Cambridge Soundworks - sold out to Creative?

[asutherland]

Hi all,

My first post on this forum. I have been searching via Google for anyone who has experience on my particular issue with Cambridge.

About 10 years ago I purchased an expensive set of 2.1 Cambridge Soundworks speakers. They did not even have a model number. (first set ever made?? I dunno)

I have been VERY happy with these speakers and they always impressed me how they filled the room with good, solid sound and crisp highs. Especially for what is meant to be a set of computer speakers.

Now, 10 years later I have a modern day PC with HDMI to my high def TV, and a dolby surround sound card etc. I have been missing out on the surround of movies, and decided to look around and see if I could find a newer set of Cambridge in 5.1. Found some online, via a local buy/sell site. They looked exactly like mine, except the sub unit was slightly larger, and there were 5 little satellite Cambridge speakers instead of 2.

Happy happy, I purchased them and ran home to try them out. WHAT CRAP! OMG they sounded terrible compared to my older Cambridge set. Same songs, same PC, same setup - everything, just switching back and forth between the two.

Only thing I noticed different between them was the sub unit was slightly larger, and yet lighter in weight. And, the fact that (for some reason I did not understand) the back of the speakers said CREATIVE.... (my originals said Cambridge Soundworks on the back)

Did Creative buy out Cambridge and start producing low end poop? Bummer if they did, I am SO dissapointed. The model of the 5.1 new ones is DTT2200.

 

[Sheep]

Uhm, they sound like garbage, because that is a garbage set of computer speakers. If you want decent sounding PC speakers, you're going to have to spend a bit more cash.

SheepStar

 

[Adam]

Yes, Creative owns Cambridge Soundworks (at least, that's what I gather from a quick Google search).

There are some really nice 5.1 PC speaker sets out there, though. How much are you looking to spend?

 

[Djizasse]

http://us.creative.com/corporate/about/

Over the years, it has acquired US-based Ensoniq, E-MU® Systems, Cambridge Soundworks, Ectiva Inc. (formerly the NetMedia group from OPTi), ShareVision® Technology, Digicom Systems, Silicon Engineering Inc. and 3Dlabs

 

[croseiv]

I have a Cambridge set up on my PC (2.1) that rocks. The sub can really pump. Sounds quite good really. It's about 4years old. You can't buy it any more.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

The original Cambridge Soundworks speakers were designed by Henry Kloss. He probably has nothing to do with the new ones.

 

[asutherland]

I only picked these up because I was familiar with the great sound of Cambridge, and wanted surround as well. Should have looked further into the whole Creative buying them out thing though. Would have saved me my money.

Thanks for the help tho!
Andrew

 

[croseiv]

Although I do remember when they were conidered high end back in the eighties.

 

[cfrizz]

I would certainly hope not!

Henry Kloss (Born 1929, Altoona, PA – Died January 31, 2002, Cambridge, MA)

The original Cambridge Soundworks speakers were designed by Henry Kloss. He probably has nothing to do with the new ones.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I would certainly hope not!

Henry Kloss (Born 1929, Altoona, PA – Died January 31, 2002, Cambridge, MA)

Sorry to hear that. RIP, Henry. (And only 73.)

 

[tomd51]

I was a shame to hear of his death a few years ago, but Henry was never the picture of health.

Not taking anything away from his talent, vision and contribution to audio, it just wasn't terribly surprising that he passed at that age... -TD