Creative Gigaworks S750 7.1 Speakers?

bitterSTAR · 18 Mar 2006 at 22:30

Has anyone got any first-hand experience of this speaker system?

I'm considering this system, because I'm interested in having all 8 channels and from what I have heard in reviews (I have found on the net) they are powerful, loud and have a much higher sound quality and frequency range compared to other PC speaker systems.

I'm partically interested in using this for music, watching TV, DVDs and gaming as I use my PC for everything. I would be using this with a X-FI Fatality.

Thanks in advance!

TooNice · 19 Mar 2006 at 02:18

I have them, currently powered by the X-Fi Elite Pro.

Let's start with the negatives:
- Very few applications benefit from 8 channels. You'll probably end up upmixing quite often.
- Remember there are 7 speakers. That is quite a few cable running around (at least 4: sides and back).
- Actually, I can knitpick more things, but I am really knitpicking here.

The good news:
- The upmixing works pretty well.
- They are excellent well rounded multimedia speakers:
* Powerful? Yes.
* Loud? Yes. But perhaps not the loudEST.
* Much higher SQ than other PC speakers? I am going to be cautious about this one. I definitely prefer it to the Logitech available when I purchased it. The Logitech had plenty of bass (quantitative), which makes it better for games/movies.. but not as well suited for music. The Gigaworks was definitely more well rounded. Not sure if it is true with the current Logitech speakers though. One of the most mentioned contender at 3dss is the Klipsh Ultra. I think the consensus was that the Gigaworks had slightly better satellite, whereas the Ultra had a better subwoofer. But this is moot point since you'd be hard pressed to find the Ultra in the UK. Overall, you can't go wrong with the Gigaworks in terms of sound quality... for multimedia speakers anyway.

Voy06 · 19 Mar 2006 at 11:52

Gigaworks

I too have this speaker system and have to agree with TooNice about the pro's and con's of the system. I have mine hooked up too an X-Fi card as well.

If you decide to fork out I don't think you'll be disappointed.

bitterSTAR · 19 Mar 2006 at 13:51

TooNice said:
* Loud? Yes. But perhaps not the loudEST.

Thanks for your detailed opinion, I just have one thing to ask: is the system's loudness comparable to anything? Just so I can get an idea of how loud I'd be able to pump it up lol.

Silverwolf · 21 Mar 2006 at 11:52

Turn up the Bass and it will rattle the house !!

Play some SFX sounds through these speakers coupled to a SB Audgiy 2 ZS ( soon to be XFI) and you will be rattled along with your house

bitterSTAR · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:02

OK.. they're gonna be the next things I buy

That's for sure!

TooNice · 21 Mar 2006 at 17:11

Yea. I am sure there are speakers that go louder, but this can play at deafning volume already. Not that you want that

Phil2008 · 22 Mar 2006 at 04:19

Im going to get the logitech z-5500 speakers,, and loudness is not everything, its quality . The z-5500 will go to 115db(a jet engine is 120db). your sound system wont last long whatever you decide to get, If your going to have it cranked up to almolt full volume at long periods of time

When some ppl get sound systems they just connected it up, and cranked it to full vol straight away, and wonder why its bust in like 10mins..

I read on a forum some ppl leave there sound systems on for 2 weeks playing music at modrerate volume level, to loosen the speakers up so they vibrate/bounce freely.

bitterSTAR · 22 Mar 2006 at 14:06

Ofcourse loudness isn't everything, the sound quality is very good, and that is why I'm interested in these speakers.. Loudness is a requirement but ofcourse I don't want to blow my ear drums out! I just wanted to make sure that these speakers are capable of withstanding high volumes, so I know I'm not likely to blow them at the med-high volume - I don't like maxing the volume out totally.

Phil2008 · 22 Mar 2006 at 14:11

Well logitech z-5500 are louder then the creatives, and you might blow the z-5500 sub at high volume.

TooNice · 22 Mar 2006 at 14:30

bitterSTAR said:
Ofcourse loudness isn't everything, the sound quality is very good, and that is why I'm interested in these speakers.. Loudness is a requirement but ofcourse I don't want to blow my ear drums out! I just wanted to make sure that these speakers are capable of withstanding high volumes, so I know I'm not likely to blow them at the med-high volume - I don't like maxing the volume out totally.

Any speakers at this price range can easily reach this level, it doesn't even need to be in the list of concern... Unless you are playing in a big living room or something (and even then).

For reference, I have my speaker volume half way, and my sound card setting at 35%. Sometime I would turn down the volume in Foobar too.

daftVader · 22 Mar 2006 at 15:19

Silverwolf said:
Turn up the Bass and it will rattle the house !!

Play some SFX sounds through these speakers coupled to a SB Audgiy 2 ZS ( soon to be XFI) and you will be rattled along with your house

Quoted for truth.

Listening to music I find I have to turn down the bass or it muddles the mid ranges too much. Then again, I didn't buy them for listening to music on

The gunfire in Quake and Fear is most satisfying, although not sure my neighbours agree :cool: