Considering upgrading from Creative T20 Speakers

Karl · 6 Jul 2021 at 10:26

Hi all!

I've had these speakers since 2009, and they're still going really well. I have had the itch to upgrade though, and was investigating what possible alternatives there are.

Most of my listening is music, bit of film and TV, bit of gaming, but most of gaming is with headphones on.

My room is quite small (maybe 2m x 2.5m) so it isn't hard to fill the space, and the T20s do this already. What I was wondering is if another set of speakers might do it better. Saw this video in another thread:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FDRfFWJty8

Which highlighted some stark differences in what comes through in quite a few of those tracks.

I then noticed that the R128Ts are on offer at 5% off at OCUK, and the R1600T are 15% off and the same price - I noticed they're a higher wattage, so would the R1600Ts be too boomy for such a small space, and would I be better off with the R1280T, or maybe something else entirely like the Kanto Yu2 or the like?

Small form factor but improved sound, I guess, is the main thing I'm going for.

Edit: I should probably also point out I'm happy to get one of those little amplifier things as well, as powered / passive speakers are all fine - Just looking for improved sound without putting two massive bookshelf speakers on my desk!

Cheers!

radderfire · 6 Jul 2021 at 17:51

I was just wondering if OCUK lets people listen to these instore and if you are near enough to visit, because it is best to listen to them in person yourself before buying.

The Edifier speakers certainly look a lot nicer than the Creatives, but it's the sound that counts.

drichardb · 7 Jul 2021 at 01:52

Based purely on those recordings (which is a little risky as not necessarily a fair representation of either) I would say the Edifier's edged the Creative's though neither sounded particularly great imo, but I'm biased towards big rigs so dont hold that against me!

A few things you should probably decide before doing more research - nail down your budget & size constraints. Budget is key here as going down the amp/speakers route will likely be significantly more expensive than the sort of active speakers your considering at the moment.

hornetstinger · 7 Jul 2021 at 07:27

Benefit of active speakers is designed with bi amped amp, also monitor type speakers.
I'm using a AVR and hifi speakers, these aren't designed to be monitors though.

For £50 you can't go wrong with Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 and t amp, although I found a t-amp to be pretty noisy (or the source was)

Jay85 · 7 Jul 2021 at 13:47

Im in the same boat, been using my T2's for aslong as i can remember. They're good speakers and tbh there's nothing wrong with them but with over 10 years worth of advancements in technology i'm wondering if im missing anything. Even considered sound bars since i have room on my desk for one but no idea which to get there's such an abundance of choice these days, its difficult to decide without actually hearing them first.

Karl · 7 Jul 2021 at 13:49

Jay85 said:
Im in the same board, been using my T2's for aslong as i can remember. They're good speakers and tbh there's nothing wrong with them but with over 10 years worth of advancements in technology i'm wondering if im missing anything. Even considered sound bars since i have room on my desk for one but no idea which to get there's such an abundance of choice these days, its difficult to decide without actually hearing them first.

Exactly!

Thanks for the 2p from you all, sounds like "go and listen to some" is where we're at

Jay85 · 7 Jul 2021 at 14:51

Karl said:
Exactly!

Thanks for the 2p from you all, sounds like "go and listen to some" is where we're at

This is one that i've been considering:

Creative Sound BlasterX Katana Soundbar

Heard a quite a few good things about it and i think it would be perfect for a small room gaming/movie setup.

Marine-RX179 · 8 Jul 2021 at 12:45

Jay85 said:
This is one that i've been considering:

Creative Sound BlasterX Katana Soundbar

Heard a quite a few good things about it and i think it would be perfect for a small room gaming/movie setup.

As an owner of the Creative T40 II, Edifier R1600T Plus and Wharfedale Diamond 9.0, and the Creative Katana Sound bar, I can confirm that for music as far as 2.0 speakers go the Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 sounds the best.

For gaming and movies that you would care more about sound effects, rumbling bass and immersion more than details or clarity of the highs and the mids, the Katana simply has no contest in this aspect.

Jay85 · 8 Jul 2021 at 13:59

Marine-RX179 said:
As an owner of the Creative T40 II, Edifier R1600T Plus and Wharfedale Diamond 9.0, and the Creative Katana Sound bar, I can confirm that for music as far as 2.0 speakers go the Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 sounds the best.

For gaming and movies that you would care more about sound effects, rumbling bass and immersion more than details or clarity of the highs and the mids, the Katana simply has no contest in this aspect.

I've read a lot about the Katana's capabilities in terms of 3D sound, how they describe coming from different directions even though the sound bar is infront of them. Is it really that good? Never experienced from a soundbar myself.

Marine-RX179 · 8 Jul 2021 at 19:12

Jay85 said:
I've read a lot about the Katana's capabilities in terms of 3D sound, how they describe coming from different directions even though the sound bar is infront of them. Is it really that good? Never experienced from a soundbar myself.

The Katana has multiple output mode which you could select from:
1: Neutral- essentially just native playback audio mode without any sort of virtual surround emulation
and then there's other mode that offer different types of virtual surround mode
2: Gaming
3: Concert
4: Cinema
and then there's night mode, which basically mute the subwoofer

Personally I think for the price the Katana done a good job for the virtual surround, unlike 2.0 speakers which is more about reference listening, the Katana and its Virtual Surround modes you can clear feel like that overall soundstage is much wider, and you are being embraced with the sound surrounding you.

Obviously it ain't going to be like using a headphone where you could pinpointing footsteps and direction on FPS games, but for other games in general they are great in terms of immersion.

For gaming at my monitor, I have a pair of Arcam MUSO passive speakers hooked up to my Creative X7 along with a sub, and whilst this set up is great for music and general media consumption I find myself prefer to use my Katana for movies and gaming instead.

JasonM · 9 Jul 2021 at 02:01

Prodipe Pro 5 v3 studio monitors. Can be picked up for under £200 a pair, superior to Edifier. The Prodipes are entry level professional monitors, everything else mentioned is consumer hi fi gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srYsFVe86uc

You will require desk stands, and isolotion foam to get the best from the Prodipes but should be using these on any speakers / monitors.

mattyfez · 9 Jul 2021 at 15:03

I'm half tempted to replace my MK1 T20's, but I'll have to spend easily north of a hunrded quid for a worthwhile upgrade, and my ancient t-20 still work and sound great, so it's difficuly to justify.

Jay85 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:42

Marine-RX179 said:
The Katana has multiple output mode which you could select from:
1: Neutral- essentially just native playback audio mode without any sort of virtual surround emulation
and then there's other mode that offer different types of virtual surround mode
2: Gaming
3: Concert
4: Cinema
and then there's night mode, which basically mute the subwoofer

Personally I think for the price the Katana done a good job for the virtual surround, unlike 2.0 speakers which is more about reference listening, the Katana and its Virtual Surround modes you can clear feel like that overall soundstage is much wider, and you are being embraced with the sound surrounding you.

Obviously it ain't going to be like using a headphone where you could pinpointing footsteps and direction on FPS games, but for other games in general they are great in terms of immersion.

For gaming at my monitor, I have a pair of Arcam MUSO passive speakers hooked up to my Creative X7 along with a sub, and whilst this set up is great for music and general media consumption I find myself prefer to use my Katana for movies and gaming instead.

I caved and bought it, delivery tomorrow but just wondering what USB cable do you use for PC? Ive heard the included one is abit weak and short so decided to get some aftermarket ones to try, is it worth it?

Karl · 12 Jul 2021 at 10:26

Let us know how you get on @Jay85

Jay85 · 12 Jul 2021 at 10:47

Karl said:
Let us know how you get on @Jay85

Will do, just got notification from DPD. Might do a little unboxing even though there's loads on youtube haha!

Next little investment i think i will be Philips Hue light bars and the bridge for even more immersion.

Marine-RX179 · 12 Jul 2021 at 16:39

Jay85 said:
I caved and bought it, delivery tomorrow but just wondering what USB cable do you use for PC? Ive heard the included one is abit weak and short so decided to get some aftermarket ones to try, is it worth it?

I use Optical Spdif cable (so it would avoid any potential interference or static noise from the PC over the USB).

There's a KabelDirekt 1M/1.5M/3M Optical spdif cable over at Rainforest at just under £6 at the moment.

Jay85 · 12 Jul 2021 at 21:27

Marine-RX179 said:
I use Optical Spdif cable (so it would avoid any potential interference or static noise from the PC over the USB).

There's a KabelDirekt 1M/1.5M/3M Optical spdif cable over at Rainforest at just under £6 at the moment.

Ah don't have this option unfortunately, my mobo only supports aux or usb so i ended up with usb.

Man the sound from this thing is phenomenal, its a little weird at first as im use to the speakers underneath my desk but once i calibrated a few things in the EQ its pretty much spot on now.

I'm not sure if 5.1 works via usb but its available to setup in windows anyway. I've tried 5.1 and 7.1 both with virtual surround on ultrawide setting and i think the 5.1 sounds better? Maybe im doing it wrong? Sounds abit tinny with 7.1 with ultra wide setting in FPS games i think, unless im doing it wrong.

@Karl Highly recommend them mate if you're thinking about upgrading from something like T20/T40's. It's not £1000 audio system but defo packs a punch for its size.

Actually **** myself when i first turned them on as they default to 25 which is friggin loud.

Karl · 13 Jul 2021 at 09:22

Jay85 said:
Ah don't have this option unfortunately, my mobo only supports aux or usb so i ended up with usb.

Man the sound from this thing is phenomenal, its a little weird at first as im use to the speakers underneath my desk but once i calibrated a few things in the EQ its pretty much spot on now.

I'm not sure if 5.1 works via usb but its available to setup in windows anyway. I've tried 5.1 and 7.1 both with virtual surround on ultrawide setting and i think the 5.1 sounds better? Maybe im doing it wrong? Sounds abit tinny with 7.1 with ultra wide setting in FPS games i think, unless im doing it wrong.

@Karl Highly recommend them mate if you're thinking about upgrading from something like T20/T40's. It's not £1000 audio system but defo packs a punch for its size.

Actually **** myself when i first turned them on as they default to 25 which is friggin loud.

Cheers for the heads-up on this, it's given me something additional to mull over!

hornetstinger · 14 Jul 2021 at 21:03

That sub doesn't look too special not dual 18" with 4" voicecoils tuned to 10hz with 4000w amp.

Jay85 · 18 Jul 2021 at 11:05

So update, the soundbar died less than a week after purchase... RGB stopped working first then eventually the whole bar wouldn't turn on... great!

Returned it and now getting the logitech G560 setup instead. So gutted as the bar was really good for music and movies. See how the G560 perform and see if it lasts longer.

One thing i did notice while using the soundbar, it got really hot especially in this heat wave, starting to wonder if it was a contributing factor.