Recently, our good friends at Corsair sent us their newest premium speaker set, the SP2500 2.1. It’s no secret that, as gaming enthusiasts, we want to get the best performance out of our rigs as possible. We’ll overclock our CPUs and massage our video settings to get every last FPS and graphical effect; it stands to reason that, to complete the immersive gaming experience, we shouldn’t neglect the audio landscape. Corsair took this same approach with their flagship 2.1 audio system (calling these “speakers” practically feels like an understatement).
Upon delivery, the first thing you are likely to notice is the sheer size of the SP2500 setup. These things have presence.
Packaging
The speakers arrive in a very, very large box. The SP2500′s packaging dwarfs that of other 2.1 speaker sets, such as the Logitech LS21. The packaging design is very simple and clean, with clear grid-work showing through the body copy; helpfully for overseas consumers, the marketing and specifications are written in multiple languages right on the box.
Manufacturer’s Specifications:
Specifications
- Frequency response: 35Hz – 20kHz +/- 3dB
- 232 Watts total power (measured via FTC “RMS” method)
- Subwoofer dimensions: 18.1 x 10.2 x 11.7 inches (46 x 25.8 x 29.7 cm)
- Satellite dimensions: 4.25 x 4.7 x 6.25 inches (10.8 x 12 x 15.9 cm)
Subwoofer:
- 8″ 120W (IEC60268-5 24hr continuous rating) subwoofer with durable rubber surround
- Fourth-order closed bandpass enclosure design
- Bridged dual 60 Watt class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP for 120 Watts of power (measured via FTC “RMS” method)
- Ultra-efficient integral power supply with 100V – 240V AC input
Satellites:
- Bi-amplified, two-way design with detachable audio cables
- 3″ 40W (IEC60628-5 24hr continuous rating) midrange drivers
- 1″ 16W (IEC60268-5 24hr continues rating) ferrofluid-cooled silk diaphragm tweeters
- 56 Watts per satellite (measured via FTC “RMS” method):
- 40 Watt midrange class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP
- 16 Watt tweeter class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP
I/O, Controls and Programming
- PC input on subwoofer
- Dual 3.5mm auxiliary inputs (one on subwoofer, one on desktop controller)
- 3.5mm headphone output with digital signal processing
- Wired desktop controller with high-resolution color 1.8″ (4.6cm) TFT display and multi-lingual interface (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese)
- Mod X™ theatrical audio processing for Blu-Ray and DVD audio that recreates the theater experience
- Dynamic DSP programs and EQ curves for late night listening, environment simulation, and optimal enjoyment of game and movie genres
Package Contents
- Subwoofer
- Satellites (Two)
- Desktop controller with 6′ / 1.8m cable
- 3.5mm to stereo RCA cable for PC input
- Two 6″ / 1.8m satellite audio cables with ATX4 connectors
Once the SP2500 is unboxed, you will find an array of cardboard inserts protecting the equipment. The packaging was organized, easy to unpack, and held everything extremely securely. All in all, this is exactly what we like to see from manufacturers here at TechREACTION.
In addition to the contents listed above, our review sample included two satellite risers used to aim the speakers exactly where your ears will be in order to make a crisper and more accurate “sweet spot” for listening.
Installing the speakers is as intuitive as possible, as the cables and components are color-coded, and include diagrams that are very easy to understand. The only comment that we have to make in this area is that for someone looking to use the home stereo speakers for another purpose (like a home theater system) the 6′ cables for the satellites may not be long enough to provide a sufficiently spacious audio stage.
SP2500 Connectors
Cables, Cables, Cables!
Corsair made interesting cable choices for the SP2500. The power system does not utilize a standard C13/C14 coupler, it is a C17/C18 (see the images below). C13/14 cables are compatible with C17/C18 devices, but C17/18 cables are not compatible with C13/14 devices. This means that if you need a longer power cable, you CAN use any standard C13/C14 ones you have lying around, but you cannot use the cable supplied by Corsair for your monitor or printer or what-have-you.
SP2500 C17/18 Connector
C17/C18 coupler
C13/C14 coupler
In addition to the unique power delivery method, Corsair went with ATX4 connectors for the speakers. This is not completely unheard-of, as Sony has also done this for some of its entertainment centers that utilize dual-driver satellites.
SP2500 ATX4 Satellite Speaker Connector
SP2500 Subwoofer
The Subwoofer
The 8″ subwoofer is powered by a pair of 60-watt class D amplifiers which utilize a 4th-order bypass filter to refine the signal as it leaves the amp, resulting in clearer, more accurate sound.
SP2500 Satellite
SP2500 Satellite Connection
The Satellites
The SP2500′s satellites feature 3″ midrange drivers and 1″ tweeters. Corsair designed the SP2500 first and foremost, as a desktop sound system. What that means for the end user is these speakers are designed to be placed to the left and right of your monitor, a few feet from your ears, creating an acoustic sweet spot in front of your PC. This kind of focus is an advantage – your head will be more or less in the same place all the time (like in a car audio environment), which means they can tune the speakers to deliver their best sound with a fairly high degree of precision as to where the listener is likely to be.
The Remote
The wired remote Corsair has included with the SP2500 series has a wide array of settings, languages, and features.
- Wired desktop controller with high-resolution color 1.8″ (4.6cm) TFT display and multi-lingual interface .
- English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese
- Mod X™ audio processing
- EQ settings: late night listening, environment simulation, and optimal enjoyment of game and movie genres
The Mod X™ and EQ settings will be discussed in further as we perform our testing.
SP2500 Remote in Use
SP2500 Remote Serial Connector
10 Comments
[...] The Corsair H100 comes in Corsair’s signature Blue and White packaging that is present throughout Corsair’s other products such as the Corsair SP2500 Speaker system.. [...]
I don’t know if you are referring to using x-fi enchantments or the eq profiles provided wit the SP2500+. In either case they are both relevant. Not every user will have a high end sound card for their speaker set. Our tests were designed with all users in mind. Not just those with a $600+ budget for their sound systems.
You call this a review?
No respectable reviewer turns on software enhancements while reviewing speakers.
That sounds like a terrible experience Mike! I actually bought the SP2500 after the review, I have not had any issues because of the C17/C18 non-grounded choice thus far. If I were you I would repair it, I myself lack the required skills.
Hi,
I bought the SP2500 in November. It lasted 4 months.
I was very impressed with the sound, and I liked the little remote
control that allowed turning the bass on and off and muting the
sound when I was on the phone.
However, this turned out to be a disaster. I had a major esd event
when I took my coat off and reached for the remote. The left channel
started squealing and hissing. I turned the SP2500 off and installed
my original speakers.
The left channel from the computer is now dead, so it not only blew
the Corsair, it killed my motherboard.
I believe the reason is they do not use a 3-wire cord, so instead of
shunting the energy to ground through the line cord, they dump it
into the line out jack on the computer, and let it go all over the
motherboard before it hits the power supply and goes to ground
through the computer’s line cord.
This is extremely poor design. As an electronics engineer, I know
how difficult it is to protect semiconductors that connect to the
outside world against esd events. You really have to think things
through and provide strong paths for the esd event to discharge
without harm. But their design forces the esd through the line
output jack on the computer, and the resulting destruction is
inevitable.
It is not worth sending the unit back for repair, and I will have to
buy another motherboard to replace the destroyed unit. But if I ever
decide to repair the SP2500 by tracing the schematic, you can be
certain I will add the proper grounding and esd discharge
protections.
Thanks,
Mike Monett
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Thanks Neuro,
Enigma I was certainly surprised by the performance at higher output ranges. At this point I am wondering if they are considering developing a 5.1 equivalent.
I have to say that after this review I am looking at my THX Klipsch 2.1′s in a complete different light.
These Corsair speakers look great.
Excellent review Levi. I want a set of these now!
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