Five 2.1 Speaker Set Comparison

[RishiGuru1]

Digging the net if found a comprehensive review & comparison available in the Tom'sHardware website regarding five 2.1 speaker sets.

1) Corsair SP2500
2) Creative Gigaworks T3
3) Klipsch Promedia 2.1
4) Logitech Z623
5) Soundscience Rockus 3D

Tom'sHardware link : 2.1-Channel Speaker Roundup

Corsair SP2500


Klipsch Promedia


Logitech Z-623


I really liked the SP2500. Points to note though:

1) SP2500 have 232W while Z-623 has 200W
2) SP2500 costs $260 while Z-623 costs $140 (amazon.com).
3) Z-623 have THX certification

According to Tom'sHardware sound quality wise SP2500 & Z-623 are identical. Both have the same sonic feel & character in their sound. SP2500 have more options in the wired remote that Z-623 lacks. On the other hand Z-623 is a good $120 cheaper.

Say, I will get the the Z-623 for sure since it gives me same sound quality & sonic feel of SP2500 at $120 less. Or I can spend $20 over SP2500 to get two Z-623. Now I have 400W instead of SP2500's 232W. Just Kidding!!!!!!!!!

Tom'sHarware comments on:

SP2500: "The Corsair SP2500 sounds good to my ear, whether playing back hard-hitting games or all sorts of music. I did notice a kind of hollowness in the mid-range—with vocals particularly—and this does reflect the valley we saw in the frequency response at 3.5 kHz."

Klipsch Promedia : "It rarely shows the highest or lowest response in our tests, and has no obvious weaknesses except a drop-off in the 10 kHz+ range, which is a little surprising when you consider that these speakers are equipped with dedicated tweeters."

Z-623 : "Logitech’s Z-2300 has been the product to beat for years, and the new Z623 has taken its place as Logitech’s premier 2.1-channel offering with THX certification. Without a Z-2300 on hand, I can’t compare these systems to each other, but compared to the rest of the current playing field, the Logitech Z623 certainly holds its own. It boasts a flat frequency response with gobs of bass available for games and music at your command. There’s even a bit of brilliance on the high end."

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It seems having separate midrange drivers & tweeters as in SP2500 & Promedia does not always gives you excellent top end in the frequency spectrum as a single aluminium phase plug full range driver of Z-623 does a much better job.

The audio frequency graph of the five speaker sets:


Note that SP2500 with a separate midrange driver & tweeter takes a dip at 500Hz and also creates a valley between 2-5kHz range where cows can graze. Z-623 with a single full range driver have much better frequency response that SP2500 between 200Hz to 20kHz hands down.

Also after looking at the above graph I cannot find a single place where the Promedia's with separate midrange & tweeters had an advantage over Z-623 in high frequencies. Actually Z-623 is superior to Promedia in producing mids & highs in every respect. Can anybody help me here?

After looking at the graph it gives me some relief as the Z-623 & its predecessor Z-2300 is not that bad after all. And also that THX have some dent on the sound quality of the product it adorns. I can live with the Z-623 having 32W less power at the top & also without the options in the control pod of SP2500.

Comments & discussions on this subject will be highly appreciated.

Regards, RishiGuru

 

[moonboy403]

First of all, how was the frequency response of the speakers tested?

This is important as the room that the speakers were tested at have a huge influence on the frequency response unless it is an anechoic chamber. If speakers aren't tested at an anechoic chamber, the placement of the speakers and sub (moving even an inch) will heavily influences the outcome of the frequency response. Moreover, how much were each speakers angled in? Did the reviewer try to optimize the FR this way? This is important as tweeters are generally intended to be placed or at least point to our ear level (the mic in this case) because frequecies become more directional as it increases. Then there's the comb filtering factor that the reviewer mentioned. Also, why would he aim to test out the maximum bass setting? Lastly, how much were the graph smoothed? You really can't tell much beyond smoothing the graph over 1/12 octave IMO.

Therefore, comparing frequency response of different speakers would only be valid, IMO, if they're all tested in an anechoic chamber since there are so many variables involved if testings aren't done at a lab.

Besides, frequency response is only part of the equation in terms of sound quality.

 

[thegimp03]

First of all, how was the frequency response of the speakers tested?

This is important as the room that the speakers were tested at have a huge influence on the frequency response unless it is an anechoic chamber. If speakers aren't tested at an anechoic chamber, the placement of the speakers and sub (moving even an inch) will heavily influences the outcome of the frequency response. Moreover, how much were each speakers angled in? Did the reviewer try to optimize the FR this way? This is important as tweeters are generally intended to be placed or at least point to our ear level (the mic in this case) because frequecies become more directional as it increases. Then there's the comb filtering factor that the reviewer mentioned. Also, why would he aim to test out the maximum bass setting? Lastly, how much were the graph smoothed? You really can't tell much beyond smoothing the graph over 1/12 octave IMO.

Therefore, comparing frequency response of different speakers would only be valid, IMO, if they're all tested in an anechoic chamber since there are so many variables involved if testings aren't done at a lab.

Besides, frequency response is only part of the equation in terms of sound quality.

Yeah, but he's comparing $200 computer speakers, not $20,000 pairs of floorstanders.

 

[moonboy403]

Yeah, but he's comparing $200 computer speakers, not $20,000 pairs of floorstanders.

It doesn't matter, if the tests are to be valid and accurate, that's what you want to strive for. If they didn't care for accuracy of the comparison, why put them out in the first place?

 

[thegimp03]

I'm not defending the Tom's Hardware review, I just doubt that most people looking for $200 computer speakers care or even half way understand the details of what you're talking about. You seem to have much better knowledge of that stuff than the average person interested in these speakers who has a 5 second attention span and would probably only care about the performance of the various brands relative to one another and would skip over the section discussing the test conditions.

 

[vi edit]

If you care that much, then go get a t-amp and a nice set of monitors.

And frankly...specs mean jack to most people. It just comes down to the simple fact of "do they sound good to you"?

 

[RishiGuru1]

Ok, its time to choose. vi edit, thegimp03 & moonboy403 tell me all of you which one will you choose as a Christmas gift.

I choose Logitech Z-623. Best of the above five if you just consider the frequency response curve.

Remember I want all of you to specify the name of the set you choose. Also it will be great if you add your personal thoughts?

 

[vi edit]

I still don't get the hangup on response measurements. There are many speakers that have an intentional dip in the midrange because that's what the crossover designer intended to add a little more "warmth" to the speakers. He purposely drops down certain frequency ranges and I prefer that style.

Buy what sounds good to you or fits your price range. Not on some lab results. Any minor differences between one set and another is likely going to be negated by poor placement on a desk or horrible in room acoustics.

If you only have a $100 budget, then get something that fits a $100 budget. If you are in the $200 and above range then I'd highly suggest going t-amp and a real pair of speakers.

One also has to consider source material and what your primary listening is going to be? Gaming with lots of explosions or hard slamming rock or rap music? Then probably go with something has a better sub and mid range.

More instrumental, and vocal oriented? Then definitely lean more towards a dedicated speaker setup with a proper crossover and higher quality tweeter.

I frankly don't understand the point of this thread.

 

[Toff]

I bought a Klipsch Promedia set a long time ago (8ish years ago) and they are still going strong. Theres lots more options out there now than when I bought mine but I am still satisfied with them.

 

[Emulex]

i find a 10 year old 5.1 system smokes all of the above. flea market stuff like $25 for a old sony 5.1 system with toslink DD/DTS with 12" sub -decimates- any soundbar known to man.

 

[moonboy403]

Ok, its time to choose. vi edit, thegimp03 & moonboy403 tell me all of you which one will you choose as a Christmas gift.

I choose Logitech Z-623. Best of the above five if you just consider the frequency response curve.

Remember I want all of you to specify the name of the set you choose. Also it will be great if you add your personal thoughts?

I'm saying that the FR curves shown aren't valid for comparisons. So why pick based on something that aren't comparable?

 

[RishiGuru1]

I still don't get the hangup on response measurements. There are many speakers that have an intentional dip in the midrange because that's what the crossover designer intended to add a little more "warmth" to the speakers. He purposely drops down certain frequency ranges and I prefer that style.

Buy what sounds good to you or fits your price range. Not on some lab results. Any minor differences between one set and another is likely going to be negated by poor placement on a desk or horrible in room acoustics.

If you only have a $100 budget, then get something that fits a $100 budget. If you are in the $200 and above range then I'd highly suggest going t-amp and a real pair of speakers.

One also has to consider source material and what your primary listening is going to be? Gaming with lots of explosions or hard slamming rock or rap music? Then probably go with something has a better sub and mid range.

More instrumental, and vocal oriented? Then definitely lean more towards a dedicated speaker setup with a proper crossover and higher quality tweeter.

I frankly don't understand the point of this thread.

vi edit, it was very nice of you to provide this insightful comments on the subject.

The point of this thread is : what the member participating in this thread thinks about the above 5 speaker sets? Which according to them is the best? Why?

I have provided my judgement with the reason. I hope the others will also follow in providing there judgement.

Regards, RishiGuru

 

[dclapps]

This guy just posted this same question on [H] a couple days ago and everyone there told him the same as here, that sound is subjective, and he just kept trolling.

I wouldn't waste any time with this guy.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1576376

 

[RishiGuru1]

This guy just posted this same question on [H] a couple days ago and everyone there told him the same as here, that sound is subjective, and he just kept trolling.

I wouldn't waste any time with this guy.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1576376

dclapps what does "trolling" means?

 

[sandorski]

Those Corsairs have a ton of Options in the Control that probably makes them worth the extra $, but maybe not. Speakers are really a hard thing to recommend due to not only varying ways Specs are reported, but due to the subjective nature of Audio preference. It's best to listen to them before buying, but even if you do it will be difficult to know what they'll sound like once you get them home.

Best bet is to Google some more reviews of the various sets to see what the general consensus is.

 

[RishiGuru1]

This guy just posted this same question on [H] a couple days ago and everyone there told him the same as here, that sound is subjective, and he just kept trolling.

I wouldn't waste any time with this guy.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1576376

Thanks for the link. I request the members of this forum to the go to the end of the HardForum's thread and read the last few posts in order to understand the true way of judging sound quality.

 

[vi edit]

Thanks for the link. I request the members of this forum to the go to the end of the HardForum's thread and read the last few posts in order to understand the true way of judging sound quality.

The "best" way is to have each set placed in your final listening position and do a "blind" test and figure out which one you like to listen to more. I said it before and I'll say it again...measures really mean jack. Some dips are intended due to crossover networks being wired for that response. Some can be due to placement. Some can be due to room gain. Ect.

Try to listen to both and pick the one that sounds good to you and is in your budget. That's really all there really is to it.

 

[moonboy403]

The "best" way is to have each set placed in your final listening position and do a "blind" test and figure out which one you like to listen to more. I said it before and I'll say it again...measures really mean jack. Some dips are intended due to crossover networks being wired for that response. Some can be due to placement. Some can be due to room gain. Ect.

Try to listen to both and pick the one that sounds good to you and is in your budget. That's really all there really is to it.

It's not like he cares. He'll say that he wants to base his decision on objective measurements (inaccurate in this case) but he never responded to my arguments on here or Head-fi.

 

[sandorski]

It's not like he cares. He'll say that he wants to base his decision on objective measurements (inaccurate in this case) but he never responded to my arguments on here or Head-fi.

After reading the Hardforum thread, ya, not sure what the point is to this thread. It's like he's made a Bet with someone and this is his attempt to Win it.