Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer
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Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer Technical Details
- Product Type - Speaker
- System Components - 2.1 Speaker System
- Response Bandwidth - 35Hz - 20kHz
- Connectivity Technology - Wired
Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer Description
 |  | Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speaker System Hear your movies, music and games for the first time. Great sound. It's all in the details. This powerful speaker system brings them out in high-clarity THX-certified sound. From the fat bass thumps in your favorite rock anthem to the creepy hallway steps in your favorite horror film, you'll hear details you never knew were there. Add to that an impressive 200 watts of RMS power and you've got everything you need to rock your entertainment world. |
Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer Key Features
 | | Genuine THX-certified audio quality Once you hear these speakers, you'll know why they're among the few that have earned the THX seal of approval. THX certification is the ultimate mark of audio quality and your assurance of a studio-quality listening experience. |
 | 200 watts of bold, powerful sound Hear and feel the music with more than enough power to rock the room. Go ahead and turn it up. The speakers are built to deliver clear, detailed, distortion-free sound—even at window-rattling volume. | |
 | | Phase-plug drivers for more accurate sound reproduction From the soaring high note in a guitar solo to the loud burst of jet engines in an action movie, Logitech Phase Plug drivers make sure you don't miss a sound. A cone-shaped aluminum Phase Plug at the center of the driver helps to accurately reproduce high- and mid-range frequencies with less coloration than standard drivers. And because the Phase Plug acts as a heat sink, the driver is better able to preserve dynamic range. So you hear the quiet of a whisper and the loud, full force of an explosion. The Phase Plug even acts as a reflector, creating a much wider sweet spot of mid to high frequencies compared to conventional speaker designs. The bottom line? The true sonic signature of your movies, music and games comes through loud and clear. |
 | | Long-throw subwoofer for rich, room-filling bass Intensify your movie, music and gaming experience with distortion-free bass that goes extra deep. The powerful 8-inch, 120 watt driver reproduces the wide range of low frequencies that deliver room-shaking rumbles and rich, tight bass notes. And with Logitech's flared side port, the port noise that can occur with subwoofers is eliminated. It's big, bold bass without the distractions. |
 | | SoundTouch™ remote for easy control You have complete control over your listening experience with this sleek wired remote. Control master volume, subwoofer level and power. There's even a headphone jack for private listening. |
 | | Audio adapter for quick device connections The system comes complete with a handy adapter that lets you easily connect the speakers directly to your game console, DVD player or CD playe |
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 | | What's In The BoxPackage Contents |
Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer
MODEL- 970118 Features- Z-2300 2.1 THX-certified Speaker System 5.1 speaker system with digital hardware decoder.200 watts RMS delivers thunderous power for incredible audio.8" long-throw subwoofer driver with flared bass port pounds out powerful distortion-free bass. Exercise complete control over your listening experience with the full-featured SoundTouch wired remote control with features that include Master Volume Subwoofer Volume Headphone jack Power/Standby. Revolutionary driver technology Polished aluminum phase plug at the center of the driver outperforms conventional 2-way designs.Includes 2 satellite speakers 1 sub-woofer Power cord Color coded audio cables SoundTouch wired remote control User's manual Video game console adapter.BUY NOW
Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer Reviews :
Review 1 :
I brought these speakers about a month ago and they were worth every penny. The subwoofer is amazing its even more powerful than than Sony's 490watt Home Theater Systems(that's saying a lot because the z2300's sub is only 120watts!) Almost everyday in the dorm we have music battles and this system with 400w peak, is not to be messed with.
At first, i thought this system was okay but not great because the sound was excellent at low levels but when turned up the bass overpowered and was too fuzzy(especially because i was using a laptop sound card.) So i brought the Creative 24 bit external sound card and i was shock at the difference the sound was. It was incredibly clear and subwoofer even more powerful but never drowning out the satellite speakers. Total price for both z2300 and Creative sound card was still under $160.
From what i found out, the z2300 is only for high quality sound cards only. If you are lacking this, stick with the speakers you have and buy a sound card instead, or buy a system not so powerful like a 2.1 60watt(these were my first and they still sound excellent with a 40w subwoofer).
Review 2 :
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!
Review 3 :
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...
Review 4 :
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
Review 5 :
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.
Review 6 :
These are very good speakers. I have seen reviews which say that the components seem cheap, which I do not agree with. The wired remote is solid and sturdy. The sound is loud and the clarity is very good. I think it's good that the speaker wires are hard-wired to the satellite speakers. I don't like dealing with the connections that usually are associated with speaker sets.
Here are the only negative things I have observed:
1. Before I received them, I wondered if there was a way to mount these to the wall (ie a standard mounting screw hole), and there is not.
2. The cables are short (6 ft built-in speaker cables and 6 ft wired remote cable). The speaker cables can be extended with use of RCA (female to female) adapters and RCA cables (neither are included). The wired remote is not extendable and must be used within 6 feet of the back of the subwoofer.
3. The satellite speakers are tilted upward and are not adjustable.
4. The midranges are not powerful on these speakers. This can be partially overcome by raising the sound levels of midrange frequencies in your equalizer.
Despite the minor negatives, I find these to be an inexpensive, high quality, and fun to use product that I recommend to users who are thinking about purchasing a set. I use them soley for my computer, which acts as my television and stereo. I don't use any other stereo device at home.
Review 7 :
My judgment 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.
Review 8 :
What is wrong with the world of computer speakers? I live in DC, so there isn't a lot of consumer electronics stores to choose from in the area, so I went to radio shack, then grafios, then I even took the train to Bethesda, MD looking for the speakers I had heard so many good things about on a cnet.com review. None of these retailers had them, but they did offer an abundance of jbl, altec lansing, and some other unfamiliar brands in the price range of $100-200, and they all SUCKED, in my opinion. The logitech system, which I paid $130 for with shipping, offers spine-tinglingly clear sound, and it's power output makes me frustrated that I live in an apartment building. Turning up the volume less than half way easily fills my entire 1 bedroom apartment with great sounding music, and floor thumping bass. Why these speakers are not offered at every place that sells computer speakers as the standard offering in the $100-200 range, I cannot tell you, it's really a crime. Buying any other system (in the same price range, of course) is throwing away your money in my opinion.
Review 9 :
All the reviews I read were from users with PC's, but this system will hook up to most TV's as well. We have 5.1 surround in another room for a different TV, but needed something to enrich the sound from our new Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV in the family room. The Aquos has only 2 X 10 watt side speakers. We really don't need full surround in this location or a receiver or a DVD since we are using a DVR set top box and can record movies in HD. So the Z-2300 is a very inexpensive terrific sounding solution.
The Aquos itself has RCA outputs which easily connect to the Z-2300 via RCA male to male cables [cheap at any Radio Shack, etc.} through a "Y" connector Logitech supplies in the box. The Aquos has a simulated surround sound option which sounds very good with the TV's speakers, but nothing special. Once the Z-23000 is hooked up the sound is pumped through the two Sharp speakers plus the left and right Logitech speakers and the Logitech subwoofer. What a huge difference it makes! The Z-2300's 40 watt side speakers plus the 120 watt subwoofer sound every bit as good as the high priced 5.1 system I have in another room. The lack of a center speaker is not noticable since there are now four speakers facing us. The sub is fantastic. The only thing lacking are two rear speakers, but the sound without them is so realistic I hardly miss them. The only problem is that the way the Aquos is configured. In order to select the simlated surround sound option, the TV's remote can only control the TV's speakers. The only way to control the Z-2300's speakers is through their own wired remote. But that's a small price to pay for the tremendous difference the simulated surround sound makes through the Z-2300's speakers. It's sort of embarrasing not to have sound as good as the Z-2300 when watching HDTV.
Review 10 :
In this review: an in depth comparison of Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 THX, Logitech Z-2300 THX, Bose Soundock, Bose Companion 3's, Bose Companion 5's and Altec Lansing t-612
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I'd like to offer a review somewhat different than what you've read before. It's a long one so if you're looking for something quick, you may want to stop here. Otherwise hopefully you'll enjoy the perspective. My thanks go out to those who let us know who you are and what you do in your review, and how you use the system, it really makes a difference. It's important to know the story behind why someone is buying something and what they are looking to do, otherwise you get mismatched needs and solutions. My story begins during the first month of 2008, when I got myself into a bit of a speaker craze while searching for a sound solution for every room of my house. Three years ago I put my life's music collection in digital format on iTunes to the tune of over 5000 songs with perhaps the widest array of music than anyone else I know: Jazz, Hip-hop, R&B, trip hop, electronica, techno, country, audio books, Tony Robbins, metal, rock, dub, enigma type stuff, lounge, new-aje, world music, caribbean, Latin and on the list goes. So, when I say I've tested these speakers over a wide variety of music, you can take my word for it.
My demographic: Male, business owner (custom Italian leather journals, guest books and photo albums: see epica . com ) and hip-hop dancer choreographer, 30 years old, Southern California. Creative, very into pleasing the senses.
After growing up with stereo systems that catered to more bass than clarity, my initial goal was to discover what would be the most clear, best, space filling rich sound I could in each room of the house while still being incredibly aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive at the best price. I wanted to turn up the volume and be amazed at what I heard without any distortion and I wanted to be thrilled at the lowest volumes as well. I wanted to feel like I was there, to have a music experience every time I turned something on. The best price part went out the door rather quickly.
So here's what I did: Apple sells a device called an Airport Express that among other things such as being a wireless router, also allows you to stream iTunes music to it wirelessly. All you have to do is plug in a stereo mini plug to one end and an audio source to another. Give it a name like living room and it appears in iTunes. you can have several of these devices all over the house. In the past I have always hooked up big stereos or shelf systems to it for sound but now in the age of tiny computer speakers and iPod doc systems, I've realized you can connect anything to it and have taken the experience to a whole new level. There are now 4 airport expresses in the house in different rooms along with an apple TV which also features this Airtunes feature in the living room, bedroom, second bedroom, kitchen and hallway... yes the hallway.
After having spent hours in the Apple Store and Best Buy listening to different sound docks and speakers with my iPhone and collection of music, I just decided to purchase and used every single unit that caught my interest with the decision that those which didn't give me everything I was looking for, I'd just return. (The manufacturers must love me.) Because what can you really tell about a speaker or sound system in a 30,000 foot warehouse with sound and people all around you? Are you kidding? Nothing. You've really got to setup these systems in your environment.
It's also important that you test your purchase in different places and positions all throughout your house. You won't believe the difference in sound from having say, a SounDock in your bathroom vs. a bedroom. Move the subwoofer around, adjust the bass on it, move the speakers, be creative. you'll surprise yourself.
Finally, a word about Bose. Of all the sound companies that I read reviews for, and I read about 400 before making a purchase, I have never seen such a contrasting fan base. You've got people who detest anything Bose and people who would buy it without listening to anything else. For the record I am neither of these people. I have owned Bose products in the past and enjoyed them as I have with other companies but was not biased towards or against them prior to purchase.
The Systems:
The Klipsch Prop-Media 2.1 speakers were my purchase. I was attracted to what I knew about the Brand, the subwoofer control on the actual satellite speaker and the $150 price point. I got them home and aesthetically I was just never really attracted to the speaker. My place has a very Asian-Zen and modern feel and these just kind of stood out in the wrong way wherever I placed them. But we're talking about sound so I looked past that. It's got a pretty large subwoofer, and the satellites where small enough to go anywhere. Klipsch does a great job with their horn tweeters and it really let's the highs soar. I tried them in my home office and bedroom for a week before I returned them. Why?
I loved that they were THX, which means there was no hissing whatsoever and they were dead quiet when music was shut off. I was also pleased and could not believe the power. These speakers have so much gain and get so loud, that I don't think full volume would even be tolerable to the human ear. But that was the thing. They seemed to distort at the higher volumes I tend to enjoy and didn't seem to fill a room at low volumes. The subwoofer is recommended to be set at 8 o'clock (very low) and if you adjust that any higher the bass is quite over powering. The sound coming from the Klipsch speakers was not a bad or poor sound, it was great, it was ridiculously powerful but it just wasn't the best sound I had heard for music. They ultimately went back to the store, and I give them a 4 star rating, but I'd be open to trying them in again in a different setting. I think I found them to be to cumbersome as well.
To their credit, RoomGroove wireless for $300, is their latest version of what I am doing with the airport express where you can link multiple room grooves up and they'll wireless send sound to each other. Points to them for finally getting something like this on the market.
Logitech Z-2300 THX: WOW. I was a little biased at first because I thought, Logitech? Really? The people who shine at making wireless mice and keyboards? How can they compare to these other big sound companies? What can they possibly bring to the table? Five stars no question. Here I had nothing to go on other than the $150 price point. I brought them home and unpacked. Ok, the subwoofer with this speaker set is not for the faint of heart. It is absolutely enormous and well suited for a larger office or larger room. It's got two attractive enough (without the grills) aluminum speakers, and a similar wired remote to the Bose only this has the subwoofer control on it (fortunately) and a headphone jack. (no external auxiliary mini plug)
Where to begin. This system has started off in and remains to this day in my office. At low volumes it is rich, deep, clear, and not overpowering in any respect. The music soars no matter what you're listening to. It's an absolute pleasure to sit before these speakers and I should start leaving them playing some sort of music more often because it really really sounds tremendous. And that's only the beginning.
Once the staff goes home and I can crank these up, every wall in the building shakes. The other bathrooms sound as though there is an earthquake and we should evacuate the building. I know it sounds like I'm a big bass person but this is the least of my desires. The clarity, much like the companion 5's just keeps getting richer and richer as you turn the volume up. Artist's vocals scream out at you and this system is the loudest of any I have heard. Interestingly it's also the most tolerable at high volume that I have heard as well.
I love the fact that it's got RCA jacks for speaker cables which allow you to easily extend them if you want them more than a few inches apart or want to place the subwoofer farther away than right at your feet. I love the power and clarity of these speakers, I love that the remote has the bass on the module and you don't have to adjust it behind the subwoofer. Five golden stars are easily awarded. Go Logitech.
Altec Lansing T-612 and Bose SounDock Portable:
Having tested the Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks, JBL On Stage, Klipsch iGroove, the Zeppelin monster, iHome, logitech pure fi and many others, these are the two I wound up bringing home.
Technology is great. We give birth to new ideas which create new ways we listen to music like iPods and iTunes, and that stimulates thought to a new level and we create devices made especially just for these things like the wide array of docking stations, something we had no need for in the past, and then we give birth to new ideas again and say wouldn't it be great to have our music collection on our phone and eliminate devices, and that get's created, and one company wins out over all the others and soon that creates a new problem: cell phone interference and shielding and that gives birth to the first of a new line of products: the iPhone safe Altec T-612. The first docking station to not be affected by sound interference from cell phones.
It worked well. I give it 5 stars for innovation, sound, it's own bass and treble controls on the unit that can be controlled by the remote control, size and a pretty unique look. (Which I am personally not attracted to) This purchase lasted 24 hours before it was returned. It was going to be used as a hallway speaker and so probably would not get much use out of the iPod Dock. It goes for $200 which seems reasonable. Ultimately though it did not have the fullness and richness, or spaciousness that the Bose did, and the bass cracked on several songs. This is perfect for a teen, or college person or someone who just listens to music here and threre at reasonable volumes in the kitchen or around the house.
Bose SounDock Portable. FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS, and no sale or special pricing. Certainly you have to have a unique perspective on money to purchase one of these for yourself. One now resides in my bedroom and another in the hallway so certainly I'll share mine. Are there alternatives on the market that you will be happy with? Absolutely. $400 is a lot of money to spend on a device like this. Or is it? I sell a $10,000 journal on the Epica website, I have seen $12,000 pens, $400,000 automobiles, $200 for torn up jeans (and that's just a normal brand), $12 to see a movie, $50 for a tank of gas, $4000 for a high end washer and dryer... look at the world we live in. Certainly dollar for dollar you are not paying for the product itself or the metal, cotton or components, EVER, but the value it brings to you. The features and luxuries and benefits it brings. The feeling. And that always has a price.
How many times have you shopped for the best deal on something, bought it, and then later wished you had purchased the better version, or gotten the special optional features, or wish you had just splurged after the fact. How many times have you not been able to do it like when you purchase a car? I have just gotten myself used to two things. One: happiness comes from your thoughts and your ability to keep your mind and focus on things that please you, not from objects you buy, and two, the fact that if contrast has caused me to give birth to a desire for wanting something, and I think in the obtaining of it I will be more pleased in owning it than the less expensive version, I am going to buy the one that brings me the most pleasure and gives me personally, the best feeling.
Need, purpose, design, size and functionality all coalesced with the SounDock and so I spent 200 more dollars after I returned the Lansing for something that would be kept in my hallway which pointed into the bathroom. But it was more discreet, it had a revolving iPod dock that I could hide from view when not using it, a remote control that let me change my playlists (that most remotes do not do), a look that was much more attractive and streamline, and a sound that was just richer and fuller.
And while it pains me immensely to know that I took the two-hundred heart pounding watts of Klipsch out of my bedroom, the amazing, clear, spacious and dynamic sound of the Bose Companion 3s out of my bedroom and now have replaced those with another SounDock, portable, it certainly does create magic in the bedroom. Aside from two lamps, it is the ONLY other wire in the room. It's small, and doubles as my alarm clock. I LOVE the fact that I can wake up to any song or play list in the world. using an iPod (I am very put off by Apple's decision to not have a snooze button on iPod alarm, while it is on the iPhone, however on the iPhone you can only wake up to a ringtone! Silly) I love how it fills a room and how if you're not in the room you hear it loud and clear and would have no idea something so small is producing all that sound.
I have really come to appreciate Bose. They create the best sound they can possibly engineer by pouring 100% of their profits back into research and deliver the best product they can that generally takes years to release. They think their sound sounds best flat, with no adjustment. That's what the EQ is for on the iPod or iTunes or whatever source you're using. They realize you shouldn't have to tweak all the treble and bass if the sound is just amazing to begin with. It's all about the feeling you get when you listen to it. The SounDock does not sound as good as a system like the Companion 3's or any other subwoofer driven device but you have to look at it's purpose and size.
SounDock gets five stars for listening to customer requests and making their successful SounDock portable even better by adding the aux in port so I can hear music wirelessly, a great remote with lots of functionality, discreet touch volume buttons, a hideaway revolving dock door to make it look even cleaner than it already does, a great room filling sound, a battery that lasts, a slimmer design, a power cord that wraps around the transformer and an overall sound that makes you feel very good when listening to it. Try placing one of these things in your kitchen, hall, bathroom, closet or smaller room and listen to the rumble and sound. Amazing.
Bose Companion 3's: When I first set these up in my office I was absolutely amazed by the quality and quantity of sound coming out of these speakers. They are gorgeous, discrete and fit the bill for big sound. I was impressed by the fact that I could turn them up to full volume, with any kind of music and here no distortion of any kind. That one fact is so rare, that made them a winner for me right there. When listening to Diana Krall, I felt as though her lips where inches from my ear as she sang only to me. These speakers really sing out.
For some reason when I tried watching movies on them, the volume decreased significantly and so even at full blast the sound was not that loud. Over time these speakers have moved from office to bedroom to ultimately being returned to the store but not because I was dissatisfied. I kept these things in my closet for 3 weeks because I didn't want to return them, I wanted to find a use for them or somewhere to enjoy them. They went back because I didn't want 5 cords in my bedroom and a subwoofer at the foot of my bed.
Like the companion 5's, I like the puck volume control (would be nice if it was wireless, wouldn't it? Especially if everything else on your desk is). It's very sensitive and feels good to touch. One gentle tap and sound is muted, another and it comes back on. It's also nice to be able to increase or decrease the bass that pours out of these units on the back of the subwoofer by virtually a full 360 degrees. I am also pleased with the RCA jacks used to connect each speaker. Initially I was put off and wondered why they did it but when I realized how EFFORTLESS (one of my favorite words) it was to extend the speaker cable, i.e. just plug in another video cable, I was thrilled. Five stars to the Companion 3s
Bose Companion 5's: It's funny how when you don't know what you're missing, you don't miss it. I tell people that in my business that when you buy this $185 journal and you haven't seen the $265 version, you think you're in heaven. It's perfection. Then you see the top of the line and you just can't imagine it gets any better. The Companion 5's are nearly triple the size of the Companion 3's (Yet still rather small and attractive), look absolutely gorgeous next to my iMac, have the same puck with mute, headphones, volume up and down and auxiliary input just like the Companion 3's (which will play something at simultaneously as what you have going on your computer).
BUT there are two major differences in these speakers vs anything else I have heard, ever. One is it connects to your USB port, not your stereo mini plug in port which requires 2 minutes of configuring, and two, the sound that comes out of these speakers is the most delicious, exquisite, full, wide, spacious, rich, detailed sound I have EVER heard come out of speakers in this class. Anyone I have shared them with leaves with their jaw on the floor. As I turn up the volume we just stare at the computer and say WOW. It just sucks you in. Where before I did not enjoy spending time in front of the computer for very long, I can literally spend hours in front of this one or in the room where the Companion 5's are playing. The sound is that unbelievable. The cables as of this writing are proprietary and cannot be extended, however for the `surround effect' it's not recommended that you extend them anyway.
I enjoy barely audible volume levels in the morning but come nighttime, I love to crank up the sound and speakers can take it at a volume so loud you can only take it for a short period. It's as though with each increment you raise the volume, you experience a new dimension to sound. The Bose Companion 5's for this purpose get 5 stars, 10 if I could, for looks, size and for a sound like no other.
Finally, don't be led astray by the Bose advertising. These speakers are marketed towards people who like to watch movies in front of their computer, something that, after spending all day in front of a computer, is the last thing I want to do. I've tried it and yes it's a great experience but if you never watch a video clip with these speakers it will still be the best investment you make for music and any other sound that comes out of them. The Bose experts will also tell you that these speakers should not be more than 24 inches apart because they are specifically engineered for you to sit right in front of them. When I heard that I also thought the sound quality would decrease if I stepped away, or perhaps it wouldn't fill a room the way I want. Not the case. Inches away or across the room, I cannot say enough about this virtual surround sound speaker.
So hopefully that gives you a little more insight into what these speakers can do for you, how they can be used, what I was looking for in particular and what the actual experience was. If you made it this far, your a trooper. I hope you found the review useful and if you wanted to contact me with questions we actually sell on the Amazon site. Just do a search for Epica journal and you can write in. Thanks! - Written over three hours near Los Angeles in the company of Bose Companion 5's.
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