Ultra Cool Gadgets

Redefine your audio listening experience with the Creative GigaWorks T40. This new class of performance desktop speakers features a three-driver design for audiophile-like audio that injects new life to your desktop music-listening experience. Like the GigaWorks T20 the Creative GigaWorks T40 features the same hallmark of quality the GigaWorks series of speakers is well-known for–guaranteeing you a rich and defined performance. The GigaWorks T40 features Midrange-Tweeter-Midrange (MTM) driver configuration that improves the overall audio balance with deeper and richer bass effects, giving you music that sounds fuller, warmer in tone and closer to the original audio.
With quality components, such as the dual woven glass fiber cone driver, the cloth dome tweeters, BasXPort technology and the convenient control and entertainment extension, the GigaWorks T40 truly delivers its promise of acoustic audio quality with a style that complements any setup.

Technical Details:
Product Type - Speaker
Localization - Eng/Fr
System Components - 2.0 Speaker System
- Dual woven glass fiber cone
- Cloth dome tweeter

Customer feedback:

1. My curiosity got the better of me with these and I had to try them out. With the Creative GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Speaker System they are really forcing consumers into some tough decisions, and that’s a good thing. The bottom line is that this update makes the T40s the best speakers in a 2.0 Bookshelf body type. Just like Creative’s GigaWorks T20 2.0, these speakers are very efficient, getting clear and impressive sound out of a set that has moderate power ratings. They are also well designed and pleasing to the eye, with slightly taller bodies in the same sleek style of the T20s.

Pros
+ Expanded design adds clarity and range with an added mid-woofer pair
+ Nice looks in a sleek form factor
+ High quality ports and cables allow for nice connection options
+ Extra cable
+ Nice adapter for RCA inputs (TV, receiver, etc.)
+ Decent low-end range and base with fantastic mid-range and high end sound
+ Nice more sturdy housing with good controls
+ Great sound output for limited power consumption and in a small 2.0 footprint

Cons:
- Bass XPorts on top will collect dust
- Cost is higher than the smaller T20s or Klipsch Promedias
- Price puts this set closer to 2.1 sets and some low end 5.1 sets

2. I’ll admit that I was drawn to these speakers by their striking appearance. They are very attractive speakers and also seem very well built, as if Creative had spared no expense on the casing and yellow woven drivers. So that said, how good are these speakers? First off, when watching movies or television on my laptop, these are fantastic. They sound like surround sound and are very clear and very loud. I don’t know how Creative got such great results from such a meager power rating (28 watts) but they did. These would be great for a living room if you wanted to attach them to a television. For music, you get similar clarity and volume. The bass is also very impressive and my friends did not believe me that there was not a subwoofer in there somewhere. That said, I noticed something that annoyed me when listening to music: the music sounded hollow somehow. It’s a small complaint to an otherwise great set of speakers, but it is still annoying. For audiophiles, this will probably be an important issue so I would recommend my previous speakers (Philips MMS321 2.0, $65 on Amazon) as a better alternative. They are not quite as loud but the sound quality is comparable. The Philips also have more watts (40) and are considerably less expensive.

Enjoy high quality stereo sound with these compact travel speakers. It features two powerful speakers and it’s compatible with your iPod, Mini iPod, or any audio player with a 3.5 mm jack. When used with an iPod, it will also function as a stand. It can be powered either through an USB power Cable or four AA batteries or AC Adapter. The unique fold-up design protects the speakers and makes it easy to carry around. You will be amazed by the sound quality of these mini speakers, with a signal to noise ratio of 63dB and a near full dynamic range of 200Hz-12KHz. They can fold up so they can be carried around easily in your pocket.
Features :
- Stylish white color that matches iPod Ideal for iPod, MP3 player, PDA, CD player and more
- Foldable lightweight design Volume Control Completely portable palm-sized and easy to carry
- Operates AAA batteries or USB power cable Works with iPod and iPod mini
- Specifications : 200 Hz - 12 KHz frequency response 50 mm speaker, 4 Ohms 3.5-mm audio line-in cable
- Power input: four (4) AA batteries or AC adapter (DC 6V, 350 mA)

Customer Feedback:

1. The speakerset is very convenient to carry around but don’t expect big sound out of the package. I bought it because the speakers on my laptop don’t seem to work.
Pros:
- Kinamx product can be powered by the USB
- Compact and easy to carry around
- Sound is fine in the midrange.
- Construction seems sturdy
- Very inexpensive

Cons:
- Included wire for connecting is very short. It is good enough for a mp3 player but needs maneuvering for a laptop
- Performance with some bass is mediocre. The speaker start vibrating a bit. I would have preferred to reduce the bass tones via a filter rather than attempting to play them badly
- Need to buy a power adapter to be able to play mp3 player

2. I purchased these speakers to make my purchase eligible for free shipping. I didn’t pay much, and these speakers are worth the price. They sound fine, they’re portable, and I like that they accept USB power

The Philips SBA1500/37 is both a portable and powerful speaker system to boost your music. Play extra powerful, rich sound to thrill your friends. These speakers come with their own power pack to amplify the music, which also neatly clips together with the speakers for true compact portability . Take them anywhere.

Technical Details:
- Powerful Speaker drivers produce realistic sound
- Acoustically-tuned air channel that turbo charges bass notes
- Wide stereo soundstage
- Compact and lightweight
- Plug and Play Speakers

Customer feedback:

1. I’m not an audiophile, so I can’t really comment on the quality of these speakers, but they sound fine to me. However, they do NOT have a “wall plug for extra power” as stated in the product description. The only power comes from three AAA batteries. I was looking for something that wouldn’t require me to carry batteries around, so this was disappointing. The speakers and power pod do pack together into an ostrich-egg sized unit, so the whole thing can tuck into an odd corner of my duffle bag.

2. Despite the fact that no AC power cord comes attached, I was stunned by the sound output of these tiny speakers. They’re superb. My only quibble would be that I’d prefer them in black, but that matters very little once you hear these titans. I’ve bought other mini-speakers within this price range and basically junked them… but Phillips comes through again and exceeds expectations. Don’t judge them by their size.

Macally IceTune is a stereo speaker&charger featuring a space saving stackable design, easy access volume and power on/off controls. Cool blue mood lights enhance your listening experience. A stereo line-in jack connection allows you to enjoy high quality audio from a variety of MP3 and CD players, desktop computers and laptops.

Technical Details
- Stereo speakers with built-in iPod charging dock
- Compatible with all versions of the iPod, including the iPod mini
- Stereo line-in jack connection also allows you to enjoy high quality audio from other devices such as MP3 and CD players, desktop computers and laptops
- Space saving stackable design
- Easy access volume and power on/off controls

Customer feedback:

1. I had been looking for a docking station to put on a window sill in my kitchen and could not find one that would be small enough to feel safe. I finally saw the IceTune and it fits perfectly. Not only does it have a tiny footprint but the sound quality is great. In addition, because the speakers can be stacked or separated, you can actually get some separation between the left and right signal. Most of the other docking stations I have seen are built as a single block. As if these attributes were not enough, this just happens to be one of the least expensive docking options out there.

2. These speakers are awesome for the price. They charge your ipod even when the unit is off. The sound quality is great for around 50 bucks. I bought these for traveling and they are small enough to fit in a suitcase without taking up too much room. They also stack so they don’t take up much counter space. I can’t say enough about the sound quality. They are great!

Product Features
- Six piece surround sound package that includes 2 front and 2 surround speakers, 1 center-channel speaker, and 1 subwoofer
- Satellite and center-channel speakers utilize 3.25-inch polymer-composite cone drivers for distortion-free midrange
- Features 0.5-inch silk and polymer-composite dome tweeter in each satellite speakers and 0.75-inch silk and polymer-composite dome tweeter in center-channel speaker
- Subwoofer utilizes an eight-inch long-throw dynamic-balance poly-composite driver for longer driver excursion and better linearity
- Satellite and center-channel speakers can accommodate 6.1 or 7.1 channel systems
Tweeter complement (front/surround): 1 x 0.5-inch (13-millimeter) silk/polymer composite dome
Driver complement (front/surround): 1 x 3.5-inch (89-millimeter) polymer composite cone
Tweeter complement (center): 1 x 0.75-inch (19-millimeter) silk/polymer composite dome
Driver complement (center): 2 x 3.5-inch (89-millimeter) polymer composite cones
Subwoofer complement: 1 x 8-inch (203-millimeter) front-firing dynamic balance woofer
Overall frequency response: 40 to 24000 Hz
Frequency response (-3 dB limit): 45 to 20000 Hz

Customer feedback:

1. The Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 channel home theater speaker system is phenomenal and an outstanding value. I had originally been looking for a home theater in a box system to mate to a newly acquired 37″ LG LCD HDTV. The search was partly precipitated by the demise of the older generation DVD player we owned coupled to a failing 10 year old Onkyo surround-sound system. As I poked around on-line reviews and shopped Circuit City and Best Buy it became clear I could get more value and flexibility buying a receiver, an upscalable DVD player (improved picture with regular DVDs on HDTV) and a new speaker system than with home theater in a box.

2. Yesterday I finished installing the speakers… largely using the rich amount of educational information available on the polk audio website that helped me with speaker placement and hook-up. Note: I did NOT use the sub jack on the sub woofer.
The sound is phenominal… especially considering I paid $245. There is no doubt, that if told that these speakers only were sold for their MSRP of $599… that I would still buy them. These speakers meet so many of my requirements:
(1) Great Sound
(2) Attractive
(3) Blend into the environment (i.e., they are small)
(4) Great price
(5) Quality Name
The sound image created by the front 3 is amazing and the rears are perfect.

The Logitech Z-5500 Digital is a THX-certified, 500-watt 5.1 surround sound speaker system that offers everything you could possibly want… and some things you didn’t even know you needed. And once you plug in your PC, DVD or music player, or video game console, you’ll never want to listen to anything else.
* Powerful, distortion-free bass: The new, larger 10-inch long-throw subwoofer driver with flared bass port delivers 188 watts of thunderous bass.
* Innovative driver technology: Polished aluminum phase-plug satellites combine two drivers into one–the clarity of a tweeter with the richness and fullness of a separate mid-range.
* Digital equalization: The Z-5500 Digital actively adjusts frequency response in real time for the cleanest, most accurate sound reproduction.
* DTS® 96/24 support: Enjoy studio-quality sound thanks to the Z-5500’s support for 96 kHz / 24-bit digital audio streams
* Amazingly powerful controls: The Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center lets you control volume to all speakers, set inputs, and much more. And the separate wireless remote is great for home theaters and video game consoles.
* Innovative satellite design: Cloth grilles are removable for a pro-audio look. Pedestals rotate for easy wall mounting or desk placement. Center channel can be mounted on wall, above or below monitor.
* Connect to multiple sources: Simultaneously connect 6 audio sources including PCs, video game consoles, and DVD, CD & portable music players… and control it all from the Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center.

Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center

* Digital LCD: Clear, crisp high contrast display
* Input: Select audio source (optical, coax, or direct)
* Effect: Select digital surround sound effect
* Settings: Adjust parameters of digital surround sound effects
* Mute: Mute the entire system
* Level: Adjust volume, subwoofer, center, and fader levels
* Pro-audio style knob: Oversized, weighted control knob with digital precision
* System Power
* Auxiliary input jack: For convenient connection to portable audio devices (CD, MP3, MiniDisc®, etc.)

Customer feedback:

1. After getting the MX1000 laser mouse and the Z-5500 speakers i fell in love with logitech. These speakers produce quality sound, they sound better than the Z-680 my friend has. I have SB Audigy 2zs platinum with front panel and an optical output. I am using Monster THX certified optical cable bought from amazon for $22 and my system rocks. the sound on my computer cost me $470 but it is worth it. Thank you amazon! they shipped it the same day, ordered on Monday and got it on Wednesday.

2. These speakers are even better than I read about. The main thing that nobody seems to mention is that these speakers basically have a built-in receiver so you can plug your DVD player or whatever directly into the speakers. This, imo, is so important that all the other competing speaker systems really don’t compete. Obviously, it’s not as good as having a real receiver and can’t amplify as much as an external system, but most people that want to hook these speakers up to their computer and other devices simultaneously, and would like to save space and money, would really appreciate this. The toslink output is the highest quality I’ve heard.

Polk Audio RM6750 Black Six-piece 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System - Introducing a complete home-theater audio solution for people who crave true cinema excitement without breaking the bank.
The RM6750. The integrated Power Port Bass Vent designed right onto the back of the compact Satellite & Center Channel speakers - the same technology used in full-sized Polk Audio speakers-improves lower midrange response and all-important sub/sat blending, taking the RM6750 beyond the performance realm of any other sub/sat system in this price range. This integrated design reveals midrange with no hole
in the frequencies between the sats and the sub, for male vocals that are rich and full-not thin and weak like other sub/sat systems. The RM6750 comes with its own subwoofer module, an 8 inch long throw driver and high current power amplifier for real ground-shaking bass thrills. The Subwoofer features an 8-inch Long-Throw Dynamic Balance Poly Composite Driver with built-in Subwoofer amp (50 Watts Continuous Power). Dimensions - Fronts/Surrounds - 6-1/2 H x 4-1/16 W x 5 D, 2 lbs / Center - 4-5/16 H x 11-3/16 W x 5-13/16 D, 5.25 lbs / Subwoofer - 15-7/8 H x 11 W x 13-1/2 D, 28 lbs

Technical Details

* Six piece surround sound package that includes 2 front and 2 surround speakers, 1 center-channel speaker, and 1 subwoofer
* Satellite and center-channel speakers utilize 3.25-inch polymer-composite cone drivers for distortion-free midrange
* Features 0.5-inch silk and polymer-composite dome tweeter in each satellite speakers and 0.75-inch silk and polymer-composite dome tweeter in center-channel speaker
* Subwoofer utilizes an eight-inch long-throw dynamic-balance poly-composite driver for longer driver excursion and better linearity
* Satellite and center-channel speakers can accommodate 6.1 or 7.1 channel systems

Customer feedback:

1. The Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 channel home theater speaker system is phenomenal and an outstanding value. I had originally been looking for a home theater in a box system to mate to a newly acquired 37″ LG LCD HDTV. The search was partly precipitated by the demise of the older generation DVD player we owned coupled to a failing 10 year old Onkyo surround-sound system. As I poked around on-line reviews and shopped Circuit City and Best Buy it became clear I could get more value and flexibility buying a receiver, an upscalable DVD player (improved picture with regular DVDs on HDTV) and a new speaker system than with home theater in a box.

2. There are tons of speakers out there, and many of them are quite good. What sold me on Polk was the wealth of information the company publishes for its customers (and prospects) on its website. While some companies will try to sell you on prestige or fancy finishing, the Polk website lays it out clearly and explains the best way to evaluate a system in terms of performance. As a self-proclaimed audiophile, and having worked in professional theatrical sound, I appreciate a company that is dedicated to quality and technical mastery, and less concerned with marketing.
They make fantastic speakers, and their detailed information on the perils of the “sub jack” on most tuners, along with their innovative solution, has me listening to pristine sound with no hassle. This sounds way better than other systems I’ve heard (at friends houses and whatnot) that cost many times more than this. These speakers are pretty incredible for the price.

Feel the power of 100 amplified watts of pure bass. The Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line Subwoofer makes music come alive and elevates the movie-watching experience to theater-like levels. For cinematic effects, crank up the bass and let the 10″ mica-reinforced cellular woofer and advanced bass reflex design do the rest.

Technical Details

* 100 Watt Amplified Subwoofer
* 10 Mica Reinforced Cellular Woofer
* Motion Feed Back Technology
* Speaker and Line Level Inputs
* Frequency Response 28-200Hz

Customer feedback:

1. This subwoofer really performs. Have to keep the level turned down or else it is way too much bass. Like being inside a movie theatre.

2. Incredibly powerful subwoofer, I have to leave the volume turned down low to avoid disturbing the neighbors. I can’t hear the distortion. While I was waiting for the rest of my system, I ran audio out from my tv to sub, almost made it unnecessary to buy the rest (for tv programs at least). Auto on/off feature can get annoying because it shuts off in quiet periods, and then turns on with a click. (minor annoyance)

Games are meant to be experienced in surround sound. Hear your enemies sneaking up behind you or listen for the action in every direction. The G51 brings your games to life with 360 degree surround sound. The G51 is the first G-series speakers, designed specifically for gamers. Besides delivering an immersive surround-sound experience and thunderous bass, it is equipped with gamer inspired features including the weighted, non-skid control pod, independent, easy-to-access mic and audio mute controls, and customizable satellite speakers. In short, the G51 is authentic gaming equipment!

Weighted, non-skid control pod:

* With the control pod’s silicone feet, you don’t have to worry about it shifting during intense gameplay
* Headphone and microphone jacks are included right on the control pod for easy access and convenience
* Independent volume controls and convenient LEDs make controlling the subwoofer, center channel and satellite speakers simple

Technical Details

* Total RMS power: 155 watts RMS
Satellites: 20 watts RMS x 4 (into 8 ohms, @ 1 kHz, @ 10% THD)
Center channel: 19 watts RMS (into 8 ohms, @ 1 KHz, @ 10% THD)
Subwoofer: 56 watts RMS (into 2 ohms, @ 100 Hz, @ 10% THD)
* Total peak power: 310 watts
* Frequency response: 36 Hz–20 KHz
* Subwoofer crossover frequency: 150 Hz
* Drivers:
Satellites: (2) 2-inch laser-tuned drivers
Subwoofer: Down-firing 5.25-inch high-excursion driver
* Speaker dimensions (H x W x D, inches)
Satellites: 4.2 x 5.6 x 8.5
Center channel: 8.0 x 3.9 x 5.6
Subwoofer: 7.7 x 10.4 x 13.1
* Enclosure: Bass reflex enclosure with tuned port
* Inputs: 6-channel direct, stereo RCA
* Precision control pod:
Non-skid silicone feet
Master volume control
Subwoofer, center, and surround level controls
Matrix surround sound music and gaming modes
Independent audio and microphone mute controls
Headset jack (microphone and headphone)
* Signal-to-noise ratio: >94 dB, A-weighted

Customer feedback:

1. With some relucatance I ordered the G51. I set them up yesterday, and so far I’m very pleased with them. The soul-searing hiss present on the z-680 is mercifully gone, and the system sounds excellent. The bass is sufficient without being overpowering (provided you turn it down a notch or two from the default setting), and the control pod is sensibly sized and sports a great, logically laid out interface. Mids and highs are perfectly acceptable for a relatively cheap computer speaker set.
The matrix mode works surprisingly well (though I think it’s likely nothing that revolutionary, just a re-imaging if their existing stero x2 mode) for both games and music.

2. Before this I used a 2.1 system, and thought it was pretty good. Well, the G51 blew it away with its’ smooth audio that envelops you and adds a powerful and unique audio experience to any system. It sounded great in games, and music takes on a whole new dimension. I watched some TV shows on my Slingbox and the G51 made my room sound like a professional audio entertainment room.
The controller makes it easy to adjust the volume as well as the individual channel volumes (surround, center, bass). It also provides convenient microphone and headphone jacks at your fingertips. The mute button is also a handy addition to the control panel.

Road warriors: you needn’t deny yourself the comforts of home when you’re on the road! Now you can enjoy great sound with a simple setup from your laptop! The Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers offer a convenient, high-quality speaker system for your laptop with rich, full sound and deep bass–all in a lightweight, portable design. The USB port provides power and digital quality audio–no other cables are necessary! Convenient multimedia controls provide easy access to track forward/back, play, stop, mute, and volume buttons that work with many software applications.
- Optimize your sound. High dynamic headroom circuitry offers greater volume with less distortion–and combined with the 2″ Max-X™ high-excursion drivers and 3″ pressure drivers, maximize bass response.
- Take them with you. The Logitech V20 Notebook speakers have a lightweight, portable design that folds away easily in the protective travel case.
- Plug and play. USB provides both power and digital-quality audio. No other cables are necessary, and there is no AC adapter to pack.

Technical Specifications

Total RMS Power: 2 Watts (1W + 1W) into 4 ohms at 1 kHz at 10% total harmonic distortion (THD)
System THD: less than 0.05% THD, before clipping
Signal-to-noise ratio: >70dB
Frequency response: 70Hz - 20 kHz
Driver size: 2″ high-excursion driver with 3″ pressure driver
Dimensions: 6.44″ tall x 6.25″ wide x 1.5″ deep (combined)
Weight: 1 lb. 3.6 oz. (combined)

Customer feedback:

1. I was very disapointed by te sound of the built in speakers of my new Gateway computer so I started doing some research. I wanted a USB powered solution but was not sure about USB for the driving the speakers. I saw the V20s at a local store for over $80 but decided to pick them up. I cant belive how easy they were to install. Just plugged them into my laptop and Bam! Clear, crisp (And Loud) sound. You wont drive a concert hall but I have AC powered speakers that dont sound this good. The only problem is that they deliver a bit too much base and can bounce around the table if not adjusted correctly.

2. I use these speakers for my Dell Latitude D600 and they are wonderful. The sound is very good for such small speakers, and it really improves the experience of watching a DVD or listening to itunes. You can change the volume with the buttons on the speaker, or with the sound volume button built into the D600. The power drain isn’t too high. I was able to listen to music at a pretty high volume for a little over two hours before my laptop battery was about 70% discharged. There is no software to install - just plug them in to a USB port and you are up and running (no separate power supply or batteries needed - they only need USB power). There are little braces in the back to tip them to the desired angle. There is also a nice little carrying case.