The Logitech Z-5500 5.1 surround sound speaker set is absolutely mind blowing. This set offers THX certified sound, 505 watts of power, a very cool remote and a very satisfied experience.

Logitech Z-5500 specifications:

• Street price: $249.95
• Total Peak power: 1010 watts
• Maximum SPL: >115 dB
• Frequency response: 33 Hz — 20 kHz
• Input compatibility: PC/MAC, cd, mp3, xbox 360, ps3, wii, etc…
• 4 satellites, 1 central channel, 1 subwoofer

Things I like
I would have to say the thing I like most about this unit (and the thing that I think is the most unique), is the ability to plug up to 6 inputs into the Z-5500. The control module’s rear panel boasts optical and coaxial digital-audio inputs as well as three 1/8-inch analog mini-jack inputs. You can configure the three mini-jacks as a group to connect a 5.1-channel PC sound card or independently to connect up to three separate stereo sources. The control module’s side panel hosts a 1/8-inch headphone output and a 1/8-inch auxiliary input for playing a device such as an iPod. This is really cool because it extends the usefulness of the product from purely a desktop speaker set to a full entertainment system.

The other thing I like about the Z-5500 is the sound quality. While the 505 watts is very impressive the speakers sound very nice. I was listening to a couple rock songs and I closed my eyes and I could imagine myself being in the concert. I’ve heard music being played from a few extremely good speakers (pro quality) and the Z-5500 were very close to that quality.

Things I don’t like
Coming in at $250 you’re definitely paying for what you get. While this isn’t that expensive overall it can be a little pricey for people who don’t have a lot of money to spend on a speaker set. While the subwoofer is very impressive I feel that it could be better. It just doesn’t produce that great of a sound for my liking. It does shake the room however. The midrange also suffers a little bit but it’s really nothing to worry about.
Pros:

• Great sound
• 5.1 surround sound
• 6 inputs

Cons:

• Expensive
• Bass and midrange suffer a little bit

Final Thoughts
The Logitech Z-5500 are amazing speakers. If you want quality sound and can pay for it I totally suggest that you pick these speakers up (use the little button below the post). So far out of all of the speakers that I’ve ever used these are my favourite. I 100% recommend them.

The iM600 is no different in terms of quality from their other products. The iM600 has a number of really great features such as a radio, an alarm clock, and a second input jack for plugging in a number of different devices.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the WD My Book:

• Street Price: $149.95
• Alarm Clock
• AM/FM Radio
• Remote Control

Things I like
The thing that stands out most about the iM600 is the sound quality. I’ve heard a number of different iPod docks and this one is by far the best I’ve ever had. This dock produces a very clear sound. The sound is of the same quality as some of the low end desktop speakers. The iM600 also features a stereo FM radio and can double as a clock radio when plugged in to an electrical outlet. It includes rechargeable Li-ion batteries and a wireless remote. And it syncs and charges all dockable iPod models. The battery is rated for 7 hours of continuous use so thats really good.

Things I don’t like
The thing I don’t like the most about the iM600 is the fact that it doesn’t secure your iPod from falling out. If your desk gets knocked it’s quite possible that your iPod could drop to the ground and get damaged. The other thing that I don’t like is the fact that the alarm clock feature only works with the iPod. It doesn’t work with the radio and in my opinion this is quite stupid. Sometimes I want to wake up to my favorite DJ’s instead of my favorite songs. The other thing I don’t understand is why Altec would make it so the rechargeable battery can not removed. This means that once it wears out you can no longer use it, you’ll need to plug it in.

Pros:

• Excellent Sound
• Radio and Alarm Clock

Cons:

• A little pricey
• Alarm clock only works with iPod

Final Thoughts
Altec Lansing has been in the iPod speaker market longer than anyone, and it shows. The inclusion of a rechargeable battery and an FM radio makes the iM600 incredibly versatile. If you’re in need of a new iPod dock I would totally recommend Altec Lansing’s iM600.

Sony’s iPod Dock with Clock (yes this is what it’s called) is a really cool iPod dock with a built in clock radio. It features a great adjustable backstop for iPods so you can fit all different types (not the iPod Touch however), a digital AM/FM tuner, dual alarms and the ability to charge you iPod as you play.

The great thing about this system is that you can get it for under $100. Most of the time with Sony products you pay a large premium but this seems to be competitively priced for once.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Sony iPod Dock:

• Street price: $99.95
• Dual Alarm
• AM/FM Tuner
• Adjustable iPod dock and charger
• FM: 87.5 – 108 MHz, AM: 530 -1710 kHz

Things I like
A lot of companies are jumping on the iPod bandwagon and releasing docks for it. I think the thing I like most about Sony’s product is the fact that they include a clock radio with their dock. This clock radio makes it stand out from the rest and also makes the dock more useful for around the house use. I must say that the speakers sound really good. Like the rest of the Sony products I’ve ever used the quality is definitely there. The fact that the dock is adjustable makes this product really great. A lot of the docks don’t allow for the nano to be attached and this is really annoying.

The thing I like most about the clock radio is the dual alarm features. You could set the alarms 10 minutes apart to make sure you actually wake up While most people probably won’t find this feature useful I certainly do. The clock is your basic clock radio with all of the normal buttons so it won’t be hard to get used to it.

Things I don’t like
There isn’t much I dislike about this product. Sony made something that works, doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and is fun to use. The only thing I can find is that the sound isn’t up to the quality of Bose or Altec Lansing. That being said you pay for what you get and this is a sub-$100 dock. If you don’t have $200+ to pay for a dock then this is a great product.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Great Sound
• Combined Clock Radio
• Dual Alarms

Cons:

• Sound quality isn’t up to professional levels (like Bose or Altec Lansing

Final Thoughts
The Sony iPod Dock with Clock is a great product. It sounds really good and the addition of a clock is a great feature. The dual alarms is also nice to have if you’re prone to sleeping through the first one. While the sound quality isn’t up to Bose or Altec Lansing levels it is really good. For under $100 this is a great product and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a iPod dock.

The Altec Lansing VS4121 definitely aren’t the prettiest set of speakers out there but they perform better than any other PC speakers in its price range. They feature impressive bass, crisp high-end, built-in controls with bass and treble, headphone jacks, and shielded satellites

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the VS4121:
Street Price: $79.99 – $99.99
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 97 dB
Total Continuous Power:

• Front Speakers: 6 Watts/channel @ 4 ohms
• Subwoofer: 19 Watts @ 4 ohms

System Response: 25 Hz – 15 kHz (-10dB)
Dimensions:

• Satellites: 4″ (W) x 4.7″ (D) x 9.2″ (H)
• Subwoofer: 8″ (W) x 9.9″ (D) x 13.6″ (H)

Things I like
I honestly don’t know where to begin with the list of things I like. The AL VS4121 are probably the best set of speakers I have ever bought. The bass produces such a shake that it feels like it could bring down my house. The satellites reproduce highs with thrilling clarity and fill the room with their down-firing mid drivers. Because the satellites are shielded it means that you can keep them close to your monitor without worrying about any damage coming from the strong magnets inside the speakers. The second thing I really like is the speakers low profile. The subwoofer barely takes up room underneath my desk and the satellites just sit on top looking rather nice. This set of speakers is everything that I need and I really can’t say anything bad about them.

Things I don’t like
I can’t say anything bad about these speakers. They are by far the best deal you can get for your money and they sound amazing.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality
• Low profile
• Cheap (less than $100)
• The bass shakes the room

Cons:

• Not the prettiest looking speaker set out there

Final Thoughts
The Altec Lansing VS4121 are the best computer speaker set I have ever bought. The sound that comes out of it is absolutely amazing, it’s crisp and loud and can shake the room with its bass. These speakers outperform a few sets that are over $200 and they cost less that $100. I would recommend buying them even if you already have a set of speakers.