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Speakers: How does Z-560 compare to BA4800?

R

Ronin13

Senior member
I have a set of Boston Acoustics MicroMedia System speakers (2.1) and I'm really pleased with their sound (on a SB Live! Value), but I would like to get a set of 4.1 speakers with my next upgrade.

The Klipsch ProMedia v.2-400 are too expensive where I live ($455!)

I know that Logitech's SoundMan Z-560 4.1 THX have gotten great reviews, which may be why the price just got a 20% increase from the cheapest reseller here (to $270)

The reviews I've read for Boston Acoustics BA4800 ($210 here) have been great as well (like the one at www.3dsoundsurge.com), but as they are a couple of years old I haven't seen them compared to the Z-560's.

(Note: Please don't quote the US prices; I'm aware of the insane difference, but I'm in Denmark...)

Does any of you have experience with both the Z-560's and the BA4800's?

Like I said, I like the sound of my current BA 2.1 set and would expect the same quality from their 4.1 setup. Also, I live in an appartment and cannot crank the volume too much. I also don't need to FEEL the bass, but prefer a clean midrange quality.

For my needs, which would you recommend?

(They will propably be paired with a SB Audigy card)

~R

 
I own both the ba4800s and the z560s and I have to say that the z560s beat out my ba4800s in most, if not all, ways. The sub in the 4800s hits pretty hard but it lacks the ability to get the low notes out and also has a higher sounding bass than that of the z560's. The z560s sub hits really hard, pounds like nothing else, is really clean, never distorts, and can pump out those low notes loudly. The satellites on the z560s are also better with ever so slightly clearer sounding output. The z560s have a much better mid range than the ba4800s. I also love the little control center on the z560s which is really lacking in the ba4800s. Since the ba4800s have the controls built into the speaker you have to have it in a relatively close range for you to be able to change the volume. The z560s also have the very convenient(but not needed) headphone jack in the control center. The z560s are also much more versatile than the ba4800s coming with 4 metal stands for each satellite that can adjust to either stand up the speaker or point back and hold it up against a wall with a few nails. The ba4800s come with some rather crappily made stands for the fronts(I always ended up knocking them off the stands) and some rather fragile rear speaker stands that are a couple feet high (both of mine are broken with cracks all over and were never tall enough to make them sound right).

The only bone I have to pick with the z560s is a random pop in the sound about once every hour or so of music. It could be my sound card for I had the same problem with the ba4800s a long long time ago which was fixed. I can't seem to fix the popping with the z560s. I am getting a new sound card soon so hopefully that will help some.
 


<< The only bone I have to pick with the z560s is a random pop in the sound about once every hour or so of music. It could be my sound card for I had the same problem with the ba4800s a long long time ago which was fixed. I can't seem to fix the popping with the z560s. I am getting a new sound card soon so hopefully that will help some. >>



Is this a really loud pop ?

 
No, it's like a light popcorn kernal (sp?) popping. It's not noticeable by my friends, I only notice it because I look for it and listen to those little things...
 
I am looking at the same comparison right now. I've read that the Logitech's don't have the same quality as BA when it comes to music.. I'll be listening to tunes more than gaming, wonder if anyone has input on this? Thanks..
 
Looking to pickup the Z-560s & wondering how they compare to my current set of speakers, the Altec Lansing ATP5, anyone?
 


<< When it comes to competition at the $200 price point the Z-560 satellites are excellent. Relative to the $200 or less list priced systems I have heard it is to my ears and tastes only surpassed in overall smoothness and detail, but not volume, by the Polk Audio AMR-150, a system with a much less powerful subwoofer. Behind the AMR-150 and Z-560 I would have picked Logitech?s Xtrusio DSR-100, the system replaced and surpassed by the Z-560 then the Boston Acoustics BA4800. The Z-560 satellites are even competitive with the more expensive Klipsch ProMedia 4.1 system, maintaining better clarity at high volume, particularly where there is a lot of bass. While they also surpass the upper bass extension of the Crossfire and MM2000 the overall satellite sound quality of those two systems is ahead of the Z-560. >>



Form the z-560 review at 3dsoundsurge
 
Well as much as it hurts the feelings of people who own the BA4800s, the Z560 and BA4800 do not compare. It's just like comparing the BA4800 to the PM4.1 ... you just can't do it. Yeah, speaker sound is generally considered very subjective, but the BA4800s were such an attractive buy because (they were under $100 for a time) and they didn't sound bad... just not great. The lows suck... you basically have none... the highs are fairly nice but overrall, I walked out of the room after about 30 seconds at my friend's apartment because they're just plain weak.

The Z560s are by far better... very powerful lows, good highs... and for the price... they win.
 
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