It's a tossup between the Logitech Z-2300 and the Logitech Z-Cinmea.

The cinemas seem to have a much higher base MSRP $300 but are on sale for $80 currently. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3523892&Sku=L23-9030

The z-2300 has a lower msrp @ ~150, but they're THX certified and on sale for 107. I'm leaning towards the 2300 as I'm thinking the cost of the cinemas is inflated by the feature packed remote and the display in the speaker.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3523892&Sku=L23-9030

8/22/2009 2:13:32 AM

Holy shit don't waste your money on those. Just about any 2.1 set up using a receiver would be better at that price range.

What audio card do you have?

[Edited on August 22, 2009 at 2:41 AM. Reason : f]

8/22/2009 2:32:36 AM

I take that back. I'd go with the Z-2300

8/22/2009 3:24:43 AM

I've just got the stock sound card but it actually has several jacks to support surround sound. Just found out that the z-2300 doesn't haven't an auxiliary input so that's basically the ballgame from where I"m standing.

8/22/2009 9:07:36 AM

klipsch promedia 2.1 (or at least whatever the current version of it is)

8/22/2009 9:58:54 AM

what ^ said

8/22/2009 10:15:45 AM

^^,^

If you're going to break $100, might as well go with these.

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-AV-Powered-Speakers/dp/B000MUXJCO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1250952244&sr=1-2

I made an identical thread on TWW last year and the above were recommended.

8/22/2009 10:46:11 AM

Please for the love of God, Z-2300

I own the Z-2300 and just last week hosted an event and filled up a 30,000SF floor with the 2.1 setup. The 200W RMS is more than enough and the sound quality is amazing, by FAR best bang for your buck.

I also owned the Z-Cinema... they are crap. I sold them almost immediately and got the Z-2300's. They look cool, but sound HORRIBLE compared side-by-side to the Z-2300's

I also bought an audio switch to use for my auxiliary input for my Zune dock. Works great and was like $25. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005NCWK/)

[Edited on August 22, 2009 at 4:53 PM. Reason : ,]

8/22/2009 4:49:57 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ele/1332236928.html

klipsche promedia 2.1 $100 in durham

I have a Logitech z-5300 set (which I assume is just the 5.1 surround version of the z-2300 you're eyeing). The highs are a little lacking (though I do like lots of highs) and there is no optical input. You're stuck with the 3 male stereo jacks (2 channels rear, 2 channels front, 2 channels sub/center). Luckily, that wasn't a problem for me. It can get pretty loud, oh yes, just don't expect home theater levels of awesomeness.



[Edited on August 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM. Reason : A8N-SLI with realtek ALC onboard audio.. nothing special]

8/22/2009 5:09:03 PM

If you can afford the Klipsch, go into Best Buy in crossroads. They have one of those displays set up where you can listen to the difference between each set.

If can't afford the Klipsch, don't test.

8/23/2009 11:59:19 AM

^

Quote :

"I own the Z-2300 and just last week hosted an event and filled up a 30,000SF floor with the 2.1 setup"

No. No, you didn't. Or you don't understand what it means to "fill a room."

8/23/2009 12:04:24 PM

I have some shitty one a guy gave me and it to this day sounds awesome and gets loud as fuck without distorting.

I'm AstralAdvent and i approved this message.

[Edited on August 23, 2009 at 12:37 PM. Reason : Its by Altec Lansing.]

8/23/2009 12:36:38 PM

I've had a set of klipsch promedia 2.1 for 5 years now and they still rock

8/23/2009 1:53:17 PM

Quote :

"No. No, you didn't. Or you don't understand what it means to "fill a room.""

You just have a different definition. And you weren't there, so I wouldn't talk.

Yes you're right, it wasn't a club, but the bass was noticeable on the opposite side of the building and the music was crystal clear, MORE than enough for the event. Any louder and people couldn't hold conversations. So IMHO, it did "fill the room".

There's a REASON why the Z-2300's have HUNDREDS of positive reviews and one the HIGHEST RANKED speakers out there for 1/2 the cost of Klipsch with higher output. Probably not as perfect, but definitely NOT noticeable difference for 90% of people and A HELLUVA lot less.

Though that craigslist deal is a steal.

[Edited on August 23, 2009 at 4:27 PM. Reason : .]

8/23/2009 4:24:22 PM

I'll probably end up foxing w/ the Klipsch in the long run, I'm gonna try to listen to a set tomorrow and go from there.

8/23/2009 8:38:50 PM

If you can hear a difference between the Klipsh 2.1's and the z-2300's then the choice will be pretty obvious to you. That being said, there are a lot of people who can't hear a difference between "good" and "great" setups and if you can't, don't feel pressured into paying more for something that doesn't actually sound different to you.

If you're going to be using them with a laptop then bring it with you and see if they'll let you try them out (if you have a dubbing/male-male stereo cable I think they both have line in jacks so they wouldn't have to actually do anything to let you). If you're using your laptop, the chances are that whatever onboard sound device it's using will do more to limit your sound quality than any differences in those two systems will.

You can't exactly go wrong with either of them though. They're both really good suggestions and it seems like you've already done the smart thing and decided against the z-Cinema speakers. They're cool, but for that price they're a rip off.

[Edited on August 24, 2009 at 12:15 AM. Reason : ]

8/24/2009 12:14:06 AM

definitely no audiophile, im pretty tonedeaf for the most part, i guess. i had klipsch at one point, then switched to AL cause i got a set half price and my other ones were getting old. i cant tell much difference, but other people say that my new speakers sound like crap compared to the old ones

if that helps!!1

8/24/2009 7:21:08 AM