Are the Logitech Z-680 the best sounding speakers for the price?

[KevinF]

I'm in the market for a new set of speakers. The Logitech Z-680 from Justdeals for $155 are clearly an amazing deal. However, I don't care about 5.1. I definitely don't need 500 watts for my small room. I just want speakers to give me the best quality sound possible. I own Etymotic ER-4P earphones -- I know that speakers in the ~200 price range are not going to approach my canalphones, but I want something that gives me clean detailed sound instead of wall-shaking but boomy bass...

Certainly 5.1 is nice, but I'd rather have a higher end 2.1 or 2.0 system. Am I going to be able to find anything better sounding than the Z-680 for less than $200?

 

[machintos]

Originally posted by: KevinF
I'm in the market for a new set of speakers. The Logitech Z-680 from Justdeals for $155 are clearly an amazing deal. However, I don't care about 5.1. I definitely don't need 500 watts for my small room. I just want speakers to give me the best quality sound possible. I own Etymotic ER-4P earphones -- I know that speakers in the ~200 price range are not going to approach my canalphones, but I want something that gives me clean detailed sound instead of wall-shaking but boomy bass...

Certainly 5.1 is nice, but I'd rather have a higher end 2.1 or 2.0 system. Am I going to be able to find anything better sounding than the Z-680 for less than $200?

In my opinion, the Z-680 is really the best speakers for your budget. It sounds really nice, especially for the price.
I know the klipsch promedia 2.1 is priced roughly the same so this could also be an option for you. I'd rather get 5.1 than 2.1 though.

 

[Wuzup101]

I personally own a set of logitech Z560s (the 4.1 counterpart of the Z680s). They are pretty damn good sounding speakers for the price. However, my parents have a set of z5500s in the closet for me for christmas with an m-audio sonica theater cant wait!

(BTW... before anyone asks... I didn't go looking... I picked them out )

 

[13rian]

Originally posted by: Wuzup101
I personally own a set of logitech Z560s (the 4.1 counterpart of the Z680s). They are pretty damn good sounding speakers for the price. However, my parents have a set of z5500s in the closet for me for christmas with an m-audio sonica theater cant wait!

(BTW... before anyone asks... I didn't go looking... I picked them out )

I can't wait for u to get them too so u can tell me how well they compliment each other (basically if it utilizes Dolby, DTS, THX and some type of 3D audio positioning surround sound for gaming).

The z680's though, for $100 less than the 5500, it's probly a better deal. I had to indulge myself with the 5500

 

[mrSHEiK124]

:thumbsup:

A buddy of mine has Z-680, and I liked them so much, so I got myself Z-5500s. Great set of speakers

 

[yhelothar]

Easy, get the Swan M200. If you want detailed clear sound, Z-680s definitely are not for you, especially for a refurb pair.

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=36-136-102&DEPA=0
here's a pic of mine just to show you how big and elegant they are

 

[Synomenon]

I have the opposite decision here. I've got a 1 year old Z680. Lately, the sub has started emitting buzzing sounds. I have moved it away from any electrical device, electrical outlet, and other power cables. The buzzing sound still remains. It's not always there. It just comes randomly. I have to turn off the switch on the back of the sub for the sound to go away, but when I turn the switch back on, it's only a matter of time until the buzzing comes back.

It's very annoying plus the two front satellites take up too much space on my desk (no other place to put them). Now I'm looking for a good set of 2.1 speakers. I've been looking at the Logitech Z-2300:

http://www.logitech.com/index....ID=2173,CONTENTID=9372


and the Bose Companion 3:

http://www.bose.com/controller...puter_gaming/index.jsp


The Bose is more expensive, but I've heard that Bose is one of the best in the audio industry. Anyone have any thoughts that could sway my decision to either one of these? Thanks.

 

[Entropism]

Bose is one of the WORST in the audio industry, unless you count marketing hype. They excell there. There's a phrase audio people use for Bose: "No highs, no lows, must be BOSE"

The Logitech Z2300s got horrid reviews recently, me I'm happy with my Klipsch promedia 2.1s, they sound great. I originally ordered the swan "retro" series, which changed names to the M-20w, but a mixup at swan's end had me purchasing the Klipsch. I'd suggest either of those two brands for a quality 2.1


Swan's multimedia lineup

 

[KevinF]

Yeah, thanks for the advice everyone. I decided that I'm going to go a completely different way. I'm going to buy some Paradigm Atoms or Titans and run those from a Chaintech AV-710 to a vintage amplifier. It'll give me solid sound and gives me a great upgrade path of adding a quality subwoofer. Then, later, I can buy much much higher quality speakers to be front and center channel speakers and hook the ones I get now up as surrounds.

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: Entropism
The Logitech Z2300s got horrid reviews recently, me I'm happy with my Klipsch promedia 2.1s, they sound great. I originally ordered the swan "retro" series, which changed names to the M-20w, but a mixup at swan's end had me purchasing the Klipsch. I'd suggest either of those two brands for a quality 2.1

Swan's multimedia lineup

All the reviews I have seen for the Logitech Z-2300's have been favorable.

Amazon.com customer ratings:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...er-reviews/B0002SQ2P2/

MacInTouch review:
http://www.macintouch.com/speakers01/review.html

Tom's Hardware:
http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/20041111/

CNet:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Logite...3179_7-30993080-2.html


Sorry for hijacking your thread KevinF.

 

[Wuzup101]

Originally posted by: 13rian

Originally posted by: Wuzup101
I personally own a set of logitech Z560s (the 4.1 counterpart of the Z680s). They are pretty damn good sounding speakers for the price. However, my parents have a set of z5500s in the closet for me for christmas with an m-audio sonica theater cant wait!

(BTW... before anyone asks... I didn't go looking... I picked them out )

I can't wait for u to get them too so u can tell me how well they compliment each other (basically if it utilizes Dolby, DTS, THX and some type of 3D audio positioning surround sound for gaming).

The z680's though, for $100 less than the 5500, it's probly a better deal. I had to indulge myself with the 5500

Quite honestly, after I got them all hooked up, I couldn't be happier. The z5500s sound quite a bit nicer than my z560s, and they were fairly good sounding speakers. I haven't had nearly enough time to break them in and do any serious listening yet. Heck, I still have them hooked up 6-channel direct b/c I wasn't crazy enough to drive to radioshack today (very bad idea on the day after christmas in my town... uh the traffic). The M-audio studio is great. My only complaint about the soundcard as a whole is the fact that it can only do 96/24 in 2 channel stereo mode. It CANT do it with more channels than that. Not that this matters to me right now, as I don't listen to anything (including DVDs) that are recorded in more than 44kHz. Still, since from what I hear M-audio but some very formidable hardware in the device, I would expect that it could do 96/24 in 7.1. Ironically this is only because of the usb1.1 interface. If they would just make a new rev of the card using usb2.0 or firewire the hardware in there already supports 96/24 in 7.1 channels. Sound quality, software, and features are phenominal though. You can tweak virtually every part of your setup. Set crossovers for each speaker independently, set individual speaker output based on position from the listner...

Also has some nice features to turn 2 channel sound into multi channel (Circle Surround II) which also makes multi channel sources (DVDs) sound great on headphones (and supposedly on other 2 channel speaker sets (which I don't have to test so headphones will have to do). Also has a dialog enhancing feature, bass enhancing feature for smaller speakers w/o a sub (which I dont use, but from what I've heard isn't your average bass booster... which the card also has). Basically it has everything to make any set of speakers sound decent... and that's the bottom line...

The z5500s are also packed full of features though...
Things I like:
-505watts RMS (1000+ peak)
-Awesome updated control pod with 6 channel dirrect (3 mini plugs), 1 optical in, 1 coax in
-Ability to switch the dir 6chan to 3 seperate stereo ins
-Additional stereo in and out on the side for small audio equipment
-DTS 96/24
-THX cert
-etc...

Things I dislike:
-um... well... i got them as a gift so I can't even say price... guess i'm SOL.

BTW... my next door neighbor has a set of Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1s and these Logitech's are just as good if not better. Bass is noticeably tighter on the Logitechs, and the sound of the satalites has improved over the 680s slightly, IMHO giving them a bit of an edge over the Klipsch system. I can't wait until Logitech puts out a 7.1 system... I'm already on the waiting list!

 

[Wolfsraider]

I am a cheap arse

I got the audigy2 zs sound card 19.00 after rebates (26.00 with tax)
and a set of x530 speakers for 66.00 after rebates and tax

My christmas present to myself

nope I am not saying they will rival those setups but for 100.00 it'll do

Mike

 

[Wuzup101]

Originally posted by: Wolfsraider
I am a cheap arse

I got the audigy2 zs sound card 19.00 after rebates (26.00 with tax)
and a set of x530 speakers for 66.00 after rebates and tax

My christmas present to myself

nope I am not saying they will rival those setups but for 100.00 it'll do

Mike

Definitely also a good idea if you don't want to spend the money on computer speakers. I made my choice b/c I'm a college student so those speakers are like the center of all my entertainment. I have them hooked up to the xbox and my powerbook, and will probably have them hooked up to my 32" Flat Screan TV... However for just computer speakers, if I had a nice audio setup elsewhere, I probably would have went with a nice 2.1 setup...

 

[terraphile]

Honestly, where on earth did you get an audigy for 26 dollars? please tell!

 

[ChiBOY83]

I too have hte Z-680's. Have ahd em for 6 months now, and i have loved every second of playing them. BUT, please consider this, they really are truly VERY Bassy. Im sure you have heard this 100x times, but they are very bassy.... The only times this gets annoying are when watching a ordnary TV w/ em. BUT, i must admit i am incredibly happy w/ them and love the speakers very much, great for gaming and watching movies

 

[Wuzup101]

Originally posted by: ChiBOY83
I too have hte Z-680's. Have ahd em for 6 months now, and i have loved every second of playing them. BUT, please consider this, they really are truly VERY Bassy. Im sure you have heard this 100x times, but they are very bassy.... The only times this gets annoying are when watching a ordnary TV w/ em. BUT, i must admit i am incredibly happy w/ them and love the speakers very much, great for gaming and watching movies

I have to agree with this statement also. I've found that the z5500s have slightly less problems with sounding overly bassy (is that even a word? LOL). However, both speaker systems pack a good deal of bass. This can usually be fixed by playing with you're equalizer, and like ChiBOY83 states, they are awesome for games/movies.