for audio only.
This is the first time I saw such high end audio chip, capacitors and cache design in MB.
There are some threads in internet to discuss this design as well.
Some users think the caps will cause audio be too thin and hard.
I hope G1.SNIPER can consider the hiend components on audio card to enhance their audio quality level.


Creative X-FI software provides Entertainment/Game/Audio Creation modes.
Entertainment mode provides highest quality for audio and movie playback. I use this mode for movie test after.


Game mode panel optimizes the game soundstage.

The high caps on card shows ONKYO high intention for the professional audio card.
Some internet rumors said next generation SE-300PCI will move to X-FI chipset. I guess it might cater to game or movie hobbyist.


SE-200PCI interface is same as VIA driver software.
As my personal experience with several VIA 1723/1724 audio cards, this interface is very familiar.
VIA interface is pretty simple. You can use default for all.
I think it because Envy24HT is audio quality oriented, it doesn’t have many soundstage setups.


Conclusion after watching movie
High frequency tone is very good. It’s mellower than X-FI, but the difference is small.
Middle frequency is very good. You can hear all the human sound detail and the clarity is much better.
Low frequency is also mid-high level. Even it’s not such powerful as X-FI, however it’s not far away.
Overall, I found the human sound is clear and you can feel the levels as background music or special effects.
The accent is not so strong. The sound is a little bit weak, but the stretch is very good. The overall is more balance than X-FI.

In game, it’s similar to movie
Comparing to X-FI, you still can hear some detail, but the surround sound is a little weak. The difference is not big gap comparing to music.
However, it’s not a big problem. You can adjust the soundstage mode in desktop controller to enhance the accent and surrounding.

Using SE-200PCI can leverage SP2500 sound clarity and restoration to another level.
It’s more suitable for users who need lossless audio. The mid and high frequency is enhanced very much.
SE-200PCI comparing to X-FI, the soundstage and accent is a little bit weak.]
For the diversity factor, if you like stronger accent, you can use controller to adjust the soundstage to enhance the low frequency.
BTW, X-FI uses analog 3.5mm jack, but SE-200PCI uses digital RCA jack. It may be the reason to cause the difference.
For built-in X-FI audio has such good quality, G1.SNIPER use high level audio caps is the key factor.



I have been using 5.1 channels speaker for years, because I thought only 5.1 channels speaker has better surrounding stereo.
After comparing with few friends’ 2.1 channel one, I found the audio detail and human sound are better than 5.1 channels.
2.1 channels speaker is more suitable for my demand.
This CORSAIR SP2500 is high end 2.1 Gaming PC speaker.
CORSAIR also has mid-end SP2200.
SP2200 price is only 40% of SP2500. The position is par price PC speaker.
The first sight of SP2500, I feel the outlook and quality are good level. The desktop controller is also very fine.
Even though it position at Gaming segment, the sound in move is also very good.
It’s a very competent for multimedia PC speaker. Combining with 2 high end audio chips, the overall performance is very good level.
Good gaming speakers need good audio cards to bring it into full play.
I hope this review can be your reference for gaming speaker.

The audio quality test above is subjective. Everyone has your own feeling for audio.
The sense range is PC speaker level. I set up in default values to avoid the environment affect.

This review also post in my blog WIND3C
Welcome 3C lovers to visit and advise.
Thanks

What's wrong with marketing??? It's not deceptive marketing and marketing is how people find out about new products, like this Corsair GAMING speaker system

what i said had nothing contrary to what u jus said... so why are u starting at me now?? even the very high end speakers i wuold call it a speaker... u can describe it to what ever fancy pants u please, but u do that, and u are in ur own bubble...

are u srsly dening that the word GAMING in front of a speaker is not a use of marketing????, and no one was saying these speakers were bad.. so whats with YOUR negative vibe???

I have heard the Makos and previewed them extensively in Frys. Frankly they are not even worth mentioning in the same breath as the SP 2500 - I am not sure if you have even heard the 2500 speakers the way you are posting.

Again, have you even heard a set of of the SP 2500 speakers or are you just trolling???

absolutely nothing wrong with the marketing, its just that this asian OP is praising these speakers, for the reason that it is a GAMING speaker. and that is has a performance comparitive to what a gaming speaker should be... if such "gaming" speakers even exists.

im not trolling or anything, but im sensing that the OP is already biased here.

my stereo aside, my razer mako is what i own in my bedroom, plus listening to other speakers and reading some reiews from whathifi and techradar, i believe the best PC 2.1 out there is the razer mako.

there is one review each from what hifi and techradar, these guys also review high end systems from 100 to 85000 POUNDS dynaudio 7.1 surround sound, these reviews do proper speakers,

the only review for SP2500 that is only worth considering is also from techrdar, butt ehre judgement is always based on price point of view,.. well like any other reviews..

but unless u can find me 5 reviews that also know what gd quality audio is... which many COMPUTER pheriphalist reiewers DONT.

u play 2 musical intrumetns??? well done i play 3. PIANO, GUITAR and BASS. but even i dont go saying : - i play musical instruments-i know what quality reproduction is-

a speaker reproducing realistically means next to nothing- resolution, frequency response, timing, transient speed(at loud volumes) all these are probably the most important factors to what a good speaker is

"When challenged you pull out the "mako razr" as though it is God's gift to the computer speaker world, which it isn't even close to."

so are u saying that the SP2500 are the top end of PC speakers??? cos if not , its the razer mako im sure, or maybe the audio engines.

and anyway i never said ANYTHING bad about these speakers, all i did was COMPARE... u seem quite offended by my apparent implication of these speakers as CRAP.

u arguing back agrily over a little set of computer speakers seem very amusing...and SAD.

"a speaker reproducing realistically means next to nothing- resolution, frequency response, timing, transient speed(at loud volumes) all these are probably the most important factors to what a good speaker is "

Honestly, did you really say this? You are beyond dense. EVERY professional reviewer in the world for hi and low-end speakers, computer and home audio, is seeking accurate reproduction of the music and sound stage. Audiophiles spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on vacuum tube receivers to get "more accurate" sound reproduction. Volumes are written about this. I can't believe I am even wasting my time discussing this with you.

Here is a list of Gold Awards and Editor's Choice Awards that the SP 2500 has won:

Maximum PC: "Kick Ass Award" Here's a quote:

"Impeccable engineering; great remote; amazing price/performance ratio." and another quote:

"The SP2500 is an interesting mélange of strength and refinement. The subwoofer and speaker cabinets are brutishly powerful and unapologetically plain to behold, but the system delivers more features than we could ask for, it sounds amazing, and it’s very reasonably priced.

Cowcotland : (A french tech website) got their Cowcot D'ior Award - don't ask me to translate :-)

Hardware Heaven: Hardware Heaven Gold Award, here's a quote:

“In terms of the internal design of each component it is very clear from using the SP2500 and reading the technical documentation that Corsair's audio department know what they are doing... All of this great build quality and design was implemented with one aim in mind, maximising audio quality and in this regard Corsair have exceeded our expectations... With the SP2500 Corsair has created a 2.1 system which exceeds the audio quality anything else in the same price range. In fact it produces a quality of audio which is better than many other more expensive products."

Engadget: "Recommended" Here's a quote, "All in all, Corsair's splash into the PC speaker market has been a success in our view. Sure, it's got a couple of foibles to iron out with its remote, but the SP2500 is a ridiculously powerful desktop buddy, one that won't let you down if you decide you want to drown your entire apartment building in block-rocking beats. Construction and components are up to Corsair's typically skyscraping standards, which is also why these speakers come with a significant premium. We've got no qualms recommending them as a very high quality piece of audio kit"

Gamespot UK: Here's a quote: "The SP2500 is a fantastic 2.1 system. The accuracy of satellites is something of a revelation for a consumer-focused product, letting you hear detail that you may have been missing from your audio."

Guru3D: Guru3D Top Pick Award: here's a quote: "In pale comparison to you average desktop speaker kit, this set is a mile and half away in terms of better quality and sheer capacity."

Kit Guru: Kit Guru Must Have Award, here's a quote:

"The Corsair SP 2500 2.1 Speakers are the best ‘computer’ oriented speakers we have heard, especially in this price range. They outclass the Razer Mako THX speakers which have been a firm favourite with KitGuru staff for many years now. The bass is punchy, controlled and capable of rocking your teeth out of their sockets. This low end impact is well matched with a dynamic, refined mid range and restrained treble delivery."

OOPs sorry about this professional reviewer saying that the SP 2500 speakers "outclass" the Mako Razrs. Damn that must hurt.

MetKU.net: Editor's Choice Award, here's a quote:

“In short the SP2500 is the best set of computer speakers I've seen and heard. Physically the set is in a whole another league when compared to the SP2200 and other smaller sets. The satellite speakers seem and feel very high quality and sturdy and the subwoofer is huge. As a nice touch there's also a separate remote controller. The sound quality of the set should be enough for everyone, and while the SP2500 is meant for near field listening, it can also output enough sound to fill a larger room. If you're looking for a stereo setup for your computer, the set should definitely be on the top of your list.”

Hexus: Hexus Wish List Award, here's a quote:

"In all, though. the SP2500s are the best PC-centric speakers we've heard. "

PC Perspective: PC Perspective Gold Award, here's a quote:

"Every application I could throw at these speakers sounded just as it should. While games and movies are well represented here, music is really the strong suite of these speakers. The musicality of these speakers matches, and perhaps exceeds, that of a $300 pair of bookshelf or standalone speakers. But unlike those standalone speakers, the Corsair SP2500s feature their own amplifiers and control setup. Another $150 to $200 would need to be spent to get a standalone receiver/amplifier with similar specifications... If Corsair wanted to make a big splash in computer audio, they certainly have succeeded. The SP2500s are the best 2.1 set of computer speakers that I have set ears to."

Legit Reviews: Legit Review's Editor's Choice Award, here's a quote:

"When the Corsair SP2500 2.1 PC speaker system showed up in the test lab we hooked it up and were shocked to hear our music. We were able to hear details in the audio that we weren't able to make out on our old speaker system. The satellite speakers on the SP2500 are amazing and the midrange audio is crystal clear. Most audiophiles talk about sound separation and having bass that overpowers vocals and we finally get what they were talking about. The Corsair SP2500 might 'just' be a 2.1 speaker system, but they fill a room with crystal clear audio that is worth every penny of it. The Corsair SP2500's are worth it. You truly need to hear these to believe it."

Tech Radar: here's a quote:

"The SP2500 will set you back £200, but we can say without reservation that, as soon as you get them up and running, you'll feel completely justified. If you want high-end PC audio, here it is."

HardOCP: HardOCP Enthusiast Award, here's a quote:

“The Corsair Gaming Audio Series SP2500 High-power 2.1PC Speaker System is exceptional and we have absolutely no reservations about recommending these. Assembly was extremely easy, the speakers look great, and performed well in all of our tests. Corsair makes excellent, innovative products and its SP2500 speakers are another reason why the company deserves your hard earned dollar.”

another quote:

"Many users in our forums remain loyal to Klipsch and its 2.1 Promedia set of speakers. The Klipsch set was descent for its time, but the control pod, dynamic range, and overall sound reproduction of the SP2500 speakers are clearly superior.

For a 2.1 set, you will be hard pressed to find a better neutral listening experience and wide soundstage as good as Corsair's. Music playback was exceptional and gaming was phenomenal; the numerous DSP modes of the SP2500 are an excellent bonus."

Bit-Tech: Bit Tech Recommended Award, here's a quote:

The SP2500 speakers are without doubt the best PC speakers we've heard. They produce superb sound at all volumes and offer more depth - particularly in the mid-range - than any other set of speakers we've had the pleasure of reviewing.

Tweaktown: Tweaktown Best Performance Award, here's a quote:

"In our minds for $250 U.S. there has never been a better 2.1 system that we have received for testing. We feel that if this system had a European or exotic Hi-Fi brand name hanging off the front, the price would double without a doubt, and they'd still sell quite well not withstanding..... this is probably one of the best 2.1 systems that we have ever heard.... this system is a game changer"

another quote:

" Our Best Performance Award is reserved only for products which offer the best in class performance of its kind."

"Techgage: Techgage Editor's Choice, here's a quote:

As a set of general PC audio speakers for music, the SP2500's are just brilliant. The mid range is warm, the bass is room filling but not overpowering (unless you want it to be) and the dedicated tweeters really push the ambiance into a room with great clarity."

Audioholics (a high-end audio review site): here's a quote:

"I wrote this entire review while listening to the Corsair SP2500 2.1 Speaker System. I honestly couldn't help it - it's fun to listen to and a system that I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed with..... At that price these should fly off the shelves and we can heartily recommend it as a very capable 2.1 solution for those looking to get better sound with their office PC or laptop. Hook this thing up to your workstation and you might find yourself working longer and harder - just to hang out those extra few minutes in the office and listen to more music!"

There are actually more editor's choice, gold awards, best-in-class awards out there, but I am tired of typing.

I think this clearly demonstrates my point beyond any rational argument.

Kit Guru: Kit Guru Must Have Award, here's a quote:

"The Corsair SP 2500 2.1 Speakers are the best ‘computer’ oriented speakers we have heard, especially in this price range. They outclass the Razer Mako THX speakers which have been a firm favourite with KitGuru staff for many years now. The bass is punchy, controlled and capable of rocking your teeth out of their sockets. This low end impact is well matched with a dynamic, refined mid range and restrained treble delivery."

OOPs sorry about this professional reviewer saying that the SP 2500 speakers "outclass" the Mako Razrs. Damn that must hurt.

Unfortunately, you are old news and old reviews. The best in class NOW- is the SP 2500. And BTW I listed awards at about 3 to your 1 and I could easily go and find more awards that this "break-through," "best in class" 2.1 speaker system has won.

If anyone reading this thread has any doubt, go down to your local electronics store and listen to the two systems. If you do you, will see there really is no comparison.

My point is not to defend my purchase - that is irrelevant. My point is that you are a troll that came into this thread with a negative comment on a great post by the original OP. My point is that you are not even qualified to be posting on this subject. My point is that you attacked someone without ANY factual basis which makes you beyond contempt. My point is that you say you have honestly listened to the SP 2500 speaker but you haven't - you are just flat out lying.

It is people like you that go around with your supposed expertise putting down people like the OP that are the worst kind of poster in Tom's Hardware. Go back to your rock and crawl under it! After all, that is where Trolls live isn't it?