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Creative GigaWorks ProGamer G500 5.1 Speaker System (310 Watts, THX Certified)

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Very Good

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Pros
Inexpensive
Cons
No remote control

Creative GigaWorks ProGamer G500 5.1 Speaker System (310 Watts, THX Certified) Review

by Narasu Rebbapragada

This surround-sound speaker set has great audio and a low price.

Creative Labs' GigaWorks ProGamer G500 5.1-channel speaker set may be the best deal on the lot if you don't want digital inputs or a remote control.

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The system is handsome and sturdy. It has removable speaker grilles and a wired controller that lets you adjust master, subwoofer, center, and rear volume, as well as treble for all except the subwoofer. The controller also offers a headphone jack, and the subwoofer has an auxiliary port for plugging in other devices.

The GigaWorks G500 ranked second among our batch of six products in our latest audio-quality tests, and it received the top score in our tests of stereo music tracks. Most testers felt that it produced full sound, though one jury member thought that the low tones could have been more clearly defined in our stereo test clip of AC/DC's "Hells Bells."

The inexpensive $250 (as of January 17, 2006) price tag on the GigaWorks G500 is a definite plus. If you don't want digital inputs or a remote control, this 5.1-speaker system is a great deal.

Upshot: Creative's GigaWorks ProGamer G500 gives you great sound for a great price.

Narasu Rebbapragada

User Reviews for Creative GigaWorks ProGamer G500 5.1 Speaker System (310 Watts, THX Certified)

Reviewed by: bathtubsink

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: sound clear. look nice. big heavy sub

Weaknesses: Only lasted two months of normal use.

Overall Evaluation: I loved the speakers for about two months, then it happened to me. I noticed that the "stand by" power light on the desk controller would be out after a few hours. I would have to unplug the power cord from the wall socket to reset. It just got worse. Finally nothing but a click. I am 47 years old and I don?t crank em up, my wife would kill me if i did. After doing a little googling. I see this is a common problem for G500 G550 G750 on the Creative labs forums. It has been a little bit of a nightmare to get a RMA number for returning the set to Creative for repair. Today this was my third attempt to get a RMA number and its been almost a week. I think they will be for sale on eBay after they are repaired/replaced. I will be changing brand. I would not recommend these speakers until the power problem has been addressed. And I am sure they wont correct the issue with them; according to their on forum. Go to Creative forum/support and you will see many unhappy campers...
Reviewed by: Tplayer

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Sound quality

Weaknesses: System turns off at random

Overall Evaluation: I am on my second set of G500 speakers (the first were RMA'd because they suddenly stopped working). I've had the replacement speakers for about 2 months now, and they just started turning off at random.The sound is nice, but be ready to add on $40+ shipping each time they die since Creative doesn't pay for the return shipping. Check out the Creative forums at http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board?board.id=speakers and search for "G500 power" for more info.

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