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Edit Review: Logitech Z-5450

Mar 15, 2007 12:00 PM, Reviewer: Tom Patrick McAuliffe

THX-certified 5.1 surround system with wireless rear speakers is a world first.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), one of the fastest-growing product areas is 5.1 surround sound systems. More and more homes are installing these systems for watching television and movies. Those who create those programs — and the companies that provide them with tools to do so — are also adopting 5.1 audio technology in growing numbers. From Digidesign Pro Tools audio software to Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut Pro editing applications, the solutions are here. Not only that, but the new consumer-oriented Sony DCR-DVD403 DVD Handycam, for example, offers recording of Dolby Digital 5.1 using built-in multi-channel microphones. On the professional side, companies such as Holophone are offering six-element mics at relatively affordable prices (see my review of the H2-PRO at digitalcontent
producer.com/fieldprod/revfeat/video_holophone_hpro, and my review of the H4 SuperMini on p.20 of this issue).

In order to create surround content, one must be able to hear it. But as soon as I accept that reality, two questions come immediately to mind: Can my less-than-palatial edit suite fit five speakers and a subwoofer, and is this going to cost me an arm and a leg?

Logitech has a history of producing innovative, cost-effective products, so it's no surprise that its new Z-5450 5.1 surround sound speaker system, which the company claims is the world's first wireless THX-certified surround-speaker system, easily meets both these needs. The six-piece system includes left, right, center-front, right-rear, and left-rear speakers and a subwoofer, and is a resonably priced set small enough for an independent producer's video editing suite. The feature-rich Z-5450 supports Dolby Digital, DTS 96/24, and Dolby Pro Logic II, with the latter taking standard stereo signals and converting them into a 5.1-compatible output. This is realtime hardware encoding, with automatic digital EQ and up to seven inputs. The system also packs in 315W of total power. (There's also the Logitech Z-5500 system with more total power: 505W.) But with a price point and feature set that seems too good to be true, do the speakers measure up?

Perhaps as one way to hold down costs, Logitech does not offer dual RCA inputs, instead using three stereo-mini 1/8in. inputs. If you have a PC sound card that supports the 6-channel direct format for surround sound, you are in luck. If not, each input is treated as a stereo input. Better yet, there are two digital optical inputs and a digital coaxial input as well (optical and coaxial cables are not provided). Maybe it's my many years in the music business, but I was hard-pressed to hear any significant difference between the stereo and digital audio inputs — both sounded wonderful.

I was able to set up the speakers in less than 15 minutes, and after some adjustments I was immediately enjoying surround sound. The system comes with all the wires you'll need to hook up the three front speakers to the subwoofer, and these attach to the Digital SoundTouch Control Center (with source inputs, decoding, and an LCD display) via a control cable. As for hooking up the rear speakers, simply plug them into any AC wall outlet. A small blue indicator light means the signal is OK, and you are ready to go. The audio channels are sent to the dual wireless rear speakers via 2.4GHz digital transmission; both rear speakers are independent, with their own wireless receiver and power amplifier. This way there are no dropouts. I was concerned by the fact that my cordless phone also uses the 2.4Ghz signal spectrum, so I tested using the phone while sitting right next to one of the rear speakers. I never heard any interference or degradation of the audio.

I was also concerned about high latency stemming from the wireless nature of the rear speakers, which could knock the video and audio out of sync. Not a chance. By sending redundant signals to both rear speakers on the two clearest data channels (there are a total of 38 available channels), low-latency, high-quality in-phase audio is ensured. According to the adequate documentation, rear wireless speakers continuously communicate with the Control Center, and, depending on the signal environment, it automatically switches the wireless speakers to the best channel. Logitech calls this “adaptive channel hopping,” and it works by ensuring there are no dropouts of the audio signal. The company claims up to four independent wireless systems can operate within range of each other without any conflicts. I ran the Z-5450 system with a cordless phone, a Shure SM58 wireless mic, and Koss wireless headphone at the same time — no conflicts.

On the downside? In addition to video projects, I also do straight-audio work such as music CDs, radio spots, and even call-on-hold content, and I like working in the highest audio resolution possible. So I was disappointed that 96kHz audio signals are automatically resampled to 48kHz in the rear speakers. No big deal though — it still sounds great. (Maybe that's partly due to the fact that all of the speakers have a tweeter and a mid-range element, along with a patented dual-chamber subwoofer that my neighbors definitely do not enjoy).

The Z-5450 supports the modern audio standards that are important for postproduction. The fairly new DTS 96/24 surround format is used by many audio studios for mastering music CDs, and there are now a few “enhanced” DVDs that offer this as an option. DTS 96/24 allows the delivery of 5.1 channels of 24-bit, 96kHz audio via the DVD-Video format, and it can be placed in the video zone of DVD-Audio discs so that they can be played back on standard DVD players. A few of the newer PC audio cards support DTS 96/24 as well. The higher sample rate allows the format to offer a more accurate representation of the original sound source.

As mentioned, the Z-5450 features a realtime Dolby Digital decoder. Since 1992, this 5.1 surround technology has been used in movie theaters across the country. The aim of the format, and indeed surround sound itself, is to represent more accurately the characteristics of human hearing. Today, Dolby Digital is used with the Sony PlayStation, the Microsoft Xbox 360, digital cable, satellite television, and HDTV. The Z-5450's support for Dolby Pro Logic II is significant too, because the format is growing in popularity for its power to convert any stereo signal to 5.1 surround.

Last, but certainly not least, is the speakers' THX certification. Few sound products meet the rigid standards of THX. What Logitech calls phase-plug driver technology also enhances the audio, and the system's automatic EQ results in outstanding sound with clarity, depth, and definition. However, I found the bass a little too boomy for my tastes (but not objectionably so). In general, the control adjustments were super-sensitive — just one notch can mean the difference between achieving a perfect sound and not. When it's dialed in, all one can say is, “Wow.” To optimize the installation, my experience dictates that the speakers sound better mounted on the wall than sitting on top of something. Also, keep in mind that the Z-5450 performs better in smaller rooms.

I've always thought that we video creators have never spent enough time on the sound of our productions, but with the proliferation of surround sound systems, we now have a pressing reason to. When I went looking for some surround speakers, I wanted something easy and small that would not cost a fortune, but would still sound good. With its extraordinary overall sonic output and great bang-for-the-buck, the Logitech Z-5450 5.1 speaker system is one of the smartest (and easiest) purchases I've ever made. But I can't figure out which is happier: my ears, my clients, or my pocket book. One thing is certain: When you upgrade to 5.1, you should consider these speakers.

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bottomline

Company: Logitech
Fremont, Calif.; (702) 269-3457
www.logitech.com

Product: Z-5450

Assets: Low cost, seven stereo inputs, hardware 5.1 encoding, three digital inputs.

Caveats: Speakers sound better mounted on the wall than sitting on top of something, product performs better in smaller rooms.

Demographic: Any video producer looking to post in 5.1.

PRICE: $499

© 2008 Penton Media, Inc.