Creative introduces new Inspire S2 Wireless speakers with apt-X technology

Kelvin Low | Oct 01, 2009

Stream your music wirelessly with the new Inspire speakers. (Credit: Creative)

Update: We have confirmation from Creative that the Inspire S2 Wireless speakers run on the apt-X Bluetooth coding standard. The included USB dongle will enable the apt-X support.

Imagine the convenience of going home, turning on the Bluetooth on your laptop and speakers, and enjoying high quality tunes without having to hook up any wires.

The satellite speakers are really small. (Credit: Creative)

That's the lifestyle Creative hopes to create with its new Inspire S2 Wireless speaker system. Like the original S2 offering, this new audio accessory features a small footprint of 7.4 x 7.3 x 10.3cm for the speakers and 23.2 x 18.0 x 20cm for the subwoofer. What's improved, however, is the slightly more powerful 7W x 2 speakers and 19W subwoofer on the S2 Wireless, compared to the 6W x 2 speakers and 17W subwoofer ratings on the earlier S2.

The S2 Wireless operates on the Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (enhanced data rate) protocol and supports the A2DP and AVRCP profiles. It boasts a range of 10m from any Bluetooth audio source, and the ability to control music playback on AVRCP-compatible hardware. However, what really caught out attention is the support for apt-X audio codec on the new speakers.

Apt-X is a high-performance audio codec from APTX that provides Bluetooth audio transmission with minimal delay and high quality. Originally developed for professional wireless audio and broadcast applications, the new technology is an optional add-on codec for Bluetooth A2DP.

If used with any non apt-X compatible Bluetooth hardware (such as older phones or laptops), the audio codec will revert to the standard Sub-Band Coding (SBC) that is needed for A2DP support. The included USB Bluetooth dongle adds the apt-X Bluetooth codec support.

The Inspire S2 Wireless speaker system is currently available from Creative's online store at S$219 (US$157.68). It will appear on retail shelves in Singapore and other parts of Asia in November.

Kelvin Low is CNET Asia's freelance writer for Music & Play. When he's not fiddling with gadgets or setting up new PC rigs, he can be found hitting the dirt tracks on his mountain bike. Kelvin is currently studying mass communications at Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. Email Kelvin.