Most PC sound systems today use several small speakers and a larger subwoofer. These systems have a number of advantages, but compactness is not one of them; while finding a place to put the subwoofer may not be that hard, carrying it around can be. If you move around a great deal, a stereo system with no subwoofer will obviously be more practical, and admittedly, certain types of music need a subwoofer less than others. Finally, you may want a system that doesn't bother the people around you but still puts out quality sound. If you need simplicity, portability and more control over how much sound is produced by your speakers, the two systems we've tested here may interest you.

Creative GigaWorks T20

Despite the "big sounding" GigaWorks name, the T20 consists of a pair of small speaker boxes. Aesthetically they're a mixture of restraint and luxury, with a very fine finish and good build quality. We give the kit a black mark for the choice of an external power supply, however; this may be more practical for the manufacturer, but it's much less so for users, especially if mobility is a priority.

There's a complete set of controls and connections on the right-hand satellite, with a volume control knob that also serves as the on/off switch, and two other potentiometers for the bass and treble. The connections are standard, with a line input on the rear, another on the front, and a headphone jack.