Logitech Z-5450 vs Creative ProGamer G550W???

[TigerFlash]

First off, to those who think wireless is a terrible idea because of signal delays and transmission, let's set that aside for now. I live in an apartment and cable clutter is just one of those things I really don't like to deal with.

I am sitting on a cart of the logitechs right now on amazon, but I'm hesitant to go for it because Creative decided to pull out their wireless solution.

In terms of features, it seems the logitechs have more (DTS decoder and I believe the Creatives don't have optical outputs). However, I'm not really concerned about that.

Frankly I want the wireless solution that SOUNDS better. It seems the only thing I can get on this is insight because the Creatives are still pretty new and there are basically no reviews of them.

The logitechs do have quite a few reviews though, the one I noted most was this one: http://www.maximumpc.com/2006/01/logitech_z-5450.html It seems the rear speakers will hiss, which is a definite NEGATIVE imo. However, other reviews seem to like the speakers a lot better.

If I knew that the Creatives had no signs of hissing or signal quality issues, I'd probably jump on those in a second, but again, there's no reviews around.

Now, comparing satellites, both systems seem to be pretty similar. However, comparing the systems from their respective sites, I think Creative's satelites might be a bit better because the drivers are half an inch larger and the satelites employ something called "Dual Flared DynaPorts" which almost seems like an open-aire solution commonly found in high-end headphones. I feel stupid saying that though because it could be Creative spewing out a bunch of its silliness.

In terms of subwoofers, Creative's is apparently more powerful (130 WATT RMS compared to 116) which IMO is what would seperate most subs, that and their sizes, which at the moment I don't know the size of Logitech's (Creative's is 8 inches).

So what do you all think? I was hoping to find a clear solution quickly, but that doesn't look good, any input you all have would be nice.

Thanks.

O and btw, if you have better wireless solutions meant for a computer (not a home audio solution) feel free to inform me. Also, please don't point out to me that the rear speakers aren't even wireless, because I already knew that and am fine with it.

 

[Ichigo]

Personally I just don't like any of Creative's speakers. I've had too many problems with their products. I'd say Logitech.

 

[TigerFlash]

Really? I dunno, my friend has the Z-5300's and to me it just sounds like they were putting way too much emphasis on the bass and the treble sounded kind of tinny at times. That could just be the way he likes it though -_-

Anyways, it looks like I'm gonna sit on this cart for a little longer till there's at least a review or some more replies from here.

 

[alcoholbob]

I would say Creative-inhouse speakers are pretty bad, yes. But the Gigaworks/Megaworks/Progamer brand is engineered by the Cambridge Soundworks crew, and their motto is neutrality.

Minus connectivity and their built-in decoders (which has different uses for different people, but if you have a Creative-based PCI soundcard, I would say the use is limited), Creative's higher end offerings at least by reputation have a much better pedigree than Logitechs.

 

[darkswordsman17]

The Z-5450s is basically Logitech taking the Z-5300 speakers, making two crappy wireless speakers (which aren't trully wireless since you still have to give them a power source), and adding a decoder.

I'm not sure if the Progamers use the Gigaworks speakers or if they're all new, but I find them to be hideous looking, and wouldn't purchase them on that fact alone (well I would think about it if they had the best quality of sound in the price range, but they don't).

I think you'd be better off going with the Logitech Z-5500s if you need the DD/DTS decoding (which if you're using them with a Creative or other card that can do the decoding then there's no reason to need this feature unless you're going to hook up something like a game console).

Wireless speakers in general are just not very good, and in this case they aren't even trully wireless since they require being plugged in. The fact that you're paying a premium for worse sound quality. I would especially stay away from the Z-5450s since you're paying more for essentially their midrange speakers (the Z-5300s) with some extras which either aren't worth it (the wireless surrounds) or else may not be needed at all (the decoder).

Go with the Z-5500s (pretty easy to find for about $250), Klipsch Promedia Ultras, or the Gigaworks if you're getting nice computer speakers. If you don't have a problem with mail in rebates you can actually pick up the 7 speaker version of the Gigaworks for less than most places are selling the Progamers.

 

[TigerFlash]

Dark, I tried to emphasize in my post that I am going to do a wireless solution, whether or not there is a price to pay in sound quality. Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.

Yes I do also know that the rear speakers are not truly wireless, but that's fine with me.

If you can think of a better wireless solution than either of these sets, by all means go for it, otherwise I need to choose between these two sets.

Also, Creative's Programer speakers are based on the Gigaworks ones, but I think they may have changed them a bit with the dual flaredness. I definitely don't mind the looks of either of them.

From what I've read, the Programer speakers are supposed to be copies of the Progamer 500's and the Logitech's speakers are supposed to be copies of the Z-5500's, except of course wireless.

If you think it's worth it the most info you can get on them is Creative's site : http://www.creative.com/products/produc...ategory=4&subcategory=25&product=14661

Thanks

 

[darkswordsman17]

After looking more into it, the ProGamers aren't anything like their other Gigaworks speakers. They got rid of the tweeter, and the dual flared port is talking about just the subwoofer, and thats marketing speak, not anything that would actually improve the sound.

The Logitech is not based on the Z-5500, they're based on the Z-5300. I wouldn't be surprised if they're actually even skimping on the speakers versus the 5300s.

So both of these are using components that might normally command $100-150 if they weren't wireless, but then you're paying about $200-250 to get the wireless capability.

To be totally honest, for the price you're paying for them, I wouldn't bother with either set, regardless of needing the wirless capabilities. You would be much better off going with a 2.1 set or getting the better 5.1 setups and just not using the surrounds. I'm fairly confident that somehow you could find a better solution than either of these, and since you'll be running wires still, I just can't figure out why it isn't an option to run the two wires to them like normal, but I don't know your situation, so I guess you know what you need best.

If for some reason you absolutely have to have one of these two (and since neither is actually wireless, I still just can't figure out why you would bother with them, but I'll just forget that)), the ProGamers would be the better as far as I can tell.

I'll say it again, to hopefully convince you to not bother with these, but I know its probably futile. You're essentially buying a $100 set of speakers and then paying a huge premium for a gimmick that isn't even doing what its supposed to (wireless speakers).

 

[TigerFlash]

dark, thx for the info

I think this review just came out for the Progamer's. It doesn't seem too professional, but take from it what you will..

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/buyer/reviews/87450/creative-gigaworks-g550w.html

It seems that they actually compared them to the Z5450's, though they don't give much info on the comparison: "It was only when we set them head to head with the Logitech Z5450s that the Creatives sounded a little over-enthusiastic with their bass and a touch unrefined in the higher registers."

That might be the selling point for me, I'm still thinking about it though.

 

[TigerFlash]

I found two more reviews, one of them is translated from French so pardon the grammar. The other one had to be opened through a cache because I guess the original link went down.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u...=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

http://216.109.125.130/search/cache?p=h...43.shtml&d=VLmqizmtMxuT&icp=1&.intl=us

So basically from what I'm reading there might be some hiss coming out of the Creative ones too.....

It seems the only way to actually figure out the difference in sound quality of these two setups is to do a side-by-side comparison....

Anyone got any ideas on how I could do this or get someone else to do it?

 

[Jones2006]

I trust Maximum PC reviews when it comes to PC hardware ... I have read both reviews i would go with the Gigaworks ProGamer ... I am personally happy with my logitech Z2300 speakers ... two speakers are good enough for me

 

[alcoholbob]

All of these analog PC systems hiss like crazy, partly because the amps are rather noisy. When you get PC systems with tweeters, they seem to have less hiss, because the tweeters beam forward like a laser, and spare you from a wide "soundstage" of hissing. Unfortunately, when your PC speakers are one-way 2-3" drivers, it's dispersing like a 2-3" driver, but hissing like a poorly amped tweeter.

Personally, I would avoid any 1-way systems in the PC market (and in general, but especially in this case), unless you are positively SOLD on the looks, and sound is really have secondary relevance.

 

[TigerFlash]

I'm a little confused Astrallite. Isn't the hissing being caused by the wireless signal? That's what the reviews seem to say to me. Also, it seems the logitechs may have a tweeter in them.

In any case, does anyone know any buy-sites with a rather generous return policy and free shipping? I might just buy both and then return the ones I think sound worse.

Thanks.

 

[TigerFlash]

Looks like my question just got answered :-D

http://www.maximumpc.com/2006/06/creative_gigawo_1.html

 

[alcoholbob]

No, I'm saying all the PC systems hiss. Most of the audio reviewers have come to expect a certain level of it. When they talk about hiss, they mean something that's a lot higher than what they've come to expect.