2.1 Hi-Fi Audio Bigs Up

Creative Inspire T3000 - Known Quality

Very logically, Creative uses the technical solutions it has developed in a wide range of products suited to precise market segments. The T3000 uses components we've already seen in other products from the vendor, which should be taken into consideration. In a way it's both a guarantee (since the components are already proven) and a good buy (prices can be low since many costs have already been amortized).

The satellites - already widely used by Creative - are two-way models with a 65 mm midrange and a darling little dome/cone tweeter that inspires confidence. The speakers have a metal stand and a slot on the back for wall mounting using only a screw. Their look is more tech than design, but that's a choice their target market is likely to appreciate.

The subwoofer is of a very acceptable size and will fit easily under a desk or table. Its 13-cm speaker - large enough for good bass response - is installed on one side, with the bass-reflex port opening to the front. It has a 3.5 mm input jack and also the connector for the wired remote control. The remote lets you adjust the overall level and the bass balance very simply via two potentiometers that handle very nicely. It also has a stereo line input and a headphone jack, as well as an M-Port for a Creative MP3 reader, which lets you listen to music without turning on your PC. One negative point is the external power transformer, which will add a little more clutter to the mess of cables that are probably already dangling from your machine.

Manufacturer's specifications:

• Subwoofer power output: 17 W
• Satellite power output: 2 X 6 W
• Frequency response: 40 Hz - 20 kHz
• Inputs: 2 line
• Headphone jack: on wired remote control
• Satellites: 2-way, midrange + dome/cone tweeter
• Subwoofer: 4" woofer
• Satellite dimensions: 92 mm X 195 mm X 90 mm
• Subwoofer dimensions: 182 mm X 285 mm X 240 mm