Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers Review

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(More customer reviews)Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers
Logitech's Z Cinema Advanced speaker system is an incredibly designed high performance product. I own several Logitech speaker products, as well as others by Creative Creative GigaWorks T20 2.0 Speakers, Altec Lansing Altec Lansing FX5051 5.1 powered speaker system with USB connection, Klipsch Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black), Harmon Kardon Harmon Kardon SoundStick II 3 Piece Speaker System, and others. I can honestly say, this is a very impressive unit that is well designed for its task. If you have a media center PC setup, this set will make you very happy. Not only is the speaker system ridiculously powerful, the included software is a huge improvement over previous Logitech entries. The included remote rounds out the system and puts virtually all your audio and video applications at your fingertips.
This speaker system will fill a key market niche. The integrated satellite speaker and subwoofer design has more components than meet the eye. Each one-piece satellite speaker has an integrated mid-woofer and tweeter. So these are much more than traditional 2.1 bookshelf speakers. And when you position the speakers as directed and turn on the software surround sound, the sound quality coming out of these approach that of 5.1 systems.
Pros
+ Control your media center PC with a great all-in-one solution and awesome remote
+ Great performing speakers with a ridiculous 35 watts of RMS power per channel, 180 total RMS output
+ Beautiful black and silver speaker and body design
+ Two tweeters and mid-woofers deliver surprisingly crisp sound with or without surround
+ 110 watt subwoofer is simply monstrous and easily fills large rooms with good acoustics
+ Awesome included remote with media center controls and great features
+ Nice integrated support for apps like iTunes, WinAMP, RealPlayer, Yahoo Jukebox, Pandora and Picasa
+ Remote can be configured to work with any multimedia app or to launch a different media player
+ Very sturdy cables and housing are designed to last a long time
+ Power converter integrated into subwoofer so you can connect with a regular power cable
+ Good looking orange back-lit volume and surround indicators on the right speaker
+ Very nice price point for fully integrated media center speaker system and controls
+ USB cable connection is clean and easy - requires on-board port connection
+ Included standard ports for headphones and auxiliary connections (3.5 mm)
+ Simple instructions and plug and play performance for basic use
+ Very modest hardware, hard-drive space and memory requirements for Logitech software
+ True 24 bit digital audio
+ hardware warranty
Cons
- Perhaps overly sleek minimal design could have been improved with physical power and volume controls
- Very heavy system requires extreme caution and should be installed with care and help if needed
- No simple volume controls on the remote, instead included in adjustment wheel
- Would have been ideal to include a few more ports, such as HDMI and S-Video, on the subwoofer
- Satellite speaker cables, while very thick, could have been longer for more configuration options
- No real expandability of the system is apparent; no obvious ports for other satellites or devices
- Many people still demand RF remote capability, this one is only IR
- Those who don't need the remote for Media Center PCs may opt for 5.1 systems at this price
Installation
Installing this guy is simple based upon the included quick start guide. What's cool is that even before the Logitech software is installed, once you make your connections and turn it on it's automatically recognized as a regular speaker system. You don't need Windows Media Center for this to work as a speaker system. This is awesome, and amazingly a lot of the Media Center buttons still work too.
But just note that in order to really take advantage of this guy you will want a Media Center capable PC, with either XP MCE Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2B for System Builders, Vista Premium Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 or Vista Ultimate Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 installed.
Installing the Logitech software allows you to have desktop control of the speaker settings, including enabling surround sound. It also allows you to see the options to toggle between the different media applications, including iTunes and WMP among others. You can change settings and really get some control over your MC PC.
Physically installing this guy can be a challenge. First of all, this is a very heavy unit, mainly because of so many integrated components built into the subwoofer body. This is probably a sign of good construction, but handle with care.
The satellite speaker cables are long but could have been longer. The included diagrams give you the impression this was really well thought out for desktop or workstation installs. However, if you have a component center or cabinet for your stuff, you need to be patient and creative to get this set up.
The speaker cables could have definitely been longer to accommodate more setup possibilities. However, in terms of durability and shielding, these are some of the thickest strongest cables I've had come with a speaker system.
The subwoofer body has a silver rimmed front-piece that is not flush with the body housing. It's not a huge deal, but you have to kind of set it up either with the front piece hanging off your component shelf or rested up at an angle. Perhaps this was intentional based upon the lower configuration location noted in the included diagrams.
Sound
The power level output of these speakers is sick, to say the least. Some will be hung up on the "simulated" surround sound feature, a gimmick that has been tried before. Still, even though I was initially unsatisfied, I learned that if you set these up in the right acoustical setting it does perform well. There are two possible setups. For the basic workstation setup where you are literally seated at your media center PC, it works awesome. For those, who like me, want to set this up at an entertainment center, you have to center the system in a somewhat square room with unobstructed walls. Then you can get the surround sound feature to properly bounce in your room.
The total RMS power of 180 watts includes a 110 watts RMS Subwoofer with each satellite speaker producing 35 watts of RMS output via the mid-woofer and tweeter pair. That means your total power output is something like 400 watts, which is really in AV power range.
But the sound is clean. The built in amplifier is well tuned for multimedia sound applications, including gaming. If you have a good on-board sound processor, you should be fine. If you experience any sound effects, definitely take a closer look at your hardware and setup.
Some may feel that you can only get surround sound out of 5.1 Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 505-Watt 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System or 7.1 Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Surround Sound Speaker System systems. Still, I prefer 2.1 system with high quality components over 5.1 systems with small and disappointing satellites. There's a lot of nice 5.1 systems out there, don't get me wrong. I own several. Still, this system sounds better than a lot of those. Definitely have to test drive it to hear the difference.
Features
The power adapter is nicely integrated into the subwoofer, so you power up via a standard plug, no power bricks so many people hate. The speakers have right and left noted on the bottom. The right speaker comes to life when you turn it on with the remote. It has a nice orange read out that shows when it's on, the volume level and surround sound setting. The right speaker also includes jacks for headphones and auxiliary connections.
I really wished they would have also added physical volume and power control buttons and knobs. That way, when I want to hook up one of my MP3 players, I wouldn't need the remote to turn it on.
The Logitech software is actually vastly improved for them. I've not always liked some of the integrated software in the past, but this one was a huge improvement. The only minor negative I can give it is that it is automatically included in the startup folder even if you install the software with the option of not turning on at startup. So you have to manually remove it from your startup if you don't want it on all the time, a minor inconvenience.
The remote is the nicest part of this set functionally. For those with Universal remotes, you may wonder why you need this. This remote allows you to access your multimedia apps seamlessly. You can set up 4 presets, though it's less than intuitive.
You've also got some basic navigational buttons that allow you to go back to your previous app. There are included buttons for shuffle and repeat plays, and...Read more›

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Logitech Z-4 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I cannot possibly imagine what the other reviewers expected. These are $70 computer speakers, not a multi-thousand dollar audiophile surround sound speaker system. For what these are, they deliver truly impressive sound - smooth, room vibrating, bass, crisp highs, and a midrange nearly perfect for computer games. If you prefer music, the midrange can be improved with only minor adjustments in a graphics equalizer - available in Windows Media Player (under "Enhancements" of the "View" menu) and any other decent media player. With a little equalizer tweaking, these speakers deliver exceptional music performance and are a true pleasure to listen to (rock, classic rock, jazz, or country).
Don't overdo the bass. If you're using an equalizer, leave the bass control centered on the remote (use this control to tweak individual songs) and adjust the bass up a very tiny amount with the equalizer. Many move equalizer sliders much too far, resulting in grossly inaccurate sound. Anyway, the bass should balance with the remaining sound, not overwhelm it (or steal power away from the mid-range, resulting in, surprise, muffled sound). In most listening environments, to add punch to the bass, the middle bass should be equal to the very lowest bass setting. If the bass is set correctly, the mid-range usually requires no adjustment. However, many listening environments also benefit from a tiny amount of additional treble (again, not too much - balance). All that should get you in the ballpark. From there, you can adjust for your preference, environment, computer's sound card, and connection (speaker or laptop headphone outputs). None of this should require anything more than gentle tweaking, not huge adjustments.
Are these speakers perfect? Of course not. I have over two thousand dollars invested in the speakers for my home entertainment system, with two 250-watt amplifiers driving those speakers. Now that is a system I expect near perfect sound from (but even it is tweaked with an equalizer). These $70 computer speakers, on the other hand, sound just fine for $70 computer speakers. Indeed, they sound better than anything else tried in this price range. My local store has speakers hooked up to allow for comparison testing. Nothing in this price range sounded better than the Logitech Z4. In fact, the only speakers with better sound were one costing about $160 and another costing just over $250. Obviously, neither of those sounded as good as the multi-thousand dollar surround system either.
One reviewer mentioned (in the subject line) that the speaker is not that loud. Again, I can't possibly imagine what was expected. These speakers are so loud, one would have to scream in the loudest voice to be heard anywhere in the vicinity of these speakers. These speakers are obviously not disco speakers, but, again, are very fine computer speakers.
The Logitech Z4 speakers are very easy to hook up. The only connection to the computer is the audio output - the speaker output of a desktop or earphone/speaker output of a laptop. Everything else plugs into the back of the sub-woofer (floor placement under a desk recommended). The satellite speakers sit on either side of the computer display, with the wired remote control located for convenience. The only controls, overall volume and bass volume, are on the remote. The entire system is powered directly by a wall outlet (no adapters). There does not appear to be a multi-voltage version available for international use.
The sub-woofer housing is made of particle-board wood (painted black with plastic silver trim) with a black metal screen on the front. The satellite speakers (black with silver speakers, trim, and base) are plastic balanced on a sturdy metal base. There is no cover over the satellite speakers. There is a single blue light on the power button (no flashing light gimmicks here). Finally, there is a headphone jack and audio-in jack (for MP3 players or whatever) on the front of the remote control.
All in all, I'm very satisfied with these speakers. Clearly some have different sound preferences, but I suspect most will enjoy these speakers as much as I do.

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2.1 Speaker System - 8.5W per Satellite, 23W Subwoofer, 40W, 80W

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WOWee One Power Bass Portable Speaker (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had the Wowee One for a little while now, and I've used it in every possible situation I can come up with. This is a great little product that gives some heavy duty sound.
I bought the Wowee One after seeing it reviewed on Engadget. I leave all my music/podcasts on my phone, and I'm constantly streaming music from Pandora, so I wanted something extremely portable that would give clear, audiophile quality sound. The Wowee One looked like the perfect solution.
First of all, let me say I couldn't be happier with my purchase. This is one of those products that you can't really appreciate until you see it in person. Every one of my friends has asked to borrow it just to try it out, and every one of them has ordered their own.
When I first opened the Wowee One and connected it to my Palm Pre with Pandora streaming, it sounded very muffled. I was really disappointed, until I realized I hadn't taken off the plastic cover (duh!). Once I took that off, the audio was booming. The first thing you'll want to do is try it out on different surfaces to see how it affects the sound. My glass table produced a clear balanced sound. Then I moved it to my hollow wooden cupboard, and the bass filled the room. I even put it on a large water cooler, and you could feel the vibrations.
Obviously, streaming audio isn't the ideal situation to test the device, so I put a Blu-Ray in my laptop and connected it to the Wowee One to test out something from a lossless audio source. Again, the clarity of sound was incomparable. It literally feels like there are layers upon layers of audio that were completely hidden when listening on my crappy laptop speakers. I've used it hundreds of times, and I still find myself lifting it in the air, and then placing it on different surfaces to hear how each affects the audio.
The packaging is simple - which makes you realize how portable this product is. All you need is the device, and a 3.5mm audio cable. It also comes with a USB cable for charging.
My one qualm with the Wowee One is the battery life. It's not bad by any means, but I found it lasted around 17 or 18 hours on a charge, not the advertised 20 hours. I'm not sure if that's because I was using it so heavily in such a small period of time, but I like knowing how long the batter will last me, and mine lasted around 18 hours. The good news is, all it needs is a standard USB input to charge from - no proprietary charger, so USB is generally easy to find no matter where you are.
The price seems high at $79.99, but so far I feel like I've gotten full value out of it. The sound quality is as good as (if not better than) a pair of $60 computer speakers with a woofer, and the portability alone makes it well worth the difference. If you're on the fence, I'd say pull the trigger - you won't regret the purchase. If you're able to demo one in person, I'm sure you'll be as sold as I was.

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The Wowee is a highly portable speaker that provides a full range frequency response. It is suitable for all iPod,MP3,MP4, mobile phone and computer applications by using standard 3.5 mm audio jack, unlike other products specific speakers. Wowee uses a hybrid technology of standard speaker, delivering the mid to high frequencies, and a SFX Gel Audio driver delivering low end Bass frequencies. The extended low frequency response of the Gel Audio outperforms any similar size device by producing bass frequencies around 3 octaves below the low end cut-off of a traditional unit. The unit is powered by an internal rechargeable battery and deliver up to 20 hours of playtime per charge. Ease of use, no switches or replacing batteries, plug and play technology.

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Creative Inspire S2 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this for my mother to use with her laptop on a built in desk with limited space. I've owned a tiny set of Creative speakers before and thought they were great, so I figured these would be too.
They look really nice, and seem well built. The sound is decent, but not great, as the satellites seem incapable of driving *any* bass, but the sub compensates when firing. The max volume isn't very great either, but will work for a small room and is expected with only 29 watts total power.
I thought these would be perfect as the headphone, aux, and volume control are built into a satellite instead of out on its own, thus clearing up the desk from any extra stuff. BUT, this is where the problem is... the speaker which has the volume control is attached, HARDWIRED, to the sub. No plug or anything, which means that if you plan on running the cables through a hole to put the sub on the floor, you can't unless the hole is big enough to shove the whole satellite through. The speaker has two cables coming out of it, one is the speaker cable which ends in a plug, and the other is a thick cable running the volume control, power to a green on light, and the aux and headphone hookups, which can't be detached on either the speaker or the sub. Overall, just a foolish, limiting design issue.
This isn't much of a problem if you are using them on an open desk or table where the cable can run behind, but if you need to feed the cables through any hole less than about 4 inches in diameter, forget about it.

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Creative Inspire S2 combines great sound in a sleek design that fits snugly into small spaces, making it the perfect companion for your notebook or MP3 player. Expect exceptional audio clarity from its two high-quality speakers and the highly efficient Creative DIRECT-THROW subwoofer – delivers dynamic midbass, brings your music to life! Enjoy convenience at your fingertips for power / volume, headphone output and Aux-In for instant connection to your MP3 player. In short, the Creative Inspire S2 packs a formidable punch for your favourite music or games in a small package. The palm-sized speaker design with quality drivers produce a balanced and dynamic audio for all your entertainment needs whether you're using a notebook or MP3 player. Plus the highly efficient Creative DIRECT-THROW subwoofer delivers dynamic midbass for your musical enjoyment and gaming action. Includes headphone out for private listening and Aux-in for connecting to MP3 players. The convenient easy to reach power and volume control makes it easy to control your music. Sleek and small footprint to maximize your area for optimal performance, making it the perfect companion for your notebook and MP3 player. It’s small footprint fits into small spaces nicely. Includes fuss-free connectivity; simple and quick setup with your notebook and MP3 player. Box Contents: Two satellite speakers, One subwoofer, Power adapter, Quick Start Guide, Warranty / Technical Support leaflet.

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Chill Pill Mobile Speakers iPod/MP3 Players & Laptops - Red Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought 3 of these because my husband wanted a small set of speakers to use at work and electronics don't last long at his work site. I was so impressed that I now keep one set at the house and one in my backpack. At first I was skeptical- these things are tiny, but we have been using them for weeks and for such a small footprint the sound is great. The set I use at the house hasn't been charged since the day we received them and is still going strong even though I use them every morning for 30-45 minutes with my iPhone. My husband works at a drilling rig and is very happy with how he can now hear video off his laptop in his trailer over the noise of the rig.

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The Chill Pill is compatible with most devices that have a standard 1/8" headphone port, including iPods and other digital audio players, laptop and desktop computers, CD players, and iPhone 3G (original iPhone with adapter). With big sound and a rugged, compact case, the Chill Pill will become an essential part of your digital traveling kit. The Chill Pill also looks and sounds great attached to a laptop or desktop computer. Product Features Compact Size: The Chill Pill is enclosed in a rugged, matte-black case that protects the speakers, batteries and retractable cables. Speakers magnetically click together for easy transport. When stowed in travel mode, the Chill Pill is only 2" x 4".Perfect for desks with limited space. Small enough to bring anywhere! Balanced Sount: Two high-quality speakers are powered by a self contained battery. Interference free retractable cables. Extra-wide sound stage. Better sound reproduction and range than traditional laptop speakers. Pop open the Chill Pill for even more resonant sound! Rechargeable lithium ion battery provides six hours of playing time. Can be charged from a computers USB port or via optional AC adapter (not included) EXPANDABLE: The Chill Pill has three different modes for traveling and listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts

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Chill Pill Mobile Speakers iPod/MP3 Players and Laptops (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)First things first: Don't expect high fidelity sound out of these tiny speakers - this product is all about convenience. Everything needed to operate the device stays with it, including the audio cables and built in rechargeable battery.
The only exception, and this is a big one, is that the USB charging functionality requires a separate and easy-to-lose mini-usb gender changing cable (included in the box). It's simply not possible to plug the device directly into a computer without some sort of adapter or additional cable. Most computers don't have a mini-usb connector.
That disappointment aside, these are very innovative portable speakers. I hope the manufacturers will find a way to integrate the charging cable into future versions.

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The Chill Pill is compatible with most devices that have a standard 1/8" headphone port, including iPods and other digital audio players, laptop and desktop computers, CD players, and iPhone 3G (original iPhone with adapter). With big sound and a rugged, compact case, the Chill Pill will become an essential part of your digital traveling kit. The Chill Pill also looks and sounds great attached to a laptop or desktop computer.

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Portable Universal Ampd Speaker Cube for All Phones, Computers, Laptops, Mp3, Mp4 Players All Apple Ipods and Iphones and Also Compatible with RIM Blackberry 9530 Storm / 9500 Thunder / 9000 Bold / 8900 Curve / 8830 / 8820 / 8800 / 8703 / 8703e / 8700 / 8350i Curve / 8330 Curve / 8320 Curve / 8310 Curve / 8300 Curve / 8220 Pearl Flip / 8130 Pearl / 8120 Pearl / 8110 Pearl / 8100 Pearl / 7780 / 7750 / 7730 / 7520 / 7510 / 7290 / 7280 / 7250 / 7230 / 7210 / 7130g / 7130e / 7130c / 7100i / 7105 / 7 Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this for my Blackberry Curve 8350i, but it makes a horrible squealing sound when I plug it in.
I had to buy another adapter, since the speaker had none that would successfully connect to my mobile.
I tried it on an old Sony Ericsson P910, and it works fine. Just NOT COMPATIBLE WITH BLACKBERRY 8350i.

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* SUPER SLIM PORTABLE SPEAKER FOR ALL PHONES Mp3/Mp4 (ALL CARRIERS) * Stand plug * USB adapter * Adapter for all Mobile phones * User's manual * Wall/Travel Charger so you wont need to buy batteries all the time. FEATURES * Authentic Portable Speaker * Space saving design * Quality you can take anywhere * On/off switch * LED light indicator for battery status * LED light indicator for on/off status * Plugs into your computer or you cab use it with batteries. * Offers crystal clear audio sound * Works with all phones and phones with a 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm headset jack. * Mobile phone has to be a Music Player in order for the speakers to work * Color/style: Black PACKAGE CONTENTS * Portable Speaker * Color Coded 2.5mm to 3.5mm cord * Color coded 2.5mm to 3.5mm cord * Mini USB to USB cable. * Mini USB cable CAN BE USED WITH * Mp3/Mp4 Players * Mobile Phones * CD Players * PDA Mp3/Mp4 Enabled Phones * digital amplifier and powerful speaker provide high quality digital sound when connected to your music enabled mobile phone, PC or music player. Includes mini USB cable, audio cable and 2.5 to 3.5mm adapter and a wall/travel charger therefore you wont need to buy batteries all the time.. thank you

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