People who buy a PC often ignore the audio set up. But with DVD movies becoming the norm, and a host of new games being developed with surround-sound audio, now might be the time to invest in a 5.1 speaker system.

At £60, the new SoundWave 2000P 5.1 system from Trust demonstrates how cheap it can be to upgrade the basic speakers that come with most PCs.

To benefit from true surround-sound you will also need a sound card with a 5.1 speaker output. These can be picked up for as little as £40 and are simple to install.

Setting up the SoundWave 2000P system took a bit of guesswork as the speaker sockets lacked colour coding and the set-up poster proved quite ambiguous. Nevertheless, each port and plug was lettered, which made the job slightly easier.

Connecting to the subwoofer, which also acts as the amplifier, is one centre speaker and four satellites. The cables are generous in length, allowing rear speakers to be spread around the room.

Each satellite also includes a wall-mounting option and is magnetically shielded, allowing them to be placed next to a monitor without causing any interference.

Although the 2000P 5.1 speakers carry a 200-watt output, the sound quality was only average and sounded very thin on a high volume setting. Similarly, the subwoofer failed to provide the thunderous, resonating sounds of other similarly priced systems. Nevertheless, for home PC use, the price matches the overall quality.

Unfortunately, the only volume controls are moulded onto the front of the subwoofer, with no additional remote control. So if, like most, your subwoofer is positioned on the floor, adjusting the volume requires some bending and stretching. Most other speakers are built with a remote control that can be placed on the desktop or attached to the monitor.

Although these speakers may not live up to Hollywood standards, Trust has provided a way to add 5.1 speaker effects to your PC without breaking the bank. A two-year warranty is thrown in.

Price: £60

Contact: Trust 01376 502 050
www.trust.com

Also consider: Philips A2.600 Compact Surround Power
Good value for money. £62 ****