Written: 8/11/99
Written by:
Mercid
Manufacturer:
Cambridge Soundworks
Retail Price: $199
Cambridge SoundWorks, you know the name. Cambridge SoundWorks is one of the worlds leading manufacturer of home theaters, home stereo and multimedia speaker systems. In the past they have brought you systems such as the value series of PC Works, a great speaker system that can be had for under $100 dollars, Microworks, the best 2 speaker system for you computer to date and the Desktop Theater 5.1.
With all of that greatness, you come to expect great things from such a company. It's a good thing that the man behind Cambridge SoundWorks is Henry Kloss, founder of other great speaker company's such as Acoustic Research, KLH and Advent. After so many great products is Cambridge SoundWorks going to fall to the wayside and milk their product for all that its worth? From what can be seen in the FPS 2000 Digital, the answer is a definite NO.
The FPS 2000 system comes with just about everything you need; tripod stands (for the rear speakers) and a wired, remote volume control with On/Off, Front/Rear balancing and master volume that can be mounted with a Velcro strip. A DIN connector is used for the S/PDIF input, any sonic improvements gained by using the FPS 2000's digital I/O are subtle. You gain more clarity and separation between instruments--which is great for the hardcore gamer or audiopile, but we can not admit that the sound quality is far superior to the analog input as Cambridge would want you to think, with that in mind however, you must realize that the analog input IS far superior to most other computer speaker systems.
The rear speakers make the gaming experience more satisfying. If you play a game that supports 3D audio, this system really shines. You have and never will hear what this system has to offer out of a 2 speaker setup. When you fire up a game that has 3D audio support you will soon find that the cash you laid out for your new speaker system was well worth it. The bullets will fly past your head so realistically that you will find yourself moving your head to steer clear. What's the next game on the menu you ask? One simple word says it all, Half-Life. Fire up your copy of Half-Life (you do have the game don't you?) and prepare yourself to be amazed. The bullet shells falling on the ground, the "baddies" talking on the radio's, and the alien screeches all come to life, There is no doubt that this speaker system is part of Creative's Live! sound solution.
The FPS 2000 does not only make your games come to life but the system also makes your cd's have stunning clarity. With a few adjustments to the volume and the balancing of front to rear, you can make the guitars in your cd's seem as if they explode from all area's around you. Dave Mathews - Crush is especially nice. All the instruments come from their own direction, it is as if you are at the concert in the front row. The music will come in from one side and fade out to the other side and then to top it all off, it fades out to behind you. Amazing!
With DVD your new speaker system will really show its stuff. I played Top Gun on my DVD player and was instantly amazed. The planes come on strong and faded out, the sound track was impressing and when missiles were launched, hold on to your seat, I have never heard this old time favorite of a movie sound this good. My personal favorite part was when Tom Cruise goes ripping through town on his Bike, it must be heard to be believed.
This speaker system is amazing, now that you know how great this system is, you are probably thinking that it will cost a fortune. Not at all. It retails for $199 dollars but can be found for much less. If you are in the market for new speakers, buy this system now.
The Goods
Good price for performance
Sounds great
Nice and small
The Bads