Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II Comments

Dammit - posted my comment on the T20 review by mistake! Can it be moved here?

Is it better than the Edifier MP300 ?

So is the piercing blue light absent from this model? That was the only flaw in the series I set.

More importantly to the speaker's themselves, the input also makes a huge difference to how these sound. Try plugging in an ipod, then a laptop and play the same track. Music sounds much better when used with the laptop. Music from an ipod sounds tinny with these speakers.

I had a pair of these for £63.60 at PC World website, before they put the price up. They seem to have a yo-yo policy on pricing - it goes up for a while, then comes back down to a fanfare of "special offer". Anyway, at £64 I am very happy with these speakers. My only complaint is very visible in your picture - the nasty looking plastic scaffold visible through the very fine mesh covers. With a bit of design work they could have got rid of it, probably saved on material costs too. I would take the covers off, but rats do occasionally climb up the speakers (don't ask!) so they have to stay on.
And the blue sparkly bits - I hadn't noticed until you pointed it out! Just goes to show, you learn something from a TR review even if you already have the product!

Another question, does the power supply have a large brick between the speakers and plug socket like the previous T40's did?

Thanks Ed. I was thinking of getting the Edifier for the bedroom, but may get these instead.

Bought these Speakers about a month ago, love them to bits, not sure about an Ipod as I don't have one but if I play music on my Creative Zen through the speakers they sound great. When used for games the bass makes explosions sound so real its great.

This is a pair of speakers worth getting if in the market for better ones, Just remember these speakers are not small so be sure there's space on your desk for them before buying!

@Ed
Thanks for the info. I actually own the T20, whilst a friend has the T40's (series 1). Both have an annoying blue light that actually burns the retina in daytime and is very distracting in a dark room, to the point many owners have had to cover the led with blu-tack (myself included)

I notice the light in this model has been moved to the volume control. Is it distracting/too bright? (For instance when watching a movie in a dark room).

I've had a pair of these for a couple of weeks - adding to two pairs of series 1 T20's which I've had for some time.

Blue LED is much 'softer' on the series 2 - allowing for use under my main living room LCD panel without blinding the wife and I (we had to angle the T20's to avoid retinal damage !).

My only slight concern is that my T20's seem quite a bit better at low-end response than the T40's - not sure whether my T40's just need some time to settle down, or whether there's a problem with them... so I welcome any experiences anyone else has on this matter.

Ed, you are in a unique position when you can put the new T20s and T40s next to each other - what would you say is the key difference in sound?

And specifically, will this difference be noticeable in my scenario:
- low to medium volume
- classical music (piano, orchestral, opera), jazz/jazz-rock, occasional rock and pop; definitely no hip-hop or heavy metal type music

What I am after is the sort of sound that is warm, rich, natural - but at the same time clear and "pronounced", particularly on highs and on bass (such as acoustic double-bass and low registers on the piano). Will either T20 or T40 deliver on this front?

Last question if I may - have you ever come across Audioengine A5 or Samson StudioDock 3i? Both have 5 stars on whathifi.com, but are more expensive, and I was wondering how T20/T40 would compare to those.

Hi ED,
Interesting read - would these compare to the Acoustic Energy Aego M Speakers? Or are these two different leagues. The M's are getting old now and just wondered how these T40s compare.
Thanks

I've currently got the Logitech Z3 system, which I've had for the last 5 years or so. Are these Creatives worth an upgrade, anyone?

The Z3 is a pretty decent setup, I must say.

Nice review as always.

I'm really interested in these but like some of the posters above, I'm wondering whether they are worth the premium over the T20s - whether a non audiophile listener like myself will be able to tell the difference, and in what regards.

Perhaps this can be discussed in the T20 Series II review that is coming. I'm bound to purchace one of the two sets, I just need help on chosing which!

Hi help! am looking at getting these for my other half he does alot of gaming and listens to music. Will these be good for that? I have no idea about what i should be looking for.

Hi Ed, what would be better the T20 or the T40. Heres the situation; I have enough room for either, can stretch budget if I have to but cheaper if possible. I listen to Drum and Bass music quite loud so would there be any distortion with that?
Thanks