Customer Reviews

Logitech Z-4 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer (Black)

5 star:		(92)
4 star:		(47)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I cannot possibly imagine what the other reviewers expected. These are $70 computer speakers, not a multi-thousand dollar audiophile surround sound speaker system. For what these are, they deliver truly impressive sound - smooth, room vibrating, bass, crisp highs, and a midrange nearly perfect for computer games. If you prefer music, the midrange can be improved with only minor adjustments in a graphics equalizer - available in Windows Media Player (under "Enhancements" of the "View" menu) and any other decent media player. 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).

Don't overdo the bass. If you're using an equalizer, leave the bass control centered on the remote (use this control to tweak individual songs) and adjust the bass up a very tiny amount with the equalizer. Many move equalizer sliders much too far, resulting in grossly inaccurate sound. Anyway, the bass should balance with the remaining sound, not overwhelm it (or steal power away from the mid-range, resulting in, surprise, muffled sound). In most listening environments, to add punch to the bass, the middle bass should be equal to the very lowest bass setting. If the bass is set correctly, the mid-range usually requires no adjustment. However, many listening environments also benefit from a tiny amount of additional treble (again, not too much - balance). All that should get you in the ballpark. From there, you can adjust for your preference, environment, computer's sound card, and connection (speaker or laptop headphone outputs). None of this should require anything more than gentle tweaking, not huge adjustments.

Are these speakers perfect? Of course not. I have over two thousand dollars invested in the speakers for my home entertainment system, with two 250-watt amplifiers driving those speakers. Now that is a system I expect near perfect sound from (but even it is tweaked with an equalizer). These $70 computer speakers, on the other hand, sound just fine for $70 computer speakers. Indeed, they sound better than anything else tried in this price range. My local store has speakers hooked up to allow for comparison testing. Nothing in this price range sounded better than the Logitech Z4. In fact, the only speakers with better sound were one costing about $160 and another costing just over $250. Obviously, neither of those sounded as good as the multi-thousand dollar surround system either.

One reviewer mentioned (in the subject line) that the speaker is not that loud. Again, I can't possibly imagine what was expected. These speakers are so loud, one would have to scream in the loudest voice to be heard anywhere in the vicinity of these speakers. These speakers are obviously not disco speakers, but, again, are very fine computer speakers.

The Logitech Z4 speakers are very easy to hook up. The only connection to the computer is the audio output - the speaker output of a desktop or earphone/speaker output of a laptop. Everything else plugs into the back of the sub-woofer (floor placement under a desk recommended). The satellite speakers sit on either side of the computer display, with the wired remote control located for convenience. The only controls, overall volume and bass volume, are on the remote. The entire system is powered directly by a wall outlet (no adapters). There does not appear to be a multi-voltage version available for international use.

The sub-woofer housing is made of particle-board wood (painted black with plastic silver trim) with a black metal screen on the front. The satellite speakers (black with silver speakers, trim, and base) are plastic balanced on a sturdy metal base. There is no cover over the satellite speakers. There is a single blue light on the power button (no flashing light gimmicks here). Finally, there is a headphone jack and audio-in jack (for MP3 players or whatever) on the front of the remote control.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with these speakers. Clearly some have different sound preferences, but I suspect most will enjoy these speakers as much as I do.

As an nearly exclusive classical music listener, and a poor grad student, these speakers happily meet my expectations.

-My brother has a z3 setup which has held up for at least three years very well (and also has similar sound characteristics, and so I admit I had a bit of a sympathy to Logitec.

- Got mine at Target for $69 dollars, a price range (I've found) with few models being offered, and even fewer quality models.

-Beforehand, I spent about, oh, two months off and on going to various electronic and uber stores and tried quite a bit out, and read a number of comparisons on teh intertubes.

- Given the kind of music I prefer, vis. baroque, classical, and polyphonic, I found these speakers had better clarity and crispness
(which is crucial for these genres of music) then the similar price-range competitors:
- JBL's Creature 2.1 setup was indisputably worse
- Bose's Media Mate & Companion 2 (nice sounding, but quiet and somewhat pricey; Companion 3 were not much better and comparatively in the $$$ stratosphere)
- Superior to ALL crappy Altec Lansing and Creative's 2.1s (don't even look)
- Harmon Kardon's sound sticks were nearly qualitatively equivalent in sound (though different in character) but nearly 60 bucks more.
- Klipsch Promedia 2.1 are excellent and better, but I suppose in a different category (though Best Buy lines them up with the rest- nice sales tactic).
- Logi's THX z-2300 are suppose to be very nice but I couldn't find them in a store to listen to them (a necessary criteria for me)

- Bass response is BALANCED. If all day you are watching The Matrix and listening to Moby or 50 Cent these are not the speakers for you. Otherwise play with your EQ and you will be fine.

- The wired remote is simple, well designed, and sensible.

- I do agree the badging is excessive.

- The speaker faces are glossy plastic which some have complained about, but are you really going to be touching your speakers all that much?!

Overall a good buy...I recommend.

I bought the Logitech z-4i system (identical to the z-4, just white in color) to sadly replace my older Logitech z560 system -- the left front channel had died on the amplifier after four years of constant use, and I also needed something a bit less room-shaking for my apartment (in lieu of my neighbors maintaining a healthy desire to rip my head off.) In summary, while I'm not disappointed, I don't feel that the current price tag for this system is merited.

The good:

- Design. Everything about the z-4 setup is smooth; very modern, very attractive. Logitech could've scored more points in this field with a fully-polished subwoofer enclosure, but seeing as how subwoofers are typically hidden from view to some extent, this isn't a gripe.

- Clarity. Logitech has been fine-tuning their satellites for quite a while now, and it does show with the z-4. Music enthusiasts will benefit the most from this 2-channel setup, and as with all quality stereo systems, you'll be hearing new bits and pieces to musical scores that you may have missed in the past.

- Convenience. A control box is included with the z-4; as opposed to having audio controls on one of the speakers, a seperate box is utilized. Contains one large volume knob, one small "bass" knob (more on this later,) an ON/OFF button, a 3.5mm input jack (for your iPod, for example,) and a headphone out jack. Your computer does not need to be running to utilize the input jack, which provides a universality sure to be appreciated by those who go to the extent of using it regularly (personally, I use it in conjuction with a RCA -> 3.5mm "Y" converter to support my PlayStation2.) This feature is only as worthwhile as the sum of its parts, however; as it is virtually no more than a line-in jack which is found on almost any modern PC's sound card.

The middle:

- Quality. Except for the satellites themselves, the pieces in this package feel somewhat cheap. My first set had to be exchanged as the left satellite's metal base was warped right out of the package, and didn't balance well at all on my desk. Also, the aforementioned control box isn't weighted at all, and thanks to its cable (which weighs more than the box itself,) slides around my desk at will. Two 3.5mm jacks are housed in a plastic case and feel rather fragile, making me weary of constant use. The "bass" knob controls just that, as opposed to the subwoofer, which I would've much preferred. Turning the knob below it's 50% notch not only silences the subwoofer, but it also renders all music to sound "tinny" and no one likes tinny. At least I don't think.

The bad:

- Performance. I'm entitled to hold no punches as a regular Logitech consumer -- the deliverance of this system, in my personal opinion, doesn't deserve to bear the (countless) Logitech logo(s.) The subwoofer is fully enclosed and has virtually no throughput whatsoever, which can be a blessing or a curse. If it is your wish to "feel" your movies, video games, music, what have you, then you will more than likely be disappointed, and I'd have to recommend a more powerful set. Secondly, try as they might, the satellites do not do the best job of covering all bases. This is an argument you'll read in just about any audio-related review; Music Genre A sounds great, but Music Genre B sounds muddled and Music Genre C sounds just flat out bad. To my ears, the z-4 handles the quieter end of the genre spectrum with more finesse than that of, say, Japanese-brand speedcore (don't ask.) The highs come through exceptionally well, yet blending in too many midrange to low tones in conjuction will often result in a distortion that comes through ever-so-slightly enough to offset that "immersion" thing that people like when listening to music.

- Price tag. Not worth it. Sorry Logitech. Or maybe they are...? After all, The z-4 satellites immediately become the most attractive things on your desk the moment you set them down for the first time. Perhaps this system was designed for the fashion-savvy, and I'm hypothetically slapping myself in the face for my now unrefundable purchase. If you recall yourself being caught up in the "iPod craze" some years ago, only to get home and realize (in a sheer twist of irony) that you don't spend much time listening to music -- then you can probably relate with me on this one. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm listening to music ALL THE TIME. Literally.

Overall, while they provide a somewhat solid desktop solution to your everyday audio needs, do not be fooled into thinking that these speakers are something they are not, especially by the price. Considering how much I paid for these, I was expecting a hell of a 2.1 experience, as this package will run you more than some of Logitech's entry-level surround systems. This isn't your convenient bite-sized home theater solution... these are computer speakers, and expensive ones. It's as simple as that.

I didn't want to hear my music
Because my laptop sounded funky
So got a pair of Z4 speakers
and got a little drunky.

And oh my! What a surprise!
My music sounded sweet.
It made me want to groove and dance
and eventually. to sleep.

And when I got up in the morning,
and chose my clothes and style.
I put my music on again.
And felt on my lips a smile.

Z4 - Sound great - drunk or sober.

I'm an engineer and I used these speakers, driven by a pro-quality sound card (lots of dollars), to create simulated 'noisy' environments with various spectra in a relatively small test room (about 10' x 15') for a series of sound measurements on other equipment. Driven by the professional card, the measured output at a 'sweet spot' approximately 3'-5' away from all 3 Z-4 speakers was quite flat (this is good) in the frequency range I was concerned with, from about 30Hz to 12kHz, which would cover most casual listening situations.

I now use the Z4's with a consumer-grade sound card (say $50, don't remember for sure) just to produce background music from Pandora in my office. This is mostly baroque chamber music, so it's not super challenging particularly from a bass perspective. I do notice a slight audible weakness in the mid-range as some others have commented. I have not measured this however. Although the weakness is audible on careful listening with all controls set to 'flat', it can be compensated quite easily with equalizer software, resulting in a very pleasant overall balance. I always leave the bass setting on 'flat' also.

I think the quality of the sound card has at least as much influence on the accuracy of the speaker output up to normal listening levels as the speakers themselves, as long as the speakers do not _introduce_ distortion _mechanically_, and these do not. So for the price (I think $70 when I bought them), they are fine as computer desk-top speakers, which is what they are after all. I clicked on 4-stars when I started this review, and Amazon won't let me change that, but the more I think about what I'd have to pay to get noticeably better performance, I think I should have made it five.

Later edit: I realize after reading some other reviews that the word 'flat' in my review may be taken negatively. I won't re-write the review, but simply point out that 'flat' to an engineer (this one at least) means 'accurate', and when I refer to the controls on 'flat' I mean they are centered and I'm specifying that the speakers not introduce any artificial 'color' to the music.

I have had three of these sets now. The first set was defective right out of the box. I plugged it in and one of the speakers did not work. I was unable to get a refund so I exchanged it for another and I found that one of the speakers (for me it was the left) was significantly underpowered compared to the other so I had to modify my settings in Windows XP to where the left volume was higher than the right. Then the subwoofer went out after less than 2 days (and I only used them once for about an hour during that time) and had to go back and exchange it to get a third set. This last set I had lasted 3 months before the volume knob shorted out and the right speaker went out. Extremely disappointed in this product. It has been nothing but a problem for me and they actually sounded pretty good when they worked properly. It seems that others have faired better with their speakers but I say buy at your own risk and keep that receipt handy.

I purchased the Z-4 system for my home office and have it connected to my music server PC. I listen to music almost exclusively through a subscription to Rhapsody and a collection of CDs burned to the hard drive. As others have noted, the speakers -- unadjusted -- lack punch in the mid-range, common to PC speakers in general. However, Rhapsody's built in equalizer function allows me to boost mid-range and slacken the bass (which I would rather adjust via the wired remote anyway). If you have Rhapsody, try the "New Age" preset for a good mid-range boost. If you don't use Rhapsody, I recommend finding another equalizer tool to make the suggested mid-range adjustments.

These speakers easily fill my 14x15 foot office with sound. The high-end is crisp and clear, without the "tinny" sound that some PC speakers produce. The bass is tight and easily adjusted with the wired remote. The subwoofer won't thump your chest, but that's not a reasonable goal with PC speakers (at least not in this price range).

For $69.00 plus shipping, these speakers deserve a 5-star rating for the realistic sound they produce and for the volume level they can achieve in a moderately sized room.

I got these speakers yesterday....at the store that i bought them from they had them on display so that you can actually hear how they sound before you buy them..and i completely loved the crisp and clear sound coming from them...not to mention the low frequencies the sub throws out...after 15 minutes of testing them out in the store i decided to buy them and bring them home.

when i got home i unpacked and connected them...the installation itself is really simple and very easy to understand since everything is colour coordinated..

after the set-up was complete..i turned my computer on..when i turned the Z4's on and i put music through Windows media player i was completely blown away how much better it sounded compared to when i heard them at the store..i proceeded to tweak them using the equalizer on the player..to be completely honest i feel in love straight up..i couldn't believe that these little speakers can have so much capacity and the frequency the Sub threw out just blew me out of the water..

if you are looking for something that doesn't take much space..doesn't cost too much..and that sounds great? buy all means i recommend these speakers.

As for the bad reviews these speakers got on this site? you must be completely alone because these are award winning..and its probably not the speakers it-self it may just be your sound-card that's about to blow.

on that last note..happy shopping.

I was in need of some speakers because I recently bought a new computer, so I went out to the local Best buy. These speakers were next to the Bose speaker display which was way more expensive almost three times the price.I tested the Bose display and they sounded good but I took a chance and took these speaker instead at one third the price. I was pleasantly surprised,these speakers sounded equal if not better than the Bose speakers. I listen to a lot of dub music with a lot of heavy bass. I turned the system almost all the way up with no distortion. The sound is excellent with very good response and balance in all three registers, Highs, mids, and lows

I bought my Z-4 system to replace an older Altec 2.1 system that lacked a volume control and headphone jack. The Altec was less expensive, but its sound was significantly better.

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. To be sure, the Z-4 beats any 2.0 system I've heard, but even with a high quality sound card and graphic equalizer, I am unable to make it sound "right."

If you don't have high expectations for sound quality, you will appreciate the unit's attractive satellites, good fit and finish, easy hook-up, and convenient control module. If your primary objective is good sound, though, the Z-4 is probably not for you.