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Mikael Hagén and Mark Muschett offer an in-depth review of Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Theater 5.1 DTT2500 Digital speaker system. |
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Cambridge Soundworks Desktop
Theater 5.1 DTT2500 Digital
Introduction Update: Creative Labs has replaced this product with the new PlayWorks™ DTT2500 Digital and the DTT3500 system. The PlayWorks DT2500 is the same system with the addition of an optical input so it can be used with the Playstation 2. It's worth noting that you will NOT be able to use the center speaker of the old DTT2500 or the new PlayWorks DTT2500 when you PC games using DS3D even if you buy the new Live 5.1 cards. The DTT3500 is about $50 more and a better buy for most people. For more details on the difference between the DTT3500 and DTT2500 check out our DTT3500 review. With the arrival of DVD the interest of DD 5.1 has increased significantly and unlike those who own laser disc players or have a standalone DVD player in the living room, most computer owners doesn't want to spend $1000 on speakers. That's why Cambridge SoundWorks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Creative, decided last year to put together a very inexpensive ($300) DD 5.1 system targeted at computer buyers, called Desktop Theater 5.1 (DTT 5.1). While many audiophiles just laughed at the tiny speakers and low power output many PC users found it offered a great sound experience for their DVD movies when used with a PC. While many liked the system most still wished for a system with more power and better sound quality using some of Cambridge SoundWorks better quality speakers. Earlier this year Creative decided to do a major upgrade and released the Desktop Theater 5.1 DTT2500 Digital that features 7 watts driving each of the 2.5" long throw drivers found in the front and rear satellites, 21 watts driving an identical center channel and 20 watts driving a 51/4" woofer for the subwoofer. This more powerful center channel is important mostly for just movies where much of the dialog is sent to the center. However if you use the music mode of the amplifier which we will talk about in more detail later you get somewhat louder music playback. While these are still specs far below what most audiophiles would put in their living room it's a significant improvement and puts them on par with the FPS2000 speaker system. The only difference part from the decoder box and an additional satellite with 21 watts RMS for the center is the subwoofer where the DTT2500 has a spec of 5 1/4 inch woofer with 20 RMS while the FPS2000 subwoofer specs are 5 1/4 inch woofer with a power of 25 RMS. In this review we will find out if the system offers good sound for games, music and most importantly DVD movies. We will also look at how it compares with the AC-3 down mixing to 4 speakers on the Klipsch ProMedia, a feature that most software DVD decoders now supports and one hardware decoder, Dxr3 supports.
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Speaker Reviews Altec Lansing ADA880 Dolby Digital Cambridge SoundWorks FPS2000 digital Cambridge SoundWorks 2.1 Digital Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater 5.1 DTT2500 Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater 5.1 DTT3500 Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 510D Diamond Audio Technology ProMedia 3205 Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Initial Review Logitech SoundMan Xtrusio DSR-100 Philips MMS305 4.1 Initial Review Yamaha TSS1 Dolby Digital / DTS 5.1 Sirocco Crossfire vs ProMedia v.2-400 Evergreen RumbleFX force feedback headphones Jazz Speakers DE-005/DE-006 Digital Audio Decoders Boostaroo Headphone Amplifier / Splitter |
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