JAZZ J8989 1.1 sound system

Last month we checked out Creative’s excellent T7700 7.1 speaker set. You might remember in that review we talked about the future of surround sound, and said that it lay in the mounting of a combined speaker helmet to one’s head. If the T7700 brought us one step closer to that destiny, then JAZZ’s J8989 pushed us headlong in front of it.

Last month we checked out Creative’s excellent T7700 7.1 speaker set. You might remember in that review we talked about the future of surround sound, and said that it lay in the mounting of a combined speaker helmet to one’s head. If the T7700 brought us one step closer to that destiny, then JAZZ’s J8989 pushed us headlong in front of it.

This ‘1.1’ speaker set emulated a normal 2.1 setup using ‘Point Source Audio’ technology. Basically, three drivers were mounted in the one stand; the two ‘side’ speakers placed a little behind and on an angle to the central speaker. As the sound traveled out from the side speakers, while being blocked by the front speaker, you ended up with an interesting audio dynamic, one that had you turning your head from side to side as your brain tried to orientate itself. The advantage to this setup was that it cut down on cables, and allowed you to have ‘2.1’ sound in a place you normally could not.

The single, 8W satellite also came with a 20W subwoofer, which had a single hook-up for the 1.1 stand. The sub had an unprotected speaker on its underside, one you’d easily put your finger through if you weren’t aware of it.

We played a variety of tunes through the setup, and tested it on both a laptop (with crappy sound) and an Audigy 2. While the speaker benefited from the higher-quality sound card, it was still slightly tinny. The sub was a bit of a letdown; only on its highest setting did it produce a satisfactory effect. Despite this, the sound was sufficiently clear and deep, especially considering the price.

It’s no replacement for a dedicated 2.1 or 5.1 setup (and you’d best save up if this was what you’re after), but the JAZZ J8989 did win out by being just plain funky, if a little underpowered.