Kevin Wolff
09-29-2004, 07:15 PM
<img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/z-2200.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Speakers<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.logitech.com">Logitech</a><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/search_deals.php?ofb.set%28keywords%29%26=Logitech+speakers">Online Vendors</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $93.00 USD<br /><b>System Requirements:</b> Sound Card<br /><b>Specifications:</b> THX Certified, Total RMS power: 200 watts RMS, Satellites: 3-inch phase plug driver, Subwoofer: 8-inch long-throw ported driver, SoundTouch™ wired remote control.<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><li>Great sound even at unbelievably high volume;<br /><li>Really cool looking.<br /><b>Cons:</b><li>Cables could be two feet longer.<br /><b>Summary:</b><br />The Logitech Z-2200 speakers are powerful for their size, and although standard 2.1 speakers aren't as popular as they once were given the move towards 5.1 and 7.1 rigs, the Z-2200's more than hold their own.<br /><br />Read on for the full review!<!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>The Days of Yore</b></span><br />I have been a faithful believer in the Microsoft Digital 2.1 speakers that I have been using for the past 4 years (now discontinued). I used to bring friends over, crank up the sound and watch them drool. It was sort of amusing. The demo was convincing enough to a couple of people that they bought a set that very day. That was then… this is now.<br /><br /><span><b>Enter: The Logitech Z-2200's</b></span><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/IMG_3679.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: What you get in the box, including the two satellites, the sub woofer, the wired remote and the RCA cable adapter. Oh... And you get a neat-o user manual as well.</i><br /><br />I'm going to skip the boring details about taking them out of the box and setup. I'm mean, come on, they're just speakers; they don't need any special software or configuration. What I am going to tell you is this: THX certification makes a world of difference. The first thing I listened to was Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles. I heard subtle sounds in the song that I had never heard before. I thought it might just be the song so I grabbed another disc and listened to something a little more modern. From hip hop to oldies, song after song, it was the same. Clear, sharp, full, unbelievable sound.<br /><br /><span><b>Pushing the limit</b></span><br />Attempting to push the envelope I cranked up the volume a little. Then a little more. I never did make it to full volume. After securing all objects hanging on my walls I was able to get to about ¾ volume. The volume was overwhelming yet the sound retained its clarity. I'm sure the entire neighbourhood was beginning to get annoyed. Raising the volume on the sub woofer to half way really moves the room. Raising it to full drowns out the high and mid range sound. <br /><br /><span><b>Entertainment Theatre</b></span><br />Once I realized the power of the Z-2200 I knew what had to be done. These speakers had to be hooked up to my home theater. What better DVD to choose than one by the THX master himself George Lucas, Star Wars Episode II. Once again I was very impressed by the sound. The low, mid and high ranges were all accurately represented. An unfair comment is that I noticed the lack of rear left/right channels (Logitech has a solution for that as well - The Z-680's). The Z-2200's are not designed for entertainment centres, but they were designed for the desktop and for that, they do a great job.<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />The Z-2200s are excellent speakers for the desktop. I think the cables to the satellites could have been a couple feet longer to be comfortable. I was able to place the speakers where I wanted them, but there was not much slack in the cable to make adjustments. Sound quality is astonishing for audio CDs, MP3, games and movies. All around these speakers pack a punch. I guess it's time for me to retire my old speakers and enter the world of THX.