People like simple solutions. They hate cables and their tangles. That's why most people are much more willing to invest in speakers that can provide music from a distance wirelessly. This review is an attempt to find out whether it is worth buying a Creative D100 portable speaker system that meets these requirements.
Music for all occasions
Singapore-based Creative, famous for its Sound Blaster sound cards, also produces good wireless headphones, so it's interesting to compare other devices from the same manufacturer that support the same Bluetooth interface. One of these models is the beautiful Creative D100 portable speaker, which, as marketers assure, is perfect for use at home and outdoors. The advantage of such equipment and the technologies used by it should be, first of all, the ability to connect an almost unlimited number of devices,capable of audio playback. It can make the life of its owner much more enjoyable.
Specifications
The specifications of the model are as follows:
- frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz;
- signal-to-noise ratio: more than 80 dB;
- weight: 1 kg;
- dimensions (length x width x height): 336x115x115 mm;
- wireless: Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP (stereo) / AVRCP (remote control);
- working distance: up to 10 m (in open space; walls and other obstacles may affect the reception range of the device).
Unboxing
The first impression of the packaging in which the portable audio speaker is delivered is not too sensational, but the box is made at a decent level. It does not represent anything out of the ordinary, but it is reliable both in terms of appearance and in terms of ensuring the safety of the contents. Inside it is the device itself, a power cord with two interchangeable adapters so that it can fit into any outlet, as well as a set of Creative D100 instructions and leaflets with the manufacturer's advertising. According to user reviews, the only thing missing is AA batteries, which will be needed to operate the speakers in the "real world".
Creative D100 Design Review
If we talk about evaluating the appearance of the device itself, as well as the functionality that the manufacturer tried to endow with a compactcolumn, the first thing that catches your eye is its color. The Creative D100 is available in black and white, and the bezel material that hides the speakers can be customized to your taste in pink, blue, green, and black. This decision indicates that the target audience of the model are children and users looking for an inexpensive portable wireless speaker system.
The very design of the device, which looks at least interesting and elegant, attracts attention. The difference in size between the front and back of the case (13.25” front and 11.6” rear, corresponding to 336mm and 295mm) combined with the rounded sides is really pleasing to the eye and very pleasing, especially when viewed from the side. The cylindrical shape is physically larger than the Logitech Z515, so the Creative speakers feel very light at 998g. They can be easily worn around the house or taken on a picnic to have fun in nature. True, the manufacturer does not offer a protective case, as in the case of the Logitech Z515. However, the front panel also looks great. Most of it is covered with a material of the chosen color, under which a pair of speakers is hidden. These are 2 x 3 2W drivers manufactured by Cambridge SoundWorks.
Control & Connectivity
In the center of the panel is a pairing button with Bluetooth devices, as well as volume up and down keys. They are not only functional, butand look aesthetically pleasing without spoiling the appearance of the model. On the rear panel of the Creative D100 column there is an on / off button, an AUX-IN input and a power supply socket. Below is a compartment cover that allows you to change the way the device is powered. You can insert 4 AA batteries here, and the speaker system will be able to work outside the premises equipped with electrical outlets. In addition, there are 4 rubber feet on the bottom panel to prevent the speaker from slipping.
How does it work?
Assessing the sound quality is very subjective and difficult in the absence of special equipment. In this case, you can rely on the opinion of experts. According to the owners, the D100 is one of the best portable speakers that fulfills everything that users demand from this kind of equipment. Most of all, they like the way the acoustics work while watching movies. The sound is very pleasant, voluminous and clear (as in games). However, the impression when listening to music is not so rosy. It seems that the audio speakers overdo it with low frequencies, which is confirmed in the Sound Blaster headset from the same manufacturer, and forces this feature to be attributed to the model's shortcomings. Perhaps some will like it, but such a difference in sound indicates an imbalance in the frequency ranges of the device. However, bass-rich compositions sound satisfactory, high frequencies are clear and do not seem metallic and rattling, which is impressive for Bluetooth speakers.
For the price, the D100 speakers perform remarkably well. They match the quality of the Super Tooth Disco loudspeakers, delivering high performance with fewer drivers, offset in part by the superior amplification system. The D100 only has 2 speakers, but the only difference you can hear between this $80 model and the $150 Super Tooth Disco is even better high end sound on the more expensive system, which is offset by annoying treble and static..
The Creative D100's power is sufficient - the sound level can reach values that can even be dangerous at close distances, and the volume is definitely enough to completely fill a small office with sound. While Creative's portable speakers lack a few things, such as an easy-to-carry case or case and a built-in rechargeable battery, their half price speaks for itself. The speaker sounds as good as any other Bluetooth speaker that costs less than $100, although its cheaper finish and larger size don't favor it.
Wireless connection
Creative D100 connects to other devices via Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and supports A2DP and AVRCP profiles. This technology was named the best at CES 2010 and received an appropriate award from representatives of the Bluetooth SIG, which develops and licenses this wireless standard. Devicevery easy to establish a connection, no matter if it is a smartphone, laptop, mp3 player, tablet or PC. It only takes a few seconds to hold down the power button to activate the discovery mode and select the speakers in the corresponding music player. The whole procedure takes less than a minute on both Android phones and Apple iPhones. The Logitech Z515 model, however, also offers a wireless USB adapter, which allows you to save smartphone power by connecting the speaker system to your PC.
Users who have connected speakers with various devices say that they never had any troubles. It also pleases with a rather large reception range, which, depending on the paired equipment, can reach 10 m. In practice, the speaker system is able to work at twice the distance. Just as good is the battery life of the model. According to the manufacturer, without power from the mains, the column can operate for 25 hours. Even if in reality this time turns out to be not so long, it will be enough for a pleasant party in nature.
Some remarks
According to user feedback, some aspects of the model's work cause comments. The dissatisfaction is that the volume of the D100 can only be adjusted using the sound level buttons on the speaker itself, and not on the smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, laptop or PC paired with it. This isn't much of a problem as the Creative speakers sound good regardless.volume and the type of audio they play.
Another, more serious point is that the low cost of the model is associated with the prospect of premature failure. While most owners of Creative portable speakers have no problems, there are cases where some D100s fail and stop working after extended periods of daily use. While the low price makes it less shocking, owners recommend buying speakers from resellers with good customer service and reasonable return policies.
Pros and cons
According to user reviews, the Creative D100 portable audio system has a nice design and nice colors, provides excellent Bluetooth wireless connection, has audio input, makes movies and games sound great (as a PC speaker), and is capable of long work offline. At the same time, when listening to musical compositions, an imbalance of different frequency ranges is noticeable, and batteries are not included in the package.
Conclusion
The Creative D100 speakers are not designed for sophisticated music lovers, as evidenced by the technical characteristics of the model, but it must be admitted that the portable speaker perfectly fulfills its tasks. Small size, interesting design and charming pastel shades definitely speak in favor of the device, which, thanks to this, will not be difficult to find its place in the apartment orfamily trip outdoors. The D100 can even be mounted on the trunk of a bike and enjoy music while riding. Portability is supported by an instantaneous wireless Bluetooth connection, the range of which even exceeds the manufacturer's expectations. Overall, this is one of the best portable speakers that owners strongly recommend to purchase, especially since its price is also interesting at $80.
