Feed: Cheap Computer Speakers - AggScore: 77.2

 

 

 

Summary: Specially designed for watching movies, featuring an excellent 5.1-quality surround sound with only 2 satellite speakers.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score
TechGage	8/10
Pocket-lint	7/10
OverclockersClub	Gold
GoodGearGuide	3.75/5
TheTechZone	6.5/10
PC Mag	3.5/5
EverythingUSB	(Positive)
I4U	9/10
OCIA	4/5
LA Audio File	(Positive)

 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	4.5/5	82
Amazon.com	4.5/5	38
TestFreaks.com	8.2/10	26
NewEgg.com	4/5	16

 

 

Good

"The Z Cinéma system blends svelte styling with some serious audio hardware for a system that has what it takes to please both the hard-rockers and PC audiophiles of the world."

"The audio on the speakers is quite impressive, and the large sub generates a good amount of bass. The audio is generally well balanced, with treble showing an impressive amount of strength and clarity, even with the subwoofer going at full strength. The mid-range is clear and has a good presence without being too dominant, displaying a quick sound without too much lingering. Bass is generally quite good, without too much distortion even at full power, and a nice, tight sound."

"Sound quality from the system is very impressive. The subwoofer takes up quite a bit of space thanks to its large enclosure, but the bass delivered by the system is impressive. Lows are deep and the bass is the sort you can feel in your chest."

"There is no need to have a full blown 5.1 speaker package to get excellent sound from a compact system. Logitech has achieved this with the Z Cinéma system."

"Not only do they look great, but they are also able to live up the their looks by providing clean bass hits and crisp high notes. They sounded great in all the different aspects of computer sound; they are able to suck you right into a movie and bring you right in the thick of battle in games. All music sounds great on these speakers, whether it be country music with the subtle guitar strokes and clean vocals or some rap music with the deep bass hits."

 

 

Bad

"When trying to watch a movie in virtual 5.1 mode, I could detect some phantom sounds coming from behind me, but it was nowhere near the same experience as you would have with even a “real” budget 5.1 system. If you want surround, you’ll need physical speakers behind you."

"Unfortunately, due to the USB connection that these speakers are dependent upon its proper functioning is at the mercy of your computer. By default, the Z Cinema speakers becomes another application layer that your computer has to process. If your system resources are being stretched to the limits processing other applications then playing any audio through these speakers becomes another task that your computer has to deal with."

"… the reliance on software for operation of the speakers is irritating at times."

"… as long as you managed to sit in the sweet spot the sound was very good picking out the surround elements… However step out that sweet spot and the sound became flat, and well, just rather average."

"Another problem is the volume (as many other people have mentioned). It just doesn’t get that loud. Crank everything up and it’s loud, but not "turn it to 11" loud. Kind of disappointing. "

 

 

Personal Opinion

These speakers are, as mentioned above, designed for a cinema-like experience at your desktop, simulating the surround sound effect of a 5.1 with its SRS® TruSurround HD™ technology. It also functions via a USB-connection rather than the usual audio jack, so it technically bypasses any shortcomings from your sound card to deliver true 24-bit digital audio. Note that it also comes with a remote control that may take a while to master due, but reviewers comment that if you take the time to read the manual, the payoff to turn your PC into an effective media hub is worth it. 

Now, many of the negative reviews particularly criticize the quality of the speakers in relation to its RRP of $299; however, as you can see from the prices below it currently retails at certain online stores (and eBay) for much, much less. The overall sound quality is otherwise of a high standard, delivering high fidelity and an especially noteworthy deep bass. While it’s 5.1 simulation isn’t perfect per se, it’s certainly commendable and will undoubtedly boost your listening experience regardless of whether it’s used for music, movies or games.

Main complaints refer to the complicated instructions required for the remote-controlled software interface, the apparent lack of overall volume, and that it functioning via a USB port means it will add to your memory load so if your system runs low on RAM, there might be performance issues.

Otherwise, it certainly is worth getting these at the heavily discounted prices if you want a more immersive surround sound experience but don’t have the space, or can’t afford a 5.1 system.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Note: Amazon.com and TigerDirect are currently selling these at a heavy discount, hence its inclusion into this site.

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$79.99
mwave.com	$254.17
TheNerds.net	$229.99
TigerDirect	$79.99
OnSale	NA
B&H Photo Video	$214.95
Buy.com	$237.38
eBay	See Below

 

 

Summary: Great, cheap speakers with a convenient dock for your iPod (or any other MP3 player).

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score
Techgage	7/10
Tech Score	4.5/5
OverclockersClub	Bronze
PCMag	2.5/5
The Moditory	Silver
HiTechLegion	NA
Devhardware	5/51
ThinkComputers	8/102

¹ Recommended

² Good Value Award
 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	4.5/5	425
Amazon.com	4/5	126
TestFreaks.com	8.0/10	323
NewEgg.com	4/5	107

 

 

Good

"The Logitech X-240 speaker system performed very well during my tests and I am quite surprised at the quality of sound that can be achieved with such a small system.  When the volume was within the range capability of the speakers, the X-240 came together very well with crisp highs, deliberate midranges, and thumping low frequencies.  The system looks very attractive in basic black with its satellite speakers and control center leaning back at the same angle."

"To wrap up our review on the Logitech X-240 Speaker System I would say for the overall sound quality that I was quite impressed. Games sounded good and movies and music sounded pristine."

"My musical tastes are wide and varied: Smooth Jazz and R&B primarily, but also everything from classical to today’s rock, rap, and metal. These speakers will cover it all and adequately fill a 1000-sq-ft room with nice rich deep bass, decent midrange, and crystal-clear treble tones. No hiss, wobble, or distortion, even at higher volumes."

"This system produces rich sound with crystal clear highs, solid mid-bass, and decent lows. If you’re looking for a system that will rattle the windows, you may want to look elsewhere. The X-240 system provides a good balance between the high and low frequencies which blend together in nearly perfect harmony."

"At the store, I got to compare this system to a Bose, and it wiped the Bose away price wise and sound wise. The are perfect right out of the box. The subwoofer/bass speaker is so powerful that its almost unbelievable."

 

 

Bad

"Would I buy these speakers? I’m afraid the answer is no. They leave an unsightly tangle of wires on my desk, and despite the sub’s deep bass, they lack the crispness I love."

"Sometimes however it feels as though the bass actually overpowers however, this can be adjusted with the knob and yet still feels somewhat unbalanced. The bass itself only becomes an issue at high volume levels where it becomes quite muddy."

"The X-240 sounds like I’m just listening from a regular jukebox. It doesn’t sound terrible, but it just doesn’t have that rich dynamic feel and sounds a bit muffled."

"The sound of the X-240 system was lackluster, due in part to the insubstantial satellite speaker enclosures, whose sympathetic vibrations colored the sound unacceptably, and deprived the satellite speakers of their detail."

"They really sound lousy. They sound like you took a pair of decent speakers and smothered them with a pillow. The sound is very muffled. No highs, no punch or presence whatsoever. They are also very underpowered."

 

 

Personal Opinion

This is supposed to be an upgrade on the Logitech X-230 which has since gone out of production, as well as a companion release to the Logitech X-540. However, there are a number of people on Amazon.com who prefer the acclaimed X-230, and say that the X-240 doesn’t compare. This is of course all in the eye of the beholder, but it’s worth noting as they are built differently. Overall however, the sound seems a bit more equalized to the X-230’s bass-heavy setup, although that’s not to say its lower frequencies are weak either; the down-firing subwoofer provides more than adequate bass. Additionally, the addition of the iPod dock  that allows for charging and syncing(this product is apparently marketed as an "iPod Speaker System") is a nice touch, while providing convenient access to volume, power and the headphone jack. The bass adjustment is located behind the subwoofer which might be an annoyance to some, but at least it exists and you won’t really adjust it much once you find the sweet spot you like.

Complaints lie in the usual Logitech problem of over-complicated wiring, flimsy construction on the iPod dock, as well as an apparently muffled sound (note that many reviews say the complete opposite). Another problem some have complained about is a constant hum these speakers emit when they are turned on, although I’m not sure if it affects everyone as not all have mentioned this.

That said, these speakers are only $50 RRP (many online retailers have these for less) and certainly worth the cost of an upgrade.

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$32.35
mwave.com	$40.99
TheNerds.net	$46.99
TigerDirect	$44.99
OnSale	$43.99
B&H Photo Video	$39.95
Buy.com	$42.65
eBay	See Below

 

Summary: Great 2.1 speakers specially designed for mp3 listening at a low price.

 

 Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click links for more information)

None.
 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	5/5	399
Amazon.com	4/5	52
TestFreaks.com	8.010	44
NewEgg.com	5/5	92

 

 

Good

"The sound is VERY lively, and the treble, in particular, is both strong and smooth — guitar notes come alive… saxophone wails… and I notice little details and backbeats in the music that I’d never picked out before. "

"Easy Set up. Excellent sound quality. No distortion when playing really loud music. Tried various types of music like rock, techno, classic – plays all just great. Bottom line: really worth the money – and not that they are expensive to begin with."

"This sound system has the cleanest sound I have ever heard from computer speakers, even clearer than a THX-certified system I also have. I can hear percussion and other effects in music that I usually don’t notice unless I am wearing high-quality headphones. The speakers are smaller than the picture leads you to believe, but they sure pack a punch. Its size is perfect for a bedroom, dorm room, or other small to midsize room."

"LOTS of bang for your buck. These are great speakers for the budget-conscious buyer. Small EQ tweaks will have most audiophiles satisfied, and the speakers need little or no configuration for the average person. Great bass, and the tweeters are top notch. Drivers are average, though a good average."

"My PC’s are now my main stereo systems as my $300.00 stereo system does not sound as good."

 

 

Bad

"They have pretty good bass, the sound is crisp at high pitch, but… if your music has a little more variety other than rock and rap, you will notice that the sound is not so good. I am talking about classical and vocal music (country would probably fit the same category). There is just too much distortion."

"High and lows but no mids. Lacks midrange. Not impressed. My old logitech system is much better and has a fuller sound."

"… really lacks mid-range and sounds muddy… sounds distorted when turned up loud… If you want top-notch speakers, don’t buy this speaker. With 30 dollars, I would rather buy JBL speaker without subwoofer than this one."

"There’s a range of low-mid frequencies that are too high for the sub and too low for the main 2" speakers to handle without distorting the hell out of them. It makes listening to music with relatively low acoustic string instrument notes really unpleasant."

"I just got those speakers and the sound isn’t good at all, if it weren’t for the BASS, those speakers would sound like a pair of cheap $4.99 speakers.They also feel cheapish . "

 

 

Personal Opinion

There are apparently marketed towards people who want speakers for listening to mp3s or other audio formats on their computer, hence the expected "scooped mids" default sound they have which tends to make music livelier. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s just stuck on that as simple EQ-ing will still give you the sound you want if need be. It also doesn’t mean that they’re not good for games or music, just that it happens to be the demographic these speakers are aimed at. Essentially, they’re just a great-sounding, good-looking and low cost 2.1 set that is actually even smaller than it looks in pictures, meaning it’s a great space-saver too.

Main complaints are, as expected, attributed to the apparent lack of mids. Other issues are with the satellite stands ("too flimsy") and the ever-popular "power light is too bright and distracting". Also, some people have mentioned that the bass control is inconveniently located behind the subwoofer, although personally this isn’t an issue as you’re likely to only adjust it to your liking when you first get it, and probably never have to do so again.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$32.35
mwave.com	$47.23
TheNerds.net	$46.99
TigerDirect	NA
OnSale	NA
B&H Photo Video	$44.95
Buy.com	$40.67
eBay	See Below

 

 

Summary: Good quality sound in a solid, compact package.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score
TrustedReviews	8/10
PCWorld	2.75/5
Pocket-lint	9/10

 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	4.5/5	64
Amazon.com	4/5	44
TestFreaks.com	9.1/10	44
NewEgg.com	5/5	33

 

 

Good

"Overall, the Inspire T10s are quite a decent set of speakers, considering their price. Their strong mid-range and treble performance makes them quite suitable for a variety of tasks, including music and movies…"

"The speakers coped with all the music challenges we set it. Yes, the lack of a dedicated subwoofer means that some very intensive bass tracks can suffer, but from metal to house to opera we found that the experience was one to be savoured, with the tweeters delivering the higher details that often get obscured. "

"… my career is in producing and adjusting audio. I’ve worked in L.A. radio for over 20 years. These are the best $50 I’ve spent on my computer. Looking for a great-looking, nice-sounding, affordable set of computer speakers? Like clean, clear, natural-sounding music – especially acoustic? I recommend these speakers wholeheartedly."

"They look and feel just fantastic, like they’re much more expensive than they are. They’re *heavy* for such small speakers, and the nice black piano finish is classy. They reek quality in touch and feel. "

"They have more bass than should be possible from two small speakers. Bass is not just strong, but it’s clean. Most of the affordable subwoofer/speaker systems tend to sound boomy or muddy."

 

 

Bad

"… the weak point for the T10s is bass reproduction. The addition of a BasXPort^TM port on top of the speakers does give them the ability to handle deeper notes without the need for a subwoofer. Unfortunately, however, the bass still manages to sound relatively weak, and lacks a defining presence in the music. At times we noticed that it almost became separated from the mid-range, which made music sound disjointed."

"They are perfectly nice to listen to but if you value clarity in your music, you’ll have to opt for a more expensive set. "

"A good set of speakers for an office or someone who needs decent speakers with a small footprint. For anyone else it is probably best to look elsewhere."

"Yes, the lack of a dedicated subwoofer means that some very intensive bass tracks can suffer, but from metal to house to opera we found that the experience was one to be savoured, with the tweeters delivering the higher details that often get obscured. "

"(when watching movies) Volume and bass are surprisingly strong and drive louder sections along nicely but intimate scenes can be a struggle to keep up with as conversation gets lost in the swelling romantic music."

 

 

Personal Opinion

Now, it’s important to note that the Creative Inspire T10 is NOT related to the Creative Gigaworks (T20 and T40) series, despite the "T" in its name. The latter series is admittedly better, but costs more although the T20 is close enough to the $100 mark such that it will be reviewed at a later date.

One of the main selling points for these speakers is the BasXPort^TM technology, as noted by the holes on top of the speakers. These are supposed to acoustically simulate the deep bass of a subwoofer but without the need for a space-consuming third piece. That doesn’t mean it’s an accurate replacement for a real 2.1 system however, which may lead to disappointment if you’re expecting so. What it does is enhance the lower midrange, and it does a mighty fine job of that. While the lower frequencies are never quite reached, the bass reproduced in these speakers are superior to most 2.0 speakers. The trebles and mids are plenty strong and clear too, so they’re not lacking at all. These speakers are solidly built too, as noted by a user review above, and the individual parts, along with the overall designs, feel professional and well-made.

That said, as mentioned previously if you’re expected the same bassy presence of a proper subwoofer you won’t find it here. This is certainly a high performing 2.0 system, but you can’t really compare the bass of a 2-speaker setup to a 2.1. This does deliver a good low end punch for a 2.0 though, so if you don’t have the space for a subwoofer these are great.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$52.86
mwave.com	$49.55
TheNerds.net	NA
TigerDirect	NA
OnSale	NA
B&H Photo Video	$44.95
Buy.com	$44.44
eBay	See Below

 

Summary: Stunning sound and value in this sub-$100 5.1 system.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score
Gaming Nexus	A+
ThinkComputers	9/101
geek.com	(Positive)
Tweak News	(Positive)
thetechlounge	4/5
FileFactoryGames	87%
TechGage	4/5
InsideHW	4/52
OverclockersClub	Editor’s Choice
GameZone	9/10
ConnectReviews	4/5

¹ Good Value Award
² Best Buy

 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	5/5	1018
Amazon.com	4.5/5	160
TestFreaks.com	8.9/10	364
NewEgg.com	5/5	339

 

 

Good

"The base, mids and highs either met or exceeded my expectations."

"The price is the main selling point, but the system has a lot of other things going for it. Users will find it has solid performance and appreciable power, enough to satisfy so long as they are not expecting an audiophile or enthusiast level product."

"These speakers should definitely be on the short list of affordable 5.1 speakers to consider. Overall, the sound reproduction was spot-on, if just a little soft at really high volumes. Fortunately, the amplification is very well-matched to the speakers, and it’s hard to overdrive them and add unnecessary distortion. For the money, these are the 5.1 speakers to beat."

"At full blast, I honestly felt like I was sitting front row at a Carlos Santana concert listening to him play some of the meanest guitar solos ever known to man. My gaming got elevated to a whole new level because I actually jumped when I got shot from behind because I heard the sound behind me and it just made the game more realistic. I felt as if I was getting shot at when Tony Montana went on his rampage and shot up his house. "

"For the price, this is pretty much a perfect 5.1 system for the PC, as an all-around PC Gaming, Music, and Movie-watching platform. I spent more than this on my headphones, for Pete sake."

 

 

Bad

"The system lacks a wireless remote, instead all adjustments have to be made on the remote that is tethered to the subwoofer. Another issue is the downward facing subwoofer’s cone is not protected, so transporting the unit or even putting it done on top of something could cause serious damage. These are the most important issues but consumers might also be perturbed by the all-plastic build of the speakers and the lack of removable speaker wire."

"… the very few issues I can find with the X-540s can be easily excused, given the modest pricepoint. For example, the remote is nicely executed, but I would have preferred a wireless solution. Another minor annoyance I had was that the volume controls couldn’t be used with headphones. However, addressing these relatively insignificant issues would have added to the overall cost."

"The speakers were severely lacking in range, both lows and highs. I plugged in my old generic speakers to the sub and got a fuller sound than with the logitech speakers."

"I don’t know if I just got a bad sub, but you can’t take it over 50 percent without the bass turning to mud. I almost have to turn the bass off or the sub sounds like it’s falling apart. The highs are very tinny. The stock Boston Acoustics set that came free with my Dell six years ago sound better than this."

"They’re simply-designed speakers, and there are other designs that look a lot better. Fortunately, it’s only an aesthetic shortcoming, as the satellites are built very well."

 

 

Personal Opinion

For once, this time there are a ton of professional reviews for this product, a testament to how popular it is. In fact, this is probably the default answer if you ask someone "in the know" which 5.1 system to get under $100 (the actual price is way below that by the way). Not only will these provide a great 5.1 surround sound to boost your gaming and movie experience, like all Logitech 5.1 sets it comes with a  "Matrix" mode that enhances 2-channel stereo sounds like from most music. Audio output is clear and balance, with the down-firing subwoofer supplying deep lows. It’s also built for convenience – the center channel can be clipped onto LCD screens, satellite speakers can be adjusted to be wall-mounted AND there’s a convenient wired control (for power, volume, bass, "Matrix" mode and headphone jack).

Honestly, it was hard to find negative reviews for these. Most were self-admitted insignificant issues and minor annoyances like its aesthetics or the ever-common short cable problem, or were uncommon problems experienced by few users on durability and faulty equipment.

Despite the low price point, these speakers have very little going against them, and it will be hard to be disappointed especially with the low monetary investment required.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Note: the link on TheNerds.net shows the wrong image, but the product is correct.

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$64.36
mwave.com	$79.99
TheNerds.net	$82.99
TigerDirect	$84.99
OnSale	$89.99
B&H Photo Video	$73.50
Buy.com	$84.50
eBay	See Below

 

Summary: Excellent value for a sub-$30 2.1 speaker system, boasting great sound and a compact size.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications (not available)

 

Professional Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score
inc8	(Positive)
BestCovery	(Positive)*

* Winner of Best Budget Speaker award
 

 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	5/5	128
Amazon.com	4.5/5	243
TestFreaks.com	8.6/10	256
NewEgg.com	4/5	575

 

 

Good

"These speakers will amaze you the moment you hear them in action – not because of the unbelievable sound quality, but because of the unbelievable price. These speakers are the definition of bang for the buck, delivering impressive sound quality in a sleek 2.1 package."

"The Logitech S220 speaker system delivers good quality sound and appearance for such a low-priced system. Unless you are a hard-core gamer, or expect sound perfection, I highly recommend that you give them a try."

"I am a recording engineer and i bought these speakers to use as reference monitors to compare my mixes on a pair of consumer speakers. They sound a whole lot better than i expected! At low volume levels, these speakers aren’t far from my pair of $1000 professional studio monitors."

"These speakers pack a punch with a high degree of clarity. They turn a regular set of speakers into a sound system. For the sound, price and looks you can’t beat them."

"The speakers have a black glossy trim which gives them a nice reflective, ‘rich’ visual appeal. They’re also very small and take very little space. The subwoofer is compact as well but doesn’t lack power. The bass is literally incredible for price and the speakers do a good part at keeping up with the quality of the subwoofer with virtually no static at high volumes. "

 

 

Bad

"These put out pretty good sound, but if they are turned up too loud, then they will distort and throw some static into the mix."

"The high end is crisp but the mid to bass response is flat and very separated from the highs. The subwoofer is terrible. The bass adjust knob is poorly scaled. That is, the knob does nothing until the last 1/4 of the range, then the bass suddenly kicks in. I’d recommend trying a different model."

"After purchasing this set, I was taken aback by it’s extreme shoddiness. As I was pulling the sub-woofer from the box, the knob that controls the bass FELL OFF IN MY HAND!! No damage done by Fed-ex or Amazon, just cheap."

"Maybe my ears are spoiled because I work in a store demonstrating Bose speakers all day. These seemed washed out and fizzy to my ears, especially the treble and mid range seemed weak. "

"They’re adequate for stuff like youtube but I’d feel bad if someone who listens to a lot of music got stuck with these. They sound very thin and tinny. The subwoofer doesn’t blend well with the midrange."

 

 

Personal Opinion

If you see the prices below, you’ll realize how ridiculously cheap these are. For 2.1 speakers that are provide such quality sound, its price is absolutely nuts. There are some marginally cheaper ones, but not as good as these, and of course there are better 2.1 setups that exist, but not at this price.

This is, of course, the general consensus as well. The sound quality isn’t fantastic by audiophile standards, but it’s certainly pretty damn good (as stated by even a recording engineer as noted above), a fact that is magnified tenfold by the ludicrous price. Add a wired remote and decent looks to that and you’ve got what is probably the most value-for-money speakers in this price range.

There’s not much more I can say than that… If you want an upgrade to 2.1 and can spare 20-odd bucks, there’s no reason not to!

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Note: the link on TheNerds.net shows the wrong image, but the product is correct.

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$27.14
mwave.com	NA
TheNerds.net	$24.99
TigerDirect	NA
OnSale	$22.99
B&H Photo Video	NA
eBay	See Below

 

Summary: All the bassy power of a 2.1 packed into 2.0 speakers.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score
About.com	3/5
dkszone.net	(Positive)
CNET	3/5

 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	4.5/5	377
Amazon.com	4/5	154
TestFreaks.com	8.4/10	369
NewEgg.com	4/5	82

 

 

Good

"… the Companion 2 Series II multimedia speakers offer TrueSpace surround digital processing circuitry. This ensures that all sounds is crisp and boastful, from the deepest bass to high operatic notes (if you’re into that sort of thing)."

"The sound quality of Companion 2 is excellent considering the compact product size. The speakers produce rich and noise free sounds. We tested many tracks of different genres. The speakers are well designed to produce high-quality sound even at high volumes."

"The advantage Bose has to other speakers of the same class, is the digital circuitry they probably use to enhance the sound to bring in increased stereo separation and roominess to the sound. The sound coming out is definitely more pleasing to the ears, and feels room-filling. You wouldn’t get this experience with speakers from other brands, however faithful they are in reproducing sound as exactly as recorded. "

"The best thing about Bose is the clarity and bass response. I don’t know how they packed it into this small set, but they did."

"The bass is actually quite adequate for what I use them for and I would recommend them to anyone looking for an asthetically pleasing compliment to their existing computer set up. They look good, sound good, are relatively small and priced right for the quality you get. "

 

 

Bad

"The sound from the speakers is excellent–as long as you don’t get too crazy. At times, the bass can be overwhelming with no easy way to alter the levels."

"Most midrange sounds are nice and warm. Treble is excellent, and are not screechy and distorted as much on higher volumes like many speakers that I have tried out before these… The only problem is that these two ranges are overpowered and thusly shadowed by the artificially amplified bass that the speakers pump out. "

"The little speakers put out a reasonable amount of bass–but that’s arguably the best part of the speakers’ sound… the speakers seemed to emphasize sibilants."

"It has more bass compared with most of the other speakers of the similiar size but the problem is that the music is twisted (in order to empasize bass) sounding like from a can."

"The sound is great until you go past the halfway mark on the volume knob. After that you notice the sound can’t get any louder. In an effort to offer you more, the bass becomes super muddy, as if the tiny speaker inside the unit have given up and decided to blow air in your face."

 

 

Personal Opinion

Within the speaker and headphone community, there have always been a sub-group called "bassheads" who tend to prefer an audio output that, obviously, presents more of the lower frequencies. It’s not a question of whether it’s a good or bad thing, but rather a personal preference. Maybe it’s the genre of music they listen to, or the feeling they get when that deep bassy tone them in the chest; regardless of the reason, bassheads exist, and thus speakers and headphones that have a stronger bass output exist as well to cater to these people.

Bose is a highly reputable brand in the audio world, boasting what they term as "Truespace", which is results in a wide, rich sound stage. These entry-level Bose speakers certainly have that too, but rather than having the equalized frequencies that they usually offer, these speakers tend to have scooped mids; that is, more pronounced highs and (especially) lows. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing per se, as there are many music genres that benefit greatly from this equalization (which can be modified via your PC itself anyway). That said, the main feature of these speakers is its robust bass. Obviously not as strong as a having a proper, good strong subwoofer but it’s pretty damn close especially considering the size of these and the amount of space you’ll save without the extra component. In fact, some sites list these as a 2.1 because of the powerful woofers they have. Another plus point, which is a little nitpicking of mine, is that the volume control and headphone jack is conveniently located on the front of the right speaker.

Of course, being that the audio produced from these are understandably subjective, there are bad points. If you want a more equal footing in your frequency spectrum, these probably aren’t for you. This is arguably its main strength and weakness, depending on yourself. There are plenty of people who intentionally have scooped mids when they EQ their audio through software anyway, so they would certainly benefit from these if that’s their preferred sound.

If you crave the bassy thump of a 2.1 but don’t have the space for it, or just want a bass-heavy 2.0 setup, these will certainly fit you.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$99.00
mwave.com	NA
TheNerds.net	NA
TigerDirect	$99.00
OnSale	NA
B&H Photo Video	$99.00
eBay	See Below

 

Summary: Great quality 5.1 surround sound for a low price and compact size.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click the links for more information)

Site	Score
About.com	3/5
Techtree	3/5
Dev Hardware	5/5

  * Editor’s Choice

 

Average User Reviews (click the links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	5/5	19
Amazon.com	4.5/5	14
TestFreaks.com	8.6/10	45
NewEgg.com	5/5	51

 

 

Good

"The Creative Inspire T6100 5.1 surround sound system is small and convenient, sure to save space for any cramped or crowded desktop. The audio is pretty standard fare — the satellites provide good stereo sound, and the subwoofer gives you that deep rumbling bass everyone loves, but the real benefit is the simplicity and small speaker footprints this system provides."

"These speakers deliver good sound for music and games for the price. For games its all you need really."

"… it provides very good stereo sound for music and video games, with just enough audio dynamics to take movies and gaming to the next level in terms of sound. In all, the Creative Inspire T6100 is a good sound system at a price that is just right for the performance."

"Nice looking, good setup, Bass sounds good, Treble is nicely detailed… Hook ups are pretty simple, Bass on sub is easily configured. Strong Vibrant sound."

"Good Sound, powerful bass, crisp and loud sound, not muffled or garbled. Inexpensive, good value for money. Honestly one of the best sound systems I have heard."

 

 

Bad

"The T6100 does not have earth-shattering bass, but as a surround sound system, it gets the job done. The mid tones can get muddy, and the highs are often lost in the rear left and right speakers…"

"I have to say if there had been a bass adjuster on the front-right control speaker as well that would have made things a little easier, or better yet a wired remote as some of Creative’s other setups use."

"1) The cables going to the rear speakers are far too short! I listen to music in a very small bedroom, but I still had to get extension wires (probably not approved by Creative) to connect the rear speakers to the sub. 2) While the speakers individually are all quite clear and loud, there’s a problem of balance… Additional hardware controls could resolve this, but the only ones are a bass knob on the sub and volume/power dial on the right front speaker."

"High and mid range seem a bit distorted at moderate volume, even though bass is "ok"… Aside from that, the rear speaker wires are far too short."

"If you want a real home theater forget about this. The quality of the sound if far below any branded home theater. When hiring music the distortion starts very early. You don’t have to push the volume very much to saturate the speakers (the RMS of the satellites is pretty low)."

 

 

Personal Opinion

There aren’t many 5.1 systems below $100 that are worth considering, but the Creative Inspire T6100 is definitely one of the better ones. The younger, cheaper brother of the Creative Inspire T6060, this system is a quick fix for someone who needs the surround effect of a 5.1 speaker system but just isn’t ready to splurge $500 on a higher-end one just yet. It’s more than sufficient for the task in terms of sound quality, boasting good detailed surround sound from the satellites and powerful bass from the subwoofer. As you might notice from the image, it’s pretty good looking too. Another plus point reviewers have noted is its compact size, or small "speaker footprints", an especially important point if space constraints are part of your selective criteria.

In terms of negative points, the major complaint seems to be distortion at higher volume levels due to a saturation the speakers. However, it is unlikely that you’d be turning them up that high if they’re for use at your computer. Other issues include short wires and a lack of a remote to adjust individual speaker levels and EQ. Of course, wires can be replaced by third party components if they’re really a problem, and volume/EQ can also be adjusted via your computer through the software provided. An interesting nitpicking I’ve noticed as well is the prominent blue diode that lights up when the speakers are in use; apparently it’s excessively bright and conspicuous, but not everyone would be affected by this.

If you’ve read my other entries you might have picked up that I tend to prefer higher quality speakers of a lower configuration over additional components (eg. 2.0 vs 2.1). The T6100 may be considered an entry-level 5.1 system due to its low price but that doesn’t mean it’s just an unnecessary upgrade in the number of speakers; the sound quality is definitely there and it does provide a good surround sound for gaming and movies. If the minor disadvantages mentioned above don’t bother you as much as some reviewers, you’ll certainly find a lot of value in these.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$55.34
mwave.com	$74.84
TheNerds.net	$68.99
TigerDirect	NA
OnSale	$66.99
B&H Photo Video	$68.95
eBay	See Below

 

 

Summary: The Logitech Z-4 is an award-winning 2.1 set that boasts a sleek design, clear sound and a great price.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click the links for more information)

Site	Score
CNET	3.5/5
Techgage	9/10*
Modders-Inc	9/10*
Digital Trends	8.5/10*

  * Editor’s Choice

 

Average User Reviews (click the links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	4.5/5	361
Amazon.com	4.5/5	95
TestFreaks.com	9.0/10	341
NewEgg.com	5/5	255

 

 

Good

"… they deliver truly impressive sound – smooth, room vibrating, bass, crisp highs, and a midrange nearly perfect for computer games… 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). "

"… no distortion from the speakers what-so-ever. No crackles or fizzles, not one. They are fantastic even when it was blasting my ears into bits and rattling the windows. Perfect audio through and through."

"Gamers and film buffs who care only about rattling their walls with low-end thunder can find a more powerful set elsewhere, but if you value a balanced mix with an emphasis on clarity, the Z-4s are a great option, and at $100, worth every penny."

"The Logitech Z-4 should be at the top of your list of <$100 speaker systems if you’re in the market for a good 2.1 setup… The Z-4s can be driven hard and loud and still belt out accurate sound, and with a sleek modern appearance, you can be assured that they look as good as they sound."

"It’s far more than adequate for heavy gaming or listening to music, and I won’t be going back to headphones any time soon. I’d highly recommend it for anyone with limited space or for those who don’t want to pay a small fortune for a high-end system, but want the absolute most for their money."

 

 

Bad

"At times… the subwoofer sounded disconnected from the satellites, a common issue with computer speakers that avoid using woofers and go straight to the subwoofer. The absence of a regular woofer means some frequencies, namely low-mids, get a bit less attention than they deserve."

"This model is very poor in midrange, all you can hear is bass. My mobile phone speakers are better thatn this interms of midrange. I got this and hooked up and returned it on the same day. Waste of time."

"The Z-4 system has a muffled mid-range, poor transient response, and relatively high subwoofer distortion. Subwoofer position makes a significant difference in perceived bass response. Imaging is average, with a limited sound stage."

"These speakers look good, but the sound suffers from the small satellites which lack in mids and highs… also the sub is only a 4" with an 8" passive radiator (no bass port). This all comes together to create a sort of muffled sound with weaker bass."

"The Z4’s speakers are not matched well to the subwoofer. I feel you lose midrange and the overall sound is flat. They are comparable to the cheapest 2.1 systems that are optional with most new computer systems and cost half the price."

 

 

Personal Opinion

The Logitech Z-4 has won many professional accolades, and for good reason. The pressure-driven technology ensures crystal-clear sound with very little, if any, distortion even when cranked up to ridiculously high volumes. I know I’m a sucker for convenient additions, and the wired remote that allows you to control the volume, subwoofer and power, while providing a headphone output and auxiliary input is just a heart-melter for me. It doesn’t hurt that they look really sleek too, and each component is fairly small, especially when compared to other 2.1 systems.

As has been mentioned many times by the reviews, these are great for both music and games (as well as movies), providing a balanced, accurate sound with a sense of 3D-awareness that’s beneficial in many video games. Common complaints are in the mid-range frequencies, and in some cases how far the bass extends, although I personally think they’re fine. An interesting complaint to the design is in its external branding – the Logitech logo is fairly prevalent in the components, appearing multiple times in each. Of course, this is just nitpicking and 99% of its users won’t even be bothered by this at all.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$57.56
mwave.com	$82.66
TheNerds.net	$73.99
TigerDirect	$69.99
OnSale	$66.99
eBay	See Below

 

Summary: Sleek, stylish and cheap 2.1 speakers that offer great sound.

 

Disclaimer: Every user has a different setup and different expectations. Take their comments with a grain of salt and note that what they experience with the speakers do not apply to everyone.

 

Official Overview and Specifications

 

Professional Reviews (click the links for more information)

Site	Score
PC PRO	4/6
About.com	2.5/5

  

Average User Reviews (click the links for more information)

Site	Score	Reviews
Wize	4.5/5	13
Amazon.com	4/5	40
TestFreaks.com	8.4/10	57
NewEgg.com	4/5	6
Epinions.com	4.5/5	14

 

 

Good

"The Creative i-Trigue 3330 has no shortage of bass, and its futuristic design livens up the desk while just stopping short of looking tacky... Bass was full-bodied and there was plenty of detail and presence at high frequencies, although the bright tone sometimes sounded aggressive. "

"Attractive design, small speakers easily fit on crammed desk, amazing sound. I shopped and shopped for a good computer speaker system, I went to half a dozen different stores and listened to each speaker set and these were the best sounding of them all.  "

"I play music on these and games and puts out exceptionally realistic sound quality.would highly recommend this system to anyone looking to spend a reasonable price for excellent 2.1 sound system. "

"I am something of an audiophile… They handle all types of music very well, and movies and games sound great on them. Each stand speaker has three small 8 watt drivers in it, and they do a very good job of reproducing tones, as they are all made with a thin stiff, stamped titanium disc. Titanium is a very good material for speaker cones as it’s very inflexible and neutral. "

"This system is rich… nice highs and decent mids, and the bass is just fine at the lower reaches of the dial."

 

 

Bad

"… the interference from my cell phone is just ridiculous… Every 5-10 minutes I get this deafening hiss that lasts for 5-20 seconds as my phone gets a text message or checks email. (If it weren’t for that, these would be perfect speakers. )"

"These are great computer speakers, but if you are looking to use them for a party or to fill a large room, the volume may come up a little short."

"While the system does offer sharp, quality sound for an affordable price, it is not a loud sound. These speakers would probably not be adequate for a large room or a large group of people — particularly for entertainment purposes, such as watching a movie. However, if just purchased for personal computer use, the I-Trigue’s are more than satisfactory."

"Close scrutiny revealed a rather bumpy response from the subwoofer, which made low frequencies a little unwieldy, but overall sound quality was among the best of the 2.1 sets."

"There is only one small problem. The volume sometimes goes up and down by itself sometimes. I think it’s due to the wired remote control. It gets annoying sometimes."

 

 

Personal Opinion

Don’t be discouraged by the mediocre scores in the professional reviews listed above. As you can see from the "Bad Reviews" section, their primary complaints come from an inadequate overall volume, which shouldn’t be a problem if you’re not using it for an entire room of people. Interestingly enough, there are several user reviews claiming just the opposite – that they have a HUGE sound. As mentioned in the disclaimer, the conditions that people use their speakers are different; maybe their settings on the computer were different of they just have a different threshold for volume. My experience is that they aren’t as soft as the negative reviews make them out to be.

Either way, the professional reviews are often comparing them against serious audiophile-quality products; as you can see from the user reviews they are very well-received, with a self-proclaimed audiophile and his similar roommate vouching for the quality of these speakers. They look amazing on the desk, with an unorthodox futuristic design, have a convenient external wired volume control dial and perform well in all areas of the frequency spectrum. As far as 2.1 speakers in this price range, these are at the top in terms of quality. Some people have commented that they purchased these speakers when they were more expensive, between $80-$120, but these days it goes for a lot less on sites like Amazon.com.

According to the official overview, these speakers are marketed to have "NeoTitanium Tri-Array™ Technology". To be honest, I have no idea what this means, but apparently it’s supposed to perform better than traditional aluminium designs. I’m no expert, but I think they sound really good, and apparently many other people think so too. At this price, there aren’t many 2.1 speakers with such fidelity.

 

 

Buy Now (click vendor to purchase)

Vendor	Price
Amazon.com	$51.68
mwave.com	$72.32
OnSale	$73.99
eBay	See Below