Inspire 6.1 6700 Speaker System
Creative's latest system goes 6.1 and Dolby EX.
Its quite extraordinary the pace at which PC audio is progressing, and mercifully improving in quality, catching-up with the pace-setters in the home Cinema industry. Creative’s two latest releases that do just that, the Inspire 6.1 6700 speaker system, and the new Audigy 2 soundcard are perhaps the most cutting-edge examples of this.
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What you get with this particular beast are a whopping seven-channels of audio output, which takes full advantage of the Audigy 2’s new capabilities, providing the very best that money can buy in PC surround sound.
The fundamental addition to this package over 5.1 systems is the new rear centre speaker, which adds further depth to your 3D audio, as well offering full Dolby EX playback. A beefed-up centre front unit is also included to add better sound quality, and the subwoofer has been improved too.
All this should set you back in the region of £100 including VAT, which isn’t bad given the sheer quantity of hardware you’re getting for that, though the 6.1 6700 is of course not a budget option. It is however a very worthwhile purchase for owners of either the original Audigy, or especially the new Audigy 2.
The system will even improve the 5.1 output of original Audigy-class cards to something like 6.1, but this only works to a degree, and the addition of a true 6.1 card is noticeable, at least in software that makes good use of it. The standard is of course not fully established yet, but I’m sure as time progresses support will improve, especially given the noticeable difference the extra channel makes to games and DVDs.
Here’s some technical jargon before we continue:
Power Specifications:
Moving on to the crucial sound quality department, its pleasing to note that a marked improvement is detectable over previous 5.1 systems, the extra channel adding depth, whilst the solidifying of this system makes for clearer and sharper sound. This is noticeable even in music playback, like MP3’s, but is best shown-off in 3D games.
In the package you get the usual two front and two rear satellite speakers, a beefy front centre speaker, the new rear centre speaker, and a solid wooden subwoofer. The build quality is of course good, as you’d expect, and the package also contains various stands, a wired-remote, and the necessary cables. A pretty healthy package for the price, even if wiring and connecting everything can leave the rear of your PC looking something like spaghetti junction.
All in all the 6.1 6700 system is easy to recommend, especially to those still without the joy of 5.1 audio – this being the next-step up. Owners of the Audigy 2 (review) may also find this a worthwhile purchase, especially for those with the budget to aim at audio perfection. Owners of the existing Audigy and a 5.1 speaker system may however wish to keep their notes firmly in their wallets as this upgrade will not prove a revolution – more of a progression.
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Comments
creative is taking people for fools. inspire 5100, 5200, 5300. no digital connectivity. are they carzy?
I just ordered them and it´s nice to finally see a review. Now i look forward on testing these babies.
I have had this speakers for almost a month. They are great value for the money! I'm very pleased with the sound clearity and quality coming out of these speakers.
Thinking of getting these and i hear they even have spdif!!
what's the difference between these 6700's and them 6600's??
I bought the Inspire 6600 in South Africa. I cannot identify the 20w center speaker, because it does not differentiate from the other satellites. So is there a difference between the 6700 & 6600? & How do i know what the center speaker is?
There is no difference between the 6600 and the 6700. Its just that the European market call it the 6700 thats all it is.
dude so how come the pics of the 6600's front center speaker look different from the 6700's front center speakers?
i have the same exact problem.
which is the 20w front center?!
Salie,
I believe all the sattelite speakers are the same except that the amplifier in the subwoofer puts out 20 watts to the front center. So you could put any sat: speaker there regardless. the 6600 & 6700 are the same except the center front its just a different box. Bit like "dont judge a book by its cover" Regards paul
can anyone help i only seem to be getting 4 channels of sound from the audigy2 and 6700 set?
am stepping into surround sound...is audigy 2 zs with 6.1 6600 worth it... i watch dvds on my comp and listen to a lot of music and into gaming...please suggest
My just purchased this speaker sysytem. What I am trying to find is do I need a special connector for the three lead cable to make it into one whereas I can connect it the the single outlet which is part of the new ASUS P4C800E Deluxe motherboard. Please help. Leon
Can't get full 6.1 functionality when used on vista, or a program to calibrate the speakers
I have a inspire 6700 installed to my new vista computer. I think I have everything install correctly... for some reason, it doesn't work at all. Dose someone has any suggestions?