Version: 2008
  • On TechRepublic: Windows 7: Slower to boot than Vista?
advertisement

Creative TravelSound Zen V Portable Speakers

front side top
front side top

See all Creative products

  • Quick specs
  • Type of speaker: portable speakers with digital player dock
  • Amplification type: Active
  • Power output: 4 Watt
  • See full specifications

Add to my list Product summary

The good: Creative's TravelSound for the Zen V offers a compact design, comes with a handy remote, and will charge the player while plugged in. The speaker can also run off of batteries, and it features a retractable antenna for optimizing reception of the Zen V's built-in FM tuner.

The bad: When the Zen V is docked in the TravelSound, it doesn't sit flush with the unit. The remote won't power the speaker on or off and turning the unit on doesn't automatically turn the player on as well. Like many compact speakers, this one lacks bass.

The bottom line: For frequent fliers who own Creative's Zen V MP3 player and don't want to be stuck listening to clock radios, the TravelSound Zen V is a fine choice.

Read full review

Compare this mp3 player accessory to:

CNET editors' review

  • Reviewed on: 01/23/2007

Creative Labs really knows how to make a fantastic MP3 player, but the company hasn't shown nearly as much skill in the portable speaker arena. This issue has compelled many a Creative MP3 user (including myself) to force their players to couple with "Made for iPod" sound systems. Luckily for Zen V users, this is no longer a concern. Enter the Creative TravelSound Zen V, a $129 portable speaker that works with all Zen Vs (including the Plus versions).


The included remote is a nice touch.

As its name implies, the TravelSound Zen V is quite travel friendly: it measures 9x5x2.2 inches, weighs 1.5 pounds, and comes with a drawstring pouch for transport. Unlike most travel speakers, this unit also comes with an infrared remote. Unfortunately, the remote can't power the TravelSound on or off--as is usually the case with devices that use a switch rather than a button for this feature--but I got around this by just using play/pause when I wanted to stop playback. The remote does include track shuttle keys, mute and mode buttons, volume toggles, and a stereo separation button, which gives the music a wider soundstage. This feature actually worked quite well in testing.

The TravelSound itself has an understated and functional design. It's all black with a brushed silver band wrapping around the edge. The coloring doesn't match the white Zen V very well, but this is a small gripe. The player dock is front and center on the unit; a small piece on the top flips out and plugs into the Zen V's headphone jack and USB port. Unfortunately, the dock isn't spring-loaded, so the player doesn't always sit flush with the speaker. There is a notch cut out of the bottom to help you get the player out, though.

Continue reading

Most helpful user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Creative TravelSound Zen V Portable Speakers

ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Compare prices for Creative TravelSound Zen V Portable Speakers

Price: $199.95
Amazon.com Marketplace $199.95
advertisement
Click Here

Recent user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Creative TravelSound Zen V Portable Speakers

ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Special sponsor stores

advertisement

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

  • alaTest.com

    Editors' rating: 88

    Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 72 reviews of Creative TravelSound Zen V from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 74/100 and users 92/100. Comparing these reviews to 96309 other Speakers reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 88/100 = Very Good.

    Read full review

  • applesource.com.au

    Summary: You'll probably want to use that subwoofer out port if you plan on using the TravelSound as your day-to-day listening device: the unit is quite weak on bass, as we've come to expect from speakers of this size. Other than the lack of depth, though, the ...

    Read full review

  • pocket-lint.com

    Editors' rating: 80

    Summary: Its small size and easy portability make it ideal for on the move, but it's no match for the bigger speaker systems

    Read full review

Creative TravelSound Zen V Portable Speakers