Hello there! Back again with another real review of one of the most popular and highly sought-after multimedia speakers by Creative company. This time we will be looking at the Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II review!
Table of Contents
If you are familiar with my content, you may have already noticed that I usually review pro-audio gear, such as active reference monitors, MIDI keyboards and controllers, or USB audio interfaces.
But of course, this is not stopping me from buying value/money, consumer-level audio products for my personal use. Since I live & work (Hail to COVID-19!) in a small place with a pretty narrow working desk, I had given up on investing in pro-audio gear as I can not fit them anywhere. But at the same time, I needed a good speaker set for playing the guitar via guitar amp simulation software.
A long time ago, I released content titled “The Secret Tip on Getting The Best Guitar Tone On Your Computer” in which I supported the idea of sticking with a decent audio interface and even completely freeware guitar amp and cabinet software if you are only playing/recording your guitar at home.
I still support this concept for bedroom musicians! If you invest in a decent audio interface, and a computer and optimize/upgrade for this purpose, you will be able to get excellent guitar tones with the minimum amount of delay. Thomann's 70th Anniversary Offers
My current setup consisted of a decent laptop with an i7 4710MQ CPU @2.5GHz with a RAM upgrade of up to 16GB, an RME Babyface PRO USB audio interface and a Logitech Z313 2.1 speaker system.
I had to buy a cheap speaker system temporarily, but after I had collected some guitars and started playing again, I immediately disliked it.
It exaggerates the bass frequency at mental levels. I believe the room I live in affects the reflections, but even though I applied low-cut filters in my RME Total MixFX software, it wasn’t manageable at all and I ended up having huge bass frequencies bouncing back and forth in my room.
I couldn’t blame the Logitech Z313 2.1 speaker system as it’s not made to be a good monitor for guitars rather it’s just a cheap, consumer-level speaker system.
That’s why I wanted to upgrade the weakest link in my signal chain and get myself a pair of really decent multimedia speakers. You may be surprised but this is my second time buying Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II speakers! 🙂
Around 2016, I also bought this set and was using it for quite some time until I started relocating non-stop! 🙂 So the main reason for me to buy this speaker set is that I already know its capabilities with the identical computer and software system that I’m still using!
Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II Review
Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II features a three-driver Midrange/Tweeter/Midrange (MTM) audiophile configuration with additional BasXPort technology for delivering the highest quality dynamics with a full-sounding bottom response.
It also comes with silk dome tweeters with dual woven glass fibre drivers for crystal clear high frequencies with a full-range audio experience. GigaWorks T40 Series II can generate an improved power output of 16W per speaker!
2-Way, 3-Driver Speaker Design with BasXPort
Each speaker features an enhanced tweeter placed in the middle with 2 high-performance mid-range drivers for the most realistic audio experience. This particular design and set-up of the drivers will ensure you experience an audiophile-style audio experience.
The single tweeter driver is a cloth dome type with the lowest distortion and wide dispersion for high frequencies while dual midrange drivers feature woven glass fibre cones that are durable in high-temperature and humidity levels. This way these will operate without an issue and never lose their damping properties.
BasXPort technology has been designed to enhance the lower frequency range by channelling sound waves from the inner chamber to the soundstage. This way GigaWorks will deliver a more pronounced mid-range for a warmer and more natural musical experience.
On the main speaker that has the power connection, you will see a bass, treble and volume control as well as a headphone output and an aux input (1/8″).
On the back, you will have a power input, an input to connect it to the left speaker and also an audio input (1/8″) that will help you connect it to an audio source. Check out the best guitar pickup company, Seymour Duncan here!
In my case, I just use it with the included audio cable which features 1/8″ male stereo plugs to connect it to my RME Babyface PRO audio interface’s 1/8″ headphone output.
I used to use it with dual XLR to RCA cables and I was using the included 2xRCA to 1/8″ male converter so that I could use my RME’s balanced outputs.
Let’s have a look at the tech specs briefly here.
Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II Tech Specs
| Dimensions | 313.0 x 88.0 x 143.0 mm |
| Power Output | 16W RMS per channel |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) | 80dB |
| For 20V AC input | This product operates from the supplied 20V AC 2.8A power adapter |
| For 27V DC input | *This product operates from the supplied 27V DC 1.7A power adapter |
| Power Management | *This speaker has auto power management, a feature that complies with energy efficiency regulation required by certain regions (Europe) |
| Frequency Response | 50 - 20,000 Hz |
| System Configuration | 2.0 system |
| Connector Type | Line-In, AUX-in |
| Colour | Black |
| Design | MTM (Midrange-Tweeter-Midrange) Design |
| PACKAGE CONTENTS | |
| A pair of stereo speakers | |
| Stereo-to-stereo cable (2m) | |
| Dual RCA-to-stereo Adapter (TV adapter) | |
| AC power adapter | |
| Quick Start Guide | |
| Warranty and Technical Support Booklet | |
Power Supply & Auto Power Management
As you can see in the table above, the official specs mention 2 different power supply specs. I bought mine in Slovakia and it came with a 27V power supply version. You will also notice that this speaker features a power management system which was confusing when I first noticed it!
Because when I bought this in Turkey in around 2016, there was no auto power management whatsoever! I was turning the volume down to a minimum and heard that clicking sound to power off the speakers.
But this time, I noticed that it would turn off after a couple of minutes and only turn on when you play an audio signal. Initially, it was annoying, but then I realised that I never had to think about turning that off. 🙂
Some users have complained about this feature and mentioned that it would be way better if we could turn this feature on and off which is a legit comment. They have also mentioned that when they play an audio signal, it would take a couple of seconds to hear it as the speakers detect the signal and turn themselves on so they would miss the beginning of the audio signal.
However, if you are annoyed, you can turn off your speakers manually every time, and then turn them on before you play music (just like you would behave with any regular speakers). So I don’t think it’s something we should complain about all day long 🙂
Sound Test
As I mentioned in the beginning, the reason I bought Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II speakers was primarily to play the guitar with guitar amp software and use it for daily audio needs. This is why I have prepared a brief video showing you some sound examples. Music Plugin Deals at Pluginboutique.com
To give you a better and more focused idea about how it sounds in the context that I advocate, I have recorded only the main speaker with my Canon EOS M200 camera, using the internal microphone as well as using my t.bone MB85 Beta dynamic microphone (just like close micing an amp).
Here’s a quick sound test video. In this video, I have used my Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT-7, RME Babyface PRO interface, LePou Legion VST amp plugin with nadIR (factory IRs), Mokafix D-plus VST distortion plugin and Chicken Picks Badazz 3.2mm!
Update: Since this video wasn’t capturing what I wanted to show off about Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II, I have just prepared another video.
This time, I have used my Epiphone SG Custom Ebony, ENGL E570 all-tube preamp, and ENGL Cabloader and just captured the sounds with my Canon EOS M200 for a better understanding of how these extremely sleek designed speakers sound like in a DI guitar scenario.
I’m 100% sure that no one else would even spend time playing the guitar through these speakers using a real tube preamp! 🙂 But I like testing and just sharing the raw results so some like-minded people can benefit from these.
As an amateur, bedroom musician, I enjoy playing the guitar through these speakers. It provides a very sweet response and also sounds very balanced across the sound spectrum.
I recommend Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II to anyone who is looking for affordable, high-quality speakers for narrow working spaces! These speakers are not cheap and low-segmented multimedia speakers, so better consider a pair for yourself! 🙂 Martinic Plugins - Precisely Modeled Vintage Instruments and FX Plugins
I have also recently purchased a pair of KRK Rokit 5 G4 studio monitors, along with IsoAcoustics ISO-55 monitor stands. And I also included my Creative GigaWorks T40 speakers in that review!
Check out my IsoAcoustics ISO-55review here
Thanks for visiting my blog and supporting me so far! I will hopefully see you in the next review here!
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