Creative Labs PlayWorks 5.1 DTT2500 Digital Gaming Speakers for the PC and PlayStation2 Review

After comparing the Creative Playworks DTT2500 with the Yamaha TSS1B and the Altec Lansing ADA890 for a 5.1 Dolby Digital system for the PS2; the DTT2500 was my choice.This compact desktop theater is very compatible with the Sony PS2, using the optical audio connector.
I also have a mono VCR connected to the line in 1/8" input using a single regular RCA cable with an attached stereo 1/8" adapter (mono 1/8" will not work). By setting the CMSS mode to Music and the Digital Surround mode to Digital In, it uses simulated surround sound well from a mono VCR/CableTV.This method uses all 6 speakers.Having a stereo VCR should give much better sound.
If you play audio CD's from the PS2, it is best to use CMSS mode at Stereo (Digital Surround mode automatically is disabled).This method only uses the main left & right speakers and subwoofer.Of course, you can play cd's with the same settings as my mono VCR and use all six speakers; the resulting sound will be expanded stereo.
The main purpose of the DTT2500 is for the PS2 games, and here it excels.Twisted Metal Black supports Dolby Surround, and Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore sounds great in simulated Dolby.I just hope that more games are made with Dolby.We can definitely hear effects that were nonexistent when formerly using the RF adapter from the PS2 to TV speakers.Just make sure that you have the CMSS turned off and Dolby switched on.
I have not yet used any DVD's, but it seems unlikely that any issues will arise.
The sound quality is good for a low power system.You can overcome the louder center channel by adjusting its volume lower and the surround speakers volume higher.I find that I must also run the subwoofer at a slightly lower than normal volume or it seems to have a "thump" (could be due to room charasterics).Due to the small size of the left and right speakers, you can notice the lack in upper bass frequencies.If you like extra deep bass, the DTT2500 does come with a line level subwoofer output that will connect to a powered subwoofer and can be used simultaneously.
Don't worry about not having a DTS decoder with the DTT2500.If you need to have it, then you need a larger, more power packed home theater system.The Dolby Digital 5.1 and Creative's Multi Speaker Surround (for simulated surround from mono/stereo sources) does the job just fine.
The control unit is easy to understand and figure out what settings work best for the type of input used.One setting does not work for all formats, tweak it for your personal needs.All the adjustments are easy to make.
Overall, its a great value enhancement for PS2 gamers; has good TV/VCR performance; and average audio CD sound.It missed out on 5 stars because I believe that the main left/right speakers should have been a 2way so it could include better upper bass response.

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Product Description:
The PlayWorks 5.1 DTT2500 Digital is a powerful surround speaker system for the PC. With four front and rear satellite speakers plus a center-channel speaker, decoder amplifier, and a subwoofer in wood fiber finishing, it accepts S/PDIF and analog stereo inputs and configurations for either two-channel (stereo) or multichannel (Dolby Digital, Dolby Surroundwith Pro Logic, Creative Multi Speaker Surround) playback. Supplied with 9- and 16-foot wires, the speakers can be placed in room corners or wall mounted. Magnetically-shield satellite and center speakers allow placement close to monitors.
The Dolby Digital decoder amplifier with a built-in 24-bit digital-to-analog converter enables you to enjoy home theater-quality audio without purchasing an expensive Dolby Digital receiver. You can also experience multichannel Dolby Digital movie sound with a PC-DVD or any set-top DVD player. The amplifier houses controls for master, center, bass, and rear volume as well as surround field adjustment and modes for Dolby Digital, stereo, and four-point. It also provides all the outputs for each speaker as well as supporting both digital and analog sound card ports.
Creative Labs provides a one-year limited parts-and-labor warranty on the DTT2500 speaker system.

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