Question about the Logitech z2300's and other speakers in general...

Hey,

Look, I am DEFINETLY not a speaker maven, and have never bought before, so please don't ridicule me for these questions .

Ok, first, I have seen the many great reviews for the Logitech z2300's, but I see that this comes with the two standard speakers that I am used to seeing, but then I see this huge box speaker along with it. I would like to know what it is, although I think it is a sub woofer. Also, I want to know if people bring it from place to place, or if it has no mobility at all, and the other two basic speakers will function on their own.

My second question is that I was reading a review on amazon and the reviewer said that these speakers had "bad mid-range sound". I was wondering if someone could tell me what that is and if they think it is true.

Thank you so much for the help.

 

Yes that is a subwoofer.

They are not that portable. You cannot use the small ones alone (called satellites). The subwoofer connects to your computer and the electricity, and the satellites connect to the subwoofer.

I have the Z3, they are almost the same size as the Z2300 and probably weigh the same (the Z3 is the older brother of the Z2300 ). They are certainly not movable, they're more like bricks ... metal stands, I was impressed when they arrived (2 years ago)

 

oh ya, about the mid-range. When you get into the details of the sound produced, it is divided into 3 ranges of frequencies: lower, mid, and high. The lower range is the bass, which the subwoofer takes care of; the mid & high, in this case is handled by the satellites. When one of the ranges isn't so great, that means that the power output (in watts) for that range isn't high compared to the other ranges, ie that sounds in the mid range frequency will be a bit lower in volume than the other ranges.

The mid range is where a lot of speakers fail because they have only one driver to cover higher and mid ranges (the satellites). High end professional speakers will have multiple drivers to cover the mid and high ranges. BUT professional speakers are much MUCH more expensive.

But for the average listener, who is not too much of a nitpicker , those speakers are pretty good.

 

Thanks for the help qwester,

I have another question to add to my post however.

I would like to know if there are any good quality speakers without the subwoofer, because I don't know if I have much space for the woofer. Also, I'd like to know if the woofers are really great and are not worth the sacrafise. Some speaker reccomendations would be great too (I have already been reccommended to the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's, the Logitech z3e's, z3's and z2300's, but you can still suggest them and if you could tell me why, that would be great)

Thanks again for your help notebookreview.com!

 

Pop
You can certainly get speakers which don't have a woofer, but they won't sound nearly as good.

To get good lows, you really need a large speaker, and it needs substantial space for air...the good news is, you can place the woofer under your desk, in a corner, it doesn't matter all that much where in the room the woofer is located. Most people simply place it under the desk.

The satellites. on the other hand, need to be placed pretty much in front of you, as the sound is directional... it will sound MUCH better when listened directly in front of you.

These are, from what I hear, GREAT speakers! If you can find somewhere in your room to place the woofer, and springing slightly less then 100 clams won't break you, go for these speakers.. you won't be sorry!

 

actually, the z2300s are on sale for 79.99 at buy.com. i have a post about it somewhere with the link but you can just search for it on the site.

The z2300s crank. Yes they will be, as some like to put it "lacking in mid range" which is a somewhat subjective statement. Physically and technically, as qwester said, you need a smaller speaker to produce high range, medium sized for mids, and a larger one for bass. But since you aren't a self proclaimed audiophile, and since logitech has very good engineers who design the speakers to sound as good as they possibly can, you don't have much to worry about. Theoretically, the z2300s have a mid-range cone on each satallite, and a small metal cap which acts as somewhat of a tweeter (high range) in the center of each cone. Either way, these sound good.

the subwoofer on the z2300s, is however very large. it's 8" and then some because it is in it's own enclosure. if size is an issue, the logitech x230s are another great option. they are smaller, and have less power, but are still adequate to fill a dorm room, and they sound great. they're also around 40, so theyre significantly more affordable.

 

Thanks for the advice shel and kidA.

I can see that the z2300's are great, so maybe I still will buy them, but I am still going to check the x230's, and I've already looked and the z20's.

Thanks Again!

 

yeah if you don't need the extra power for blasting through the entire dorm floor with your Wham! wake me up before you go go alarm like i do. then i'd say get the x230s. for a dorm room, and if your sub space is limited or impractical, go with the 230s.

 

Hey Pop
In case you're still unsure, here's a quote from The Moditory's review of the Z-2300's.....

Through music, DVDs, and tons of gaming, the speakers not only held their own but put other 2.1 competition to shame. It would seem that Logitech came with the intent to dominate the 2.1 speaker system market by creating a system with more power, better quality, good looks, and a low price tag. If that is the case, the Z-2300s have done just that. The Z-2300s are a superb buy, one of the best of the year. 180w of bass, 2 x 40w satellites, and a peak of 400w total power, and THX certification is an unparalleled combination.

 

What else can you get a 120wt sub to play your best music for that price? Ive been looking at these things the day I got my dorm assignment, and there the perfect size and power for what they are.

 

I have the Z-2300's - there's no way you will be able to transport them anywhere, they stay put.

As for the 'lacking mid-range', I haven't heard this from any reviews, and certainly do not see it myself. The sound quality you get from them (especially for the price) is unbelievable. And, they're loud as heck.

You can't use the speakers without the sub, but you can turn the bass all the way down. Still sound fine.

 

Ah Buy.com is ridiculous. I ordered my z2300s yesterday with 7-9 day budget shipping, thinking they'd get to my dorm box by sometime next week when i'm there. NoOoOoOo, 7-9 day shipping actually means 27 HOUR SHIPPING! yesh, the speakers are waiting for me and i don't have them here but on the brights side, they're waiting for me. Also, 1 day shipping is pretty sweet considering i saved $50 on the 7-9 day

 

So are there such things in "portable speakers"? As in the z230's? Or are they just smaller?

 

Actually I was checking speakers out in a store recently and was reccommended the Logitech x20's, which have no sub woofer, is this significantly worse? Or is it still good qualtiy

 

Dude, no need to worry about how these things are. They are amazing speakers for what there worth. If you listen to Rap(assuming since your going to UCLA ) these things will slap so bad(some slang there). A 120wt sub is a powerful thing for 80.00USD. It will be a bit heavy, but thats about it. the X230's are more portable, but have a way less weaker sub.

 

portability is such a subjective term. I've moved Mackie powered PA speakers from place to place. Now mind you these speakers have 15 inch drivers and built in electronics. 2 soup can sized speakers and a 1x2x1 box isn't going to stop you from moving it if you want to.

if you really don't need the extra power, as i've said before: save yourself the money and buy the x230s. either way, you're going to want a sub to fill in the sound unless you want to drop 100 or so for the klipsch speakers without subs or the logitech laptop speakers or the creative laptop speakers. to get even half as good sound from just 2 speakers, you'll end up paying the same if not more than the z2300s. But if you're interested, here's the link to the klipsches and logitechs
logitech
klipsch and creative

 

i think buy.com is selling the z2300s for 80 right now...i'd pay more just so you don't have to reach down to the sub woofer just to change your bass levels which you have to do with the x230s..just something to keep in mind.

 

The z2300's comes with a volume and bass knob I believe.

 

They do, correct. In addition to the volume knob & bass knob, there's a headphone jack on it.

 

Wow, thanks for all the help everyone, I will definetly keep your suggestions in mind. I think I will go to either Circuit City or Best Buy to check out these speakers in person before I buy.

Thanks Again!

 

Awesome!

Just got the Logitech Z-2300's... I put on Ice Age, to check them out.

You don't just SEE the ice breaking in the opening scene, you don't just HEAR the ice breaking... you friggin FEEL the ice breaking, while that little rodent is hanging on to his nut for dear life!!!

GREAT speakers!