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Copyright © 2008 Ferrago Ltd

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.

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:

  • Front and Rear Satellite Power: 8 Watts RMS per channel
  • Centre Satellite Power: 20 Watts RMS
  • Subwoofer Power: 22 Watts RMS
  • Frequency Response 40Hz-20kHz

  • Supports Dolby Digital® Surround EX playback when used with Sound Blaster® Audigy™ 2 card and Creative® Multi-Speaker System (CMSS™) technology

  • Up-mixes surround to 6.1 channels when used with a 5.1 sound card

  • Reinforced wood subwoofer with long-throw 6.5-inch driver and dual flared port tubes for clean bass.

  • Larger, more powerful centre satellite for clear vocal/dialogue.

  • Flexible wired remote volume control with power switch and bass adjustment plus headphone out for private listening.

    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.

    90%

    Comments

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    what are your thoughts?

    1. I just ordered them and it´s nice to finally see a review. Now i look forward on testing these babies.

      Sith8 US Friday, 29 November 2002, 03:45:11

    2. 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.

      Spaz NL Friday, 29 November 2002, 04:13:36

    3. creative is taking people for fools. inspire 5100, 5200, 5300. no digital connectivity. are they carzy?

      dinan MU Tuesday, 12 March 2002, 01:21:55

    4. Thinking of getting these and i hear they even have spdif!!

      swmbuk UK Sunday, 19 January 2003, 16:48:25

    5. what's the difference between these 6700's and them 6600's??

      poch PH Wednesday, 26 February 2003, 03:55:32

    6. There is no difference between the 6600 and the 6700. Its just that the European market call it the 6700 thats all it is.

      Danga AU Thursday, 3 July 2003, 01:04:2

    7. dude so how come the pics of the 6600's front center speaker look different from the 6700's front center speakers?

      poch PH Thursday, 3 July 2003, 11:39:11

    8. 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?

      Salie ZA Monday, 5 May 2003, 10:57:57

    9. i have the same exact problem.

      which is the 20w front center?!

      mike IL Monday, 7 July 2003, 09:44:57

    10. 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

      Paul AU Monday, 11 August 2003, 02:41:52

    11. can anyone help i only seem to be getting 4 channels of sound from the audigy2 and 6700 set?

      gareth UK Friday, 29 August 2003, 07:46:8

    12. 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

      Anant IN Wednesday, 5 November 2003, 17:15:34

    13. 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

      hafod1 UK Wednesday, 9 June 2004, 14:09:12

    14. Can't get full 6.1 functionality when used on vista, or a program to calibrate the speakers

      DaNrOx48 UK Friday, 29 February 2008, 22:57:55

    16. 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?

      Ziv US Saturday, 5 April 2008, 21:46:54