Old set of Creative DTT2500 5.1s any good?

[kleinwl]

I have an old set of creative labs DDT2500. These were $300 speakers in 2001... with a seperate DAC and all that.

I am runnign off of the on-board sound in my Epox board... so I am sure that I'm not using these to their full potential... but:

Are the new Logtech or Kipling, etc. speaker far superior... or has speaker technology not advanced much?

I intend on buying the new Creative X-fi... and just want to know if it is worth it to upgrade the speakers at the same time.

 

[bassoprofundo]

If you're a gamer, it's definitely worth upgrading the speakers. You can't use any more than 4-channel gaming on the DTT2500s (2x analog inputs or 1-DIN digital input). Creative's latest Gigaworks set will allow you to get full 7.1 gaming experience, and the set I reviewed rattled the walls in my computer room. The Klipsch 5.1 set is great, too. If you can afford it, upgrade. If not, the DTT2500s are still respectable as far as overall sound for your PC.

 

[alcoholbob]

If you have a seperate DAC, you should try to keep that if you do upgrade your speakers. I believe half the value of those $300 speakers were in the DAC, so even then, there were more powerful speakers available.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
If you have a seperate DAC, you should try to keep that if you do upgrade your speakers. I believe half the value of those $300 speakers were in the DAC, so even then, there were more powerful speakers available.

So if the DACs are good... then an X-Fi would be a waste, eh?

(I'm not really familiar with this set at all)

 

[alcoholbob]

No, it's just the seperates market (like stand alone amplifiers) tend to be expensive vs all-in-one products (receivers). It has more to do with resources (of a big company vs a small one selling a specialty product, plus less sales) than qualitative differences.

The DACs are pretty basic. Klipsch for example sells an external decoder for their Klipsch Ultra sets. It costs $200, and all it does is standard Pro Logic and DD5.1, not even DTS. It's not their forte, and sales are limited, so the price is high. Basically it just takes advantage of the mis-informed customer, and prevents him/her from buying an actual quality product.

 

[justlnluck]

It really depends whether you are still happy with the sound quality or not. I purchased the DTT2500 set back in the year 2000 and still enjoy them to this day. I use them for my music, gaming, and movies. To me, they sound fantastic and I see no reason to upgrade. I don't know how good the gigaworks speakers sound, but I was disappointed to see they don't connect with stanard speaker wire, so it appears that it would be more difficult to extend their wire length. I also find the older speakers more aesthetically pleasing and more durable in appearance. I think the DTT2500 receiver is more than adequate for my uses, but I told myself a year ago that if Creative releases a successor to the DDTS-100 decoder box, I'll buy it. I'm still waiting Creative

IMO, the progression in sound technology has stagnated ever since Creative bought out the Aureal tech. Back in 1998, I loved the Diamond MX300. The 3D sound was simply jaw dropping even with just headphones. Anyone remember that product? EAX doesn't even come close. It's sad, really. I never imagined Aureal would go bankrupt just two years later with a product line so innovative and progressive as its own.

 

[Stretchman]

Ah! I can actually speak to this. Had a floor-mate who owned this system. I played several games at his house, and was very impressed with the sound. Very clear, precise and punchy. Lacked a bit on the low end, but still seemed like a good set of speakers for your pc.

 

[alcoholbob]

Maybe Creative doesn't want to change the input signal TOO much (which is why CMSS has been traditionally just a extrapolation system for the rears and center). I mean if you exaggerate the echoes of every game, won't they all just sound like Doom 3 experiences?

I found with EAX, it always seemed like I was standing in a cave, no matter where I was, the echoing/chamber effect (while in the middle of the forest in NWN or out in the city in KOTOR) was dominant. It was kind of crappy actually.