Questions about Cambridge FPS2000 vs FPS1800 Speakers

[Rhombuss]

I know these speakers are a bit old - but a local store is selling these units new, for only $108 CDN ($70 US). I'm currently using some Monsoon MM-700's right now, and I basically just want a set primarily for music. I heard the FPS2000 speakers were quite good. I can get the Logitech Z560's, but I don't want pounding base.

Any opinions on the FPS2000's?

EDIT:

What is the real difference between the FPS1800 and FPS2000 besides lack of the digital DIN connection on the 1800s? I've checked the Creative site, and the only difference I can see is more RMS wattage (+1) for the satellites for the 1800s, but more RMS wattage (+3) for the sub on the 2000s.

 

[LongCoolMother]

very good set of speakers. heres a link to a review that anandtech had

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1000

the review seems to praise the speakers very highly. i have them, got them a year or two ago for $150, and paired them up with a surround station stand. still works perfectly, after continous loud volumes. quality seems to be very nice. and sounds nice too. seem to keep up and surpass with the z560s quality in some areas, but not as much power. still louder then you'd ever listen to though . i bought a pair of z560s earlier, but the difference wasnt enough to justify the cost, so i just returned them and stuck with these.

goodluck

 

[EKAtBzboyz]

my friend has fps2000 and they are amazing
i didnt put the bass all the way up so i didnt get any poundnig out of them but other than that they were awesome

thats a good price too, the cheapest i can find them around here is like 200cad i think

 

[Rhombuss]

Hey LongCoolMother,

Could you give me your opinion of which set (FPS2000 or Z560) sounded better in terms of clarity for music?

 

[andrey]

I have FPS2000 speakers and actually had them for some time. Although there are only 4 speakers + 1 sub, if you have a decent sound card (Creative Audigy or Audigy 2), connect FPS2000 to the digital out and for $108 CDN you'll have one heck of a deal. Just the fact the I had these speakers for some time now and today they still sound exactly the same on the day I bought them definitely makes them recommend to anyone who's looking for a great set of speakers which will last for a while and not blow up after a first week (cough, cough.. Logitech Z560). If I would be in your situations, I would definitely get FPS2000 for the price you quoted.

--Andrey

 

[Brian48]

I think these are great speakers for the price, especially for digital. I had a set about 2-3 years back. They can't compare to some of the more powerful (and expensive) analog offerings from Altec Lansing or Logitech, but then again that's not what they're suppose to compete with.

 

[LongCoolMother]

these speakers are extremely clear, and the sound quality is excellent when you use it with a the digitalout it comes with. (preferably a llive! or audigy). it was, in fact, much more clear at low and mid volumes then the z560s (when i say much, i mean noticably). however, once you turn up the volume about a little more then half, you start hearin distortion, and then the z560s lunge ahead.

the wood enclosed sub, (mine is turned up 3/4 of the way) is very nice and full. and both low and high volumes. i assure you, youd be pleased with the bass.

so it boils down to this. if you want the best clarity and quality, get these. if you want power and thundering volume, get the z560s. for me, the quality was more important, although i wouldnt have minded keeping the z560s either.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
these speakers are extremely clear, and the sound quality is excellent when you use it with a the digitalout it comes with. (preferably a llive! or audigy). it was, in fact, much more clear at low and mid volumes then the z560s (when i say much, i mean noticably). however, once you turn up the volume about a little more then half, you start hearin distortion, and then the z560s lunge ahead.

the wood enclosed sub, (mine is turned up 3/4 of the way) is very nice and full. and both low and high volumes. i assure you, youd be pleased with the bass.

so it boils down to this. if you want the best clarity and quality, get these. if you want power and thundering volume, get the z560s. for me, the quality was more important, although i wouldnt have minded keeping the z560s either.

 

[Rhombuss]

Great feedback guys, thanks!

Just another question though - I've been reading some reviews, and half of them say the digital connection makes no noticeable difference, while others say it adds some clarity. I'm currently using a Philips Acoustic Edge, so in your opinions, is there actually a real difference using the digital out? Or is it just rationalizing the purchase, when people say it does add extra clarity?

 

[LongCoolMother]

i think when we mean digitalout, or spdif, we are talking about the speaker's only available connection. i just said digitalout because thats the easiest to use, and i can achieve 96khz with that connection. you can will connect the speakers using the normal digital-outs, but just not the spdif.

so basically, it will be the exact same thing, if you used the acoustic edge. just 2 more wires to connec, instead of the 1. so essentially, there would be very litle, if any difference at all in quality.

 

[Rhombuss]

Hmm...I'm a little confused.

I thought the FPS2000s had normal analog connections, a proprietary DIN connection for Soundblaster cards, but no SPDIF connection? My Philips supports both analog and SPDIF connections, but since the FPS2000 doesn't have SPDIF (or so I thought?), won't my only choice be to use the analog connects?

 

[Spicedaddy]

Originally posted by: Rhombuss
Hmm...I'm a little confused.

I thought the FPS2000s had normal analog connections, a proprietary DIN connection for Soundblaster cards, but no SPDIF connection? My Philips supports both analog and SPDIF connections, but since the FPS2000 doesn't have SPDIF (or so I thought?), won't my only choice be to use the analog connects?

You're right. I have these speakers, and was using the digital connection when I had my SB Live... (via Creative's Digital DIN connection) I now have a GTXP, and use 4-channel analog inputs because the digital only works with Creative cards.


BTW, I tested the Digital DIN vs. the analog inputs on the Live, and couldn't tell the slightest difference. Anyways, they're good speakers for that price.

 

[andrey]

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy

BTW, I tested the Digital DIN vs. the analog inputs on the Live, and couldn't tell the slightest difference. Anyways, they're good speakers for that price.

I can't say that there is a day and night difference, but if you're using Audio EAX effects (Classical, Rock, Stadium, etc..) features of Audigy soundcards there is some noticeable difference. I've tried both analog-out and digital-out on my Audigy 2 and digital definitely sounds louder and more clear with nicer bass and treble.

 

[Rhombuss]

Oh, one other thing - the store also has the FPS1800s for $85 Canadian ($55 USD). I checked out the specs at the Creative site, but they didn't reveal too much - and I can't seem to find any reviews of the FPS1800s around. Does anyone have any experience with these sets, and what is the real difference between them and the FPS2000s besides lack of the digital out? According to the wattage specs, the FPS1800s have higher RMS ratings, but that doesn't tell you much.

Thanks!

 

[smp]

Are those FPS2000's 5.1?

edit: no, they are 5 piece, so 4.1 .. (4 sats and a sub) right?
What is rms rating?

Anyone know anything about the creative inspire 5300 speakers? They are 5.1, I'de like a 5.1 system that doesn't need to be too powerful, just clean.

 

[Rhombuss]

Hey smp,

The sub is 25W RMS, and the satellites are 7W RMS each I think.

 

[Antoneo]

Originally posted by: Rhombuss
Hey smp,

The sub is 25W RMS, and the satellites are 7W RMS each I think.

Yep that is correct. I've been looking at this thread for a while and I guess I should chime in . I have the FPS2000s ever since they first came out (~4 years ago) and was winning awards. One of the first decent sounding computer speakers, and also one of the first 4.1 systems since Creative decided to promote it along with their new SBLive! soundcards. I paid $150 for these back then and dont regret it since. Great speakers and they are perfect for those who want to keep their fertility but appreciate a nice rumble.

The strong point for these speakers would be clarity. I have played them on the SBLive! (original) with the DIN and on a Santa Cruz. On the SBLive!+DIN, the white noise is non existant when at normal volumes and only when you turn them all the way up you hear the slight hiss. Using the analogue on the Santa Cruz, the hiss is barely audible at normal volumes but overall sound is crisp and with a bit more "life" than the SBLive! (sorry for the pun ) which is to my liking. Mid range is fine and the bass is enough to push a bit of air out of the ports. At higher volumes, close to max, the sub will distort or bottom out as i think it is called. Also at higher volumes you can hear the satellites strain but you shouldn't buy these to blare your music.

Comparing them to my ATP3's, the FPS2000s win.. no contest there. The ATP3s next to it are dull, dead, simply no enthusiasm. This surprised me as I thought they would be better since it was two years after the release of the FPS2000s but not so. I have heard the ProMedias only in the store and that is certainly not a good way to judge it and was impressed by massive amound of sound it put out. Haven't had a chance to really evaluate it further. I never heard the 1800s so I can't comment on those... I say go for the FPS2000s, you won't regret it.