Logitech Z-5450 Speaker System Review

[Tom Andry]

<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/logitech-Z-5450-wireless-THXp1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 111px; HEIGHT: 100px" alt=[z5450_stacked] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/z5450_stacked_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>It seems that I spend more time in front of my computer these days than I do in my home theater. As a result, I listen to music, play games, and watch video at my desk almost every day. The idea of a true 5.1 channel surround system has never appealed to me mainly because of the logistics involved with the rear speakers. In both my office and my home computer setups, there is no good way to conceal speaker wires running to the rear surrounds. With the introduction of the Z-5450 Digital multimedia speaker system, Logitech has solved this problem. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>[Read the Review]</FONT></P>

 

[Sheep]

Great review!

This system scored higher then the 5500... is it because of wireless surrounds?
Also, when you click the link for page three it shows a blank page consisting of "Logitech surround system blah blah" and nothing else.

SheepStar

 

[birdonthebeach]

Glad you enjoyed the review. Actually, the system scored almost identical to the Z-5500, if you look at all of the ratings on each. (of course, since you are having issues seeing page 3, you are not able to see the ratings!)

Sorry you are having trouble with page 3 - it is rendering fine on my machine in Firefox & Safari.

jwc

 

[Sheep]

It works if I hit the next button, but not when I click the nmber 3.

At any rate,

Have you heard the 5500s? The 5450s use a 6.5inch bandpass subwoofer, while the 5500s have a 10inch, bass reflex subwoofer. If you have heard them both, can you give a compare and contrast?

SheepStar

 

[birdonthebeach]

I have not heard the 5500 system. I wish I could compare it for you. My guess is that it is a bit more powerful, due to the things you point out. Reading Clint's review, I feel that the systems are pretty close. The wireless rears might be the deciding factor for many people.

I will report your problem with page 3 to the editor. I cannot duplicate the problem on my machine.

Thanks!

jwc

 

[Sheep]

I have not heard the 5500 system. I wish I could compare it for you. My guess is that it is a bit more powerful, due to the things you point out. Reading Clint's review, I feel that the systems are pretty close. The wireless rears might be the deciding factor for many people.

I will report your problem with page 3 to the editor. I cannot duplicate the problem on my machine.

Thanks!

jwc

Nvm, it works now...... stupid computers.

SheepStar

 

[birdonthebeach]

Glad you figured it!

jwc

 

[Audioholics]

Hey, I shut off my Cable/Internet today... but fortunately I am able to "borrow" some access from my neighbor's wireless router...

The trouble is, the only place it works is in the rightmost Berkline seat... I know, life is tough... I think the signal gets stronger if I recline...

Anyway, nice review, J - the thing about having different reviewers is that scoring will almost never quite mesh between different people. This is just a fact of the subjective score card and something that will always be with us. It doesn't bother me, but I understand that can be confusing.

That's why we always encourage people to give a listen for themselves (when possible) and realize that we do our best to be fair, but ultimately you'll have some deviations between differing reviewers no matter what.

Look forward to more reviews from J as we've just brought him on board and his first review (with us) was fantastic.

 

[Sheep]

I've heard nearly every logitech computer speaker system (X-230, X-530, Z-3, Z-4, Z2200, Z2300, Z5300, Z680, Z5500... am I mising any? ).

That said, would this system sound closer to the 5300s rather then the 5500s considering almost everything is the same?

SheepStar

 

[HTHOLIC]

Suggest Reviews(BEERS) for Audioholics

It is well known that the Gigaworks s750 from Creative is the top gaming computer speaker system, meaning everything is all in for hooked up for the computer

It would be great if Audioholics reviewed that system , but in an interview with Creative and their new x-fi card(the elite pro is perfect for htpc) another speaker was mentioned.

It was the EMU precision monitor 5(PM5) with its Flat frequency response, audioholics should review it

The x-fi elite pro has many high quality dacs(4 of them) in addition to burr brown and regular cirrus logics as the audigy 2 and other x-fi's have on its external back panel. In addition to multiple midi opitcal and lots of coxalis outs and in.

Thoughts recommended.

 

[Sheep]

The problem with the Creative system is that is doesn't come with a digital decoder. Making it a computer speaker system, not a HTIB.

SheepStar

 

[MUCHO]

I've heard the main three (most popular) computer speaker set ups.

The Klipsch Promedia 5.1

The Logitech Z5500

The Creative Gigaworks 5.1

I kept the Gigaworks, ultimately selling the other two.

I didn't read the review but I'm sure he pointed out - the beauty of the Logitech system is the built in digital decoder. I used my Z5500 as a HTIB setup for about a year and it worked great.

I preferred the Klipsch by a hair and the Gigaworks by a lot to the Logitech when hooked up to my computer and Audigy 2 card. By comparison, to me, the Logitech sounded muddy and less detailed across a variety of music.

In my opinion, the Logitech sound much better hooked up to a digital source and of course the Klipsch and Creative can't do any digital decoding. Depends on your needs...

 

[birdonthebeach]

Mucho, you are correct, I did point out the luxury of the digital decoder in the reviewed system. And it sounded great when listening to DTS or DD music. But when listening to stereo music - ipod or iTunes for example, the sound was not as good. I was always riding the sub level to find a sweet spot.

Overall, it is a great system for digital surround.