Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer Review. If you love music, youll love the Logitech Z-2300, a 2.1 speaker system that combines everything you need in a sound system THX -certified performance and quality, beautiful looks, and more than enough power to fill your room with great sound....
"If you want the skinny on these speakers read this." 2006-04-26
By O. Johnson (Northern VA)
First, I will have to say that I am a music engineer/producer, so when it comes to music, I know what I'm talking about. Secondly, I just bought this product and, no I don't work for Logitech, or anyone else who`s related to the company, or their distributors.
Setting up:
For those who are curious a bit about the speaker set up, it is very easy. The subwoofer acts as the "motherboard", so to speak. Everything hooks into it, from the back. The subwoofer is the power supply source (there's no adapter, just a standard plug, so this will save room on a power strip), and the wired remote plugs into the sub, and the computer. The satellites plug into the sub as well. If you wish to plug the speakers up something else (a videogame console, a DVD player, VCR, etc.) a RCA splitter cord is provided to hook it up. When plugging this thing up, do NOT plug it up to the electrical socket first and then connect the components. Plug it into the wall last. Additionally, there is a on/off feature on the wired remote, as well as a switch on the back of the sub. The ON LED light on the wired remote is a pretty blue color.
When you set up the speakers, you should note that the satellites are very directional sensitive. That is, adjusting the angle of the speakers will have a great deal to do with the how the sound is directed towards your head, and thus the overall quality. Take the time to adjust this to the best sounding position. These speakers are decently compact. My computer is sitting on a tiny IKEA computer desk, along with other studio gear, including two rack-mounted processors. I have plenty of room for these speakers. Do NOT sit these speakers next to your head. It's a good idea to have them farther away from you than your monitor is sitting, if possible. As for the subwoofer, do the smart thing and put it on the floor. It doesn't need to be elevated no more than a foot off the ground, if that much. Also give the sub room to breathe, and for the love of common sense, don't block the side air hole, and don't direct the woofer at your computer tower.
The Sound:
Like I said before, I am a music producer, additionally I am a classically trained musician with 20 years experience (I'm 28). So I know what I'm talking about. Also I should note that I am using a fairly new desktop computer, an Emachines, which is about a year old. I also have a nice Sony 5.1 stereo system. These speakers kick my Sony's tail, all around. The only way it could be better is if it was a perfect surround sound system, and that would be a pain to deal with, unless you have the room and money for it.
Some people have said the mids on these speakers are weak. I'm not hearing it at all. What I have noticed is that the upper highs are very strong. If you are having this problem here's simple solution. I'm using Windows Media Player 9.0. On the "rock" EQ setting just move the 16kHz level down a wee bit. If you're using another kind of media player, just turn down the EQ between 12-20kHz down by 5-10%. If you're hearing hiss out of the speakers then you might have them too close to your head to begin with (I can only hear it when I lean over next to it, and if the volume is past 60%). Otherwise, you might have a shielding problem.
These speakers are quite loud. Be careful not to damage your hearing with these. I really see no point in turning the master volume past 40% and the sub past 25%.
Also keep in mind that these speakers are quality. Don't play hip hop on a classical EQ setting. You should get used to switching your EQ setting (which is easy enough on Windows Media Player) for the appropriate thing you are listening to. If you're listening to talk radio, set it to "speech", and turn the woofer down to zero.
The only draw back on this speaker system is that you can't turn the woofer down to perfect zero, meaning that you can't bypass it. That would be a good bonus. But turning down the EQ in the 20Hz to 50 Hz range should do the trick if you want to by pass it.
For this price, these speakers are a steal. The quality of these things in my opinion are triple the price, if not more.
The z2300 as well deserving of 5 stars. If you want killer sound on your computer without spending a few thousand bucks, this is the way to go. I bought these for my home studio to mix the record I'm working on, and I'm so glad I did it. It far beats spending $400 on a single studio monitor.
If anyone wants so advice or semi-technical assistance as far as these speakers are concerned, I'd be more than glad to offer some advice if you wish, just email me at GSFU (at) aol (dot) com.
"Superb speakers!" 2005-01-07
By Jakester
My judgement may be a little skewed as I haven't upgraded my speakers for about 10 years. I originally bought these for my wife as she's just getting into mp3 music and her old speakers just didn't cut it. She didn't like the Logitechs because the subwoofer was too big and there was not a convenient place to put it. So I gave her my 10 year old speakers and took the Logitechs. Boy did I come out ahead on that deal. I couldn't believe how rich the sound was coming from these speakers, especially the subwoofer. Clear effects, vibrating base, and pure highs and mid-levels. The stand alone controller is a very nice touch, especially since you can plug your headphones into it, a major advance over having to plug them directly into the sound card. If you buy these speakers, you WILL NOT be sorry.
"Outstanding speakers for a great price" 2004-10-16
By androo (Thousand Oaks, CA)
The logitech z-2300's are incredible speakers. With 200 watts total rms, they overpower all speakers in and above this price range. The 120 watt subwoofer is amazing, with thunderous and crisp bass. When the bass is turned all the way up and volume halfway, my entire desk vibrates, as well as the window blinds.
The two satellite speakers provide excellent quality sound. The only other speakers I can compare them too are the pair of harmon/kardons that came with my dell. Each speaker is 40 watts, again, more than any other set of speakers in this price range.
Logitech's z-2200, the 2300's predecessor, has received nothing but positive comments for its sheer power and clarity. Check cnet.com reviews and you will see that these are the best speakers available for 100 bucks.
These speakers come with a volume/bass control unit and a stereo adapter if you want to hook them up to a dvd player.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Outstanding sound
- Easy to adjust volume and bass level
Cons:
- Don't look at nice as say the JBL sound sticks
"Logitech Z-2300 vs Klipsch ProMeida 2.1" 2007-03-30
By Li (ROCKVILLE, Moldova, Republic of)
Logitech Z-2300 and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 are the best 2.1 systems for computers out there. I recently tested the two side by side and found Logitech has a small edge overall with the dynamic lows as its winning point. Z-2300 also beats ProMedia in design with only one wire coming to each satellite (its competitor having three or four to the control console attached to one satellite.) This being said, ProMedia also has its distinctiveness over its Logitech counterpart.
CNET, my favorite review site, gives Z-2300 a wowing 9 star while throwing ProMedia a meager 7.9. I dispute this and believe a difference of 0.5 star might be more appropriate. Compared to Logitech, Klipsch is slightly better in mids and highs. ProMedia sounds a little bit more "open" and crispy. In design, the ProMeida is wall-mountable though with the optional brackets and its aesthetic limitations (see my review on Klipsch ProMedia 2.1). Both systems looks a little cheesy, but the ProMedia looks a little bit more "pro" with its "component black" color than its counterpart which unfortunately uses a silver tone over-emphasizing its plastic nature and bulkiness of the subwoofer.
In conclusion, both speakers are very good (if not too good) for MP3s and choosing which one to buy is more of personal tastes than substance in sound quality. Since Logitech is 20 or some dollars cheaper, my decision may slightly leans towards Logitech...
"Believe me when i say...THESE SPEAKERS ROCK!" 2005-04-22
By The African (NC)
Ok, first off i've had these for just one day...got them from amazon today (in 5 days with free shipping...great packaging and great delivery) and they are incredible. I am really picky when it comes to good sound, and i looked around for about 2 months before i findally decided these were the ones to get. The design is so sleek and the THX certification really makes a difference. So here i've got something to say about each part of the system, cuz i know that a lot of you out there want a detailed user review.
Sub Woofer- Oh my gosh...this sub rocks. I mean all you bass
lovers out there will be smiling the second you
turn it on. And for all of you who don't like bass
to drown out the music the subwoofer control on the
wired remote does a great job of controlling the
level of the bass, so don't worry about getting a
system like this cuz the bass accompanies the sound
from the satellites very well. The bass is punchy
very responsive and can handle anything you can
throw at it...seriously...trust me i tested it out.
I played NFS Underground 2 with this system and i
can literally feel the engine roaring and the woosh
of cars as they fly by...you will fall in love with
this sub.
Sattelites- I have two words for these speakers...sleek and
strong. The sound is so clear even at high volumes
and not harsh at all...i've tried every type of
music on them from rap to classical to techno to
rock, and they blow every other 2.1 system away!
There are two cloth dust covers which can cover the
sattelites if you wish and they make it look even
better...if that's possible. These speakers are high
quality.
Wired remote- This thing is soooo cool. The volume knob slides
so smoothly and is so accurate. So is the bass
control it's so nice having the bass level
control right at your finger tips.
The Setup- It's so easy it's not even worth talking about. All
you have to do is plug in the sattelites into the
obviously color coded plugs and hook up the
remote to your sub and computer (or game console or
tv...that's right they send you an adapter for
rca audio setups). Plug it in and your done.
I bought these speakers with out ever having heard them b4 and then i went to a circuit city and got to hear them on display b4 mine arrived and i was so glad i bought them. I compared it to the sound of a $250 dollar system from BOSE there as well, and they blew it way with bass and clarity. Logitech is pure quality this is an awesome deal people. If you don't believe how good they could sound, go hear them for your self at some store...but trust me you won't regret buying them right now either...cuz you'll decide to later ne way...lol. But seriously they are the best deal you will get...don't think a system for that price can shake the floorboards? Trust me it thumps!
By O. Johnson (Northern VA)
First, I will have to say that I am a music engineer/producer, so when it comes to music, I know what I'm talking about. Secondly, I just bought this product and, no I don't work for Logitech, or anyone else who`s related to the company, or their distributors.
Setting up:
For those who are curious a bit about the speaker set up, it is very easy. The subwoofer acts as the "motherboard", so to speak. Everything hooks into it, from the back. The subwoofer is the power supply source (there's no adapter, just a standard plug, so this will save room on a power strip), and the wired remote plugs into the sub, and the computer. The satellites plug into the sub as well. If you wish to plug the speakers up something else (a videogame console, a DVD player, VCR, etc.) a RCA splitter cord is provided to hook it up. When plugging this thing up, do NOT plug it up to the electrical socket first and then connect the components. Plug it into the wall last. Additionally, there is a on/off feature on the wired remote, as well as a switch on the back of the sub. The ON LED light on the wired remote is a pretty blue color.
When you set up the speakers, you should note that the satellites are very directional sensitive. That is, adjusting the angle of the speakers will have a great deal to do with the how the sound is directed towards your head, and thus the overall quality. Take the time to adjust this to the best sounding position. These speakers are decently compact. My computer is sitting on a tiny IKEA computer desk, along with other studio gear, including two rack-mounted processors. I have plenty of room for these speakers. Do NOT sit these speakers next to your head. It's a good idea to have them farther away from you than your monitor is sitting, if possible. As for the subwoofer, do the smart thing and put it on the floor. It doesn't need to be elevated no more than a foot off the ground, if that much. Also give the sub room to breathe, and for the love of common sense, don't block the side air hole, and don't direct the woofer at your computer tower.
The Sound:
Like I said before, I am a music producer, additionally I am a classically trained musician with 20 years experience (I'm 28). So I know what I'm talking about. Also I should note that I am using a fairly new desktop computer, an Emachines, which is about a year old. I also have a nice Sony 5.1 stereo system. These speakers kick my Sony's tail, all around. The only way it could be better is if it was a perfect surround sound system, and that would be a pain to deal with, unless you have the room and money for it.
Some people have said the mids on these speakers are weak. I'm not hearing it at all. What I have noticed is that the upper highs are very strong. If you are having this problem here's simple solution. I'm using Windows Media Player 9.0. On the "rock" EQ setting just move the 16kHz level down a wee bit. If you're using another kind of media player, just turn down the EQ between 12-20kHz down by 5-10%. If you're hearing hiss out of the speakers then you might have them too close to your head to begin with (I can only hear it when I lean over next to it, and if the volume is past 60%). Otherwise, you might have a shielding problem.
These speakers are quite loud. Be careful not to damage your hearing with these. I really see no point in turning the master volume past 40% and the sub past 25%.
Also keep in mind that these speakers are quality. Don't play hip hop on a classical EQ setting. You should get used to switching your EQ setting (which is easy enough on Windows Media Player) for the appropriate thing you are listening to. If you're listening to talk radio, set it to "speech", and turn the woofer down to zero.
The only draw back on this speaker system is that you can't turn the woofer down to perfect zero, meaning that you can't bypass it. That would be a good bonus. But turning down the EQ in the 20Hz to 50 Hz range should do the trick if you want to by pass it.
For this price, these speakers are a steal. The quality of these things in my opinion are triple the price, if not more.
The z2300 as well deserving of 5 stars. If you want killer sound on your computer without spending a few thousand bucks, this is the way to go. I bought these for my home studio to mix the record I'm working on, and I'm so glad I did it. It far beats spending $400 on a single studio monitor.
If anyone wants so advice or semi-technical assistance as far as these speakers are concerned, I'd be more than glad to offer some advice if you wish, just email me at GSFU (at) aol (dot) com.
By Jakester
My judgement may be a little skewed as I haven't upgraded my speakers for about 10 years. I originally bought these for my wife as she's just getting into mp3 music and her old speakers just didn't cut it. She didn't like the Logitechs because the subwoofer was too big and there was not a convenient place to put it. So I gave her my 10 year old speakers and took the Logitechs. Boy did I come out ahead on that deal. I couldn't believe how rich the sound was coming from these speakers, especially the subwoofer. Clear effects, vibrating base, and pure highs and mid-levels. The stand alone controller is a very nice touch, especially since you can plug your headphones into it, a major advance over having to plug them directly into the sound card. If you buy these speakers, you WILL NOT be sorry.
By androo (Thousand Oaks, CA)
The logitech z-2300's are incredible speakers. With 200 watts total rms, they overpower all speakers in and above this price range. The 120 watt subwoofer is amazing, with thunderous and crisp bass. When the bass is turned all the way up and volume halfway, my entire desk vibrates, as well as the window blinds.
The two satellite speakers provide excellent quality sound. The only other speakers I can compare them too are the pair of harmon/kardons that came with my dell. Each speaker is 40 watts, again, more than any other set of speakers in this price range.
Logitech's z-2200, the 2300's predecessor, has received nothing but positive comments for its sheer power and clarity. Check cnet.com reviews and you will see that these are the best speakers available for 100 bucks.
These speakers come with a volume/bass control unit and a stereo adapter if you want to hook them up to a dvd player.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Outstanding sound
- Easy to adjust volume and bass level
Cons:
- Don't look at nice as say the JBL sound sticks
By Li (ROCKVILLE, Moldova, Republic of)
Logitech Z-2300 and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 are the best 2.1 systems for computers out there. I recently tested the two side by side and found Logitech has a small edge overall with the dynamic lows as its winning point. Z-2300 also beats ProMedia in design with only one wire coming to each satellite (its competitor having three or four to the control console attached to one satellite.) This being said, ProMedia also has its distinctiveness over its Logitech counterpart.
CNET, my favorite review site, gives Z-2300 a wowing 9 star while throwing ProMedia a meager 7.9. I dispute this and believe a difference of 0.5 star might be more appropriate. Compared to Logitech, Klipsch is slightly better in mids and highs. ProMedia sounds a little bit more "open" and crispy. In design, the ProMeida is wall-mountable though with the optional brackets and its aesthetic limitations (see my review on Klipsch ProMedia 2.1). Both systems looks a little cheesy, but the ProMedia looks a little bit more "pro" with its "component black" color than its counterpart which unfortunately uses a silver tone over-emphasizing its plastic nature and bulkiness of the subwoofer.
In conclusion, both speakers are very good (if not too good) for MP3s and choosing which one to buy is more of personal tastes than substance in sound quality. Since Logitech is 20 or some dollars cheaper, my decision may slightly leans towards Logitech...
By The African (NC)
Ok, first off i've had these for just one day...got them from amazon today (in 5 days with free shipping...great packaging and great delivery) and they are incredible. I am really picky when it comes to good sound, and i looked around for about 2 months before i findally decided these were the ones to get. The design is so sleek and the THX certification really makes a difference. So here i've got something to say about each part of the system, cuz i know that a lot of you out there want a detailed user review.
Sub Woofer- Oh my gosh...this sub rocks. I mean all you bass
lovers out there will be smiling the second you
turn it on. And for all of you who don't like bass
to drown out the music the subwoofer control on the
wired remote does a great job of controlling the
level of the bass, so don't worry about getting a
system like this cuz the bass accompanies the sound
from the satellites very well. The bass is punchy
very responsive and can handle anything you can
throw at it...seriously...trust me i tested it out.
I played NFS Underground 2 with this system and i
can literally feel the engine roaring and the woosh
of cars as they fly by...you will fall in love with
this sub.
Sattelites- I have two words for these speakers...sleek and
strong. The sound is so clear even at high volumes
and not harsh at all...i've tried every type of
music on them from rap to classical to techno to
rock, and they blow every other 2.1 system away!
There are two cloth dust covers which can cover the
sattelites if you wish and they make it look even
better...if that's possible. These speakers are high
quality.
Wired remote- This thing is soooo cool. The volume knob slides
so smoothly and is so accurate. So is the bass
control it's so nice having the bass level
control right at your finger tips.
The Setup- It's so easy it's not even worth talking about. All
you have to do is plug in the sattelites into the
obviously color coded plugs and hook up the
remote to your sub and computer (or game console or
tv...that's right they send you an adapter for
rca audio setups). Plug it in and your done.
I bought these speakers with out ever having heard them b4 and then i went to a circuit city and got to hear them on display b4 mine arrived and i was so glad i bought them. I compared it to the sound of a $250 dollar system from BOSE there as well, and they blew it way with bass and clarity. Logitech is pure quality this is an awesome deal people. If you don't believe how good they could sound, go hear them for your self at some store...but trust me you won't regret buying them right now either...cuz you'll decide to later ne way...lol. But seriously they are the best deal you will get...don't think a system for that price can shake the floorboards? Trust me it thumps!
