Rating: 
Summary: Best speakers for under $...
Review: I spent a lot of time looking for a new set of speakers under $.... These are definitely the best. They look great with my notebook, filter out some of the hissing I got with other speakers, and sound amazing. These speakers are clear and crisp and the remote is great. The sound is filling and clean. Best speakers undre $.... Better than the PM-9s by Monsoon. Buy these now!
Rating: 
Summary: Not the Best 2.1 Speaker System for the Money
Review: I wanted to buy a decent sounding 2.1 system for my computer, but I didn't want to spend more than $100. I narrowed my choice down to the Creative Labs I-Trigue 3300 2.1 System vs. the Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 System. I went to a local Circuit City and a local Best Buy to listen to both systems side-by-side.
Interestingly, at both stores the I-Trigue 3300 system on display was not working. At one store the left satellite speaker did not work. At the other store the entire system would power up, but would not make a sound. I made sure that the source was ok, and that everything was hooked up correctly. The store clerk decided the I-Trigue 3300 system was blown and hooked up a new one for me to listen to, fresh out of the box. That system worked fine, but the experience did make me wonder about the durability of the Creative Labs system. (I was also somewhat turned off by the cheap, fiddly cloth grilles that come with the Creative Labs satellite speakers.)
After listening to the Creative Labs and Altec Lansing systems side-by-side I decided that, despite the higher power rating of the Creative Labs system (and the fact that it can pump out more raw volume than the Altec Lansing system), the VS4121 sounded cleaner and and more balanced (probably because it includes larger mid-range speakers, and because its subwoofer is not so overpowering).
As an added bonus, the price of the Altec Lansing system was about $20 less than the Creative Labs system.
Rating:
Summary: rockin' in the workplace.
Review: I was in DIRE need of some replacement speakers for my computer here at work. The speakers I inherited with this computer had absolutely no depth or clarity. The hunt was on to find a set of speakers within a modest price range. Nothing too cheap, but also nothing too elaborate. Two of my co-workers have Altec-Lansing speakers they are very happy with but I was looking for something with a bit more style.Here is where the Creative I-Trigue 2.1 3300 speakers come into play. Not only do they have rock solid components and specs but they are VERY stylish. The whole system screams quality. The desktop units are solid metal stands with a translucent plastic back that look simply gorgeous next to my flat panel monitor. The woofer not only hits hard and with utter clarity at all volumes but it is built like a rock. Plus, as you know, they have a wonderful wired remote with a headphone jack built right in. As for the clarity, you could not ask for anything better at such a modest price. The highs are unbelievably crisp and the bass hits hard & clear at all volumes. The mid-range sound is not muddy like your often time hear with computer or self-powered speakers. The key in all this is at very low volumes, while other people are working in the office, the sound is still beautiful and crisp through the entire dynamic range of the speakers. If you have the money, go for a Klipsch product, but if you want a GREAT value with beautiful sound and style pick yourself up a pair of these. I am far from being sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasing sound, good value
Review: I'm no speaker expert, but I think these speakers have a really clear, natural sound. The remote with separate dials for volume, bass and a headphone jack is a nice touch. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great Sound, But Best With an Equalizer
Review: LIke most reviewers here, I bought these for the office and am very pleased with them. They replaced some Cambridge Speakers (the great company that Creative bought), that had fewer features and inferior speakers, especially the subwoofer. The speakers have excellent fidelity, and, bass lover that I am, I love the subwoofer. (Contrary to what another reviwer said, I believe that subwoofers are NOT directional; unlike the satellites it does not matter what direction the speaker faces to get the sound).
There are, however, very disparate views here about the relative merits of the bass, the midrange, and the highs. Many find the bass too powerful and the midrange insufficient. I find no problem with either of these, but I find the highs a little too high. One thing I did was to set the satellites a little further away on my desk, and point them slightly away from me. I also found that I simply adjusted to the sound after a few weeks. This may reflect getting used to them, or the speakers getting "burned in." I've frequently read about this effect in headphone reviews, and I'm not sure how it works, but I did like the treble much more after a few weeks of playing.
I think that because of the subjective nature of sound preferences, this product works best if played with your computer's equalizer (these come with most downloadable music palyers, e.g., winamp). I've turned the treble down and the bass and midrange up. As noted by others, there is a small device that can sit discreetly on your desk that adjusts both bass and volume and is also a power switch. VERY handy at work, when the music is turned up and you hear footsteps approaching!
Set-up is fairly easy, though the instructions are too brief. One major problem is that you can't tell the right speaker from the left speaker. Once you've set it up, use the balance control on your compluter player (e.g., winamp, real sound) to see if you installed it correctly: Turn it all the way to the left speaker, for example, and see if that's where the sound comes from. The instructions also don't tell you you need to snap on the black mesh covers over the two satellites. One final highlight is that the system sounds great even at low volume, a must for most offices. I've been very happy with the I-trigue and recommend it with enthusiasm. Note: Creative also has a somewhat more expensive L3500 models that has some design features not found in the 3200. Although I haven't heard it, take a look at this one too, if money is not an object, these may be preferable because of reputedly better low-midrange sound features. Below are some specs, those not included her at Amazon are listed first:
Warranty: Free from defects for 12 months from date of purchase. You'll need to send for a return material authorization, and also include a dated proof of purchase. Intrigue, at its discretion will decide whether to reapair or replace defective speakers.
Support: Telephone 405/742-6622 (Oklahoma) and web site at www.americas.creative.com/support
Satellite dimensions: 8 3/4" H* 1 11/16" W * 10" D
Subwoofer dimensions: 9 11/16"H* 9 11/16" W * 10 1/8" D
Distortion: Rated @ 10% THD @ 1kHz
Drivers (per satellite): 3
Drivers (subwoofer): 3
Satellite power: 9 Watts RMS per speaker (x 2 speakers)
Subwoofer power: 25 Watts RMS
Frequency response: 30 Hz to 20kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: 80 dB
Interface: Stereo RCA jack
Headphone output jack: Yes
Compatibility: PC running Windows
Input impedance: Information not available
Rating:
Summary: Whoa!
Review: Ok, so I'm not an expert on speakers. But it's kind of like music... you know it's good when you hear it. And these are GREAT! I got them for my laptop, which has the saddest speakers ever. But with these, when the music plays it feels like the sound just echos and bounces off the walls of my room. Almost a surround sound effect. Haven't tried playing movies yet but I'm sure it'll turn my room into a mini theater. Can't wait to show them off to my friends! They have such a sleak design that barely takes up any room on my crowded desk. Very impressive looking and what's more, they feel expensive. Not something so cheap I'm afraid to touch because it'll just fall apart. The only complaint: I think the satellites tends to tip over easily. Maybe it's just my clumsiness...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, small, sexy, loud, wired remote...awesome!
Review: Rocks the small room (and the room next to it, and below, and above!) Sexy, small, effective. Pros: Sounds great, looks great, small form factor, easy connectivity, hard hitting bass. Cons: Would like a treble control on the remote, highs not as loud as bass is low, but this can be easily done with an EQ. For a small space, clean look, get these speakers.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the price
Review: Sleek and functional, these are the best looking speakers I've ever seen. No distortion or audio interference -- the three drivers per speaker gives me the sharpest sound I've heard from a desktop unit. I've been listening to MP3s constantly since I plugged it into my PC, and it hooked up to a portable CD player beautifully. Has a corded remote with a headphone jack -- that last feature ruled out a lot of other speakers out there, like Altec Lansing's ATP3. The only complaint I have is that I have to move the subwoofer away from where I set it up, next to the monitor, because it's apparently not shielded (Creative Labs' page on the speakers mentions no shielding) and distorting the colors, but it belongs below the desk anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Excellent
Review: Superb and accurate sound reproduction. People who are familiar with hifi equipment appreciate the sound produced by these superb little speakers.
To be fair, this system should be only compared to speakers that cost over $400.
Produced by Cambride Sound Works, an excellent little company that got eaten (unfortunately) by Creative labs.
Rating:
Summary: Good fidelity, but weak midrange
Review: The treble is great on this, with good fidelity and power. The sub is strong too. However, the midranges are strangely flat. Part of this impression is that my last speakers had a tweeter and a 3" driver for the satellites, so a trio of 1" drivers won't quite reproduce the same mids... It's harder to notice if you turn up the bass, but that means if I listen with the bass low the sound is all treble. Luckily, you can adjust the settings in windows a bit to balance the sound out.
Part of this impression is due to my preference of midrange power over treble - high treble sounds piercing to me. So I can't listen to music quite as loud on these because the treble hurts my ears at a lower volume than my previous speakers. The good side of things is that the sound fidelity is much better than my previous speakers. Your milage may vary - I don't think most people are as concerned with midrange (and lower treble) as I am.
As for style, and the inclusion of the remote - thumbs up.
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