Logitech Z-5450 Digital 5.1 Speaker System (970181-0403)

Quite amazing small 5.1 digital system. I'm very impressed with the clarity of the bass with blockbuster movies like "Lord of the Rings" or the musical scores in the Japanese Anime (DTS) "Ghost in the Shell." Especially the opening score where there's a ton of bass, but the bass is pounding and clear, no distortion. For the price, Logitech Z-5450 system really shines and is simple to set up and use. The subwoofer is small, stylish and very capable to produce low the end sound of movies and Hip Hop songs. As compared to other small systems out there (more expensive), this digtal system will beat or sound better.Highlights: Big sound from bass, easy set-up, wireless rear speakers (more later), good mids, not to shabby for treble either.Lowlights: Wireless rears are yes wireless, but you do have to plug them into an outlet for power...so you still have two wires to deal with. However, the sound is excellent. The remote is okay, should of been a little bit more detailed and styled better. Come on, Logitech is known for stylish designs...the remote is plain and goofy.Summary: Effective system for a small room with plenty of power and thumping bass. Does better than some other systems (Bose, Kplipsch)and the voice clarity is excellent. However, I do recommend that like with any system...the sound also depends on the DVD player that you use. A cheap player will give you great sound (I tried it), but a more expensive one (I use a Yamaha DVD player ~$300) sounds awesome. Then again, it might just be me.

I'm no audiophile, so the sound is definitely good enough for me. Upon first impression I was glad to be liberated of the cables running to my rear speakers. However after awhile I realized how these speakers retained such a flawless connection. Constantly because of the band hopping it will hijack and disrupt other product's wireless signals. Heck! even the LOGITECH G7 mouse doesn't stand a chance, but it's interfered with my ps3 and xbox 360 controllers as well causing massive disconnections. Magically when I turn off the speakers and use my headphones all works flawlessly again.Don't buy these speakers if you use any other wireless devices at all. However if they are the only wireless devices in your home, it is a sweet system. But my stance is if my other wireless devices can play friendly, why can't my speakers?

I bought this system for my computer and home theater about four years ago. It has been a great system for the price even though the rear speakers are not actually wireless. Each rear speaker has a big ugly black power cord that is more intrusive than a small wire that would go to the receiver (in this case, the back of the subwoofer). This means you also have to have one or two appropriately located power outlets. That being said, in many situations, finding appropriate power for the rear speakers is still less messy than running long wires from your rear surrounds to the receiver. What I don't understand is why this model is selling for so much new. I bought mine four years ago from Amazon and only paid $250 plus $25 shipping to Hawaii. Why would the price go up on an older system?

This is a fantastic system, if you have nothing else that is wireless. I have the G7 laser mouse from Logitech, which I cannot use at the same time the speakers are on because of interference, and also it completely destroys your wifi, also your cordless phones (if they are 2.4 ghz) are useless, my xbox 360 controllers can't be used when the speakers are on. It's so frustrating.So if you're thinking about buying this system, and you have a bunch of wireless stuff (phones, mouse, keyboard, game controllers, router, whatever) don't do it, 2.4 ghz is oversaturated, and the z-5450 seems to interfere on ALL 2.4ghz signals.

For 34% of retail price, I dont think I am allowed to complain (given that people called it a good price when it was much higher.) But I don't have anything to complain about anyways. In terms of sound quality, the speakers are great. I have mine hooked up with a digital optical cable, and sound is perfect. People say that size matters with low-wattage speakers, and in my medium-sized family room home theatre PC setup, we've got the volume about half way from the max.While the rear speakers aren't really wireless, since they have to be plugged into a power outlet, power outlets are much easier to find than attempting to string 30 feet of speaker wire somewhere. I can just unplug one rear speaker, take it to the next floor of my house, plug it in upstairs, and listen to music there, with no loss in audio quality!I also like the very small footprint of the receiver. Compare the z-5450's size of a cable modem to the size of an actual home theatre receiver (which is the size of a desktop computer on its side). That huge receiver is really an unnecessary eye-soar. But don't think you're losing out due to the lack of a "real" receiver. This system comes with two digital optical (toslink) inputs which is better than many receivers. It also has a digital coax input. If you are hooking this up to a computer with the 3.5 mm jacks to get 5.1 surround sound, it has an input for that too. However, if the one digital optical input is good enough, you can turn the 5.1 sound input into three stereo sound inputs- equivalent to what you would find in a huge receiver. It also has an extra stereo sound input on the side, and a microphone output. So don't worry about not being able to connect all your gear!Overall, I highly recommend these speakers. These are Logitech's most expensive high-end speakers at the moment, at a price that cannot be beat.