Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers

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

List Price: ~~$299.99~~
Our Price: $215.00
You Save: $84.99 (28%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: CE
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Customers in the UK, buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Logitech
Audio: English (Original Language)
Model: 980-000085
Color: Silver
Product features:

Box Content - 2 satellites, 1 subwoofer Speakers, Wireless remote control, USB cable, AC power Cable (each 1.8 m),
110-watts RMS into 4 ohms at 45Hz Subwoofer
26-watts RMS x 2 into 4 ohms at 335Hz Midwoofer
9-watts RMS x 2 into 16 ohms at 17.4khz Tweeter
System Requirements - Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, or Windows Vista Ultimate Edition,
Box Content - 2 satellites, 1 subwoofer Speakers, Wireless remote control, USB cable, AC power Cable (each 1.8 m)
System Requirements - Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, or Windows Vista Ultimate Edition
USB port, CD-ROM drive, 256MB RAM, and 20MB free space CD-ROM with Logitech Z Cinema software, and User's guide

Accessories:

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Customer Review: An Excellent Purchase and Excellent Product
Summary: 5 Stars

First, let me go over the basics. These speakers were a great deal for the price paid; I have no regrets whatsoever in purchasing these speakers. That said, whoever decided they should retail for around $300 is off their rocker; I could see these retail for $169 realistically plus shipping, but I'm cheap and probably would never pay that price. That said, lets get to the nitty-gritty.

I'm going to jump right into tweaking the speakers before I go into the actual review, so here's it as follows:

Let me tell you how to get the most out of these speakers, since many have commented about lack of power and the like. This will require some minor system/computer tweaking, so follow along if you wish. For overall improvement on performance, download the AC3 Filter and CODEC. This will allow you to tweak the max power output to the speakers (for most uses). Increase the Master Volume, and the individuals and EQ however one wishes. These speakers have much more power that they can safely use; don't be hindered by Windows. They get loud enough to fill our living room/house with sound. However, keep in mind these are still computer speakers. Of course they don't compare to a $300 reciever plus $1500 JBLs. However, for most cases aside from huge house parties, these deliver just fine for me. They are kept in a media alcove where sound can also bounce to the rest of the room, so that helps. Make sure that the AC3 CODEC is used for whatever sound is needed, MCE adjusts as follows.

If used with Media Center (MCE), as intended, MCE uses its OWN CODEC for most items. It will require editing the registry to remove the MCE CODEC. Google it, as I performed it on Win7 RC, make sure to backup changes of course. A minor pain, but so worth it when you can use the AC3 CODEC in MCE. I simply deleted the reg key that referenced the MCE CODEC. After that, smooth sailing through calm seas. Watching movies actually turn up to an enjoyable/experience volume.

For the "surround" features, let me just say that's a whole 'nother set of tweaking, so I say leave it off. My personal opinion is that it's not worth it in ANY speaker, definitely never use it for music; splitting frequencies and splitting power is not what I would consider progress in the speaker/music realm, but hey if it suits you, go right ahead.

So, after those minor tweaks, you are left with a great set of speakers, easily worth the $110-150 you probably paid for them through Amazon. The speakers look quite sleak, as others have commented. There is no manual volume adjust, so never lose the remote, and I could see how that would be a pain if used as desktop speakers.

The remote is amazing, if it just had a button for TV power, I would probably marry that remote. I love the scroll wheel for volume personally, it looks so nice and high-tech. As others have noted, the connectors are out of this world for the speakers, not sure who came up with those. So no, no exchanging speakers in any moderately sane manner. I love the USB connection, removes an additional cord for the IR.

The speakers are rather heavy as others have pointed out; this is by far a good thing, minus the shipping costs. The speakers sound is lacking a little in the Mid-Bass range, but so are about 99% of all computer speakers. Personally, I doubt it's the speakers, and probably the Freq Pass Filters they use, and constantly cut out that range, so its easier on the speakers. Nobody ever wants to add an additional speaker for that range, but what ya gonna do? Really only noticeable in Rock/some Classical settings. Here's my sound reviews:

Techno(ish)/Pop - Cascada - Sounds absolutely amazing. These speakers have the perfect ranges for this type of music. A nice punchy low of the sub, and good highs and mids.

Rock/Metal - As I Lay Dying, AFI and Haste the Day - Sounds good, but this is where the lack of Mid-Bass will be most noticeable. Most bass-drums used in rock are right in this range, so you're stuck missing half the sound of this crucial instrument. Even the mids sound a little weak, making the overall sound a little sterile/boxy, quite common in computer speakers and satellites. Still, they sound decent, better than most computer speakers.

Beats/Hip-Hop - 3OH!3 & Young Jeezy - Once again, due to the use of artificial instruments, the lows and highs are exaggerated, which is precisely where these speakers shine. So, I'd say these are excellent for this music, but could always use more power for house-parties.

OK so I'm sure I could say more, but overall I'd say these are 9.5/10 for the price paid (emphasis there). These are niche speakers, and suited my use 100%.

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Description of Logitech Z Cinéma Advanced Surround Sound System--2.1 Speakers

The Logitech Z Cinema Advanced USB Surround Sound System immerses you into SRS TruSurround HD technology. With 2 satellite speakers and a subwoofer, digital sound is delivered every time you play your favorite games, music or watch your movies. It features a unique three-amp design for crystal-clear response. Raise your multimedia applications a notch with the Logitech Z Cinema Advanced USB Surround Sound System.

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