You shouldn't expect a lot of stereo separation from the Sound Bite; that being said, you'll likely be surprised by what you do hear. Although I was prepared for tinny audio, given the small size and price, the Sound Bite largely -- although not completely -- avoided it. It also doesn't have the extended treble of Creative's Notebook 500, but it has enough to satisfy. And although it doesn't provide the bass response of Altec Lansing's XT1, it has enough to make the sound seem well-rounded. Finally, I was also impressed by the volume level -- it definitely plays loud enough to fill an office. In other words, the Sound Bite's three-speaker combination offers a pleasing presentation that doesn't excel at anything but is decent at most everything. And considering that the Sound Bite is significantly less expensive than any other USB-powered speaker system we've tested -- Tritton originally priced the Sound Bite at $50, then dropped the price to $30 -- that's quite an accomplishment. It clearly offers the best sound for your dollar in USB-powered speakers.

--Dan Frakes

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