Creative Speaker - GIGAWORKS T 20

These GigaWorks T20s from Creative represent the very best that the company has to offer since the GigaWorks brand is saved for only the best or, as Creative might put it, the "discerning listener". This is why, given the choice, a really good set of 2.0 speakers will always provide a better all round sound stage.

This is immediately reflected in the design, which is sleek and eye-catching. Each speaker features a mid/low range driver and a high range tweeter and consequently they're quite large, though not unreasonably so. The front of each speaker is finished in smart dark metallic grey plastic, with rounded corners. This is a great look, though the rounded edges do make the speakers slightly unstable and prone to being knocked over if you're the clumsy type.

On the front of the right channel speaker are Bass, Treble and Volume controls, as well as headphone jack and auxiliary-in for easy connection to an MP3 player - a 0.5 metre mini-jack cable is included for this function, with a separate two metre 3.5mm cable for connection to a PC. Also included in the box is a twin phono to 3.5mm adapter, making connecting a games console or other device easy. On the back are the audio input, left speaker output and AC in.

Sprouting out of top of each set is a port hole; dubbed by Creative as a BasXPort. ItÂ’s intended to enhance lower mid-range tones, which in theory should add the warmth that is normally provided by a separate subwoofer. Does it work?

Well, the proofs of the pudding is in the eating and were the GigaWorks T20s a pudding they'd probably be a lovely warm apple crumble, served with steaming hot custard, on a heated plate next to a roasting fire in a country pub that serves warm beer.