| | |  | Sound Blaster | Home » » GigaWorks HD50 | | | | | | | Description: | | Hi-definition audio from amazingly small speakers
The GigaWorks HD50 speaker system combines high definition drivers with Titanium supertweeters for smooth, detailed audio performance in a compact, elegant design. Built-in BasXPort™ technology delivers enhanced bass without the need for a bulky subwoofer or hassle of extra wires. The high glossy White finish adds a touch of class to any desktop. 
 | High definition drivers
Enjoy big sound that you wouldn't expect from such a small, compact set of desktop speakers. |  | Titanium supertweeters
Hear crystal clear highs without muffling or distortion. |  | BasXPort™ technology
Enhances bass response without the bulkiness of a subwoofer or the hassle of extra wires. |
Also see GigaWorks HD50i featuring X-30 docking station with the speakers that convert your iPod to a micro sound system.
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 2.75 inches | | Product Width:
| 3.25 inches | | Product Height:
| 5.5 inches | | Package Length:
| 11.2 inches | | Package Width:
| 9.1 inches | | Package Height:
| 3.4 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 21 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Not worth the price, especially considering the competitionMay 02, 2009
You should only get those if you need speakers to be AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE while delivering OK sound.
There are many other 2.0 (stereo, no sub) for less money, that sound MUCH BETTER. I'm not biased either, CREATIVE makes other wonderful speakers: T20's or T40's. T20's are about twice as tall (still relatively small, and should be no problem fitting in any desktop scenario). And they can be found for under 50 dollars NEW on ebay.
When comparing the two speakers side by side. HD50's just sound hollow; everything about T20's is better; better bass, mids & highs, and much better imaging. Originally I bought hd50, thinking that I'd be losing some bass over T20, but I was disappointed by the overall difference. Don't get me wrong, hd50's are a nice set of speakers (if you don't listen to anything else), but they're definitely not $150 dollar nice.
These run on 12Vdc, so they're great for portable speakers (with addition of a small lead battery) - if that's your sort of thing :). I can only recommend these for their ultra portability, because there are many other small speakers without subwoofers that sound better and COST LESS.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Creative's HD50 2.0 Speakers - A Compact But Expensive 2.0 Speaker SetFeb 13, 2009
The Creative Labs GigaWorks HD50s are designed to satisfy a very small consumer niche. For those looking for speakers that are ultra compact, compatible with HD Audio and attractive, the HD50s are worth the premium. For users with more room who are searching for the best value in 2.0 speakers, there are many superior alternatives. You have to know your needs before being able to take advantage of these speakers.
PROS:
+ Compact design is perfect for uses in cramped quarters
+ HD Audio enables playback of Dolby formats, 7.1 audio and DVD audio
+ Included port allows iPod docking with the optional X-30 dock
+ High quality ports and cables allow for solid connections
+ Attractive looks if you like modern design (tastes vary)
+ Good low-end sound compared to most 2.0 speakers
+ Minimalist design and controls may appeal to some
+ Decent clarity and range, particularly in the mid-range, once they are broken in
+ Compact size and performance makes these an option for cramped TV setups in a kitchen, workout room, RV or boat
CONS:
- Cost is prohibitively higher than alternatives like the T40s, T20s or Klipsch ProMedias
- Price puts this set closer to good quality 2.1 and 5.1 sets
- The long and involved burning-in required before they sound good means many users won't get the most out of these speakers
- The minimal instructions and support information on the website are lacking
- Bass xPorts on top will collect dust
- Lack of an additional mini-subwoofer port (though few besides me look for this)
- Not enough included inputs and outputs (only line-in and s-audio)
- The X-30 iPod dock is hard to find!!! (They probably should have included this)
- No digital input option (USB, optical audio)
SETTING UP
Setting up these speakers is simple, but the included quick-start guide offers little help in troubleshooting. There wasn't much support information on Creative's website when I checked either.
When testing speakers, it's important to understand the source audio. If you are using low bit-rate MP3s of dubious quality, it's impossible to test speaker sound quality. Similarly, you need audio samples with significant bass to test bass, because good speakers will reproduce the sound as it is. Your audio samples should be selected specifically to test low end, mid-range and high end sound separately. I always use a variety of audio samples starting first with CD quality uncompressed audio.
Initially the results were poor. Music with electronic elements in particular did not sound good. I could hear tons of disturbances in the sound, artifacts, hissing and popping. I did a little research and discovered that the laptop I first tested these on had a separate sound controller that negated the benefits of HD Audio. That partially put my mind at ease. But I still wondered, why was there so much distortion?
It turns out these really needed to be burned-in. I have had to burn in other Creative speakers, though none started out sounding as poorly as these. But I found a unique way to do it. Using an LCD TV with a headphone jack, I hooked the speakers up and played some high quality DVDs with uncompressed audio. The difference was night and day. The sound quality was much better, with impressive depth and no distortion even at high volumes. I normally burn-in sound equipment for a few days, but ended up burning these in for two weeks. Once I did that, the sound quality improved a lot.
Many people may not realize just how long these need to be burned-in. Ironically, even though they are not marketed for use with smaller LCD TVs, their compact size and performance makes them ideal for that use in a kitchen, small boat cabin or RV.
THE SOUND
The drivers and tweeters produce very good sound once primed. I am still unconvinced of the claim of "Titanium super-tweeters." Bass xPort does work. You have to make sure you have an audio source with the proper bass. I tested this with a record of jazz bass solos. They may not be subwoofer equivalent, but are very nice for a 2.0 set. If you need real low-end depth, explore 2.1 and 5.1 sets with a powered subwoofer.
The HD50s are listed at 36 watts of RMS total power, 18 watts per speaker. Power ratings can be very misleading. Some low-end speakers might have higher peak power ratings, but not RMS power. RMS power is a better approximation of average power than other measures. So 18 watts per speaker is a good estimate of the sustained power level you can put through these speakers. This is a higher output than many headphone jacks produce.
Another issue is the validity of "HD Audio." HD Audio is a real standard but you need the proper equipment. It is designed to enable Intel motherboards without dedicated audio controllers to produce up to 7.1 surround audio with 192 KHz sampling rate at up to 32-bit resolution. Not every computer runs HD Audio. The HD50s only give you the option of connecting via a stereo cable. Digital inputs would have made it easier to test and enjoy HD Audio.
THE ALTERNATIVES
If you don't have space constraints that require super-compact speakers, the Creative GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Speaker System offer more for the money. Just like the T20s, they are very efficient, producing clear sound with moderate power ratings. The T40s are much taller at about 12 inches, versus the 9 inch height of the T20s and the roughly 6 inches of the HD50s. The T40s and T20s also include separate bass and treble knobs. The standard settings provide good sound output but people still crave the ability to adjust things.
The T40s have an additional mid-range pair in addition to the BasXport. That adds an extra dimension of sound and improves richness. The HD50s and T20s only have the tweeter, midrange and BasXports. In that sense, even with compatible systems the HD50s can't achieve the same depth of sound as the T40s.
The Klipsch ProMedias provide another alternative on par with the T20s, though the T40s are still better than both of them. When it comes to value, the HD50's lose on all fronts at the list price. The T40s hover in the $120 to $130 range, and the ProMedias and T20s regularly sell in the $60 to $90 range. But it's not uncommon to pay a premium for compact speakers.
CONCLUSION
For those looking for compact speakers, the HD50s are worth a look. And for computers compatible with HD Audio, these can sound great if they're broken-in first. If you are primarily looking for a good quality and don't mind larger sets, the T40s, T20s and Klipsch ProMedias are great options.
Beyond the sound quality, value comparisons with the alternatives cannot be ignored. The additional range and clarity of this set will not be worth the added cost for everyone. So do your homework. These can be a nice splurge and will sound better with more use.
Enjoy!
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Great out of the box and installs with almost no effort.Jan 22, 2009
The Good:
*Great "crisp" sound.
*Works straight out of the box: No CDs included!
*Stylish looks with blue light behind the sound control.
*Simple control: You got your volume knob and.....that's it, I think.
The Bad:
*These speakers are connected via audio jack and are NOT USB-supported, which may be inconvenient to some users.
The Bottom Line:
These speakers are great, straight out of the box and that's the way it should be. You open the box, plug them in and that's it. No software installation needed. In fact, there are no CDs included with this. The reason for that is because they are not USB speakers. They connect through a audio slot (the slot where you would normally plug you headphones in.) So why is that an issue? Many laptops have USB slots on the side or the back, while audio jacks are in the front, which is the case with my laptop. Therefore a wire sticking out in front (as oppose being hidden in the back) doesn't look too appealing and makes the speakers feel "bulky" a bit. Therefore, if you are buying these for your laptop, locate your audio jack. If you don't mind wire sticking out from there, then this is a good option for you. The sound is great: You hear sound and nothing but sound. I can talk about how great the sound is, but my words and keystrokes will do no justice to how great it is. Overall, if you need a new set of speakers for your laptop, desktop or other audio device, this is a great choice.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Good sound quality from compact speakersJan 15, 2009
We installed these speakers in our kitchen, where we regularly play our media players while cooking, and entertaining. Even placed on top of the kitchen cabinets and turned all the way up, they put out crisp, clear sound that is well balanced. Both the high and low ends are well handled by these speakers, yet they are considerably smaller than other desktop speakers we own. Unfortunately for laptop owners, these are not USB powered, making them a less convenient choice, but they are an excellent option for desktop users, or those who generally set up their laptop in a setting near an outlet. Also, at this price point, I would have expected a remote. We are very please with the sound qualityof these speakers.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 These small speakers pack a serious punch.Jan 14, 2009
I am not a speaker expert nor am I an audiophile. I have several ipods and a vast musical library of classic rock, jazz & classical and these little speakers are great sounding. They are rugged, metal frames and the sound they produce is warm and crisp. Very good lows, mids & highs. Very impressive for such a small footprint. Set up is normal for speakers, plug then in etc. Nice blue glow on the volume knob is a nice touch. I use these connected to my Airport Express to listen to my itunes library remotely but you could use for any purpose really. I think its be overkill to use these as just computer speakers though.
ONLY downside and why I gave them 3 starts instead of 4/5 is there is NO remote included, thats a shame. Great little pair of speakers and no remote. That should have been a no brainer. Even my low cost sony ipod speakers have a remote. That would have made these an excellent deal.
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