A 2.1 desktop speaker system is a much sought after solution for desktop PC owners. It's cheap, occupies far less space than a 5.1 one (well, duh!) and has the potential to create enough noise for the neighbours to complain. Creative is one of the players in this space, along with Artis. Both 2.1 offerings cost about the same, and are targeted at the same set of customers. So we decided to do what we at Tech2.0 do best: a shootout to decide which one's better.
Design
Creative SBS A300
If you are hell-bent on liking what Creative dishes out, you will need to get past the shiny plastic look of the speakers first. It comes in an all-black finish, but lacks finesse. We like the exclusion of the usual RCA cabling system, perhaps to keep things simple. The input runs through the left satellite to the sub-woofer, and the right connects directly to the left. Of course, this means there's a limit to how far apart you can keep the satellites.
The power on/off knob is located on the right satellite and also works as a volume knob. The sub carries a bass leveler at the back. The vent is at the front while the driver unit is at the side.
Artis S111/FM 2.1
This one consists of two small black bookshelf speakers that connect to the subwoofer. All the speakers have simple rectangular wood cabinets, which are not too thick. Color is black matte for the cabinets, while the front panels of the sub and speakers have a metallic trim and metallic face plates. It's a lightweight model, even the sub.
There are 2.5-inch drivers for the bookshelf, and a single 5-inch driver for the subwoofer, made from paper cones (seemingly). The unit has an FM radio too, so the sub has an extensible antenna attached to the top panel, with three buttons on the right panel that control the mode from CD/FM and tuning. The buttons are tiny, black, push-button style.
I have a Creative SBS A300 and bliv me guyz dis is ever ever worst product from creative...... 
