Looking to buy some new computer speakers soon

[[Ch]amsalot]

Grail,

I cannot stress enough that the Z560s will not dissapoint you. The workmanship & construction is far beyond that of the AltecLansings (which, actually, my brother replaced the ADA885s with the Z560s), and the sound quality is top-notch. It amazes me that Logitech can sell them for so cheap.

You can also use your own high-grade speaker cable with the Logitechs.

With due respect to WyWyWyWy, the Logitech Z560 is far superior to the crappy speakers Logitech may have produced in the past, and they are superior to the AltecLansing ATP4s.

Of course, the AT4s are substantially less money, but they are also less than 1/4 the RMS power of the Z560s (95 RMS vs. 400RMS).

-[Ch]ams

[[Ch]amsalot]

Grail, avoid the Z-640s. They are weak. The new Z-680 5.1 speaker set up from Logitech uses the same sats at the Z-560; should be about $50 more expensive.

At least one review of the ATP4s said they heard a slight hum when audio wasn't playing:

http://products.consumerguide.com/cp/office/review/index.cfm/id/21371

-[Ch]ams

[bambam]

I own the z560s- they are STUNNING. Loud and CLEAR. Beautys.

The only one I would suggest that is not on your list are the Altec 641s - the only speaker which would give the z560s a run

And forget about klipsh; their design is 2 years old and frankly either the z560s or 641 will match them at $100 less.

[[Ch]amsalot]

The Z560s are superior to the 641s.

-[Ch]ams

[bambam]

really? Please elaborate. The 641s on their satellites are 2 way...the 560s use only one 3"..don't get me wrong...but I thought for just pure music the 641 may edge out the 560s due to the extra speaker in each satellite...

your thoughts?

[[Ch]amsalot]

Good reading:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/video/02q1/020325/index.html

The Cambridge SoundWorks Megaworks 510D are awesome, but very, very pricey.

-[Ch]ams

[K6-III]

The Logitech's are great for certain types of music, such as Techno, Hip-Hop, etc...that place demands on the subwoofer....other than that not the most musical speakers.....

Another alternative is to just get an integrated amp and some speakers......

[bambam]

yes it is a good reveiw of sound and speaker spatiality; but the same reviewer gives the nod to the 641s over the 560s for music listening (as opposed to gaming) - his point is that the bass in the 560s is more boomy as opposed to snappy and clearer on the 641s.

both are excellent speakers, but if you listen to music more that using it for games...the 560s are more for games.

[K6-III]

The 560's are pretty good for movies as well, but if you're into primarily music, I'd definitely suggest the Diva Swan M200's. You can read a review here: http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/reviews/SwanM200/

Here's a pic so you can get an idea:

[bambam]

the 560s

"The high frequencies are also clear and true, though there is a bit of coloring which differentiates them completely from the Altec Lansing 641. So, while the sound is more than adequate for hip-hop or rock music, in our view it is not the best for classical. "


the 641's

"For music, the four speakers are about as true as many hi-fi systems, even better than some. The quality of the medium frequencies and the clearness of the high ones, which hardly saturate at all, is a decided asset when it comes to classical music. The subwoofer has unheard-of strength, with the deep percussive sounds needed for listening to rock and modern music. The 32 Hz threshold is maintained in practice, which is a good sign. Note too that, as is so often the case with Altec Lansing, low frequencies are given definite prominence if you use the default settings. Music lovers will of course lower them to fine-tune the balance in the 641 system. The stereo image and instrument distribution are excellent"

[[Ch]amsalot]

bambam,

It's not a sound quality issue but a construction one:

Instead of using a single large speaker and a bass-enhancing enclosure—like most traditional subs—the 641 set employs two smaller 6-inch speakers in a vertical dual-ported enclosure. While this produces adequate bass, we noticed a little more port noise and bass rattle than we like to hear when we played sub-200Hz frequencies at a high volume.

It’s also worth noting that the 641 doesn’t allow audiophiles to replace the craptacular cables that ship with the system, as they are permanently attached to the speakers.

http://www.maximumpc.com/reviews/speakers/review_2002-04-26.html

True, the Z-560s lack a dedicated tweeter, but:

The interesting thing about the satellites is the metal cone at the center of the speaker, which is used instead of a traditional dustcap. In addition to protecting the delicate innards of the speaker, the metal cone helps focus the sound, resulting in a very tight active sound field.

http://www.maximumpc.com/reviews/speakers/review_2002-04-26a.html

-[Ch]ams

[bambam]

the swan's do not have a subwoofer - not a catastrophe but a factor if you occassionally listen to reggae/rock.

Still I think the race is between the 560s and the 641s.

[[Ch]amsalot]

bambam,

Bottom line will be how loud you want to listen to your classical music :P

-[Ch]ams

[bambam]

yes, the hardwired nature of the speakerwire on the 641s is a huge oversight - but one that is easily remedied with a soldering gun
Plus the remote on the 641 is very sweet...the 560s just look more modern...the 641s more trad'l...

I'd love to sit in a room and listen to both systems...I think they are that close.

cool to have such a great selection for so little $$

[bambam]

LOL...you have a point on classical...but I listen to EVERYTHING...and I love to CRANK my german opera really loud...and some classical like beethoven need to be ripped big.

Jazz is a bit of exception where the edge on the 641 maybe more apparent due to lack of boom boom sounds...have you ever listened to 641s?

I have not...but sometimes think about it...