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)

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

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)

¹ Recommended

² Good Value Award
 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

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)

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: 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)

* Winner of Best Budget Speaker award
 

Average User Reviews (click links for more information)

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: 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)

  * Editor’s Choice

Average User Reviews (click the links for more information)

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)

Average User Reviews (click the links for more information)

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