Entered CNET Catalog: 07/19/2005
SKU: 0706625004422
Manufacturer: Creative Labs
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Manufacturer description
Cambridge SoundWorks is proud to present the next evolutionary step in home theater technology, SurroundWorks 200. The beauty of SurroundWorks is that it simplifies surround sound by using only three easy to set up pieces. These include a multi-channel center speaker and a compact, high performance subwoofer. These are matched with an elegant, DVD/AM/FM control center. The entire system is wired using just two connecting cables. Engineered to recreate surround sound with "invisible" speakers, SurroundWorks is the perfect solution for consumers looking to add surround sound to any room without any fuss. It's installation and user friendly - easy to place, easy to connect and easy to use. SurroundWorks' main speaker eliminates the need for mounting, wiring and finding space for multiple speakers by using one easy to hook up and locate single-point array - no rear speakers required. It can be wall mounted, placed on a TV or on a tabletop, and connects with a single cable to the powered bass module. The system's compact powered subwoofer delivers tight, deep bass in a compact enclosure that's less than 1 cubic foot. The bass module contains a 225-watt multi-channel BASH amplifier and patented circuitry that makes SurroundWorks' spacious 3-dimensional soundscape possible from such a simple system.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 09/30/2005
The 200 combines a single-disc CD/DVD player, an amplifier, and a receiver into one slim component measuring 2.5 inches high, 17 inches wide, and 14.5 inches deep. Since it runs as cool as the proverbial cucumber, you can stash it inside a cabinet without fear of overheating. The remote is pretty average overall; our main gripe was that the tiny volume buttons should have been bigger and more accessible.
The SurroundWorks 200's setup chores won't intimidate even the greenest of home-theater novices. Cambridge includes two color-coded multipin cables--one wire runs between the receiver/DVD player and the subwoofer; the other runs from the sub to the speaker (each cable is 12 feet long). Once you have those two squared away, hook up the video cables to your TV, then cruise through the system's straightforward onscreen setup menu--you're done. The Cambridge SoundWorks SurroundWorks 200 uses the company's Binaura Audio Surround Processing (BASP) to synthesize a multichannel audio experience. Unlike most of the other virtual surround systems we've tested, the 200 doesn't need to bounce sound off the room's side walls to create the surround effect.
Interestingly, the 200's processor resides in the subwoofer, creating the possibility of using the system without Cambridge's receiver/DVD player. That's not possible right now, but Cambridge hints that future SurroundWorks satellite/subwoofer systems will work with other brands' receivers. A rotary switch on the speaker selects Mute, Surround, Dialogue, or Stereo, but it's currently inactive (you access those functions via the remote). It will come into play when Cambridge starts selling the speaker without the receiver/DVD player.
The subwoofer also houses three 50-watt amplifiers to power the speaker, plus a 75-watt amp to drive the sub's 6.5-inch woofer. The main speaker features three 2.8-inch drivers. The receiver/DVD player works with standard video DVDs, DVD-Audio discs, audio CDs, and most home-burned DVDs and CDs, including MP3 CDs. The SurroundWorks 200 offers the standard array of Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS surround-decoding formats.
Connectivity options are downright skimpy for a $1,000 HTIB. The 200 has three A/V inputs (including the front-panel inputs), which all include S-Video and composite connections. You also get one component input and two digital audio inputs: one optical, one coaxial. However, the receiver won't upconvert composite and S-Video sources such as VCRs and non-HD satellite/cable boxes to component video. That means you'll need to run multiple outputs to your TV and flip through video sources accordingly. The 200's outputs include exactly what you'd find on a standard DVD player: component/progressive, S-Video, and dual composite outputs as well as a single optical digital audio output. We initially put the Cambridge SoundWorks SurroundWorks 200 through its paces with the Pearl Harbor DVD. The aerial battles and the thunderous bombardments made a visceral impact, thanks in large part to the baby subwoofer's lively and dynamic sound. We had to remind ourselves that the big soundstage was coming from that one small speaker sitting atop our TV.
The Rolling Stones' concert DVD set, Four Flicks, rocked pretty hard over the SurroundWorks 200 system. That little sub again took the lion's share of the credit for the gung-ho sound. When Charlie Watts wailed on his drum kit, we felt every beat. The audience applause was mixed into the surround channels, so the single speaker pushed those sounds way out to the sides, stretching them from wall to wall in our large home theater.
The 200 produced impressive surround effects under the right circumstances, but it couldn't project sound as far out into the room as Yamaha's YSP-1 ($1,500) single-speaker surround system. Then again, we found the 200's sound quality superior to the Yamaha's; we had problems melding that speaker with any of our subwoofers. The 200's surround effect sounded best when we sat directly in line with the speaker. If we shifted to either end of our couch, the soundstage collapsed into the speaker. The YSP-1 provided more consistent surround coverage for listeners seated in different positions. That said, the YSP-1 doesn't come with a sub or a DVD player, so it can wind up costing twice as much as the SurroundWorks 200. We didn't have a Niro 1.1 Pro II single-speaker surround system ($990) on hand for a direct comparison, but we think the SurroundWorks 200 can compete with it.
As long as we played CDs in stereo, the 200 delivered rich, warm sound, though the 14-inch-wide speaker provided zero stereo separation. Switching on the A/V receiver's Dolby Pro Logic II surround processing opened things up, but the sound then took on a hollow character. The cymbals on Miles Davis's Kind of Blue CD came out a touch harsh and tizzy. John Coltrane's tenor sax sounded anemic--so while we judge CD sound acceptable, it wasn't as satisfying as DVD sound.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that our usual provisos about virtual-surround systems apply. If you crave room-filling surround sound, buy a full multichannel system with five, six, or seven real speakers. But if you'd rather not deal with surround-sound setup hassles, a rats' nest of wires, and a room full of speakers, the SurroundWorks 200 will be music to your ears.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4
User Rating: 
3/10
OWN TWO BOTH NEED REPAIRS before 200 days
Pros: COMPACT, 3 components
Cons: only 1 year warranty have to fight with them to fix it ,,warranty support
Review:
Sounds ok at best weak bass watching dvd even weaker bass when using the radio,,,My father just got a bose 321 it has a louder highs and bass, save yourself a headache go with another brand bose denon both make virtual surround systems,, i own two SurroundWorks 200 systems also have other dvd players so i don't use these all the time still they need repairs,, 90% of dvd's skips pauses and it not because of a dirty dvd i buy new dvd's every week and the first go into my soundworks first,, my other unit video went out they had to send me another unit after on 45 days of use,the cable is coming apart center speaker sets on it and now i need another and only can get it from cambridge,,, the warrenty is only 1 year and you have to jump through hoops to get them to give you a return number i guess they will start giving them away for free because the know it will need repaired and they can make more money there, on my 5 call and still not sure if the going to fix it
User Rating: 
9/10
Great for movies, 2/3rds of a 5.1 system, not for loud music
Pros: Full sound, decent effects, easy setup
Cons: Not for loud music, ditch the remote
Review:
This gets a 9 if you want good sound for movies but don't want 6 speakers. Compared to a HTIB 5.1 you get most of the surround but the gratuitous sound effects that originate beside or behind you aren't there. If you want the helicopter sounds to fly over your shoulder, go for a real 5.1. If you find that stuff distracting and want a good full sound that is much better than what just a TV or stereo could produce, this is a great setup and very clean. Wouldn't use it for video gaming.
With that said, there is an impressive amount of sound motion and even some sounds that you'd swear were coming from over your shoulder at times. I got it for my main TV and care more about Picture and Plot than Sound. The room didn't lend itself to a full 5.1.
Music: It sounds like a good book shelf system where you put the L and R speakers on top of each other. Not necessarily bad but just not right. Light to moderate music in the background is fine but you can't rock out to it.
If you're looking at this type system you probably don't want or have room for a bunch of speakers. Its great for that. Would be a good bedroom system too.
If sound effects are really important to you, suck it up and cut a bunch of holes and do a inwall 5.1. Or spend $150 on a HTIB and have a bunch of ugly silver speakers all over.
Hope that was helpful. Also, bought a Harmony 520 after trying out the remote, not a fan of the 3+ remotes thing.
With that said, there is an impressive amount of sound motion and even some sounds that you'd swear were coming from over your shoulder at times. I got it for my main TV and care more about Picture and Plot than Sound. The room didn't lend itself to a full 5.1.
Music: It sounds like a good book shelf system where you put the L and R speakers on top of each other. Not necessarily bad but just not right. Light to moderate music in the background is fine but you can't rock out to it.
If you're looking at this type system you probably don't want or have room for a bunch of speakers. Its great for that. Would be a good bedroom system too.
If sound effects are really important to you, suck it up and cut a bunch of holes and do a inwall 5.1. Or spend $150 on a HTIB and have a bunch of ugly silver speakers all over.
Hope that was helpful. Also, bought a Harmony 520 after trying out the remote, not a fan of the 3+ remotes thing.
Updated
When I first got this system I was focused its sound, and hooked it to my 30" 16:9 HD ready CRT, it looked and sounded great. A week later my 42" Plasma showed up. The AVS-600 DVD player IMO is not good enough for a 42" or larger fixed pixel display. Read this caption from a review:
"Working with test discs revealed that the deinterlacing is subpar, with pronounced jaggies besetting the edges of objects in motion, in both test patterns and traditional video content. The 3:2 pulldown correction gauntlet exposed an unpleasant combing. I gained some relief when I manually switched the video modes to match the content. (The AVS600 offers four, in addition to the hardly-ever-correct Auto.) But even this didn't alleviate the problem entirely"
Source: http://www.hometheatermag.com/hometheaterinabox/706cambridge/
If I had to do it over again I would have purchased an Oppo 970 to upscale the DVD image and gone with a moderate cost 5.1 using all speakers from the front. Since I've tossed the box, I'll keep the system and add a HD DVD player in the future.
I'm not saying don't buy this system, just keep the packaging and watch a number of DVDs (including content shot on video) and use the 45 day return policy if you feel it doesn't deliver what you want.
When I first got this system I was focused its sound, and hooked it to my 30" 16:9 HD ready CRT, it looked and sounded great. A week later my 42" Plasma showed up. The AVS-600 DVD player IMO is not good enough for a 42" or larger fixed pixel display. Read this caption from a review:
"Working with test discs revealed that the deinterlacing is subpar, with pronounced jaggies besetting the edges of objects in motion, in both test patterns and traditional video content. The 3:2 pulldown correction gauntlet exposed an unpleasant combing. I gained some relief when I manually switched the video modes to match the content. (The AVS600 offers four, in addition to the hardly-ever-correct Auto.) But even this didn't alleviate the problem entirely"
Source: http://www.hometheatermag.com/hometheaterinabox/706cambridge/
If I had to do it over again I would have purchased an Oppo 970 to upscale the DVD image and gone with a moderate cost 5.1 using all speakers from the front. Since I've tossed the box, I'll keep the system and add a HD DVD player in the future.
I'm not saying don't buy this system, just keep the packaging and watch a number of DVDs (including content shot on video) and use the 45 day return policy if you feel it doesn't deliver what you want.
User Rating: 
8/10
Great sound without the hassle
Pros: Crisp sounds, excellent bass, easy set-up, great input options
Cons: Volume knob slow response, needs back lit remote.
Review:
I have two other surround sounds systems in my house, one in my family room 5.1 DD one in my basement 7.1 DD and love them. When I decided to buy a 32inch LCD for my master bedroom I had to get a good DVD player and was looking for surround as well but didnâ??t want to hang all kinds of speaker wires and have speakers hanging on the wall next to my bed. After doing some research between the Denon, Bose, and Boston setups I took my chances and ordered the Cambridge not being able to hear it. I must say I am very impressed in every way this unit. The set up was as simple as could be and I was able to also hook my DVR and my laptop into it for audio sources. I dropped in a few test movies to see how it sounds compared to my other systems. The POD race scene from Episode 1 was very impressive, the thundering bass from Sabulaâ??s POD was awesome. The surround was a surprise to me. I was not expecting to perform as well as it actually did. I felt like I had speakers all around the room, as the PODS zoomed by. I also tested on a good battle scene from LOTR The two towers. Again I was convinced there were Urikai all around me swinging there axesâ?¦ I also decided to test on a live concert of Norah Jones. I actually felt as if I was in the middle of the house of blues watching the DVD, very very immersive surround for only being a single speaker unit with three speakers. The little subwoofer it comes with is amazing..I have had to turn it down so as to not over power. I have a large master bedroom with cathedral celings and was worried the sound would get sucked into the void of space. IT DOESNâ??Tâ?¦â?¦.very very impressive system. I would recommend to anyone who is confined or just does not want to hang speakers and run wiresâ?¦.!!!
User Rating: 9/10
Still pleased with SoundWorks 200 after three months
Pros: Great sound and easy set up.
Cons: Remote not the best.
Review:
Purchased the SoundWorks 200 three months ago direct from Cambridge. Ordering was easy and delivery prompt. Wanted better sound system for my new Olevia 32" LCD. As advertised, set up was easy. I was immediately wowed by the surround sound effects, particularly on the HD channels and DVD's. Sound was also greatly improved on all the regular TV channels. Had a couple minor problems with the remote, but Cambridge solved problem quickly with their e-mail support service.
