If you've invested in a fancy computer, games console or DVD player, but have not yet added surround-sound, you're missing out in a big way.

Virtually all modern home entertainment equipment will output enveloping audio to a compatible speaker system, and Creative's Inspire 5.1 Digital 5700 is compatible with almost every device.

The subwoofer accounts for the bulk of the huge box. This monster cube has an ominous presence and, for this reason, is probably best hidden from view. The positioning of any bass speaker is largely irrelevant, the human ear being oblivious to the direction of low-frequency sounds. By comparison, the centre speaker and its four satellites seem tiny.

All these speakers connect via wires of varying length to the Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS decoder hub.

Sadly, though, its out-of-the-box usefulness is limited by short cables: the front satellites include a mere two metres, while Creative expects rear speakers to be strung no further than five metres from the hub.

This is fine for a PC workstation or the far reaches of a box bedroom but, for the average-size living room, such lengths are insufficient.

To be fair, Creative is pitching the Inspire 5.1 more at the PC market than home entertainment buffs, but the inclusion of such short cables seems an opportunity missed.

That one gripe aside, there is little else to criticise. The instructions are straightforward, and the audio output is good.

Specifications:

Price: £279.99 (inc. VAT)

Contact: Creative
www.creative.com