Creative Labs GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System with BasXPort Technology
From the Manufacturer “If you’re obsessive about music and movies, these compact speakers deliver audio that rivals most entry-level 5. 1 setups. ” — Computer Shopper “With powerful bass and crisp audio, Creative’s Gigaworks T40 redefines what small speaker systems are capable of. ” — Computer Shopper Professionally designed full-range speaker system for acoustic audio performance and bass 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, givi…more
Like this post? Subscribe to RSS feed!
13 comments
Vicki on July 27, 2009 at 2:49 am
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. Update after several weeks of use: I’ve noticed that after a month or so of breaking these speakers in that they have improved dramatically. I no longer have any legitimate complaints about them whatsoever. When I listen to music on them now, the music sounds natural, very clear and vibrant. My friend has a set of Logitech 2. 1 speakers that I was listening to the other day, and while his system has far more wattage and a separate subwoofer, the creatives are infinitely better. The sound on the logitechs sounded very artificial compared to the sound of these speakers.
Zulimar on July 27, 2009 at 5:09 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Speakers for Music and Casual Gaming
As my first set of “semi-serious” PC speakers, I couldn’t be happier with these T40s. As many reviews have reported, the bass that these speakers kick out is peculiarly heavy…
Osman on July 27, 2009 at 5:47 am
. . . that is, if you don’t want an actual studio monitor by a company like M-Audio, which will take up a good bit more desktop real estate and can cost a good chunk more for their mid and high level models. For the size and the price however, these T40s are a very competent pair of speakers. My good friend of mine got a pair of these for his new Dell laptop, and I’ve spent the past several days listening to them while housesitting for him. The 3 most common problems that most computer speakers have is overpowering, bloated bass; recessed or non-existent midrange; and screechy, exaggerated treble. These T40s have not totally remedied all 3, but have come closer than most 2. 0 speaker systems I have heard. If you are not expecting to shake the walls with them and listen to relatively simple music (MP3s which are already a compromised music medium) on a casual basis, they are excellent. I listened to a range of stuff on them: Beethoven piano concertos, Norah Jones, Iggy Pop, The White Stripes, Bach symphonies, Miles Davis, Madeleine Peyroux . . . all sounded quite acceptable! Still no comparison to a regular music system of course, but nothing to groan or grimace over. And again, it goes without saying but needs to be said anyways in case there are some complete noobs surfing these reviews: these speakers completely wipe the floor with their Bose counterparts!
Anonymous on July 27, 2009 at 7:15 am
I’ve had my T40s for about a month now and I’m quite pleased. For the past 10 years or so, I’ve been using a pair of Logitech 2. 1 speakers that I’ve been extremely happy with. One thing I didn’t like was the tangle of cords involved with having the subwoofer and satellites. So, when the Logitechs started rattling, I figured I’d try a non-sub setup and see how that worked. I don’t play a ton of music or games at high volume levels, so I figured that I could get-by without a sub. I need decent sounding music with OK bass as well as good mid/treble. Pretty simple. The Creative T40s had a good price on Amazon, and after a rebate, I’d getting them for well under a hundred bucks, so I pushed that wonderful “buy” button and started the countdown to the arrival of the UPS guy. Unpacking the speakers, I noticed they are taller than I expected — about 12 inches high. They are heavy and very well built with no creaking in the plastic when you apply force with your hands. There is a small base that you install with a single screw on each speaker that gives some added stability. Each speaker leans back slightly. On the main speaker is a volume, bass, and treble control knob as well as a headphone jack and bright blue power LED. The rear of the same speaker has the input jack (1/8″ headphone), power switch, connection to the other speaker, power input, and a dock connector input for the optional iPod dock they sell. Design-wise, the speakers are nice. The yellow cones are cool looking, although I leave the grilles on so I don’t really see them. The finish on the speaker fronts is a glossy metallic gray, the grilles black cloth, and the back of the speaker is matte black plastic. The LED may be too bright for some, but I have the speakers on either side of a 24″ LCD monitor, so the LED shines straight-out off to the side of my view and it doesn’t bother me. There is only one wire going to the left speaker so the cabling is easy to manage and organize, which is a big plus for me! Each speaker has a bass port on top, which will undoubtedly collect dust but shouldn’t be a problem. The left speaker’s single wire is permanently attached so it’s always dangling from the speaker. I’d much prefer if the wire was pluggable for those times you need to move the speakers, but it’s a minor complaint. Sound-wise, I really like the speakers. They clearly aren’t “boomy” like you’d get from a sub, however the low-end is substantial. The ports on the tops of the speakers do their jobs – there’s more air moving in them than I expected from such small cones. The mids are full, which is unlike any other lower-end computer speaker I’ve heard. It seems that most computer speakers forgo mids and give only bass and treble, so having nice mid-range is a treat. The cloth-dome tweeter is smooth and not harsh like a titanium dome would be. Each cymbal hit is clear and defined, but not irritating. I will note that I have a strong preference for cloth/silk-dome tweeters stemming back to my car audio days, so these T40s are right up my alley. Pros: * Nice design. * Very good balanced sound. * Clean design and appearance. * Reasonable price. Cons: * Power switch on the backside is not ideal – I’d like automatic on/off. * Bass ports on the top may collect dust. * Left speaker’s wire is permanently attached to the speaker. Summary: I’m very happy with these speakers. They don’t have the “boom” of my previous sub setup, but boom isn’t always necessary to have. These T40s are accurate and tight overall, including the always rare mid-range. At around $100 or less, these are hands-down worth it and I’d buy them again – that’s the best kudos I can give. Mike
Addison on July 27, 2009 at 8:06 am
1.0 out of 5 stars
E-Friends Don’t Let E-Friends Buy Creative Labs Products
These would have been considered a half-way decent pair of speakers ten years a-go.
I bought this pair of speakers based on all of the positive reviews that I’d read…
Miakoda on July 27, 2009 at 8:23 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great sound and well-built speakers
I listened to a number of speakers at my local Fry’s including the Creative GigaWorks T20 (the smaller model of the T40) but bought the T40’s since they were only a few bucks more…
Tabitha on July 27, 2009 at 10:00 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Speaker response
Speakers arrived on time and as advertised. Sound was a bit strange at first, but like other reviews it produced a much better sound after a few days of use.
Gallia on July 27, 2009 at 11:11 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
Decent for computer use, very well made
I have been skeptical of Creative Labs since the debacle with their Vista drivers a couple of years ago, but I have to say that these are one of the better 2.
Ira on July 27, 2009 at 12:25 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Lord, what a great sound
I don’t even really know where to begin.
These speakers are truly MINDBLOWING! Watching movies, listening to music, watching sports, these speakers are absolutely…
Anonymous on July 27, 2009 at 12:52 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creative Labs GigaWorks T49 Speaker System
Great speakers & great sound! Perfect for any desktop computer system! Product was delivered as ordered. Works as described.
Usoa on July 27, 2009 at 2:35 pm
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great computer speakers, just not very powerful
I’d been looking around for some small speakers to replace an old hifi. I was excepting that the decrease in size would have a cost in sound, but was OK with that.
Wilton on July 27, 2009 at 3:16 pm
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stylish Low-End High-End
I spent a few days researching 2.0 and 2.1 systems, as I usually do before investing in a new piece of hardware. I have been using a set of Yamaha 2.
Xalvadora on July 27, 2009 at 4:35 pm
4.0 out of 5 stars
very nice sound & looks
Pros: the smart styling will fit in with many PC systems and they don’t take up a lot of space on your desk, nice sound
Cons: blue LED is annoying , on-off switch in…