Corsair SP2500 2.1 Speaker System and HS1A Headset

It was back at the Consumer Electronics Show that we first caught a glimpse of the Corsair SP2500 2.1 channel speaker system. Dave and I were traversing the show floor while our compadres Mat and Jennifer were off gallivanting at a few private meetings at some lavish Las Vegas hotels. As we headed straight into the Corsair booth to check out some new cooling gear, new solid state drives, and a slick, white 600T case, we walked right passed the SP2500s, which were positioned on and end-cap at one of the corners of the booth. As our discussion with reps from Corsair winded down, we asked if we had seen all that Corsair was featuring for the show. The answer was no.

At that point we were escorted to the SP2500 demo and became more interested as the demo progressed. In a former life, I was a bit of a wanna-be audiophile and was immediately intrigued by the use of a fourth-order closed bandpass subwoofer enclosure, integrated DSPs, class-D amplifiers, and bi-amplified satellites, among a handful of other features. Although the idea of a 2.1 speaker system isn’t terribly exciting to some users in this era of multi-channel gaming audio and 5.1 channel speaker systems, the technology employed by the Corsair SP2500 2.1 channel speaker system grabbed our attention. Not only that, but the simple fact of the matter is, most PC users don’t have the right room and / or desk setup to properly configure a surround sound speaker system. If you own a high-end, 5.1 channel speaker system and your rear satellites aren’t positioned properly, at the right angle and distance from your ears, don’t scoff at the idea of an advanced 2.1 channel system. Odds are the 2.1 channel setup sounds better than the muddled mess that is an improperly setup and configured 5.1 channel speaker system.

That’s enough backstory and ranting. Take a peek at the Corsair SP2500 2.1 channel speaker system’s specifications and features below and then we’ll take a tour of the kit and give you our impressions. We’ll also be featuring a great companion to the SP2500s a little later, Corsair’s recently released HS1A headset. There’s lots to get to, so let’s crank things up to 11 and get this party started.

Corsair SP2500 2.1 Channel Speaker System Specifications & Features

• 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)

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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
• Power cable

Looking strictly at the numbers, the Corsair SP2500 2.1 channel speaker system may not seem overly impressive. Only 2.1 channels, only 232 total watts, an 8” subwoofer, etc. But there’s definitely more to the numbers. As we’ve mentioned, a 2.1 channel setup may be ideal for users who cannot properly install and configure a 5.1 channel system (and no, sticking your rear satellites on the floor, under your desk is not adequate). Those 232 watts are an actual, measured RMS rating, not some meaningless peak power rating, and that subwoofer is wrapped in a tuned enclosure that minimizes distortion and maximizes output. The bottom line is the Corsair SP2500 speaker system has a lot going for it, that the numbers don’t explicitly show.