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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer








Product Description
Great sound. It's all in the details. This powerful speaker system brings them out in high-clarity THX-certified sound. From the fat bass thumps in your favorite rock anthem to the creepy hallway steps in your favorite horror film, you'll hear details you never knew were there. Add to that an impressive 200 watts of RMS power and you've got everything you need to rock your entertainment world.

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Product Details

Brand: Logitech
Model: 970118-0403
Platform: Windows XP
Format: CD
Original language:
English
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 15.00" h x
21.80" w x
18.30" l,
2.00 pounds

CPU: PowerPC G4 2.1 GHz
Memory: 2000000MB SDRAM
Hard Disk: 60GB
Graphics: This is the description of the PC Graphics 256MB
Processors: 1
Native resolution: 640x480
Display size: 669.2913385827

Features

Product Type - Speaker
System Components - 2.1 Speaker System
Response Bandwidth - 35Hz - 20kHz
Connectivity Technology - Wired
Connectivity Technology - Cable


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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
605 of 613 people found the following review helpful.
Great hassle free 2.1 system at a great price

By Robert
I've had these speakers for about six weeks and I think they have a great sound. I have them hooked up to a new Alienware system with a SoundBlaster X-Fi card. I use the card for both gaming and music. The system is located in a 11' x 11' home office with the speakers located at each corner of 5' desk and the subwoofer in front of the desk.

I have switched from a 5.1 system I got with my previous Alienware system. I'm in my 50's and have seen about every sound gimmick come down the pike. There are a lot of people who love 5.1 and have time to tweak them, I'm just not one of them. I've had the 5.1 system for about five years hooked to a SoundBlaster Live card. I'm pretty adept with computers, so I have kept up with the drivers, played with the balance, moved the speakers and done about everything I can to "feel" the game. I usually play Call of Duty or Far Cry type games. I also play RTS games of the C&C stripe.

I must be getting old, because I'm tired of screwing around with sound systems. I'm at a point where I just want to sit down and hear some great sound without going through all of the situational adjustments (FPS game, music, RTS game, SAT TV, etc). If you just want something that has great fidelity and some oomph in the low range, this is your system.

What I like:

1. The sound for music is fantastic. I have eclectic tastes in music and all of it sounds great across the board with excellent fidelity. Some songs you can hear every instrument and note. It's as good as the source (mp3, wma, etc) can make it.

2. The stereo effect is wonderful. It's like having a center speaker without having the clutter of a physical speaker on your desk, plus you still get a great sense of left/right effects.

3. The subwoofer will rock you. I have it front of a solid wood desk and it will shake the desk at half bass. When I play COD or MOH, it's like you are on Omaha beach during an artillery barrage. It's as real as I need it. I don't need 5.1 to hear the shell whistling past me to get a great effect.

4. I really like the control. It sits well on the desk next to my keyboard. Nice big dials that index the bass and volume well. There is good size off switch that is easy to hit if you need to kill the sound quickly without searching for a mute button. There is also a plug for headphones. Makes it convenient if you don't want to have to keep reaching around the back of the system. It also has a blue power light which I prefer.

5. Very, very, very easy to set up. Just plug the speakers into the subwoofer and then plug the system cable into the sound card. Turn it on.

6. Uses the system software for balance and treble. It will also use the software equalizer. You may ask why this is important. Half my problem with my last set of speakers is that the computer had an equalizer, the installed SoundBlaster software had an equalizer, the player had an equalizer and the speaker system had a equalizer, speaker balance. Give me a break. There were four sets of adjustments that you had to manage depending on what you were doing at the time (game, music, TV). I never knew which control was in control. My results were mixed at best. Now I just worry about the computers settings and I get great sound in any of my apps.

7. I have not detected the irritating hum my last system had during quiet times or when no music was playing.

8. I like the style of the speakers. Silver with black cloth covers. They seem very substantial.

What I don't like:

1. I may be old fashioned, but I want the option to change the length of my speaker wires. I don't know why Logitech has gone this route, but the speaker wire is permanently affixed to the back of the speaker and terminates with an RCA plug. I prefer heavy gauge speaker wire and would like the option to move the subwoofer farther away. This requires me to buy expensive RCA cable as opposed to regular speaker wire.

2. The subwoofer is probably physically bigger than it should be for a small room system. There is no room for it under the desk (that's why it's in front of it:). I'm still experimenting with placement. Make no mistake, this puppy is big. It also has metal heat vanes on the back that give it additional length. If you are working with limited space, make sure you pay attention to the dimensions.

3. While I like the control, it makes placing the subwoofer across the room somewhat problematic. The wire from the subwoofer to the controller is a 6' long thick proprietary cable. The system sound plug then runs from the controller to the sound card. The speakers cords run directly to the subwoofer. This system is meant for close-in.

Conclusion:

This is a great trouble free set of speakers with great sound. Just plug and play without a lot of fuss. I knocked off a star because of the limited flexibility imposed by the cabling scheme. That being said, I don't think you can beat the sound at this price. To be honest, I have a pretty decent ear and these are as good as any system I have listened to. I feel my money was well spent and I am most satisfied with my purchase. So if you are tired of trying to make the latest gimmick work (7.1 THX) and you just want great sound, this is your system.

435 of 483 people found the following review helpful.
If you want the skinny on these speakers read this.

By O. Johnson
First, I will have to say that I am a music engineer/producer, so when it comes to music, I know what I'm talking about. Secondly, I just bought this product and, no I don't work for Logitech, or anyone else who`s related to the company, or their distributors.

Setting up:

For those who are curious a bit about the speaker set up, it is very easy. The subwoofer acts as the "motherboard", so to speak. Everything hooks into it, from the back. The subwoofer is the power supply source (there's no adapter, just a standard plug, so this will save room on a power strip), and the wired remote plugs into the sub, and the computer. The satellites plug into the sub as well. If you wish to plug the speakers up something else (a videogame console, a DVD player, VCR, etc.) a RCA splitter cord is provided to hook it up. When plugging this thing up, do NOT plug it up to the electrical socket first and then connect the components. Plug it into the wall last. Additionally, there is a on/off feature on the wired remote, as well as a switch on the back of the sub. The ON LED light on the wired remote is a pretty blue color.

When you set up the speakers, you should note that the satellites are very directional sensitive. That is, adjusting the angle of the speakers will have a great deal to do with the how the sound is directed towards your head, and thus the overall quality. Take the time to adjust this to the best sounding position. These speakers are decently compact. My computer is sitting on a tiny IKEA computer desk, along with other studio gear, including two rack-mounted processors. I have plenty of room for these speakers. Do NOT sit these speakers next to your head. It's a good idea to have them farther away from you than your monitor is sitting, if possible. As for the subwoofer, do the smart thing and put it on the floor. It doesn't need to be elevated no more than a foot off the ground, if that much. Also give the sub room to breathe, and for the love of common sense, don't block the side air hole, and don't direct the woofer at your computer tower.

The Sound:

Like I said before, I am a music producer, additionally I am a classically trained musician with 20 years experience (I'm 28). So I know what I'm talking about. Also I should note that I am using a fairly new desktop computer, an Emachines, which is about a year old. I also have a nice Sony 5.1 stereo system. These speakers kick my Sony's tail, all around. The only way it could be better is if it was a perfect surround sound system, and that would be a pain to deal with, unless you have the room and money for it.

Some people have said the mids on these speakers are weak. I'm not hearing it at all. What I have noticed is that the upper highs are very strong. If you are having this problem here's simple solution. I'm using Windows Media Player 9.0. On the "rock" EQ setting just move the 16kHz level down a wee bit. If you're using another kind of media player, just turn down the EQ between 12-20kHz down by 5-10%. If you're hearing hiss out of the speakers then you might have them too close to your head to begin with (I can only hear it when I lean over next to it, and if the volume is past 60%). Otherwise, you might have a shielding problem.

These speakers are quite loud. Be careful not to damage your hearing with these. I really see no point in turning the master volume past 40% and the sub past 25%.

Also keep in mind that these speakers are quality. Don't play hip hop on a classical EQ setting. You should get used to switching your EQ setting (which is easy enough on Windows Media Player) for the appropriate thing you are listening to. If you're listening to talk radio, set it to "speech", and turn the woofer down to zero.

The only draw back on this speaker system is that you can't turn the woofer down to perfect zero, meaning that you can't bypass it. That would be a good bonus. But turning down the EQ in the 20Hz to 50 Hz range should do the trick if you want to by pass it.

For this price, these speakers are a steal. The quality of these things in my opinion are triple the price, if not more.

The z2300 as well deserving of 5 stars. If you want killer sound on your computer without spending a few thousand bucks, this is the way to go. I bought these for my home studio to mix the record I'm working on, and I'm so glad I did it. It far beats spending $400 on a single studio monitor.

If anyone wants so advice or semi-technical assistance as far as these speakers are concerned, I'd be more than glad to offer some advice if you wish, just email me at GSFU (at) aol (dot) com.
160 of 178 people found the following review helpful.
Superb speakers!

By Jakester
My judgement may be a little skewed as I haven't upgraded my speakers for about 10 years. I originally bought these for my wife as she's just getting into mp3 music and her old speakers just didn't cut it. She didn't like the Logitechs because the subwoofer was too big and there was not a convenient place to put it. So I gave her my 10 year old speakers and took the Logitechs. Boy did I come out ahead on that deal. I couldn't believe how rich the sound was coming from these speakers, especially the subwoofer. Clear effects, vibrating base, and pure highs and mid-levels. The stand alone controller is a very nice touch, especially since you can plug your headphones into it, a major advance over having to plug them directly into the sound card. If you buy these speakers, you WILL NOT be sorry.
See all 1350 customer reviews...

Creative A60 2.0 Speaker System

"Price: ","$19.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details "
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Product Description
Sleek and compact, A60 2.0 Speaker System delivers good and reliable audio, be it for your MP3 player, notebook or PC. You can place these sleek and space-saving speakers anywhere you like, be it in your office or home. Furthermore, this magnetically-shielded speaker system with two 2.75" quality drivers prevents interference with your TV/monitor, while providing you with quality audio for all your entertainment needs. The built-in bass port also helps to enhance the bass and give your audio that extra boost!

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Product Details

Brand: Creative Labs
Model: 51MF1635AA003
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 7.32" h x
3.68" w x
8.60" l,
2.20 pounds


Features

2.0 speaker system designed to provide good audio for all your entertainment needs, be it for PC, notebook or MP3 player
Built-in bass port to deliver deep and rich bass for your audio entertainment
Stylish and compact form fits seamlessly into all home and office spaces so you don?t have to worry about cluttered and unsightly desks
The master control allows you to adjust the volume/power with ease
Magnetically-shielded speakers do not interfere with TV/monitor and gives you the freedom to place your speakers wherever you please


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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Decent Speakers for the Price

By P. Seow
I wanted a set of low cost computer speakers that looks good and these fulfilled the role. However, I was quite spoiled by my last set of computer speakers, which was a Creative Labs T12. The A60 has very weak bass output, so don't use these to listen to club music or you'll be very disappointed. The fact that it has a bass port in the back is just a gimmick. However, it does has decent high and mid output.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Lousy sound

By Andrey Golik
The sound lousy even for speakers of this class. Built-in speakers of my monitor sounds better. I was looked for a very cheap speakers as background "beeper" and despite that I was disappointed. I think you can try to find a better sound for the same money.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Exactly what I expected

By Pedram
This is exactly what I expect
as always very good design from creative this is what I like very much about creative
I needed this speakers for my lab and I did not want a big speaker with loud base because I can't use it
I just wanted 2 small speakers with minimum money spend and maximum sound quality
I bought 2 logitech LS11 before this one and this one is so much better than those
I bought those two because 4 star that people gave those that they does not deserve it , this should have at least 4 starscons : no headphone jack , bad volume placing and nob!
See all 3 customer reviews...

Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System

"Price: ","$997.60 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details "
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Product Description
Logitech has taken the award-winning Logitech Z-680 speaker system and made it even better. By improving everything from the subwoofer to the satellites and adding new innovations like real-time digital sound equalization. The result is the Logitech Z-5500 Digital, a THX-certified, 500-watt 5.1 surround sound speaker system that offers everything you could possibly want and some things you didnt even know you needed. And once you plug in your PC, DVD or music player, or video game console, youll never want to listen to anything else.

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Product Details

Brand: Logitech
Model: 970115-0403
Platform: Windows
Format: CD
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 16.18" h x
20.47" w x
26.85" l,
54.50 pounds


Features

THX-certified 5.1 speakers with 505 Watts of power
10-inch subwoofer
Audio inputs for up to six devices
Includes wireless remote control with batteries
2 year limited warranty


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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
139 of 146 people found the following review helpful.
Awesome

By J. Paddington
These speakers are even better than I read about. The main thing that nobody seems to mention is that these speakers basically have a built-in receiver so you can plug your DVD player or whatever directly into the speakers. This, imo, is so important that all the other competing speaker systems really don't compete. Obviously, it's not as good as having a real receiver and can't amplify as much as an external system, but most people that want to hook these speakers up to their computer and other devices simultaneously, and would like to save space and money, would really appreciate this. The toslink output is the highest quality I've heard. Also, I made the mistake that others have made of removing the screw on the back of one of the speakers, rendering it impossible to put the stand back on. And if you open it to fix the problem, you'll void your warranty, so I have to send it to Logitech to be replaced. So, if you need to put these on a stand, whatever you do don't remove any screws on the speaker.
90 of 99 people found the following review helpful.
Phenominal Speaker setup

By N. Dhawan
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Oh and Did I mention WOW ?

I have three cables for 5.1 going from my sound card into the box. I have the digital out going from the soundcard, into the logitech for 5.1 dvd movies through my computer. As well i have fiber optic coming out of my sattelite into the setup box so i can listen to 5.1 while watching tv. Maybe not 5.1 but emulate pro logic it sounds great. So im definetly making use of all the inputs on the back of this baby.

This has a lot of features, and different modes you can use. It has Stereo (which is just front l/r speakers outputting sound), Stereo 2(front left/right, rear left/right), Pro logic II Movie (i dunno? Uses the center channel, less of the rears more of the sub, pro logic Music (heavy on the sub, uses all speakers). As well it's easy to scroll through the inputs Coax, Direct 6channel, optical.

The remote it comes with is pretty useful you can adjust volume, sub levels, surround output (dont know what this does yet). It is wicked fun!

I paid $270 shipped from Amazon (forget ripoff COMPUSA), got it in TWO Days. I love audio always have, always will. This was a 5.1 for my computer, but I also wanted 5.1 for movies that I watch in my room.

This comes with cables for analog games which is how games output. However I bought a coaxial for digital out for games, and a fiber optic cable for my sattelite to the box. Total cost through circuit city $70. Total cost through amazon $30. Shop amazon! :)

Initial impression
------------------

Lets just say setup wasen't easy. It is pretty standard, connect one speaker, another speaker, another speaker. it just takes a while to light up everything connect everything. It took me probably 1 1/2 hours, but i took breaks to vacuum and relocate my pc so everything would fit in fine. The speaker cables are big, but my front left wasen't long enough. So i bought a little extension 6' cable so I could hide it nicely. I didn't use any gold connection cable just regular circuit city $4.99 for 6'.

Also this setup is large and man impressive. The sub is massive stands just taller then a 2 liter bottle of coke, and maybe 3 bottles across x 3 1/2 bottles deep.

Games
-----

I have connected this with the included three direct cables to get 5.1 sound from my games. It works great it's loud, it thumps, and it scared my sister when she was sitting here and a zombie came up behind her in Doom 3. It's loud, it's clear. I dont know about 500 watts, i've had it to max and it's loud, but 500 watts? Who knows, it's really loud and i'm happy with it anyways. Sounds fantastic and as you move around in games i can see sound shift from one speaker to the other, it fills the room great, and if you've never had a nice speaker setup (with a sub) your in for a surprise. This is a lot of speaker, and will easily last 3 years unless you must have the newest and greatest setup every year.

DVD's
-----

I also have a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum. I had initially planned to hookup the front plate which has a Digital Coax out so when I played DVD's it would play 5.1 sound. However that dosen't work, I played with it a lot and it wont work. However, my 5.1 card has a digital output on the back of it, I bought a 0.99 cent mono adapter from radio shack and run a coaxial cable from the digital out of the sound card into the standalone cool set top receiver. Now when I play dvd's on my computer (didn't want to buy an additional dvd player for my room) it outputs 5.1 clean signal to my settop box that came with the logitech and that decodes either a dolby digital or dts signal. Works brilliant. Sound is clear, loud, shakes the walls, shakes the room.

TV
--

I've got optical going from sattelite into this baby. Sounds great, emulates 5.1 through pro logic or stereo or stereo2. Works fine works great, sports sound great. I always loved 5.1.

Comparison
-----------

I was torn between this setup and the Klipsch 5.1 Ultra which is similarly priced, and also a 5.1 setup. I ultimately chose these because of the various input connectors on the setup box. If I chose the klipsch i couldn't hookuped my sattelite to it, or my dvd's wouldn't decode in 5.1 they would be strictly analogue. Sound quality wise i have a set of 2.1 klipsch (200 watt)for sale, they sound great, but aren't 5.1.

I also have a 5.1 setup for my home theater a sony 500 watt setup. That's with the big screen. Comparison wise? Hard to say, that one is about 3 years old but still sounds great (paid $600 with receiver). This definetly compares to it, and i'm more tempted to watch movies upstairs because this subwoofer is awesome. However I got the big screen downstairs and it comfortably seats 10 of my buddies so we'll be hanging out downstairs also. So I would say this definetly can go head to head with the home theater in a box $500 setups out there. Im not so sure about the $1500+ setups though. Actually I dont think it will compare to those :)

Conclusion
-----------

Long review I know! Lots to say. This setup kicks ass, sound quality is great and will easily last me a long while. I make use of all the features, am impressed by the sound quality, and thump shake shake cause im a bass kinda guy.

If you want the best, lots of options and I mean lots, lots of connectivity great sound nice thump get this setup. You wont be sorry it looks great, sounds great and will easily outlast 2 computers.

-Neil
137 of 154 people found the following review helpful.
Logitech lover

By daefash
After getting the MX1000 laser mouse and the Z-5500 speakers i fell in love with logitech. These speakers produce quality sound, they sound better than the Z-680 my friend has. I have SB Audigy 2zs platinum with front panel and an optical output. I am using Monster THX certified optical cable bought from amazon for $22 and my system rocks. the sound on my computer cost me $470 but it is worth it. Thank you amazon! they shipped it the same day, ordered on Monday and got it on Wednesday. I ordered it when the price was $306.99 then the price dropped to $279.95. I love Amazon, they refunded the difference after I emailed them. The speakers sound VERY clear, no hissing as with the Z-680 and an RCA cable. the subwoofer is huge and you need to have a space for it and it has a strong magnet so you need to keep it at a reasonable distance from your computer and monitor. The speakers cable are not adjustable, but i am guessing you can buy an extension cable if you need to, but the cable is fairly long. the Base of the speakers is adjustable so it fits on the table and on the walls.
See all 739 customer reviews...

Altec Lansing BXR1221 2.1 Speaker System (Black)

"List Price: ","$29.95"
"Price: ","$19.88 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details "
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Product Description
The three-piece BXR1221 system features great bass and styling that's at home anywhere. It lets you enhance your listening enjoyment and get the full spectrum of sound.

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Product Details

Color: Black
Brand: Altec Lansing
Model: BXR1221
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 6.90" h x
9.80" w x
11.80" l,
4.50 pounds


Features

Compact 3-piece speaker system for laptops and desktops
Separate subwoofer adds impact and depth
Audio Alignment technology for balance and accuracy
Built-in power and volume controls
Each satellite speaker measures 2.8 x 3.7 x 4.8 inches, subwoofer measures 5 x 7.3 x 6.2 inches (WxHxD)


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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
84 of 87 people found the following review helpful.
Good sound and low price, with some things to consider

By Penumbra
My laptop has XP Media Edition software, but really bad speakers. If I want to listen to anything, I need external speakers or headphones. For the price, this Altec Lansing Three-Piece Speaker System does a good job. The bottom line is good, well balanced sound for a low price.

Now the caveats:

On speakers that require an external power source, I would have expected to be able to crank up the volume a bit more. When listening to modern CDs or MP3s on my PC I can turn up the sound high enough to fill a large room without distortion, but when watching an old movie (say 1930s vintage) I can turn up the volume all the way and the dialog is barely audible. Other speakers I've used don't seem to have that issue, but they were more expensive.

This system may be compact for a shelf or desk, but it's not tiny and don't expect it to be portable. The set up is lightweight but rather bulky. The subwoofer is roughly the size of an elongated Kleenex Boutique tissue box; the satellites are approximately the size of Campbell's soup cans.

There are lots of wires, too. The right satellite, the one with the on/off and volume control knobs, has four separate wires: 1) hardwire to the other satellite, 2) hardwire to the jack that goes to the audio source (computer or MP3 player), 3) a jack to connect to the hardwire coming from the subwoofer, and 4) a jack for the wire to the AC adapter. That's a lot of wire coming out of the back of one soup can size speaker!

The wall plug is on the AC adapter. Something to consider if you are already using outlets for the PC, monitor, printer, and whatever other peripherals you need - a power strip may have multiple outlets, but this can easily use one and cover up another.

If none of these observations is a deal breaker for you, then the low price and good sound are a good value.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
Lots of punch for the price and size

By Shelley Gammon
After spending big $ on Bose speakers for my computer only to have the unit die in 2 years and Bose charging so much for out of warranty repair, I'd be better off buying new ones - I vowed to never spend that kind of money again. Good thing - because I no longer have that kind of dispensable income! Enter these Altec Lansing speakers.

I like having the manual control right on the speaker if I need to suddenly turn down to hear if a phone is ringing or what the dog is barking about.

I hear no rattle when the volume is up - something you typically experience in cheap speakers. The cheap ones typically are a "you get what you pay for" experience... adequate for a small cube at work, but not much else. Not so with these little power-houses. Am I comparing these to Bose? No. These do not attempt to be in the same class as luxury end speakers. I've used a number of low-cost speakers before, however, and these are among the best I've used. I find these perform better than my JBL Duets, which tend to rattle if the volume is cranked up. The subwoofer lets you feel what you can't hear... the base that is too much for most satellite speakers is faithfully transmitted where you can feel it as much as you hear it.

For low-cost computer speakers (or even for an iPod!), the landscape is FULL of competitors - but the cheap ones are typically just that - cheap. Altec Lansing did a good job in making a set-up that's attractive, uses a small desktop footprint and has good sound that's affordable.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful.
Not Bad for a Budget Speaker System

By F. Gillett
I picked these up as a temporary solution to get some sound for my PC. My decision to purchase these was primarily because of my prior experience with an Altec Lansing ASC 495 system. Not yet available at Amazon, the BX1221 speakers were purchased at Walmart for $24.95.

When I first installed these I was horrified by the muffled, muted sound that came out of them. After fiddling with the equalizer software that came with my sound card I finally hit on a setting which provided much more crispness and ok bass. Then I went to work on the equalizer and WOW settings in Windows Media player. Once all the twiddling was finsihed I was really surprised by the good sound from this little budget system.

Altec Lansing says they are compact for a crowded desktop. Small, Yes. Compact, No. Due to the long design of the desktop units they actually take up more desk space than any previous speaker I've owned. They're about six inches long so take that into account before you purchase them.

Pros:
-Darn good sound once you adjust them to your preference
-Low Price
-Adequate power

Cons:
-Volume control is a thumbwheel on top of the right speaker
-On/Off switch is a rotory dial on the back of the right speaker
-Left Speaker is connected to the right via a short speaker cord, roughly 42", not allowing for a great deal of seperation
-No seperate volume control or adjustment available for the sub-woofer

Would I buy them again under the same circumstances? Probably. If you're short on cash they're a good value. They're far from a premium system but the installation is simple; they're just plug and play right out of the box. If all you want is an upgrade from 2.0 speakers that came with your computer, you will most likely be happy with the BX1221. Once I get moved I'll be going back to my old 5.1 surround system but until then I can still listen to my tunes without cringing at the sound quality.

See all 120 customer reviews...

Cyber Acoustics CA-5402 Platinum Series High Performance 5.1 Speaker System (Grey)

"List Price: ","$79.99"
"Price: ","$57.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details "
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Product Description
The CA-5402 elegant platinum series high performance speaker system by Cyber Acoustics provides both stylish design and sound intensity. This versatile speaker system features a MP3 cradle and auxiliary jack so you can use it with a variety of music sources. The acoustically balanced wood cabinet subwoofer offers a bold, rich sound that beautifully delivers your music, movies and games.

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Product Details

Color: Grey
Brand: Cyber Acoustics
Model: CA-5402
Original language:
English
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 12.00" h x
9.75" w x
13.00" l,
10.00 pounds


Features

Convenient desktop control pod: on/off switch, master volume, bass volume, headphone output jack, aux in, and LED power indicator
Magnetically shielded satellite speakers
Acoustically balanced wood cabinet subwoofer; Bass reflex, ported enclosure on subwoofer
MP3 cradle (MP3 player not included)
Video game Y adapter cable included


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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful.
Works OK, but miswired

By kg333
I got these as a first 5.1 surround sound set for my computer. It was an easy set up, no problem to tweak the balance, and the control pad is easy to use and looks pretty good too.However, the bass channel is mis-wired. For 5.1 surround, the bass channel is supposed to be on the same plug as the center speaker. In this set, it seems that the bass is mixed with the left and right channels. The end result is that the subwoofer only fires for sound on the front left/right speakers, not for center or rear. It's a bit jarring, and I'm disappointed that something so basic would be screwed up. I haven't been able to find a workaround to get full bass.This set will do for now, but I'll be keeping an eye out for a replacement.EDIT: After contacting CA customer service and about three months waiting, they sent me a revised unit at no charge. This one is somewhat better, as there is now a proper base channel, but I still can't get any bass working through the center channel. Kudos to their customer support, though, they were very pleasant to work with.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful.
Great system

By Trevor Hickey
This is a great system. Not just for the money, but all around. It has the sound of a system for a lot more money. It is very easy to set up, and has inputs for everything. The only flaw that I can see, is the middle speaker puts out a lot more sound than the others. This might just be when the mp3 input is being used, but even then it is not bad at all. You won't be disappointed with this system.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful.
Great system

By Ulysses
I can no longer listen to my laptop or mac computer speakers because this product creates such a high quality sound. The others sound too flat now. These speakers are great for the low price and can create a surround sound experience. The bass with these speakers is very good as well. I would recommend this product to anyone!
See all 62 customer reviews...

Logitech Speaker System Z523 with Subwoofer

"List Price: ","$99.99"
"Price: ","$49.99"
[EXTRACT]






Product Description
Z523 2.1 Speaker System

[EXTRACT]

Product Details

Color: Black
Brand: Logitech
Model: 980-000319
Format: CD-ROM
Original language:
English
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 11.37" h x
9.25" w x
13.12" l,
12.00 pounds

CPU: PowerPC G4 2.1 GHz
Memory: 2000000MB SDRAM
Hard Disk: 60GB
Processors: 1

Features

Room-Filling Logitech 360-degree sound for an immersive music, movie and game experience
Down-firing subwoofer with 6.5-in pressure driver delivers ultra-deep bass without distortion
Quick-connect inputs let you easily plug in your DVD player, game console, iPod and headphones
40 watts (RMS) of power for big, rich, detailed sound
Convenient on-speaker controls put volume adjustment at your fingertips


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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
185 of 192 people found the following review helpful.
exceptional sound and design

By Jim
I own several PC speaker systems that have a manufacturer's suggested retail price in the same ballpark as Logitech's Z523 system. (I also own several traditional stereo systems for use with stereo amplifiers; I've been kind of a speaker addict since my late teens.) To my ears, as well as to my eyes and hands - in other words in terms of sound quality, visual design, practical hands-on use/user-friendliness, and sturdiness of build - the Z523 system makes all the other PC speakers I own obsolete. If you want to know specifically what I am comparing the Z523 with, here is a list of the other PC speakers I own that are in the same price range as the Z523 system (in case some readers don't know what 2.0, etc., means in this context, a 2.0 system is one with two front speakers, one left, one right; a 2.1 system adds a third component, that being a sub-woofer; Altec Lansing uses 2.2 to refer to a system they developed that has two front speakers each with a built-in down-firing sub-woofer): Creative GigaWorks T20 2.0 system, Creative GigaWorks HD50 2.0 system, Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass 2.2 system, Altec Lansing Expressionist Classic 2.0 system, Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus 2.1 system.

With the exception of the Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus system, I can turn the bass all the way up on the aforementioned systems and sometimes feel that I wish I could turn it up even more. When I have the bass at the maximum level on the Expressionist Plus system I don't necessarily want more bass, but some folks might, and if that were the case, they couldn't get it.

In contrast, I cannot imagine ever wanting to turn the bass control knob on the Z523 system to the maximum level. The knob, which is conveniently located on the lower right front of the right speaker, starts at the 7 o'clock position and stops when turned clockwise at the 5 o'clock position. With rock, pop, and classical music, as well as with "instant watch" movies streamed from Netflix, I do not feel a need to turn the bass past the 10 or at most the 11 o'clock position. This means that there is a lot more bass to be had should I ever want it.

While I love the sound of the Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus 2.1 system, not only does the overall sound quality of the Z523 system surpass it, but the Z523 system has a much more user-friendly design. The bass control and power on/off knob (power for the whole system) on the former is on the sub-woofer, which means that if the sub-woofer is on the floor (and it's really too wide to be put anywhere else), the user must either operate it with her foot or she must bend or get down on the floor (e.g., crawl under a desk). With the Z523 system, once the sub-woofer is where the user wants it (e.g., on the floor under a desk and out of the way of feet, etc.), the power, volume, and bass level for the entire system can be controlled via two knobs on the right front speaker.

I assumed (as I did in my review of the Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus system) that instead of placing a down-firing sub-woofer above a carpeted surface, it would be better sound-wise to put a piece of wood under it. I apparently assumed wrong. I emailed Logitech about this, my email was forwarded to the Product Manager for the speakers in question, and in his (very quick) response, he said, "from a practical standpoint it really doesn't matter the surface the sub sits on - as long as we're not talking 3" shag carpet that's significantly decreasing the space between the bottom of the sub and the carpet." And so I removed the piece of wood that I had placed under the sub-woofer, and I could hear no difference in sound quality, certainly no deterioration. The Product Manager also said, "low frequency sound coming from the sub is non directional so as long as the airflow isn't materially reduced you won't notice any affect on the sound." As far as my ears can tell, he is right.

In addition to being tapered so that they sit on wide bottoms which make it more difficult for them to accidentally tip over (I've knocked over the Creative T20s a number of times, sometimes just by slightly bumping the desk or table they were sitting on), the Z523 speakers have metal grills on their fronts and backs. This means that if I do knock a speaker over or if I should clumsily poke a speaker with a finger or some object, the speakers are well-protected. All of the other speakers listed above have only soft protection, which is no protection at all, over the speakers. (As another reviewer of the Z523 system notes, the down-firing sub-woofer itself is fully exposed, and if one isn't careful one could manage to poke a finger through it when removing it from the carton.)

The Z523 system is billed as a 360-degree or "omnidirectional acoustics" sound system, and indeed it is. I have the system set up in a room that runs 17' by a little over 30' (a living room with a dine-in kitchen off of it separated only by a sofa). I have the sub-woofer on the (carpeted) floor, and the speakers on a card table where I do a lot of work on a laptop. Before I had the Z523, when I moved from my chair in front of the laptop to a place behind it, such as the sofa or the kitchen, I would turn whatever speakers I had on the card table around so they would continue to face me (assuming I was listening to them). With the Z523 360-degree sound system, it is not necessary for me to turn the speakers around, and they sound as good from behind them as they do from in front of them. This is because they have speakers facing both the front and rear.

I think it worth mentioning that the power cord for the system comes out of the back of the sub-woofer, and thus there is no power brick to deal with, and what plugs into your wall outlet or power strip is just a standard-sized two-prong plug. When the system is turned off (by turning the upper knob on the right hand speaker counterclockwise till it clicks and the light goes out), there is no little light that stays on anywhere on the system. All the other PC speaker systems I own have power bricks that have little lights on them that stay lit whether the system is on or off. I should also mention that the light on the Z523 power knob is, unlike, say, the overly bright light on the Creative T20 system, not the kind of light that you may want to cover with black tape.

The Altec Lansing Expressionist Plus system, which is the best comparison with the Z523 system of the systems I own, has a rating if 33 Watts RMS, while the Z523 system has a rating of 40 Watts RMS. The Z523 definitely has more oomph, with no sacrifice in overall sound quality. The system provides my ears with good sounding treble and mid-range in addition to its excellent bass.

As I say above, the Z523 system makes the other PC speaker systems I own that are in the same price range obsolete. It's nice to have PC speaker systems in different rooms so I can conveniently hook up my laptop or MP3 player or a portable CD player. It would be even nicer if they were all Z523 systems. With the amount of bass this system puts out, it probably would not be an option for someone who wants a system for a workspace shared with others, unless of course everyone in the workspace wants to listen to the same music, etc. But for a home workspace and for home entertainment, I think this system is outstanding.
85 of 90 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent budget sound expansion for TV (decent for PC as well)

By R. McAdams
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1MX3BNIDNTRI9 I decided to take a video of the sound difference with the speakers hooked up to our TV. You will see two clips in the video, both from the Harry Potter 5 DVD. (Fair use of copyrighted material, used without permission in order to demonstrate a product, clips are well within fair use guidelines on length and content, and quality. [...]

The first part of the video is a recording of the scene with just the TV audio. I have the Logitech speakers turned off at this point. The second part of the video is the same scene, now with the Logitech speakers turned on. I have the bass on the speakers set to about 50%, and the volume set to about 75%. You will notice a clear difference in the sound quality. They ADD to the TV sound, they do not take over for it. What you won't notice (because recorded sound can't reproduce it), is the awesome bass that the bass unit kicks out. It is QUITE a noticeable, if you are in the room. It is actually a little TOO powerful for an apartment, actually. ^_^

We have the speakers hooked into our TV with standard audio composite cables hooked into the auxiliary input for the speakers. It works very well. When you have it setup this way, the sound is linked to the TV. If you mute the TV, then the Logitech speakers are muted as well. If you lower the TV volume, they lower their sound output as well (regardless of what their control knob is set at. If the knob is set to maximum, then the Logitech speakers will output a maximum boost of whatever signal it is being sent. So, if the TV volume is at 25%, then the speakers will be outputting a 100% boost of that 25% signal. Etc.)

I also tried hooking the speakers up to the laptop, and the desktop computers in the house. In that setup, they are a bit less impressive. We have a 5.1 audio system for the desktop, and it outshines these speakers fairly well. For the laptop, it puts the built-in laptop speakers to shame, but that isn't hard to do. ^_-

As for the rest of the bullet points put out by Logitech, I couldn't notice any difference that their supposed "360 degrees of sound" offered. The speakers seem to me to put sound out in a LINEAR path away from where they are facing. I tried putting the speakers to the sides as far away from the TV as possible. I tried putting them behind the TV and pointing them up, point them down, etc. I put them in front of the TV, and I put them up high. In all cases, the sound seemed to be strongest wherever they were POINTED. I am sure they are sending out sound in 360 degrees (due to truth in advertising laws), but I heard no appreciative results of it. I could certainly hear the sounds they were projecting forwards, but from the sides it is less convincing. I CERTAINLY didn't hear any sounds coming from BEHIND me (with the speakers situated in front of me, by the TV), like they claim they can do. "Rather than using only a forward-firing driver, Logitech speakers are acoustically engineered with both forward- and backward-firing drivers. So sound is projected and reflected more evenly and over a wider range of space. Result? Your whole room becomes a sweet spot filled with clear, rich, music--even if you're behind the speakers." [quote from amazon product page]

The speakers DO fill the room with sound. That claim seems to be a bit stretched to me. The speakers are loud, and they are decent, but they are certainly no substitute for a real 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 sound system. They are a good hold-over until you get such a system, but don't expect miracles.

In the matter of the down-firing sub-woofer, THAT claim is accurate. The freaking thing is so powerful, that we are uncomfortable using the bass in the evenings, when the neighbors are home. When/if we have the bass enabled, we keep it in the 5-15% range.

The connections, and controls are all excellent too. I ESPECIALLY like that the speakers are smart enough to take their sound level cues (including mute) from their input source! I have had some bad experiences with speakers not smart enough to do that, in the past.

Over all, this is a 5 star product for what it is. If you go in expecting a decent 2.1 sound system that is NOT going to perform miracles of sound with some sort of PR voodoo concept of "Room-Filling Logitech 360-degree sound" somehow replacing a real surround sound system, then you will be pleasantly surprised with these speakers.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
So far, so good

By J. Mccullough
Just got my Z523's today. Quick shipment from Amazon, despite my using super saving shipment. First impressions: nice attention to detail: velcro wraps for all the cords. Sound is good, but VERY heavy on the base. Had to adjust it way down to sound good. The sub seems well put together. Watch out for the down firing speaker though. It is unprotected, and you could easily put your finger through it taking it out of the box. They should put a grill of some sort over it to protect it.

The biggest reason i bought these is that it was a good price, and it offered a seperate line in, so i could hook up an ipod without having to un-plug it from the computer. You would be surprised how hard this feature is to find in a ~$100 2.1 system.

Hopefully it will last a lot longer than my Klipsch Pro-Media's, which sounded great but needed to be repaired every year. I could have bought 3 sets of Z523s for the money I spent repairing my Promedias. Enough was enough.

Z523's = thumbs up!


See all 200 customer reviews...

Logitech Z313 Speaker System

"List Price: ","$49.99"
"Price: ","$39.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details "
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Product Description
The Logitech Speaker System Z313. The easy way to kick back and enjoy your music. The convenient control pod makes it easy to control volume and even plug in your headphones. 25 watts (RMS) of power fills your room with big, balanced sound. The compact subwoofer fits into tight spaces, delivering deeper bass when you want to feel the beat.

[EXTRACT]

Product Details

Color: black
Brand: Logitech
Model: 980-000382
Format: CD-ROM
Original language:
English
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 9.25" h x
6.50" w x
13.00" l,
7.70 pounds

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.1 GHz
Memory: 4GB SDRAM
Hard Disk: 320GB
Processors: 1

Features

The control pod makes it easy to control volume and headphone controls.
You can fill your room with big, balanced sound (25 watts).
The compact subwoofer fits into tight spaces and delivers deeper bass when you want to feel the beat.
With its easy setup, just connect the speakers to the subwoofer, and plug the subwoofer into your computer. That?s it.
You can fill your room with big, balanced sound (25 watts)
The compact subwoofer fits into tight spaces and delivers deeper bass when you want to feel the beat
The control pod makes it easy to control volume and headphone controls


[EXTRACT]

Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
59 of 67 people found the following review helpful.
Logitech Z313 vs. X-230 vs. X-240 -- The Little Speakers That Could.

By Kiyo M.
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3UXKN5ZXJB2L5 Well, Logitech definitely tried to go for clarity with these speakers. But...
--------------------------
Z313: Treble/highs dominant - can sound flatter/definitely not as much depth compared to X-230. Relies too much on the subwoofer for bass (looks like they took some of the qualities of the X-230 and X-240, and this speaker was born)

X-230: Bass dominant - Best surround sound feel/for parties/etc. (kind of odd how a really old model is still more impressive)

X-240: Just overall flat - felt really muffled - least impressive.
--------------------------

The Z313 is easily better than the disappointing X-240 (with the gimmick iPod cradle), but I still feel the X-230 set the bar in this price range/2.1 speakers.

Unlike the X-230, there is no option to turn the speakers into a wall mount. The X-230 was just quite impressive for its category. There is no knob to control the bass either (only a volume control on the remote). The subwoofer is similar to the X-240 with it being exposed, which I don't necessarily like. I also wish the remote could be detached instead of being pre-wired to the subwoofer.

I was surprised how light and small the Z313 speakers were; it does look pretty good, but it did feel somewhat cheaper to me because of those factors. However, despite having low expectations from a small set of speakers, I was somewhat impressed because I did, at least, still feel some surround sound -- unlike the X-240. The subwoofer is also slightly smaller in size than the X-230. When compared to the X-230, however, the sound does not feel as dynamic because the X-230 still contains more speaker drivers + bass. I asked for an opinion from two other people and they both agreed the X-230 sounded richer and the Z313 was definitely more flatter because of the high treble.

Pros:
- For treble lovers. (if you're looking for more depth/bass, stick with the X-230)
- Small and really light (makes you wonder if there's anything in there?!)
- Design looks pretty good/perfect for a small desk and doesn't take too much space.
- Pretty good surround sound for its size.

Cons:
- No physical knob to control the bass.
- The speakers itself really lack bass (relies all on the subwoofer).
- Not as much depth/surround sound as the X-230
- Ugh, wires... remote is pre-wired to the subwoofer and has two wires(going to the swoofer/speakers), and is somewhat cheap.

I actually give it a 3 or a 3 1/2 Stars for me. I definitely recommend this more than the X-240, but if you own the X-230 or can get a hold of one -- and you don't mind the bass -- then I'd stick with the X-230 instead. WITHOUT A DOUBT, the X-230 is a lot better. Basically, if you're not a big fan of bass and prefer treble/highs more, then these speakers are for you.
35 of 39 people found the following review helpful.
Clean and Clear Sounds Plus Deep Bass at a Reasonable Price!

By Amazonian Consumer
This Logitech Z313 is referred as a 2.1 speaker system (2 satellite speakers plus 1 sub-woofer). If you want to hear deep bass in your music, a sub-woofer is a must, and it should be placed on the floor for best results. Compared to Logitech's Z520 2.0 (only 2 speakers, no sub-woofer) speaker system, which I recently also tested, it is quite apparent that Z313 has much deeper bass, although the Z313 system costs less than half the price of the Z520. If you listen to music at relatively low to normal sound volume, I would recommend the Z313. At higher volumes, the satellite speakers will not be able to crank out sound loud enough, and most of what you will hear are thumps from the sub-woofer. The Z520 is capable of much louder music without distortion; perhaps that's why it costs a lot more than the Z313.
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful.
What a great little set of speakers with a BIG sound!

By Diana De Avila
When I received this box and saw how small it was -- I was a little leary wondering how such a little set of speakers and sub-woofer would come through. I wanted to replace a much bulkier system that had extremely long and cumbersome wires and a sub-woofer twice as big.

I loved the sound of this set but noticed some hum coming from the wiring to the sub-woofer. I realized that it had to be a grounding issue on my side and it seems to have dissipated. When I got all of my volume controls set up, I was pleased to hear some beautiful The Art Of The Guitar - Sabicas (Digitally Remastered) Sabicas Flamenco to test the highs and the lows.

While this does not have the same sound quality of my larger system (a Scott surround sound system) it is also very different. The Logitech Z313 speakers are small and light and made of plastic through and through. The speakers are very nice looking and will compliment most towers or notebooks today with a silver and black design.

The sub-woofer is much more sturdy and smaller than most. This is great if you want to use this system with your docked laptop.

Don't expect the world out of this system - you won't be paying a bundle, this is an economical system for sure. But expect compactness, crisp sound quality for what these are and a great price. Definitely not high end ... but for a general speaker set and sub-woofer for a laptop or desktop, good stuff! You'll also enjoy the little pod remote (which is unfortunately attached to another wire on the system, thus making it more difficult to maneuver) to control volume and on/off functions. It's cute and functional.

The reason for 4 stars was that I found the pod to maneuver and wished it was wired alone instead of attached to the sub-woofer. A little awkward for me. I did like the placement of the headphone jack on the pod. A nice feature indeed.

4 stars.
See all 170 customer reviews...