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Top Speaker Systems

Our tests of six 5.1-channel surround-sound speaker sets reveal which system offers the best audio.

Narasu Rebbapragada

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Z-5500 Digital PCW Rating: 88.0PCW Rating: 88.0PCW Rating: 88.0

Last Rated: February 07, 2006

BEST BUY!

1. Logitech Z-5500 Digital

Price when reviewed: $400, Overall performance: Very Good, Ease of use: Superior, Features: Superior

Bottom Line: Well-designed product has digital inputs to best take advantage of digital surround sound.

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GigaWorks ProGamer G500 5.1 Speaker System (310 Watts, THX Certified) PCW Rating: 85.0PCW Rating: 85.0PCW Rating: 85.0

Last Rated: February 07, 2006

2. Creative GigaWorks ProGamer G500 5.1 Speaker System (310 Watts, THX Certified)

Price when reviewed: $250, Overall performance: Very Good, Ease of use: Superior, Features: Good

Bottom Line: Relatively inexpensive set of speakers has an additional treble control and performed best in our tests of stereo music tracks.

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ProMedia Ultra 5.1 Speaker System (500 Watts, PC) PCW Rating: 84.0PCW Rating: 84.0PCW Rating: 84.0

Last Rated: February 07, 2006

3. Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 Speaker System (500 Watts, PC)

Price when reviewed: $350, Overall performance: Very Good, Ease of use: Very Good, Features: Very Good

Bottom Line: Though this system isn't new, it's the best PC-based speaker set that Klipsch offers.

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Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 505 Amplified Multimedia/Computer Speaker System PCW Rating: 77.0PCW Rating: 77.0PCW Rating: 77.0

Last Rated: February 07, 2006

4. GE Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 505 Amplified Multimedia/Computer Speaker System

Price when reviewed: $400, Overall performance: Good, Ease of use: Very Good, Features: Good

Bottom Line: Cambridge Soundworks' only 5.1-channel offering lacks center and rear speaker controls but has a treble switch.

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LX4 2.1 System PCW Rating: 62.0PCW Rating: 62.0PCW Rating: 62.0

Last Rated: February 07, 2006

5. M-Audio LX4 2.1 System

Price when reviewed: $550, Overall performance: Good, Ease of use: Good, Features: Poor

Bottom Line: Expensive product combo omits PC-centric conveniences such as bundled cables, a distinct volume controller, and adapters for 0.125-inch inputs.

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RW-670XL PCW Rating: 59.0PCW Rating: 59.0PCW Rating: 59.0

Last Rated: February 07, 2006

6. Sicuro RW-670XL

Price when reviewed: $170, Overall performance: Poor, Ease of use: Poor, Features: Good

Bottom Line: Inexpensive, garishly designed product has poor sound quality and an Enhance button that heavily distorts bass.

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HOW WE TEST: We test rewritable DVD drives under Windows XP Home on PCs with 1.67-GHz Athlon XP 2000+ processors and 512MB of DDR SDRAM. To test each drive, we use the bundled DVD video authoring, mastering, and packet-writing software; we use vendor-supplied media or Verbatim media. Tests conducted by the PC World Test Center. All rights reserved.

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