CREATIVE'S MEGAWORKS THX 5.1 SPEAKERS ADD A NEW DIMENSION TO YOUR AUDIO Advanced technologies, THX certification and up to 500W of total burst power provide realistic sound for all your audio content

Creative (Nasdaq: CREAF) the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer and the Internet, today announces its MegaWorks® THX® 5.1 550 speaker system. Designed to put users at the heart of the action, it delivers the ultimate in 5.1 Dolby® Digital surround sound in movies and games when coupled with a Dolby Digital sound card, such as Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 2. The speakers are fully THX certified for their engineering, design, performance and reliability. The MegaWorks THX 5.1 550 speaker system costs just £299.99 inc. VAT and is manufactured to the exacting standards associated with other products in Creative's MegaWorks family, the company's reference-quality speaker range. This new multi-channel speaker package is a real powerhouse, with 6-channel BASH® amplification offering up to 500 Watts of total burst power for incredible playback levels and a truly immersive experience with games and DVD movies.

The speakers will be available at the end of November and are the perfect product for the growing market in 5.1 channel music. The five wall-mountable, magnetically-shielded tuned satellite speakers have precision 3.5-inch drivers and rare-earth magnets, designed to give an ultra-smooth frequency response that's up to audiophile and THX standards. The wood subwoofer has a dual flared port tube and a heavy-duty, 8-inch long-throw driver to deliver the low frequency effects required for 5.1 surround sound impact. The multifunctional wired remote control manages power/standby, master, centre, rear, treble, and subwoofer levels and also features a headphone output for private listening.

The MegaWorks THX 5.1 550 is designed for use with multi-channel sound cards, such as the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2. In this environment the system is perfectly matched and balanced, enabling the user to experience true delivery of the latest audio technology, Advanced Resolution DVD-Audio. When combined, these products deliver outstanding and realistic surround sound audio from content of all kinds.

"For the ultimate in 5.1 Dolby Digital sound quality with EAX® and Microsoft® DirectSound® 3D supported games, connect this system to a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card," states Michael Sullivan, general manager, Creative Labs Europe and president of Cambridge SoundWorks. "With a 99dB signal-to-noise ratio and distortion-free, lifelike playback levels, it's an incredible system. Its high-quality construction and engineering, plus its exceptional specification and real-world performance, have earned it THX certification," he adds. "This important endorsement confirms that it meets highly rigorous multimedia performance and build quality standards for power handling, frequency response and dispersion characteristics, among other aspects. For users who want maximum reassurance of performance and reliability for years to come, THX approval plus the MegaWorks name really deliver."

Ann Brighouse, director of marketing, THX Ltd agrees, "We are very excited about Creative's new MegaWorks series of speaker systems, having had the opportunity to help ensure that they deliver top notch performance. We worked closely with Creative on the design of the new MegaWorks series, and the results can be clearly heard. We are delighted to be able to award the THX seal of approval to these excellent new multimedia speaker systems."

Product Features and Benefits

Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks THX 5.1 550
Tuned satellite speakers with precision 3.5" drivers that deliver ultra smooth output for audiophile standard playback accuracy
Capsule-shielded satellite speakers with extremely high-strength rare-earth magnets, reduce monitor image distortion Dual flared ported wood subwoofer features a heavy- duty, long throw 8" down firing driver for true subsonic impact BASH® amplification offers 500 Watts of dynamic headroom for distortion free, life-like playback levels Multi-featured wired remote control for flexibility and a headphone output for private listening with attachable, tilted desktop stand Enhanced 5.1 sound quality on EAX® and Microsoft® DirectSound® 3D supported games Auxiliary analogue stereo input for connecting to external audio devices such as Creative Jukebox digital audio players