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 Electronics : Logitech Z540 4.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Black) |
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Rating:  - Nice Enough, Lots of Bass
Nice speakers, nothing special. Wouldn't recomend if only used for listening to music (but if your only listening to music, why get 4 speakers?) but the speakers are fine for general use with gaming, movies, music... I have the bass turned all the way down on the bass unit and its still enough bass for me. Overall i'm very happy with them for the price i paid [$] but would recomend a higher end system for someone more serious about sound. A solid budget 4.1 speaker set up.
Rating: - I will rate it 4.5 stars if i could...
Since i'd used Altec Lansing 2.1 speakers before, I would like to compare this 2 products:
1. Treble, Mid range and Bass
Logitech speakers are better at huge and thumping Bass, especially while watching movies. However, Altec Lansing speakers have better treble and midrange sound compared to the logitech. I would say that Altec Lansing speakers are much more crisp and clearer for treble, and in the other hand, Logitech speakers have a better bass. However, sometimes the bass is too huge for music (even it's at minimum). The balancing between treble and bass can be done in "Volume" setup with good sound cards.
2. Price
It's pretty obvious that Logitech speakers are much cheaper than Altec Lansing. You can compare the price for logitech 4.1 speakers with Altec Lansing ones, and even for 2.1, 5.1 ..etc
3. Quality
In terms of quality, I would say that depends on individuals. (For instance, what type of music u like) Some people may prefer a larger bass in logitech (especially in movies, dance, techno, R&B..) but some may prefer a more crisp treble in Altecs. ** IF u do not have a soundcard that is able to adjust the treble/bass, and u don't like really huge bass, the Logitech's bass might be a problem for u.
Some Comments:
The M3D function in Logitech speakers claimed to produce a surround environment but it doens't really work. In fact it works, but the sound produced is much more unclear, blur and with distortions. I've bought a Creative Extigy soundcard and I've used CMSS (Creative media speaker surround) instead (and turned off M3D) to listen to MP3s. It really produces surround effects and without distorting the sound quality. I would recommend anyone to buy a good soundcard before buying this and other 4.1/5.1 products. IF not, go for 2.1 speakers as the 4.1 ones couldn't produce the desired surround effect even with M3D (or called Matrix for Z-640)
IF you have a soundcard that supports 5.1 speakers and looking for a good 4.1 speakers, go for Z-540. But I would recommend at least go for Z-640(6 speakers system) to fully utilize your sound card and have a more complete sound for DVD movies...
Rating:  - Great Bass, Midrange and Treble Unacceptable
UPSIDES:
The Logitech z540 has a sturdy subwoofer and produces wonderful bass. I'm not really an audiophile but I know sufficient bass when I hear it. The z540 should have enough for you, whether you're watching Lord of the Rings (quite impressive on that opening battle scene when Sauron explodes) or listening to Nelly. Rap, R&B, and Techno sounds quite good with the bass. If you will be primarily playing games with this system, then you should buy it. The 20W acts as though it is 50. I don't know if it goes down to 35 Khz like they claim, but its close. What's also great about the subwoofer is that the power supply is built into the cabinet, so there is no need to hog three inputs on a power strip.
The speakers are also fairly attractive and compliment any system well, especially if you have a two-tone black and silver monitor (many Compaqs' do).
The length of the cords is adequate, with 15 feet for the back speakers. That was a nice idea.
DOWNSIDES:
The following reason is why I am taking the speakers back. Quite simply, the satellites sound like tin cans at about 50% volume and above. I tried adjusting them via my onboard sound, in Windows Media Player, and in games, but to no avail. It does not help that Logitech neglected to put treble and bass dials on the control satellite. Treble is terrible and distorts easily, and the midrange tries to make up for the lack, but can't. If you like treble and listen to Classical, Country, Soft Rock, Celtic (my favorite), then I would not recommend buying these.
Other complaints: The blue LED is blinding - it's beyond me why they made it so bright. Also, the cord that goes from the control sattelite to the subwoofer is really thick and difficult to hide. That's just aesthetics, though.
In all, buy the z540 if you like modern music with thumping beats and will use the unit primarily for games. Don't buy it if you like treble, which includes a gamut of music, or if you plan to watch DVDs with classical score in it. Choose wisely!
Rating:  - Good Quality-Reliabilty needs to exist
I bought these speakers in September of last year. The sounds quality was very good, especially since i upgraded from a crappy speaker system. Around January i had trouble with the speakers. The front speakers would occassionally stop working (only one at a time). Last week the front right speaker and the back speakers crapped out. The rear and left speakers are fine, but the front right speaker, which controls the system, was a pos; it refused to work repeatedly. I proceeded to send it back to hell from whence it came with a sledgehammer this morning when my new, hopefully reliable, speakers came in.
Rating:  - For the price, Jaw dropping
When I first bought these speakers, I was just looking for a plain set of computer speakers, a set that would sound great, looks were secondary, but in browsing and listening to the numerous choices, Logitech nailed it and I picked up a set that looked great and sounded better. I have never run across a set of 4.1 speakers that had such quality sound for $...The the subwoofer lives up to the promotions, lows can pack more than enough punch to be felt. The highs are crisp and clear.
I found that the mid range occasionally sounded like a tin can at first, but after about 5 minutes I found listening to them, any other speakers sounded [bad]. I listen to almost any music you can think of, rap, rock, country, jazz, opera(I know, I know), instrumentals, etc.., and I tried nearly every type of music I had. All sound absolutely beautiful, but I had to tinker with the subwoofer volume with some rap and jazz. Speaking of which, the Sub volume knob is large and easy to find and fluid to turn, but it is placed on the back of the subwoofer, this is not a problem for my setup, but could be bit of a pain for a few.
The only two minor complaints I could make is that the volume knob could be a little bigger and/or with a rubber coating and the way cool blue LED can be a bit too bright, Logitech should have used a diffused LED or put some coating over it (I used a small dab of hot glue which can be removed easily once cooled if you don't like the look)
I then procceded to test them on an assortment of movies. I cranked up the volume and popped in some DVDs including, Monsters Inc., Harry Potter, The Matix, The Lord of the Rings, Gone in 60 Seconds, Triple X, etc...
I must be honest, I wasn't impressed with their performance, I was AMAZED. I nearly had to pull my jaw (and ears) of the floor. I had a hard time convincing myself I was not in a movie theater. The sub stood up an shone like a star, EVERY heavy footstep, explosion, punch, engine rev, etc... even the lowest thumps were reproduced with enthusiasm I have never heard from a small system before. I set the sub volume at just a little more than 1/2 and it was great, I never needed to touch it for the rest of the time I testing on movies. The satellites, did a great job from everything from voices to gunshots, but they pretty much needed to be pointed where you were sitting to get the very best sound. But keep in mind these ARE computer speakers after all, they are designed to put sound on ONE person sitting in one spot. If your not too fussy about wall rattling sound for movies, I can say these speakers would make a very good (and cheap) starter home theater system. They gave my $...home theater system a run for it's money (Up until you got to some seriously high volume).
For their size and prize, these speakers have, and continue to, amaze and astound me, I feel they are an "12 out of 10" in value for money. If you are looking for a quality surround system for your computer that will provide very clean, hard-hitting sound and will not break the bank, The Logitech Z540's are for you.
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